Storage system, use of the storage system, methods for handling the storage system, and methods for manufacturing a vehicle for such a storage system

Abstract

A storage system comprising storage locations, rails and a rail-bound vehicle, wherein the rails are arranged above the storage locations, and wherein the rail-bound vehicle comprises a propulsion unit and a load-handling unit, wherein the load-handling unit is vertically movable on the propulsion unit via variable-length traction elements, and wherein at least one traction element is associated with a copper- or silver-based element, wherein this element extends along the at least one traction element or wherein a section of the at least one traction element is designed as such an element.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a storage system, a use of the storage system, a method for handling the storage system and a method for manufacturing a vehicle for such a storage system according to the independent claims. State of the art

[0002] Storage systems are already known and used in a wide variety of forms and designs. For example, EP 3 929 107 A1 discloses a vehicle for an automated block storage system, which has a gripper attached to steel belts for gripping or setting down storage containers. Object of the invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. Solution to the task

[0004] The solution to the problem lies in the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0005] A storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises storage locations, rails and a rail-bound vehicle.

[0006] The storage system can, for example, be a block or row storage system with rails running above the storage locations.

[0007] Preferably, the storage system is an automated storage system, wherein the at least one rail-bound vehicle preferably moves largely automatically or even largely autonomously, without requiring any input from an operator.

[0008] The vehicle can also be connected to a higher-level warehouse control system via data technology in order to receive orders and / or commands, which are then implemented and / or processed.

[0009] Any known storage location can be considered. For example, floor storage or rack storage. Block storage is also possible. Numerous other alternatives are conceivable. Preferably, however, the storage system comprises block storage or rack storage, where rack storage can, for example, be configured as a row storage system.

[0010] The rails are arranged above the storage areas. Preferably, the rails are arranged above all storage areas.

[0011] The rail-bound vehicle comprises a propulsion unit and a load-handling unit, wherein the load-handling unit is vertically movably attached to the propulsion unit by means of at least one variable-length traction element. Here, "variable-length" preferably means that the traction element is configured to change the distance between the propulsion unit and the load-handling unit.

[0012] Preferably, the vehicle comprises several traction elements, which is why traction elements are always referred to in the plural below. However, the present invention also includes a vehicle with a single traction element.

[0013] The traction elements may include metal or be made of metal.

[0014] The traction elements can be designed to be variable in length in various ways. For example, the traction elements can be fixed to the propulsion unit in a way that allows them to be wound and unwound, extended and retracted, or extended and retracted, so that the load-bearing unit is vertically movable relative to the propulsion unit, similar to an elevator. In this case, the load-bearing unit is preferably fixed to the propulsion unit in a manner similar to an elevator car. Numerous other alternatives are conceivable. Here, "variable in length" does not necessarily mean that the length of the traction element changes. Rather, "variable in length" generally means that the length of the section of the traction element between its suspension, bearing, or contact point on the receiving unit and its suspension, bearing, or contact point on the propulsion unit, for example, the pulley described below, changes.

[0015] A retractable traction element can, for example, include a roller onto which a section of the traction element can be wound to change the distance between the propulsion unit and the load-bearing unit. Such a traction element is variable in length in that the length of the section of the traction element located between the roller and the load-bearing unit can be varied by winding and unwinding it.

[0016] At least one traction element is associated with a copper- or silver-based element, wherein this copper- or silver-based element extends along the at least one traction element, or wherein a section of the at least one traction element is designed as a copper- or silver-based element. In the latter case, preferably a section of the at least one traction element over a length of the traction element is designed as a copper- or silver-based element. As described in more detail below, electroplated copper- or silver-plated traction elements are particularly relevant. Electroplated copper plating is also referred to as copper electroplating. Electroplated copper plating can be carried out in a known manner, for example, by using a solution comprising copper salts and potassium cyanide. Methods for electroplated silver plating are also known to those skilled in the art.In particular, methods are known for electroplating copper and silver alloys onto a substrate, especially a metallic substrate such as steel. The drawing element can comprise steel, for example stainless steel, in addition to the copper- or silver-based element. The drawing element can also consist entirely of steel or stainless steel, apart from the copper- or silver-based element.

[0017] Within the scope of the present invention, a copper- or silver-based element can consist of copper or silver as a pure substance, or of an alloy comprising copper or silver.

[0018] If the vehicle comprises multiple traction elements, a previously described copper- or silver-based element can be assigned to one or more of these traction elements. Alternatively, a section of one or more traction elements can be designed as a copper- or silver-based element.

[0019] Alternatives are possible; for example, the traction elements can be coated with copper or silver in ways other than electroplating. For instance, the traction element can be immersed in molten copper, molten silver, or a molten alloy containing copper or silver to coat it with copper or silver.

[0020] When the present invention refers only to copper or silver, this always includes copper- or silver-containing alloys. Alloys containing either copper or silver as the main component are preferred.

[0021] A preferred copper-based element consists of a copper alloy comprising at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 75% by weight, copper. Alloys comprising at least 80% by weight, at least 90% by weight, or at least 95% by weight of copper are also conceivable. The copper-based element may also consist of pure copper.

[0022] A preferred silver-based element preferably consists of a silver alloy comprising at least 60% by weight, preferably at least 80% by weight, silver. Alloys comprising at least 90% or at least 98% by weight of silver are also conceivable. The silver-based element may also consist of pure silver.

[0023] The copper- or silver-based element may also contain copper and silver. As explained in more detail below, the copper- or silver-based element serves to transmit current and / or signals from the propulsion unit to the load-handling unit, and in some cases vice versa. The same applies to signals sent to the propulsion unit by any sensors or similar devices located on the load-handling unit. The load-handling unit typically includes consumers that are supplied with electrical energy in the form of current and / or receivers of the aforementioned signals. These can be any actuators and / or sensors. Furthermore, any motors or similar devices may be included. In particular, load-handling attachments may be included, such as grippers, pushers, telescopic forks, roller or belt conveyors, or the like.

[0024] The copper- or silver-based element, for example, an electroplated silver or copper coating, enables efficient transmission of current and / or signals due to the high electrical conductivity of copper, silver, and their alloys. The traction element typically comprises both the copper- or silver-based element and another component, such as a steel band, with the latter providing the necessary stability during operation. A traction element made entirely of copper or silver would usually not be stable enough and / or too expensive in typical operating conditions.

[0025] In comparison to, for example, a traction element made entirely of steel, the copper- or silver-based element serves to reduce the electrical transmission resistance of the traction element. The steel band, for example a stainless steel band, along which the copper- or silver-based element can run, provides stability.

[0026] While the conductivities of various copper- or silver-containing alloys do differ to some extent, the differences in conductivity between two copper alloys or two silver alloys are rather small, especially for alloys consisting predominantly (50 or 60 percent by weight) and particularly for those consisting predominantly (more than 75 percent by weight) of copper or silver. All these copper and silver alloys exhibit significantly higher conductivity than, for example, steel such as stainless steel.

[0027] Storage locations can be part of a shelf. For example, storage locations can be shelf compartments.

[0028] The traction elements can generally consist at least partially of steel, for example stainless steel, with a copper or silver coating. As already described, such a "copper or silver coating" also includes silver- or copper-containing alloys, which preferably consist predominantly of silver or copper.

[0029] The traction elements can also consist entirely of steel with a copper or silver coating; for example, they can be copper-galvanized, silver-galvanized, or otherwise copper- or silver-coated steel strips. Such steel strips, which can be coated with copper or silver according to the present invention, are known and are described, for example, in EP 3 929 107 A1.

[0030] Numerous alternatives are possible. For example, steel cables with a round cross-section containing copper or silver strands could be considered. The copper- or silver-based element could therefore be located inside the tension member. Alternatively, steel cables with a round cross-section could also be coated with silver or copper. Another alternative would be to incorporate a silver- or copper-based element into such steel cables in some other way.

[0031] In general, belt-shaped traction elements can be considered. As already described, traction elements in the form of copper-plated or silver-plated steel belts are particularly preferred. Such steel belts are already used in vehicles employed in storage systems. Coating such steel belts with copper or silver would therefore require relatively minor adjustments to existing processes, both in the manufacture of the vehicles and in their use.

[0032] The load handling unit can include or consist of a load handling device. The load handling device could, for example, be a telescopic fork. Other load handling devices with which the load handling unit can pick up and / or release a load unit may also be considered.

[0033] It is also possible to envision load-handling units without load-handling means. For example, the load-handling unit can be passively designed and essentially provide a support or placement surface for a loading unit, with this loading unit being placed on or removed from the load-handling unit by other means. Such a passively designed load-handling unit does not require a load-handling means for actively picking up or releasing a loading unit. However, the load-handling unit typically includes a component that either requires a power supply or receives and / or sends signals to the propulsion unit. According to the invention, both the power and signal transmission preferably occur via the copper- or silver-based element due to its good electrical conductivity.

[0034] The term "loading unit" encompasses, among other things, any cargo, whether unpackaged or packaged. The term "loading unit" also includes any loading aid such as a crate, box, or pallet in or on which cargo may be located.

[0035] The present invention comprises, in addition to the bearing system described above, the use and methods described below. Details mentioned below relating to the use and / or methods apply equally to the bearing system and vice versa.

[0036] The storage system described above can be used to move, retrieve, or relocate a load unit using the load handling unit. It is possible to transmit power and / or signals, such as control signals, from the movement unit to the load handling unit via the copper- or silver-based element. As already described several times, it is always possible, either alternatively or additionally, to transmit signals from the load handling unit to the movement unit. This applies, for example, to signals from sensors attached to the load handling unit.

[0037] According to a method for handling the storage system, current and / or signals, such as control signals, are transmitted to the load-handling unit via the copper- or silver-based element. Such signals can be transmitted, for example, from the propulsion unit to the load-handling unit. The propulsion unit can be equipped with a corresponding processor, computer, electronics, and the like. If the vehicle moves autonomously, the propulsion unit can include sensors connected to the aforementioned processor and / or electronics to ensure autonomous movement on the rails.

[0038] It is also possible to house the aforementioned components, such as the processor, computer, or electronics, within the load-handling unit. This can be advantageous, for example, if the load-handling unit contains a large number of sensors. In such a case, it is still preferable to either supply power to the load-handling unit from, for example, a battery or similar located in the propulsion unit, or to transmit sensor signals to the propulsion unit and / or receive control signals from the propulsion unit, which can be accomplished via the copper- or silver-based element.

[0039] Generally, it can be assumed that any components necessary for controlling the vehicle are located within the propulsion unit. Furthermore, it can generally be assumed that the load-handling unit includes sensors and / or actuators, for example, a load-handling device such as a gripper, a telescopic fork, or the like, which must be supplied with electrical energy—i.e., current—and / or signals. This can be achieved via at least one copper- or silver-based element, specifically, for example, via a copper-galvanized or silver-galvanized steel strip.

[0040] It is also conceivable that some of the components necessary for control, particularly those for controlling the actuators, sensors, or the like located in or on the load-handling unit, are situated in or on the load-handling unit. For example, the vehicle may include a first control device or the like in the propulsion unit and a second control device or the like in the load-handling unit. The first control device may, for example, control a chassis or, more generally, the wheels of the propulsion unit. The second control device may, for example, control the sensors and / or actuators located on or in the load-handling unit.

[0041] It is also possible to consider design variants in which the propulsion unit is not connected to a power supply or powered by a battery or similar device, but rather in which the load-handling unit houses a battery or similar device. It is therefore also possible for current to be conducted from the load-handling unit to the propulsion unit, which is also accomplished via the copper- or silver-based element already described.

[0042] Strip-shaped traction elements, in particular traction elements in the form of copper- or silver-plated steel strips, can be manufactured for the bearing system by copper or silver electroplating according to a preferred method for manufacturing the vehicle. The remaining components of the vehicle can be manufactured in a known manner. Character description

[0043] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings; these show in: Fig. 1 a section of a rack storage system designed as a row storage system 12 with a rail-bound vehicle in the form of an automated storage and retrieval system 1, as well as in the Fig. 2 to 4 different views of the automated warehouse operating device 1.

[0044] The figures are schematic and not to scale. For the sake of clarity, not all recognizable features and details in the figures are labeled with reference numbers in every figure. Example of implementation

[0045] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a section of a storage rack 12, depicting two rack rows 11 and one aisle 13. The rack rows 11 and the aisles 13 extend along an x-direction.

[0046] Furthermore, support rails 3 running parallel to a z-direction are visible within the rack rows 11, only a few of which are labeled with reference numbers. Adjacent support rails 3 at the same vertical height (y-direction) form storage locations for loading units 2.

[0047] Above the row storage 12 and thus above the storage locations are rails that run parallel either to the z-direction or to the x-direction and are designed as a grid structure 16.

[0048] The automated storage and retrieval system 1 comprises a movement unit 27 and a load handling unit 28. The load handling unit 28 is vertically movable on the movement unit 27 via variable-length traction elements 29. As shown in particular in the Fig. As can be seen from 2 to 4, the load-bearing unit 28 is suspended from the propulsion unit 27 via the traction means 29, similar to an elevator car.

[0049] A gripper 14 is arranged on the load handling unit 28.

[0050] In the Fig. 1 to 4 each show several traction elements in the form of copper- or silver-galvanized steel strips 29.

[0051] Referring to the Fig. The functioning of the device according to the invention is explained in sections 1 to 4 as follows: The components of the in the Fig. The storage systems shown in 1 to 4 primarily serve the purpose of storing, retrieving and moving load units.

[0052] The automated storage and retrieval system (AS / RS) 1 moves automatically along the grid structure 16. For this purpose, the AS / RS 1 can be connected to a higher-level warehouse control system via data transmission to receive orders and / or commands, which are then implemented or processed. The AS / RS 1 can also be equipped with sensors that enable largely autonomous operation. Any components required for controlling the AS / RS 1 can be located in the propulsion unit 27. To supply sensors and / or actuators, specifically, for example, the gripper 14, with control signals and / or power, these control signals and / or power are transmitted from the propulsion unit 27 to the load handling unit 28 via the copper- or silver-galvanized steel belt 29. The propulsion unit 27 may contain, for example, a battery or similar component (not shown).

[0053] The rails, designed as a grid structure 16, enable the automated storage and retrieval system 1 to travel along this grid structure 16 both parallel to the x- and parallel to the z-direction. For this purpose, the propulsion unit 27 expediently includes suitable wheels, which are not shown in the figures.

[0054] The gripper 14 is used to move the loading unit 2. Fig. 1 The loading unit 2.1 is located on the load handling unit 28, which was lowered vertically into the aisle 13 by the movement unit 27. This loading unit 2.1 can be transferred vertically into a storage position of the row storage system 12, formed by support rails 3, using the gripper 14 of the load handling unit 28.

[0055] The loading unit 2.2 is already located in a storage space in a shelf row 11.

[0056] The gripper 14 is supplied with electrical energy in the form of current via the copper- or silver-galvanized steel band 29.

[0057] Although only one preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it is obvious that a person skilled in the art can add numerous modifications without altering the essence and scope of the invention. In particular, the following modifications may be considered: Instead of the automatic warehouse handling device 1, other rail-bound vehicles may be considered.

[0058] Instead of the copper- or silver-galvanized steel strip 29, alternative tensile elements with a copper- or silver-based component may be considered. Such a copper- or silver-based component may run along the at least one tensile element. Alternatively, for example, a section of the at least one tensile element may be designed as a copper- or silver-based component.

[0059] In general, the automatic storage and handling device 1 can be considered to comprise exactly one, two, three, four, or more than four traction elements. Preferably, four traction elements are used, each of which can be arranged near the corners of the load-handling unit 28, which is preferably substantially rectangular with respect to the xz-plane.

[0060] Due to the perspective chosen, the copper- or silver-galvanized steel strips 29 are shown in the Fig. Items 1 to 4 are only shown schematically.

[0061] If multiple tensile elements are provided, at least one of these tensile elements comprises a copper- or silver-based component. For example, exactly one of four tensile elements could be designed as a copper- or silver-galvanized steel strip. Alternatively, it is possible to design two, more than two, or all tensile elements as, for example, copper- or silver-galvanized steel strips.

[0062] Instead of the in Fig.The storage arrangement shown in 1 can refer to alternative storage arrangements, for example alternative rack storage, block storage or the like.

[0063] The load handling unit 28 typically comprises one or more consumers supplied with electrical energy in the form of current and / or one or more signal receivers. This current and / or these signals are transmitted to the load handling unit 28 via the copper- or silver-galvanized steel bands 29 or, more generally, via the copper- or silver-based element. The consumers and / or signal receivers can be any actuators and / or sensors. Furthermore, any motors or the like may be considered. In particular, load handling devices such as grippers, pushers, telescopic forks, roller or belt conveyors, or the like may be considered. Sensors or the like arranged on the load handling unit 28 can also transmit signals to the propulsion unit 28 via the copper- or silver-galvanized steel band 29.Alternatively, a battery or the like can be located in the load handling unit 28, whereby current is transferred from the load handling unit 28 to the propulsion unit 27 via, for example, the copper- or silver-galvanized steel band 29. Reference symbol list 1 Automatic warehouse handling unit 2 charging units 3 Support rail 11 shelf rows 12 row storage 13th Lane 14 grippers 16 Lattice structure 27 Unit of locomotion 28 Load handling unit 29 copper or silver galvanized steel band QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 929 107 A1 [0002, 0029]

Claims

[1] Storage system comprising Storage areas, rails (16) and a rail-bound vehicle (1), wherein the rails (16) are arranged above the storage places, and wherein the rail-bound vehicle (1) comprises a propulsion unit (27) and a load handling unit (28), wherein the load-bearing unit (28) is vertically movable on the propulsion unit (27) via at least one variable-length traction element (29), and wherein at least one traction element (29) is associated with a copper- or silver-based element, wherein this copper- or silver-based element runs along the at least one traction element (29) or wherein a section of the at least one traction element (29) is designed as a copper- or silver-based element. [2] Storage system according to claim 1, characterized by that the storage spaces are part of a shelf. [3] Storage system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one traction element (29) shall consist at least partly of steel with a copper or silver coating. [4] Storage system according to claim 3, characterized by at least a ribbon-shaped traction element (29). [5] Storage system according to claim 4, characterized by at least a traction element in the form of copper- or silver-plated steel strips (29). [6] Storage system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the storage system is designed as a block storage or rack storage (12). [7] Storage system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the load-bearing unit (28) includes or consists of a load-bearing device. [8] Use of a storage system according to one of the preceding claims for storing, retrieving or transferring a load unit (2) using the load handling unit (28). [9] Method for handling a storage system according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, wherein current and / or signals are transmitted via the copper or silver-based element to the load handling unit (28). [10] Method for producing a bearing system according to at least one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least one traction element (29) is produced by copper or silver electroplating.

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