Improved switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode in sorting system

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting system (1), comprising a warehouse (3a, 3b), a sorting station (14), a transport system (8a.. 8e, 10, 12a.. 12c) for transporting goods (9a.. 9h, 11), a drive system (M) for the transport system (8a.. 8e, 10, 12a.. 12c), a control system (22) for the transport system (8a.. 8e, 10, 12a.. 12c), and an energy supply system (EVS) for the drive system (M) and the control system (22), the sorting system (1) comprises an electronic energy-saving module (21), by means of which the sorting system (1) can be switched from a normal operating mode to an energy-saving mode and vice versa. The energy-saving module (21) is further designed to a) mask, suppress or automatically confirm a fault notification when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or b) suppress or automatically confirm a fault diagnosis function or a fault removal function when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or c) a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications can be confirmed at the same time. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a sorting system (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting system, which has a warehouse, a sorting station, a conveying technology device for transporting goods between the warehouse and the sorting station, a drive system for the conveying technology device, a control system for the conveying technology device, and an energy supply system, wherein the energy supply system is configured to supply energy to the drive system and the control system. The sorting system also includes an electronic energy-saving module, by means of which the sorting system can be switched from a normal operating mode to an energy-saving mode and from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode, wherein in the energy-saving mode, at least a part of the energy supply system is switched off. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for operating a sorting system of the above type, and in particular a method for switching from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode, wherein in the energy-saving mode, at least a part of the energy supply system is switched off. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, although there are suggestions for energy-saving modes in sorting systems, the complexity of the startup process leads to operators rarely or not using the energy-saving mode for the sorting system. Even if used, the energy-saving mode is only applied during relatively long operating intervals due to the cumbersome startup process. Therefore, the goal of the energy-saving mode cannot be achieved or can only be achieved inadequately. Summary of the invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved sorting system and an improved method for switching from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode. In particular, the above-mentioned disadvantages should be overcome and the usability of the energy-saving mode in the sorting system should be improved.

[0004] The proposed technical object is achieved by a sorting system of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the energy-saving module is designed to:

[0005] a) shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging fault notifications when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or

[0006] b) suppressing or automatically acknowledging fault diagnostic functions or fault elimination functions when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or

[0007] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification confirmation element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications can be confirmed simultaneously.

[0008] Furthermore, the proposed technical object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein

[0009] - switching the sorting system from energy saving mode to normal operating mode by means of an electronic energy saving module, and

[0010] a) when switching from energy saving mode to normal operation mode, fault notifications are masked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged by the energy saving module, and / or

[0011] b) when switching from energy saving mode to normal operation mode, the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function is suppressed or automatically confirmed by the energy saving module, and / or

[0012] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the energy-saving module provides a fault notification acknowledgment element, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications can be acknowledged simultaneously.

[0013] The proposed measures make it possible to easily switch a sorting system from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode without having to undergo a tedious startup process for this purpose and without requiring a large amount of intervention on the part of the operator of the sorting system for this purpose. In particular, the sorting system can be automatically started when switching from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode. Therefore, the sorting system can also be placed in an energy-saving mode for a relatively short period of time without causing major interference to the sorting process. Therefore, overall, the proposed measures contribute to reducing the energy consumption in the sorting system compared to the prior art. In addition, through the proposed measures, the software for operating the sorting system does not need to be changed or only needs to be changed slightly. As a result, even in existing sorting systems, a comfortable switch from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode can be achieved at a low cost.

[0014] The energy-saving module may include software and / or hardware and may be configured as a host computer or part of a host computer, which has an integrated switch element for switching on the energy supply system or a switch element connected to the host computer via a control line. The switch element for switching on the energy supply system may be configured as a relay or a contactor. The switch element may be switched on or off by a corresponding switch command of the host computer. Similarly, the fault notification confirmation element may be formed by a physical switch element, i.e., for example, by a mechanical switch or a button.

[0015] Preferably, the energy saving module comprises a software module by means of which the sorting system can be switched into the energy saving mode. Particularly preferably, the software module comprises a graphical user interface with a switch panel, wherein the sorting system can be switched into the energy saving mode by operating the switch panel. In this case, the switch panel can be designed so that the switch panel can be operated by clicking, by pulling the switch panel along a preset (displayed) path, etc. Likewise, the fault notification confirmation element can be formed by another such switch panel.

[0016] The conveyor technology can include inbound and / or outbound conveyor technology (eg rack manipulators or shuttles), stationary conveyor technology and / or mobile conveyor technology.

[0017] The electronic energy saving module in particular cuts off electrical energy from the sorting system or parts of the sorting system, but the electronic energy saving module also involves saving other forms of energy. For example, the energy saving module can also cut off pneumatic energy from the sorting system or parts of the sorting system.

[0018] A “fault message” indicates a fault in the sorting system. In particular, the fault message can be actively generated by the unit in which the fault occurred. For example, the fault message can indicate a failure of a drive component and can also be generated by the drive component.

[0019] A "fault diagnosis function" is in particular a function which is implemented in software and / or hardware and can be implemented for diagnosing possible faults in the sorting system. The fault diagnosis function is therefore used in particular to detect faults which are not actively generated. For example, in this way, a drive component can be checked for proper function or even for faults.

[0020] A "fault clearing function" is in particular a function implemented in software and / or hardware and can be implemented to clear faults in the sorting system. For example, the software of a drive component can be restarted by the fault clearing function in order to clear existing faults as far as possible.

[0021] “Blocking” the fault notification means in particular that the fault notification is generated but is not indicated to the operator of the sorting system.

[0022] “Suppressing” a fault notification means in particular that no fault notification is generated. Similarly, “suppressing” a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function means that the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function is not executed.

[0023] “Automatically confirming” a fault message means, in particular, that although a fault message is generated and possibly also indicated, it is automatically accepted without intervention by an operator of the sorting system. Similarly, “automatically confirming” a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function means, in particular, that although a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function is executed, it is automatically accepted without intervention by an operator of the sorting system.

[0024] The "simultaneous confirmation" of multiple fault notifications by means of a fault notification confirmation element provides an automated feasible solution for approving fault notifications. Although this variant requires the intervention of the operator of the sorting system, the approval of the fault notification is simple for the operator, because multiple fault notifications can be approved at one time by operating the fault notification confirmation element only once. The term "simultaneous" here refers to the process of operating the fault notification confirmation element. The individual fault notifications themselves can thus be confirmed simultaneously, but it is also conceivable to confirm the time sequence of the individual fault notifications. This is particularly meaningful when the fault notifications are related to each other and can only be confirmed or approved in a certain order. That is to say, the confirmation of the fault notification itself can also be carried out over a certain period of time. In this sense, the term "simultaneous" can be understood in a given context as being synonymous with "all at once" or "through a single manipulation of the fault notification confirmation element."

[0025] The proposed variant embodiments can be used individually or in any combination. Thus, for example, it is conceivable to use only variant a), only variant b) or only variant c). It is also possible to selectively use one of a plurality of variants that are available in principle. However, it is also conceivable to use variant a) for some fault notifications and variant c) for another part of the fault notifications.

[0026] Similar considerations apply to the terms "shielding", "suppression", "automatic acknowledgment" and "simultaneous acknowledgment" (or "automatic acknowledgment"). Thus, for example, it is also conceivable that in principle only one of the listed variants is used, or that one can select from a plurality of variants that are in principle available. It is also conceivable that one variant is used for partial fault notification and another variant is used for another partial fault notification.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims and from the description in conjunction with the drawings.

[0028] The advantage is that

[0029] - the control system comprises a submodule with a voltage monitoring device which detects a failure of the supply voltage for the submodule and indicates the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage has been switched back on, and

[0030] - Energy saving module

[0031] a) shielding, suppressing and / or automatically acknowledging a fault message concerning said failure of the supply voltage when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or

[0032] b) a fault diagnosis function which suppresses or automatically acknowledges said failures involving the supply voltage when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or

[0033] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message confirmation element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages relating to the failure of the supply voltage can be confirmed simultaneously.

[0034] It is also advantageous if the energy-saving module is designed to carry out steps a) and / or b) and / or c).

[0035] The submodules of the control system may have a voltage monitoring device, which detects the failure of the supply voltage for the submodule and indicates the failure by means of a fault notification after the supply voltage is reconnected. In this way, unexplained faults can be prevented from occurring in the relevant part of the control system due to a short-term stop of the supply voltage. On the contrary, even if the failure of the supply voltage is only short-term, the failure of the supply voltage can still be known at any time. Therefore, the faults attributed to this failure of the supply voltage can be assigned accordingly. However, in the energy-saving mode, if there are no further measures, these voltage monitoring devices that meet the purpose themselves will lead to a large number of fault notifications and / or the execution of a large number of fault diagnosis functions in the sorting system when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode. These fault notifications and fault diagnosis functions must be confirmed to ensure the operation of the sorting system in accordance with regulations after switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode. However, this is very time-consuming for the operators of the sorting system, so that as mentioned, the energy-saving mode is rarely used or not used at all in the prior art. In contrast, the proposed measures achieve a significant simplification, since the fault notification due to a failure of the supply voltage caused intentionally by switching into the energy-saving mode is shielded, suppressed and / or automatically acknowledged when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or can be manually acknowledged in a simple manner by means of a fault notification acknowledgement element. Likewise, the fault diagnosis function due to a failure of the supply voltage caused intentionally by switching into the energy-saving mode is suppressed or automatically acknowledged when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode. The submodule of the control system can be, for example, a control module or a measuring module.

[0036] In principle, it is not a basic requirement to provide a voltage monitoring device for detecting a failure of the supply voltage for a submodule. For example, it is also conceivable to (indirectly) detect a failure of the voltage for a submodule by no longer being able to contact the submodule via a communication channel. A corresponding fault message can then be generated in the control system. It is also conceivable that, in the event of a drop in the supply voltage, a corresponding fault message is also issued by the submodule before the submodule fails.

[0037] The advantage is that

[0038] - the sorting system is divided into spatially delimited zones which are each supplied with energy via an energy supply system in normal operating mode, and

[0039] - the energy saving module is configured to switch one, several or all of the zones from a normal operating mode to an energy saving mode and vice versa, as required, wherein in the energy saving mode at least that part of the energy supply system which supplies energy to the respective zone or the respective zones is switched off,

[0040] - and the energy-saving module is configured to

[0041] a) shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging a fault message associated with the zone when switching the zone from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or

[0042] b) suppressing or automatically confirming a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the area when switching the area from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or

[0043] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the area can be acknowledged simultaneously.

[0044] It is also advantageous if the energy saving module is designed to carry out the above steps.

[0045] For example, the area can be formed by the functional groups of the sorting system or include these functional groups, such as sorting areas, storage areas, conveying areas, classification areas, etc. The area can have a virtual boundary and / or be delimited completely or partially by structural measures, wherein personnel can only enter the area at the passage. Such structural measures are particularly walls, but can also be other facilities in the sorting system, which cannot be crossed by personnel or at least are not set up for personnel to cross. Therefore, for example, scaffolding, grilles, fences, etc. (although they can be passed through or turned over in principle, they are not set up for this purpose) are structural measures that are not set up for personnel to cross. Personnel entering the area delimited by structural measures can be realized at the passage or only at the passage. Such passages are, for example, corresponding wall openings, doors, gates, etc.

[0046] Advantageously, the energy-saving module comprises a plurality of energy switch modules, each of which is assigned to one of the regions, wherein one or more regions are switched from a normal operating mode to an energy-saving mode and from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode by means of the energy switch modules respectively assigned thereto as required. It is also advantageous that the energy-saving module comprises a plurality of energy switch modules, each of which is assigned to one of the regions and is configured to switch the corresponding region from a normal operating mode to an energy-saving mode and from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode as required. In this variant embodiment, the energy-saving module is constructed hierarchically. This facilitates the construction, operation and maintenance of the energy-saving module. When the energy-saving module comprises a software module, the energy switch module can be constructed, for example, as a software submodule. It is also conceivable that the energy switch modules are respectively implemented as the switch surfaces described above, so that a corresponding switch surface is assigned to a corresponding region in each of the regions.

[0047] It is particularly advantageous that

[0048] - the sorting system comprises an integrity monitoring device which monitors the integrity of an area in an energy saving mode, wherein the integrity of the area is compromised at least when the integrity monitoring device detects that a person has entered the area, and

[0049] - The energy saving module

[0050] a) if the integrity of the zone is impaired when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, indicating an error message associated with the zone on an output device during the switchover, and if the integrity of the zone is intact during the switchover, masking, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the error message associated with the zone, and / or

[0051] b) if the integrity of the zone is impaired when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone during the switching, and if the integrity of the zone is intact during the switching, suppressing or automatically confirming the execution of the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function, and / or

[0052] c) if the integrity of the zone is impaired when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, an error message associated with the zone is indicated on the output device during the switch, and if the integrity of the zone is intact during the switch, an error message confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, by means of which a plurality of error messages associated with the zone can be confirmed simultaneously.

[0053] It is also advantageous if the energy-saving module is designed to carry out steps a) and / or b) and / or c).

[0054] When dividing the areas and selectively switching these areas to the energy-saving mode, these fault notifications and fault diagnosis functions or troubleshooting functions that meet the purpose in themselves will lead to a large number of fault notifications and / or the execution of a large number of fault diagnosis functions when the sorting system is switched from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode without further measures. These must be confirmed to ensure that the sorting system operates in accordance with regulations after switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode. However, this is very time-consuming for the operators of the sorting system, so that as mentioned, the energy-saving mode is rarely used or not used at all in the prior art. In contrast, the proposed measures achieve significant simplification because it can be based on the following: if the integrity of the area is intact during the switching, that is, if the area is not stepped into by a person in the energy-saving mode, then the fault notification and / or the fault diagnosis function or troubleshooting function assigned to the area is not important. Therefore, when the integrity of the area is intact in the switching, the fault notification that occurs in the energy-saving mode is shielded, suppressed and / or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode and / or can be manually confirmed in a simple manner through the fault notification confirmation element. Similarly, fault diagnostic functions that occur in energy-saving mode are suppressed or automatically confirmed when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode if the integrity of the zone is intact at the time of the switch.

[0055] The expression "if the integrity of the zone is impaired during the switchover" means in particular "if the integrity monitoring device indicates that the integrity of the zone is impaired during the switchover". For example, a flag or a status bit can be set in the integrity monitoring device or a switching element can be switched on when the integrity of the zone is impaired. In the latter case, the impairment of integrity can be indicated, for example, by a specific voltage level or a specific signal. The integrity monitoring device can be designed not only in software but also in hardware and thus have a computer program and / or an electronic circuit.

[0056] The integrity monitoring device can also be designed to trigger an (automatic) switchover from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode. Thus, for example, a start-up process for the zone can be initiated when the person responsible for the operation of the zone enters the zone, for example in the morning after the zone has been shut down for the night. The proposed measures allow the zone to be put back into operation particularly quickly and comfortably. The triggering of the switching process can also be set only for a specific time window, for example from 7:00 to 9:00 in the morning. If an impairment of the integrity is detected before this time window (in the present example, before 7:00), no automatic triggering takes place.

[0057] It is also conceivable that, in the event of an integrity impairment, a specific integrity monitoring device of a zone (immediately) triggers the indication of a fault message occurring in this zone (cases a) and c)) and / or triggers the execution of a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function assigned to this zone (case b). In particular, the indication of a fault message and / or the execution of a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function assigned to the detection by the integrity monitoring device can be triggered. In this way, integrity impairments that are classified as particularly serious can be handled separately. This can be the case, for example, if an intrusion into a zone from outside the sorting system is detected.

[0058] Furthermore, it is advantageous that

[0059] - the control system comprises a submodule having a voltage monitoring device which detects a failure of the supply voltage for the submodule and indicates the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage has been switched back on, and

[0060] - The energy saving module

[0061] a) when switching a zone from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, shielding, suppressing and / or automatically acknowledging a fault message associated with said zone and relating to said failure of the supply voltage, and / or

[0062] b) when switching a zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, suppressing or automatically acknowledging a fault diagnosis function associated with the zone which relates to the failure of the supply voltage, and / or

[0063] c) when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the zones and relating to the failure of the supply voltage can be acknowledged simultaneously.

[0064] It is also advantageous if the energy-saving module is designed to carry out steps a) and / or b) and / or c).

[0065] In this embodiment variant, the measures proposed for the voltage monitoring device and for the zones or the advantages resulting therefrom are combined.

[0066] It is particularly advantageous that

[0067] - the sorting system comprises an integrity monitoring device which monitors the integrity of an area in an energy saving mode, wherein the integrity of the area is compromised at least when the integrity monitoring device detects that a person enters the area,

[0068] - the control system comprises a submodule having a voltage monitoring device which detects a failure of the supply voltage for the submodule and indicates the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage has been switched back on, and

[0069] - The energy saving module

[0070] a) if the integrity of the zone is impaired when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, indicating during the switching a fault message associated with the zone, including a fault message relating to the failure of the supply voltage, and if the integrity of the zone is intact during the switching, shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault message, and / or

[0071] b) executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with said zone, including a fault diagnosis function related to said failure of the supply voltage, if the integrity of said zone is impaired when switching said zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and suppressing or automatically confirming the execution of said function if the integrity of the zone is intact when said switch is made, and / or

[0072] c) if the integrity of the zone is impaired when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, then during the switching, fault notifications associated with the zone are indicated, including a fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage, and if the integrity of the zone is intact during the switching, then during the switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification confirmation element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone, including a fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage, can be confirmed simultaneously.

[0073] It is also advantageous if the energy saving module is designed to carry out the above steps.

[0074] In this embodiment variant, the measures proposed for the voltage monitoring device and for the integrity monitoring device or the advantages resulting therefrom are combined, wherein in this embodiment variant the fault message relating to the failure of the supply voltage is treated in the same way as all other fault messages.

[0075] Particularly beneficial are:

[0076] - the sorting system comprises an integrity monitoring device configured to monitor the integrity of the area in an energy saving mode, wherein the integrity of the area is compromised at least when the integrity monitoring device detects that a person enters the area,

[0077] - the control system comprises a submodule having a voltage monitoring device which detects a failure of the supply voltage for the submodule and indicates the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage has been switched back on, and

[0078] - The energy saving module

[0079] a) if the integrity of the zone is impaired when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, indicating the fault message associated with the zone during the switching, excluding the fault message related to the failure of the supply voltage, and if the integrity of the zone is intact during the switching, shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault message, and shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault message associated with the zone related to the failure of the supply voltage when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, regardless of the integrity of the zone during the switching, and / or

[0080] b) if the integrity of the zone is impaired when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone during the switching, excluding the fault diagnosis function related to the failure of the supply voltage, and if the integrity of the zone is intact during the switching, suppressing or automatically confirming the execution of the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function, and suppressing or automatically confirming the fault diagnosis function associated with the zone related to the failure of the supply voltage when switching the zone from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, regardless of the integrity of the zone during the switching, and / or

[0081] c) if the integrity of the zone is impaired when the zone is switched from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, then the fault notification associated with the zone is indicated in the switch, excluding the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage, and if the integrity of the zone is intact at the time of the switch, then a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, with the help of which a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone can be confirmed simultaneously, excluding the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage, and with the help of the fault notification confirmation element a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone related to the failure of the supply voltage can be confirmed independently of the integrity of the zone at the time of the switch.

[0082] It is also advantageous if the energy saving module is designed to carry out the above steps.

[0083] In this variant embodiment, the measures proposed for the voltage monitoring device and for the integrity monitoring device or the advantages resulting therefrom are combined again, wherein, however, in this variant embodiment, the fault message relating to the failure of the supply voltage is handled differently from all other fault messages. In particular, the fault messages assigned to the area, which are due to a failure of the supply voltage caused intentionally by switching to the energy-saving mode, are always shielded, suppressed and / or automatically acknowledged when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode. Likewise, the fault diagnosis functions due to a failure of the supply voltage caused intentionally are always suppressed or automatically acknowledged when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode.

[0084] It is also particularly advantageous to provide an integrity confirmation element, which resets the damaged integrity of the area during operation, or the integrity confirmation element is configured to reset the damaged integrity of the area during manipulation. This provides the possibility of resetting the damaged integrity for the following personnel, who step into the area in energy-saving mode but ensure that no changes are made in the area. For example, such personnel can be night watchmen who are tolerated in the area. The integrity confirmation element can be constructed as a confirmation button or a confirmation function and implemented not only in software but also in hardware. The contents of the fault notification confirmation element constructed by physical switch elements or the contents of the switch elements of the energy-saving module are applicable here in accordance with the meaning. Also applicable in accordance with the meaning is the contents of the fault notification confirmation element constructed by the switch surface or the contents of the graphical user interface of the energy-saving module.

[0085] Advantageously, the integrity monitoring device for monitoring the access of persons to the area in the energy-saving mode comprises a door switch, a light curtain, a light barrier, a monitoring camera and / or a motion detector. Thus, well-proven and readily available components are used to monitor the integrity of the area.

[0086] It is also particularly advantageous that

[0087] - the integrity monitoring device comprises an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element acting on the energy supply of the zone, and

[0088] When the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element is pressed, the integrity of the region is impaired and remains impaired even if the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element is unlocked again.

[0089] The operation of the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating elements is mostly the result of a serious fault in the process in the sorting system. In order to prevent further damage, the person who detects such a fault can stop the relevant part of the sorting system from operating. Although the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating elements themselves are purposeful devices, the operation of the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating elements in energy-saving mode is without consequence when the relevant equipment parts of the sorting system are already powered off. However, it still makes sense not to ignore such events, because it can be assumed that the operation is based on the detection of the fault. Therefore, it is provided in the variant embodiment that even if the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating elements are unlocked again, the integrity of the area is damaged and remains damaged.

[0090] Alternatively, it is particularly advantageous if

[0091] - the integrity monitoring device comprises an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element acting on the energy supply of the zone, and

[0092] - The integrity of the area is only compromised if the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element is pressed or locked.

[0093] This variant embodiment is very similar to the previously mentioned variant embodiment. However, in this case, it is assumed that actuation of the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element is only meaningful if the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element is pressed or locked. Therefore, in the variant embodiment, it is provided that the integrity of the area is only impaired if the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element is pressed or locked. If the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element is released or unlocked, the integrity of the area is reestablished.

[0094] In the context of the present disclosure, an "emergency stop" is understood to mean in particular the stopping of a moving device without necessarily (completely) cutting off the energy supply to the device. For example, the drive motor can be switched off and the electromagnetic brake can be actuated at the same time. In this way, a hazard caused by moving parts can be prevented, but not necessarily a hazard caused by the energy supply itself.

[0095] In the context of the present disclosure, "emergency shutdown" is understood in particular to mean an interruption of the energy input without necessarily actively stopping the movement of the moving device. For example, a drive motor can be switched off without braking it. Thus, a hazard caused by the energy supply itself can be prevented, but not necessarily a hazard caused by the moving device.

[0096] Dangers caused by the energy supply itself and by moving devices can be eliminated by a combined emergency stop and emergency shutdown operating element. It should also be noted that in practice, the various names are not strictly distinguished from each other, so it is not mandatory to give the above classification of functions.

[0097] In general, the emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element can be designed, for example, as an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown switch or as an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown button. This is primarily understood to mean a physical operating element that is used only for this purpose, such as an operating element with a yellow housing and a red mushroom head for operation. However, for the same purpose, it is also conceivable to have a switch surface on a screen with, for example, a button function or a switch function, which can be operated with a computer mouse or, in the case of a touch screen, with a finger.

[0098] Advantageously, the sorting system additionally has safety technology devices which are supplied with energy by the energy supply system, wherein in the energy-saving mode at least a part of the energy supply system for the safety technology devices is switched off. Such safety technology devices can be, for example, light curtains which monitor access to safety zones around the robot. If such a light curtain or safety zone in an area is in the energy-saving mode, the safety technology devices can also be deactivated without risk, since a powered-off robot does not pose a hazard. In contrast, safety technology devices which do not only act on the switched-off area can also remain switched on. For example, this can be a component of an alarm device for monitoring the sorting system.

[0099] Advantageously, the energy saving module

[0100] a) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, all fault messages, in particular all fault messages associated with a zone, are blocked, suppressed and / or automatically acknowledged, and / or

[0101] b) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, all diagnostic or troubleshooting functions are suppressed or automatically confirmed, in particular all diagnostic or troubleshooting functions which are assigned to a zone, and / or

[0102] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which all fault messages, in particular all fault messages associated with a zone, can be acknowledged simultaneously.

[0103] It is also advantageous if the energy saving module is designed to carry out steps a) and / or b) and / or c).

[0104] As a result, a switch from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode can be carried out with particularly little effort.

[0105] Alternatively, it is advantageous if the sorting system

[0106] - comprises a selection module which detects a selection of a fault message, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function, in particular a selection of a fault message, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function which is assigned to a zone, and

[0107] - The energy saving module

[0108] a) exclude selected fault notifications from being masked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged when switching from energy saving mode to normal operating mode; and / or

[0109] b) exclude selected fault diagnosis functions or fault elimination functions from suppression or automatic acknowledgment when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operation, and / or

[0110] c) when switching from the energy saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification confirmation element is provided, and the selected fault notification is excluded from simultaneous confirmation by the fault notification confirmation element.

[0111] It is also advantageous if the energy-saving module is designed to carry out steps a) and / or b) and / or c).

[0112] Therefore, in the input interface of the selection module, those fault notifications that should not be shielded, suppressed or automatically confirmed or should not be confirmable by the fault notification confirmation element when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode can be actively selected in cases a) and c), and those fault diagnosis functions or fault elimination functions that should not be suppressed or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode are selected in case b). Points a), b) and c) can also involve reverse selection (i.e., exclusion selection), for example, when in cases a) and c) the fault notifications that should be shielded, suppressed or automatically confirmed or should be confirmable by the fault notification confirmation element when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation are actively selected in the input interface of the selection module, and in case b) the fault diagnosis functions or fault elimination functions that should be suppressed or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode are actively selected.

[0113] It is advantageous if, in the method, in a corresponding step c), a plurality of fault messages are acknowledged simultaneously, in particular by an operator, by means of a provided fault message acknowledgment element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0114] In order to better understand the present invention, the present invention is explained in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0115] The figure shows a strongly simplified schematic diagram:

[0116] Figure 1An exemplary sorting system is schematically shown in a top view;

[0117] Figure 2 A slightly more detailed schematic diagram showing a part of a sorting system including its electrical supply;

[0118] Figure 3 like Figure 2 That way, there are only emergency stop and / or emergency shut-off operating elements in the power supply line, and

[0119] Figure 4 A circuit diagram of an exemplary voltage monitoring device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0120] First of all, it should be noted that in the different described embodiments, the same components are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, wherein the disclosure contained in the entire description can be transferred to the same components with the same reference numerals or the same component names in a meaningful manner. In addition, the selected position descriptions in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the directly described and shown figures and are transferred to the new position in a meaningful manner when the position changes.

[0121] Figure 1An exemplary sorting system 1 is schematically shown in a top view. The sorting system 1 is located in a building and has a plurality of walls 2. The sorting system 1 may also include a warehouse 3a for flat goods and / or a warehouse 3b for hanging goods. However, the provision of two different warehouses 3a, 3b should be understood as non-mandatory and only exemplary. In addition, the sorting system 1 preferably includes a goods entrance 4a, 4b and a goods exit 5. A plurality of shelves 6 and shelf operating devices 7a, 7b moving therebetween are provided in the warehouse 3a. A plurality of conveyor tracks 8a..8c are located between the goods entrance 4a and the warehouse 3a. Another conveyor track 8d is located in the region of the goods entrance 4b. Finally, a conveyor track 8e is located between the warehouse 3a and the goods exit 5. Purely exemplary, flat goods 9a..9d are located on conveyor tracks 8a, 8b, 8d and 8e. The warehouse 3b includes a hanging conveyor track 10, on which hanging goods 11 can be carried and / or transported. The cargo warehouse 3b is connected to the conveyor track 8d and the conveyor track 8e in terms of conveying technology. The sorting system 1 can also include a plurality of autonomous ground transport vehicles 12a..12c, which transport flat goods 9e..9g for example. In addition, the sorting system 1 includes a plurality of robots 13a..13c, which are configured to manipulate flat goods 9a..9d and / or to manipulate suspended goods 11. Specifically, the robot 13a forms a conveying technical connection between the conveyor tracks 8a..8c and the ground transport vehicles 12a..12c, the robot 13b forms a conveying technical connection between the conveyor track 8d, the suspended conveyor track 10 and the ground transport vehicles 12a..12c, and the robot 13c forms a conveying technical connection between the conveyor track 9d, the suspended conveyor track 10 and the ground transport vehicles 12a..12c.

[0122] The flat goods 9e..9g can be supplied via the goods entrance 4a, transported to the robot 13a by means of the conveyor track 8a and transferred from there to the conveyor tracks 8b, 8c. On the conveyor tracks 8b, 8c, the flat goods 9e..9g can be transported to the warehouse 3a and there stored in the warehouse shelves 6 by means of the shelf operating devices 7a, 7b. Similarly, the suspended goods 11 can be supplied at the goods entrance 4b, transported to the robot 13b by means of the conveyor track 8d and transferred from there to the suspended conveyor track 10. As a result, the suspended goods 11 on the suspended conveyor track 10 can be transported to the warehouse 3b and stored there. In addition, the flat goods 9e..9g and the suspended goods 11 can also be transported from the goods entrances 4a, 4b to one of the conveyor tracks 8a..8c, to one of the robots 13a, 13b, to the warehouse areas 3a, 3b or to the goods exit 5 by means of the ground transport vehicles 12a..12c.

[0123] When sorting (customer) orders, the required flat goods 9e..9g are taken from the shelves 6 by means of the shelf operating devices 7a, 7b, transported to the robot 13c by means of the conveyor track 9d, and sorted to the shipping unit by the robot. In the same way, the suspended goods 11 can be transported to the robot 13c via the suspended conveyor track 10 and sorted to the shipping unit by the robot 13c. In addition, it is also possible that the flat goods 9e..9g and / or the suspended goods 11 are transported directly from the goods entrance 4a, 4b to the robot 13c by means of the ground transport vehicle 12a..12c and sorted to the shipping unit by the robot.

[0124] The above-mentioned process is known per se and is therefore not described in detail.

[0125] Preferably, the sorting system 1 is divided into a plurality of zones Z1..Z6, such as Figure 1 In particular, zones Z1..Z6 can be entered or exited via cargo entrances 4a, 4b, cargo exits 5 and passages D1..D7. Zones Z1, Z2 form cargo entrance zones, zones Z3, Z4 form warehouse zones, zone Z5 forms sorting zones or sorting stations 14, and zone Z6 forms a general cargo handling zone.

[0126] As exemplarily shown for the doors at the cargo entrances 4a, 4b and the cargo exit 5, door switches 15a..15c may be provided at the doors. Thus, the opening of the corresponding door can be detected by means of the corresponding door switches 15a..15c. In particular, the opening of the door at the cargo entrance 4a can be detected by means of the door switch 15a, the opening of the door at the cargo entrance 4b can be detected by means of the door switch 15b, and the opening of the door at the cargo exit 5 can be detected by means of the door switch 15c.

[0127] It is also conceivable that light curtains or light barriers 16a are provided at the channels D1 .. D7, such as Figure 1 The situation at channel D4 in the figure. Figure 1 The light curtain or light barrier 16a shown in the figure can detect entry into or exit from the zones Z2 and Z4. In general, entry into or exit from the corresponding zones Z1 and Z7 can be detected with the corresponding light curtain or light barrier 16a. In addition, the zone Z3 can be protected with a light curtain or light barrier, thereby detecting entry into or exit from the zones Z1 and Z3 or Z3 and Z5.

[0128] Furthermore, one or more monitoring cameras 17a can be installed in each of the zones Z1 .. Z7 , as is shown by way of example for the zone Z6 . Figure 1As shown in the example for zones Z4 and Z6, motion detectors 18a and 18b can be arranged in zones Z1..Z6. With the aid of monitoring camera 17a and motion detector 18b, the movement of people, animals or other people in zone Z6 can be detected. With the aid of motion detector 18a, the movement of people, animals or other people in zone Z4 can be detected.

[0129] In addition, the sorting system 1 can include a plurality of emergency stop and / or emergency closing operating elements 19a..19d, wherein arrows are used to indicate which zones Z1..Z6 they act on. In the illustrated example, the emergency stop and / or emergency closing operating element 19a acts on the zone Z3, the emergency stop and / or emergency closing operating element 19b acts on the zones Z1, Z2, Z4, the emergency stop and / or emergency closing operating element 19c acts on the zone Z6, and the emergency stop and / or emergency closing operating element 19d acts on the zone Z5.

[0130] Finally, the sorting system 1 comprises a controller 20 having an energy saving module 21. The controller 20 can communicate with the devices in the sorting system 1 by wire and / or wireless communication, such as in Figure 1 As shown by arrows in FIG. 1 , the controller 20 and the communication channel or communication line together form a control system 22. The energy saving module 21 may generally include software and / or hardware.

[0131] Figure 2 A slightly more detailed schematic diagram of a part of the sorting system 1 is shown in a side view, in particular the electrical connections of the submodule 23 of the control system 22, the exemplary conveyor track 8, the light curtain 16, the camera 17 and the lighting device 24. In the illustrated example, the submodule 23, the drive M for the conveyor rollers 25 of the conveyor track 8, the light curtain 16, the camera 17 and the lighting device 24 are connected to the energy supply system EVS, in particular to the power grid, via a switch 26. The switch 26 is here controlled by the controller 20, specifically by its energy-saving module 21. The switch 26 can be designed in particular as a relay or a contactor. The switch 26 can be switched on or off via corresponding switching commands from the energy-saving module 21. Here, the functional connection between the energy-saving module 21 and the switch 26 can be implemented wired or wirelessly. The submodule 23 of the control system 22 also includes an optional voltage monitoring device 27 in this example (see also Figure 4 ). The wired or wireless communication between the submodule 23 and the controller 20 is Figure 2 It is indicated by a double arrow. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , the electrical supply or the connection to the energy supply system EVS is emphasized, while the communication channels between the submodule 23 and the light curtain 16 , the camera 17 and the drive M are not explicitly shown, but may exist in reality.

[0132] In general, the sorting system 1 therefore mainly includes: warehouses 3a, 3b; a sorting station 14; conveying technology equipment for transporting goods 9e..9g, 11 between the warehouses 3a, 3b and the sorting station 14, the conveying technology equipment in this example particularly including conveying rails 8, 8a..8c, a suspended conveying rail 10 and a ground transport vehicle 12a..12c; a drive system for the conveying technology equipment 8, 8a..8c, 10, 12a..12c (the drive system in this example includes a drive M or is represented by a drive M); a control system 22 for the conveying technology equipment 8, 8a..8c, 10, 12a..12c; and an energy supply system EVS, the energy supply system being mainly configured to supply energy to the drive system M and the control system 22.

[0133] The control system 22, in particular its energy saving module 21, is generally configured to switch the sorting system 1 or its components from a normal operating mode to an energy saving mode and from the energy saving mode to a normal operating mode, wherein in the energy saving mode at least a part of the energy supply system EVS is switched off.

[0134] In order to realize automatic startup of the sorting system 1 when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the energy-saving module 21 is further configured to:

[0135] a) shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging fault notifications when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or

[0136] b) suppressing or automatically acknowledging fault diagnostic functions or fault elimination functions when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or

[0137] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification confirmation element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications can be confirmed simultaneously.

[0138] As a result, the sorting system 1 can be easily switched from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode without having to undergo a complex startup process for this purpose and without requiring extensive intervention on the part of the operator of the sorting system 1 for this purpose. In particular, an automatic startup or automated startup of the sorting system 1 can be achieved when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode. As a result, the sorting system 1 can also be placed in the energy-saving mode for a relatively short period of time, without this causing major disruptions to the sorting process.

[0139] like Figure 1 As shown, the sorting system 1 can be divided into zones Z1..Z6 bounded in space. In general, the zones Z1..Z6 can have virtual boundaries, but they can also be Figure 1As shown in , the areas Z1..Z6 are completely or partially delimited by structural measures, wherein access by personnel to the areas Z1..Z6 can only be achieved at one of the cargo entrances 4a, 4b, at the cargo exit 5 or at the passages D1..D7. Such structural measures are, for example, walls 2. However, in principle, other facilities that cannot be traversed by personnel, or at least are not provided for traversal by personnel, can also be provided in the sorting system 1. Thus, for example, scaffolding and the like, although in principle they can be drilled through or climbed over, are not designed for this purpose and are structural measures that are not provided for traversal by personnel.

[0140] In normal operating mode, the zones Z1..Z6 are each supplied with energy via the energy supply system EVS. In this variant embodiment, one, more or all of the zones Z1..Z6 can be switched from normal operating mode to energy saving mode and from energy saving mode to normal operating mode as required by means of the energy saving module 21. In energy saving mode, at least the following part of the energy supply system EVS is switched off, which supplies energy to a corresponding zone Z1..Z6 or a corresponding plurality of zones Z1..Z6. In addition, the energy saving module 21 is configured in this variant embodiment to:

[0141] a) when switching a zone Z1 .. Z6 from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, the fault message associated with said zone Z1 .. Z6 is blocked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and / or

[0142] b) when switching the zone Z1 .. Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, suppressing or automatically confirming the fault diagnosis function or fault elimination function associated with the zone Z1 .. Z6, and / or

[0143] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the zones Z1 .. Z6 can be acknowledged simultaneously.

[0144] The energy-saving module 21 can generally include a plurality of energy switch modules, each of which is assigned to one of the zones Z1..Z6 and is configured to switch the corresponding zone Z1..Z6 from the normal operation mode to the energy-saving mode and from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode as required. These energy switch modules can communicate with the central part of the energy-saving module 21 wirelessly or by wire. Here, this distributed solution is similar to the solution implemented with the submodule 23 of the control system 22. Therefore, in Figure 2 In the embodiment, the energy switch module can take over the position of the energy saving module 21 and is configured to switch the switch 26 .

[0145] It is also advantageous if the sorting system 1 comprises an integrity monitoring device which is designed to monitor the integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6 in energy-saving mode, wherein the integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6 is impaired at least when the integrity monitoring device detects that a person has entered the zones Z1 .. Z6. Figure 1 In the example shown, the integrity monitoring device comprises, in particular, door switches 15a..15c, light curtains or barriers 16a, 16b, monitoring cameras 17a, 17 and motion detectors 18a, 18b. These devices can be used to detect the entry of a person into the zones Z1..Z6.

[0146] The energy saving module 21 can now be further configured to:

[0147] a) if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is impaired when switching the zone Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, displaying the fault message associated with the zone Z1..Z6 on an output device (e.g. a screen of the energy-saving module 21) during the switching, and if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is intact during the switching, shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault message associated with the zone, and / or

[0148] b) if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is impaired when switching the zone Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone Z1..Z6 during the switching, and if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is intact during the switching, suppressing or automatically confirming the execution of the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function, and / or

[0149] c) If the integrity of the area Z1..Z6 is damaged when the area Z1..Z6 is switched from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification associated with the area Z1..Z6 is displayed on an output device (e.g., a screen of the energy-saving module 21) during the switch, and if the integrity of the area Z1..Z6 is intact during the switch, a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and multiple fault notifications associated with the area Z1..Z6 can be confirmed simultaneously with the help of the fault notification confirmation element.

[0150] In this variant embodiment, it is assumed that if the integrity of the zones Z1..Z6 is intact during the switch, that is, if the zones Z1..Z6 are not entered by a person in the energy-saving mode, for example, the fault notification associated with the zones Z1..Z6 or the fault diagnosis function or troubleshooting function associated with the zones Z1..Z6 is meaningless. Accordingly, when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode, the fault notification occurring in the energy-saving mode is shielded, suppressed and / or automatically confirmed when the integrity of the zones Z1..Z6 is intact, or can be confirmed in a simple manner by operating the fault notification confirmation element. Similarly, when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode, the fault diagnosis function occurring in the energy-saving mode is suppressed or automatically confirmed when the integrity of the zones Z1..Z6 is intact. As a result, the switch from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode is significantly simplified for the operator of the sorting system 1.

[0151] For example, if the integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6 is impaired, a flag or a status bit can be set in the integrity monitoring device, or a switching element can be switched on. In the latter case, the impairment of integrity can be indicated, for example, by a specific voltage level or a specific signal. The integrity monitoring device can be designed both in software and in hardware and thus have a computer program and / or an electronic circuit.

[0152] Figure 3 Shown with Figure 2 The device shown is very similar to the device shown. Figure 3 The device shown in FIG. 1 additionally has an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element 19, by means of which the drive M for the conveyor rollers 25 of the conveyor track 8, the light curtain 16 and here also the camera 17 and the lighting device 24 can be de-energized in an emergency, for example, when an operator detects a serious error in the process in the sorting system 1. The emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element 19 is arranged in series with a switch 26.

[0153] In a variant embodiment, it can be provided that when the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element 19 is pressed, the integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6 is impaired and remains impaired even when the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element 19 is unlocked again. In this variant embodiment, the operation of the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element 19 always results in an impairment of the integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6, since, in the absence of abusive operation, the operation of the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element is always the result of a perceived danger.

[0154] In another embodiment variant, it is provided that the integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6 is impaired only when the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element 19 is pressed or locked. In this case, it is assumed that actuation of the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element is only meaningful when the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element 19 is pressed or locked, and that the perceived danger is no longer relevant when the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element 19 is released or unlocked.

[0155] It is also conceivable to provide an integrity confirmation element which, when operated, resets the impaired integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6. This provides the possibility of resetting the impaired integrity for a person who enters the zones Z1 .. Z6 in energy-saving mode but ensures that no changes have been made in these zones Z1 .. Z6. Such a person could be, for example, a night watchman who is tolerated in the zones Z1 .. Z6. The integrity confirmation element could, for example, be part of the control system 22 and be designed, for example, as a confirmation button or confirmation function and implemented not only in software but also in hardware.

[0156] As already mentioned, it can be provided that the control system 22 comprises a submodule 23 with a voltage monitoring device 27 which is designed to detect a failure of the supply voltage for the submodule 23 and to indicate the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage has been switched back on. In this way, unexplained faults in the relevant part of the control system 22 due to brief interruptions of the supply voltage should be prevented. On the contrary, a failure of the supply voltage is always known, even if the failure is only brief.

[0157] Figure 4 A feasible implementation scheme of the voltage monitoring device 27 is shown. The voltage monitoring device 27 includes a threshold switch 28, an RS trigger 29, an OR gate 30 and a signal lamp 31.

[0158] The supply voltage Uv for the submodule 23 is connected to the negative input of the threshold switch 28. This voltage is compared with the reference voltage URef connected to the positive input of the threshold switch 28. If the supply voltage Uv drops below the reference voltage URef, this causes a positive edge on the output of the threshold switch 28, and thus causes a positive edge on the set input S of the RS trigger 29. As a result, the RS trigger 29 is set and a positive output signal appears at the output Q of the RS trigger 29, and the signal lamp 31 is therefore lit. Even if the supply voltage Uv rises above the reference voltage URef, it will not change it, because the RS trigger 29 also maintains its switching state. The RS trigger 29 can only be reset by pressing the button T or the external confirmation signal EXT in this example. For this purpose, the switch signal from the button T and the external confirmation signal EXT are connected to the input of the OR gate 30. The output of the OR gate 30 is connected to the reset input R of the RS trigger 29, so that the RS trigger can be reset, and thus the signal lamp 31 is also extinguished. Therefore, a detected drop in the supply voltage Uv is indicated until the fault is confirmed. Figure 4 Only the logical function of such a voltage monitoring device 27 shall be explained, which of course can also be implemented in other ways and in particular can have a component in software. It should be noted here that the confirmation signal EXT should not be confused or identified with an integrity confirmation element for resetting the impaired integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6, but rather it merely resets the indication of a detected failure or drop in the supply voltage Uv.

[0159] Now, the energy saving module 21 is further designed to:

[0160] a) shielding, suppressing and / or automatically acknowledging a fault message concerning the mentioned failure of the supply voltage Uv when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or

[0161] b) a fault diagnosis function which suppresses or automatically acknowledges the mentioned failures involving the supply voltage Uv when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or

[0162] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications relating to the mentioned faults of the supply voltage Uv can be acknowledged simultaneously.

[0163] Thus, the fault notification caused by the failure of the supply voltage Uv caused intentionally due to the switch to the energy-saving mode is shielded, suppressed and / or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode, or can be confirmed in a simple manner by operating the fault notification confirmation element. Similarly, the fault diagnosis function caused by the failure of the supply voltage Uv caused intentionally is suppressed or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode. Therefore, the switch from the energy-saving mode to the normal operation mode is significantly simplified for the operator of the sorting system 1. For example, the external signal EXT can be automatically generated by the energy-saving module 21 for this purpose.

[0164] It is also conceivable to combine the proposed measures in conjunction with the disconnection of the zones Z1 .. Z6 and in conjunction with the voltage monitoring device. This results in a completely general sorting system 1:

[0165] - wherein the control system 22 comprises a submodule 23 having a voltage monitoring device 27 which is designed to detect a failure of the supply voltage Uv for the submodule 23 and to indicate the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage Uv has been switched back on, and

[0166] - wherein the energy-saving module 21 is configured to:

[0167] a) when switching the zone Z1 .. Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, shielding, suppressing and / or automatically acknowledging the fault message associated with the zone Z1 .. Z6 concerning the failure of the supply voltage Uv, and / or

[0168] b) suppressing or automatically confirming the fault diagnosis function associated with the zone Z1 .. Z6 with respect to the failure of the supply voltage Uv when switching the zone Z1 .. Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or

[0169] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message confirmation element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the zones Z1 .. Z6 and relating to the failure of the supply voltage Uv can be confirmed simultaneously.

[0170] Furthermore, it is conceivable to combine the measures proposed for the integrity monitoring device with the measures proposed in conjunction with the voltage monitoring device 27. This results in a completely general sorting system 1 in which

[0171] - the sorting system 1 comprises an integrity monitoring device configured to monitor the integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6 in energy-saving mode, wherein the integrity of the zones Z1 .. Z6 is impaired at least when the integrity monitoring device detects that a person enters the zones Z1 .. Z6,

[0172] The control system comprises a submodule 23 having a voltage monitoring device 27 which is designed to detect a failure of the supply voltage Uv for the submodule 23 and to indicate the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage Uv has been switched back on.

[0173] As already mentioned, the integrity monitoring device may in particular comprise door switches 15a .. 15c , light curtains or light barriers 16a , 16b , monitoring cameras 17a , 17b and motion detectors 18a , 18b .

[0174] In one embodiment variant, it can be provided that the energy saving module is designed to:

[0175] a) if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is impaired when switching the zone Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, displaying the fault message associated with the zone Z1..Z6 at the time of the switchover, including the fault message relating to the failure of the supply voltage Uv, and if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is intact at the time of the switchover, shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault message, and / or

[0176] b) executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with said zone Z1..Z6, including a fault diagnosis function relating to said failure of the supply voltage Uv, if the integrity of said zone Z1..Z6 is impaired when switching said zone Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and suppressing or automatically confirming the execution of said function if the integrity of said zone Z1..Z6 is intact when said switching occurs, and / or

[0177] c) If the integrity of the area Z1..Z6 is damaged when switching the area Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault notification associated with the area Z1..Z6 during the switching is displayed, including the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage Uv, and if the integrity of the area Z1..Z6 is intact during the switching, a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, with the help of which multiple fault notifications associated with the area Z1..Z6, including the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage Uv, can be confirmed simultaneously.

[0178] In this embodiment variant, the fault message relating to the failure of the supply voltage Uv is processed in the same way as all other fault messages.

[0179] In an alternative embodiment variant, it may also be provided that the energy saving module is designed to:

[0180] a) if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is impaired when switching the zone Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, displaying the fault message associated with the zone Z1..Z6 during the switching, excluding the fault message related to the failure of the supply voltage Uv, and if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is intact during the switching, shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault message, and shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault message related to the failure of the supply voltage Uv when switching the zone Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, regardless of the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 during the switching, and / or

[0181] b) if the integrity of the zones Z1..Z6 is impaired when switching the zones Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zones Z1..Z6 at the time of the switching is executed, excluding the fault diagnosis function involving the failure of the supply voltage Uv, and if the integrity of the zones Z1..Z6 is intact at the time of the switching, the execution of the function is suppressed or automatically confirmed, and when switching the zones Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault diagnosis function associated with the zones Z1..Z6 involving the failure of the supply voltage Uv is suppressed or automatically confirmed regardless of the integrity of the zones Z1..Z6 at the time of the switching, and / or

[0182] c) If the integrity of the area Z1..Z6 is damaged when switching the area Z1..Z6 from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault notification associated with the area Z1..Z6 during the switching is displayed, excluding the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage Uv, and if the integrity of the area Z1..Z6 is intact during the switching, a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, with the help of which multiple fault notifications associated with the area Z1..Z6 can be confirmed at the same time, excluding the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage Uv, and with the help of the fault notification confirmation element, multiple fault notifications associated with the area Z1..Z6 related to the failure of the supply voltage Uv can be confirmed during the switching regardless of the integrity of the area Z1..Z6.

[0183] In this variant embodiment, the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage Uv is handled differently from all other fault notifications. Specifically, the fault notification associated with the zones Z1..Z6 caused by the failure of the supply voltage Uv caused intentionally by switching to the energy-saving mode is always shielded, suppressed and / or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, or can be confirmed in a simple manner by operating the fault notification confirmation element. Similarly, the fault diagnosis function caused by the failure of the supply voltage Uv caused intentionally is always suppressed or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode.

[0184] The sorting system 1 may also additionally have safety technology devices which are supplied with energy by the energy supply system EVS, wherein in energy-saving mode, at least a part of the energy supply system EVS for the safety technology devices is switched off. Such safety technology devices may have, for example, Figure 2 and 3 . It can be provided not only for detecting flat goods 9a..9g on the conveyor track 8, but also for triggering an alarm if the drive M of the conveyor track 8 is switched off and therefore no signal can be generated by the flat goods 9a..9g. If such a camera 17 is located in the zone Z1..Z6 in energy-saving mode, it can be switched off if the integrity of the zone Z1..Z6 is determined in another way. Safety technology devices that act not only on the switched-off zones Z1..Z6 can also remain switched on. For example, this can be part of an alarm device with which the sorting system 1 is monitored.

[0185] In general, it may be provided that the energy saving module 21 is designed to:

[0186] a) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, all fault messages, in particular all fault messages associated with zones Z1..Z6, are blocked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and / or

[0187] b) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, all diagnostic or troubleshooting functions are suppressed or automatically confirmed, in particular all diagnostic or troubleshooting functions associated with zones Z1 to Z6, and / or

[0188] c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which all fault messages, in particular all fault messages associated with the zones Z1 .. Z6 , can be acknowledged simultaneously.

[0189] As a result, a switch from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode can be carried out with particularly little effort.

[0190] However, it is also conceivable that the sorting system 1

[0191] - comprises a selection module which is designed to detect a selection of a fault message, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function, in particular a selection of a fault message, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function which is assigned to the zones Z1 .. Z6 , and

[0192] - The energy-saving module 21 is configured to:

[0193] a) exclude selected fault notifications from being masked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged when switching from energy saving mode to normal operating mode; and / or

[0194] b) exclude selected fault diagnosis functions or fault elimination functions from suppression or automatic acknowledgment when switching from energy saving mode to normal operation mode, and / or

[0195] c) when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification confirmation element is provided, wherein selected fault notifications are excluded from simultaneous confirmation by the fault notification confirmation element.

[0196] For example, the selection module can be part of the energy-saving module 21 and implemented in particular in software. In the input interface of the selection module, in cases a) and c), the following fault notification can be actively selected, which should not be shielded, suppressed or automatically confirmed or should not be confirmable by the fault notification confirmation element when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and in case b), the following fault diagnosis function or fault elimination function can be selected, which should not be suppressed or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode. Points a), b) and c) can also involve reverse selection (i.e. exclusion selection), for example, in cases a) and c), the following fault notification is actively selected in the input interface of the selection module, which should be shielded, suppressed or automatically confirmed or should be confirmable by the fault notification confirmation element when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and in case b), the following fault diagnosis function or fault elimination function is actively selected, which should be suppressed or automatically confirmed when switching from the energy-saving mode.

[0197] Finally, it should be pointed out that the scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the claims are to be interpreted with reference to the description and the drawings. Individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can themselves be independent creative solutions. Purposes based on independent inventive solutions can be derived from the description.

[0198] In particular, it should be noted that the illustrated device may in reality also include more or fewer components than those illustrated. The illustrated device or its components may also be partially not to scale and / or illustrated in an enlarged and / or reduced form.

[0199] Reference numerals list

[0200] 1 Sorting system

[0201] 2 walls

[0202] 3a, 3b warehouse

[0203] 4a, 4b Cargo import

[0204] 5. Export of goods

[0205] 6 Shelves

[0206] 7a, 7b Shelf Operating Equipment

[0207] 8a..8e conveyor track

[0208] 9a..9h Flat cargo

[0209] 10Suspended conveyor track

[0210] 11 Suspended cargo

[0211] 12a..12c Autonomous ground transport vehicles

[0212] 13a..13c Robot

[0213] 14 Sorting Station

[0214] 15a..15c Door switch (integrity monitoring device)

[0215] 16a, 16b light curtain / grating (integrity monitoring device)

[0216] 17a, 17b surveillance cameras (integrity monitoring devices)

[0217] 18a, 18b Motion detectors (integrity monitoring devices)

[0218] 19a..19e Emergency stop and / or emergency shut-off operating elements

[0219] 20 Controllers

[0220] 21 Energy saving modules

[0221] 22Control System

[0222] 23 Submodules of the control system

[0223] 24 lighting fixtures

[0224] 25 conveyor rollers

[0225] 26 switches

[0226] 27 Voltage monitoring device

[0227] 28threshold switch

[0228] 29 RS flip-flop

[0229] 30 OR gate

[0230] 31 signal lights

[0231] D1..D7 channels

[0232] EVS Energy Supply System

[0233] EXT external confirmation signal

[0234] M Drive / Drive System

[0235] Q output

[0236] R Reset input

[0237] S set input

[0238] T button

[0239] URef reference voltage

[0240] Uv supply voltage

[0241] Z1..Z6 area

Claims

1. A sorting system (1), comprising a warehouse (3a, 3b), a sorting station (14), a conveying technology device (8a..8e, 10, 12a..12c) for transporting goods (9a..9h, 11) between the warehouse (3a, 3b) and the sorting station (14), a drive system (M) for the conveying technology device (8a..8e, 10, 12a..12c), a control system (22) for the conveying technology device (8a..8e, 10, 12a..12c), and an energy supply system (EVS), wherein the energy supply system is configured to supply energy to the drive system (M) and the control system (22), wherein: The sorting system (1) - comprises an electronic energy saving module (21), with which the sorting system (1) can be switched from a normal operating mode to an energy saving mode and from the energy saving mode to a normal operating mode, wherein in the energy saving mode at least a part of the energy supply system (EVS) is switched off, It is characterized in that - The energy saving module (21) is configured to: a) shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging fault notifications when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or b) suppressing or automatically acknowledging fault diagnostic functions or fault elimination functions when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification confirmation element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications can be confirmed simultaneously.

2. The sorting system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the control system (22) comprises a submodule (23) having a voltage monitoring device (27) which is designed to detect a failure of the supply voltage (Uv) for the submodule (23) and to indicate the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage (Uv) has been switched back on, and - The energy saving module (21) is configured to: a) shielding, suppressing and / or automatically acknowledging fault notifications concerning said failure of the supply voltage (Uv) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or b) suppressing the fault diagnosis function related to the supply voltage (Uv) or automatically confirming the fault diagnosis function related to the supply voltage when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages relating to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) can be acknowledged simultaneously.

3. The sorting system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the sorting system (1) is divided into spatially delimited zones (Z1 .. Z6) which are each supplied with energy via an energy supply system (EVS) in normal operating mode, and - the energy saving module (21) is designed to switch one, more or all of the zones (Z1..Z6) from a normal operating mode to an energy saving mode and from an energy saving mode to a normal operating mode as required, wherein in the energy saving mode at least the part of the energy supply system (EVS) that supplies energy to the corresponding zone (Z1..Z6) or the corresponding zones (Z1..Z6) is switched off, - and the energy-saving module (21) is configured to: a) when switching a zone (Z1..Z6) from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, the fault messages associated with said zone (Z1..Z6) are blocked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and / or b) when switching a zone (Z1..Z6) from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, the fault diagnosis function or fault elimination function associated with said zone (Z1..Z6) is suppressed or automatically confirmed, and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the zones (Z1 .. Z6) can be acknowledged simultaneously.

4. The sorting system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The energy saving module (21) comprises a plurality of energy switching modules, each of which is assigned to one of the zones (Z1..Z6) and is configured to switch the corresponding zone (Z1..Z6) from a normal operating mode to an energy saving mode and from an energy saving mode to a normal operating mode as required.

5. The sorting system (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: - the sorting system (1) comprises an integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) which is configured to monitor the integrity of the zones (Z1..Z6) in an energy-saving mode, wherein the integrity of the zones (Z1..Z6) is compromised at least when the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) detects that a person has entered the zones (Z1..Z6), and - The energy saving module (21) is configured to: a) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, an error message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated on an output device during the switchover, and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switchover, the error message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is masked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and / or b) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) during the switching, and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, suppressing the execution of the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function or automatically confirming the execution of the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function, and / or c) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated on an output device during the switch, and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switch, a fault message confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) can be confirmed simultaneously.

6. The sorting system (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: - the control system (22) comprises a submodule (23) having a voltage monitoring device (27) which is designed to detect a failure of the supply voltage (Uv) for the submodule (23) and to indicate the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage (Uv) has been switched back on, and - The energy saving module (21) is configured to: a) when switching a zone (Z1..Z6) from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, shielding, suppressing and / or automatically acknowledging a fault message associated with said zone (Z1..Z6) concerning said failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and / or b) when switching a zone (Z1..Z6) from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode, suppressing the fault diagnostic function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) with respect to the supply voltage (Uv) or automatically confirming the fault diagnostic function associated with the zone with respect to the supply voltage, and / or c) when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the zones (Z1 .. Z6) and relating to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) can be acknowledged simultaneously.

7. The sorting system (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: - the sorting system (1) comprises an integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) which is configured to monitor the integrity of a zone (Z1..Z6) in an energy-saving mode, wherein the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is compromised at least when the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) detects that a person enters the zone (Z1..Z6), - the control system (22) comprises a submodule (23) having a voltage monitoring device (27) which is designed to detect a failure of the supply voltage (Uv) for the submodule (23) and to indicate the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage (Uv) has been switched back on, and - The energy saving module (21) is configured to: a) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, indicating during the switching the fault messages associated with the zone (Z1..Z6), including the fault messages related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault messages associated with the zone, including the fault messages related to the failure of the supply voltage, and / or b) executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6), including a fault diagnosis function related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and suppressing or automatically confirming the execution of a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone, including a fault diagnosis function related to the failure of the supply voltage, if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact when switching, and / or c) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated during the switching, including a fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv); and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone (Z1..Z6), including a fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), can be confirmed simultaneously.

8. The sorting system (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that - the sorting system (1) comprises an integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) which is configured to monitor the integrity of the zones (Z1..Z6) in an energy-saving mode, wherein the integrity of the zones (Z1..Z6) is compromised at least when the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) detects that a person has entered the zones (Z1..Z6), - the control system (22) comprises a submodule (23) having a voltage monitoring device (27) which is designed to detect a failure of the supply voltage (Uv) for the submodule (23) and to indicate the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage (Uv) has been switched back on, and - The energy saving module (21) is configured to: a) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, then during the switching, the fault message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated, excluding the fault message regarding the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, then the fault message associated with the zone, excluding the fault message regarding the failure of the supply voltage, is shielded, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) regarding the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) is shielded, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, regardless of the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) during the switching, and / or b) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is executed during the switching, excluding the fault diagnosis function regarding the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, the execution of the fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone, excluding the fault diagnosis function regarding the failure of the supply voltage, is suppressed or automatically confirmed, and when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault diagnosis function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) regarding the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) is suppressed or automatically confirmed regardless of the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) during the switching, and / or c) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault notification associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated in the switching, excluding the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact at the time of the switching, a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) can be confirmed simultaneously, excluding the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and by means of the fault notification confirmation element a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) can be confirmed regardless of the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) at the time of the switching.

9. The sorting system (1) according to any one of claims 5, 7 or 8, characterized in that An integrity verification element is provided, which is designed to reset the impaired integrity of the zone (Z1 .. Z6) during operation.

10. The sorting system (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 7 to 9, characterized in that An integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) for monitoring the access of persons to a zone (Z1..Z6) in energy-saving mode comprises a door switch (15a..15c), a light curtain (16a, 16b), a light barrier, a surveillance camera (17a, 17b) and / or a motion detector (18a, 18b).

11. The sorting system (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 7 to 10, characterized in that - the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) comprises an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element (19a..19e) acting on the energy supply of the zones (Z1..Z6), and When the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element (19a..19e) is pressed, the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired and remains impaired even when the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element (19a..19e) is unlocked again.

12. The sorting system (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 7 to 10, characterized in that - the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) comprises an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element (19a..19e) acting on the energy supply of the zones (Z1..Z6), and - The integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is only compromised if the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element (19a..19e) is pressed or locked.

13. The sorting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The sorting system additionally has safety-related devices which are supplied with energy from an energy supply system (EVS), wherein in the energy-saving mode at least a part of the energy supply system (EVS) is switched off for the safety-related devices.

14. The sorting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that The area (Z1..Z6) is delimited by structural measures, and access to the area (Z1..Z6) is only possible via passages (D1..D7).

15. The sorting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The energy-saving module (21) is configured to: a) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, all fault messages, in particular all fault messages associated with a zone (Z1..Z6), are blocked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and / or b) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, all diagnostic or error correction functions are suppressed or automatically confirmed, in particular all diagnostic or error correction functions which are assigned to a zone (Z1..Z6), and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which all fault messages, in particular all fault messages associated with a zone (Z1 .. Z6), can be acknowledged simultaneously.

16. The sorting system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The sorting system (1) - comprises a selection module which is designed to detect a selection of a fault message, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function, in particular a selection of a fault message, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function which is assigned to a zone (Z1 .. Z6), and - The energy saving module (21) is configured to: a) exclude selected fault notifications from being masked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode; and / or b) exclude selected fault diagnosis functions or fault elimination functions from suppression or automatic acknowledgment when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operation, and / or c) when switching from the energy saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification confirmation element is provided, and the selected fault notification is excluded from simultaneous confirmation by the fault notification confirmation element.

17. A method for switching from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode in a sorting system (1), the sorting system comprising a warehouse (3a, 3b), a sorting station (14), a conveying technology device (8a..8e, 10, 12a..12c) for transporting goods (9a..9h, 11) between the warehouse (3a, 3b) and the sorting station (14), a drive system (M) for the conveying technology device (8a..8e, 10, 12a..12c), a control system (22) for the conveying technology device (8a..8e, 10, 12a..12c) and an energy supply system (EVS), the energy supply system being configured to supply energy to the drive system (M) and the control system (22), wherein: In energy saving mode, at least part of the energy supply system (EVS) is switched off, It is characterized in that - switching the sorting system (1) from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode by means of an electronic energy-saving module (21), and a) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, the fault notification is shielded, suppressed or automatically acknowledged by the energy-saving module (21), and / or b) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, the energy-saving module (21) suppresses or automatically confirms the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function, and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the energy-saving module (21) provides a fault notification confirmation element, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications can be confirmed simultaneously.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that - the control system (22) comprises a submodule (23) having a voltage monitoring device (27) which detects a failure of the supply voltage (Uv) for the submodule (23) and indicates the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage (Uv) has been switched back on, and - The energy saving module (21) a) shielding, suppressing and / or automatically acknowledging fault notifications concerning said failure of the supply voltage (Uv) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, and / or b) suppressing the fault diagnosis function related to the supply voltage (Uv) or automatically confirming the fault diagnosis function related to the supply voltage when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message confirmation element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages relating to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) can be confirmed simultaneously.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that - the sorting system (1) is divided into spatially delimited zones (Z1 .. Z6) which are each supplied with energy via an energy supply system (EVS) in normal operating mode, and - the energy saving module (21) switches one, several or all of the zones (Z1..Z6) from a normal operating mode to an energy saving mode and from an energy saving mode to a normal operating mode as required, wherein in the energy saving mode at least the part of the energy supply system (EVS) that supplies energy to the corresponding zone (Z1..Z6) or the corresponding several zones (Z1..Z6) is switched off, - and the energy saving module (21) a) when switching a zone (Z1..Z6) from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, the fault messages associated with said zone (Z1..Z6) are blocked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and / or b) when switching a zone (Z1..Z6) from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, the fault diagnosis function or fault elimination function associated with said zone (Z1..Z6) is suppressed or automatically confirmed, and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the zones (Z1 .. Z6) can be acknowledged simultaneously.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The energy-saving module (21) comprises a plurality of energy switching modules, each of which is assigned to one of the zones (Z1..Z6), wherein one or more zones (Z1..Z6) are switched from a normal operating mode to an energy-saving mode and from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode as required by the respectively assigned energy switching modules.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that - the sorting system (1) comprises an integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) which monitors the integrity of the zones (Z1..Z6) in energy saving mode, wherein the integrity of the zones (Z1..Z6) is compromised at least when the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) detects that a person has entered the zones (Z1..Z6), and - The energy saving module (21) a) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, an error message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated on an output device during the switchover, and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switchover, the error message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is masked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and / or b) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) during the switching, and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, suppressing the execution of the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function associated with the zone or automatically confirming the execution of the fault diagnosis function or the fault elimination function associated with the zone, and / or c) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated on an output device during the switch, and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switch, a fault message confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, by means of which a plurality of fault messages associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) can be confirmed simultaneously.

22. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that - the control system (22) comprises a submodule (23) having a voltage monitoring device (27) which detects a failure of the supply voltage (Uv) for the submodule (23) and indicates the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage (Uv) has been switched back on, and - The energy saving module (21) a) when switching a zone (Z1..Z6) from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, shielding, suppressing and / or automatically acknowledging a fault message associated with said zone (Z1..Z6) concerning said failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and / or b) when switching a zone (Z1..Z6) from an energy-saving mode to a normal operating mode, suppressing the fault diagnostic function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) with respect to the supply voltage (Uv) or automatically confirming the fault diagnostic function associated with the zone with respect to the supply voltage, and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message confirmation element is provided, by means of which a plurality of fault messages relating to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) can be confirmed simultaneously.

23. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that - the sorting system (1) comprises an integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) which monitors the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) in energy saving mode, wherein the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired at least when the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) detects that a person enters the zone (Z1..Z6), - the control system (22) comprises a submodule (23) having a voltage monitoring device (27) which detects a failure of the supply voltage (Uv) for the submodule (23) and indicates the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage (Uv) has been switched back on, and - The energy saving module (21) a) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, indicating during the switching the fault messages associated with the zone (Z1..Z6), including the fault messages related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, shielding, suppressing or automatically acknowledging the fault messages associated with the zone, including the fault messages related to the failure of the supply voltage, and / or b) executing a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6), including a fault diagnosis function related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, and suppressing or automatically confirming the execution of a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone, including a fault diagnosis function related to the failure of the supply voltage, if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact when switching, and / or c) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated during the switching, including a fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv); and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone (Z1..Z6), including a fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), can be confirmed simultaneously.

24. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that - the sorting system (1) comprises an integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) which monitors the integrity of the zones (Z1..Z6) in an energy saving mode, wherein the integrity of the zones (Z1..Z6) is compromised at least when the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) detects that a person has entered the zones (Z1..Z6), - the control system (22) comprises a submodule (23) having a voltage monitoring device (27) which detects a failure of the supply voltage (Uv) for the submodule (23) and indicates the failure by means of a fault message even after the supply voltage (Uv) has been switched back on, and - The energy saving module (21) a) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, then during the switching, the fault message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated, excluding the fault message regarding the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, then the fault message associated with the zone, excluding the fault message regarding the failure of the supply voltage, is shielded, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault message associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) regarding the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) is shielded, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, regardless of the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) during the switching, and / or b) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is executed during the switching, excluding the fault diagnosis function regarding the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact during the switching, the execution of the fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function associated with the zone, excluding the fault diagnosis function regarding the failure of the supply voltage, is suppressed or automatically confirmed, and when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault diagnosis function associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) regarding the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) is suppressed or automatically confirmed regardless of the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) during the switching, and / or c) if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired when switching the zone (Z1..Z6) from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, the fault notification associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) is indicated in the switching, excluding the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and if the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is intact at the time of the switching, a fault notification confirmation element is provided when switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, by means of which a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) can be confirmed simultaneously, excluding the fault notification related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv), and by means of the fault notification confirmation element a plurality of fault notifications associated with the zone (Z1..Z6) related to the failure of the supply voltage (Uv) can be confirmed regardless of the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) at the time of the switching.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21, 23 or 24, characterized in that An integrity verification element is provided which, when operated, resets the impaired integrity of the zones (Z1 .. Z6).

26. The method according to any one of claims 21 or 23 to 25, characterized in that - the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) comprises an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element (19a..19e) acting on the energy supply of the zones (Z1..Z6), and When the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element (19a..19e) is pressed, the integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is impaired and remains impaired even when the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element (19a..19e) is unlocked again.

27. The method according to any one of claims 21 or 23 to 25, characterized in that - the integrity monitoring device (15a..15c, 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, 18a, 18b) comprises an emergency stop and / or emergency shutdown operating element (19a..19e) acting on the energy supply of the zones (Z1..Z6), and - The integrity of the zone (Z1..Z6) is only compromised if the emergency stop and / or emergency close operating element (19a..19e) is pressed or locked.

28. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 27, characterized in that The energy saving module (21) a) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, all fault messages, in particular all fault messages associated with a zone (Z1..Z6), are blocked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged, and / or b) when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode, all diagnostic or error correction functions are suppressed or automatically confirmed, in particular all diagnostic or error correction functions which are assigned to a zone (Z1..Z6), and / or c) When switching from the energy-saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault message acknowledgment element is provided, by means of which all fault messages, in particular all fault messages associated with a zone (Z1 .. Z6), can be acknowledged simultaneously.

29. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 27, characterized in that The sorting system (1) - comprises a selection module which detects a selection of a fault message, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function, in particular a selection of a fault message, a fault diagnosis function or a fault elimination function which is assigned to a zone (Z1 .. Z6), and - The energy saving module (21) a) exclude selected fault notifications from being masked, suppressed or automatically acknowledged when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operating mode; and / or b) exclude selected fault diagnosis functions or fault elimination functions from suppression or automatic acknowledgment when switching from energy-saving mode to normal operation, and / or c) when switching from the energy saving mode to the normal operating mode, a fault notification confirmation element is provided, and the selected fault notification is excluded from simultaneous confirmation by the fault notification confirmation element.

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