STORAGE SYSTEM FOR STORING CONTAINERS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage system for storing containers, comprising a grid structure with a plurality of grid cells, each grid cell defining a storage column of a container storage structure arranged below the grid structure, the storage columns each being configured to receive a vertical stack of storage containers, and comprising at least one transport robot configured to move on the grid structure for handling the storage containers, the transport robot comprising means for picking up, transporting and setting down storage containers stored in the container storage structure.

[0002] Storage systems of the type in question have been known in practice for years. Generally, such storage systems are three-dimensionally structured warehouses in which storage spaces for box-shaped containers (commonly referred to as "bins" in the relevant English-language literature) are stacked one on top of the other up to a certain height. The storage structure is defined by a typically lightweight frame, the upper end of which is formed by a grid-like rail system. The frame struts form storage columns arranged adjacent to one another in a longitudinal and transverse direction, in which the storage containers can be stacked vertically.

[0003] A number of transport robots are arranged on the upper rails and can move horizontally on the grid structure. Each transport robot is equipped with a lift for picking up, transporting, and placing storage containers stored in the container storage structure.

[0004] The storage systems in question also include one or, usually, several workstations designed as picking and / or loading stations, from which the respective storage system can be operated. The workstations are generally attached to the side of the storage system at floor level (corresponding to the lowest level of the container storage structure).

[0005] When a product item stored in a specific storage container needs to be removed from the container storage structure, e.g., for order picking, a transport robot is controlled to pick up the respective storage container from the container storage structure and transport it along the grid structure to a grid cell, which communicates with a workstation via a storage column that is not occupied by storage containers (i.e., a free storage column). There, the storage container is transported by the transport robot's lift down the free storage column to the workstation, where the required product item can then be removed from the storage container.

[0006] When a storage container is to be stored in the container storage structure, the described process runs in reverse.

[0007] In both cases, i.e., both during retrieval and storage, the disadvantage is that the vertical transport of storage containers using the transport robot's lifts between the workstation and the grid structure is relatively time-consuming. The time required by a transport robot to lift a container is wasted in that the transport robot cannot begin the next order until the lifting process is completed, and a picker has to wait at a workstation for the next container. This hinders efficient and high-performance warehouse operations.

[0008] Especially during retrieval, there is the additional problem that the storage containers generally have to arrive at the respective workstations in a specific order for picking purposes. To achieve this, the specified sequence can be established in the warehouse by controlling the transport robots accordingly. However, this type of control involves waiting times for the transport robots, which in turn has a negative impact on the achievable performance.

[0009] As an alternative to generating a specific sequence of storage containers directly in the warehouse itself, storage systems have already been proposed that utilize special buffer devices in the form of so-called sequencer towers between the actual warehouse and the workstations. In such systems, transport robots can lower requested storage containers in a largely arbitrary order. However, a lowered storage container does not reach the workstations directly, but is first transported to a sequencer tower via conveyor systems. The sequencer tower comprises a lifting arrangement and a number of buffer locations for the temporary intermediate storage of storage containers. Appropriate control of the intermediate storage enables storage containers to be issued from the sequencer tower to the workstations in the sequence required to process the respective picking orders.The disadvantages of this type of sequencing, in addition to the high costs, are the space required for the sequencer towers. Furthermore, the systems are structurally complex.

[0010] The document WO 2014 / 075937 A1 discloses a storage system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0011] The present invention is based on the object of designing and developing a storage system of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that, with the simplest possible means in terms of construction, an efficient sequencing of storage containers to be retrieved is possible while at the same time ensuring high performance of the transport robots.

[0012] According to the invention, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0013] According to the invention, it was initially recognized that the transport robots are unsuitable for vertical transport of storage containers from a performance perspective. Firstly, the lifts operate relatively slowly due to their design and secondly, the transport robots are not available for their actual tasks during the vertical transport. According to the invention, the use of a storage container lifting device with a load-handling device in the form of a lifting platform that can be raised and lowered to accommodate storage containers is therefore proposed. This lifting platform is specifically designed for vertical transport of storage containers, so that dependencies are eliminated and decoupling from the transport robots takes place. A grid space can therefore be used more effectively because it is not blocked for as long by one and the same transport robot. If the transport robot orIf the storage container can then be replaced more quickly, the throughput can be increased accordingly.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, buffer spaces for the temporary storage of storage containers are formed on one or preferably several levels of the container storage structure. According to the invention, the buffer spaces are formed adjacent to the storage container lifting device, enabling storage containers to be transferred from the lifting platform of the storage container lifting device to the buffer spaces and vice versa. With a view to maximizing buffer capacity, each level of the container storage structure is preferably designed as such a buffer level with respective buffer spaces coupled to the storage container lifting device.

[0015] By creating a number of stacked buffer spaces directly on the storage container lifting device and the associated possibility of intermediate storage, the storage container lifting device can assume the sequencing function without any additional structural measures and thus in a cost-effective and space-saving manner. In other words, the required sequencing is realized by the storage container lifting device using appropriate intermediate storage, so that the sequencing is largely decoupled from the transport robots. Accordingly, the transport robots can work independently of the specifically required sequence and thus more flexibly and quickly. This results in efficient sequencing of storage containers to be retrieved while simultaneously achieving high transport robot performance.

[0016] To ensure a smooth transfer of storage containers from the lifting platform of the storage container lifting device to the buffer stations, and vice versa from the buffer stations to the lifting platform of the storage container lifting device, according to an embodiment not according to the invention, the buffer stations are designed as active buffer stations, each of which has a serving conveyor device. This conveyor device, which preferably has reversibly or reversibly adjustable conveying directions, can be designed, for example, as a driven roller conveyor.

[0017] According to the invention, a passive design of the buffer spaces is provided in that only a storage area for the storage containers to be temporarily stored is provided in the respective buffer space levels, in particular in the form of floors, which could, for example, be designed as metal sheets. The transfer of storage containers from or to the storage container lifting device takes place by means of a gripper device for the storage containers, which is assigned to the storage container lifting device and arranged on the respective lifting platform of the storage container lifting device.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the buffer positions are arranged on two opposite sides of the storage container lifting device, allowing for particularly flexible operation. For example, during a downward movement of the storage container lifting device on the same buffer position level, a storage container can be transferred to a buffer position on one side of the storage container lifting device, and a storage container can be picked up from the buffer position on the other side of the storage container lifting device – step by step and without relocating the storage container lifting device.

[0019] To make the best possible use of this effect, it can generally be provided that the buffer spaces on one side of the storage container lifting device are designed for the temporary storage of storage containers to be stored in the container storage structure, while the buffer spaces on the other side of the storage container lifting device are designed for the temporary storage of storage containers to be retrieved from the container storage structure. Depending on the system requirements, in particular if no rail-bound shuttle can access the buffer spaces, it is also conceivable that all buffer spaces are used only for sequential retrieval, and that containers to be stored are immediately made available to the transport robots on the grid structure. Within the scope of further embodiments, interim solutions are also conceivable, in which, for example, 20% of the buffer spaces are intended for storage and 80% of the buffer spaces are intended for retrieval.

[0020] The provision of buffer spaces coupled to the storage container lifting device inevitably results in a loss of storage capacity when the storage container lifting device is integrated into the container storage structure, i.e. when the storage container lifting device is arranged in an interior area of ​​the container storage structure. With a view to minimizing this loss, the buffer spaces can be arranged on only one side of the storage container lifting device. Within the scope of such an embodiment, an increase in efficiency could be achieved by designing the buffer spaces alternately from buffer level to buffer level, either for the temporary storage of storage containers to be stored in the container storage structure or for the temporary storage of storage containers to be retrieved from the container storage structure.

[0021] According to one embodiment, at least one buffer level can have a buffer location that has a buffer area corresponding to a grid cell of the grid structure and freely accessible from the grid structure. This configuration allows the transport robots direct access to the respective buffer area, so that a requested storage container can be placed there or picked up from there directly by a transport robot, i.e., without detouring via the storage container lifting device.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the container storage structure can have a dedicated transfer level for transferring storage containers from the container storage structure or the transport robots to the storage container lifting device, as well as from the storage container lifting device to the container storage structure or the transport robots. Typically, the transfer level will be the topmost storage level of the container storage structure, from where the transport robots can pick up the storage containers particularly easily and quickly. However, other transfer levels are also conceivable. In any case, the storage container lifting device serves as an interface connecting the transfer level with the buffer levels and a work station level, which can have one or more work stations (e.g., designed as a loading station and / or a picking station).

[0023] For particularly simple and quick installation, the storage container lifting device and the buffer spaces can be designed as a single structural unit. This allows for retrofitting, particularly by attaching the device to an existing container storage structure, with relatively little effort.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the storage container lifting device, including the buffer spaces, can be arranged on an outer side of the container storage structure. This configuration offers the advantage that the transport robots can operate unhindered on the grid structure, i.e., they can access virtually all grid cells without detours. This configuration also allows for particularly simple integration of workstations, namely, by attaching them at ground level directly to an outer side of the container storage structure.

[0025] According to an alternative design, the storage container lifting device, including the buffer spaces, can also be located inside the container storage structure. While this compromises available storage capacity, as storage spaces within the container storage structure are lost, it has the advantage that the storage container lifting device is easily accessible from all grid cells without requiring the transport robots to travel long distances. Furthermore, the storage container lifting device could be accessed by the transport robots from several sides.

[0026] With regard to the positioning of workstations, such a design can provide for them to be located below a platform or suspended ceiling on which the container storage structure is built. Appropriate passageways for the storage container lifting device would have to be provided in the platform or suspended ceiling. It would also be conceivable for the workstations to be located in a tunnel formed within the container storage structure, with the storage container lifting devices acting as interfaces between the tunnel workstations and the grid structure.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, in addition to the container storage structure, the storage system can comprise a rack storage system served by individual transport units with load-handling devices, so-called shuttles. The buffer locations can be designed to transfer storage containers to the shuttles and / or to receive storage containers from the shuttles. Accordingly, the intermediate storage of storage containers could not only take place in the buffer locations connected to the storage container lifting device, but could be extended to the entire rack storage system. The shuttles can be either OLS systems (one-level shuttles), which serve only a single rack level, or MLS systems (multi-level shuttles), which can serve multiple rack levels using a lifting device.

[0028] With a view to a particularly space-saving design, it can be provided that the buffer spaces coupled to the storage container lifting device are integrated into a row of shelves in the shelf storage system.

[0029] To achieve a particularly high level of efficiency, the lifting platform of a storage container lifting device can be provided with a first conveyor and a second conveyor, wherein opposing conveying directions can be set for the first and second conveyors, such that one of the conveyors is configured to receive storage containers and the other conveyor is configured to deliver them. This allows the storage container lifting device to perform "double cycles," whereby, for example, at workstation level, a storage container to be retrieved is delivered by the first conveyor of the storage container lifting device, while simultaneously a storage container to be stored is picked up by the second conveyor of the storage container lifting device.After a lifting operation to the level of the grid structure, the storage container to be stored could be discharged by the second conveyor of the storage container lifting device, and simultaneously a storage container to be retrieved could be picked up by the first conveyor of the storage container lifting device. Similar processes could be implemented on the respective buffer levels.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the first conveyor and the second conveyor are designed such that they each provide space for two or more storage containers arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction. This would enable flexible operation that can be adapted to the current performance requirements.

[0031] In principle, the more storage containers a storage container lifting device can pick up and transport per lift, the larger it will be. Depending on the size of the storage container lifting device, storage space is lost within the container storage structure. This can be advantageously counteracted by a design in which the lifting platform is two-tiered. Specifically, the lifting platform could have a lower level, to which the first conveyor device is assigned, for example, and an upper level, to which the second conveyor device is assigned. Accordingly, for example, when the storage container lifting device is in a holding position, storage containers could be picked up from a buffer location via the lower level of the lifting platform and delivered to a buffer location via the upper level of the lifting platform.

[0032] As already mentioned above, the at least one transfer level, on which storage containers are transferred from the container storage structure or the transport robots to the storage container lifting device, as well as from the storage container lifting device to the container storage structure or the transport robots, could be located directly below the grid structure, i.e., at a level corresponding to the topmost storage level of the container storage structure. The lifting distances for the transport robot lifts for picking up or dropping off storage containers are thus minimized, allowing transfers to be carried out particularly quickly.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, a transfer level could also be arranged at a lower level than the uppermost storage level of the storage structure. By positioning the transfer level at a lower level of this type, which does mean that buffer space levels are lost, it is possible to design the storage container lifting device in such a way that the lifting head or the upper end of the storage container lifting device is below the grid structure. In other words, the storage container lifting device is located completely below the grid structure and does not protrude above it. Accordingly, the entire grid structure is available to the transport robots as a work surface. This advantage of the free mobility of the transport robots is suitable for offsetting the longer lifting distances of the transport robot lifts for picking up or unloading caused by the lower position of the transfer level.To compensate for the release of storage containers or even to overcompensate under certain operating conditions.

[0034] To minimize storage space losses, a two-tiered transfer level can be provided. This means that the transfer level has a lower level and an upper level, with one of the levels being configured for transferring storage containers from the container storage structure or the transport robots to the storage container lifting device, and the other of the levels being configured for transferring storage containers from the storage container lifting device to the container storage structure or the transport robots. The two-tiered arrangement makes it possible to process storage and retrieval operations on the same side of a storage container lifting device.This is achieved without any significant loss of performance compared to a corresponding arrangement in which storage and retrieval are carried out on opposite sides of a storage container lifting device, but with the advantage that storage space only has to be sacrificed on one side.

[0035] To ensure effective, flexible, and smooth transfer of storage containers, both from the storage container lifting device to the container storage structure and vice versa, from the container storage structure to the storage container lifting device, conveyor systems are advantageously provided at the respective transfer levels. These conveyor systems can each have a fixed conveying direction, so that a conveyor system either conveys toward the corresponding storage container lifting device or away from the corresponding storage container lifting device. To ensure a high degree of flexibility, the conveyor systems can also have reversibly adjustable conveying directions.Transport robots can place storage containers on the respective conveyor systems (for removal by the storage container lifting device) or pick up storage containers from the respective conveyor systems (after they have been delivered by the storage container lifting device).

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the serving conveyors can be provided on both sides of the storage container lifting device, at the expense of storage capacity, in order to achieve higher performance when needed. Specifically, for example, a total of four serving conveyors could be provided, arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the storage container lifting device. To simplify the transfer of storage containers, it can be provided that serving conveyors, each arranged on the same side of a storage container lifting device, are connected to each other via an additional transverse conveyor.

[0037] There are now various possibilities for advantageously embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 in a perspective sectional view of a storage system with a storage container lifting device with buffer spaces formed on both sides according to an embodiment not according to the invention, Fig. 2 in a sectional side view of the storage system according to Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 in a schematic plan view the storage system according to the Fig. 1 and 2, Fig. 4 in a schematic plan view of a storage system with a storage container lifting device with buffer spaces formed on both sides and an additional shelf storage according to an embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 5 in a schematic plan view of a storage system with a storage container lifting device with buffer spaces formed on both sides and an additional shelf storage according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0038] It should be noted that in the following description of the figures, the same components or parts are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows - schematically - in a perspective sectional view a storage system 1 for storing storage containers 2.

[0040] The storage system 1 according to Fig. 1 is in Fig. 2 in a sectioned side view and in Fig. 3 shown in a top view. The storage system 1 is organized three-dimensionally and comprises, as a container storage structure 3, a lightweight frame that defines a plurality of storage columns 4. Within these storage columns 4 are storage locations arranged vertically one above the other, in which the storage containers 2 can be stacked up to a certain height.

[0041] The upper end of the container storage structure 3 is formed by a grid structure 5 designed as a rail grid, on which a number of transport robots 6 operate to serve the storage system 1. The grid structure 5 defines a plurality of grid cells corresponding to the storage columns 4. The transport robots 6, which can move horizontally on the grid structure 5, each comprise a (in the Fig. 1 and 2not visible) lift for picking up, transporting and placing storage containers 2, which are stored in the container storage structure 3. The storage system 1 further comprises workstations 7, which can be designed as loading stations and / or as picking stations. Although storage systems of the type in question here have a large number of such workstations in practical operation, for reasons of clarity, Fig. 1 and 2 only a single workstation 7 is shown. Goods to be stored are transported to the respective workstations 7 via a conveyor line (not shown), or goods to be retrieved or picked are transported away.

[0042] A storage container lifting device 9, which acts as an interface between the workstations 7 and an upper level of the container storage structure 3, is integrated into the interior of the container storage structures 3 so that it is surrounded on all sides by storage columns 4. The section in the Fig. 1 and 2 is selected so that both the storage container lifting device 9 and the work station 7, which is arranged below an intermediate ceiling 8 supporting the container storage structure 3, are clearly visible.

[0043] As an alternative to positioning the storage container lifting device 9 in an inner region of the container storage structures 3, the storage container lifting device 9 could also be integrated into the container storage structure 3 only to the extent that an outer side of the storage container lifting device 9 is flush with the respective outer side of the container storage structure 3. A configuration in which the storage container lifting device 9 is attached laterally to an outer side of the container storage structure 3 is also feasible. Depending on the structural conditions, the storage container lifting device 9 can also be arranged at a distance from the container storage structure 3, so that no storage space is lost within the existing container storage structure 3. The distance to the container storage structure 3 can be bridged using appropriate conveyor systems. Furthermore, it is possible to provide several separate storage container lifting devices 9.

[0044] Regardless of the specific positioning, the storage container lifting device 9 comprises a (in the Fig. 1 and 2 The lifting platform 10 (not visible) is configured to mediate between different levels of the storage system 1 by transporting storage containers 2 vertically from one level to another, in particular from a work station 7 to an upper level of the container storage structure 3 and vice versa. The exact operation of the storage container lifting device 9 is described in detail below.

[0045] According to the Fig. 1 bis 3 In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the container storage structure 3 is mounted on a platform or intermediate ceiling 8, with a work station 7 being arranged in an area below the intermediate ceiling 8. A corresponding passage is formed in the intermediate ceiling 8 for the storage container lifting device 9, which, as already mentioned several times, transports storage containers 2 in a vertical direction, in particular between the work station 7 and an upper or top level of the container storage structure 3.

[0046] As shown in the top view according to Fig. 3 As can be seen, the storage container lifting device 9 comprises a lifting and lowering platform 10 for receiving storage containers 2 for vertical transport. The lifting platform 10 comprises a conveyor device 13, via which storage containers 2 to be transported can be picked up or transported storage containers 2 can be released in a holding position of the storage container lifting device 9. Accordingly, Fig. 3 Two conveyor lines 14a, 14b are provided on the upper transfer level of the container storage structure 3, which can be seen, which are each arranged on opposite sides of the storage container lifting device 9. In this arrangement, the storage container lifting device 9 is controlled in such a way that the conveyor device 13, upon reaching the upper transfer level, discharges the respectively transported storage containers 2 in one direction (in the illustration according to Fig. 3 e.g. to the right onto the conveyor line 14b), while the conveyor device 13 receives storage containers 2 from the other direction (i.e. e.g. from the conveyor line 14a from the left), which must be transported downwards to the work station 7.

[0047] The storage systems in question here often require storage containers 2 to arrive at a workstation 7 in a specific order / sequence. This can be the case both within the context of a "hard sequence" and within the context of a "soft sequence." In a hard sequence, all items or storage containers 2 of a picking / production order must arrive at workstation 7 in a precisely predetermined sequence to avoid having to temporarily store any storage containers 2 at the workstation. Conversely, in a soft sequence, the storage containers 2 belonging to a specific order do not have to arrive at workstation 7 in a specific order; however, all storage containers 2 belonging to the respective order must arrive one after the other without interrupting the sequence of storage containers 2 of another order, e.g., to be able to pack a parcel continuously without interruption.

[0048] The problem is that the warehouse system 1 suffers a significant performance degradation when sequences of the type described must be created directly from the warehouse without any intermediary elements. A main reason for this performance degradation is that the waiting times of the transport robots 6 increase, as they block each other and have to wait for each other, meaning they cannot be used optimally.

[0049] To circumvent this problem, one or more levels of the container storage structure 3 are designed as buffer levels, each with one or more buffer locations 11 coupled to the storage container lifting device 9 for the intermediate storage of storage containers 2, as shown in particular in the Fig. 1 and 2can be seen. In other words, the buffer positions 11 are configured adjacent to the storage container lifting device 9, enabling a transfer of storage containers 2 from the lifting platform 10 of the storage container lifting device 9 to the buffer positions 11 and vice versa. In the illustrated embodiment, not according to the invention, the transfer takes place by means of a conveyor device arranged on the respective buffer positions 11, preferably with a reversibly or reversibly adjustable conveying direction, for example in the form of a driven roller conveyor 12.

[0050] The provision of buffer spaces 11 directly at the storage container lifting device 9 enables the storage container lifting device 9 to assume the sequencing function by appropriately storing storage containers 2 at the buffer spaces 11. In other words, the required sequencing is implemented by the storage container lifting device 9 through appropriate intermediate storage. The resulting decoupling of the sequencing from the transport robots 6 allows them to operate independently of the specific sequence required, thus enabling them to operate more flexibly and quickly.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, all storage levels between the upper transfer level and the work station level, i.e. a total of ten levels, are designed as buffer levels with buffer spaces 11, with buffer spaces 11 each being arranged on two opposite sides of the storage container lifting device 9. In addition, the buffer spaces 11 are each double-deep, so that two storage containers 2 can be temporarily stored per buffer space 11. Overall, the device thus offers a buffer capacity for 10 x 2 x 2 = 40 storage containers 2. It should be noted that variants deviating from this, e.g. with single- or triple-deep buffer spaces 11 and / or with buffer spaces 11 formed on only one side of the storage container lifting device 9, can be implemented depending on the respective requirements and circumstances. Fig. 4 shows a schematic plan view of a storage system with a storage container lifting device 9 with buffer spaces 11 formed on both sides in a plurality of buffer levels and an additional rack storage 15 according to an embodiment of the invention. The rack storage 15 is a rack storage 15 that is served by individual transport units equipped with load-handling devices, so-called shuttles 16. The shuttles 16 can be designed either as OLS systems (one-level shuttles) or as MLS systems (multi-level shuttles).

[0052] The buffer spaces 11 arranged on one side of the storage container lifting device 9 (in Fig. 4 on the right-hand side) are designed, on the one hand, to receive storage containers 2 from the storage container lifting device 9 and, on the other hand, to transfer storage containers 2 to the shuttles 16 and / or to receive storage containers from the shuttles 16. These buffer locations 11 therefore function as interfaces or transfer points between the container storage structure 3 and the rack storage 15 and thus enable an expansion of the buffer capacity through the rack storage 15. In other words, intermediate storage of storage containers 2 can take place not only in the buffer locations 11 coupled to the storage container lifting device 9, but can be extended to the entire rack storage 15. The shuttles 16 can receive storage containers 2 from the respective buffer locations 11 and temporarily store them in the rack storage 15.Advantageously, in the described embodiment, storage containers 2, in which frequently requested articles are stored, can already be kept in the shelf storage 15. A supply of the (in . Fig. 4 not shown) workstations 7 is carried out via the shuttles 16.

[0053] With a view to a space-saving design, the Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment, the buffer spaces 11 coupled to the storage container lifting device 9 are integrated into a shelf row 17 of the shelf storage 15. According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that not only the buffer spaces 11, as in Fig. 4 shown, but also the storage container lifting device 9, is integrated into a row of shelves 17 of the shelf storage 15, if necessary together with buffer spaces 11 on both sides.

[0054] Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of a storage system similar to Fig. 4 , in addition to the embodiment according to Fig. 4 a further storage container lifting device 18 with connecting buffer positions 19 is provided. In this case, it can be provided that, as in connection with Fig. 4 As described above, new storage containers 2 are fed from the container storage structure 3 to the rack storage 15 via the buffer locations 11, while storage containers 2 are removed or fed to the respective workstations via the additional storage container lifting device 18 with coupled buffer locations 19. In this way, reversible buffer locations, which are generally prone to failure and reduce performance, can be avoided within the rack storage 15.

[0055] With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims in order to avoid repetition.

[0056] Finally, it should be expressly noted that the above-described embodiments of the device according to the invention serve merely to illustrate the claimed teaching, but do not limit it to the embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention is determined by the claims. Bezugszeichenliste

[0057] 1Storage system 2Storage container 3Container storage structure 4Storage column 5Grid structure 6Transport robot 7Workstation 8False ceiling 9Storage container lifting device 10Lifting platform 11Buffer space 12Roller conveyor 13Conveyor device 14aConveyor line 14bConveyor line 15Shelf storage 16Shuttle 17Shelf row 18Storage container lifting device 19Buffer space

Claims

1. Storage system for storing containers, comprising: a grid structure (5) having a large number of grid cells, wherein each grid cell defines a storage column (4) of a container storage structure (3) which is arranged below the grid structure (5), wherein the storage columns (4) are configured to each receive a vertical stack of storage containers (2), at least one transport robot (6) which is constructed for movement on the grid structure (5) for handling the storage containers (2), wherein the transport robot (6) comprises means for receiving, transporting and depositing storage containers (2) stored in the container storage structure (3), and at least one storage container lifting apparatus (9) having a lifting platform (10) which can be raised and lowered for vertically conveying storage containers (2), wherein one or more levels of the container storage structure (3) is / are in the form of buffer levels each having one or more buffer locations (11) which are coupled to the storage container lifting apparatus (9) for temporary storage of storage containers (2), characterised in that the lifting platform (10) which can be raised and lowered for transferring storage containers (2) to the buffer locations (11) and for receiving storage containers (2) from the buffer locations comprises a gripping apparatus.

2. Storage system according to claim 1, characterised in that the buffer locations (11) are arranged at two mutually opposing sides of the storage container lifting apparatus (9).

3. Storage system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the buffer locations (11) at one side of the storage container lifting apparatus (9) are configured for temporarily storing storage containers (2) which are intended to be stored in the container storage structure (3) and the buffer locations at the other side of the storage container lifting apparatus (9) are configured for temporarily storing storage containers (2) which are intended be removed from the container storage structure (3).

4. Storage structure according to claim 1, characterised in that the buffer locations (11) are arranged only at one side of the storage container lifting apparatus (9).

5. Storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the buffer locations (11) are configured in an alternating manner from buffer level to buffer level either for temporary storage of storage containers (2) which are intended to be stored in the container storage structure (3) or for temporary storage of storage containers (2) which are intended to be removed from the container storage structure (3).

6. Storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that one or more buffer levels comprise a buffer location (11) which, in order to transfer storage containers (2) to a transport robot (6) and in order to receive storage containers (2) from a transport robot (6) has a buffer region which corresponds to a grid cell of the grid structure (5) and which is freely accessible from the grid structure (5).

7. Storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised by at least one working location level having a working location (7) which is in the form of a loading station and / or a picking station, and at least one transfer level for transferring storage containers (2) from the container storage structure (3) to the storage container lifting apparatus (9) and from the storage container lifting apparatus (9) to the container storage structure (3), wherein the storage container lifting apparatus (9) connects the working location level to the transfer location level.

8. Storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the storage container lifting apparatus (9) and the buffer locations (11) are in the form of a structural unit.

9. Storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that a storage container lifting apparatus (9) is arranged at an outer side of the container storage structure (3) and / or inside the container storage structure (3) .

10. Storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a shelf store (15) which can be operated by means of one or more shuttles (16), wherein the buffer locations (11) are configured to transfer storage containers (2) to the shuttles (16) and / or to receive storage containers (2) from the shuttles (16).

11. Storage system according to claim 10, characterised in that the buffer locations (11) which are coupled to the storage container lifting apparatus (9) are integrated in a shelf row of the shelf store (15).