Vertical conveyor and conveyor with such a

Abstract

The invention relates to a vertical conveyor (100) with a frame (102) comprising a platform (104) configured to at least indirectly support a load, and a drive (106) connected to and moving with the frame (102), which is connected in a torque-transmitting manner to at least one drive roller (110) comprising a first running surface (108) of a chassis (112) located away from the platform (104), wherein the chassis (112) additionally comprises at least one support roller (114) mounted axially parallel to the drive roller (110), which comprises a second running surface (116) arranged at a non-zero distance from the first running surface (108) of the drive roller (110) such that a substantially vertically oriented rail or a substantially vertically oriented mast (202) is at least partially encompassed by the drive roller (110) and the support roller (114). leaves.Furthermore, the invention relates to a conveying device (200) with such a vertical conveying device (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vertical conveying device and a conveying device, for example a storage and retrieval machine, with such a vertical conveying device.

[0002] Storage and retrieval machines with a moving drive are described, for example, in US 2010 / 0 106 287 A1 and CN 215 324 882 U, where the moving drive has an output-side pinion that meshes with a stationary, vertically oriented rack. JP 2011-79 612 A and JP 2011-79 614 A describe a lifting drive implemented with a spindle drive. With these storage and retrieval machines, it has been found that mounting the lifting table or the lifting carriage to the mast is relatively complex. This is due to the large number of individual components required for the vertical drive.

[0003] US Patent 7,686,559 B2 describes a material handling system in which several stacker cranes traveling on a rail move items within a warehouse environment. In addition to individual operation of the stacker cranes, the control system can also initiate a so-called "combined movement," in which two vehicles travel closely behind one another in the same direction.

[0004] EP 2 167 405 B1 describes a device for storing and retrieving goods in high-bay racking. The core of the disclosure is a transport platform with a movable support surface for the stored goods, suspended from a vertical guide. This guide is connected via a boom to a multi-axis articulated carriage that travels on a rail inside or on the racking. The support surface can move in and out of the racking by means of a telescopic carriage, thus picking up or removing the stored goods.

[0005] DE 25 12 003 A1 describes a system for transporting goods across multiple floors. At the heart of the disclosure is the use of individual, self-propelled conveyor units.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a vertical conveying device and a conveying device with such a device which take into account the aforementioned disadvantage.

[0007] This problem is solved with a vertical conveying device having the features of claim 1 and with a conveying device having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] The vertical conveying device according to the invention comprises a frame which has a platform configured to at least indirectly receive a load. Furthermore, a drive unit, in particular an electric motor, is connected to and moving with the frame and is connected in a torque-transmitting manner to at least one drive roller of a chassis located away from the platform, the drive roller having a first running surface. The chassis additionally comprises at least one support roller, in particular either driven or undriven, which is mounted axially parallel to the drive roller.The support roller comprises a second running surface which is at a non-zero distance from the first running surface of the drive roller, such that a substantially vertically oriented rail or mast can be gripped, or gripped, at least partially by the drive roller and the support roller.

[0009] The advantage of such a vertical conveyor is that no additional lifting device, such as a rope or belt, is required. This is ensured by the self-locking design, whereby the wheel forces, due to the force of gravity, are always high enough to prevent the conveyor from slipping down the mast or along the rail.

[0010] If the mast is sufficiently wide, or comprises two vertically oriented mast sections, a pair of drive rollers can be used instead of a single drive roller. In this case, a pair of support rollers is also used. The support roller or pair of support rollers can itself be driven, particularly by an electric motor. Alternatively, the support roller or pair of support rollers can be undriven and thus simply rotate along with the vertical movement of the vertical conveyor.

[0011] In the context of the present disclosure, a “non-zero distance” between the running surfaces is to be understood as a “positive” distance in which, with reference to the axis of rotation of the drive roller in an axial view, the first running surface of the drive roller and the second running surface of the at least one support roller do not overlap.

[0012] To further prevent the conveyor from slipping off the rail or mast, it has proven advantageous if at least the first running surface of the drive roller is coated with a friction-enhancing material, thus creating a friction drive for the vertical conveyor. Naturally, the support roller can also be coated with the same material to further secure the vertical conveyor's position. The mast or rail is preferably made of steel. Accordingly, the coating or rubber of the drive roller, and preferably also of the support roller, is selected to achieve a coefficient of sliding friction between 0.5 and 1.

[0013] For reliable vertical adjustment and to keep the distance to the (electric) drive small, it has proven advantageous if the drive roller is positioned closer to the platform than the support roller.

[0014] It is advantageous if the center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation of the drive roller and a second center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation of the support roller lie in a common plane. Depending on the design of the conveyor, this plane can be parallel to or within the plane of the platform of the frame. However, in another configuration, it can also intersect the plane of the platform on the side of the two rollers facing the platform.

[0015] It is possible for the support roller to be rotatably mounted directly on the frame, as this results in a particularly compact vertical conveyor. Alternatively or additionally, the drive roller can also be mounted directly on the frame, which likewise leads to a compact design for the vertical conveyor.

[0016] To securely attach the vertical conveyor to a vertical rail or mast and to prevent it from slipping along the mast or rail, it is advisable to have at least one second support roller on the chassis, mounted parallel to the axis of the drive roller. This second support roller includes a third running surface, positioned at a non-zero first distance from the first running surface of the drive roller and at a non-zero second distance from the second running surface of the support roller. The second support roller can be designed like the (first) support roller or like the drive roller; alternatively, a second pair of support rollers consisting of two of the same support rollers may be used.

[0017] An additional self-locking mechanism for the vertical conveyor can be achieved by the chassis comprising a lever that is pivotably mounted on the frame parallel to the drive roller. The lever includes a first lever arm at the free end of which the drive roller is mounted for rotation, and a second lever arm at the free end of which the second support roller is rotatably mounted. A corresponding joint is preferably provided on the frame for this purpose.

[0018] The lever is formed, for example, by a straight rod. In this configuration, the first lever arm connects in a straight line to a second lever arm. Alternatively, the lever can also have a non-straight shape, for example, an arc shape, in which case the axis of rotation of the drive roller and the axis of rotation of the second support roller lie on a connecting line that runs through the joint on the device frame.

[0019] A particularly reliable design of the vertical conveyor is characterized by the fact that a first (mass) center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation of the drive roller and a second (mass) center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation of the support roller are arranged vertically offset in a first direction with respect to a plane formed by the platform of the device frame, and that a third (mass) center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation of the second support roller is arranged vertically offset in a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the plane formed by the platform of the device frame.

[0020] In other words, in the intended use of the vertical conveyor, the drive roller and the support roller are positioned vertically above the frame or platform. The second support roller is positioned vertically below the frame or platform in this configuration. However, it is also possible for the axis of rotation and / or the third center of gravity of the second support roller to lie approximately on the plane of the frame or platform, particularly when the lower approach dimensions for the vertical conveyor are to be optimized, i.e., minimized.

[0021] To enable the vertical conveyor to store load units or loads in a rack, it has proven advantageous to have a load-handling device on the platform to move a load axially. "Axial direction" refers to the direction along which the axis of rotation of the drive roller extends. The axial direction is therefore perpendicular to the vertical movement of the vertical conveyor. The load-handling device of the vertical conveyor can be, for example, a channel vehicle or a load fork. The platform can also be equipped with an additional conveyor, such as a chain conveyor, which is present on the platform in addition to the load-handling device. Preferably, a conveyor, particularly a chain conveyor, is located on the platform on both sides of the load-handling device.

[0022] The advantages, advantageous designs, and effects described in connection with the vertical conveying device according to the invention apply equally to the conveying device according to the invention, which is preferably designed as a storage and retrieval machine with a mast. The conveying device according to the invention thus comprises the essentially vertically oriented mast, from which a vertical conveying device is suspended, as already described above in its various embodiments.

[0023] The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those subsequently mentioned in the figure description and / or shown in the figure alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figure, but which can be derived and generated from the explained embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be considered as encompassed and disclosed by the invention.

[0024] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic (axial) side view of a conveying device (e.g. storage and retrieval machine) on whose essentially vertically oriented mast a first vertical conveying device is arranged, Fig. 2 one of the Fig. 1 corresponding view with a second vertical conveyor, and Fig. 3 one of the Fig. 1 corresponding view with a third vertical conveyor.

[0025] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 schematically show various configurations of a conveying device 200, in particular a storage and retrieval machine, which comprises a substantially vertically oriented mast 202 in the form of an L-shaped profile in cross-section. The Fig. Figures 1 to 3 of the conveyor 200 shown comprise three different configurations of a vertical conveyor 100, which differ primarily in their chassis design. Identical components are therefore designated with the same reference numerals. A load L positioned on a load-handling device 134 of the vertical conveyor 100 is also illustrated.

[0026] The vertical conveying device 100 comprises a frame 102, which has a platform 104 on which the load-handling device 134, in this case a sewer truck, is mounted. In other words, the platform 104 is designed to at least indirectly support a load L. Furthermore, a drive 106, connected to and moving with the frame 102, is provided. This drive is implemented in this case by an electric motor powered by an energy storage device (not shown in detail). The energy storage device is also mounted on the frame 102 and moves with the vehicle. The axial views show the following: Fig. Figures 1 to 3 do not show the drive 106 and its energy storage device, and therefore at least the drive 106 is illustrated with dashed lines. Instead of the energy storage device, a cable carrier may also be present, along which the electrical lines for the power supply of the drive 106 run. It is also possible that a conductor rail is present on the mast and that a current collector is attached to the equipment frame 102 to supply the drive 106 with electricity.

[0027] For the sake of clarity, the drive mechanism of the conveyor 200, which is primarily electrically powered, is not shown in detail. This drive mechanism is used to move the mast 202, together with the vertical conveyor 100 suspended from it, vertically with respect to its vertical adjustment direction. In other words, this drive mechanism allows the mast 202, and thus the conveyor 200, to be moved axially according to the Fig. 1 to 3 to proceed to the left and to the right.

[0028] The drive 106 of the vertical conveyor 100 is connected in a torque-transmitting manner to at least one drive roller 110 comprising a first running surface 108, which is part of a chassis 112 of the vertical conveyor 100 located away from the platform 104. The chassis 112 of the vertical conveyor 100 additionally has at least one support roller 114 mounted axially parallel to the drive roller 110, which comprises a second running surface 116 arranged at a non-zero distance from the first running surface 108 of the drive roller 110. In this way, the vertical conveyor 100 is able to partially engage one leg of the L-shaped mast 202. In other words, the leg of the mast 202 is acted upon by the drive roller 110 on one side and by the support roller 114 on the other.Operational reliability is increased if a pair of drive rollers 110 is used instead of a single drive roller 110. Similarly, operational reliability is also increased by using a pair of support rollers 114.

[0029] A cross-connector 140 can be provided on the side of the mast 202 facing away from the platform 104 as an additional fall protection device on the equipment frame 102; this cross-connector is preferably detachably attached so that the vertical conveying device 100 can also be used on a different mast 202 or a different rail. A further cross-connector 140 can be provided on the other side to increase the stability of the equipment frame 102, preferably extending axially along the equipment frame 102 at a free end of the platform 104 facing away from the mast.

[0030] To prevent the vertical conveyor 100 from slipping along the mast 202, the first running surface 108 of the drive roller 110 is formed by a friction-enhancing coating, thus realizing the vertical drive as a friction wheel drive. The support roller 114 can also be provided with the same coating as the drive roller 110.

[0031] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a rigid design of the chassis 112. Here, both the drive roller 110 and the support roller 114 are rigidly attached to the frame 102, in this case with the aid of a rigid connecting rod 136. To secure the vertical conveyor 100 to the mast 202, the center of gravity and a pivot axis 118 of the drive roller 110 are vertically offset upwards relative to a plane defined by the platform 104 or the frame 102. The support roller 114, which can also be driven, is, in contrast, vertically offset downwards relative to the plane defined by the frame 102 or the platform 104. This results in a self-locking configuration of the vertical conveyor 100 when it is attached to the mast 202.

[0032] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an articulated design of the chassis 112. It is realized with a joint 138. While in the design according to Fig. 2. The joint 138 is located closer to the platform 104 than the support roller 114, which is taken into account in the design according to Fig. 3. The joint 138 is located further away from the platform 104 than the support roller 114. In any case, in both of these embodiments, at least one second support roller 124, mounted axially parallel to the drive roller 110, is present on the chassis 112. This support roller 124 is preferably also implemented as a second pair of support rollers with two of the second support rollers 124. The second support roller 124 has a third running surface 122, which is arranged at a first distance from the first running surface 108 of the drive roller 110 that is not zero, and at a second distance from the second running surface 116 of the support roller 114 that is not zero. It should be noted here that in non-intended use, the distance between the running surfaces 108, 116, and 122 can also be zero, provided that the wheel of the respective roller is formed with a radially compressible layer.In its intended use, the compressible layer is compressed so strongly that the running surfaces 108, 116, 122 have a non-zero distance, which then allows the mast 202 to be grasped or acted upon from both sides.

[0033] In the design of the Fig. 2 and Fig. In section 3, the chassis 112 has a lever 126 which is pivotably mounted on the frame 102 parallel to the axis of the drive roller 110. The lever 126 comprises a first lever arm 128 and a second lever arm 130. The drive roller 110 is rotatably mounted at the free end of the first lever arm 128 and is driven by it. The second support roller 124 is rotatably mounted at the free end of the second lever arm 130. The second support roller 124 can also be driven, in which case it is also coupled to the drive 106 (electric motor) in a torque-transmitting manner. Alternatively, the second support roller 124 can also be undriven, so that it simply rotates along with the vertical conveyor 100 when it is moved vertically.

[0034] In the design of the chassis 112 according to the Fig. 2 and Fig.In section 3, both the drive roller 110 and the support roller 114 are located above the plane formed by the equipment frame 102 or its platform 104. The second support roller 124, however, is arranged below this plane. The positions of the individual centers of gravity of the drive roller 110, the first support roller 114, and the second support roller 124 are selected accordingly. Furthermore, the pivot axis 118 and the pivot axis 120 are located above this plane of the equipment frame or platform, while the pivot axis 132 of the second support roller 124 is located below this plane of the equipment frame or platform. Depending on the desired approach dimensions and the design of the equipment frame 102, a different arrangement of the pivot axes 118, 120, 132, and thus of the rollers, may also be provided.

[0035] In this case, for the additional positioning of the vertical conveyor 100 on the mast 202, the length of the first lever arm 128 of the lever 126 differs from the length of the second lever arm 130 of the lever 126. The first lever arm 128, to which the drive roller 108 is attached, is shorter than the second lever arm 130, to which the second support roller 124 is attached. It can be seen that the lever 126 is formed by a straight rod that is pivotally attached to the joint 138. However, it is also possible for the lever 126 to be curved or arc-shaped, in which case the two axes of rotation 118, 132 lie on a connecting line that passes through the joint 138, and a physical part of the lever 126 also passes through the joint 138.

[0036] With the aid of the conveyor 200 described above and the vertical conveyors 100 described above, assembly times are significantly reduced, particularly due to the self-locking design for attaching the vertical conveyor 100 to the mast 202. Furthermore, the configuration of the vertical conveyor 100 is highly scalable, making it suitable for both very large and very small-scale applications. REFERENCE MARK LIST: 100 Vertical conveyor 102 device frames 104 Platform 106 Drive 108 first running surface (drive roller(s)) 110 drive roller(s) 112 Chassis 114 (first) support roller(s) 116 second running surface ((first) support roller(s)) 118 Rotary axis (drive roller(s)) 120 pivot axis (support roller(s)) 122 third running surface (second support roller(s)) 124 second support roller(s) 126 levers 128 first lever arm (drive roller) 130 second lever arm (second support roller(s)) 132 Pivot axis (second support roller(s)) 134 Lifting devices 136 Connecting rod 138 joint 140 cross connectors (removable) 200 Conveyor equipment (e.g., storage and retrieval machine) 202 masts L Last

Claims

[1] Vertical conveyor (100) with a frame (102) having a platform (104) configured to at least indirectly support a load, with a drive (106) connected to and moving with the frame (102), which is connected in a torque-transmitting manner to at least one drive roller (110) comprising a first running surface (108) of a carriage (112) located away from the platform (104), wherein the carriage (112) additionally comprises at least one support roller (114) mounted axially parallel to the drive roller (110), which comprises a second running surface (116) arranged at a non-zero distance from the first running surface (108) of the drive roller (110) such that a substantially vertically oriented rail or a substantially vertically oriented mast (202) is at least partially encompassed by the drive roller (110) and the support roller (114). leaves. [2] Vertical conveying device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least the first running surface (108) of the drive roller (110) is formed by a friction-enhancing coating, so that the vertical drive is formed as a friction wheel drive. [3] Vertical conveying device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the drive roller (110) is positioned closer to the platform (104) than the support roller (114). [4] Vertical conveying device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that a first center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation (118) of the drive roller (110) and a second center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation (120) of the support roller (114) lie in a common plane that extends parallel to or in the plane of the platform (104) of the equipment frame (102). [5] Vertical conveying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the support roller (114) is rotatably mounted directly on the device frame (102). [6] Vertical conveying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that at least one second support roller (124) mounted parallel to the drive roller (110) is provided on the chassis (112), which includes a third running surface (122) which is arranged at a first distance (108) of the drive roller (110) that is not zero and at a second distance (116) of the second running surface (114) that is not zero. [7] Vertical conveying device (100) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the chassis (112) comprises a lever (126) which is pivotably mounted on the device frame (102) parallel to the axis of the drive roller (110), which comprises a first lever arm (128) at the free end of which the drive roller (110) is mounted to be driven, and which comprises a second lever arm (130) at the free end of which the second support roller (124) is mounted to be rotatable. [8] Vertical conveying device (100) according to claim 7, characterized by, that the first lever arm (128) has a first length that is shorter than a second length of the second lever arm (130). [9] Vertical conveying device (100) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by , that a first center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation (118) of the drive roller (110) and a second center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation (120) of the support roller (114) are arranged vertically offset in a first direction with respect to a plane formed by the platform (104) of the device frame (102), and that a third center of gravity and / or the axis of rotation (132) of the second support roller (124) is arranged vertically offset in a second direction opposite to the first direction with respect to the plane formed by the platform (104) of the device frame (102). [10] Conveyor (200) with a substantially vertically oriented mast (202), characterized by , that a vertical conveyor (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9 is suspended on the mast (202).

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