Passive shelving system

Abstract

Passive racking system (1), especially for a high-bay warehouse, comprising: a shelf area (2) with at least two shelves (3) in different vertical positions, at least two shelf rail sections (4), each running along the at least two shelves (3), wherein the shelf rail sections (4) are designed such that a shuttle (5) can move horizontally on the shelf rail sections (4), at least one passive climbing area (6) which connects the shelf rail sections (4) and is designed such that the shuttle (5) can move through the climbing area (6) from one shelf rail section (4) to another shelf rail section (4) in a vertical movement direction (V), wherein the climbing area (6) has at least one horizontal rail section (11) which is designed such that the shuttle (5) can move horizontally into and out of the climbing area (6), wherein the horizontal rail section (11) can be transferred from a horizontal movement position in which the shuttle (5) can move horizontally in the climbing area (6) to a vertical movement position in which the shuttle (5) can move vertically in the climbing area (6), and wherein the horizontal rail section (11) is arranged in a folded-down position in the vertical movement position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a passive shelving system, in particular for a high-bay warehouse, and a method for operating a passive shelving system.

[0002] High-bay warehouses are known in the art to either efficiently store large quantities of goods or to keep smaller quantities close to recipients. High-bay warehouses represent a storage system that utilizes a lot of space. However, they require significant investment during construction. Such systems are usually managed fully electronically using a warehouse management system. Goods are transported within the warehouse by storage and retrieval machines (e.g., shuttles). The growing demand for goods and their rapid delivery, for example, in the case of short-term deliveries, are becoming increasingly important. Furthermore, the degree of automation of such warehouses is also increasing. Defects or malfunctions in individual components or parts of the warehouse can therefore lead to operational downtimes of entire warehouses. This, in turn, can have a significant impact on the replenishment of goods.

[0003] Rack storage systems are known from the state of the art from US 2022 / 0 033 183 A1, US 2014 / 0 212 249 A1 and US 2021 / 0 039 881 A1.

[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shelving system that allows both fully automated management and increased reliability. This problem is solved by a shelving system having the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating such a shelving system having the features of claim 8.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a passive shelving system, in particular for a high-bay warehouse, is provided. The shelving system can comprise a shelving area with at least two shelves at different vertical positions. Furthermore, the shelving system can comprise at least two shelf rail sections, each running along the at least two shelves, wherein the shelf rail sections can be designed such that a shuttle can move horizontally on the shelf rail sections. Furthermore, the shelving system can comprise at least one passive riser area that connects the shelf rail sections to one another and is designed such that the shuttle can move through the riser area from one shelf rail section to another shelf rail section in a vertical movement direction.

[0006] Compared to the known prior art, the present invention offers the advantage, according to one aspect, that the shelving system can be designed to be completely passive. In other words, no active control of the shelving system is necessary to provide a fully automated shelving system. More specifically, the shelving system can be operated by an actively controlled shuttle such that the shelving system does not have to perform any actively controlled operations and / or movements or the like. Rather, the shelving system can be passive and controlled only in response to certain interactions that can be effected by the shuttle. In other words, the shelving system can be passively or indirectly controlled.

[0007] This allows for a particularly robust and easy-to-control shelving system. Furthermore, operating errors due to incorrect controls are eliminated, as the shelving system does not require active or direct control. This increases the system's reliability, ensuring safe loading and unloading of goods at all times.

[0008] A passive shelving system can be characterized by the absence of actuators. Furthermore, the shelving system may not have a power or data connection that would require the shelving system to be connected to a control unit or power source. Passive can mean that the shelving system does not initiate any active interactions, but merely reacts to interactions from third parties. In other words, the shelving system can only be controlled indirectly (e.g., exclusively). This reaction can occur without power (e.g., purely mechanically). This, in turn, can increase the stability of the shelving system.

[0009] The shelving area can be the area in which the goods or articles can be stored. Furthermore, the shelving area can have transport sections such as shelf rail sections which are designed to enable a shuttle to automatically load and unload goods into the shelving area. The shelves of the shelving area can be horizontal structures on which goods can be placed. The shelves can be parallel to the horizontal. Furthermore, the shelves can be arranged one above the other (i.e. in the direction of gravity or the vertical direction). In other words, the shelves can be provided at different vertical positions. Preferably, the shelving area has a plurality of shelves, each of which is arranged at a different vertical position. Each shelf can define a shelf level that defines a vertical position.The shelving area can therefore have a large number of shelf levels one above the other. The shelves can be held up by vertical support pillars. Preferably, the shelves are essentially flat so that goods can be easily placed on them and remain in the placed position. Flat here means that there are no structures or divisions on the shelves. In other words, the shelves are designed to hold goods individually. Thus, no prior definition of specific storage areas is necessary, and goods can be placed completely individually on the shelves. Preferably, the shelves are continuous and end-to-end. This allows the warehouse to be operated highly efficiently because goods can be individually stored adjacent to neighboring goods. In other words, goods can be individually stored next to each other and / or one behind the other on the shelves.This eliminates the need to determine in advance which goods are to be stored in any pre-formed or limited storage areas of the shelving system. Furthermore, the shelving areas can accommodate goods without additional transport equipment such as transport crates or the like. This can further increase the efficiency of the storage system.

[0010] Shelf rail sections can comprise one or more rails (for example two parallel rails) on which a shuttle can travel similar to a rail vehicle. The shelf rail sections can run along or parallel to the shelf floors. This means that a shuttle positioned on the shelf rail sections can load and unload goods onto the shelf floors. The shelf rail sections preferably run horizontally. In other words, the shelf rail sections can be considered horizontal if they do not deviate by more than 5% from the horizontal. This means that a shuttle traveling on the shelf rail sections cannot switch to other shelf rail sections on other shelf levels because the shelf rail sections only run horizontally. This means that the shuttle can only move on the shelf rail sections of one shelf level.

[0011] To overcome a height gap or difference between the shelves or shelf rail sections, the shelving system has a passive riser section. The riser section can therefore be designed to move the shuttle vertically between different shelf rail sections, which are provided at different vertical positions in the shelving section. The passive riser section is also designed as a passive element in which the shuttle can move. In other words, the riser section does not cause the shuttle to move vertically. The riser section can have four supports that extend in the vertical direction. The supports can be stiffened with cross struts and define a rectangular base area in plan view. In other words, the riser section cannot be an elevator or the like that actively moves the shuttle in the vertical direction of movement.Rather, the riser area can offer the possibility of the shuttle moving in a vertical direction of movement through active operation of the shuttle. Thus, the riser area is not an elevator or lifting device or the like, as this would require active action by the control area. In particular, the riser area is arranged in a fixed location relative to the shelving area. The riser area can, for example, have a guide element for a shuttle so that the shuttle can move safely in the vertical direction of movement. The vertical direction of movement does not have to be strictly vertical, but can have an angle between the horizontal in a range between 0° and 90°. The passive riser area ensures simple and stable operation of the shelving system, which cannot be incorrectly controlled by an actively controlled riser area.Furthermore, several shuttles can move in the same ramp area.

[0012] The shuttle can, for example, be a wheel-supported storage and retrieval machine designed to pick up goods and store them in and out of the shelving area. For example, such a shuttle can have four wheels that can be guided on rails. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the shuttle can also be guided in other ways (such as as a monorail, by means of electromagnetism, etc.). According to one aspect of the present invention, the focus is on the passive shelving system, which, by dispensing with any active control, functionally excludes incorrect control due to a faulty active control. Therefore, the passive shelving system can be operated particularly advantageously because, on the one hand, no active control (with sensors and actuators, which are necessary for this) is required and, on the other hand, no incorrect operation can occur due to faulty active control of the passive shelving system.

[0013] Preferably, the riser area is designed such that the shuttle can move exclusively in the vertical direction in the riser area in the vertical movement direction. In other words, the vertical movement direction can extend at an angle to the horizontal of substantially 90°. This can essentially mean that a vertical extension of the vertical movement direction is assumed even if it includes an angle to the horizontal of 88° to 92° (i.e., has a tolerance of ± 2°). This prevents the shuttle from moving diagonally from one shelf rail section to a vertically spaced shelf rail section. Consequently, installation space for the shelf system can be saved because no diagonal movement path of the shuttle needs to be provided.

[0014] Preferably, the riser section is designed so that the shuttle can move bidirectionally in the vertical direction of movement. In other words, the shuttle can move both upwards (ascending in the vertical direction of movement) and downwards (descending in the vertical direction of movement) within one and the same riser section. The vertical direction of movement can correspond to the direction of gravity. Thus, a shelving system can be designed with just one riser section, for example, so that more space is available for the storage area. Alternatively, the shelving system can be provided with two riser sections, each arranged at one end of a shelf rail section.In this case, one riser section can be responsible for the shuttle moving upwards in the vertical direction, whereas the other riser section can be responsible for the shuttle moving downwards. This allows for an effective circular flow of shuttles within the racking system. In addition, all riser sections can be designed identically, which reduces production costs. Nevertheless, multiple shuttles can also move in the vertical direction in one riser section. The directions of movement of the individual shuttles do not have to be identical. In other words, one shuttle can move upwards in one riser section, whereas another shuttle in the same riser section can move downwards.This is useful, for example, when multiple shuttles have different starting points and different destination points (i.e., different target levels in the warehouse area). This allows for efficient shuttle operation within the racking system, and unnecessary shuttle travel can be avoided.

[0015] Preferably, the shelf rail sections extend along a first longitudinal side of the shelves, and preferably, a longitudinally extending wall section is arranged on a second longitudinal side of the shelves, which is opposite the first longitudinal side. The shelves can have a plate-like structure, which has its greatest extent in a main extension direction. The longitudinal side of the shelves can also extend in this main extension direction.

[0016] The shelves and the shelf rail sections can be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the shuttle passes the long side of the shelves when passing by. A wall section can be arranged on the other long side of the shelves, i.e. on the long side facing away from the shelf rail section. The wall section can protrude from the shelf. Preferably, the wall section together with the shelf can form a substantially L-shaped element. The wall section can be provided continuously or intermittently. The wall section can serve as a measuring point for a measuring device of the shuttle. Thus, when passing by the shelf, a shuttle can determine by means of a detection unit whether goods are on the shelf and / or in which position these goods are located. If the shelf is empty, the detection unit of the shuttle can measure the wall section. Since an evaluation unit (i.e.If the position of the wall section (i.e. how deep the shelves are) is known (e.g. a control unit), the measurement result of the detection unit that indicates the wall section can be clearly determined, and thus it can be determined that the shelf is empty. If, for example, there is no wall section, the detection unit measures into the void, and the result may vary depending on the area surrounding the shelf. This can make determining whether the shelf is empty or not more difficult and unreliable. Therefore, the wall section can serve as a measurement point and, at the same time, prevent goods from being pushed over the shelf.

[0017] Preferably, the shelf rail sections are directly connected to the shelves. In this case, the shelf rail sections can be flange-like elements that protrude from the shelves. The shelf rail sections can have a running surface on which the shuttle can travel. The running surface can have a different vertical position than the shelf surface; in particular, the running surface can be lower than the shelf surface. This ensures that the shuttle can easily pick up goods from the shelf because an edge is prevented from forming between the shelf and the shuttle. For example, the shelf rail sections can be formed integrally with the shelves. This ensures particularly simple assembly of the shelving system because the position of the shelf rail sections relative to the shelves does not require complex adjustment or measurement.Furthermore, assembly errors are avoided and stability is increased, ensuring safe operation of the shelving system.

[0018] Preferably, the riser region has vertical rail sections configured such that the shuttle can move vertically thereon. Moving thereon can mean that the shuttle is in contact with the vertical rail sections during a movement in the vertical movement direction. Furthermore, the shuttle can be in frictional and / or positive contact with the vertical rail sections or can be brought into contact. Thus, the vertical rail sections can be configured to absorb a force from the shuttle to enable the shuttle to move upwards or downwards in the vertical movement direction. The vertical rail sections can be formed integrally with the riser region. This ensures that their position in the riser region is correct and assembly errors can be avoided.The vertical rail sections can be attached or arranged on the supports of the riser section. Preferably, the riser section comprises four supports and four vertical rail sections.

[0019] The vertical rail sections are preferably designed as a toothed rail and / or friction rail. The toothed rail can have a series of elevations, the teeth, into which a gear can engage. More precisely, the shuttle can have at least one gear that can be brought into contact with the rack or toothed rail. The geometry of the toothed rail can correspond to the developed geometry of the shuttle's gear with involute, cycloid, or conchoidal toothing. The distance from one tooth to the next can be referred to as the pitch of the toothed rail. The pitch divided by π gives the module of the rack. The module or diameter pitch is a measure of the size of the teeth of gears. Its value is typically based on the unit of length millimeters and is calculated from the pitch circle diameter divided by the number of teeth. The module is preferably in a range from 1 to 8, more preferably from 4 to 6.The toothed rail can be a straight machine element with a series of elevations into which the gear of the shuttle can engage. The travel path can be determined based on the mean circumference of the gear rim of the driving gear, the so-called pitch circle diameter D, and the number of its revolutions N as a product of π times D times N. Alternatively or additionally, a friction rail can be provided as the vertical rail section, wherein the friction rail can provide a surface that can be in contact with a complementary element (e.g., a rubber tire or the like) of the shuttle. A contact force between the shuttle and the vertical rail section can provide sufficiently great friction between the wheel of the shuttle and the friction rail so that the shuttle can be moved vertically (i.e., in the vertical direction of movement) when the wheel is driven along the friction rail.Thus, a simply designed riser area can be provided in order to be able to move the shuttle in a vertical direction of movement in the riser area.

[0020] The riser area preferably has at least one guide section with which the shuttle can engage during a movement in the vertical direction of movement. In other words, the riser area can have a guide section that is designed to guide and / or secure the shuttle. For this purpose, the guide section can be a groove or recess into which the shuttle can engage with a corresponding element. The guide section can have a guiding function between two shelf levels. At the respective position of a shelf level, the guide section can release the shuttle so that it can easily move out of or into the riser area. For example, the guide section can be a T-shaped recess into which a securing element of the shuttle can engage.The T-shaped recess can be open at the areas corresponding to the height of the shelf levels, allowing the shuttle to easily enter or exit the guide section. This allows the shuttle to be secured by the guide section when moving between two shelf levels. For example, in the event of a shuttle drive failure or a mechanical failure of the vertical rail sections, the shuttle can be prevented from falling. Furthermore, the guide section can define the shuttle's position within the riser area. This ensures a high level of operational reliability.

[0021] The riser area has at least one horizontal rail section which is designed such that the shuttle can move horizontally into and out of the riser area. The horizontal rail section can have a travel surface onto which the shuttle can be placed and moved, which corresponds to that of the shelf rail sections. Thus, a shuttle can travel in a horizontal direction of movement on the shelf rail sections and easily enter the riser area (i.e. onto the horizontal rail sections). Likewise, the shuttle can move out of the riser area on the horizontal rail sections. Advantageously, a length of the horizontal rail sections essentially corresponds to the length of the shuttle. In other words, the riser area can have an extension in the horizontal direction of movement that essentially corresponds to the length of the shuttle.This avoids an unnecessarily long riser area and optimizes the available space. Alternatively, or additionally, the riser area can also be designed to be passable. In other words, the riser area can be located between two rack areas and can be passed through horizontally by shuttles without moving in the vertical direction.

[0022] The horizontal rail section can be transferred from a horizontal movement position, in which the shuttle can move horizontally in the riser area, to a vertical movement position, in which the shuttle can move vertically in the riser area. In other words, the shuttle can move horizontally in the riser area (i.e., in the horizontal movement direction) when the horizontal rail section is in the horizontal movement position. Similarly, the shuttle can only move vertically in the riser area (i.e., in a vertical movement direction) when the horizontal rail section is in the vertical movement position. This allows a common space in the riser area to be used for both the horizontal movement and the vertical movement of the shuttle, ensuring highly efficient utilization of the available space.In other words, the riser section can have a compact dimension, making more space available for the shelving area. This can increase the efficiency of the shelving system. The horizontal movement position can represent an extended position of the horizontal rail section. The vertical movement position represents a folded-down position of the horizontal rail section. The riser section preferably has two horizontal rail sections per shelving level. This makes the riser section suitable for shuttles with two axles and four wheels. This ensures safe operation of the shuttle in the shelving system.

[0023] Preferably, the horizontal rail section is transferred from a horizontal movement position to a vertical movement position without active control of the shelving system. Rather, the riser area can be designed such that the shuttle can transfer the horizontal rail section from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position, or vice versa. More precisely, the appropriate position of the horizontal rail section can be provided automatically depending on the direction of movement of the shuttle. For example, a shuttle moving upwards in the vertical movement direction can move against a rail section above it and move it from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position. The shuttle can then pass the horizontal rail section in the vertical movement direction.Thus, no complex control of the shelving system is necessary to bring the horizontal rail section into the desired position. Rather, this can happen automatically via a direction of movement of the shuttle. In order to provide automatic control of the riser section by the shuttle, the riser section can, for example, have actuators that transfer a movement of the shuttle into a suitable position of the horizontal rail section. The actuators can preferably be designed mechanically. More precisely, the actuators can be stop points or contact points that are approached by the shuttle. Depending on the direction in which these are approached by the shuttle, the actuators can mechanically transmit control commands that bring the horizontal rail section into the desired position (i.e., into the horizontal movement position or the vertical movement position).This allows for particularly simple control of the shelving system without the need for external active control by control devices or the like.

[0024] Preferably, the horizontal rail section is mounted on the riser region in such a way that it returns from the vertical movement position to the horizontal movement position without external actuation. In other words, a position of the horizontal rail section in the vertical movement position can be such that the horizontal rail section is in an unstable position. This can mean that the horizontal rail section moves away from the vertical movement position, namely into the horizontal movement position, without external actuation. This can be realized in particular without an additional element such as a spring or the like. For example, the shuttle can bring the horizontal rail section into the vertical movement position in order to pass the horizontal rail section. The horizontal rail section can then return to the horizontal movement position by itself.Therefore, a particularly simple design of the riser section can be provided. This can be achieved by mounting the horizontal rail section rotatably around a pivot point by means of a connecting element in such a way that the horizontal rail section cannot assume a stable position in the vertical movement position. This can be achieved, for example, by one or more stops.

[0025] Preferably, the horizontal rail section is aligned with at least one shelf rail section in the horizontal movement direction, such that the shuttle can travel from the horizontal rail section of the riser area to the shelf rail section of the shelf area and from the shelf rail section to the horizontal rail section. In other words, the horizontal rail sections of the riser area can always be arranged at the same location relative to the shelf rail section of the same shelf level in the horizontal movement position. This offers the advantage that the shuttle can always move into and out of the riser area without problems. For example, in active elevator systems from the prior art, it is often difficult to position the transport platform on which a shuttle is arranged relative to a shelf floor in such a way that the shuttle can move in and out without problems.This problem does not arise in the present embodiment, as the horizontal rail section is always positioned in the same location in the horizontal movement position. Furthermore, the automatic return of the horizontal rail section to the horizontal movement position ensures that the shuttle can always enter the riser area without any problems. This increases operational reliability and reduces the shelving system's susceptibility to failure.

[0026] Preferably, the horizontal rail section is folded down in the vertical movement position, creating a vertical movement space for the shuttle in the riser area. For example, the horizontal rail section can be folded down by essentially 90°, since in this position the horizontal rail section occupies the least space in the vertical movement direction. This allows for further intensified space utilization, thus increasing the storage efficiency of the shelving system.

[0027] Preferably, the horizontal rail section is pivotally mounted about a first pivot point in the riser region by at least one first arm. The first arm can, for example, be a cantilever-like element to whose outer end the horizontal rail section is attached. The horizontal rail section can be rigidly connected to the first arm. Furthermore, the first arm can have a bend so that the horizontal rail section is arranged above the first pivot point in the vertical movement direction in the horizontal movement position. This can ensure that in the vertical movement position (i.e. in the folded-down position of the horizontal rail section) the horizontal rail section is spaced from the first pivot point in a direction orthogonal to the vertical movement direction, so that a particularly large space is created for vertical movement of the shuttle.In other words, by bending the first arm, it can be achieved that the horizontal rail section is folded out far from the movement space of the riser area, so that the shuttle has sufficient space to move in a vertical direction of movement. This can further increase the space efficiency of the riser area. Furthermore, the first arm can be designed such that it has a first arm section which connects the first pivot point to the horizontal rail section and a second arm section which connects the pivot point to the opposite outer end of the first arm. In this case, the second arm section can be at least half as long as the first arm section. This can ensure that the horizontal rail section is in a folded-down position (ieIn the vertical movement position, the rack is in a mechanically unstable position and automatically folds back into the horizontal movement position after the shuttle has passed. This ensures safe operation of the shelving system.

[0028] Preferably, a third arm is provided in the riser region, which has a first contact element at its outer end, and preferably the third arm is arranged below the horizontal rail section in the horizontal movement direction. The third arm can therefore support the horizontal rail section in addition to the first arm. In this case, it is preferably provided that the third arm is not fixedly connected to the horizontal rail section. Thus, when the horizontal rail section moves from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position, the third arm can be displaced relative to the horizontal rail section. In particular, the third arm can be in contact with the horizontal rail section by means of the first contact element. The first contact element can protrude downwards from the horizontal rail section in the vertical movement direction.If, during operation of the shelving system, a shuttle approaches the horizontal rail section from below in the vertical direction of movement, the shuttle can first come into contact with the first contact element. If the shuttle then continues to move upwards in the vertical direction of movement (i.e., against the horizontal rail section), the shuttle can push the horizontal rail section away. In other words, the shuttle can transfer the horizontal rail section from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position. In this case, the first contact element can be designed such that it comes into contact with the shuttle first and directly. For example, the first contact element is a rotatably mounted roller, resulting in reduced friction between the shuttle and the third arm.In other words, the contact element can come into contact with both the shuttle and the vertical rail section, preventing the shuttle from coming into direct contact with the horizontal rail section. This reduces maintenance effort and wear.

[0029] Preferably, the third arm is pivotally mounted about a second pivot point, which is spaced apart from the first pivot point. Preferably, the first pivot point and the second pivot point lie on a straight line that is vertical to the horizontal or parallel to the vertical movement direction. Thus, the horizontal rail section can be pivoted by a parallelogram-like linkage consisting of the first and third arms. Furthermore, the vertical movement position can be defined as an unstable position. This ensures that the horizontal rail section returns itself from the vertical movement position to the horizontal movement position. This can increase operational reliability.

[0030] Preferably, a second arm is provided in the riser region so as to be pivotable about a second pivot point, wherein the second arm preferably has a second contact element at its outer end and is arranged such that the second contact element is arranged below the horizontal rail section in the horizontal movement position, and wherein the second arm is preferably mounted such that it automatically returns to the horizontal movement position. The second arm can be brought into the vertical movement position together with the horizontal rail section. From the vertical movement position, the second arm can then automatically return to the horizontal movement position. For example, the second arm can be brought into the vertical movement position (i.e., deflected) simultaneously with the horizontal rail section by a shuttle. Thus, the second arm is inclined to move from the vertical movement position to another (i.e.,in the horizontal movement position). This can be achieved, for example, by the second arm having a stop that allows a movement angle of <90° between the horizontal movement position and the vertical movement position. In other words, the stop can prevent a greater angular movement of the second arm. This can ensure that the second arm always returns to the horizontal movement position. The second arm can be designed such that it returns from the vertical movement position to the horizontal movement position before the horizontal rail section does so. In other words, the horizontal rail section can still be in the folded-down position and held there, for example, by the shuttle, whereas the second arm has already returned to the horizontal movement position.This offers the advantage that the second arm can provide an actuator which detects when the shuttle performs a certain movement. Thus, the second arm can be designed to move an adjacent horizontal rail section (i.e. not the horizontal rail section on which the second arm is arranged) from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position if such a direction of movement is initiated by the shuttle. For example, the second arm can be designed such that when a shuttle travels in the vertical movement direction from top to bottom and contacts the second arm, the underlying horizontal section can be moved from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position by a connecting mechanism (further details below).This ensures that a shuttle can travel smoothly from top to bottom through the riser area in the vertical direction of movement. Furthermore, it is conceivable that when the shuttle travels from below against the second arm in the vertical direction of movement, the connecting mechanism can cause the underlying horizontal rail section to be moved from the vertical movement position to a horizontal movement position. The shuttle can therefore specifically fold horizontal rail sections in and / or out in the riser area (i.e. from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position or vice versa) in order to specifically travel to certain shelf levels. This makes it possible to create a completely passive riser area without the need for external control of the riser area.

[0031] The riser area preferably has at least one connecting mechanism which connects a first arm of a first horizontal rail section to a second arm of an adjacent second horizontal rail section, such that upon deflection of the second arm of the second horizontal rail section, the first horizontal rail section can be brought from the horizontal movement position into the vertical movement position. In other words, an adjacent horizontal rail section can be controlled by the second arm. The second horizontal rail section can be arranged above the first horizontal rail section in the vertical movement direction. If, for example, a shuttle wants to descend in the riser area, the shuttle can drive into the riser area onto the horizontal rail section (e.g. the first horizontal rail section).The shuttle can then move vertically upwards until it has moved the horizontal rail section above it (e.g. the second horizontal rail section) from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position. When passing the second horizontal rail section, the second arm of the second horizontal rail section moves back to the horizontal movement position, with the second horizontal rail section with the travel rail still in the vertical movement position. The shuttle can then change its direction of travel in the vertical movement direction and move downwards. In doing so, the shuttle can hit the second arm and / or the second contact element and deflect the second arm downwards. The connecting mechanism enables the second arm to move the first horizontal rail section from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position.By deflecting the second arm (due to the shuttle), the first horizontal rail section can be held in the vertical movement position until the shuttle reaches the area of ​​the first horizontal rail section and holds the horizontal rail section itself in the vertical movement position (e.g., by contacting the first contact element of the first horizontal rail section). When the second arm of the second horizontal rail section is no longer deflected by the shuttle, it can automatically return to the horizontal movement position. Once the shuttle passes the first horizontal rail section, the shuttle can come into contact with the second arm of the first horizontal rail section to bring the next horizontal rail section below it into the vertical movement position in the same way. The shuttle can then descend through the riser area.

[0032] Preferably, the first arm and the third arm are hinged together at one of their outer ends. This allows for a parallelogram-like movement structure to be realized when the horizontal rail section is folded from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position, ensuring particularly good guidance of the horizontal movement section. Furthermore, this prevents jamming or unwanted play in the system. This ensures the stability of the riser section even with numerous repetitive movements.

[0033] The shelving system preferably has at least one inlet line and at least one outlet line for shuttles, wherein the inlet line and the outlet line are preferably directly connected to at least one riser area. The inlet line and the outlet line can be arranged on the same level, in particular only on one level. In other words, the riser area can form an entrance gate and / or exit gate of the shelving system. The shelving system can preferably have two riser areas, one each at an entrance and exit of the shelving area. This allows travel distances to be efficiently shortened and ensures that the shuttle does not have to travel unnecessary distances.

[0034] The shelving system preferably comprises a shuttle configured to move vertically in a riser area by means of a vertical drive and to move horizontally in the shelving areas by means of a horizontal drive. The vertical drive can, for example, be at least one rubber wheel and / or a gear wheel, which can interact with the vertical rail section so that the shuttle can move vertically in the riser area.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for operating one of the above shelving systems is provided. Here, the method can comprise providing one of the above shelving systems. Furthermore, the method can comprise operating a shuttle in the riser area such that it moves in the vertical direction of movement. Preferably, the riser area is controlled mechanically by the shuttle. In particular, the mechanical control of the riser area can be carried out exclusively by the shuttle. Thus, no other mechanical control commands need to be transmitted to the riser area or the shelving system in order to store or retrieve goods. Thus, a completely passive shelving system can be operated. Only the shuttle can represent an active part of the shelving system. The shelving system itself can be controlled solely by operating the shuttle.

[0036] Features of individual embodiments can be combined with other features of other embodiments or with other embodiments to form new embodiments. The new embodiments have the advantages and properties mentioned in connection with the features. Configurations and advantages mentioned in connection with the method also apply analogously to the device, and vice versa.

[0037] In the following, preferred embodiments are described in detail with reference to the attached figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic and perspective view of a passive shelving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a perspective and schematic view of a shelf area of ​​a shelf system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view through a shelf area according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 shows a schematic and perspective sectional view through a shelf area according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 schematically shows a passive riser area with a shuttle located therein according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective and schematic detail view of a riser area according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective detail view of a riser portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective sectional view of a component of a riser section according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of a portion of a riser section according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective schematic view of a riser section according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B are schematic and perspective views of a riser area in different operating positions, respectively. Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B are schematic and perspective views, respectively, of a portion of a riser section in different operating positions.

[0038] In the following description of the figures, identical elements are designated by identical reference numerals. This also applies when identical elements are used in different embodiments.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective and schematic view of a passive shelving system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The passive shelving system 1 comprises a shelving section 2 and a riser section 6. In the present case, the shelving section 2 is directly connected to the riser section 6.

[0040] Furthermore, an inlet section 7 is shown, on which a shuttle 5 is movable. The shelf area 2 is only indirectly connected to the inlet section 7. In other words, the shelf area 2 is only connected to the inlet section 7 via the riser area 6. Thus, the shuttle 5 must pass through the riser area 6 to reach the shelf area 2. The shelf area 2 has a plurality of shelves 3. The shelves 3 are arranged horizontally one above the other. In other words, each shelf 3 has a different vertical position. The shelves 3 are provided with shelf rail sections 4 (in Fig. 1 not shown) so that the shuttle 5 can be moved along the shelves 3. The shuttle 5 is designed to store various goods 10 in the shelves 3 or to retrieve them therefrom. In the present embodiment, storage and retrieval is understood to mean depositing the goods 10 on the shelves 3 and / or transporting them away from them. In order for the shuttle 5 to reach the various shelves 3, which are provided at different vertical positions, the shuttle 5 can change its vertical position in the vertical movement direction V by means of the riser area 6. For this purpose, the shuttle can move vertically through the riser area 6 in a self-propelled manner. At a desired vertical position, the shuttle 5 can move onto the corresponding shelf rail sections 4 of the shelf area 2 in order to reach the desired shelves 3. In the present embodiment, the shuttle 5 moves strictly (i.e.exclusively) vertically through the riser area. On the horizontal rail sections 4 in the rack area 2, the shuttle moves strictly (i.e., exclusively) horizontally.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a shelf area 2 of a passive shelving system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. In the shelf area 2 shown in Figure 2, the shelf rail sections 4 can be seen, which are assigned to the shelves 3. The shelves 3 are arranged next to each other in a shelf level. Each shelf 3 is assigned a shelf rail section 4, so that two opposite shelves 3 form a driveable shelf rail section 4. Furthermore, Fig. 2, a wall section 8 can be seen, which is provided on each shelf 3. The wall section 8 is provided on the shelves on a long side thereof, which faces away from the shelf rail sections 4. This provides a defined measuring point for a sensor system of the shuttle 5. Thus, as the shuttle 5 passes by, the sensor system can easily detect whether goods are arranged on the shelf, where these goods are located, and / or whether the shelf 3 is empty.

[0042] Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view through a shelf area 2 of an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 3 shows three shelves 3 arranged one above the other at different vertical positions. Each of these three shelves 3 is assigned shelf rail sections 4. In the present embodiment, the shelf area 2 also has a plurality of intermediate shelves 31. The intermediate shelves 31 are arranged at different vertical positions between two shelves 3. These intermediate shelves 31 differ from the shelves 3 in that no shelf rail sections 4 are assigned to these intermediate shelves 31. Rather, these intermediate shelves 31 can be served by the shuttle 5, in that the shuttle 5 actively feeds the goods to be stored on the intermediate shelves 31 to the intermediate shelves 31. This can be achieved, for example, by a lever mechanism or a gripping mechanism arranged on the shuttle 5. The intermediate shelves 31 are suitable, for example, for storing particularly light or small goods.For this purpose, it would not be economical to allocate extra shelf rail sections 4 to the intermediate shelves 31. Furthermore, in . Fig. 3 schematically shows another plane of the feed line 7. According to one embodiment, the clear width between two adjacent shelves 3 (i.e., between two shelves 3 each having a shelf rail section 4) is approximately 653 mm.

[0043] Fig. 4 is a schematic and perspective sectional view through a shelving area 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the shelf rail sections 4 are formed integrally with the shelves 3. As a result, the position of a running surface 41 formed on the shelf rail sections 4 relative to the shelves 3 can always be constant, regardless of who or how the shelving area 2 is assembled. The shuttle 5 can travel with wheels on the running surfaces 41 of the shelf rail sections 4.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a section of a riser area 6 with a shuttle 5 located therein. The riser area 6 has a plurality of horizontal rail sections 11, two of which are each assigned to a shelf level (i.e., a level of the shelves). The shelf rail sections 11 are movably mounted in the riser area 6. Consequently, the horizontal rail sections 11 can be folded down. More precisely, the horizontal rail sections 11 can be positioned in a horizontal movement position or in a vertical movement position. Furthermore, the riser area 6 has vertical rail sections 12, with the aid of which the shuttle 5 can move in the vertical movement direction V. The shuttle 5 can therefore move horizontally on the horizontal rail sections 11 and the shuttle 5 can move vertically on the vertical rail sections 12.In the present embodiment, the vertical rail sections 12 are designed as a toothed rail. A drive system 51 of the shuttle 5 can be engaged with this. For example, the drive system 51 of the shuttle 5 can have a gear that can be engaged with the toothed rail (ie, with the vertical rail section) 12.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a perspective detailed view of a section of the riser area 6 with a shuttle 5 located therein. Furthermore, in the Fig. 6, a drive system 51 of the shuttle 5 engages with the rack rail 12. In this position, by driving the drive system 51 of the shuttle 5, the shuttle 5 can be moved in the vertical direction. For example, the drive system of the shuttle 5 can rotate so that the drive system can be transferred from a first position, in which the shuttle 5 can travel on the horizontal rail sections 11, to a second position, in which the shuttle 5 can travel on the vertical rail sections 12. In the state shown in Fig. 6, the shuttle is in the second position.

[0046] Fig. 7 is a perspective detailed view of a riser area 6 with a shuttle 5 located therein. In comparison to the Fig. 6 shown configuration, is in the Fig. 7, the drive system 51 of the shuttle 5 is rotated so that the gear of the drive system 51 is not engaged with the toothed rail 12. The drive system 51 as shown in Fig. 7 is in the first position. Rather, the drive system 51 of the shuttle 5 is in contact with the horizontal rail section 11 as a traction drive in order to be able to move the shuttle 5 horizontally into or out of the riser area 6. Furthermore, in Fig. 7 that the horizontal rail sections 11 extend into a movement area of ​​the shuttle 5, which extends in the vertical movement direction V. Therefore, according to an advantageous embodiment, the horizontal rail sections 11 are movably mounted so that, in the event of vertical movement of the shuttle 5 in the vertical movement direction V, they can be folded down to free the movement space for the shuttle 5. Consequently, a particularly compact riser area 6 can be achieved.

[0047] Fig. 8 are perspective and schematic views of a portion of a riser section 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, in Fig. 8 shows a horizontal rail section 11 in detail from two different perspectives. To simplify the illustration, other components of the riser section 6 are omitted. Fig. 8 The illustration on the left shows the horizontal rail section 11 with its fastening 13 in a perspective shown obliquely from the front, whereas the illustration in Fig. 8 The illustration on the right shows the horizontal rail section 11 from an oblique view from behind.

[0048] The horizontal rail section 11 is fixedly (i.e., immovably) connected to a first arm 21, which is attached to a frame 13 of the riser section 6 so as to be rotatable about a first pivot point 31. The first arm 21 is mounted so as to be rotatable about a first pivot point 31. The riser section 6 also has a third arm 23, which is pivotally mounted on the riser section 6. More precisely, the third arm 23 is mounted so as to be rotatable about a second pivot point 32. In the horizontal movement position, the third arm 23 is arranged substantially parallel to the first arm 21. The third arm 23 has a first contact element 24 at one outer end. In the present embodiment, the first contact element 24 is mounted so as to be rotatable on the third arm 23. In one embodiment, the first contact element 24 is a roller.During a vertical movement of the shuttle 5 upwards in the vertical movement direction V, the shuttle 5 can first come into contact with the first contact element 24 and thus push the horizontal rail section 11 upwards. At its second end, the third arm 23 has an arm connecting element 25 which connects the first arm 21 to the third arm 23. Thus, by deflecting the third arm 23, the first arm 21 can be articulated in order to move the horizontal rail section into the vertical movement position (ie, into the deflected position). In . Fig. 8, both views show a part of the riser section 6, each of which comprises two horizontal rail sections 11 arranged one above the other in the vertical movement direction V. The upper horizontal rail section 11 is only partially shown in order to clarify elements of the invention. Furthermore, the riser section 6 has a second arm 22, which is pivotally mounted on the frame 13 of the riser section 6. The second arm 22 has a second contact element 30 at its outer end. The second contact element 30 is designed identically to the first contact element 24. The second arm 22 is arranged to be rotatable about the second pivot point 32. Furthermore, the second arm 22 has a stop 26, which limits the pivotability of the second arm 22 such that it automatically falls back from the vertical movement position into the horizontal movement position when an external force on the second arm 22 is removed.Thus, it can be ensured that the second arm 22 always extends into the movement range in the vertical movement direction V of the shuttle 5. A plurality of the above-described structure (ie, the horizontal rail section 11 and the associated linkage) are arranged one above the other in a riser area 6. In . Fig. This is shown schematically in Figure 8, in which a part of the articulation of a further horizontal rail section 11 is shown above one horizontal rail section 11 together with its articulation. In the following, the horizontal rail sections 11 are referred to as the first horizontal rail section 11 and the second horizontal rail section 11, whereby both horizontal rail sections 11 are identically designed. To simplify the illustration, in the Fig. In the arrangement shown in Figure 8, the first horizontal rail section (the lower one) is shown completely, whereas the second horizontal rail section (the upper one) is shown only partially. It can be seen that the second arm 22 is clearly visible in the second horizontal rail section. This second arm 22 is also shown in the first horizontal rail section 11 in the lower part of the Fig. 8 present, but obscured by other components.

[0049] Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the primary horizontal rail section and the second horizontal rail section 11. This shows a connecting mechanism 27 that connects the first horizontal rail section 11 and the second horizontal rail section 11 to one another. When a plurality of horizontal rail sections 11 are arranged one above the other in the riser area 6, all of the horizontal rail sections 11 are connected to one another. The connecting mechanism 27 comprises a first connecting arm 28 and a second connecting arm 29. The first connecting arm 28 and the second connecting arm 29 are connected to one another such that they are movable relative to one another. More specifically, the first connecting arm 28 has an elongated hole into which the second connecting arm 29 engages. Furthermore, the first connecting arm 28 is connected to the second arm 22 of the second horizontal rail section 11.The second connecting arm 29 is connected to the first arm 21 of the first horizontal rail section 11. This allows a mechanical connection to be established between the second arm 22 of the second horizontal rail section 11 and the first arm 21 of the first horizontal rail section 11. Thus, the second arm 22 of the second horizontal rail section 11 can be deflected by a shuttle 5 traveling downward in the vertical movement direction V in the riser area 6. By deflecting the second arm 22 of the second horizontal rail section 11, the first arm 21 of the first horizontal rail section 11 can be actuated via the connecting mechanism 27, so that it moves the first horizontal rail section 11 from the horizontal movement position to the vertical movement position. Thus, the shuttle 5 can pass through the first horizontal rail section 11 in the vertical movement direction V.

[0050] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a part of a riser area 6 with a shelf area 3 in the background. In Fig. 10, the first contact element 24 and the second contact element 30 are shown as they are arranged in the horizontal movement position next to each other under the horizontal movement section 11. Furthermore, in Fig. 10 that the first arm 22 and the third arm 23 lie substantially in one plane and are both arranged below the horizontal rail section 11 (in the horizontal movement position).

[0051] Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B each represent a part of the riser area. The difference between Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B is that the position of the riser area. In Fig. 11A, the horizontal rail section 11 is shown in the horizontal movement position. In other words, in the Fig. 1 A, the shuttle 5 can move horizontally into or out of the riser area 6. In Fig. 11B, however, the riser area 6 is shown in the vertical movement position, in which the shuttle 5 can move in the vertical movement direction V. It should be noted that the Fig. 11B, the position of the horizontal rail section 11 is a unstable equilibrium state and the horizontal rail section 11 does not remain in this position on its own, but falls back into the horizontal movement position. Furthermore, in Fig. 11B that the second arm 22 extends into the movement range of the shuttle 5, so that a shuttle 5 moving in the movement range contacts the second arm 22.

[0052] The same is true in Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B shows a position of the riser area 6. In Fig. 12A shows the riser section in the vertical movement position, whereas in Fig. 12B the riser section is shown in the horizontal movement position. In contrast to Fig. 11A and Fig. 11B is in the Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B shows the riser section 6 viewed from the rear. The connection between the first horizontal rail section 11 and the second horizontal rail section 11 by the connecting mechanism 27 can be seen. List of reference symbols: 1 passive shelving system 2 shelf area 3 shelves 4 shelf rail sections 5 Shuttle 6 passive riser area 7 Inlet section 8 wall section 10 goods 11 Horizontal rail section 12 vertical rail section 13 frame 21 first arm 22 second arm 23 third arm 24 first contact element 25 Arm connecting element 26 stop 27 Connecting mechanism 28 first connecting arm 29 second connecting arm 30 second contact element 31 first pivot point 32 second pivot point V Vertical movement direction

Claims

[1] Passive shelving system (1), in particular for a high-bay warehouse, comprising: a shelf area (2) with at least two shelves (3) at different vertical positions, at least two shelf rail sections (4), each running along the at least two shelves (3), wherein the shelf rail sections (4) are designed such that a shuttle (5) can move horizontally on the shelf rail sections (4), at least one passive riser region (6) which connects the shelf rail sections (4) to one another and is designed such that the shuttle (5) can move through the riser region (6) from one shelf rail section (4) to another shelf rail section (4) in a vertical movement direction (V), wherein the riser region (6) has at least one horizontal rail section (11) which is designed such that the shuttle (5) can move horizontally into and out of the riser region (6), wherein the horizontal rail section (11) can be transferred from a horizontal movement position, in which the shuttle (5) can move horizontally in the riser region (6), to a vertical movement position, in which the shuttle (5) can move vertically in the riser region (6), and wherein the horizontal rail section (11) is arranged in a folded-down position in the vertical movement position. [2] Passive shelving system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the shelf rail sections (4) run on a first longitudinal side of the shelves (3), and wherein a wall section (8) running in the longitudinal direction is arranged on a second longitudinal side of the shelves (3), which is opposite the first longitudinal side. [3] Passive shelving system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the riser area (6) has vertical rail sections (12) which are designed such that the shuttle (5) can move vertically thereon. [4] Passive shelving system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the horizontal rail section (11) is mounted on the riser region (6) such that it returns from the vertical movement position to the horizontal movement position without external actuation. [5] Passive shelving system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the horizontal rail section (11) is pivotally mounted on the riser region (6) by at least one first arm (21) about a first pivot point (31). [6] Passive shelving system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a second arm (22) is provided in the riser region (6) so as to be pivotable about a second pivot point, wherein the second arm (22) has a second contact element (30) at its outer end and is arranged such that the second contact element (30) is arranged below the horizontal rail section (11) in the horizontal movement position, and wherein the second arm (22) is mounted so that it automatically returns to the horizontal movement position. [7] Passive shelving system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the riser region (6) has at least one connecting mechanism (27) which connects a first arm (21) of a first horizontal rail section (11) to a second arm (22) of an adjacent second horizontal rail section (11), so that upon deflection of the second arm (22) of the second horizontal rail section (11), the first horizontal rail section (11) can be brought from the horizontal movement position into the vertical movement position. [8] Method for operating a passive shelving system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising: Providing a shelving system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, Operating a shuttle (5) in the riser area (6) so that it moves in the vertical movement direction (V), wherein the riser area (6) is controlled, in particular mechanically, by the shuttle (5).

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