Warehouse with a shuttle storage system

Abstract

Warehouse with a shuttle storage system, wherein the shuttle storage system comprises shuttle vehicles that travel on rails through the warehouse, wherein the rails have a driving side and a drive side opposite them, and the shuttle vehicles have several drive units, each of which grips the rails, and have a support and guide side as well as a drive side, and the support and guide side rests on the driving side of the rails and the drive side rests on the drive side in a positive or force-fit manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to claim 1.

[0002] Shuttle warehouses are well-known and feature so-called shuttle vehicles for the automatic operation of rack storage systems, which usually travel individually on rails through the warehouse, visiting each rack level and aisle.

[0003] It is also known that the shuttle vehicles can change levels via ramps or lifts. Alternatively, climbing shuttle vehicles are also known, which do not require ramps or lifts.

[0004] EP 3 992 116 A1 discloses a shuttle vehicle that travels horizontally on rails via a normal chassis or drive or drive types and can climb or travel vertically in a rack-like rail via an additional chassis or a second differently designed drive or drive types.

[0005] In contrast, the object of the present invention is to provide a more flexible shuttle storage system for use in all areas of a warehouse.

[0006] This problem is solved by the warehouse with shuttle storage system described in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims and the description.

[0007] According to the invention, it has been recognized that if the shuttle storage system comprises shuttle vehicles that travel on rails through the warehouse, wherein the rails have a driving side and a drive side, and the shuttle vehicles have several drive units, each of which grips or engages the rails, and have a support and guide side as well as a drive side, and the support and guide side rests on the driving side of the rails and the drive side rests positively or frictionally on the drive side, it becomes possible to move the shuttle vehicle horizontally, vertically, and diagonally through the entire warehouse with a single chassis or with only a single drive or drive type, without the need for lifts.

[0008] In other words, the solution offers a shuttle storage system with rails in the x, y, and z directions, allowing the shuttles to move freely within a storage aisle (with multiple shuttles able to be on the same level simultaneously). Furthermore, the shuttles can leave the storage area, thereby changing aisles, directly supplying workstations, or connecting storage and buffer areas that are further apart.

[0009] Additionally, this design allows further functionalities to be implemented via the drive units.

[0010] The support and guide side of the drive units can thus have at least one support and guide roller mounted on a carrier, with the carrier being freely rotatable about the drive axis. This ensures that the shuttle vehicles are always securely attached to the guide rail, regardless of whether they are traveling horizontally, diagonally, or vertically.

[0011] To implement the movement, it is useful if the drive side of the drive units has a drive pinion or drive wheel with which the shuttle can be moved.

[0012] Preferably, the guide rails have structures on the drive side into which the drive pinion engages. It is preferred that these structures are a chain, toothed belt, rack and pinion, or embedded teeth. This ensures a positive-locking and reliable drive.

[0013] Alternatively, the drive units can be designed to press the drive wheel forcefully against the drive side.

[0014] If the support can be coupled to the drive axle, particularly by force-fit or positive-fit connection, the drive units can be used to adjust points in the running rails. This coupling of the support to the drive axle can be achieved via disc brakes connected to the drive axle.

[0015] In other words, each shuttle preferably has four drive units, each with at least one, preferably two, support and guide rollers and a drive pinion. The support and guide rollers are mounted on a wheel carrier, which is freely rotatable on the drive axle. When required (for example, to set the points or in case of a malfunction), this carrier is coupled to the drive axle by friction or positive locking.

[0016] The shuttle vehicle can be guided on either two or four rails, and in both cases, it is possible to keep the shuttle horizontal or tilt it at any desired angle. A wide variety of possible designs and applications are conceivable.

[0017] The guide rails can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

[0018] The track can be cut to length, bent in all directions and connected to each other via angled or straight plug-in elements, and is therefore adaptable to all conditions.

[0019] The tracks may have switches.

[0020] The change between running rails (including between two- and four-rail guidance) is achieved by switches (rail elements rotatably mounted in the position of the drive axle, which have locking mechanisms at the desired angles). The switches are passive (purely mechanical) and are moved into the desired position by the shuttle (by coupling the wheel carrier to the drive axle and rotating the drive units). If switches are not set in the direction of travel when a shuttle arrives, they are aligned by actuating actuators. Alternatively, active (e.g., electromechanical) switching of the switches is also possible.

[0021] All known lifting devices can be used with the shuttle.

[0022] In addition to the scaling options already available in shuttle storage systems with shelving (with main rails in the x-direction) via the number of aisles, levels and storage depth, the proposed shuttle system also has the option of being scaled via the number of shuttles and rails in the y-direction.

[0023] It is also conceivable to use an angle support rack; the main guide rails are then in the y-direction, and the system is scaled by the number of guide rails in the x-direction.

[0024] The shuttles can be powered and communicate via sliding contacts on the rails. Alternatively, charging "on the fly" is also possible (via contacts on special rail sections and buffering in capacitors or batteries). Batteries and charging stations (for example, at the end of the track) can also be used as an alternative (in this case, communication can be via radio technology).

[0025] The shuttles can be deployed and maintained at ground level at the end of the aisles (for example, via an extended track). Maintenance work on the racking, tracks, and switches can be carried out using a standard scissor lift.

[0026] It is possible to connect workstations directly to the shelving and supply them via the shuttles. Sequencing can also be performed by the shuttles.

[0027] Further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a warehouse with a shuttle storage system; Fig. 2 shows a schematic top view of a warehouse with a shuttle storage system; Fig. 3 shows a schematic top and side view of a shuttle vehicle; Fig. 4 schematic cross-sectional views through the track are shown; Fig. 5 schematic side views of a shuttle vehicle on different track configurations are shown and Fig. Six schematic side views are shown to illustrate the point adjustment by the drive units.

[0028] The figures depict a warehouse, designated as a whole by 1. It includes a shuttle storage area 2 for containers 4 (or cartons, bundles) on several levels 3 and aisles (not visible).

[0029] In warehouse 1, shuttle vehicles 5 travel on tracks formed by rails 6 to transport and store containers 4.

[0030] The tickets 6 can run horizontally (see 6A), vertically (see 6B), and also diagonally (see 6C). The guide rails can be arranged in the shuttle storage area 2 to allow access to the storage locations, levels, and aisles.

[0031] In addition, the guide rails (see 6D) can also connect the warehouse 2 with picking stations 9, where picking is carried out automatically or by operators 10.

[0032] The guide rails also allow for the connection or integration of classic conveyor technology 8, to which, for example, containers 4 can be transferred from the shuttle vehicles 5.

[0033] At the intersection points of the running tracks 6, passive or active switches 11 can be arranged if necessary, so that the shuttle vehicles 5 can change direction.

[0034] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the guide rails 6 can also form curves (see Figure 6E). The use of turntables 12 for the shuttle vehicles 5 is also evident.

[0035] Out of Fig. It follows that the shuttle vehicles 5 have a loading platform 5A between two end sections 5B. The loading platform 5A is known to be used for receiving and transporting containers 4, etc. Mechanical components, drive units 13, and electronics are arranged in each of the end sections 5B.

[0036] The shuttle vehicles 5 each have four drive units 13, two on each side and two on each end area 5B.

[0037] Each drive unit 13 consists of a drive pinion 14 on the drive shaft 15. Additionally, each drive unit 13 has a carrier 16, at the end of which two spaced-apart support and guide rollers 17 are arranged. The carrier 16 is mounted to rotate freely about the drive shaft 15, but can be coupled to the drive shaft 15 via a disc brake 18.

[0038] The guide rail 6 has a running surface 6.1 on the driving side for the support and guide rollers 17 and on the other drive side 6.2 a recessed chain 19 into which the drive pinion 14 engages (see figure). Fig. 4).

[0039] Shuttle vehicle 5 can be guided on either two or four rails (see below). Fig. 5A, B vs. Fig. 5C, D), whereby in both cases it is possible to keep the shuttle vehicle 5 horizontal or to tilt it at any desired angle. A multitude of possible configurations and applications are conceivable. For example, the shuttle vehicle 5 can be used for climbing, vertical travel, or traveling at a very steep angle on four guide rails 6 (see Figure 5). Fig. 5C and D) are guided, whereby the horizontal alignment can be maintained by the targeted control of the drive units 13. Even curved guide rails or guide rails connected via angled plug-in elements (cf. Fig. 5B) are therefore not an obstacle. Even a normal angled approach (cf. Fig. 5A) is of course possible.

[0040] To adjust the passive switches 11 in order to change between running rails 6 (also between guidance on two and on four running rails), the shuttle vehicle 5 itself adjusts their rail elements into the desired position. For this purpose, the switches are adjusted by coupling the support 16 to the drive axle 15 by means of the disc brake 18 and rotating the drive axle 15 (see figure). Fig. 6). 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 3 992 116 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system, wherein the shuttle storage system comprises shuttle vehicles which travel horizontally, vertically and obliquely on rails through the warehouse using a single chassis or chassis type with a single drive or drive types, wherein the rails have a driving side and a drive side and the shuttle vehicles have multiple drive units, each of which grips or engages the rails, having a support and guide side and a drive side, and the support and guide side resting on the driving side of the rails and the drive side resting positively or frictionally on the drive side. [2] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to claim 1, characterized bythat the support and guide side of the drive units has at least one support and guide roller mounted on a carrier, wherein the carrier is mounted so as to be freely rotatable about the drive axis. [3] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the drive side of the drive units has a drive pinion or drive wheel. [4] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to claim 3, characterized by that the guide rails on the drive side have structures into which the drive pinion engages. [5] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to claim 4, characterized by that the structures are formed by a chain, a toothed belt, a rack and pinion or embedded teeth. [6] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to claim 3, characterized by , that the drive units are designed to press the drive wheel forcefully against the drive side. [7] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized by that the carrier can be coupled to the drive shaft, in particular by force-fit or form-fit. [8] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to claim 7, characterized by , that the coupling of the carrier to the drive axle is achieved via disc brakes connected to the drive axle. [9] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rails are arranged vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. [10] Warehouse with a shuttle storage system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the tracks have switches.

Images