BLOCK STORAGE ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A BLOCK STORAGE ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a block storage arrangement with at least one block storage element receiving space and a loading space arranged below the block storage element receiving space, wherein an opening with a holding device is arranged between the block storage element receiving space and the loading space and a direction from the loading space into the block storage element receiving space forms a storage direction.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a block bearing arrangement with at least one block bearing element receiving space and a loading space arranged in the direction of gravity below the block bearing element receiving space, in which a block bearing element is moved from the loading space through an opening into the block bearing element receiving space.

[0003] Such a block storage arrangement and such a method are known from EP 3 782 931 A1.

[0004] CN 111153220 A shows a mechanism for stacking packaging boxes, in which packaging boxes can be fed from a feeder onto a conveyor unit. A lifting device is provided above the conveyor unit, which can lift boxes positioned on the conveyor belt. The lifting device always engages the bottommost box and can thus lift this box and any stack of further boxes on top of it, sufficiently to allow a new box to be moved underneath.

[0005] KR 10-2280791 B1 shows a block storage arrangement in which a container is grasped and lifted by a first fork arrangement during storage, with the fork engaging the lower end of the container. The fork lifts the container sufficiently so that a fork positioned higher up in the direction of gravity can grasp and hold the container at a different point. A centering device is arranged in the block storage element receiving space, extending vertically along the length of the receiving space and being immovable.

[0006] US 4 764 074 A describes a system according to the preamble of claim 1 and a pallet loader in which laterally and vertically movable ramming walls are provided.

[0007] JP S59 183875 A describes a container sorting process and a sorting plant.

[0008] A block storage arrangement can be used to accommodate the largest possible number of block storage elements within a predetermined space. The block storage elements, such as containers or plant supports, are arranged in a stack within the block storage element receiving chamber. This ensures that the block storage elements are positioned close together in the direction of gravity, thus maximizing space utilization. Multiple block storage element receiving chambers can also be arranged close together perpendicular to the direction of gravity, as no handling space is required between them. Instead, the block storage elements are loaded into and removed from the receiving chamber from below via the loading chamber.

[0009] A block storage arrangement can be used as a warehouse for storing a large number of products, where the block storage elements are designed as containers. Each container can then hold one or more products to be stored. The block storage arrangement can also be designed as a greenhouse arrangement. In this case, the block storage elements are designed as plant supports that, if required, are not only open at the top in the direction of gravity but also have openings on the sides perpendicular to the direction of gravity.

[0010] A block storage arrangement can reach a considerable height, so a stack of block storage elements can also reach a correspondingly great height. A stack of block storage elements exceeding 10 m in height is quite realistic.

[0011] The block support elements, whether containers or plant supports, are subject to a certain degree of tolerance. This can cause a stack of block support elements to tilt within the block support space, potentially exerting high lateral forces on the frame in which the block support space is located. If the block support elements are plant supports, the tilt has the additional negative effect of resulting in uneven water or nutrient supply to all plants during irrigation.

[0012] The invention is based on the objective of being able to operate a block bearing arrangement reliably.

[0013] This task is solved in a block storage arrangement of the type mentioned above by arranging a centering device in the block storage element receiving space, which is movable in the storage direction in the block storage element receiving space.

[0014] The cross-section of the block support element receiving space must be slightly larger than the cross-section of the block support elements to allow the elements to move within the receiving space in the insertion direction. This requirement arises because the elements defining the receiving space, such as uprights, also have a certain tolerance that must be added to the tolerances of the block support elements. However, the centering device can be much better adapted to the cross-section of the receiving space and hold a block support element, which is placed against the centering device from below, in a range where the risk of a stack of block support elements tipping over is reduced. As the stack grows from bottom to top, the centering device is raised along with it, always holding the uppermost block support element within the specified range.Since the block support elements in the stack interlock with each other, the block support elements located below the centering device in the direction of gravity are automatically held in the desired position. While a tilt of the stack of block support elements is not completely eliminated, the angle at which the stack can tilt is significantly reduced. Thus, even with a slight tilt, there is no longer any risk to the elements forming the block support element receiving space. A slight tilt is also permissible for a plant support, provided the tilt is so minimal that all plants in the support are watered evenly.

[0015] Preferably, several surfaces extending in the insertion direction are arranged at the edge of the block bearing element receiving space, and the centering device interacts with these surfaces. The centering device can then support itself against these surfaces, thus preventing it from moving transversely to the direction of gravity within the block bearing element receiving space.

[0016] It is preferred that the surfaces are arranged on uprights extending in the storage direction. A block storage arrangement often has uprights between which the block storage element receiving spaces are arranged. These uprights can then simultaneously be used to support the centering device.

[0017] Preferably, at least some of the uprights are connected to each other perpendicular to the insertion direction. This stabilizes the uprights mutually.

[0018] Preferably, the supports are arranged at the corners of the opening. This automatically places the supports at the corners of the block bearing element receiving space, and the centering device can be supported at the corners of the block bearing element receiving space.

[0019] The centering device has a base with a circumferential contour adapted to the shape of the opening, with at least one centering element projecting beyond the circumferential contour in the direction of gravity above the base. If no block bearing element is yet arranged in the block bearing element receiving space, the base of the centering device is located in the opening and is held there by the holding device. The base is then positioned very precisely by the opening. Above the opening, however, the block bearing element receiving space has a larger cross-sectional area to accommodate the tolerances inherent in the elements forming the block bearing arrangement and also in the block bearing elements themselves. Since the centering element projects beyond the circumferential contour, i.e., transversely to the direction of gravity,

[0020] If the circumferential contour of the base protrudes, the centering device can be held in its position with the help of the centering element even if the centering device has been pushed out of the opening by a block bearing element.

[0021] Preferably, the centering element is connected to a preloading device that applies a force component transverse to the insertion direction and outwards to the centering element. In this case, it is possible to insert the centering device from below through the opening into the block bearing element receiving space. During this process, the centering element can be moved inwards against the force of the preloading device so that the centering device fits through the opening. Once the centering device has been moved into the opening and the centering element protrudes upwards out of the opening in the direction of gravity, it can be moved outwards by the preloading device and then interact with the surfaces in the block bearing element receiving space to support the centering device.

[0022] It is preferred that the centering element interacts with a locking device. This eliminates the need for the force of the preloading device to be sufficient to hold the stack of block bearing elements in the centered position. The preloading device then serves only to move the centering element far enough outwards. In this position, it is then locked by the locking device.

[0023] It is preferred that the locking device interacts with an actuating device that can be activated from below in the direction of gravity. This makes it possible to activate the locking device by inserting a block bearing element from below through the opening into the block bearing element receiving chamber. In this case, the block bearing element acts on the centering device and not only pushes it upwards in the insertion direction, but also, via the actuating device, acts on the locking device and then locks the centering element in a centered position.

[0024] It is preferred that the actuating device projects downwards from the base in the direction of gravity. In this case, the actuating device can be brought into contact with the actuating device by means of a block bearing element inserted into the opening from below, and then moves the actuating device upwards in the direction of gravity when the block bearing element is lifted. This automatically ensures that the centering device is in the desired central position when the first block bearing element is inserted into the block bearing element receiving space.

[0025] It is preferred that the centering element has a roller. This prevents significant frictional losses caused by the centering device when the block bearing elements are moved in the insertion direction. Instead, the roller can roll with relatively little resistance, without offering any significant resistance to the movement of the block bearing elements.

[0026] It is preferred that the roller has a running surface made of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material is able to compensate for minor irregularities on the surface over which the roller rolls. This prevents the centering device from becoming jammed during movement.

[0027] Preferably, a block bearing element is arranged in the direction of gravity below the centering device, engaging with the centering device in a positive-locking manner. This positive-locking engagement prevents the block bearing element from moving transversely to the insertion direction relative to the centering device, thus automatically ensuring correct positioning of the block bearing element relative to the centering device. Such a positive-locking engagement is relatively easy to achieve when inserting the block bearing element into the opening because the centering device is aligned relatively precisely within the opening, and the block bearing element is positioned with the same accuracy during insertion. These matching accuracies are sufficient to achieve a positive-locking connection between the block bearing element and the centering device.

[0028] The problem is solved in a method of the type mentioned above by engaging the block bearing element with a centering device arranged in the block bearing element receiving space and lifting the centering device along with the block bearing element when lifting the block bearing element in the block bearing element receiving space.

[0029] As explained above, the centering device can be held in a central (or other desired) position within the block support element receiving space with relatively little effort. When a block support element is then inserted into the receiving space and engages with the centering device, it is automatically ensured that the block support element is also in the desired position and cannot move perpendicular to the insertion direction. Each subsequent block support element, inserted from below into a stack of block support elements already in the receiving space, is then held in the desired position by the block support element above it. This reliably prevents any tilting of the stack of block support elements beyond a predetermined limit.

[0030] It is preferred that at least one centering element of the centering device is locked in a position projecting outwards beyond a base of the centering device when the block bearing element is attached to the centering device. As long as no block bearing element is inserted into the block bearing element receiving space, the centering device is held only by its position in the opening between the loading chamber and the block bearing element receiving space. Only when the centering device is moved out of this position by a block bearing element attached from below does the centering element become active and then ensure the desired position of the centering device in the block bearing element receiving space.

[0031] The invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a block bearing element receiving chamber with a stack of block bearing elements, Fig. 2 a top view of the block bearing element receiving chamber, Fig. 3 a detail of the top view, Fig. 4 a modified form of the detail according to Fig. 3 Fig. 5 shows a block bearing element shortly before insertion into a block bearing element receiving space, Fig. 6 shows a first step in inserting a block bearing element into the block bearing element receiving space, Fig. 7 shows a second step in inserting a block bearing element into the block bearing element receiving space, and Fig. 8 shows the completion of inserting the block bearing element into the block bearing element receiving space.

[0032] Fig. 1 The figure shows, in a highly schematic form, part of a block storage arrangement 1 with a block storage element receiving chamber 2 in which several block storage elements 3 are arranged in the form of a stack. A loading chamber 4 is arranged below the block storage element receiving chamber 2. An opening 5 is located between the block storage element receiving chamber 2 and the loading chamber 4. Fig. 5 ) arranged. A holding device 6 is arranged in the opening ( Fig. 3 ), with which a block storage element 3 can be held in the container receiving space 2, such that sufficient space remains below the container receiving space 2 to position another block storage element 3 together with a loading vehicle (not shown) and to insert the further block storage element 3 into the block storage element receiving space 2. In this case, the holding device 6 is formed by retaining latches arranged at the corners of the opening 5. The retaining latches can be removed from the Fig. 3 The holding position shown, in which they hold a block storage element 3, is pivoted into a release position so that a block storage element 3 can be moved past the holding device 6 downwards into the loading area.

[0033] How to in Fig. 1 As can be seen, the stack of block support elements 3 can reach a considerable height. This height can easily be 10 m or more. Since the block support elements 3 have a certain tolerance, there is a risk that the stack of block support elements 3 will tilt in the block support element receiving space 2. This could then cause the stack of block support elements 3 to press against uprights 7, which are located at the corners of the block support element receiving space 2. This should be avoided.

[0034] If the block support elements 3 are designed as containers, an excessively high lateral force on the uprights 7 should be avoided. If the block support elements 3 are designed as plant supports, a tilting of the stack should also be avoided to ensure that all plants in the plant support can be irrigated evenly. This would no longer be guaranteed if the stack of block support elements 3 were tilted.

[0035] To limit the inclination of the stack of block storage elements 3 in the container receiving space 2 to a permissible degree, a centering device 8 is arranged in the container receiving space 2. This centering device is movable within the container receiving space 2 in the same direction as the block storage elements 3. This direction is also referred to as the "storage direction." The storage direction corresponds to the direction of gravity.

[0036] The centering device indicates how to... Fig. 5 As can be seen, a base 9, which can also be referred to as a frame, is formed. The base 9 has an outer contour that is adapted to the inner contour of the opening 5. As long as no block bearing element 3 is yet located in the block bearing element receiving space 2, the centering device 9 rests on the holding device 6 and is thus positioned in the opening 5. This positioning can be carried out with relatively high accuracy. When a block bearing element 3 is moved into the opening from below, this block bearing element 3 is also positioned relative to the opening with the same accuracy and then engages positively with the centering device 8. The position of the block bearing element 3 transverse to the insertion direction then corresponds to the position of the centering device 8 transverse to the insertion direction.

[0037] Above opening 5, the container receiving space 2 has a larger cross-section than the cross-section of opening 5. This cross-section is determined by the uprights 7, which are arranged at the corners of opening 5 and thus at the corners of container receiving space 2. These uprights 7 have a length that is at least equal to the height of the stack of block storage elements 3. The uprights 7 also have a certain tolerance, so a certain distance must be maintained between the corners of the block storage elements 3 and the uprights 7 to ensure that the block storage elements 3 can move smoothly in the storage direction.

[0038] The centering device 8 has at least one centering element 10 above the base 9 in the direction of gravity, which in this case is designed as a roller. The centering element 10 is moved transversely to the insertion direction beyond the contour of the base 9 by a preloading device 11, which in this case is designed as a spring, such that it can bear against a surface 12 arranged on the stand 7. The centering element 10 is thus supported on the stand 7. In an alternative embodiment, which is described in Fig. 4 As shown, the surface 12 can also have a groove 13 into which the centering element 10 engages. The groove 13 can, for example, be V-shaped or trapezoidal.

[0039] The surface 12 extends over the entire height of the block storage element receiving space 2, so that the centering device 8 can also be moved over the entire height of the block storage element receiving space 2 and the centering element 10 can be supported on the surface 12 over the entire movement.

[0040] In the present case, the centering device 8 has a centering element 10 at each corner, with a stand 7 having a surface 12 arranged at each corner.

[0041] The design with the centering element 10, which is pressed outwards by the preloading device 11, has the advantage that the centering device 8 can be inserted into the block bearing element receiving chamber 2 through the opening 5. During this insertion, the centering elements 10 can be moved inwards transversely to the insertion direction and are only moved outwards again after passing through the opening 5.

[0042] The centering element 10 is pivotably mounted on a lever 14. As long as the centering device 8 is still within the opening 5, the centering element 10 with its lever 14 is pivoted inwards transversely to the insertion direction.

[0043] The centering device 8 has a pin 15 which, together with the lever 14, forms a locking device. The pin 15 is connected to an actuating device 16 which projects downwards from the base 9 in the direction of gravity. The actuating device 16 may include a spring assembly 17 which biases the actuating device 16 downwards in the direction of gravity.

[0044] When a block bearing element 3 is inserted into the opening 5 from below, it comes into contact with the centering device 8 and moves the centering device 8 upwards in the insertion direction. In this process, the centering element 10 is released from the inner contour of the opening 5 (or it has already been released if the centering element has been moved completely through the opening 5) and pivots outwards to engage the surface 12 on the stand 7. With a further movement, the pin 15 is pushed upwards by the actuating device 16 and locked, as shown in Fig. 8 The lever 14 can be seen, so that the centering element 10 is fixed in its disengaged position.

[0045] In the present embodiment, it is shown that the lever 14 has an opening into which the pin 15 enters. However, it is sufficient in principle if the pin 15 can prevent a pivoting movement of the lever 14 inwards transversely to the insertion direction. This is also the case in principle when the lever 14 rests against the pin 15 from the outside.

[0046] If, as in Fig. 8As shown, if the centering element is fixed in its outwardly moved position and the centering elements 10 located at the other corners are also fixed in their outwardly pivoted positions, then ideally all centering elements 10 rest against the surfaces 12 on the uprights 7. However, this is not strictly necessary. A small clearance on the order of 1 to 5 mm between the centering elements 10 and the surfaces 12 can be allowed, so that a stack of block bearing elements 3 can only tilt within this clearance. This tilt is significantly smaller than the tilt that would occur if the stack of block bearing elements 3 could tilt until it touched an upright 7 without the centering device 8. The centering device 8 is therefore used to keep the tilt of the stack of block bearing elements 3 within a permissible, predetermined range.

[0047] As described, when the first block support element 3 is inserted into the container receiving space 2, a positive-locking connection is established between the block support element 3 and the centering device 8, so that the centering device holds the block support element 3 located directly below it in a desired position. When another block support element 3 is inserted into the block support element receiving space 2, the next block support element 3 engages positively with the block support element already located in the block support element receiving space 2 and is then held in the desired position by the block support element 3 located directly above it. The same applies to subsequent block support elements. The stack of block support elements 3 is thus positioned at its upper end (in the direction of gravity) by the centering device 8 and at its lower end (in the direction of gravity) by the opening 5.This ensures that the stack of block support elements 3 is aligned in such a way that a maximum permissible inclination is not exceeded.

[0048] The stands 7 can be connected to each other in a manner not shown in detail, perpendicular to the insertion direction, in order to stabilize each other.

[0049] The centering element 10, designed as a roller, has at least a layer of an elastomeric material on its circumference, so that the roller has a running surface formed of an elastomeric material. This allows the roller to compensate for small irregularities in the surface 12 and prevent the movement of the centering device 8 from becoming blocked.

Claims

1. Block storage arrangement (1) having at least one block storage element receiving space (2) and a loading space (4) arranged beneath the block storage element receiving space (2), an opening (5) having a holding device (6) being arranged between the block storage element receiving space (2) and the loading space (4), and a direction from the loading space (4) into the block storage element receiving space (2) forms a storage direction, a centering device (8) being arranged in the block storage element receiving space (2) and being , characterized in that the centering device (8) has a base (9) with a peripheral contour adapted to the shape of the opening (5), at least one centering element (10) projecting beyond the peripheral contour being arranged above the base (9) in the direction of gravity.

2. Block storage arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of surfaces (12) extending in the storage direction are arranged at the edge of the block storage element receiving space (2) and the centering device (8) interacts with the surfaces (12).

3. Block storage arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the surfaces (12) are arranged on uprights (7) which extend in the storage direction.

4. Block storage arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that at least some uprights (7) are connected to one another transversely with respect to the storage direction.

5. Block storage arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the uprights (7) are arranged at corners of the opening (5).

6. Block storage arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the centering element (10) is connected to a prestressing device (11) which acts upon the centering element (10) with a force component outwards and transversely with respect to the storage direction.

7. Block storage system according to claim 6, characterized in that the centering element (10) interacts with a locking device (14, 15).

8. Block storage arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking device (14, 15) interacts with an actuating device (16) which can be activated from below in the direction of gravity.

9. Block storage arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuating device (16) projects downwards in the direction of gravity from the base (9).

10. Block storage arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the centering element (10) has a roller.

11. Block storage arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the roller has a running surface which is formed on an elastomeric material.

12. Block storage arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a block storage element (3) is arranged below the centering device (8) in the direction of gravity and is in form-fitting engagement with the centering device (8).

13. Method for operating a block storage arrangement (1) having at least one block storage element receiving space (2) and a loading space (4) arranged in the direction of gravity below the block storage element receiving space (2), in which a block storage element (3) is moved from the loading space (4) through an opening (5) into the block storage element receiving space (2), characterized in that the block storage element (3) is brought into engagement with a centering device (8) arranged in the block storage element receiving space (2) and the centering device (8) is raised with the block storage element (3) in the block storage element receiving space (2) when the block storage element (3) is raised.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one centering element (10) of the centering device (8) is locked in a position projecting outwardly beyond a base (9) of the centering device (8) when the block storage element (3) is placed against the centering device (8).