Storage elevator for storing and taking goods and confirmation device for confirming order picking operation of storage elevator

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage elevator (10) for accessing goods, comprising a handling opening (12) for picking goods and a confirmation device (22) for confirming an order picking operation; wherein the confirmation device (22) is arranged in the channel (20) below the handling opening (12) and has a grating device (23); wherein the grating device (23) has an emitter (24) for emitting a light beam and a receiver (26) for receiving the emitted light beam; and a slit diaphragm (32) is arranged in front of each of the transmitter (24) and the receiver (26). The invention also relates to a confirmation device (22) for confirming an order picking operation of such a storage elevator (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage lift for accessing storage goods, comprising a loading dock for picking storage goods and a confirmation device for confirming order picking operations. Furthermore, the invention relates to a confirmation device for confirming order picking operations of such a storage lift.

[0002] Storage lifts of the above-mentioned type have a plurality of storage locations which accommodate storage good carriers for accessing storage goods. Storage good carriers are transported to and removed from the storage locations by means of transport devices. Based on orders or commands, storage goods are positioned on the storage good carriers for storage and / or removed from the storage good carriers for retrieval through the loading dock. This process is referred to as picking. To confirm order picking operations, the orders or commands have to be confirmed. For this purpose, it is known to provide, in addition to the loading dock, an operating device in the form of a control panel and / or a display which has to be operated to confirm the commands.

[0003] DE 10 2008 018 436 A1 provides an example of a storage lift equipped with an operating device for confirming storage. The invention discloses a storage lift with an access opening and an operating device arranged on the storage rack, which is connected to a computer via a LAN. When the storage operation is completed, the operator enters the operating device.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known storage lift is that the operator has to walk to the control panel of the storage lift to confirm the orders or commands.

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide a storage lift and a confirmation device which enable easy confirmation of order picking operations while preventing false triggering.

[0006] To achieve this object, a storage lift having the features of claim 1 is proposed.

[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the storage lift are defined by the dependent claims.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, a storage lift for accessing storage goods is proposed, having a loading dock for picking storage goods and a confirmation device for confirming order picking operations, wherein the confirmation device is arranged below the loading dock in a passage and has a light barrier device, wherein the light barrier device has an emitter which emits a light beam and a receiver which receives the emitted light beam, and wherein a slit diaphragm is arranged in front of the emitter and in front of the receiver, respectively.

[0009] By arranging the confirmation device below the loading and unloading opening, the operator can easily access the confirmation device. When performing the confirmation operation, the operator only has to reach into the passage to interrupt the light beam emitted by the emitter. As a result, a command is triggered to the control system to confirm the order picking operation just performed. Furthermore, the arrangement of the confirmation device in the passage prevents a false confirmation by the operator. In addition, the slit diaphragm prevents reflections on the surface of the passage. This ensures sufficient operating safety.

[0010] In the operating environment of the present application, picking is understood to mean that the operator places at least one stored item of goods into a storage item carrier or removes it from a storage item carrier.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the slit diaphragm is made of metal or plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic. Further advantageously, the slit diaphragm is connected to the emitter and the receiver in a form-fit, force-fit and / or material-locked manner. Advantageously, the slit diaphragm is attached to the emitter and the receiver in a form-fit and force-fit manner.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, the slit diaphragm has a rectangular slit. This rectangular slit shape effectively prevents reflections on the surface of the passage.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the passage extends almost through the entire width of the loading and unloading opening. This makes the confirmation command of the order picking operation trigger the control system over the entire width of the lift.

[0014] Advantageously, the emitter is located at one end of the passage and the receiver is located at the other end of the passage, so that the light beam emitted by the emitter extends almost over the entire length of the passage and thus almost over the entire width of the loading and unloading opening.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the passage is three-sided closed. This embodiment effectively prevents a false confirmation of the confirmation device by the operator. Advantageously, the passage has a rectangular cross-section.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the passage is light-colored. The light color creates an attractive appearance. The light color can be white or light gray. The slit diaphragm effectively prevents the light reflection phenomenon of the grating device due to the dominant light color in the passage.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the passage is arranged in a frame part of a frame enclosing the loading and unloading opening. This design creates an attractive appearance. Furthermore, the arrangement of the passage in the frame part prevents a false triggering of the confirmation device.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the frame is formed by four frame parts which enclose the loading and unloading opening. Further advantageously, the passage is accommodated in a lower frame part which is arranged below the loading and unloading opening. The frame parts can be connected to one another in a form-fit, force-fit and / or material-locking manner.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the frame is made of metal or plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic. Furthermore, the frame is light-colored, for example white or light gray.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, a matrix display, in particular an LED matrix display, is arranged below the loading and unloading opening. The matrix display can display the position of the storage goods to be removed within the storage carrier.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the matrix display is accommodated in a frame part, in particular in a lower frame part. Advantageously, the matrix display is accommodated in a frame part, in particular a lower frame part, which has a passage.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the matrix display is inserted into an insert which is connected to a frame part, in particular a lower frame part.

[0023] Furthermore, the application relates to a verification device according to independent claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the verification device according to the application are defined by the dependent claims.

[0024] The application is explained in more detail below with reference to the embodiments shown schematically in the drawings. Therein: Figure 1 Perspective view of a loading and unloading opening of a storage lift and of a frame enclosing the loading and unloading opening, with fastening means arranged in the frame; Figure 2 is a cross section through a lower frame part of the frame along line II-II in Figure 1 Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a transmitter and a receiver of the verification device, wherein the transmitter and the receiver each have a slit diaphragm.

[0025] Figure 1 A storage lift 10 with a plurality of storage positions is shown, in which storage goods carriers for receiving storage goods are accommodated. The storage goods carriers are conveyed to the storage positions or removed from the storage positions by an automated transport device.

[0026] ​The storage lift 10 has a loading / unloading opening 12 for storing and removing or picking storage goods (not shown). Storage good carriers can be transported to the loading / unloading opening 12 by a transport device. The loading / unloading opening 12 is surrounded by a frame 14 which is formed from four frame parts 16 which are connected to one another in a form-fit, force-fit and / or material-locked manner. In particular, the frame 14 has a lower frame part 16a which is arranged below the loading / unloading opening 12, an upper frame part 16b which is arranged above the loading / unloading opening 12 and two side frame parts 16c which are arranged on either side of the loading / unloading opening 12. The frame parts 16 are made of metal or plastic, in particular fibre-reinforced plastic, and are of a light colour, for example white or light grey.

[0027] From a combined view of Figure 1 and Figure 2 it can be seen that a matrix display 18 is arranged in the region of the loading / unloading opening 12, indicating the position of the storage goods to be removed on the storage good carriers. In the present embodiment, the matrix display 18 is designed as a colour LED matrix display.

[0028] As can be seen from Figure 2 , the matrix display 18 is arranged in the lower frame part 16a of the frame 14, wherein the matrix display 18 is accommodated, in particular flush-mounted, in an insert 19 which is connected to the frame part 16.

[0029] A channel 20 having a rectangular cross section is provided in the lower frame part 16a, which extends laterally through almost the entire width of the loading / unloading opening 12.

[0030] As can be seen in particular from Figure 2 , the channel 20 is closed on three sides. On a front side 21, the channel 20 is open for the insertion of an operator's hand (not shown).

[0031] An acknowledgement device 22 for acknowledging an order picking operation is provided within the channel 20. The acknowledgement device 22 has a light barrier device 23. According to Figure 3 , the light barrier device 23 comprises an emitter 24 which emits a light beam (not shown) and a receiver 26 which receives the emitted light beam.

[0032] The emitter 24 is arranged at a first end 28 of the channel 20 and the receiver 26 is arranged at a second end 30 of the channel 20. The light beam emitted by the emitter 24 propagates over almost the entire length of the channel 20, in turn after traversing almost the entire width of the loading / unloading opening 12, into the receiver 26.

[0033] In order to acknowledge an order picking operation, the operator must insert their hand into the channel 20, thereby interrupting the light beam emitted by the emitter 24. This triggers a signal which is sent to a controller (not shown). The signal serves as an acknowledgement command for the picking operation.

[0034] The passageway 20 is of the same color as the frame 14, i.e. light (e.g. white or light grey). In order to avoid light reflections on the surface of the passageway 20 due to its light color, a slit diaphragm 32 is arranged in front of the emitter 24 and in front of the receiver 26.

[0035] The slit diaphragm 32 is attached to the emitter 24 and to the receiver 26 in a form- and force-fit. The slit diaphragm 32 is made of metal or plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3 each slit diaphragm 32 has a circular cover portion 34 with a rectangular slit 36 and a circumferential edge portion 38, by which the slit diaphragm 32 is attached to the emitter 24 or to the receiver 26 in a form- and force-fit.

[0037] The storage lift 10 is characterized in that the confirmation device 22 is arranged within the passageway 20 below the loading dock 12. This design makes it possible for the confirmation device 22 to be easily accessible for confirming the picking operation. Furthermore, the confirmation can be triggered over almost the entire width of the loading dock 12. Moreover, the arrangement of the confirmation device 22 within the passageway 20 prevents it from being mistakenly operated by the operator. Finally, the slit diaphragm 32 avoids light reflections on the surface of the passageway 20.

[0038] List of reference signs 10 storage lift 12 loading dock 14 frame 16 frame component 16a lower frame component 16b upper frame component 16c side frame component 18 matrix display 19 insert 20 passageway 21 front side 22 confirmation device 23 grating device 24 emitter 26 receiver 28 first end of the passageway 30 second end of the passageway 32 slit diaphragm 34 cover portion 36 rectangular slit 38 edge portion

Claims

1. A storage elevator (10) for storing and retrieving goods, comprising a loading / unloading port (12) for picking stored goods and a confirmation device (22) for confirming order picking operations; wherein, The confirmation device (22) is arranged in the channel (20) below the loading and unloading port (12) and has a grating device (23); wherein the grating device (23) has a transmitter (24) for emitting a light beam and a receiver (26) for receiving the emitted light beam; and wherein a slit aperture (32) is arranged in front of the transmitter (24) and in front of the receiver (26), respectively.

2. The storage elevator (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slit aperture (32) has a rectangular slit (36).

3. The storage elevator (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The channel (20) extends almost the entire width of the loading / unloading port (12).

4. The storage elevator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The channel (20) is closed on three sides.

5. The storage elevator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The channel (20) is light-colored.

6. The storage elevator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The channel (20) is housed in a frame component (16a) of a frame (14) that surrounds the loading / unloading port (12).

7. The storage elevator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A matrix display (18), particularly an LED matrix display, is arranged below the loading / unloading port (12).

8. The storage elevator (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The matrix display (18) is housed in the frame component (16a).

9. The storage elevator (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The matrix display (18) is inserted into the insert (19) connected to the frame component (16a).

10. A confirmation device (22) for confirming order picking operations of a storage elevator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The confirmation device (22) is arranged in the channel (20) below the loading and unloading port (12) of the storage elevator (10) and has a grating device (23); wherein the grating device (23) has a transmitter (24) for emitting a light beam and a receiver (26) for receiving the emitted light beam; and wherein a slit aperture (32) is arranged in front of the transmitter (24) and in front of the receiver (26).

11. The confirmation device (22) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The slit aperture (32) has a rectangular slit (36).

12. The confirming device (22) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The channel (20) extends almost the entire width of the loading / unloading port (12).

13. The confirming device (22) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The channel (20) is closed on three sides.

14. The confirming device (22) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The channel (20) is housed within a frame component (16a) of a frame (14) that encloses the loading / unloading port (12).

15. The confirming device (22) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, A matrix display (18), particularly an LED matrix display, is provided, which is housed within a frame component (16a) of the frame (14).

16. The confirmation device (22) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The matrix display (18) is inserted into the insert (19) connected to the frame component (16a).

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