Article docking device, system and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of logistics, in particular to an article butt joint device, system and method, the article butt joint device comprises a transfer frame, a first storage frame and a second storage frame, the transfer frame is provided with a parking cabin, and the parking cabin is used for parking a carrying device; the first storage rack is arranged on one side of the transfer rack, a plurality of layers of first brackets are arranged in the first storage rack, the first brackets are used for storing articles, and the first brackets and a carrying device parked in the parking cabin can mutually convey the articles; the second storage rack is arranged on one side of the transfer rack, the second storage rack and the first storage rack are located on different sides of the transfer rack, multiple layers of second brackets are arranged in the second storage rack, and the second brackets are used for storing articles; and the second bracket and a carrying device parked in the parking cabin can mutually transmit articles. And carrying device resources can be saved, and the object butt joint efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of logistics technology, and in particular to an article docking device, system and method. Background Art

[0002] In the field of automated logistics and warehousing, one way of docking items is that after the handling equipment leaves the warehouse, it is loaded with items required for the task, and after docking with an item docking device, the loaded items are unloaded, and then it is docked with another item docking device to load the empty items and return to the warehouse.

[0003] In the related art, the handling equipment needs to dock with the object docking device multiple times when unloading and loading objects. The handling equipment needs to move between the object docking devices, which wastes vehicle resources. In addition, both loading and unloading objects require queuing, and the object docking efficiency is low.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an object docking device, system and method, thereby improving the efficiency of object docking at least to a certain extent.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an article docking device, the article docking device comprising:

[0007] A transfer rack, wherein the transfer rack has a parking cabin, and the parking cabin is used for parking the handling device;

[0008] A first storage rack, the first storage rack is arranged on one side of the transfer rack, the first storage rack is provided with multiple layers of first brackets, the first brackets are used to store articles, and the first brackets can transfer articles to and from a handling device parked in the parking cabin;

[0009] The second storage rack is arranged on one side of the transfer rack, and the second storage rack and the first storage rack are located on different sides of the transfer rack, and the second storage rack is provided with multiple layers of second brackets, the second brackets are used for storing articles, and the second brackets can transfer articles to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the object docking device further includes:

[0011] a first lifting mechanism, the first lifting mechanism being connected to the first storage rack, and the first lifting mechanism being capable of being raised and lowered to transfer items to and from the first bracket of the target layer;

[0012] The second lifting mechanism is connected to the second storage rack, and the second lifting mechanism can be raised and lowered to transfer items to and from the second bracket of the target layer.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first bracket comprises:

[0014] The first frame;

[0015] A first transfer mechanism, the first transfer mechanism is connected to the first frame, the first transfer mechanism is used to realize the transfer of articles between the first lifting mechanism and the first frame, and / or the first transfer mechanism is used to realize the transfer of articles between the first frame and the handling device parked in the parking cabin;

[0016] The second bracket comprises:

[0017] The second frame;

[0018] A second transfer mechanism, the second transfer mechanism is connected to the second frame, the second transfer mechanism is used to realize the transfer of items between the second lifting mechanism and the second frame, and / or the second transfer mechanism is used to realize the transfer of items between the second frame and the handling device parked in the parking cabin.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a first conveying roller is disposed on the first frame, the first conveying roller is rotatable relative to the first frame, and the first conveying roller is used to support and transport articles;

[0020] The second frame is provided with a second conveying roller, the second conveying roller is rotatable relative to the second frame, and the second conveying roller is used to support and transport articles.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first bracket further includes:

[0022] a first driving member connected to the first conveying roller to drive the first conveying roller;

[0023] The second bracket also includes:

[0024] A second driving member is connected to the second conveying roller to drive the second conveying roller.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first transport mechanism is a first fork, and the first fork can be extended and retracted in a direction away from or close to the parking cabin;

[0026] The second transfer mechanism is a second fork, and the second fork can be extended and retracted in a direction away from or close to the berthing cabin.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first lifting mechanism is disposed on a side of the first storage rack away from the transfer rack, and the first lifting mechanism is used to input articles into the first storage rack;

[0028] The second lifting mechanism is arranged on a side of the second storage rack away from the transfer rack, and the second lifting mechanism is used to output items from the second storage rack.

[0029] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an object docking system, the object docking system comprising:

[0030] The above-mentioned article docking device;

[0031] A transport device, which can be parked in the parking cabin, and is used to transfer items to and from the first storage rack, and to transfer items to and from the second storage rack.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the object docking system further includes:

[0033] A first conveying line, the first conveying line is connected to the first lifting mechanism, and the first conveying line is used to input or output articles into or out of the first lifting mechanism;

[0034] A second conveying line is connected to a second lifting mechanism, and the second conveying line is used to input or output articles into or out of the second lifting mechanism.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport device comprises:

[0036] A transport rack, the transport rack includes a multi-layered supporting member, the supporting member includes a supporting plate and a baffle, the baffle has a first preset position and a second preset position, when the baffle is located at the first preset position, the baffle protrudes from the top surface of the supporting plate to limit the items on the supporting plate, when the baffle is located at the second preset position, the baffle releases the limit on the items to load and unload the items.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the transport device comprises:

[0038] The transport rack comprises a multi-layered supporting member, wherein the supporting member comprises a supporting plate and a baffle, wherein the baffle is arranged at the edge of the top surface of the supporting plate, and the dihedral angle between the baffle and the supporting plate ranges from 105 degrees to 115 degrees.

[0039] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an object docking method, which is applied to the above-mentioned object docking device, comprising:

[0040] When the transport device loaded with a first article is parked in the parking cabin, the first article is picked up by the first bracket of the first storage rack;

[0041] The second bracket of the second storage rack is used to place a second article on the transport device.

[0042] In the article docking device provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, on the one hand, the first storage rack and the second storage rack are respectively located on different sides of the parking cabin, the transporting device can be parked in the parking cabin, the first bracket can transfer articles to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin, and the second bracket can transfer articles to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin, thereby realizing one transporting device docking with multiple storage racks, avoiding the transporting device from running empty between different article docking devices, saving transporting device resources, and improving the efficiency of article docking; on the other hand, compared with the current article docking scheme, there is no need to queue up when taking and putting boxes respectively, avoiding the crossing of transport mechanisms caused by queuing, improving the orderliness of article docking, and providing conditions for efficient article docking; on the other hand, the task of taking and putting articles is completed through one docking, the layout of the article docking device is more flexible, which is beneficial to saving task space.

[0043] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the specification are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without creative work.

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an object docking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing another object docking device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0047] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a first transport mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0048] Figure 4 A layout diagram of an article docking space according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0049] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an item docking system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0050] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a storage plane of a transport device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0051] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a storage plane of another transport device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0052] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a storage plane of yet another transport device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0053] Fig. 9 A flow chart of a method for docking an object according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0054] Description of Reference Numerals

[0055] 10. Transfer rack; 11. Parking cabin; 20. First storage rack; 21. First bracket; 211. First frame; 212. First transfer mechanism; 22. First conveying roller; 221. Slide rail; 222. Pick-up and drop arm; 223. Sliding body; 30. Second storage rack; 31. Second bracket; 311. Second frame; 312. Second transfer mechanism; 32. Second conveying roller; 40. First lifting mechanism; 50. Second lifting mechanism; 60. First conveyor line; 70. Second conveyor line; 80. Transport rack; 81. Carrying member; 811. Carrying plate; 812. Baffle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments described herein are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0057] In the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance; the term "plurality" refers to two or more; the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items. In particular, reference to "the / the" object or "an" object is also intended to indicate one of a possible plurality of such objects.

[0058] Unless otherwise specified or explained, the terms "connection", "fixation", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, an electrical connection, or a signal connection; "connection" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in this disclosure can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0059] Further, in the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the directional words such as "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" and the like described in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described at the angles shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be understood as limitations on the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that, in the context, when it is mentioned that an element or feature is connected to another element (one or more) "upper", "lower", or "inner", "outer", it can not only be directly connected to the other (one or more) elements "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", but also can be indirectly connected to the other (one or more) elements "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" through an intermediate element.

[0060] The articles in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be containers for storing goods, such as material boxes, which may be closed boxes as generally understood, or other forms of storage containers such as cages that are not closed on all sides. At the same time, the articles in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be articles that need to be transported in a task, such as original packaged articles.

[0061] The handling device is used to store and retrieve items, such as storing and retrieving items in stacked layers of stacked items. The handling mechanism may be a handling robot, a handling vehicle, etc., such as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle).

[0062] In the related art, one method of docking items is that after the handling device leaves the warehouse, it is loaded with items required for the task (such as finished product boxes). After docking with an item docking device, the loaded items are unloaded, and then it is docked with another item docking device to load empty items and return to the warehouse.

[0063] However, in the above process, the transport device needs to dock with the item docking device multiple times when unloading and loading items. The transport equipment needs to move between different item docking devices, wasting vehicle resources. In addition, both loading and unloading items require queuing, and the queuing positions may overlap, causing the transport equipment to form an endless loop, affecting the low efficiency of item docking.

[0064] Based on one or more of the above problems, in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, firstly, a device for docking an object is provided, which can complete the unloading and loading of objects by performing a docking process with a transport device once, so as to improve the docking efficiency of objects.

[0065] The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure first provides an article docking device, such as Figure 1 As shown, the article docking device includes: a transfer rack 10, a first storage rack 20 and a second storage rack 30. The transfer rack 10 has a parking cabin 11, and the parking cabin 11 is used to park the handling device; the first storage rack 20 is arranged at a side of the transfer rack 10, and the first storage rack 20 is provided with multiple layers of first brackets 21, the first brackets 21 are used to store articles, and the first bracket 21 can transfer articles to and from the handling device parked in the parking cabin 11; the second storage rack 30 is arranged at a side of the transfer rack 10, and the second storage rack 30 and the first storage rack 20 are located on different sides of the transfer rack 10, and the second storage rack 30 is provided with multiple layers of second brackets 31, the second bracket 31 is used to store articles, and the second bracket 31 can transfer articles to and from the handling device parked in the parking cabin 11.

[0066] The article docking device provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, on the one hand, the first storage rack 20 and the second storage rack 30 are respectively located on different sides of the parking cabin 11, the transporting device can be parked in the parking cabin 11, the first bracket 21 can transfer articles to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin 11, and the second bracket 31 can transfer articles to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin 11, thereby realizing one transporting device docking with multiple storage racks, avoiding the transporting device from running empty between different article docking devices, saving transporting device resources, and improving the efficiency of article docking; on the other hand, compared with the current article docking scheme, there is no need to queue up when picking up and putting down boxes respectively, avoiding the crossing of transport mechanisms caused by queuing, improving the orderliness of article docking, and providing conditions for efficient article docking; on the other hand, the task of picking up and putting down articles is completed through one docking, the layout of the article docking device is more flexible, which is beneficial to saving task space.

[0067] Further, such as Figure 2 As shown, the article docking device also includes a first lifting mechanism 40 and a second lifting mechanism 50. The first lifting mechanism 40 is docked with the first storage rack 20, and the first lifting mechanism 40 can be raised and lowered to transfer articles to and from the first bracket 21 of the target layer; the second lifting mechanism 50 is docked with the second storage rack 30, and the second lifting mechanism 50 can be raised and lowered to transfer articles to and from the second bracket 31 of the target layer.

[0068] The following is a detailed description of each part of the object docking device provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure:

[0069] The transfer rack 10 has a parking cabin 11, and the parking cabin 11 is used to park the transfer device. The transfer rack 10 can be a rectangular parallelepiped or a substantially rectangular parallelepiped structure, and the parking cabin 11 in the transfer rack 10 can be a rectangular parallelepiped or a substantially rectangular parallelepiped cavity. For example, the transfer rack 10 can include a top frame and a plurality of columns, the top frame is in a rectangular frame shape or a rectangular plate shape, the columns are connected to the top of the top frame, and the four columns and the top frame surround the parking cabin 11.

[0070] The transfer device can be an AGV. On this basis, a positioning mechanism can be provided on the transfer rack 10, and the positioning mechanism is used to achieve the docking between the transfer rack 10 and the AGV. For example, the positioning mechanism can be a sensor or a guide structure. The parking cabin 11 in the transfer rack 10 is used to park the AGV. Of course, in practical applications, the transfer device can also be a handling robot, etc., and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0071] The first storage rack 20 may include a first outer frame and a multi-layer first bracket 21 disposed in the first outer frame. The first outer frame is connected to the transfer rack 10, the first outer frame is a rectangular parallelepiped or approximately rectangular parallelepiped structure, the first outer frame is a hollow structure, the multi-layer first bracket 21 is arranged in sequence along the vertical direction, and adjacent first brackets 21 are arranged at intervals to form storage spaces between adjacent first brackets 21. The first bracket 21 may be fixedly connected to the first outer frame, or the first bracket 21 may move relative to the first outer frame in the vertical direction, that is, the height of the first bracket 21 is adjustable.

[0072] The first bracket 21 includes a first frame 211 and a first transfer mechanism 212, and the first transfer mechanism 212 is connected to the first frame 211 (directly or indirectly), and the first transfer mechanism 212 is used to realize the transfer of items between the first lifting mechanism 40 and the first frame 211, and / or the first transfer mechanism 212 is used to realize the transfer of items between the first frame 211 and the handling device parked in the parking cabin 11.

[0073] The first frame 211 may be rectangular or approximately rectangular tray-shaped, and the first frame 211 is used to support items. The first frame 211 may be a solid structure, or the first frame 211 may be a hollow structure. For example, the first frame 211 may be a rectangular frame structure, and support rods or support ribs are arranged in the rectangular frame.

[0074] It is understandable that when the first frame 211 is a rectangular frame, a first conveying roller 22 is provided on the first frame 211, and the first conveying roller 22 can rotate relative to the first frame 211, and the first conveying roller 22 is used to support and transport the article. The axial direction of the first conveying roller 22 is perpendicular to the moving direction of the article. The first conveying roller 22 can convert the relative sliding of the article and the first frame 211 into relative rolling, thereby reducing the friction between the article and the first frame 211.

[0075] The first conveying roller 22 may be powered or unpowered, that is, the first conveying roller 22 may actively convey the article or the first conveying roller 22 may passively convey the article. For example, the first bracket 21 further includes a first driving member, and the first driving member is connected to the first conveying roller 22 to drive the first conveying roller 22. The first driving member includes a first transmission motor and a first transmission member, and the first transmission member may be a chain transmission mechanism or a belt transmission structure, etc.

[0076] The first transfer mechanism 212 is a first fork, which can be extended and retracted in a direction away from or close to the parking cabin 11. For example, Figure 3 As shown, the first fork may include a slide rail 221, a driver, a sliding body 223 and a pick-and-place arm 222, the slide rail 221 and the driver are installed on the first frame 211; the sliding body 223 is slidably connected to the slide rail 221; the pick-and-place arm 222 is connected to the sliding body 223, and the pick-and-place arm 222 is extended and retracted along the slide rail 221 towards or away from the parking area under the drive of the sliding body 223.

[0077] The sliding body 223 is slidably connected to the slide rail 221, and the pick-and-place arm 222 is fixedly connected to the sliding body 223. Under the driving action of the driver, the pick-and-place arm 222 can follow the sliding body 223 to extend horizontally along the slide rail 221 toward or away from the parking area. Of course, in practical applications, other deformation structures can be used to realize that the pick-and-place arm 222 follows the sliding body 223 to extend along the slide rail 221 toward or away from the parking area under the driving action of the driver, such as a double-range fork structure, a lead screw nut drive, a synchronous belt drive, etc., all of which belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not specifically limit the combination of the components or parts in the pick-and-place mechanism.

[0078] The second storage rack 30 may include a second outer frame and a multi-layer second bracket 31 disposed in the second outer frame. The second outer frame is connected to the transfer rack 10, the second outer frame is a rectangular parallelepiped or a substantially rectangular parallelepiped structure, the second outer frame is a hollow structure, the multi-layer second bracket 31 is arranged in sequence along the vertical direction, and adjacent second brackets 31 are arranged at intervals to form storage spaces between adjacent second brackets 31. The second bracket 31 may be fixedly connected to the second outer frame, or the second bracket 31 may move relative to the second outer frame along the vertical direction, that is, the height of the second bracket 31 is adjustable.

[0079] The second bracket 31 includes a second frame 311 and a second transfer mechanism 312, and the second transfer mechanism 312 is connected to the second frame 311 (directly or indirectly), and the second transfer mechanism 312 is used to realize the transfer of items between the second lifting mechanism 50 and the second frame 311, and / or the second transfer mechanism 312 is used to realize the transfer of items between the second frame 311 and a handling device parked in the parking cabin 11.

[0080] The second frame 311 may be rectangular or approximately rectangular tray-shaped, and the second frame 311 is used to support items. The second frame 311 may be a solid structure, or the second frame 311 may be a hollow structure. For example, the second frame 311 may be a rectangular frame-shaped structure, and support rods or support ribs are arranged in the rectangular frame.

[0081] It is understandable that when the second frame 311 is a rectangular frame, a second conveying roller 32 is provided on the second frame 311, and the second conveying roller 32 can rotate relative to the second frame 311, and the second conveying roller 32 is used to support and transport the article. The axial direction of the second conveying roller 32 is perpendicular to the traveling direction of the article. The second conveying roller 32 can convert the relative sliding of the article and the second frame 311 into relative rolling, thereby reducing the friction between the article and the second frame 311.

[0082] The second conveying roller 32 may be powered or unpowered, that is, the second conveying roller 32 may actively convey the article or the second conveying roller 32 may passively convey the article. For example, the second bracket 31 further includes a second driving member, and the second driving member is connected to the second conveying roller 32 to drive the second conveying roller 32. The second driving member includes a second transmission motor and a second transmission member, and the second transmission member may be a chain transmission mechanism or a belt transmission structure, etc.

[0083] The second transfer mechanism 312 is a second fork, which can be extended and retracted in a direction away from or close to the parking cabin 11. For example, the first fork may include a slide rail 221, a driver, a sliding body 223 and a pick-and-place arm 222, wherein the slide rail 221 and the driver are mounted on the first frame 211; the sliding body 223 is slidably connected to the slide rail 221; the pick-and-place arm 222 is connected to the slide body 223, and the pick-and-place arm 222 is extended and retracted along the slide rail 221 in a direction close to or away from the parking area under the drive of the sliding body 223.

[0084] The sliding body 223 is slidably connected to the slide rail 221, and the pick-and-place arm 222 is fixedly connected to the sliding body 223. Under the driving action of the driver, the pick-and-place arm 222 can follow the sliding body 223 to extend horizontally along the slide rail 221 toward or away from the parking area. Of course, in practical applications, other deformation structures can be used to realize that the pick-and-place arm 222 follows the sliding body 223 to extend along the slide rail 221 toward or away from the parking area under the driving action of the driver, such as a double-range fork structure, a lead screw nut drive, a synchronous belt drive, etc., all of which belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not specifically limit the combination of the components or parts in the pick-and-place mechanism.

[0085] The first lifting mechanism 40 may include a first lifting platform, a first guide column, and a lifting drive device, wherein the first lifting platform is slidably connected to the first guide column, and the lifting drive device is used to drive the first lifting platform. The first lifting platform is aligned with the first bracket 21 of the target layer by the lifting drive device, so that the first lifting platform can transfer items with the first bracket 21 of the target layer, and the first bracket 21 of the target layer is any first bracket 21 of the layer.

[0086] The first guide column is arranged along the vertical direction, and the first guide column can be connected to the first outer frame, for example, the first guide column can be connected to the first outer frame through a horizontally arranged connecting arm. Of course, in practical applications, the first guide column can also be implemented by the edge of the first outer frame, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0087] The second lifting mechanism 50 may include a second lifting platform, a second guide column and a lifting drive device, wherein the second lifting platform is slidably connected to the second guide column, and the lifting drive device is used to drive the second lifting platform. The second lifting platform is aligned with the second bracket 31 of the target layer by the lifting drive device, so that the second lifting platform can transfer items with the second bracket 31 of the target layer, and the second bracket 31 of the target layer is any second bracket 31 of the layer.

[0088] The second guide column is arranged in the vertical direction, and the second guide column can be connected to the second outer frame, for example, the second guide column can be connected to the second outer frame through a horizontally arranged connecting arm. Of course, in practical applications, the second guide column can also be implemented by the edge of the second outer frame, and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0089] The first lifting mechanism 40 is disposed on a side of the first storage rack 20 away from the transfer rack 10, and is used to input articles to the first storage rack 20. The second lifting mechanism 50 is disposed on a side of the second storage rack 30 away from the transfer rack 10, and is used to output articles from the second storage rack 30.

[0090] For example, the first storage rack 20 and the second storage rack 30 are located on opposite sides of the transfer rack 10, that is, the first lifting mechanism 40, the first storage rack 20, the transfer rack 10, the second storage rack 30 and the second lifting mechanism are arranged in a straight line. Alternatively, the first storage rack 20 and the second storage rack 30 are located on two adjacent sides of the transfer rack 10, that is, the first lifting mechanism 40, the first storage rack 20, the transfer rack 10, the second storage rack 30 and the second lifting mechanism are arranged in an L shape.

[0091] The article docking device provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, on the one hand, the first storage rack 20 and the second storage rack 30 are respectively located on different sides of the parking cabin 11, the transporting device can be parked in the parking cabin 11, the first bracket 21 can transfer articles to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin 11, and the second bracket 31 can transfer articles to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin 11, thereby realizing one transporting device docking with multiple storage racks, avoiding the transporting device from running empty between different article docking devices, saving transporting device resources, and improving the efficiency of article docking; on the other hand, compared with the current article docking scheme, there is no need to queue up when picking up and putting down boxes respectively, avoiding the crossing of transport mechanisms caused by queuing, improving the orderliness of article docking, and providing conditions for efficient article docking; on the other hand, the task of picking up and putting down articles is completed through one docking, the layout of the article docking device is more flexible, which is beneficial to saving task space.

[0092] The exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure also provides an item docking system, which includes an item docking device and a transport device. The transport device can be docked in the parking cabin 11, and the transport device is used to transfer items between the first storage rack 20 and the second storage rack 30.

[0093] Among them, the article docking device includes: a transfer rack 10, a first storage rack 20 and a second storage rack 30, the transfer rack 10 has a berthing cabin 11, and the berthing cabin 11 is used to park the handling device; the first storage rack 20 is arranged at a side of the transfer rack 10, and the first storage rack 20 is provided with multiple layers of first brackets 21, the first brackets 21 are used to store articles, and the first bracket 21 can transfer articles to and from the handling device parked in the berthing cabin 11; the second storage rack 30 is arranged at a side of the transfer rack 10, and the second storage rack 30 and the first storage rack 20 are located on different sides of the transfer rack 10, and the second storage rack 30 is provided with multiple layers of second brackets 31, the second bracket 31 is used to store articles, and the second bracket 31 can transfer articles to and from the handling device parked in the berthing cabin 11.

[0094] The transfer device can be an AGV vehicle, on this basis, the transfer rack 10 can be provided with a positioning mechanism, which is used to achieve the docking of the transfer rack 10 and the AGV vehicle, for example, the positioning mechanism can be a sensor or a guide structure, etc. The parking cabin 11 in the transfer rack 10 is used to park the AGV vehicle.

[0095] Further, such as Figure 5 As shown, the article docking system also includes a first conveyor line 60 and a second conveyor line 70. The first conveyor line 60 is docked with the first lifting mechanism 40, and the first conveyor line 60 is used to input or output articles into or out of the first lifting mechanism 40; the second conveyor line 70 is docked with the second lifting mechanism 50, and the second conveyor line 70 is used to input or output articles into or out of the second lifting mechanism 50.

[0096] In an exemplary embodiment, a warehouse-out conveyor line is arranged on the side of the first lifting mechanism 40 away from the parking compartment 11, and is configured to transport the items unloaded by the first storage rack 20 and the handling device picked up by the first lifting mechanism out of the warehouse; and a warehouse-in conveyor line is arranged on the side of the second lifting mechanism 50 away from the parking compartment 11, and is configured to transport the items to be loaded on the handling device by the second lifting mechanism and the second storage rack 30.

[0097] The transport device includes a transport frame 80, such as Figure 6 As shown, the transport rack 80 includes a multi-layered support member 81, and the support member 81 includes a support plate 811 and a baffle 812. The support plate 811 is used to support the objects, and the baffle 812 is used to block the objects during transport to prevent the objects from tipping over or falling.

[0098] In a possible implementation, if Figure 7As shown, the baffle 812 has a first preset position and a second preset position. When the baffle 812 is located at the first preset position, the baffle 812 protrudes from the top surface of the carrier plate 811 to limit the items on the carrier plate 811. When the baffle 812 is located at the second preset position, the baffle 812 releases the limit on the items to load and unload the items. That is, the position of the baffle 812 is adjustable in the vertical direction. When the baffle 812 protrudes from the carrier plate 811, the baffle 812 blocks the items. When the baffle 812 is lower than the surface of the carrier plate 811, the baffle 812 releases the blockage. The baffle 812 can be called a movable baffle.

[0099] When loading and unloading articles onto and from the carrier plate 811, the baffle 812 is switched to the second preset position to release the position limit of the articles by the baffle 812 for easy loading and unloading. During storage and transportation, the baffle 812 is located at the first preset position, and the baffle 812 prevents the articles from tipping over or falling. The movable baffle is arranged on the loading side and the unloading side, for example, movable baffles are arranged on the opposite sides of the carrier plate 811, or movable baffles are arranged on the adjacent sides of the carrier plate 811.

[0100] In another possible implementation, if Figure 8 As shown, the transport rack 80 includes a multi-layered support member 81, and the support member 81 includes a support plate 811 and a baffle 812. The baffle 812 is arranged at the edge of the top surface of the support plate 811, and the dihedral angle between the baffle 812 and the support plate 811 ranges from 105 degrees to 115 degrees. The baffle 812 can be called an inclined baffle. The inclined baffle is arranged on the loading side and the unloading side, for example, the inclined baffles are respectively arranged on the opposite sides of the support plate 811, or the inclined baffles are respectively arranged on the adjacent sides of the support plate 811.

[0101] By setting the dihedral angle between the baffle plate 812 and the carrier plate 811 to 105 to 115 degrees, on the one hand, the positioning of the articles can be achieved, and on the other hand, the problem of the baffle plate 812 protruding too high to affect the loading and unloading of articles is avoided.

[0102] In the article docking system provided in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, on the one hand, the first storage rack 20 and the second storage rack 30 are respectively located on different sides of the parking cabin 11, the transport device can be parked in the parking cabin 11, and the first bracket 21 can transfer articles to and from the transport device parked in the parking cabin 11. At this time, the baffle 812 of the transport device in the parking cabin 11 close to the first bracket 11 is switched to the second preset position to release the limitation of the baffle 812 on the articles for easy loading and unloading (or the dihedral angle between the baffle 812 of the transport device close to the first bracket 11 and the load-bearing plate 811 is in the range of 105 degrees to 115 degrees), and the second bracket 31 can transfer articles to and from the transport device parked in the parking cabin 11. At this time, the baffle 812 of the transport device in the parking cabin 11 close to the second bracket 31 is switched to the second preset position The preset position is used to release the limitation of the baffle 812 on the objects for easy loading and unloading (or the dihedral angle between the baffle 812 and the load-bearing plate 811 of the transport device close to the second bracket 31 is in the range of 105 to 115 degrees), so that one transport device can be docked with multiple storage racks. The unloading and loading docking work can be realized by docking once, so as to avoid the transport device running empty between different object docking devices, save the resources of the transport device, and improve the efficiency of object docking. On the other hand, compared with the current object docking scheme, there is no need to queue up when taking and putting boxes respectively, so as to avoid the intersection of the transport mechanism caused by queuing, improve the orderliness of object docking, and provide the conditions for efficient object docking. On the other hand, the task of taking and placing objects can be completed by docking once, and the layout of the object docking device is more flexible, which is beneficial to saving task space.

[0103] The present disclosure also provides an object docking method, which is applied to the above-mentioned object docking device, such as Fig. 9 As shown, the object docking method includes the following steps:

[0104] Step S910, when the transport device loaded with the first article is parked in the parking cabin, the first article is picked up by the first bracket of the first storage rack;

[0105] Step S920: Place the second object on the transport device using the second bracket of the second storage rack.

[0106] The following combination Figure 4 , the item docking method of the embodiment of the present disclosure is explained by taking the item docking in a logistics scenario and the transport mechanism being an AGV as an example.

[0107] First, the AGV leaves the warehouse and is loaded with the first item.

[0108] Here, the first item is taken as an example as a full box.

[0109] Secondly: the AGV moves to the object docking device and parks in the parking cabin 11 to carry out object docking.

[0110] Among them, when there are no items on the first storage rack 20, the first transfer mechanism 212 extends in the direction close to the parking cabin 11 to pick up the first item on the AGV, and all the first items are placed on the first storage rack 20. The first lifting mechanism picks up the first item on the first storage rack 20 and places it on the outbound conveyor line, and transports it to the corresponding picking workstation via the outbound conveyor line.

[0111] After the first transfer mechanism 212 completes the box-picking action, the second transfer mechanism 312 pushes the second article on the second storage rack 30 to the handling device. After the picking workstation completes the picking work, the empty material box (the second article) will be transported to the docking port of the article docking device by the storage conveyor line, and then, the empty material box (the second article) will be picked up and placed on the second storage rack 30 by the second lifting mechanism 50.

[0112] In the above process, the first storage rack 20 and the second storage rack 30 are respectively located on different sides of the parking cabin 11, the transporting device can be parked in the parking cabin 11, the first bracket 21 can transfer items to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin 11, and the second bracket 31 can transfer items to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin 11, thereby realizing one transporting device docking with multiple storage racks, avoiding the transporting device from running empty between different item docking devices, saving transporting device resources, and improving item docking efficiency; on the other hand, compared with the current item docking solution, there is no need to queue up when picking up and putting down boxes respectively, avoiding the crossing of transport mechanisms caused by queuing, improving the orderliness of item docking, and providing conditions for efficient item docking; on the other hand, the task of picking up and putting down items is completed through one docking, the layout of the item docking device is more flexible, which is beneficial to saving task space.

[0113] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any modification, use or adaptation of the present disclosure, which follows the general principles of the present disclosure and includes common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The specification and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An article docking device, characterized in that: The article docking device comprises: A transfer rack, wherein the transfer rack has a parking cabin, and the parking cabin is used for parking the handling device; A first storage rack, the first storage rack is arranged on one side of the transfer rack, the first storage rack is provided with multiple layers of first brackets, the first brackets are used to store articles, and the first brackets can transfer articles to and from a handling device parked in the parking cabin; The second storage rack is arranged on one side of the transfer rack, and the second storage rack and the first storage rack are located on different sides of the transfer rack, and the second storage rack is provided with multiple layers of second brackets, the second brackets are used for storing articles, and the second brackets can transfer articles to and from the transporting device parked in the parking cabin.

2. The article docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The article docking device also includes: a first lifting mechanism, the first lifting mechanism being connected to the first storage rack, and the first lifting mechanism being capable of being raised and lowered to transfer items to and from the first bracket of the target layer; The second lifting mechanism is connected to the second storage rack, and the second lifting mechanism can be raised and lowered to transfer items to and from the second bracket of the target layer.

3. The article docking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first bracket comprises: The first frame; A first transfer mechanism, the first transfer mechanism is connected to the first frame, the first transfer mechanism is used to realize the transfer of articles between the first lifting mechanism and the first frame, and / or the first transfer mechanism is used to realize the transfer of articles between the first frame and the handling device parked in the parking cabin; The second bracket comprises: The second frame; A second transfer mechanism, the second transfer mechanism is connected to the second frame, the second transfer mechanism is used to realize the transfer of items between the second lifting mechanism and the second frame, and / or the second transfer mechanism is used to realize the transfer of items between the second frame and the handling device parked in the parking cabin.

4. The article docking device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first frame is provided with a first conveying roller, the first conveying roller is rotatable relative to the first frame, and the first conveying roller is used to support and transport articles; The second frame is provided with a second conveying roller, the second conveying roller is rotatable relative to the second frame, and the second conveying roller is used to support and transport articles.

5. The article docking device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first bracket also includes: a first driving member connected to the first conveying roller to drive the first conveying roller; The second bracket also includes: A second driving member is connected to the second conveying roller to drive the second conveying roller.

6. The article docking device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first transfer mechanism is a first fork, and the first fork can be extended and retracted in a direction away from or close to the parking cabin; The second transfer mechanism is a second fork, and the second fork can be extended and retracted in a direction away from or close to the berthing cabin.

7. The article docking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first lifting mechanism is disposed on a side of the first storage rack away from the transfer rack, and the first lifting mechanism is used to input articles into the first storage rack; The second lifting mechanism is arranged on a side of the second storage rack away from the transfer rack, and the second lifting mechanism is used to output items from the second storage rack.

8. An item docking system, characterized in that: The object docking system comprises: The article docking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; A transport device, which can be parked in the parking cabin, and is used to transfer items to and from the first storage rack, and to transfer items to and from the second storage rack.

9. The article docking system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The object docking system also includes: A first conveying line, the first conveying line is connected to the first lifting mechanism, and the first conveying line is used to input or output articles into or out of the first lifting mechanism; A second conveying line is connected to a second lifting mechanism, and the second conveying line is used to input or output articles into or out of the second lifting mechanism.

10. The article docking system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The transport device comprises: A transport rack, the transport rack includes a multi-layered supporting member, the supporting member includes a supporting plate and a baffle, the baffle has a first preset position and a second preset position, when the baffle is located at the first preset position, the baffle protrudes from the top surface of the supporting plate to limit the items on the supporting plate, when the baffle is located at the second preset position, the baffle releases the limit on the items to load and unload the items.

11. The article docking system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The transport device comprises: The transport rack comprises a multi-layered supporting member, wherein the supporting member comprises a supporting plate and a baffle, wherein the baffle is arranged at the edge of the top surface of the supporting plate, and the dihedral angle between the baffle and the supporting plate ranges from 105 degrees to 115 degrees.

12. A method for docking an object, characterized in that: The article docking device used in any one of claims 1 to 7 comprises: When the transport device loaded with a first article is parked in the parking cabin, the first article is picked up by the first bracket of the first storage rack; The second bracket of the second storage rack is used to place a second article on the transport device.

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