Conveying device

Abstract

A conveyor device (100) comprising:-a moving conveyor (1) having a moving conveyor track (21),-a stationary conveyor (8) having a stationary conveyor track (81); wherein, in a normal operating mode, the mobile conveyor is operated in a mobile use and a stationary use, and wherein, in a normal operating mode, the stationary conveyor is operated in a stationary use and not in a mobile use, the mobile conveyor (1) has a running module (3) and a conveying module (2) separate therefrom, the travel module (3) is adapted to change its position within an operating area, the mobile conveyor (1) having a conveying module (2) comprising said mobile conveying track (21); the conveying device (100) has:-a device controller (104) adapted to coordinate an overall conveying operation within the conveying device (100); -a driving module controller (34) adapted to control the operation of the driving module (3) on the basis of the messages (S1, S3) provided by the central device controller (104); -a mobile conveyor controller (24) separate from the travel module controller (34) and adapted to control the operation of the mobile conveyor track (21) based on a message (S4) provided by the travel module controller (34).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a conveying device.

[0002] European patent application EP22157909.7 (not yet published) discloses a conveying device, comprising a mobile conveyor and a plurality of fixed conveyors. The mobile conveyor has a conveying track adapted to convey objects between different positions along the conveying track, and a travel module adapted to change its position within an operating area, in particular in a non-mechanical track-constrained manner. The conveying track is fixed to the travel module, so that changing the position of the travel module results in a similar change in the position of the conveying track.

[0003] US 10,894,664 B1 discloses a device with a plurality of mobile conveyors, each of which is connected to a central server. A data connection can be established between the mobile conveyors to coordinate the transfer of objects between the conveyors. A similar device is disclosed in US 9,637,318 B2.

[0004] WO 2021 / 151529 A1 discloses a device having a fixed conveyor and a mobile conveyor. A protection module is arranged in the interface between the mobile conveyor and the fixed conveyor to prevent objects from falling from the conveyor.

[0005] The two modules, the conveyor module and the travel module, come from different areas of technology. The travel module originates from the field of autonomous driving and driverless vehicles, while the conveyor module originates from logistics technology and conveying technology. Therefore, the travel module and the conveyor module are usually provided by different manufacturers. Until now, the conveyor track has been designed individually for the intended use of a specific travel module.

[0006] The object of the invention is to simplify the process of providing the user with a mobile conveyor best suited to the intended use. The invention comprises a conveying device and a method according to the independent claims; embodiments are subject of the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] The conveying device comprises: a mobile conveyor having a mobile conveying track, the mobile conveying track being suitable for conveying objects between different positions along the mobile conveying track and / or transferring the objects from and / or to the mobile conveyor; a fixed conveyor having a fixed conveying track, the mobile conveying track being suitable for conveying objects between different positions along the fixed conveying track and / or transferring the objects from and / or to the fixed conveyor. The mobile conveyor has a travel module and a conveying module separated therefrom, wherein the travel module is suitable for changing its position within the operating area, in particular in a non-mechanical track-constrained manner, and the mobile conveyor has a conveying module including the mobile conveying track. The conveying device comprises: a device controller, which is suitable for coordinating the overall conveying operation within the conveying device; a travel module controller, which is suitable for controlling the operation of the travel module based on messages provided by the central device controller, in particular controlling the operation of the travel drive of the travel module; a mobile conveyor controller, which is separate from the travel module controller and is suitable for controlling the operation of the mobile conveying track based on messages provided by the travel module controller.

[0008] The device controller provides instructions to other controllers, wherein the other controllers are adapted to control the hardware that operates the conveying process.

[0009] In one embodiment, the travel module has a travel module housing, and the conveyor module has a fixed frame, the fixed frame is separate from the travel module housing, wherein the fixed frame is attached to the travel module housing by fasteners, wherein the travel module controller is attached to the travel module housing, and wherein the mobile conveyor module controller is attached to the fixed frame.

[0010] The travel module is thus a separate unit having all the components associated with performing the driving operation. This is due to the fact that any travel module available on the market and not substantially equipped with a conveying function can be used. On the other hand, the mobile conveyor module comprises all the components associated with receiving objects on the mobile conveyor and conveying objects on top of the mobile conveyor, and therefore also the mobile conveyor controller.

[0011] This clear separation of functions makes it easy to use the individual components together with other components from other manufacturers. Clear interfaces make it easy to communicate and interchange the modules. Therefore, the travel module and the mobile conveyor module each have their own separate controller.

[0012] In one embodiment, the device controller is connected to the travel module controller via a first data connection; the travel module controller is connected to the mobile conveyor controller via a second data connection. The first data connection is in particular a wireless data connection and / or a permanent data connection; the second data connection is in particular a wired data connection and / or a permanent data connection.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fixed controller is adapted to control the operation of the fixed conveyor track based on messages provided by the mobile conveyor module controller.

[0014] In one embodiment, the stationary controller is connected to the mobile conveyor controller via a third data connection.

[0015] In one embodiment, the third data connection is a temporary data connection. In particular, the third data connection uses a near field data communication technique, in particular, wherein the near field data communication technique requires a defined orientation between the mobile conveyor and the fixed conveyor.

[0016] The term "orientation" should be understood differently from distance. Because in near field communication, in addition to distance, angular orientation and / or lateral orientation (in particular lateral offset) also play an important role. Therefore, even if near field communication means are very close to each other, communication may still be impossible because these means may not be correctly oriented relative to each other. In particular, NFC technology or directional light beams (for example infrared light) are used as communication means.

[0017] In one embodiment, the mobile conveyor controller receives a message from the travel module controller to initiate operation.

[0018] In one embodiment, the fixed conveyor controller receives a message from the mobile conveyor controller instructing to start the operation.

[0019] In one embodiment, the device controller receives a message from the travel module controller confirming that the object has been transferred from the mobile conveyor to the fixed conveyor.

[0020] In one embodiment, the travel module controller receives a message from the mobile conveyor controller confirming that the object has been transferred from the mobile conveyor to the fixed conveyor.

[0021] In particular, the information between the various controllers may be provided in different ways. In one embodiment, the information is provided in a push-like manner, whereby the first controller proactively provides the information, regardless of whether any second controller is interested in the information. In another embodiment, the information is provided in a pull-like manner, whereby the first controller provides the information only in response to a request to send the information. In another embodiment, the information is stored in a memory of the first controller, wherein the second controller may access a database to retrieve the information.

[0022] Normal operating modes include stationary use and mobile use of the mobile conveyor.

[0023] The normal operating mode includes only stationary operation of the stationary conveyor.

[0024] In fixed use, the conveyor does not change its position within the operating area while conveying objects. In mobile use, the conveyor changes its position within the operating area while conveying objects.

[0025] Therefore, in particular the main difference between a mobile conveyor and a fixed conveyor is that during normal operating mode, a fixed conveyor remains in its position and in particular therefore has no travel drive. During normal operating mode, the fixed support frame cannot be moved within the device area.

[0026] In normal operating mode, the conveyor is engaged in transporting objects.

[0027] During the maintenance operating mode, the position of the fixed conveyor can be changed from time to time outside the normal operating mode. In the maintenance operating mode, the fixed conveyor does not participate in conveying objects. For this purpose, it is possible to choose to take a single fixed conveyor out of the normal operating mode, while the other conveyors can continue to operate in the normal operating mode.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings;

[0029] Figure 1 shows a top view of a conveying device having a mobile conveyor and a plurality of fixed conveyors;

[0030] Figure 2 Showing details of a conventional delivery device not claimed

[0031] a) The mobile conveyor and the fixed conveyor are separated.

[0032] b) wherein the mobile conveyor and the fixed conveyor are in a state of connection;

[0033] Figure 3 In the detail view a mobile conveyor of the claimed conveying device is shown;

[0034] Figure 4 In the detail view a fixed conveyor of the claimed conveying device is shown;

[0035] Figure 5 Shows the claimed use according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 Details of the conveying devices of the mobile conveyor and the fixed conveyor

[0036] a) The mobile conveyor and the fixed conveyor are separated.

[0037] b) wherein the mobile conveyor and the fixed conveyor are in a state of connection;

[0038] Figure 6 The diagram shows Figure 5A view of the communication between controllers within a device.

[0039] Figure 1 A general delivery device 100 to which the present invention is applicable is shown in a top view. Figure 2 Details of non-claimed devices are shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Parts of the following description also apply to the delivery device of the present invention.

[0040] The conveying device 100 has a plurality of fixed conveyors 8 .

[0041] Fixed means that during the intended use, the position of the fixed conveyor 8 is fixed. However, the position of the fixed conveyor 8 may be changed from time to time during modifications to the conveying device 100, which usually occur outside the intended use.

[0042] The fixed conveyor 8 has a fixed conveyor track 81 and a fixed support frame 82, on which the conveyor track 81 is mounted. A fixed conveyor driver 248 provides driving force to the fixed conveyor track 81. One or more fixed presence sensors 85 may be provided along the fixed conveyor track 81 to detect the presence of an object 9 to be conveyed on the fixed conveyor track 81. A fixed conveyor controller 84 controls the operation of the fixed conveyor driver 248, in particular taking into account the presence signal provided by the presence sensor 85.

[0043] The conveying device 100 has at least one, in particular a plurality of, mobile conveyors 1. The mobile conveyors 1 are adapted to be driven within the conveying device 100, which is referred to herein as a driving operation.

[0044] With the conveying device 100, objects 9 can be conveyed between any fixed conveyors 8 along a conveying path P by means of a mobile conveyor 1. The conveying path P does not need to be a predetermined conveying path; here, the mobile conveyor 1 can be driven autonomously along any, in particular the shortest, conveying path P, wherein the conveying path P can be defined individually for each individual drive operation.

[0045] The mobile conveyor 1 comprises a mobile conveyor track 21 and a mobile conveyor drive 2M for providing driving force to the mobile conveyor track 21. As an optional feature, the mobile conveyor 1 has at least one mobile presence sensor 25 for detecting the presence of an object in the mobile conveyor track 21.

[0046] The mobile conveyor 1 can change its position within the conveying device 100. The mobile conveyor is in particular an autonomous guided vehicle (AMR) adapted to autonomously control its movement. The mobile conveyor 1 comprises a travel drive M3 adapted to provide mechanical power to the mobile conveyor 1 to achieve the change of its position.

[0047] The travel drive M3 has in particular at least one motor-driven wheel and a steering mechanism, wherein any solution provided in the prior art can be used. The mobile conveyor can include an energy storage (not shown), in particular a rechargeable battery for storing electricity, which provides electricity to the travel drive M3 and the mobile conveyor drive M2.

[0048] In one embodiment, the conveyor track (mobile and / or fixed) 21, 81 is a belt conveyor track. The belt conveyor track comprises a belt arranged around rollers. In another embodiment, the conveyor track is a roller conveyor track having a plurality of rollers arranged in sequence and forming a conveying surface. Any type of conveyor track can be used (see explanation in European patent application EP22157909.7, with Figure 2 a. Figure 2 b related description).

[0049] Figure 2 a shows the mobile conveyor 1 in a separated state. In the separated state, the mobile conveyor 1 is at a distance from the fixed conveyor 8. The transfer of objects cannot be performed by the operation of the conveyor tracks 21, 81. The conveyor tracks can now only be used to change the position of the objects 9 within the conveyor tracks. The transfer of objects can be performed by other means, such as manually carrying the objects by a person.

[0050] Figure 2 b shows the mobile conveyor 1 and the fixed conveyor 8 in a handover state. At this time, the mobile conveyor 1 is located near the fixed conveyor 8, so that the transfer of the object 9 can be performed by the operation of the mobile conveyor track and the fixed conveyor track 21, 81.

[0051] The above description relates to both a conventional delivery device and the delivery device of the present invention.

[0052] In conventional devices, delivery device 100 has several controllers for controlling its components.

[0053] The device controller 104 controls the overall operation of the delivery device 100 .

[0054] The mobile controller 14 is located at the mobile conveyor 1 and controls the operation of the mobile conveyor 1 , in particular, the mobile drive M3 and the mobile conveyor track 21 .

[0055] The fixed controller 84 is located at the fixed conveyor 8 and controls the operation of the fixed conveyor 8 , in particular, the fixed conveyor drive M8 and the fixed conveyor track 81 .

[0056] The mobile controller 14 and the fixed controller 84 are connected to the device controller 104 via the data connection 111. The device controller 104 provides the mobile controller 14 with a destination instruction. Based on the provided destination instruction, the mobile conveyor 1 autonomously drives to a specific destination. Such a destination is particularly a location where the mobile conveyor 1 can be in a handover state with the fixed conveyor 8, such as Figure 2 As shown in b.

[0057] Once the mobile conveyor 1 reaches the intended destination, the device controller 104 provides a conveying instruction to the mobile controller 14 to start the conveying operation of the mobile conveyor track 21.

[0058] At the same time, the device controller 104 provides a transport instruction to the fixed controller 84, instructing to start a transport operation of the fixed transport track 81. Thereby, the presence signals provided by the mobile presence sensors and the fixed presence sensors 25, 85 are taken into account.

[0059] Through the mobile presence sensor 25, the device controller 104 detects the movement of the object 9 on the mobile conveyor track 21 past the mobile presence sensor 25. Through the fixed presence sensor 85, the device controller 104 detects the movement of the object 9 on the fixed conveyor track 81 past the fixed presence sensor 25. The device controller 104 uses this information to provide instructions to the mobile controller and the fixed controller 14, 84 to initiate the stop and / or start operation of the mobile conveyor track and the fixed conveyor track 21, 81.

[0060] Therefore, the mobile controller 14 and the fixed controller 84 (both also referred to as local controllers) act as I / O devices; this means that the local controllers 14, 84 provide the device controller 104 with access to the field devices M3, M8, 25, 85, so that the device controller 104 can provide operating instructions to the conveyor track, such as "M3 starts driving", "M3 stops driving", and the device controller 104 has access to the signals provided by the presence sensors 25, 85, such as "sensor 85 detects an object" or "sensor 85 does not detect an object". The device controller 104 provides direct instructions to the conveyor drives M2, M8 via the local controllers 14, 84, such as Figure 2 The dashed lines between the transport drivers M2 , M8 and the device controller 104 are shown in FIG.

[0061] No direct data connection is provided between the mobile controller and the fixed controller 14, 84. In the event that the mobile controller communicates with the fixed controller, the communication occurs via the device controller 104.

[0062] Figure 5 A conveying device 100 according to the present invention is shown. Figure 3 / Figure 4The mobile conveyor 1 / fixed conveyor 8 of the conveying device 100 of the present invention is shown in more detail.

[0063] Figure 3 The mobile conveyor 1 of the device 100 of the present invention is shown in more detail. The mobile conveyor 1 comprises a travel module 3 and a conveying module 2 .

[0064] The travel module 3 is adapted to enable the mobile conveyor 1 to change its position within the conveying device. The travel module 3 is in particular an autonomous guided vehicle (AMR) adapted to autonomously control its movement. The travel module 3 comprises a travel drive M3, which is adapted to provide mechanical power to the travel module 3 to achieve a change in its position. The travel module 3 comprises a travel module controller 34, which controls at least the operation of the travel drive M3. The travel module 3 has a wireless control interface 38. The travel module controller 34 is connected to the device controller 104 via the wireless control interface 38. In the following, this data connection is referred to as the first data connection 51.

[0065] The components of the travel module 3 are attached to or in the travel module housing 32 .

[0066] The conveyor module 2 comprises the conveyor track 21 and a mobile conveyor controller 24 controlling the operation of the conveyor track 21. In addition, the conveyor module 2 also comprises at least one optional mobile presence sensor 25 therein.

[0067] The conveying module 2 further comprises a mobile conveyor drive M2, which is in particular an electric motor. The mobile conveyor drive M2 provides a mechanical driving force such that the conveying track is able to move the object 9 relative to / within the mobile conveyor 1 .

[0068] All components of the conveyor module are attached to the mobile support 22 of the conveyor module 2 .

[0069] In the assembled state, the mobile support frame 22 is attached to the travel module housing 32 by means of fasteners 4. The fasteners 4 may include conventional fixing means, such as screws, bolts, etc. The fasteners 4 may include adapters adapted to the specific fixing interfaces of the transport module 2 and / or the travel module 3.

[0070] The delivery module 2 has a delivery module energy interface 26 and a delivery module control interface 27 .

[0071] The driving module 3 has a driving module energy interface 36 and a driving module control interface 37 .

[0072] In the assembled state of the mobile conveyor 1, the conveyor module energy interface 26 is connected to the travel module energy interface 36, and the conveyor module control interface 27 is connected to the travel module control interface 37. By connecting the data interfaces, a second data connection 52 is established between the travel module controller 34 and the mobile conveyor controller 24. The energy storage 33 of the travel module 3 can supply energy to the components of the conveyor module 2, in particular to the mobile conveyor controller 24, the mobile conveyor drive M2 and / or the presence sensor 25.

[0073] The second data connection 52 is permanent during normal operation of the delivery device 100. This means that the second data connection 52 is not disconnected during normal operation.

[0074] In the disassembled state, for example for maintenance work outside normal operation, the fastener 4 can be released, the delivery module energy interface 26 can be disconnected from the travel module energy interface 36, and the delivery module control interface 27 can be disconnected from the travel module control interface 37. At this point, the entire delivery module 2 can be removed from the travel module 3. As a result, the second data connection 52 is disconnected.

[0075] The fixed conveyor 8 has in particular an autonomous energy supply. In particular, the energy supply comprises a power cord 83 with a plug which can be plugged into a socket (not shown). Alternatively, the energy supply can be provided by the mobile conveyor 1, as described in EP22157909.7.

[0076] Contrary to conventional devices, in the device of the present invention, the fixed conveyor 8 is not connected to the device controller 104. The fixed conveyor 8 is an independent device that directly communicates with the mobile conveyor 1, especially when the mobile conveyor 1 and the fixed conveyor 8 are in a handover state.

[0077] Thus, the fixed conveyor 8 has a fixed control coupling 89 and the conveying module 2 has a mobile control coupling 29. The mobile control coupling 29 and the fixed control coupling 89 are adapted to establish a temporary data connection between the conveying module 2 and the fixed conveyor 8, which is referred to as the third data connection 53 in the following.

[0078] Temporarily in this context means that after initial installation and during normal operation of the conveying device 100 , the third data connection 53 will be connected and disconnected regularly, in particular depending on the spatial relationship between the fixed conveyor 8 and the mobile conveyor 1 .

[0079] Preferably, both connectors 29, 89 use near field communication technology to establish the third data connection 53. Near field communication technology at least requires a defined maximum distance and / or spatial relationship to be maintained between the two connectors.

[0080] In particular, the couplings 29, 89 are arranged at the respective frames 22, 82 in such a way that the third data connection 53 can be established only when the mobile conveyor 1 and the stationary conveyor 8 are in an interfaced state.

[0081] about Figure 6 , the operation of the device is controlled as follows.

[0082] The mobile controller 14 and the stationary controller 84 are not connected to the device controller 104 . Instead, only the travel module controller 34 is connected to the device controller 104 via the first data connection 51 .

[0083] The device controller 104 provides a destination instruction to the travel module controller 34 in a first message S1. Based on the provided destination instruction, the mobile conveyor 1 autonomously travels to the target destination. Such a target destination is particularly a location where the mobile conveyor 1 is in a handover state with the fixed conveyor 8, such as Figure 2 As shown in b.

[0084] Once the mobile conveyor 1 reaches the target destination, the travel module controller 34 provides a confirmation to the device controller 104 in a second message S2 that the travel module 3 has reached the target destination.

[0085] In the third message S3, the device controller 104 sends a request to the travel module controller 34 to start transporting the loaded object 9 to the fixed conveyor 8. Because the travel module controller 34 cannot directly access the conveying hardware of the conveyor module 2, it cannot ultimately start the conveying process. Therefore, in the fourth message S4, the travel module controller 34 sends a request to the mobile conveyor controller 24 to start transporting the loaded object 9 to the destination, which is the fixed conveyor 8.

[0086] Once the mobile conveyor 1 reaches the target position, the mobile conveyor 1 is in a handover position with the fixed conveyor 8 .

[0087] At this point, a position check is performed. Therefore, the mobile conveyor controller 24 attempts to send a fifth message S5, which is a test message, to the fixed controller 84 via the third data connection 53. The fixed controller 84 sends a sixth message S6 to the mobile conveyor controller 24 confirming receipt of the test message / fifth message S5. The fifth and sixth messages S5, S6 can only be transmitted between the mobile conveyor controller 24 and the fixed conveyor controller 84 if the third data connection 53 is established.

[0088] Here, the quality of the established third data 53 connection, in particular its existence, is determined as a verification step of the handover position. In the case where the couplings are not fully aligned with each other, the quality of the data transmission is reduced. In the case where the data quality of the data transmission is below a certain threshold, it is assumed that the mobile conveyor 1 is not in a suitable handover position and the object 9 cannot be reliably transferred between the two conveyors. Therefore, the position of the mobile conveyor 1 is adapted to improve the alignment between the couplings 29, 89 and the conveyor tracks 21, 81.

[0089] In particular, only when the mobile conveyor 1 is in the handover position with the fixed conveyor 8 are the fixed coupling 89 and the mobile coupling 29 adjusted on the mobile conveyor 1 and the fixed conveyor 8 in such a way that the third data connection 53 is established.

[0090] Messages S3 and S4 may be sent before, simultaneously with, or after messages S5 and S6.

[0091] If a request to transfer the object 9 is received at the mobile conveyor controller 24 (message S4) and a confirmation test message has been received (sixth message S6), the mobile conveyor controller 24 sends a request to the fixed controller 84 in a seventh message S7 to inquire whether the fixed conveyor 8 is ready to receive the object 9. In the case where the fixed presence sensor 85 detects the presence of the object 9 on the fixed conveyor track 81, the fixed conveyor 8 may not be ready to receive the object 9. In the case where the fixed presence sensor 85 does not detect the presence of the object 9 on the fixed conveyor track 81, the fixed conveyor 8 may be ready to receive the object 9.

[0092] In the case where the fixed conveyor 8 is ready to receive the object 9, the fixed controller 84 sends an eighth message S8 confirming the ready state. After the mobile conveyor controller 24 receives the message, the mobile conveyor 1 starts to operate. Thus, the mobile conveyor controller 24 instructs the mobile conveyor driver M2 to operate. At the same time, the mobile conveyor controller 24 sends a ninth message S9 to the fixed controller 84 indicating that the object 9 will be transported. As a result, the fixed controller 84 instructs the fixed conveyor driver M8 to operate.

[0093] When the fixed conveyor 8 receives the object 9 (eg, detected by the fixed presence sensor 85 ), the fixed controller 84 sends a tenth message S10 to the mobile conveyor controller 24 confirming that the object 9 has been received by the fixed conveyor 8 .

[0094] When the mobile conveyor controller 24 receives the tenth message S10, the mobile conveyor controller 24 sends an eleventh message S11 to the travel module controller 34 confirming that the object 9 has been transferred.

[0095] When the travel module controller 34 receives the eleventh message S11 , the travel module controller sends a twelfth message S12 to the device controller 104 confirming that the object 9 has been transported.

[0096] The following table summarizes the above communications.

[0097]

[0098]

[0099] The term "message" should be understood in a broad sense. It includes push messages initiated by the sending device. The term "message" also includes information that is located in the database of the sending device and is provided by the sending device only when requested by the receiving device (pull information). Many other implementations are also possible.

[0100] Reference numerals list

[0101] 1 Mobile conveyor

[0102] 2 Conveyor module

[0103] 3 Driving module

[0104] 4 Fasteners

[0105] 8 Fixed conveyor

[0106] 9 Objects to be transported

[0107] P Conveyor path

[0108] 14. Move the controller

[0109] M2 Mobile Conveyor Drive

[0110] 21 Mobile conveyor track

[0111] 22 Mobile support frame

[0112] 24 Mobile Conveyor Controller

[0113] 25 Motion Presence Sensor

[0114] 26 Energy interface of the transport module

[0115] 27 Conveyor module control interface

[0116] 29 Mobile control connector

[0117] M3 travel drive

[0118] 32 Travel module housing

[0119] 33 Energy Storage

[0120] 34 Driving module controller

[0121] 36 Driving module energy interface

[0122] 37 Driving module control interface

[0123] 38 Wireless control interface

[0124] 51 First Data Connection

[0125] 52 Second data connection

[0126] 53 Third data connection

[0127] M8 Fixed Conveyor Drive

[0128] 81 Fixed conveyor track

[0129] 82 Fixed support frame

[0130] 83 Power cord

[0131] 84 Fixed controller / fixed conveyor controller

[0132] 85 Fixed presence sensor

[0133] 89 Fixed control connector

[0134] 100 Conveyor

[0135] 104 Device Controller

[0136] 111 Data Connection

[0137] S1..S12 first...twelfth message.

Claims

1. A conveying device (100), comprising: a mobile conveyor (1) having a mobile conveyor track (21) adapted to convey objects (9) between different locations along the mobile conveyor track (21) and / or to transfer the objects from and / or to the mobile conveyor (1), - a fixed conveyor (8) having a fixed conveyor track (81) adapted to convey objects (9) between different locations along the fixed conveyor track (81) and / or to transfer the objects from and / or to the fixed conveyor (8); wherein, in a normal operation mode, the mobile conveyor is operated in a mobile use and a fixed use mode, and wherein, in a normal operation mode, the fixed conveyor is operated in a fixed manner and not in a mobile manner, The mobile conveyor (1) comprises a travel module (3) and a conveying module (2) separated therefrom. The travel module (3) is suitable for changing its position within the operating area, in particular in a non-mechanical track-constrained manner. The mobile conveyor (1) has a conveying module (2) including the mobile conveying track (21); The conveying device (100) has - a device controller (104) adapted to coordinate the overall conveying operation within the conveying device (100); a travel module controller (34) adapted to control the operation of the travel module (3), in particular the operation of a travel drive (M3) of the travel module (3), based on messages (S1, S3) provided by a central device controller (104); - a mobile conveyor controller (24) separate from the travel module controller (34) and adapted to control the operation of the mobile conveyor track (21) based on messages (S4) provided by the travel module controller (34).

2. The conveying device (100) according to the preceding claim, Features The travel module (3) has a travel module housing (32), and the transport module (2) has a mobile support frame (22). The mobile support frame (22) is separated from the travel module housing (32). The mobile support frame (22) is attached to the travel module housing (32) via a fastener (4). The travel module controller (34) is attached to the travel module housing (32), and the mobile conveyor controller (24) is attached to the mobile support frame (22).

3. The conveying device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features The device controller (104) is connected to the travel module controller (34) via a first data connection (51); The travel module controller (34) is connected to the mobile conveyor controller (24) via a second data connection (52); Specifically: -in, The first data connection (51) is a wireless data connection and / or a permanent data connection; - wherein the second data connection (52) is a wired data connection and / or a permanent data connection.

4. The conveying device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, Features A fixed controller (84) adapted to control the operation of the fixed conveyor track (81) based on messages (S4) provided by the mobile conveyor controller (24).

5. The conveying device (100) according to the preceding claim, Features The fixed controller (84) is connected to the mobile conveyor controller (24) via a third data connection (53).

6. The conveying device (100) according to the preceding claim, Features The third data connection (53) is a temporary data connection.

7. The conveying device (100) according to any one of claims 5 to 6, Features The third data connection (53) uses near field data communication technology; In particular, the near field data communication technique requires a defined orientation between the mobile conveyor (1) and the stationary conveyor (8).

8. The conveying device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, Features The stationary controller (84) is not connected to the device controller (104).

9. A method of operating a conveying device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding method claims, in, The device controller (104) provides a message (S3) only to the travel module controller (34) and in particular not to the fixed conveyor controller (84) in order to start conveying objects to the fixed conveyor (8).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding method claims, in, The mobile conveyor controller (24) receives a message (S4) to start operation from the travel module controller (34).

12. A method according to any one of the preceding method claims, in, The fixed conveyor controller (84) receives a message instructing to start operation from the mobile conveyor controller (24) (S9).

13. A method according to any one of the preceding method claims, in, The mobile conveyor controller (24) receives a message (S10) from the fixed conveyor controller (84) indicating that an object has been received at the fixed conveyor (8).

14. A method according to any one of the preceding method claims, in, The travel module controller (34) receives a message (S11) from the mobile conveyor controller (24) confirming that the object (9) has been transferred from the mobile conveyor (1) to the fixed conveyor (8).

15. A method according to any one of the preceding method claims, in, The device controller (104) receives a message (S12) from the travel module controller (34) confirming that the object (9) has been transported from the mobile conveyor (1) to the fixed conveyor (8).

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