Order picking stacker for picking, inserting, removing and rearranging pallet boxes, stacking containers and the like without shelving systems

Abstract

This present invention, a "picking and stacker," allows the picking, removal, insertion, and rearranging of any storage units that can be stacked on top of one another without a shelving system, such as pallet boxes, stackable containers, or even bins stacked directly on top of one another, such as barrels, paper rolls, and the like, all without shelves. Direct access to each individual storage unit is possible. This is made possible by accessing and grasping the individual storage units L1 to L5 using two pick-ups 4 and 6, one above the other and operating independently of one another. These pick-ups are each guided horizontally in the pull-out supports 3 and 5, respectively. These pull-out supports, in turn, are mounted vertically displaceably in the unit supports 2. This allows the individual storage units to be grasped, vertically separated from one another, and the desired storage unit with the pick-ups to be moved out horizontally for further use.The movement of the respective aggregate units, pull-out supports and pickups can be carried out electromechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically. This technology is primarily intended for warehousing operations that are carried out with mechanical support such as forklifts, autonomously guided vehicles, robotics-based handling systems, and the like.

Description

PREAMBLE:The invention is directed to an improved "picking stacker"TECHNICAL FIELD:The present invention relates to an improved "picking stacker" which simplifies storage in logistics companies, significantly reduces the space requirement and above all shortens the sequences by a multiple. Conventional shelving systems are not required with this technique.This invention is primarily intended for storage, which is handled with machine support such as forklifts, autonomously guided vehicles (so-called AGVs), robotics based handling systems and the like.This invention has the advantage that all goods which can be deposited in stackable and transportable containers such as pallet boxes, stacking containers etc. are used here. However, stackable goods such as printing papers on pallets and directly graspable units such as closed containers, barrels, paper rolls in printing works, etc. can also be used with this.All these commercial products are also referred to below as "storage units".PRIOR ART:It is known that there are various storage techniques which are used for the mechanical fitting of the storage racks and the removal of individual parts thereof. These are, inter alia, forklift trucks, order-picking stackers, AGVs (with robotic handling system), high lift trucks, pallet trucks or also automated storage technology systems and vehicles.SHORTCOMINGS OF PRIOR ART DESIGNS:All known stackers and storage systems from the "prior art" have the disadvantage that the rapid access to individual storage units only works smoothly if they are also deposited individually, for example on pallets in racks or also on the floor. In the case of pallet boxes, stacking containers, stacked goods such as containers, pallets, barrels, paper rolls and the like, all the units lying above must be temporarily temporarily parked in another space during the picking process. Also when these storage units are removed, inserted or re-sorted, complex intermediate steps are required with all the stackers from the prior art. This storage also consumes a lot of space. Handling is also complicated and thus very time-consuming. Storage space and time are not negligible cost factors. In particular in the field of e-commerce logistics, it is decisive that the cycle time is reduced to the greatest possible extent from the order to the final delivery.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION:The object of this invention is therefore to provide a solution which makes it possible to store storage units in a space-saving manner without rack systems, one above the other and closely next to one another and nevertheless to have direct access to each individual storage unit. In the case of goods in pallet boxes, in stacking containers, containers, barrels and the like, access and removal of the individual units should also be able to take place directly without the need to temporarily temporarily buffer park storage units stacked above them. In general, all sequences of the placement, removal, picking and re-sorting of storage units without intermediate steps should be carried out using only one apparatus.This invention is also intended to ensure that the view and access into the respective desired storage container are freely accessible from above. This is necessary when automatic parts recognition, removal and mounting by the camera and robot arm are required.This invention provides a solution which simplifies the storage procedures and saves time and storage space.SOLUTION OF THE INVENTION:In this improved "picking stacker", the object is achieved according to the invention according to claim 1 in that the access and the detection of the individual storage units is made possible by two receivers which can be operated independently of one another. These receivers are each mounted horizontally displaceably in the pull-out carriers, which in turn are guided vertically into the unit carrier.Thus, the individual bearing units can be grasped, detached vertically from each other, and the desired bearing unit pulled out horizontally for further use. The displacement of the respective unit assemblies, pull-out carriers and pick-up elements can be effected electromechanically, hydraulically or also pneumatically.It is a prerequisite that the storage units can be gripped by different receivers, such as e.g. pallet boxes with forks from below, stacking containers from the front or also laterally via grip strips, fixed containers by lateral clamping handles or also, in the case of suitably prepared boxes, the receiver with electromagnetic or vacuum grippers.PREPARATION OF THE INVENTION:The basic elements of this invention are illustrated in the drawing Figure 1. From this, all elements with their functions can be inferred. Associated receivers 9, 11 and 13 for possible bearing units 8, 10 and 12 are shown in FIGS. 1 ato 1 c. In FIGS. 2 a, band c, examples of use for this invention are shown with different storage units without shelves.Herein, constructing on a vehicle 1 similar to a forklift, all relevant units of the invention are explained in FIG. 1. A left-hand and a right-hand unit carrier 2 are the pillars for the vertical guidance of the two pull-out carriers 3 and 5. The upper pull-out carrier 3 and the lower pull-out carrier 5 can be moved independently of one another in terms of height. In these pull-out carriers, the respective receivers 4 and 6 run horizontally, for receiving the storage units.The receivers can be equipped differently depending on the type of bearing units. For example, mechanically for pallet boxes 8 with pallet box pick-up 9 as shown in FIG. 1 a, for stacking containers 10 with stacking container pick-up 11 (see FIG. 1 b in this regard), for barrels 12 (barrels, paper rolls etc.) with barrel pick-up 13 (see FIG. 1 c in this regard), but also with electromagnetic or vacuum pick-ups, if the storage units are prepared for this purpose.The receivers guided in the drawer carriers are also horizontally displaceable independently of one another. In order that the bearing unit placed on top can also be fully set down, the length of the receivers is adjusted to the respective height of the bearing units by compensating legs 7. The displacement of the respective unit units--the pull-out carriers and receivers--can be effected electromechanically, hydraulically or also pneumatically.This invention can likewise be used with automatic storage technology systems such as robotics-based handling systems.EMBODIMENTSTo better illustrate the invention, three exemplary embodiments are described below to demonstrate the present invention. FIGS. 2a, b and c show examples of the removal of various storage units from the respective storage. FIG. 3 is a basic example of all the following embodiments. The individually successive working steps are identified here by the enumeration signs "-".Task 1: Remove goods from a storage unit L 3 for picking (see FIG. 3 )Solution Execution:Travel vehicle 1 to the position of the bearing units L1 to L5 to be machinedupper pull-out carriers 3 are positioned vertically on the storage unit L4with upper pick-ups 4 the bearing unit L4 is detectedRaise upper pull-out beams 3 with all the resting bearing unitslower pull-out carriers 5 are positioned vertically on the storage unit L 3with lower pick-ups 6 the bearing unit L3 is detectedlower pull-out carrier 5 with the resting storage unit L 3extending storage unit L3 horizontallyThe desired parts can now be removedrestoring the original state in the reverse sequenceTask 2: remove storage unit L2 and insert / re-layer it via storage unit L3 (see also FIG. 3 in this regard).Solution Execution:Travel vehicle 1 to the position of the bearing units L1 to L5 to be machinedupper pull-out carriers 3 are positioned on the storage unit L 3 and engage the storage unit L 3 with upper receivers 4 and thus lift all the resting storage unitslower pull-out carriers 5 are positioned on the storage unit L 2 and engage the storage unit L 2 with lower receivers 6lower pull-out carrier 5 with resting storage unit L 2 and pull it back (pull it out) horizontallyupper pull-out carriers 3 with all the resting storage units travel downward and are placed on storage unit L 1 (if necessary, retracted lower pull-out carriers 5 also travel downward)with upper pull-out carriers 3 release bearing unit L 3 and position it on the bearing unit L 4 and with upper pick-ups 4 engage the bearing unit L 4 and lift it up to such an extent that a gap for bearing unit L 2 is producedlower pull-out carriers 5 are positioned via the storage unit L 3 and insert the storage unit L 2 with lower receivers 6all units with resting bearing units are set down and moved back in sequence- readyTask 3: Automated storage with AGVs and bin picking is made possible; individual parts for picking are removed from a storage unitSolution Execution:Program-technology positioning the AGV with attached units of the invention on the storage unit corresponding to the picking process and extending this storage unit for bin picking (see also task 1)The vision system can thus scan the contents in the upwardly open storage unit, inventory them and identify individual parts for accessrobotics system removes desired objects and deposits them in a picking box for further useThe storage unit is then automatically moved back again and set downBy means of such a robotic system (AGV and bin picking), the mounting of the warehouse can also be automated.All these examples illustrate the basic principle and mode of operation of this "picking stacker". Storage units can thus be provided for picking, storage units can be removed, external storage units can be used and storage units can also be moved to other positions. Depending on the stock keeping and operating sequences, these sequences can also be carried out in another way in a modification of the examples. This "picking stacker" can likewise be used in conventional storage processing.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESFIG. 1 is a technical overview drawing of the invention FIG. 1a Pallet box with pallet receiver FIG. 1 b Stapel containers with a stack container receiver FIG. 1c shows barrels with barrel receiver FIG. 2a Application of pallet boxes FIG. 2b shows the use of stacking containers FIG. 2c shows the roller / barrel application FIG. 3 shows application drawings for exemplary embodiments and also drawings for summaryLIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS1 Vehicle 2 Assembly carrier 3 Upper pull-out carrier 4 Upper receiver 5 Lower pull-out carrier 6 Lower receiver 7 Compensating limb 8 Pallet boxes (for forklift reception) 9 Pallet box receiver 10 Stacking container (for direct reception) 11 Stacking container receiver 12 Tons (barrels, paper rolls... ) 13 Ton receiver L 1 Storage unit 1 L 2 Storage unit 2 L 3 Storage unit 3 L 4 Storage unit 4 L 5 Storage unit 5PRESENTATION OF ADVANTAGES OBTAINEDAn advantage achieved by this invention compared to the "prior art" is that no shelves are required for storing and picking in logistics companies for stackable pallets, for goods in pallet boxes or in stacking containers, but also for goods stacked directly one above the other, such as paper rolls, barrels and the like.A further advantage is that with this "picking stapier" the picking, inserting, removing and re-layering of all the above mentioned storage units can take place directly without intermediate steps.Further advantages are that with this invention the use of automated camera and robotic handling systems, picking, inventorying and depositing objects in storage units is considerably facilitated.It can be summarized that with this invention a lot of space can be saved in a simple manner and considerable time can be saved during handling in storage.

Claims

Order-picking stacker, placed on a vehicle (1) or also on autonomously guided operating devices, consisting of unit carriers (2), with vertically guided upper and lower pull-out carriers (3) and (5) with the horizontally guided pick-ups (4) and (6), respectively, wherein the pull-out carriers (3) and (5) can be displaced upwards and downwards in the unit carrier (2) independently of one another via a drive, wherein the pick-ups (4) and (6) can be displaced horizontally in the respective pull-out carrier (3) and (5) independently of one another via a drive.Picking stacker according to claim 1, wherein the vertical drive of the extraction carriers (3) and (5) can be effected electromechanically, hydraulically or also pneumatically.Picking stacker according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal drive of the pick-ups (4) and (6) can be effected electromechanically, hydraulically or also pneumatically.Order-picking stacker according to Claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the compensating limbs (7) of the pick-ups (4) and (6) used are dimensioned in terms of their length such that the respective storage units can be picked up from the ground and can also be set down.Order-picking stacker according to Claims 1, 2 and 3, in which the distance between the unit carriers (2) is dimensioned such that the storage units can be led out horizontally.Order-picking stacker according to claim 1, wherein the pull-out carriers can be fitted with mechanical, electromagnetic or also vacuum pick-ups depending on the storage unit.Order-picking stacker according to claim 1, in which the pull-out carriers (3) and (5) with receivers (4) and (6) resting on them could also be extended by further units.Order-picking stacker according to claim 1, wherein the aggregates of this arrangement can also be implemented in function with robotics-based handling systems.

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