Picking device

Abstract

Device for picking on pallets or goods carriers, - with a picking shaft (22), - with a pallet buffer (30) for unloaded pallets, the pallet buffer (30) being arranged laterally next to the picking shaft (22), - with a feeding device for transporting one unloaded pallet (32, 36) from the picking shaft (22) into the pallet buffer (30) or from the pallet buffer (30) into the picking shaft (22), - characterized in that - the pallet buffer (30) has at least two storage locations for pallets (32, 36) of different sizes.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for order picking on pallets or goods carriers with a picking shaft, with a pallet buffer for unloaded pallets, wherein the pallet buffer is arranged laterally next to the picking shaft and with a feeding device for transporting an unloaded pallet from the picking shaft into the pallet buffer or from the pallet buffer into the picking shaft.

[0002] From German Patent DE 10 2014 220 046 B4, a device for palletizing or goods carriers is known, which has a pallet buffer arranged next to a palletizing chute for an empty pallet. By means of the pallet buffer, it is possible, immediately after the fully loaded pallet has been conveyed downwards in the palletizing chute, to arrange an empty pallet again at the level of the palletizing plane, so that this new pallet can already be loaded again, while the previous fully loaded pallet is, for example, ripened or wrapped with stretch film and then transported away.

[0003] From the utility model DE 20 2016 001 581 U1 a device for picking onto and from pallets or goods carriers is known, comprising a picking shaft, a pallet buffer for unloaded pallets, the pallet buffer being arranged laterally next to the picking shaft, and a feed device for transporting an unloaded pallet from the picking shaft into the pallet buffer or from the pallet buffer into the picking shaft.

[0004] From the German patent application DE 10 2020 205 722 A1, a further device for picking on or from goods carriers, in particular pallets, with an intermediate pallet storage is known.

[0005] From the European patent application EP 3 272 682 A1, another device for order picking on pallets is known, wherein an intermediate pallet storage is provided for unloaded pallets.

[0006] The invention is intended to improve a device and method for order picking on pallets or goods carriers with regard to the flexibility of their use.

[0007] According to the invention, a device for picking on pallets or goods carriers is provided with the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are listed in the subclaims.

[0008] A device according to the invention for picking from pallets or goods carriers comprises a picking shaft, a pallet buffer for unloaded pallets, the pallet buffer being arranged laterally next to the picking shaft, and a feed device for transporting one unloaded pallet at a time from the picking shaft to the pallet buffer or from the pallet buffer to the picking shaft. The pallet buffer has at least two storage locations for pallets or goods carriers of different sizes. This allows the picking device to load pallets or goods carriers of different sizes selectively and directly one after the other.The pallet buffer is used to temporarily store an unloaded pallet outside the picking shaft, so that it can be placed back at the picking level immediately after a fully loaded pallet has been lowered into the picking shaft. This can happen while the fully loaded pallet is being lowered down the picking shaft or, for example, strapped or wrapped with stretch film. Because the pallet buffer has at least two storage locations for pallets of different sizes, pallets of different sizes can be loaded alternately and directly one after the other without any setup times. The picking device according to the invention can therefore be used extremely flexibly.

[0009] In a further development of the invention, the at least two storage locations in the pallet buffer are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction of the picking shaft.

[0010] This makes it possible to load the different pallets into the picking bay without delay and without having to move or rearrange pallets in the pallet buffer. This allows for short cycle times.

[0011] In a further development of the invention, a lifting and lowering device is provided to move an unloaded pallet up to the height of the pallet buffer.

[0012] An unloaded pallet can thus be stored in a storage location in the pallet buffer while a pallet is being loaded.

[0013] In a further development of the invention, the picking shaft has at least one first adjustable shaft wall, wherein by means of the first adjustable shaft wall a free cross section of the picking shaft can be changed at least in sections by means of a movement of the first adjustable shaft wall perpendicular to the height direction of the picking shaft, wherein the first adjustable shaft wall has an upper section and a lower section in the height direction of the picking shaft, wherein the upper section extends from a height position of the pallet buffer up to a picking level at the upper end of the picking shaft, wherein the lower section extends downwards starting from the height position of the pallet buffer and wherein the upper section and the lower section are adjustable independently of one another.

[0014] Using the first adjustable shaft wall, the free cross-section of the picking shaft can be adjusted so that the walls of the picking shaft are positioned at a very short distance from the side edges of the pallet being loaded. This prevents loads positioned on the pallet from falling into the picking shaft from the side of the pallet. This is extremely advantageous when picking from pallets of different sizes. This eliminates the need for a picker and / or a picking robot to pay extreme attention to positioning the load precisely at the edge of the pallet.

[0015] Because the first adjustable shaft wall has an upper section and a lower section that can be adjusted independently of one another, it is possible to simultaneously load a first pallet of a first size with goods and to drive a second pallet of a different size into the picking shaft from below and then place it in the pallet buffer. The pallet being placed in the pallet buffer is unloaded, so there is no risk of goods falling off the pallet. However, if, for example, a first pallet of a small size is loaded, a smaller, unloaded pallet is usually always placed in the pallet buffer, so that two pallets of different sizes are always arranged in the pallet buffer. A picker or host computer can then always choose whether a large or small pallet should be loaded next.Even if this selection is not made until the previous pallet is loaded, the device according to the invention does not cause any waiting signals. When a first pallet of a smaller size is loaded, the upper and lower sections of the first adjustable shaft wall can be positioned immediately adjacent to the load on the pallet as the pallet is loaded and then gradually lowered, to prevent the load from slipping or falling off the pallet during the gradual lowering.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, the upper section of the adjustable shaft wall is connected to a section of the picking level.

[0017] In this way, an edge between the horizontally arranged picking level and the vertically arranged first adjustable shaft wall is moved when the first shaft wall is adjusted. This means that a picker or a picking robot always has an edge or stop available in the area of ​​the first adjustable shaft wall to quickly and precisely position the load on the pallet to be loaded or on already stacked loads.

[0018] In a further development of the invention, a second shaft wall which is adjustable at least in sections is provided, wherein the second adjustable shaft wall is arranged perpendicular to the first adjustable shaft wall and wherein by means of the second adjustable shaft wall a free cross section of the picking shaft can be changed at least in sections by means of a movement of the second adjustable shaft wall perpendicular to the height direction of the picking shaft.

[0019] A second adjustable shaft wall, positioned perpendicular to the first adjustable shaft wall, makes it possible to process pallets of different sizes, even if both transverse dimensions are different. Even in this case, it can be ensured that the walls of the picking shaft are positioned directly adjacent to the edges of the pallet's loading area, preventing any load from slipping off the pallet and falling into the picking shaft.

[0020] In a further development of the invention, a third shaft wall which is adjustable at least in sections is provided, wherein the third adjustable shaft wall is arranged perpendicular to the first adjustable shaft wall and wherein by means of the third adjustable shaft wall a free cross section of the picking shaft can be changed at least in sections by means of a movement of the third adjustable shaft wall perpendicular to the height direction of the picking shaft.

[0021] When picking from pallets of different sizes, different cases must be considered: if the different pallets have the same cross-sectional dimension, one adjustable shaft wall is sufficient to adjust the free cross-section of the picking shaft to the size of the pallet currently being loaded. If, on the other hand, the different pallets do not have the same cross-sectional dimension, it may be advantageous to adjust three shaft walls of the picking shaft to process the two pallets of different sizes. This can be the case, for example, if the pallets should always be arranged with their center of gravity centrally to the free cross-section of the picking shaft, or if the pallet feet are positioned in such a way that the distance from the feet of the different pallets to the shaft walls of the picking shaft changes between different pallets.By means of a first, second and third adjustable shaft wall, it can then be ensured that all four shaft walls of the picking shaft are arranged directly adjacent to the edges of the pallet loading area.

[0022] In a further development of the invention, means for holding and moving a pallet are provided in the upper section of the picking shaft between a height position of the pallet buffer and an upper end of the picking shaft, wherein the means for holding and moving are designed and arranged to receive an unloaded pallet from the pallet buffer from the feed device, to move the unloaded pallet to the upper end of the picking shaft and, during the start of the loading process, to lower the pallet step by step until the pallet is transferred from the means for holding and moving to a lifting and lowering device, wherein the means for holding and moving have a plurality of pallet supports,which are movable into and out of a free cross-section of the picking shaft, and wherein the pallet supports are movable into and out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft below a standing area for a picker or a picking robot.

[0023] Using such holding and moving devices, an unloaded pallet can be moved from the height of the intermediate pallet storage to the upper end of the picking shaft, i.e. until the pallet loading surface is approximately at the level of or just below the picking level. These holding and moving devices operate independently of a lifting and lowering device, which receives unloaded pallets from an incoming conveyor system, feeds them into the picking shaft from below, and then transfers them to the infeed device of the intermediate pallet storage. The lifting and lowering device also receives partially loaded pallets from the holding and moving devices in order to either lower them step by step during further loading or to move fully loaded pallets down the picking shaft so that these fully loaded pallets can then be strapped or wrapped with stretch film, for example.The lifting and lowering device is also designed to transfer the fully loaded and finished pallets back to an outgoing conveyor system. The interaction of the lifting and lowering device, on the one hand, and the holding and moving means, on the other, makes it possible to take an unloaded pallet from the pallet buffer while a fully loaded pallet is being transported away, strapped, or wrapped, and position it at or just below the picking level, allowing picking to continue without any loss of time.By having the means for holding and moving a plurality of pallet supports that can be moved into and out of a free cross-section of the picking shaft, with the pallet supports being movable into and out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft below a standing area for a picker or a picking robot, three walls of the picking shaft can, for example, be designed to be very narrow in the transverse direction. The inner sides of these walls form the shaft walls of the picking shaft. This enables very good ergonomics, as a picker can stand very close to the pallet to be loaded and, in particular, does not have to bend over a very wide wall of the picking shaft to move loads onto the pallet loading area.The pallet supports are therefore moved below a standing area of ​​the picking platform into the free cross-section of the picking shaft and also moved out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft below the standing area of ​​the picking platform. Above the standing area of ​​the picking platform, the pallet supports are always arranged so that they extend into the free cross-section of the picking shaft and can therefore only be moved vertically above the standing area of ​​the picking platform, i.e., towards the picking level and away from the picking level. The pallet supports can, for example, be pivoted into the free cross-section of the picking shaft and then moved upwards and downwards using a suitable height adjustment.There is sufficient space below the base of the picking platform to easily move the pallet supports out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft, for example by pivoting them out or by means of a sliding movement or along a curved track.

[0024] In a further development of the invention, the pallet supports above the standing area for an order picker or an order picking robot can be moved exclusively in and against the height direction of the order picking shaft.

[0025] In a method for order picking on pallets or goods carriers using a device according to the invention, it is provided, among other things, that while a pallet is being loaded, another unloaded pallet is introduced from below into the order picking shaft and then moved by means of the feed device into one of the storage locations of the pallet buffer. Depending on which pallet size is to be loaded next, a pallet of this size is introduced by means of the feed device from one of the storage locations of the pallet buffer into the order picking shaft and moved upwards to the order picking level by the holding and moving means. While the pallet is being loaded, the pallet is then gradually lowered downwards by the holding and moving means, corresponding to the height of the load already stacked on the pallet.In the method according to the invention, the shaft walls of the picking shaft are adjusted depending on the size of the pallet to be loaded and the size of the unloaded pallet to be placed in the intermediate storage area. The adjustment of a first adjustable shaft wall of the picking shaft takes place independently in an upper section and a lower section of the first adjustable shaft wall. This means, for example, that a small pallet can already be loaded and a large pallet can be lowered down through the picking shaft. The unloaded pallets are expediently stored one above the other in the pallet intermediate storage area, so that pallets of different sizes can be moved directly from their respective storage location into the picking shaft without first having to be re-sorted or rearranged in the pallet intermediate storage area.

[0026] In this method, pallet supports of the means for holding and moving below a standing area for a picker or picking robot on the picking platform are pivoted into the free cross-section of the picking shaft and then moved upwards to the picking level to move an unloaded pallet and subsequently, when a pallet is gradually lowered, exclusively in the vertical direction or against the vertical direction of the picking shaft. This means that at least one, and possibly several, walls of the picking shaft can be narrow when viewed transversely to the vertical direction, resulting in very good ergonomics for a picker. Because at least one boundary wall of the picking shaft is very narrow, the picker does not have to bend far over this wall, but can move the load onto the pallet with a short and quick movement close to the body.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in conjunction with the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for order picking in a first state, Fig. 2 the device of Fig. 1 in a second state, Fig. 3 the device of Fig. 1 in a third state, Fig. 4 the device of Fig. 1 in a fourth state, Fig. 5 the device of Fig. 1 in a fifth state, Fig. 6 the device of Fig. 1 in a sixth state, Fig. 7 the device of Fig. 1 in a seventh state, Fig. 8 the device of Fig. 1 in an eighth state, Fig. 9 a second embodiment of the device of Fig. 1 in the first state, Fig. 10 is a schematic plan view of the device of the Fig. 1, Fig. 11 is a further schematic plan view of the device of Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is a schematic sectional view of the device of Fig. 1, wherein the cutting plane is arranged parallel to the height direction of the picking shaft, and Fig. 13 is a further schematic sectional view of the device of Fig. 1, where the cutting plane is parallel to the height direction of the picking shaft, but perpendicular to the cutting plane of the Fig. 12 is arranged.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a picking device 10 according to the invention. The device 10 is designed as a manual picking station, and one or more order pickers 12 move load 14, which is delivered by means of a conveyor system 16 shown only schematically, onto an initially unloaded pallet. The device 10 stands on a hall floor 6, on which the conveyor system 56 is also arranged.

[0029] In contrast to Fig. 1 shows Fig. 9 an automatic picking station. The device 10 has, when designed as an automatic picking station according to Fig. 9 has a picking robot 8 which, like the picker 12 at the manual picking station, takes load 14 from the conveyor system 16 and moves it onto an initially unloaded pallet.

[0030] Furthermore, the device 10 designed as a manual picking station of the Fig. 1 and the device 10 designed as an automatic picking station of the Fig. 9 but identically constructed. Within the scope of the invention, it is possible to design the device 10 for mixed operation, in which both an order picker 12 and an order picking robot 8 are provided to jointly load an initially unloaded pallet with cargo 14.

[0031] The device 10 of the Fig. 1 has a picking platform 18, the upper side 20 of which forms a standing area for one or two order pickers 12. A picking shaft 22 extends through the picking platform 18. An upper end of the picking shaft 22 forms part of a picking level 24.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation that allows a view into the picking shaft 22 from the side. For this reason, only three shaft walls of the picking shaft 22 are visible, namely a first adjustable shaft wall 26, a second adjustable shaft wall 28 and a third, fixed shaft wall 30. Opposite and parallel to the second adjustable shaft wall 28, a third adjustable shaft wall is arranged, which, however, as explained, Fig. 1 is not shown.

[0033] The first adjustable shaft wall 26 has an upper section 26a and a lower section 26b. In the state of Fig. 1, the upper section 26a and the lower section 26b have been adjusted in different ways. This will be explained below. Both the upper section 26a and the lower section 26b of the first adjustable shaft wall 26 can be adjusted in and against an arrow 29a, i.e., perpendicular to a vertical direction of the picking shaft 22.

[0034] At the level of the picking platform 18, a pallet buffer 30 is provided, which Fig. 1 is also only shown schematically, but has two storage spaces for pallets of different sizes. These two storage spaces are in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 arranged one above the other. In the state of Fig. 1, a first, smaller pallet 32 ​​has just been partially moved horizontally from an upper storage location of the pallet buffer 30 into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 by means of a feed device (not shown). A second, larger pallet 36 is arranged in a second, lower storage location of the pallet buffer 30.

[0035] The first pallet 32 ​​is still empty and therefore not loaded. The second pallet 36 is also empty and not loaded. The two storage locations of the pallet buffer 30 are intended exclusively for unloaded, empty pallets 32, 36.

[0036] The first, smaller pallet 32 ​​is already partially located in the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22. Once the pallet 32 ​​has been moved completely into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 by means of the feed device, it is taken over there by means 38 for holding and moving and can then be moved upwards in the vertical direction of the picking shaft 22 as indicated by arrow 40 up to the picking level 24. The first pallet 32 ​​is moved upwards by means of the means 38 for holding and moving until an upper side of the first pallet 32 ​​is at the level of the picking level 24 or just below the picking level 24. During the loading process of the first pallet 32, the means 38 for holding and moving move the pallet 32 ​​step by step downwards according to its loading state, i.e., opposite to arrow 40. The order picker 12 can thus always arrange the load 14 approximately at the level of the picking level 24.

[0037] In the state of Fig. 1, a third pallet 42 is already fully loaded and is arranged below the height position of the pallet buffer 30. The third pallet 42 is already arranged below the lower end of the picking shaft 22, wherein this lower end of the picking shaft 22 is defined by a wrapping device 44. In the wrapping device 44, the fully loaded pallet 42 is currently being wrapped with stretch film 46. During this wrapping process, the fully or partially loaded pallet 42 is lowered downward according to the arrow 48. This is done by means of a lifting and lowering device 50. Load 14 is stacked in several layers on the third pallet 42. While the lowest stack of load 14, which lies directly on the loading surface of the third pallet 42, is currently being wrapped with stretch film 46, the upper layers with load 14 are still located within the lower section 26b of the picking shaft 22.This ensures that the load 14 cannot fall off the third pallet 42.

[0038] It is in Fig. 1 that the lower section 26b of the first adjustable shaft wall 26 is arranged directly adjacent to the upper layers of load 14 on the third pallet 42. The upper section 26a of the first adjustable shaft wall 26, on the other hand, has been moved a short distance into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22. The first adjustable shaft wall 26, with its upper section 26a, has thus already been adjusted to the size of the first, smaller pallet 32, whereas the lower section 26b is still adjusted to the dimensions of the large pallet 42 or the stack of load 14 on the pallet 42.

[0039] The second adjustable shaft wall 28 and the opposite, not visible third adjustable shaft wall have also already been adjusted somewhat in order to be able to accommodate the first, smaller pallet 32. As will be explained, the second adjustable shaft wall 28 and the opposite third adjustable shaft wall are adjusted in such a way that the distance between the second adjustable shaft wall and the third adjustable shaft wall increases. This is to accommodate the first, smaller pallet 32, which is in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of the Fig. 1 is longer than the large second pallet 36 and the large third pallet 42.

[0040] On the condition of the Fig. 1 follows the state of Fig. 2 of the device 10. The order picker 12 is in Fig. 2 is no longer shown for reasons of clarity. In the state of Fig. 2, the order picker 12 has already arranged a first layer of load 14 on the first, smaller pallet 32. The first pallet 32 ​​can now be lowered a little with the help of the means 38 for holding and moving, which in the state of Fig. 2 has already happened. The top side of the load stacked on the pallet 32 ​​is therefore already approximately at the height of the picking level 24 and the order picker 12 can stack further load 14, which is delivered by means of the conveyor system 16, onto the first layer of load 14.

[0041] In the state of Fig. 2, the upper section 26a of the first adjustable shaft wall 26 is arranged unchanged so that it is arranged adjacent to the lateral boundary of the pallet 32. When lowering the pallet 32, this ensures that the load 14 cannot fall laterally from the pallet 32. The lower section 26b of the first adjustable shaft wall has been adjusted compared to the state of the Fig. 1 is moved into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 according to the arrow 52. The lower section 26b is aligned in the state of Fig. 2 with the upper section 26a of the first adjustable shaft wall 26. The lower section 26b can be in the state of Fig. 2 can be moved into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22, since the large third pallet 42 has already been completely wrapped with stretch film 46 and moved downwards according to arrow 54 by means of the lifting and lowering device 50. Neither the third pallet 42 nor the stack of load on the third pallet 42 is therefore still within the picking shaft 22.

[0042] The lifting and lowering device 50 transfers the fully loaded pallet 42 to a conveyor system 56, which is only shown schematically and which ensures the removal of the fully loaded third pallet 42.

[0043] The second pallet 36 is in the state of Fig. 2 unchanged in its storage location in the palette buffer 30.

[0044] In the state of Fig. 3 was the Fig. 2, the fully loaded third pallet 42 was removed and is therefore no longer shown. An unloaded fourth pallet 58 was delivered by the conveyor system 56 and has already been taken over by the lifting and lowering device 50. In the state of Fig. 3, the fourth pallet 58 is already transported upwards towards the lower end of the picking shaft 22.

[0045] While the fourth unloaded pallet 58 is transported upwards into the picking shaft 22, the Fig. 3 order pickers 12 (not shown) load the first pallet 32 ​​with cargo 14, which is transported via the conveyor device 16. In the state of Fig. 3, there are already three layers of load 14 on the first pallet 32. The first pallet 32 ​​has been lowered step by step according to its loading status. Before the order picker 12 stacks another layer of load 14 onto the then topmost layer of load on the first pallet 32, the pallet is lowered by the holding and moving means 38 until the top side of the topmost layer of load is at or slightly below the height of the picking level 24.

[0046] In the state of Fig. 4, the first pallet 32 ​​was lowered a little, as just described, so that another layer of load 14 can be stacked. The lifting and lowering device 50 has brought the fourth pallet 58 into the picking shaft 22 from below at the level of the pallet buffer 30. At the level of the second, upper storage location, the feed device (not shown) takes over the fourth pallet 58 and moves it out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 to the first storage location of the pallet buffer 30. This movement takes place according to the schematic representation of the Fig. 4 to the right. As soon as the fourth pallet 58 is completely arranged in its storage location in the pallet buffer 30, a small pallet and a large pallet, namely the fourth pallet 58 and the second pallet 36, are again available in the pallet buffer 30 in an unloaded state.

[0047] Fig. 5 shows a view of the state of the Fig. 4 following state of the device 10. The first pallet 32 ​​has been fully loaded and is in the state of Fig. 5 already from the Fig. 5 unrecognizable means for holding and moving to the lifting and lowering device 50. The lifting and lowering device 50 has in the state of Fig. 5 the fully loaded pallet 32 ​​has already been lowered so far that it is located just before the end of the picking shaft 22. The upper section 26a and the lower section 26b of the first adjustable shaft wall 26 are in the state of Fig. 5 unchanged in a position adjacent to the side edge of the first pallet 32 ​​or adjacent to the stack of load 14 on the first pallet 32. This prevents load 14 on the pallet 32 ​​from falling sideways into the picking shaft 32.

[0048] In the state of Fig. 6, which refers to the condition of the Fig. 5, the first pallet 32 ​​has already been lowered by means of the lifting and lowering device 50 to such an extent that the stack of loads on the first pallet 32 ​​can be wrapped with stretch film 46 in the wrapping station 44. The 14 uppermost layers of the stack of loads 14 on the first pallet 32 ​​are still held laterally by the lower section 26b of the first adjustable shaft wall and by the other shaft walls of the picking shaft 22. The uppermost layer of loads 14 on the first pallet 32 ​​is already arranged below the height position of the intermediate pallet storage 30. The large second unloaded pallet 36 can now be removed from the intermediate pallet storage 30 by means of the feed device (not shown) and transferred to the holding and moving means 38.Alternatively, the small fourth unloaded pallet 58 could be removed from the pallet buffer 30 and transferred to the holding and moving means 38.

[0049] In order to be able to move the second, larger pallet 36 into the picking shaft 22, the upper section 26a of the first adjustable shaft wall 26 has been moved out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 in a direction according to the arrow 29b, in Fig. 6 to the left in order to adapt the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 to the dimensions of the second, larger pallet 36.

[0050] In the state of Fig. 7, which refers to the condition of the Fig. 6 follows, the second, larger pallet 36 is already loaded with cargo 14 by the order picker 12 (not shown) and is lowered step by step according to the number of layers on the pallet 36 by the means for holding and moving 38. In the state of Fig. 7, three layers of cargo 14 are already stacked on the second pallet 36. The condition of the Fig. Following 7, the means for holding and moving 38 lower the second pallet 36 by the height of one layer of load 14 so that the order picker can stack further load 14.

[0051] As in Fig. 7, the second memory location in the pallet buffer 30 is empty and only the small fourth pallet 58 is located in the pallet buffer 30.

[0052] The first, fully loaded and wrapped pallet 32 ​​is in the state of Fig. 7 just transferred from the lifting and lowering device 50 to the conveyor system 56.

[0053] In the state of Fig. 8 of the device 10, which responds to the state of the Fig. 7, the fully loaded and wrapped first pallet 32 ​​has already been transported away and is no longer shown. A fifth pallet 60 has been delivered via the conveyor system 56 and has already been moved into the picking shaft 22 by the lifting and lowering device 50. The fifth pallet 60 is still just below the height position of the pallet buffer 30, more precisely just below the height position of the second storage location in the pallet buffer 30. Following the state of the Fig. 8, the fifth pallet 60 is lifted a little further by means of the lifting and lowering device 50 up to the height position of the second storage location in the pallet buffer 30 and then taken over by means of the feeding device (not shown) and placed in Fig. 8 to the right into the pallet buffer 30.

[0054] How Fig. 8, the second pallet 36 has been further loaded and is in the state of Fig. 8 there are already five layers of stacked cargo 14 on the second pallet 36.

[0055] When the fifth pallet 60 is located in the pallet buffer 30, the cross-section of the picking shaft 22 below the second pallet 36 is free, so that the latter can be lowered further step by step, transferred to the lifting and lowering device 50 and then wrapped with stretch film.

[0056] While the stack of load 14 is being wrapped on the second pallet 36, either the fourth pallet 58 or the fifth pallet 60 can be removed from the pallet buffer 30 and placed into the picking shaft 22 in order to then load either the fourth, small pallet 58 or the fifth, large pallet 60. The decision as to whether a small pallet or a large pallet is loaded is made by a process computer (not shown), which also ensures that the load 14 intended for the respective pallet is delivered via the conveyor system 16.

[0057] With the device 10 according to the invention, pallets of different sizes can also be loaded directly one after the other. The device 10 according to the invention can therefore be used in an extremely flexible manner.

[0058] Fig. Figure 9 shows, as already explained, the device 10 according to a second embodiment. Instead of an order picker 12, the device 10 is provided with an order picking robot 8, which receives the load 14 from the conveyor system 16 and positions it on a pallet provided in the order picking shaft 22. As explained, in addition to the order picking robot 8, an order picker 12 can also work. The device 10 is otherwise operated with the order picking robot 8 in the same way as with the Fig. 1 to 8 have already been described.

[0059] Fig. 10 shows a schematic plan view of the device 10. Two order pickers 12a, 12b are shown schematically and are intended to be Fig. 10 to take over the load (not shown) from the conveyor system 16 and move it onto a pallet 32, the top or loading surface of which is arranged at the height of the picking level. Fig. 10 shows the smaller, first pallet 32. In Fig. 10 it can be seen that the first adjustable shaft wall 26 has been moved into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 and is now directly adjacent to the Fig. 10 left side edge of the pallet 32. Opposite the first adjustable shaft wall 26 is a fourth, fixed shaft wall 70, which is also directly adjacent to the Fig. 10 right side edge of the pallet 32.

[0060] In Fig. 10 above, the second adjustable shaft wall 28 can be seen, which has been moved a little way out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22. The second adjustable shaft wall is in the state of Fig. 10 also directly adjacent to the Fig. 10 upper edge of the pallet 32.

[0061] In Fig. 10, the third adjustable shaft wall 72 can now be seen, which is located opposite the second adjustable shaft wall 28. The third adjustable shaft wall has also been moved slightly out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 and is now directly adjacent to the Fig. 10 lower edge of the pallet 32. The free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 has thus been adjusted at the height of the picking level to the size of the loading area of ​​the pallet 32, so that only a narrow circumferential gap exists between the outer contour of the loading area of ​​the small pallet 32 ​​and the shaft walls 26, 28, 70, 72.

[0062] It is shown in the schematic plan view of the Fig. 10 that the order pickers 12a, 12b can now take over load from the conveyor 16 and place it on the pallet 32. Since the shaft walls 26, 28, 70, and 72 of the picking shaft 22 are arranged directly adjacent to the edges of the pallet 32, there is no risk of load falling off the pallet 32 ​​and into the picking shaft 32. The order pickers 12 can even press load against one of the shaft walls 26, 28, 70, 72 and use this as a stop when placing loads.

[0063] In Fig. 10 schematically shows the means 38 for holding and moving the pallet 32. The means 38 comprise a total of six pallet supports 74a, 74b, 74c, 74d, 74e and 74f. In the top view of the Fig. 10, the pallet supports 74 would not be visible as such, since they are arranged under the pallet 32, but for clarity they are shown in Fig. 10 is shown.

[0064] The pallet 32 ​​rests with four of its feet on the pallet supports 74b, 74c, 74e and 74f. As explained, the pallet supports 74b, 74c, 74e, 74f would in and of themselves be in the plan view of the Fig. 10 cannot be seen, since they are arranged below the pallet 32. The pallet supports 74a, 74d are in the state of Fig. 10 are not used and would not be recognizable in and of themselves, since they are arranged below a section 76 which is arranged horizontally and which is connected to the first adjustable shaft wall 26.

[0065] It is in Fig. 10 that a wall 78b between the Fig. 10 lower order picker 12b and the pallet 32 ​​as well as a wall 78a between the Fig. 10 upper order picker 12a and the pallet 32 ​​is very narrow. The two order pickers 12 therefore only have to bend slightly over the walls 78a, 78b in order to move loads from the conveyor system 16 onto the pallet 32.

[0066] This is achieved in that the pallet supports 74a to 74f in an upper section of the picking shaft 22, which extends from the base 20 of the picking platform 18 to the picking level 24, can only be moved in and against the vertical direction of the picking shaft 22. Only below the base 20 of the picking platform 18 can the pallet supports 74a to 74f be pivoted or moved out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22, which will be described below.

[0067] Fig. 11 shows a further schematic plan view of the device 10. In contrast to the state of Fig. 10, a second, larger pallet 36 is now arranged in the picking shaft 22. To arrange the second, larger pallet 36 in the picking shaft 22, see. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, the first adjustable shaft wall 26 was moved out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 at least in the area of ​​its upper section 26a. In the position of the Fig. 11, the upper section 26a of the first adjustable shaft wall 26 is immediately adjacent to the Fig. 11 left side edge of the pallet 36.

[0068] Since the second, larger pallet 36 is wider than the first, smaller pallet 32, in the state of Fig. 11 the second adjustable shaft wall 28 and the third adjustable shaft wall 72 compared to the state of the Fig. 10, has been moved a little way into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22, so that in the state of Fig. 11 immediately adjacent to the Fig. 11 upper edge or lower edge of the pallet 36 are arranged.

[0069] The fourth fixed shaft wall 70 is also located directly adjacent to the Fig. 11 right side edge of the pallet 36. The free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 has thus been adjusted at the height of the picking level to the size of the loading area of ​​the pallet 36, so that there is only a narrow circumferential gap between the outer contour of the large pallet 36 and the shaft walls 26, 28, 70, 72.

[0070] The pallet 36 rests with six of its feet on each of the pallet supports 74a to 74f. Within the scope of the invention, pallets with four feet, cross boards instead of feet, or a surrounding frame instead of feet can also be loaded and moved. For this purpose, only the shape and / or arrangement of the pallet supports must be adapted. As already shown in the Fig. 10, the pallet supports 74a to 74f are in the top view of the Fig. 11, since they are arranged below the pallet 36, and are shown merely for clarification. In and of themselves, the pallet supports 74a to 74f would be visible in the top view of the Fig. 11 is covered by the pallet 36.

[0071] In Fig. Figure 11 shows the pallet buffer 30, which is also not visible in the top view. Specifically, a small, fourth pallet 58 and a large, fifth pallet 60 are shown. The fourth, small pallet 58 is located in the first storage location of the pallet buffer 30, which is arranged above the second storage location in the pallet buffer 30, with the fifth, large pallet 60 being located in the second storage location.

[0072] Based on the Fig. 11 shows that the small pallets 58 and the large pallets 36 and 60 do not have identical transverse dimensions. The small pallet 58 is narrower than the large pallet 60, but longer.

[0073] The picking on the small pallets 58 and the large pallets 36, 60 is made possible by the device 10 according to the invention in that the picking shaft 22 is delimited by three adjustable shaft walls 26, 28, 72 and only one fixed shaft wall 70.

[0074] Fig. 12 shows a schematic sectional view of the device 10 of the Fig. 1. The cutting plane in Fig. 12 runs parallel to the height direction of the picking shaft 22, whereby the representation of the Fig. 12 is schematic.

[0075] Fig. 12 serves to illustrate the means for moving and holding 38 and shows how the pallet supports 74a to 74f of the means 38 for holding and moving are moved into or out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22.

[0076] In Fig. 12 the picking platform 18 can be seen, the upper side of which forms the base 20 for the Fig. 12 forms the order pickers 12a, 12b shown only in the area of ​​their feet. It is Fig. 12 that the pallet supports 74a to 74f, where in Fig. 12, only two pallet supports 74c and 74f are shown in different states of movement, can be moved out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 below the standing surface 20. For this purpose, the pallet supports 74 are pivoted out, for example, along a curved path or, for example, only pivoted or tilted about a rotation axis. In order to perform such a movement, a comparatively large amount of space is required to the side of the relevant shaft wall of the picking shaft 22. This space is available below the standing surface 22 and in Fig. 12, a hollow space 88a, 88b is schematically shown below the base 20. Above the base 20, however, the pallet supports 74a to 74f can only be moved in and against the vertical direction of the picking shaft 22. This can be seen from the different positions of the two pallet supports 74c and 74f in Fig. 12. Only after the pallet supports 74a to 74f are again arranged below the base 20 can they be pivoted, tilted, or moved away, thereby freeing the cross-section of the picking shaft 22. For this purpose, the pallet supports 74a to 74f are guided, for example, in sliding guides and are moved using a suitable drive technology.

[0077] Fig. 12 thus shows several chronologically successive states simultaneously in order to illustrate how the two pallet supports 74c, 74f are first moved into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 and then moved upwards to the upper end of the picking shaft 22.

[0078] Since the pallet supports 74a to 74f above the base 20 cannot be moved out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22, but can only be moved in and against the vertical direction of the picking shaft 22, the walls 78a and 78b of the picking shaft 22 can be made very narrow. The two order pickers 12a, 12b therefore do not have to bend far beyond the upper limit of these two walls 78a, 78b to move loads onto a pallet arranged in the picking shaft 22.

[0079] Fig. 13 shows a schematic sectional view of the device 10, wherein the sectional plane runs parallel to the vertical direction of the picking shaft 22. The sectional plane in Fig. 13 is perpendicular to the cutting plane of the Fig. 12. As explained, the representation of the Fig. 13 schematically. The picking platform 18 and the pallet buffer 30 can be seen. The first storage location in the pallet buffer 30 is occupied by a large pallet 36. This large pallet 36 is arranged in a holder 80 of the feeding device. This holder can be horizontally Fig. 13 can be moved to the left, into the picking shaft 22, and back again. The holder 80 accommodates the feet of the pallet 36.

[0080] The second storage location in the pallet buffer 30 is occupied by a small pallet 32. The pallet 32 ​​is arranged in a second holder 82 of the feed device. The second holder 82 can be moved together with the pallet 32 ​​in a horizontal direction to the left, into the picking shaft 22 and back again. In the Fig. 13, the second holder 82 has already been moved a little way into the picking shaft 22.

[0081] Based on the state of the Fig. 13, the second holder 82 is moved further to the left, into the picking shaft 22, until the feet of the pallet 32 ​​are positioned above the pallet supports 74. The pallet 32 ​​can then be placed on the pallet supports 74, and the second holder 82 can be retracted again so that it is moved out of the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22. For example, the pallet supports 74 lift the pallet 32 ​​slightly so that the holder 82 is released from the pallet 32 ​​and can be moved back into the pallet storage 30.

[0082] By means of the pallet supports 74, the pallet 32 ​​can then be moved upwards, which in Fig. 13 is shown schematically.

[0083] Fig. 13 thus illustrates several consecutive states simultaneously in order to clarify the movement sequence.

[0084] The large pallet 36 would be moved in the same way by means of the first holder 80 into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 and placed there with its feet on the pallet supports 74. The pallet 36 can then be moved in the picking shaft 22 towards the upper end of the picking shaft 32, which in Fig. 13 is shown schematically.

[0085] Also still in Fig. 13 shows the upper section 26a of the first adjustable shaft wall and the lower section 26b of the first adjustable shaft wall 26. The upper section 26a is in the state of Fig. 13 has been moved into the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 in order to adjust the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22 to the size of the loading area of ​​the small pallet 32, so that only a narrow gap is present at the side of the small pallet 32.

[0086] The lower section 26b, however, is shown in a retracted position, so that at the level of the lower section 26b a large pallet 36 can be moved in the picking shaft 22 and, for example, inserted into the pallet buffer 30, cf. the illustrations of the Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.

[0087] Fig. 13 shows vertically arranged guides 86 for the pallet supports 74. Along these schematically illustrated guides 86, the pallet supports 74 can be moved in and against the vertical direction of the picking shaft 22. Openings 84 in the shaft wall of the picking shaft 22 are shown below the picking platform 18. Through these openings 84, the pallet supports 74 can be moved, for example, pivoted out, from the free cross-section of the picking shaft 22.

[0088] In the state of Fig.13, the small pallet 32 ​​is removed from the pallet buffer 30 and moved upwards to just below the level of the picking level 24 to be loaded there. The second storage location in the pallet buffer 30 is then empty. A small pallet is then placed back into the pallet buffer 30 to fill the empty storage location and so that there is always a large pallet and a small pallet in the pallet buffer 30. Depending on the requirements of a host computer (not shown), either a large pallet or a small pallet is then removed from the pallet buffer and moved upwards to the level of the picking level 24 for loading.

[0089] During normal operation of the device 10, pallets to be loaded are always removed from the pallet buffer 30. However, the device 30 also allows an unloaded pallet to be lifted by means of the lifting and lowering device 50 and transferred directly to the holding and moving means 38 and then moved to the height of the picking level 24 for loading. List of reference symbols 6 Hall floor 8 picking workers 10 Device 12 order pickers 14 Cargo 16 Conveyor system 18 picking platform 20 stand space 22 picking shaft 24 picking levels 26 first adjustable shaft wall 26a upper section of the first shaft wall 26b lower section of the first shaft wall 28 second adjustable shaft wall 29a Arrow 29b Arrow 30 pallet buffers 32 first pallet 34 Arrow 36 second pallet 38 Means of moving and holding 40 Arrow 42 third pallet 44 winders 46 stretch film 48 Arrow 50 lifting and lowering device 52 Arrow 54 Arrow 56 conveyor system 58 fifth pallet 60 sixth pallet 62 to 68 not assigned 70 fourth shaft wall 72 third shaft wall 74a to 74f pallet supports Section 76 78a, 78b Walls of the picking shaft 80 first holder of the feeding device 82 second holder of the feeding device 84 Opening in the shaft wall of the picking shaft 86 guided tours 88a, 88b cavity

Claims

[1] Device for picking on pallets or goods carriers, - with a picking shaft (22), - with a pallet buffer (30) for unloaded pallets, the pallet buffer (30) being arranged laterally next to the picking shaft (22), - with a feeding device for transporting one unloaded pallet (32, 36) from the picking shaft (22) into the pallet buffer (30) or from the pallet buffer (30) into the picking shaft (22), - characterized by , that - the pallet buffer (30) has at least two storage locations for pallets (32, 36) of different sizes. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least two storage locations in the pallet buffer (30) are arranged one above the other in the height direction of the picking shaft (22). [3] Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat a lifting and lowering device (50) is provided to move an unloaded (36, 38) pallet up to the height of the pallet intermediate storage (30). [4] Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the picking shaft (22) has at least one first adjustable shaft wall (26), wherein by means of the first adjustable shaft wall (26) a free cross-section of the picking shaft (22) can be changed at least in sections by means of a movement of the first adjustable shaft wall (26) perpendicular to the height direction of the picking shaft (22), wherein the first adjustable shaft wall (26) has an upper section (26a) and a lower section (26b) in the height direction of the picking shaft (22), wherein the upper section (26a) extends from a height position of the pallet intermediate storage (30) to a picking level (24) at the upper end of the picking shaft (22), wherein the lower section (26b) extends downwards from the height position of the pallet buffer (30), and wherein the upper portion (26a) and the lower portion (26b) are independently adjustable. [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by that the upper section (26a) of the adjustable shaft wall (26) is connected to a horizontally arranged section (76) of the picking level (24). [6] Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized bythat a second shaft wall (28) is provided which is adjustable at least in sections, wherein the second adjustable shaft wall (28) is arranged perpendicular to the first adjustable shaft wall (26) and wherein by means of the second adjustable shaft wall (28) a free cross-section of the picking shaft (22) can be changed at least in sections by means of a movement of the second adjustable shaft wall (28) perpendicular to the height direction of the picking shaft (22). [7] Device according to claim 6, characterized bythat a third, at least partially adjustable shaft wall (72) is provided, wherein the third adjustable shaft wall (72) is arranged perpendicular to the first adjustable shaft wall (26) and wherein by means of the third adjustable shaft wall (72) a free cross-section of the picking shaft (22) can be changed at least in sections by means of a movement of the third adjustable shaft wall (72) perpendicular to the height direction of the picking shaft (22), [8] Device for picking according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat means (38) for holding and moving a pallet (32, 36) are provided in the upper section of the picking shaft (22) between a height position of the pallet buffer (30) and an upper end of the picking shaft (22), wherein the means for holding and moving are designed and arranged to receive an unloaded pallet (32, 36) from the pallet buffer (30) from the feed device, to move the unloaded pallet (32, 36) to the upper end of the picking shaft (22) and, during the start of the loading process, to gradually lower the pallet (32, 36) until the pallet (32, 36) is transferred from the means (38) for holding and moving to a lifting and lowering device (50), - wherein the means (38) for holding and moving comprise a plurality of pallet supports (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d, 74e, 74f) which can be moved into and out of a free cross-section of the order-picking shaft (22), and wherein the pallet supports (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d, 74e, 74f) can be moved into and out of the free cross-section of the order-picking shaft (22) below a standing surface (20) for an order-picker (12a, 12b) or an order-picking robot (8). [9] Device according to claim 8, characterized by that the pallet supports (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d, 74e, 74f) above the standing surface (20) for an order picker (12a, 12b) or an order picking robot are movable exclusively in and against the height direction of the order picking shaft (22).

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