Logistics system

Abstract

The invention relates to a logistics system comprising a first conveying device (11) having a first conveying unit (21) and a second conveying device (12) having a second conveying unit (22), the conveying devices (11, 12) being arranged so as to be able to convey goods to be transported in a longitudinal direction (X) from the first conveying unit (21) to the second conveying unit (22). The first conveying device (11) comprises a support unit (30) having a support roller (31) which is mounted so as to be rotatable about a support axis (32) extending in the transverse direction (Y), the support roller (31) being arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) between the first conveying unit (21) and the second conveying unit (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a logistics system, which includes a first conveying device having a first conveying unit and a second conveying device having a second conveying unit. Wherein, the conveying devices are arranged such that goods to be transported can be conveyed from the first conveying unit to the second conveying unit in the longitudinal direction. Background Art

[0002] For example, in technical facilities such as manufacturing plants, industrial buildings or logistics centers, materials are transported between different stations. For example, finished products are transported from the production area to the distribution station by means of autonomous / automatically driven vehicles. For this purpose, the products are placed in transport containers, such as containers or grid boxes, and are transported in the transport containers. Then, at the distribution station, the transport containers containing the products are further conveyed by means of a logistics system.

[0003] A logistics system of this type and a method for operating the logistics system are known from DE 10 2014 003 053 A1. The logistics system includes a mobile conveying device and a fixed / stationary conveying device, wherein the fixed conveying device has a transport device configured as a chain. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve a logistics system.

[0005] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a logistics system having the features given in claim 1. Advantageous designs and improvements are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The logistics system according to the present invention includes a first conveying device having a first conveying unit and a second conveying device having a second conveying unit. Herein, the conveying devices are arranged such that goods to be transported can be conveyed from the first conveying unit to the second conveying unit in the longitudinal direction. The first conveying device includes a support unit having support rollers, which are supported in a manner that they can rotate around a support shaft extending in the transverse direction. The support rollers are arranged in the longitudinal direction between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit.

[0007] There is a gap in the longitudinal direction between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, and this gap is partially closed by the support unit having support rollers. In the logistics system, the goods to be transported, in particular transport containers, such as containers or grid boxes, are temporarily supported on the support rollers during conveyance. Therefore, the goods to be transported do not slide into the gap between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit. Thus, jerks during the conveying process and blockage of the logistics system due to the goods to be transported getting stuck in the gap are largely prevented.

[0008] According to a preferred design of the present invention, the first conveying device is configured as a mobile transport vehicle, and the second conveying device is fixedly arranged. The mobile transport vehicle is, for example, an autonomous vehicle or a rail vehicle. The fixedly arranged second conveying device is, for example, part of a distribution station.

[0009] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first conveying unit includes a circulating first conveying medium that is partially placed around a first roller. The first roller is arranged in the end region of the first conveying unit facing the second conveying device. The first roller is supported in a manner that it can rotate around a first rotation axis extending in the lateral direction. The first conveying medium of the first conveying unit is, for example, a conveyor belt, a conveying belt, or a conveyor chain.

[0010] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the diameter of the support roller is smaller than the diameter of the first roller. Thereby, the gap between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit is relatively small. Preferably, the diameter of the support roller is smaller than the radius of the first roller.

[0011] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the second conveying unit includes a circulating second conveying medium that is partially placed around a second roller. The second roller is arranged in the end region of the second conveying unit facing the first conveying device. The second roller is rotatably supported around a second rotation axis extending in the lateral direction. The second conveying medium of the second conveying unit is, for example, a conveyor belt, a conveying belt, or a conveyor chain.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the diameter of the support roller is smaller than the diameter of the second roller. Thereby, the gap between the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit is relatively small. Preferably, the diameter of the support roller is smaller than the radius of the second roller.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first conveying unit forms a first supporting area, and the second conveying unit forms a second supporting area. Here, the first supporting area and the second supporting area are arranged in a conveying plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the upper surface of the support roller is arranged in this conveying plane. Therefore, the goods to be transported can be continuously conveyed on this conveying plane, and the goods to be transported do not need to be raised or lowered in the vertical direction.

[0014] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the support unit includes a bracket having a front leg, a rear leg, and a base leg. The base leg connects the front leg and the rear leg. The support roller is supported in the front leg and the rear leg.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the base leg extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the base leg is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the support shaft and the second roller.

[0016] According to an advantageous design of the invention, the support roller is locally configured as a cylinder. Here, the support roller has a plurality of cylindrical regions which are arranged offset from one another in the axial direction (currently in the transverse direction).

[0017] According to an advantageous refinement of the invention, the support unit includes a sensor for detecting the rotation of the support roller relative to the support around the support axis. During the conveyance of the goods to be transported from the first conveying unit to the second conveying unit, the goods to be transported move on the support roller and cause the support roller to rotate. When the support roller no longer rotates, the conveyance of the goods to be transported ends. Thus, the sensor provides information on whether the goods to be transported are still on the support roller.

[0018] The invention is not limited to the feature combinations of the claims. For a person skilled in the art, other reasonable combination possibilities of the claims and / or the features of individual claims and / or the features of the description and / or the features of the drawings can be obtained, in particular from the object set and / or by comparison with the prior art. Description of the Drawings

[0019] The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of the drawings. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings only schematically show the subject matter of the invention. Among them:

[0020] Figure 1 A side view schematic diagram of a logistics system is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 A perspective view of the support unit is shown.

[0022] List of Reference Numerals:

[0023] 11 First conveying device

[0024] 12 Second conveying device

[0025] 17 First conveying medium

[0026] 18 Second conveying medium

[0027] 21 First conveying unit

[0028] 22 Second conveying unit

[0029] 23 First roller

[0030] 24 Second roller

[0031] 25 First rotating shaft

[0032] 26 Second rotating shaft

[0033] 27 First supporting area

[0034] 28 Second supporting area

[0035] 30 Supporting unit

[0036] 31 Supporting roller

[0037] 32 Supporting shaft

[0038] 35 Bracket

[0039] 40 Base leg

[0040] 41 Front leg

[0041] 42 Rear leg

[0042] X Longitudinal direction

[0043] Y Transverse direction

[0044] Z Vertical direction Detailed implementation manner

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic side view of the logistics system is shown. The logistics system is located in a logistics center and includes a first conveying device 11 and a second conveying device 12. The logistics system is used to further convey goods to be transported, such as containers or grid boxes containing products. The first conveying device 11 and the second conveying device 12 are arranged offset from each other in the longitudinal direction X.

[0046] The first conveying device 11 is designed as a mobile transport vehicle and has wheels. The second conveying device 12 is arranged in a fixed manner in the logistics center and has struts. The wheels of the first conveying device 11 and the struts of the second conveying device 12 stand on the flat ground of the logistics center.

[0047] The vertical direction Z is perpendicular to the ground. The longitudinal direction X is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and parallel to the ground. The transverse direction Y is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and parallel to the ground.

[0048] The first conveying device 11 also has a drive unit for driving the wheels. The drive unit includes a power motor and a transmission mechanism. The power motor drives the wheels through the transmission mechanism. The first conveying device 11 also has a control unit for controlling the drive unit. The first conveying device 11 has an electrical energy storage device for supplying electrical energy to the drive unit. The electrical energy storage device is configured as a rechargeable battery. The electrical energy storage device also supplies electrical energy to the control unit.

[0049] The first conveying device 11 has a first conveying unit 21. The first conveying unit 21 includes a first roller 23 having at least an approximately cylindrical configuration. The first roller 23 is arranged in an end region of the first conveying unit 21 facing the second conveying device 12. The first roller 23 is supported so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis 25 extending in the lateral direction Y.

[0050] The first conveying unit 21 includes a circulating first conveying medium 17. The first conveying medium 17 of the first conveying unit 21 is, for example, a conveying chain and is laid / arranged partly around the first roller 23. The first conveying unit 21 includes at least one additional roller, and the circulating first conveying medium 17 is laid partly around the additional roller.

[0051] The second conveying device 12 has a second conveying unit 22. The second conveying unit 22 includes a second roller 24 having at least an approximately cylindrical configuration. The second roller 24 is arranged in an end region of the second conveying unit 22 facing the first conveying device 11. The second roller 24 is supported so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis 26 extending in the lateral direction Y.

[0052] The second conveying unit 22 includes a circulating second conveying medium 18. The second conveying medium 18 of the second conveying unit 22 is, for example, a conveying chain and is laid partly around the second roller 24. The second conveying unit 22 includes at least one additional roller, and the circulating second conveying medium 18 is laid partly around the additional roller.

[0053] The first conveying unit 21 forms a first supporting region 27 for supporting the goods to be conveyed. The second conveying unit 22 forms a second supporting region 28 for supporting the goods to be conveyed. The first supporting region 27 and the second supporting region 28 are arranged offset from each other in the longitudinal direction X. The first supporting region 27 and the second supporting region 28 are arranged in a conveying plane. This conveying plane is perpendicular to the vertical direction Z.

[0054] The first conveying device 11 includes a support unit 30. The support unit 30 has a support roller 31 which is supported so as to be rotatable about a support axis 32 extending in the lateral direction Y. The support unit 30 further includes a bracket 35. The support roller 31 is supported in the bracket 35 and is rotatable about the support axis 32 relative to the bracket 35. Optionally, the support unit 30 includes a motor for driving the support roller 31 to rotate about the support axis 32.

[0055] The support roller 31 is arranged between the first conveying unit 21 and the second conveying unit 22 in the longitudinal direction X. The support roller 31 is configured at least approximately cylindrically. The diameter of the support roller 31 is smaller than the diameter of the first roller 23. The diameter of the support roller 31 is smaller than the diameter of the second roller 24. The upper surface of the support roller 31 extending upward in the vertical direction Z, that is, away from the ground, is arranged in the conveying plane.

[0056] The support shaft 32 is arranged between the first rotating shaft 25 and the second rotating shaft 26 in the longitudinal direction X. The support shaft 32 is arranged above the first rotating shaft 25 and also above the second rotating shaft 26 in the vertical direction Z, that is, further away from the ground.

[0057] The goods to be transported supported on the first support area 27 of the first conveying unit 21 can be conveyed along the longitudinal direction X via the upper surface of the support roller 31 to the second support area 28 of the second conveying unit 22. For transporting the goods to be transported, for example, the first roller 23 and the second roller 24 are driven in the same direction around their respective rotating shafts 25, 26. Accordingly, the conveying devices 11, 12 are arranged and designed such that the goods to be transported can be conveyed from the first conveying unit 21 to the second conveying unit 22 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0058] Figure 2 A perspective view of the support unit 30 is shown. The bracket 35 of the support unit 30 has a front leg 41, a rear leg 42, and a base leg 40. The base leg 40 connects the front leg 41 and the rear leg 42.

[0059] The base leg 40 of the bracket 35 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The front leg 41 and the rear leg 42 are respectively perpendicular to the transverse direction Y and perpendicular to the base leg 40. Viewed from the vertical direction Z, the bracket 35 has an approximately U-shaped cross-section.

[0060] The base leg 40 is arranged between the first roller 23 and the second roller 24 in the longitudinal direction X. The base leg 40 is arranged between the support roller 31 and the second roller 24 in the longitudinal direction X. The base leg 40 is arranged between the support shaft 32 and the second rotating shaft 26 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0061] The support roller 31 is rotatably supported in the front leg 41 and the rear leg 42. The support shaft 32 passes through holes formed in the front leg 41 and the rear leg 42.

[0062] The support roller 31 is locally configured cylindrically. The support roller 31 has a plurality of cylindrical regions which are arranged offset from each other in the axial direction, that is, in the transverse direction Y. It is also conceivable that the support roller 31 is configured as a continuous cylinder.

[0063] The support roller 31 protrudes beyond the base leg 40 , the front leg 41 and the rear leg 42 in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the upper surface of the support roller 31 is farther from the ground in the vertical direction Z than the surfaces of the legs 40 , 41 , 42 facing away from the ground.

[0064] Angle fixing pieces are respectively mounted on the front leg 41 and the rear leg 42. The angle fixing pieces are used to fix the support on the surface of the first conveying device 11.

Claims

1. A logistics system, comprising: A first conveying device (11) having a first conveying unit (21), and a second conveying device (12) having a second conveying unit (22), The first conveying device (11) and the second conveying device (12) are arranged to be able to convey the goods to be transported in the longitudinal direction (X) from the first conveying unit (21) to the second conveying unit (22), Characterized in that The first conveying device (11) includes a support unit (30), The support unit has support rollers (31) which are supported in a manner that can rotate around a support shaft (32) extending in the transverse direction (Y), The support rollers (31) are arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) between the first conveying unit (21) and the second conveying unit (22).

2. The logistics system according to claim 1, wherein, The first conveying device (11) is configured as a mobile transport vehicle, while the second conveying device (12) is fixedly arranged.

3. The logistics system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first conveying unit (21) includes a circulating first conveying medium (17), and the first conveying medium is partially laid around a first roller (23), and the first roller is arranged in an end region of the first conveying unit (21) facing the second conveying device (12), and the first roller is supported in a manner that can rotate around a first rotation shaft (25) extending in the transverse direction (Y).

4. The logistics system according to claim 3, wherein, The diameter of the support roller (31) is smaller than the diameter of the first roller (23).

5. The logistics system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second conveying unit (22) includes a circulating second conveying medium (18), and the second conveying medium is partially laid around a second roller (24), and the second roller is arranged in an end region of the second conveying unit (22) facing the first conveying device (11), and the second roller is supported in a manner that can rotate around a second rotation shaft (26) extending in the transverse direction (Y).

6. The logistics system according to claim 5, wherein, The diameter of the support roller (31) is smaller than the diameter of the second roller (24).

7. The logistics system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first conveying unit (21) forms a first supporting region (27), The second conveying unit (22) forms a second supporting region (28), The first supporting region (27) and the second supporting region (28) are arranged in a conveying plane, The conveying plane extends perpendicular to the vertical direction (Z), The upper surface of the support roller (31) is arranged in the conveying plane.

8. The logistics system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support unit (30) includes a bracket (35), the bracket has a front leg (41), a rear leg (42) and a base leg (40), and the base leg connects the front leg (41) and the rear leg (42), The support rollers (31) are supported in the front leg (41) and the rear leg (42).

9. The logistics system according to claim 8, wherein, The base leg (40) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), The base leg (40) is arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) between the support shaft (32) and the second roller (24).

10. The logistics system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support roller (31) is partially configured as a cylinder and has a plurality of cylindrical regions arranged axially offset from each other.

11. The logistics system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support unit (30) includes a sensor for detecting the rotation of the support roller (31) around the support shaft (32).

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