Interface between a means of transport and a high-bay warehouse

Abstract

A facility for receiving and storing transport containers, in particular containers (4), in seaports and inland ports or intermodal terminals, from external or internal means of transport (5) and for issuing the transport containers, in particular containers (4), to external or internal means of transport (5), comprising a transport container high-bay warehouse (1) for receiving, storing and issuing transport containers, in particular containers (4), wherein the transport container high-bay warehouse (1) has a plurality of transport container storage locations (7) arranged in blocks next to and above one another and storage aisles (8) for storage and retrieval machines (9) running between the block-arranged transport container storage locations (7), characterized in that the facility comprises at least one traffic route (3) for external or internal means of transport (5), which is arranged parallel to the storage aisles (8),and at least one stationary crane track system (2) arranged in the plant, which is arranged perpendicular to the at least one traffic route (3) and the storage aisles (8) and bridges the at least one traffic route (3) and the storage aisles (8) or an area (11) of the plant arranged in alignment with the storage aisles (8).

Description

1. Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a system for receiving and storing transport containers, in particular containers in seaports and inland ports or intermodal terminals, from external or internal means of transport, and for issuing the transport containers, in particular containers, to external or internal means of transport, comprising a transport container high-bay warehouse for receiving, storing and issuing transport containers, in particular containers, wherein the transport container high-bay warehouse has a plurality of transport container storage places arranged in blocks next to and above each other and storage aisles for stacker cranes running between the block-arranged transport container storage places. 2. State of the art

[0002] High-bay warehouses for transport containers, in particular containers, are known in many forms from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2019 135 427 A1 describes a high-bay warehouse with a traffic level located below block-arranged storage areas for transport containers, containing traffic lanes for external means of transport such as trucks or rail vehicles. DE 10 2022 117 327 A1, in turn, describes a high-bay warehouse that is intended in particular for storing empty containers. Here, too, stacking areas and / or separate storage areas for transport containers are arranged in blocks next to and above one another, as is also provided in the invention.Between the block-arranged transport container stacking locations or other storage locations, rack aisles are provided in which storage and retrieval machines can move, by means of which the transport containers, preferably containers, can be grasped, lifted and moved onto the stacking locations or into other storage locations such as separate storage compartments.

[0003] Particularly preferred in this context is the storage of transport containers, preferably containers, with a direction of movement perpendicular to their longitudinal orientation. The rack aisles can then be made particularly narrow, thereby maximizing the number of storage locations within the high-bay warehouse. For this purpose, the storage and retrieval machines are preferably equipped with a telescopic arm for moving containers in high-bay warehouses, as disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2018 205 933 A1.The integration of such high-bay warehouses into the overall logistics system, whether port-based or in so-called intermodal terminals, where the high-bay warehouse is usually connected to transport routes for external means of transport, necessitates the determination of how the transfer of transport containers, preferably containers, from the external means of transport to the high-bay warehouse or from the high-bay warehouse to the external means of transport should be designed.

[0004] High-bay warehouses are already known in practice where self-propelled pallet systems can take over transport containers, preferably containers, from port cranes, for example, and transport them into the high-bay warehouse, in particular to a transfer point accessible by at least one storage and retrieval machine. High-bay warehouses are also known in practice where transfer points for transport containers, preferably containers, from external or internal means of transport to the storage and retrieval machines on the high-bay warehouse side are provided on a traffic level below the storage locations. Finally, concepts are also known in practice where transfer points for external means of transport, such as trucks, are provided at the ends of the high-bay warehouses, where the trucks are designed to reverse into areas aligned with the racking aisles.Either the transport containers, preferably containers, are transferred directly from the trucks to the storage and retrieval machines, or they are transferred indirectly using transfer pallets, onto which the transport containers, preferably containers, are lifted from the trucks and placed, then moved into the access area for a storage and retrieval machine using the transfer pallets.

[0005] However, these concepts require either a complex construction of the high-bay warehouses and the associated traffic routes, or elaborate handling and traffic management for external vehicles, with the risk of accidents or other types of disruption to the high-bay warehouse operation. 3. Object of the invention

[0006] It was therefore an object of the invention to provide a system for receiving and storing transport containers, in particular containers, in seaports and inland ports or intermodal terminals, and for distributing the transport containers, in particular containers, to external or internal means of transport, which does not exhibit the problems known from the prior art and provides an optimized connection of a transport route to a high-bay warehouse as well as a simplification of the supply of transport containers, preferably containers, into and out of a high-bay warehouse. According to the invention, this object is achieved with a system comprising the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in particular in the dependent claims. 4. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to the invention, a system of the type described above is provided, comprising at least one traffic route for external means of transport, which is arranged parallel to the storage aisles, and at least one stationary crane track system arranged within the system, which is arranged perpendicular to the at least one traffic route and the storage aisles, wherein the crane track system bridges at least one traffic route and the storage aisles or an area of ​​the system arranged in alignment with the storage aisles. This creates a system that allows external or internal means of transport to travel along the traffic route to the crane track system, where the transport containers, preferably containers, are taken over by the crane track system and then moved by the crane track system into extensions of the racking aisles or into an area arranged in alignment with the storage aisles.The unloaded external or internal vehicles can then continue along the traffic route without requiring any significant change of direction for the unloading process or the transfer of the external vehicles along the traffic route, in particular a turning around or even reversing of the external vehicles. The traffic routes are fundamentally designed so that they allow travel by external or internal vehicles in only one direction. This direction can be reversed if necessary.

[0008] In the context of the invention, external means of transport are understood to be those designed and equipped to operate both within the facility, in particular a seaport or inland port or an intermodal terminal, and outside the facility on public roads or railways. Internal means of transport, on the other hand, are those designed and equipped to move transport containers, in particular containers, within the facility, but not to be used outside the facility, for example, on public roads or railways. These are primarily self-propelled pallet trucks or pallets, or other means of transport known to those skilled in the art, such as those used in logistics facilities like container terminals or GPTs.

[0009] According to the invention, the crane runway system is arranged perpendicular to the storage aisles and thus also perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the high-bay warehouse. A perpendicular arrangement of the crane runway system, specifically its tracks for overhead cranes, relative to the storage aisles need not necessarily be at an angle of exactly 90 degrees; rather, a deviation of up to ± 30 degrees from a perfectly perpendicular arrangement is also to be understood as perpendicular within the meaning of the invention. The focus is on a crane runway system that is capable of bridging the area between the traffic route and the storage aisles without requiring a change of direction for the external means of transport.

[0010] It is particularly preferred if the high-bay warehouse for transport containers has a multitude of block-like transport container storage locations, in particular container storage locations, arranged next to and / or above one another, as well as racking aisles, each containing at least one storage and retrieval machine (SRM) by means of which the storage and retrieval of transport containers, in particular containers, to and from the stacking locations or into the transport container storage locations, in particular container storage locations, can be carried out. The SRMs are designed and equipped to move the transport containers both horizontally and vertically within the storage aisle and preferably to move them from the racking aisle into the transport container storage location by means of suitable telescopic systems. The SRM preferably transports the transport container in a suspended manner without separate support from below.In this context, it is particularly preferred if two blocks of adjacent and stacked transport container storage locations, especially container storage locations, are arranged directly next to each other and not separated by a rack aisle. It is highly preferred if the transport containers, especially containers, can be transported suspended from the storage and retrieval machines in the high-bay transport container storage system.This creates a high-bay warehouse for transport containers that, on the one hand, provides separate storage locations for transport containers, allowing access to the containers stored there individually and independently of their location within the high-bay warehouse, and on the other hand, enables a particularly high handling capacity of the high-bay warehouse, since at least one storage and retrieval machine can access the respective storage locations for transport containers on both sides within a given aisle.

[0011] The racking aisles, and consequently the storage and retrieval machines, can be designed to be particularly space-saving if the storage and retrieval machines each have telescopically movable holding devices for storing and retrieving the transport containers, especially containers, into and out of the transport container storage locations, especially container storage locations. The racking aisles, and thus also the storage and retrieval machines, can then be designed in such a way that their width essentially corresponds to the width of a transport container, especially a standard container. In this context, it is particularly preferred if the storage and retrieval machines move the transport containers, especially containers, along the racking aisles in the direction of their end faces, and if the insertion and removal of the transport containers, especially containers, into and out of the transport container storage locations occurs perpendicular to the longitudinal sides of the transport containers and parallel to their end faces.Both the aisles of the racking, the storage and retrieval machines, and the depth of the block-like, adjacent and stacked transport container storage locations can then be reduced to a minimum without negatively impacting the handling capacity of the high-bay transport container warehouse. This allows for optimal utilization of the installation space in the high-bay transport container warehouse and reduces it to a minimum compared to conventional high-bay transport container warehouses with the same capacity.

[0012] According to the invention, the crane track system is designed such that transport containers can be unloaded by means of the crane track system from at least one external or internal means of transport, preferably lifted, then moved along its tracks and set down again at their destination. The crane track system can optionally cover a plurality of parallel traffic routes, as well as a plurality of storage aisles or areas arranged in alignment with the storage aisles, preferably all storage aisles. The crane track system preferably also comprises more than one lifting system, for example in the form of an overhead crane, specifically a hoist arranged on a movable trolley, which can be moved along the track or tracks of the crane track system.

[0013] The crane track system according to the invention bridges at least one traffic route and a plurality of areas arranged in alignment with the rack aisles. Preferably, the crane track system has two parallel tracks for at least one lifting system, preferably at least two lifting systems. These tracks are preferably supported along their entire length in a bridge-like manner, so that bending of the rails under load, particularly in their end regions, is reliably prevented.

[0014] It is also preferable if the crane track system has several, preferably parallel, travel paths for different lifting systems such as overhead cranes. Finally, it is also preferable if the lifting systems or overhead cranes have means for rotating the transport containers, preferably containers, about the vertical axis in order to easily compensate for any angular misalignments both when transferring the transport containers, preferably containers, from external or internal means of transport and when transferring the transport containers, preferably containers, from the lifting systems or overhead cranes to an external or internal means of transport.

[0015] Finally, it should be noted that the crane track system according to the invention does not necessarily have to be arranged at one end or both ends of a high-bay warehouse. Rather, a crane track system in the sense of the invention can also be arranged between two high-bay warehouses or high-bay warehouse areas arranged in alignment with each other, without deviating from the spirit of the invention. The same applies to a crane track system that bridges two high-bay warehouses arranged parallel to each other and their individual and / or shared traffic routes.The system focuses on a traffic route arranged essentially parallel to the storage aisles and the transport of transport containers, preferably containers, from external or internal means of transport into the access area of ​​the storage and retrieval machines without the need to move the external or internal means of transport backwards or with significant changes of direction into the access area of ​​the crane track system and preferably also out of it.

[0016] In this context, it is preferred if the crane track system comprises at least one elevated roadway with at least one lifting system or lifting device for transport containers, preferably containers, arranged to move along the roadway(s). This achieves, with particularly simple means, that external vehicles can travel along the roadway without the crane track system itself disrupting the flow of traffic.

[0017] Preferably, the crane track system is designed and configured to place the transport container, in particular a container, onto a transfer pallet, preferably one located in an area aligned with a storage aisle. This allows the crane track system to transport the transport container, preferably a container, from the external means of transport in the traffic lane area into the high-bay warehouse area, and then to transfer the transport container, preferably a container, into the access area for a storage and retrieval machine using a transfer pallet. This optimizes the overall throughput of the high-bay warehouse, as each individual component within the system required for transporting the transport container, preferably a container, can only be assigned a limited number of functions and thus movement intervals.

[0018] It is preferred that the transport route be a road and / or a railway line. This particularly facilitates the connection of the facility to the logistics environment. The transport route can include any number of parallel roads and / or railway lines, depending on the requirements of the facility operator.

[0019] In this context, preference is given to external transport vehicles being a truck, a self-driving road vehicle, and / or a rail-bound vehicle. Intermodal terminals are often connected to both rail and road networks to allow for the delivery of transport containers, preferably containers, by both rail and road. Similarly, in such intermodal terminals and port terminals, the onward transport of transport containers, preferably containers, retrieved from high-bay warehouses should be possible by both rail and truck. The use of self-driving vehicles may also be provided for in such facilities.

[0020] In port logistics, the unloading of transport containers, preferably containers, from ships to shore is typically carried out using dedicated port cranes. The transport containers, preferably containers, unloaded by the port cranes are then placed near the quay and from there transported into the high-bay warehouse using a variety of methods, be it using self-propelled pallets, self-propelled transport systems of any kind, trucks, forklifts, or similar equipment.

[0021] It is preferred that at least one traffic route and the racking aisles are arranged in the same horizontal plane. This makes it possible to obtain a high-bay warehouse with maximum storage capacity without the need to provide a traffic level below the travel level for the storage and retrieval machines.

[0022] In an equally preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one traffic route and the racking aisles, or several traffic routes, are arranged on different levels, with the crane runway system bridging these different levels. This can be achieved, for example, by providing a crane runway system with an incline along which a lifting system, such as an overhead crane, can travel. The system according to the invention can thus be easily adapted to local conditions or the existing topography without losing its functionality.

[0023] The invention can be used, in particular, in a method for receiving and storing transport containers, especially containers, in seaports, inland ports, or intermodal terminals by means of a system for receiving and storing transport containers, especially containers, from external or internal means of transport and for distributing the transport containers, especially containers, to external or internal means of transport. This method includes, in particular, the following features and combinations of features: 1. Method for receiving and storing transport containers, in particular containers (4), from external or internal means of transport (5) in seaports and inland ports or intermodal terminals by means of a facility for receiving and storing transport containers, in particular containers (4), and for issuing the transport containers, in particular containers (4), to external or internal means of transport (5), wherein the transport container high-bay warehouse (1) has a plurality of transport container storage locations (6) arranged in blocks next to and above one another and storage aisles (8) for storage and retrieval machines (9) running between the block-arranged transport container storage locations (6), wherein the facility comprises at least one traffic route (3) for external or internal means of transport (5) which is arranged parallel to the storage aisles (8), and at least one crane track system (2) arranged stationary in the facility.which is arranged perpendicular to the at least one traffic route (3) and the storage aisles (8) and bridges the at least one traffic route (3) and the storage aisles (8) or an area (11) of the plant arranged in line with the storage aisles (8), characterized by the steps:, - Arrival of a transport container, in particular a container (4) by means of an external or internal means of transport (5) via at least one traffic route (3) to the crane track system (2), - Transfer of the transport container, in particular container (4), by the crane track system (2), - Moving the transport container, in particular container (4), along the crane track system (2), in particular its roadway or roads, from the traffic route (3) to a storage aisle (8) or an area (11) arranged in alignment with the storage aisle (8), - Setting down the transport container, in particular container (4) and detaching it from the crane track system (2). 2. Method according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the placement of the transport container, in particular container (4), takes place on a sliding pallet (12), preferably a sliding pallet (12) located in an area (11) arranged in alignment with a storage aisle (8). 3. Method according to one of paragraphs 1 or 2, characterized in that the external or internal means of transport (5) pass through the traffic route (3) without changing direction, in particular up to the crane track system (2), preferably beyond the crane track system (2). 4. Method according to one of paragraphs 1 to 3, characterized in that the external or internal means of transport (5) does not change direction, in particular does not reverse, during the supply and transfer of the transport container, in particular container (4), to the crane track system (2). 5. Method according to one of paragraphs 2 to 4, characterized in that the transport of the transport containers, preferably containers (4), is carried out by means of the sliding pallet (12) into the access area of ​​a storage and retrieval machine (9) in two superimposed levels.

[0024] The method is characterized by the steps of approaching a transport container, in particular a container, by means of an external or internal means of transport via at least one traffic route to the crane track system, the receiving of the transport container, in particular a container, by the crane track system, the movement of the transport container, in particular a container, along the crane track system from the traffic route to a storage aisle or an area arranged in alignment with the storage aisle, and finally the setting down of the transport container, in particular a container, and its release from the crane track system. This provides a method that achieves the same technical effects and advantages as the operation of the system according to the invention.

[0025] It is preferred that in this method the transport container, in particular a container, is placed on a transfer pallet, preferably a transfer pallet located in an area aligned with a storage aisle. This provides a method in which each transport component involved is assigned precisely that portion of the distance to be covered by the transport container within the system. The internal or external transport vehicle carries the transport container along the traffic route to the high-bay warehouse area, where the transport container is transferred to a transfer pallet, which enables the preferably fully automated transport of the transport container to a storage and retrieval machine. Finally, the storage and retrieval machine takes over the transport container and transports it, preferably fully automatically, to the storage locations within the high-bay warehouse.

[0026] It is also preferred if the transport containers, preferably boxes, are moved into the access area of ​​a storage and retrieval machine using a sliding pallet on two superimposed levels. This can be achieved, for example, by providing a rail system from the area aligned with a rack aisle into the rack aisle, with two superimposed rail systems effectively doubling the transport capacity per rack aisle using the sliding pallets. 1. Brief description of the characters

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to three figures that describe advantageous embodiments of the invention. The figures show Fig. 1 a perspective view of a plant according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic top view of the front face of a system according to the invention in a first embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 3 a schematic front view of a system according to the invention in a second embodiment of the invention. 2. Detailed description of the figures

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a system in a first embodiment of the invention, which essentially comprises a high-bay warehouse 1 for storing containers 4, a crane track system 2, and a plurality of traffic lanes 3 for external means of transport 5. The high-bay warehouse 1 consists of a plurality of block-like racks 6 for storing containers 4 in separate rack compartments 7. Storage aisles 8 are arranged between these block-like racks 6, in which (not shown) storage and retrieval machines can be moved rail-bound, preferably over the entire length of the high-bay warehouse 1. Transport containers, preferably containers 4, can be lifted by trucks 5 along the traffic lanes 3 to the reach of an overhead crane 10, which is movable along the longitudinal direction of the tracks of the crane track system 2, and then conveyed into an area 11 that is aligned with the storage aisles 8.Here, the containers 4 are then placed by means of the overhead crane 10 onto transfer pallets 12 provided below the overhead crane in area 11, onto which the containers 4 can be set down. The transfer pallets 12 serve to transport the placed containers 4 into the high-bay warehouse 1 within the reach of a corresponding (not shown) storage and retrieval machine. In the illustrated embodiment, the crane track system 2 comprises bridge-like elevated tracks for the overhead crane 10, wherein the longitudinal extent of the crane track system 2, one crane track system 2 is shown at each end of the high-bay warehouse 1, is perpendicular to the orientation of the traffic routes 3 and the storage aisles 8 of the high-bay warehouse 1. According to the illustrated embodiment, the crane track system 2 spans two traffic routes 3 for trucks and / or internal, preferably self-propelled, vehicles on each longitudinal side of the high-bay warehouse.

[0029] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the front face of the embodiment according to Fig. 1, wherein the high-bay warehouse 1 comprises six block-like racks 6 for transport containers, in particular containers 4, and five storage aisles 8 arranged between these block-like transport container racks 6, each with a storage and retrieval machine 9. A crane track system 2 bridges not only all storage aisles 8 of the high-bay warehouse 1, but also traffic routes 3a-d for trucks arranged on both longitudinal sides of the high-bay warehouse 1. Overhead cranes 10a, 10b serve both to pick up containers 4 from the trucks 5 and to place the containers 4 onto transfer pallets 12 in front of the end face of the high-bay warehouse 1, as well as to move the containers 4 from one transfer pallet 12a to another transfer pallet 12b, in order to enable access by another storage and retrieval machine 8 or the transfer of a container 4 from one rack 6 to another rack 6.

[0030] Fig.Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of a system according to the invention, comprising a first high-bay warehouse 1a and a second high-bay warehouse 1b. Both high-bay warehouses 1a and 1b are constructed parallel to each other such that their storage aisles 8 and racks 6 are arranged parallel to each other. The same applies to the traffic routes 3 on both longitudinal sides of the high-bay warehouses 1a and 1b. A common crane runway system 2, with its elevated trackways spanning their entire length, covers all traffic routes 3 and both end faces of the high-bay warehouses 1a and 1b. Four overhead cranes 10a to 10d are provided on the elevated trackways of the crane runway system 2, via which the transfer of containers 4 from the external transport vehicles 5 to the storage and retrieval machines 8 can take place via the intermediate use of transfer pallets 12.The overhead cranes 10a to 10d can also be used to transfer containers 4 from the first high-bay warehouse 1a to the second high-bay warehouse 1b, or to transfer containers 4 from the high-bay warehouses 1a and 1b to external transport vehicles 5. The number of overhead cranes 10a to 10d can be freely selected depending on the expected handling capacities of the respective high-bay warehouses 1a and 1b. The same applies to the number of traffic routes 3 within the system according to the invention. Reference symbol list 1 high-bay warehouse 2 crane track system 3. Traffic route 4 containers 5 external means of transport 6 shelves for transport containers 7 shelf compartments 8 Lagergasse 9 Storage and retrieval machine 10 bridge cranes 11 Area aligned with the shelf aisles 12 sliding pallet 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] DE 10 2019 135 427 A1

[0002] DE 10 2022 117 327 A1

[0002] DE 10 2018 205 933 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] A facility for receiving and storing transport containers, in particular containers (4), in seaports and inland ports or intermodal terminals, from external or internal means of transport (5) and for issuing the transport containers, in particular containers (4), to external or internal means of transport (5), comprising a transport container high-bay warehouse (1) for receiving, storing and issuing transport containers, in particular containers (4), wherein the transport container high-bay warehouse (1) has a plurality of transport container storage places (7) arranged in blocks next to and above each other and storage aisles (8) for storage and retrieval machines (9) running between the transport container storage places (7) arranged in blocks, characterized by, that the facility comprises at least one traffic route (3) for external or internal means of transport (5) which is arranged parallel to the storage aisles (8), and at least one stationary crane track system (2) arranged in the facility, which is arranged perpendicular to the at least one traffic route (3) and the storage aisles (8) and bridges the at least one traffic route (3) and the storage aisles (8) or an area (11) of the facility arranged in alignment with the storage aisles (8). [2] Plant according to claim 1, characterized by , that the crane track system (2) comprises at least one elevated roadway over its entire length with at least one lifting system (10) for transport containers, preferably containers (4), arranged to be movable along the roadway, and particularly preferably at least two lifting systems (10) for transport containers, preferably containers (4), arranged to be movable along the at least one roadway. [3] Plant according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one crane track system (2) is arranged at at least one end face of the high-bay warehouse (1). [4] Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one crane track system (2) is arranged on a route between the end faces of a high-bay warehouse (1). [5] Plant according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the system comprises at least two high-bay warehouses (1) arranged preferably parallel or aligned with each other, and at least one crane track system (2) bridges a traffic route (3) and the area arranged between or at the end faces of the two high-bay warehouses. [6] Plant according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the crane track system (2) is designed and equipped to receive transport containers, in particular containers (4), from an external or internal means of transport (5) standing on the traffic route (3) and to convey them into a storage aisle (8) or an area (11) arranged in alignment with a storage aisle (8). [7] Plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the crane track system (2) is designed and equipped to place the transport container, in particular container (4), onto a sliding pallet (12), preferably a sliding pallet (12) located in an area (11) aligned with a storage aisle (8). [8] Plant according to claim 7, characterized by that the transfer pallet is designed and equipped to be moved, together with a transport container, in particular a container (4), into a shelf aisle (8) or to an area accessible to a storage and retrieval machine (9). [9] Plant according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the transport route (3) is a road and / or a railway. [10] Plant according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the external means of transport (5) is a truck, a self-driving road vehicle and / or a rail-bound vehicle. [11] Plant according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one traffic route (3) and the shelf aisles (8) are arranged in the same horizontal plane. [12] Plant according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that at least one traffic route (3) and the shelf aisles (8) or several traffic routes (3) are arranged on different levels and the crane track system bridges the different levels.

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