Loading vehicle for a stacking storage arrangement

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a loading vehicle for a stack storage arrangement with a chassis, a first running wheel arrangement with which the loading vehicle can be moved in a first direction, a second running wheel arrangement with which the loading vehicle can be moved in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a lifting device which has a lifting drive acting perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction, wherein the lifting device has a lifting platform for lifting a container, wherein the lifting platform can be displaced with the lifting drive from a basic position in the direction of gravity upwards into a raised position.

[0002] Such a loading vehicle is known from EP 3 053 855 A2. The loading vehicle has a motor that can be used both on a lifting device and on displacement devices for two carriages that are arranged orthogonally to each other.

[0003] Another loading vehicle is known, for example, from WO 2019 / 238703 A1.

[0004] The known loading vehicle is moved above a stacking storage arrangement. In the stacking storage arrangement, container stacking spaces are arranged in the form of a matrix in rows and columns. To enable the loading vehicle to reach all container stacking spaces, a rail system is laid above the stacking storage arrangement. The rail system has a first group of rails running in the direction of the rows and a second group of rails running in the direction of the columns. The first idler wheel arrangement then interacts with the first group of rails. The second idler wheel arrangement interacts with the second group of rails. Changing between the first rail arrangement and the second rail arrangement is achieved by sliding the second idler wheel arrangement downwards out of the chassis and engaging with the second group of rails.

[0005] However, operating the second impeller assembly requires a drive capable of moving the second impeller assembly downwards out of the loading vehicle against the weight of the loading vehicle, possibly with the container mounted on it. This requires a relatively large amount of effort.

[0006] CA 3 086 277 A1 shows a loading vehicle for a stacked storage arrangement, which is designed to be moved on top of the stacked storage arrangement. This loading vehicle also has two sets of wheels oriented orthogonally to each other, so that one set of wheels can be used to move the loading vehicle in a first direction and a second set of wheels to move the loading vehicle in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of designing a loading vehicle in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0008] This object is achieved in a loading vehicle of the type mentioned at the outset in that the lifting drive acts downwards on the second impeller arrangement in the direction of gravity and displaces the second impeller arrangement downwards beyond the first impeller arrangement, wherein the lifting drive acts on the second impeller arrangement via the lifting platform.

[0009] This loading vehicle is used in a stacking storage arrangement in which a loading area is located below the container stacking areas. The containers are therefore stored in the container stacking areas from below and removed from the container stacking areas from below. Here, too, the container stacking areas are arranged in the form of a matrix with rows and columns. The loading vehicle can then be moved with the first wheel arrangement, for example, in the direction of the rows and with the second wheel arrangement in the direction of the columns. To store a container, the loading vehicle is driven under a container stacking area. The container on the loading vehicle, or more precisely on the lifting platform, is raised until it passes a holding device located at the lower end of a container stacking area.Once the container has passed the holding device and the lifting platform is lowered, the holding device holds the container in place. If there are already one or more containers in the container stacking area, the container to be stored lifts these containers up and then forms the bottom container in a stack. When the container is to be removed, the loading vehicle goes into action again and uses its lifting platform to lift the bottom container in a stack until it is free from the holding device. The holding device is then held open and the lifting platform with the container or container stack on it is lowered until the container to be removed has passed the holding device. The holding device is then reactivated and holds the remaining containers in the container stacking area.

[0010] In this case, the lifting drive has a second function. It not only serves to raise and lower the lifting platform, but also to push the second idler assembly downwards so that the loading vehicle can be moved on the second idler assembly when the second idler assembly has been moved downwards beyond the first idler assembly. This allows the loading vehicle to be moved in two directions. An additional drive to move the second idler assembly is not required. The lifting drive that operates the lifting platform must be capable of raising and lowering a container anyway. It can therefore be dimensioned without great effort to handle the additional weight of the loading vehicle.

[0011] This eliminates the need to mechanically switch the lifting drive between the lifting platform and the second impeller assembly. This results in a simple design.

[0012] Preferably, the lifting platform can be moved downwards from its home position in the direction of gravity by the lifting drive. If the second wheel assembly needs to be moved downwards beyond the first wheel assembly, the lifting platform is also lowered a certain distance. This is also possible if a container is located on the lifting platform. The container is then moved further into the loading vehicle, if necessary, and thus does not interfere with the movement of the loading vehicle in the second direction.

[0013] Preferably, a spring arrangement is provided between the chassis and the second wheel assembly, which counteracts the downward force of the lifting drive in the direction of gravity. The lifting drive therefore only needs to be capable of pushing the second wheel assembly downward out of the first wheel assembly. The return movement of the second wheel assembly, such that the loading vehicle can then be moved on the first wheel assembly, is achieved by the action of the spring arrangement.

[0014] It is preferred that the spring arrangement comprises a spring element, in particular a compression spring. The compression spring is compressed when the second impeller arrangement is lowered beyond the first impeller arrangement. It relaxes when the second impeller arrangement is raised again. In a different design of the spring element, the spring element stores energy in a different way.

[0015] Preferably, the second wheel assembly comprises at least one wheel mounted on a rocker arm. The rocker arm facilitates the movement of the second wheel assembly. The rocker arm is pivotally mounted on the chassis. The wheel is located at a certain distance from the axis of rotation connecting the rocker arm to the chassis. When the rocker arm is then pivoted, the second wheel can be moved easily.

[0016] Preferably, the swing arm is suspended in a central area of ​​the chassis in the second direction. Accordingly, the second wheel is located in an outer area of ​​the loading vehicle, which has a positive effect on the stability of the loading vehicle during travel. The risk of the loading vehicle tipping is minimized.

[0017] Preferably, the lifting frame acts on the swing arm. This is a relatively simple way to pivot the swing arm.

[0018] It is preferred that the lifting frame act on the rocker arm via a ball assembly and a ball support. This minimizes friction between the lifting platform and the rocker arm. This has a positive effect on potential wear.

[0019] Preferably, the lifting drive comprises a push chain that exerts pressure on the lifting frame when the lifting frame moves upwards from its home position in the direction of gravity, and exerts tension on the lifting frame when the lifting frame moves downwards from its home position in the direction of gravity. This type of application is possible because the push chain can be subjected to both tensile and compressive loads.

[0020] The invention is described below using a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a loading vehicle with a first impeller arrangement and a second impeller arrangement, Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the loading vehicle in a state in which the first impeller arrangement is active, Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the loading vehicle in a state in which one changes between the first impeller arrangement and the second impeller arrangement and Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the loading vehicle in a state in which the second impeller arrangement is active.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows schematically a loading vehicle 1 which can be used in a stacking storage arrangement to store containers from below into container stacking spaces and to remove containers from below from the container stacking spaces.

[0022] The loading vehicle has a first wheel assembly 2 with first wheels 2a, 2b, 2c and a second wheel assembly 3 with second wheels 3a, 3b. The first wheels 2a-2c are attached to a chassis 4. With the first wheel assembly 2, the loading vehicle 1 can be moved in a first direction. The second wheels 3a, 3b of the second wheel assembly 3 are oriented perpendicular to the first wheels 2a-2c. With the second wheel assembly 3, the loading vehicle 1 can be moved in a direction perpendicular or transverse to the first direction.

[0023] The loading vehicle 1 further comprises a lifting device with which it is capable of storing a container (not shown in detail) from below into a container stacking space of a stacking storage arrangement or of removing the container downwards from the container stacking space. For this purpose, the loading vehicle 1 comprises a lifting platform 5 that can be raised by a lifting device. In this case, the lifting device comprises a push chain 6. The push chain 6 is driven by a drive motor 7. The lifting platform 5 can be guided by a guide 8.

[0024] The first wheels 2a-2c are arranged directly on the chassis 4. They can be driven by a drive 9.

[0025] The second wheels 3a, 3b are each arranged on a rocker arm 10, 11, wherein the rocker arms 10, 11 are pivotably attached to the chassis 4. Only for the rocker arm 11 is a pivot point 12 visible.

[0026] The rockers 10, 11 are supported on the chassis 4 via compression springs 13, 14. Without the influence of other forces, the compression springs 13, 14 cause the second wheels 3a, 3b to move into the Fig. 2 shown inactive position, in which the loading vehicle 1 can only be moved on the first wheel arrangement 2.

[0027] The push chain 6 is firmly connected to the lifting platform 5. The lifting platform 5 is provided with a ball roller assembly 15 on its underside (the directions "top" and "bottom" refer to the direction of gravity). The rockers 10, 11 have a ball support 16 on their upper side.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a basic position of the lifting platform 5. The basic position of the lifting platform 5 is a position in which a container picked up on the lifting platform is moved in the loading area during transport in the first direction when the loading vehicle 1 rolls on the first wheel arrangement 2. The lifting platform 5 can be moved upwards from this basic position in order to store the container in a container stacking area or to remove the container from there.

[0029] However, the lifting platform 5 can also be moved downwards from the home position using the push chain 6. In this case, the ball guide assembly 15 comes into contact with the ball support 16, as shown in Fig. 3 If the lifting platform 5 is lowered further, as shown in Fig. 4As shown, the rockers 10, 11 are pivoted relative to the chassis, thereby moving the second wheels 3a, 3b downwards beyond the first wheels 2a, 2b. During this movement, the compression springs 13, 14 are compressed, and the chassis 4 is raised. The loading vehicle 1 can then be moved on the second wheel arrangement 3.

[0030] When the first wheel assembly is to be reactivated, the lifting platform 5 is raised again. This lifting can be achieved solely through the force of the compression springs 13, 14, if appropriately dimensioned. However, it is also possible to use the lifting drive with the push chain 6 for this movement. When the lifting platform 5 is raised, the rockers 10, 11 are pivoted back, and the second wheels 3a, 3b are raised relative to the chassis (or the chassis 4 is lowered relative to the second wheels 3a, 3b), so that the first wheel assembly 2 becomes active again.

[0031] The push chain 6 acts with pressure on the lifting platform 5, at least when the lifting platform 5 is lifted upwards from the basic position. However, if the lifting platform 5 is moved downwards from the basic position, the push chain 6 acts with tension on the lifting platform 5.

[0032] The pivot axis 12 of the rockers 10, 11 is arranged in a central region of the chassis 4. In other words, the rockers 10, 11 are suspended in a central region on the chassis 4. This, in turn, means that the second running wheels 3a, 3b can be arranged relatively far outward on the loading vehicle, so that the loading wheels 3a, 3b (and their corresponding pair on the other side of the loading vehicle 1) form a relatively large contact area. This has a positive effect on the stability of the loading vehicle 1.

Claims

1. Charging vehicle (1) for a stacking storage arrangement, comprising a chassis (4), a first wheel assembly (2) by means of which the charging vehicle (1) can be moved in a first direction, a second wheel assembly (3) by means of which the charging vehicle (1) can be moved in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a lifting device, which has a lifting drive (6, 7) acting perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction, wherein the lifting device has a lifting platform (5) which can be moved with the lifting drive (6, 7) from a basic position in the direction of gravity upwards into a raised position, characterized in that the lifting drive (6, 7) acts on the second impeller arrangement (3) in the direction of gravity and moves the second impeller arrangement (3) downwards beyond the first impeller arrangement (2), wherein the lifting drive (6, 7) acts on the second impeller arrangement (3) via the lifting platform (5).

2. Charging vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the lifting platform (5) can be moved downward in the direction of gravity from the basic position by the lifting drive (6, 7).

3. Charging vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a spring arrangement (13, 14) is provided between the chassis (4) and the second wheel assembly (3), which acts counter to the downward effect of the lifting drive (6, 7) in the direction of gravity.

4. Charging vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring arrangement (13, 14) has a spring element, in particular a compression spring.

5. Charging vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second wheel assembly (3) has at least one wheel (3a, 3b) which is arranged on a swing arm (10, 11).

6. Charging vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that the swing arm (10, 11) is suspended on the chassis (4) in a central region in the second direction.

7. Charging vehicle according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the lifting frame (5) acts on the swing arm (10, 11).

8. Charging vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that the lifting frame (5) acts on the swing arm (10, 11) via a ball arrangement (15) and a ball bearing (16).

9. Charging vehicle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lifting drive (6, 7) has a push chain (6) which, when the lifting frame (5) moves from the basic position in the direction of gravity, acts upward with pressure on the lifting frame (5) and, when the lifting frame (5) moves from the basic position in the direction of gravity, acts downward with pull on the lifting frame (5).