An automated warehouse with adjustable shelf height

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of intelligent warehouses, specifically disclosing an adjustable-height automated warehouse, including a cabinet, a material transfer mechanism, a lifting mechanism, and adjustable shelves. The cabinet has vertical slides with several limiting holes at different heights. The adjustable shelves have an adjustment mechanism with a retractable locking block that can extend into the limiting holes to fix the adjustable shelves at the corresponding height. The lifting mechanism is located in the cabinet and drives the material transfer mechanism to move up and down. The material transfer mechanism includes a lifting frame, a transfer mechanism, and a docking mechanism. The docking mechanism is connected to the lifting frame via a telescopic cylinder. The transfer mechanism is used to transfer materials. Using this invention, the shelf height can be adjusted according to the materials to be placed, and after adjustment, the materials on the material transfer mechanism can be transferred to the shelf, eliminating the need for multiple round trips for material feeding and resulting in high storage and retrieval efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automated warehouse, and more particularly to an automated warehouse with adjustable shelf height. Background Technology

[0002] In the machinery manufacturing and related production fields, automated warehouses (or racking systems) are widely used to store a wide variety of parts, tooling fixtures, and production equipment of different specifications. These warehouses effectively utilize vertical space through multi-level design, thereby increasing storage density.

[0003] Currently, most common automated warehouses use fixed-shelf structures, where the height between each layer is determined during installation. However, in actual production and warehousing scenarios, the height difference between stored items (such as large mechanical parts and small tools) is extremely significant. This fixed structure leads to a prominent contradiction: when a large floor height is set to accommodate taller items, a large amount of unused vertical space appears on floors used to store shorter items, resulting in generally low space utilization; conversely, if the floor height is set too small, large parts cannot be stored, limiting the warehouse's versatility.

[0004] To address this issue, some adjustable-height shelving designs have emerged in the existing technology. For example, this involves disassembling and reinstalling shelves, or installing multiple equidistant holes on the uprights for manual selection of installation positions. However, these methods have significant drawbacks: First, the adjustment process is typically cumbersome, time-consuming, and labor-intensive, requiring manual handling of shelves and fasteners, and sometimes even emptying the shelves of goods, resulting in extremely low operational efficiency. Second, adjustments cannot be made while the warehouse is in normal storage and use, necessitating the interruption of the storage function in that area, thus limiting their practicality.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide an automated warehouse that can conveniently, flexibly and accurately adjust the shelf height during normal warehouse use to achieve dynamic space optimization has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an adjustable shelf height automated warehouse. The height of the shelves can be adjusted according to the materials to be placed inside, and the materials on the material transfer mechanism can be immediately transferred to the shelves after the adjustment is completed, eliminating the need for multiple round trips for material feeding and resulting in high storage and retrieval efficiency.

[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides an adjustable shelf height automated warehouse, comprising a cabinet, a material transfer mechanism, a lifting mechanism, and adjustable shelves. The cabinet is provided with a vertical slide groove, which has several limiting holes at different heights. The adjustable shelves are provided with an adjustment mechanism, which has a retractable locking block that can extend into the limiting holes to fix the adjustable shelves at the corresponding height. The lifting mechanism is located within the cabinet and is used to drive the material transfer mechanism to move up and down.

[0008] The material transfer mechanism includes a lifting frame, a transfer mechanism, and a docking mechanism. The docking mechanism is connected to the lifting frame via a telescopic cylinder. The transfer mechanism is used to transfer materials. The docking mechanism includes a first socketing inclined surface. The locking block has a second socketing inclined surface that is perpendicular to its moving direction. The first socketing inclined surface can be driven by the telescopic cylinder to move relative to the second socketing inclined surface, so that the locking block extends into or away from the limiting hole.

[0009] As an improvement to the above solution, the control mechanism further includes a guide groove and a positioning and transfer rod. The locking block is located in the guide groove and can move along the guide groove. The positioning and transfer rod is located in the center of the guide groove and extends laterally from the front of the guide groove.

[0010] As an improvement to the above solution, the locking block is located on both sides of the positioning and transferring rod, and a return spring is provided between the locking block and the positioning and transferring rod.

[0011] As an improvement to the above solution, the surface of the locking block is provided with a control block that extends in the same direction as the positioning and transfer rod, and the second sleeve inclined surface is provided on the outer side of the control block.

[0012] As an improvement to the above solution, the extension length of the positioning and transfer rod is greater than that of the control block.

[0013] As an improvement to the above solution, the control mechanism further includes a sliding plate, with guide wheels at the four corners of the sliding plate and guide grooves on the front of the sliding plate; a layer plate connector is provided on the upper part of the sliding plate, and a layer plate is fixedly mounted on the layer plate connector.

[0014] As an improvement to the above solution, a locking block guide is provided on the side of the limiting hole facing the locking block, and a locking block guide inclined surface is provided on the inner side of the locking block guide.

[0015] As an improvement to the above solution, the lifting mechanism includes a lifting motor, a lifting synchronous belt, a slide rail, and lifting pulleys; the lifting synchronous belt is wound around the side of the cabinet through a fixed pulley, the lifting motor is connected to the lifting synchronous belt, the lifting pulleys are located on the side of the lifting frame and clamped on both sides of the slide rail; the lifting synchronous belt is also connected to the lifting frame.

[0016] As an improvement to the above solution, the transfer mechanism is a robotic arm; the docking mechanism further includes a swing drive motor, a swing arm, and a docking head. The swing drive motor is mounted on the lifting frame and connected to the swing arm, enabling the swing arm to switch between a horizontal and a vertical state; the telescopic cylinder is located at the end of the swing arm, and the docking head is located on the telescopic cylinder. The front of the docking head is provided with a socket hole, and the inner side of the socket hole is provided with the first socketing inclined surface.

[0017] As an improvement to the above solution, a positioning and transfer hole is provided between the first socket inclined surfaces on both sides. The positioning and transfer hole can be connected with the positioning and transfer rod to adjust the relative position between the socket hole and the control block.

[0018] Implementing the embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] With the above structure, the shelves are fixed in the limiting holes of the vertical slide by locking blocks, allowing for convenient adjustment at different heights. Materials within the warehouse are transferred between different shelves and entrances / exits via a lifting material transfer mechanism. This material transfer mechanism can simultaneously control the movement of the locking blocks through a docking mechanism, unlocking the shelves from the vertical slide and pushing them up and down synchronously. After moving the shelves to a preset position, the locking blocks are then connected to the vertical slide, fixing the shelves at a predetermined height.

[0020] Using the above control structure and method, the shelf drive structure is integrated into the material transfer mechanism, eliminating the need for a separate shelf drive mechanism. This results in a compact structure and reliable operation. The shelf height can be adjusted according to the required material, and the material from the material transfer mechanism is immediately transferred to the shelf after adjustment, eliminating the need for multiple round trips for feeding and ensuring high storage and retrieval efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an adjustable shelf height three-dimensional warehouse according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the lifting mechanism of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the adjustable layer plate of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 is a partial structural cross-sectional view of the adjustable layer plate of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of the adjustable layer plate of the present invention from another perspective;

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the material transfer mechanism of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the docking mechanism of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is hereby declared that the directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inside, and outside used in this text are based solely on the accompanying drawings and are not intended to specifically limit the invention.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1-7, a specific embodiment of the present invention provides an adjustable shelf height automated warehouse, including a cabinet 1, a material transfer mechanism 2, a lifting mechanism 3, and adjustable shelves 4. The cabinet 1 is provided with a vertical slide 5, and the vertical slide 5 is provided with a plurality of limiting holes 51 at different heights. The adjustable shelf 4 is provided with an adjustment mechanism 6, and the adjustment mechanism 6 has a retractable locking block 61. The locking block 61 can extend into the limiting holes 51 to fix the adjustable shelf 4 at the corresponding height. The lifting mechanism 3 is located in the cabinet 1 and is used to drive the material transfer mechanism 2 to lift and lower.

[0030] The material transfer mechanism 2 includes a lifting frame 21, a transfer mechanism 22, and a docking mechanism 23. The docking mechanism 23 is connected to the lifting frame 21 via a telescopic cylinder 24. The transfer mechanism 22 is used to transfer materials. The docking mechanism 23 includes a first socketing inclined surface 231. The locking block 61 has a second socketing inclined surface 611 arranged perpendicular to its moving direction. The first socketing inclined surface 231 can be driven by the telescopic cylinder 24 to move relative to the second socketing inclined surface 611, so that the locking block 61 extends into or away from the limiting hole 51.

[0031] With the above structure, the shelves are fixed in the limiting holes 51 of the vertical slide 5 by locking blocks 61, allowing for convenient adjustment at different heights. Materials in the warehouse are transferred between different shelves and entrances / exits via a lifting material transfer mechanism 2. The material transfer mechanism 2 can simultaneously control the movement of the locking blocks 61 via a docking mechanism 23, unlocking the shelves from the vertical slide 5 and pushing the shelves to rise and fall synchronously. After moving the shelves to a preset position, the locking blocks 61 are connected to the vertical slide 5, fixing the shelves at a predetermined height. Using the above control structure and method, the shelf drive structure is integrated into the material transfer mechanism 2, eliminating the need for a separate shelf drive mechanism, resulting in a compact structure and reliable operation. The shelf height can be adjusted according to the materials to be placed, and after adjustment, the materials on the material transfer mechanism 2 are immediately transferred to the shelf, eliminating the need for multiple round trips for material feeding and improving storage and retrieval efficiency.

[0032] To ensure reliable connection between the material transfer mechanism 2 and the shelf, the control mechanism 6 further includes a guide groove 62 and a positioning transfer rod 63. A locking block 61 is disposed in the guide groove 62 and can move along it. The positioning transfer rod 63 is located in the center of the guide groove 62 and extends laterally from its front side. The locking block 61 is located on both sides of the positioning transfer rod 63, and a return spring 64 is provided between the locking block 61 and the positioning transfer rod 63. A control block 65 extending in the same direction as the positioning transfer rod 63 is provided on the surface of the locking block 61, and the second sleeve inclined surface 611 is located on the outer side of the control block 65. Preferably, the extension length of the positioning transfer rod 63 is greater than that of the control block 65.

[0033] It should be noted that when the docking mechanism 23 begins to connect with the adjustable shelf 4, it first engages with the positioning transfer rod 63 through the corresponding positioning hole for guidance and positioning. This ensures that the first engagement ramp 231 is just outside the second engagement ramp 611, so that when the docking structure moves closer to the adjustable shelf 4, the first engagement ramp 231 can push the second engagement ramp 611 to move laterally, pushing the locking block 61 towards the positioning transfer rod 63 and unlocking the adjustable shelf 4. During the movement of the adjustable shelf 4 following the docking mechanism 23, the docking mechanism 23 mainly applies force through the positioning transfer rod 63 to improve the transfer stability. After the height of the adjustable shelf 4 is adjusted and the transfer mechanism 22 moves away from the locking block 61 and the positioning transfer rod 63, the transfer mechanism 22 will first separate from the control block 65. At this time, the transfer mechanism 22 remains connected to the positioning transfer rod 63 to ensure that the adjustable shelf 4 is reliably supported before the locking block 61 is reliably connected to the vertical slide 5.

[0034] In some specific embodiments, the control mechanism 6 further includes a sliding plate 66, with guide wheels 67 at its four corners and a guide groove 62 on the front of the sliding plate 66. A shelf connector 68 is provided on the upper part of the sliding plate 66, and a shelf 69 is fixedly mounted on the shelf connector 68. The guide wheels 67 are connected to the sidewall of the vertical slide groove 5, ensuring that the control mechanism 6 can stably rise and fall along the vertical slide groove 5.

[0035] To ensure the locking block 61 can be smoothly inserted into the limiting hole 51, a locking block guide 52 is provided on the side of the limiting hole 51 facing the locking block 61, and a locking block guide slope 521 is provided on the inner side of the locking block guide 52. During the movement of the locking block 61 towards the limiting hole 51, its front end first contacts the locking block guide slope 521, and under the guidance of the locking block guide slope 521, it is inserted into the corresponding limiting hole 51, thus improving system redundancy and automatic error correction capabilities.

[0036] In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism 3 includes a lifting motor 31, a lifting synchronous belt 32, a slide rail 33, and lifting pulleys 34. The lifting synchronous belt 32 is wound around the side of the cabinet 1 via fixed pulleys 35. The lifting motor 31 is connected to the lifting synchronous belt 32. The lifting pulleys 34 are located on the side of the lifting frame 21 and clamped on both sides of the slide rail 33. The lifting synchronous belt 32 is also connected to the lifting frame 21. The lifting motor 31 drives the lifting synchronous belt 32 to rotate, and the lifting synchronous belt 32 drives the material transfer mechanism 2 to rise and fall to reach one side of the corresponding adjustable shelf 4.

[0037] Preferably, the transfer mechanism 22 can be an existing material transfer mechanism, such as a conveyor belt, a transfer roller, or a robotic arm with clamping or vacuum adsorption capabilities. In this embodiment, a robotic arm with a gripper is selected. The robotic arm drives the gripper to move in three dimensions, which can remove materials from the adjustable shelf 4 and transfer materials from the inlet / outlet to the adjustable shelf 4. The docking mechanism 23 also includes a swing drive motor 25, a swing arm 26, and a docking joint 27. The swing drive motor 25 is mounted on the lifting frame 21 and connected to the swing arm 26, enabling the swing arm 26 to switch between horizontal and vertical states. The telescopic cylinder 24 is located at the end of the swing arm 26, and the docking joint 27 is located on the telescopic cylinder 24. The front of the docking joint 27 has a socket hole 271, and the inner side of the socket hole 271 has the first socketing inclined surface 231. In daily operation, the swing arm 26 is in a vertical state to avoid interference with the adjustable shelf 4 during lifting.

[0038] When the height of the adjustable shelf 4 needs to be adjusted, the swing drive motor 25 drives the swing arm 26 to swing downwards by 90 degrees, so that the swing arm 26 is in a horizontal state. The lifting frame 21 is also provided with a swing arm limiting groove 28. At this time, the swing arm 26 is located in the swing arm limiting groove 28, the bottom of the swing arm limiting groove 28 contacts the lower surface of the swing arm 26, supporting the swing arm 26, and clamping the swing arm 26 on both sides to prevent the swing arm 26 from shifting horizontally. The telescopic cylinder 24 drives the connector 27 to extend towards the adjustment mechanism 6. Preferably, a positioning transfer hole 272 is provided between the first sleeve inclined surfaces 231 on both sides. The positioning transfer hole 272 can dock with the positioning transfer rod 63 to adjust the relative position between the sleeve hole 271 and the control block 65. During the movement of the connector 27 towards the control mechanism 6, the positioning transfer hole 272 first contacts the positioning transfer rod 63. Since the front end of the positioning transfer hole 272 is trumpet-shaped, it serves as a guide and positioning mechanism. As the positioning transfer rod 63 gradually inserts into the positioning transfer hole 272, the connector 27 and the control mechanism 6 enter the predetermined connection position. The socket hole 271 begins to connect with the control block 65, pushing the control blocks 65 on both sides closer together, thus pulling the locking block 61 out of the limiting hole 51. The material transfer mechanism 2 drives the adjustable shelf 4 to rise and fall as a whole. After reaching the predetermined position, it reverses the operation, fixing the adjustable shelf 4 onto the vertical chute 5. At this time, the material transfer mechanism 2 can use a robotic arm to place the material it has picked up onto the adjusted adjustable shelf 4, realizing that shelf adjustment and material placement are completed within one cycle of the material transfer mechanism 2, improving the working efficiency of the automated warehouse.

[0039] The above description represents the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional warehouse with adjustable shelf height, characterized in that, The device includes a cabinet, a material transfer mechanism, a lifting mechanism, and adjustable shelves. The cabinet has a vertical slide groove with several limiting holes at different heights. The adjustable shelves have an adjustment mechanism with a retractable locking block that can extend into the limiting holes to fix the adjustable shelves at the corresponding height. The lifting mechanism is located in the cabinet and is used to drive the material transfer mechanism to move up and down. The material transfer mechanism includes a lifting frame, a transfer mechanism, and a docking mechanism. The docking mechanism is connected to the lifting frame via a telescopic cylinder. The transfer mechanism is used to transfer materials. The docking mechanism includes a first socketing inclined surface. The locking block has a second socketing inclined surface that is perpendicular to its moving direction. The first socketing inclined surface can be driven by the telescopic cylinder to move relative to the second socketing inclined surface, so that the locking block extends into or away from the limiting hole. The control mechanism also includes a guide groove and a positioning and transfer rod. The locking block is located in the guide groove and can move along the guide groove. The positioning and transfer rod is located in the center of the guide groove and extends laterally from the front of the guide groove. The locking blocks are located on both sides of the positioning and transferring rod, and a return spring is provided between the locking blocks and the positioning and transferring rod; The locking block surface is provided with a control block that extends in the same direction as the positioning and transfer rod, and the second sleeve inclined surface is provided on the outer side of the control block; The transfer mechanism is a robotic arm; the docking mechanism further includes a swing drive motor, a swing arm, and a docking joint. The swing drive motor is mounted on the lifting frame and connected to the swing arm, enabling the swing arm to switch between a horizontal and a vertical state. The telescopic cylinder is located at the end of the swing arm, and the docking joint is located on the telescopic cylinder. The front of the docking joint has a socket hole, and the inner side of the socket hole has a first socket inclined surface. A positioning and transfer hole is provided between the first socket inclined surfaces on both sides. The positioning and transfer hole can be connected with the positioning and transfer rod to adjust the relative position between the socket hole and the control block.

2. The adjustable shelf height automated warehouse as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The extension length of the positioning and transfer rod is greater than that of the control block.

3. The adjustable shelf height automated warehouse as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control mechanism also includes a sliding plate, with guide wheels at the four corners of the sliding plate and guide grooves on the front of the sliding plate; a shelf connector is provided on the upper part of the sliding plate, and a shelf is fixedly mounted on the shelf connector.

4. The adjustable shelf height automated warehouse as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A locking block guide is provided on the side of the limiting hole facing the locking block, and a locking block guide slope is provided on the inner side of the locking block guide.

5. The adjustable shelf height automated warehouse as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes a lifting motor, a lifting synchronous belt, a slide rail, and lifting pulleys; the lifting synchronous belt is wound around the side of the cabinet via fixed pulleys, the lifting motor is connected to the lifting synchronous belt, the lifting pulleys are located on the side of the lifting frame and clamped on both sides of the slide rail; the lifting synchronous belt is also connected to the lifting frame.

Images