STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING OBJECTS IN SUCH A STORAGE SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage system according to the subject matter of claim 1, and a method for storing objects in such a storage system comprising the steps according to claim 6.

[0002] In the technical field of warehouse logistics, automated storage systems are known, in which a wide variety of objects can be stored. Such automated storage systems enable at least semi-automated storage and retrieval of objects into a storage volume of the system according to storage and retrieval orders.

[0003] Automated storage systems typically employ storage vehicles, which, depending on the application, are also called stacker cranes, level-access trucks, or shuttles. Objects to be stored are either placed directly into the storage volume or with the aid of storage equipment. However, since the travel paths of the shuttles or stacker cranes require a considerable amount of space, the utilization of the available space in a storage system is not optimal. Furthermore, according to current technology, each storage location in storage systems conventionally has a fixed volume, which is independent of the volume of the stored object. Small objects are generally stored in larger quantities in individual containers to allow for the storage of a large number of objects in a single storage location.In the prior art, containers are known in which several identical objects are stored, such as containers with compartments to create individual slots for different objects, or mixed containers in which various objects are stored. However, this complicates warehouse logistics and leads to delays in handling the objects by the storage system, as these objects can only be retrieved and stored together.

[0004] Furthermore, so-called automated grid storage systems are known, which achieve higher volume utilization by eliminating aisles for storage vehicles. In these systems, a grid is provided by horizontal longitudinal and transverse guide rails. At each intersection of the longitudinal and transverse guide rails, the grid is supported by vertical columns. Two longitudinal guide rails and two transverse guide rails, along with the rack columns, create a vertical storage shaft in which containers are stacked on top of each other for storing the items. Orthogonally moving robots can access the top container of the stack, or relocate or remove this container from the grid storage system. Here, too, the volume of a storage location is defined by the volume of each container.If only a small item is stored in a container, the container's volume is not optimally utilized, resulting in dead space. Furthermore, it has proven disadvantageous that the entire weight of a stack of containers rests on the bottom container. Consequently, the containers must be statically dimensioned to withstand this heavy load. Such dimensioned containers are expensive to manufacture. Additionally, it should be noted that the tightly packed and stacked containers have a negative impact in the event of a fire, as firefighting efforts cannot effectively reach the source of the blaze.

[0005] Documents EP 0 602 399 A1, DE 31 06 137 A1, EP 2 138 427 A1 and DE 10 2020 117835 B3 describe known storage systems.

[0006] The object of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a cost-efficient storage system and method for storing objects, which enables the storage of objects with efficient use of space.

[0007] This is solved by providing a storage system with the features of claim 1 and a method for storing objects with the features of claim 6.

[0008] The storage system according to the invention comprises at least one rack with several substantially vertical rack supports erected on a base. Furthermore, the storage system comprises at least one storage vehicle and at least two storage aids, as well as an operating level arranged at an upper end of the rack and a storage volume arranged below the operating level. The storage vehicle is arranged to move within the operating level and is designed to place the storage aids into and remove them from the storage volume.

[0009] Each storage aid has engagement elements, and the rack uprights have receiving elements arranged within the storage volume. The engagement elements are movable between a locked state, in which they are essentially fixed in at least some of the receiving elements and hold the respective storage aid in a storage position within the storage volume, and a released state, in which the engagement elements are detached from the receiving elements. The warehouse operator's vehicle is designed to move the engagement elements between the locked and released states from the operator level.Furthermore, by shifting the position of the intervention device between the release and locking states, the storage aid can be positioned or fixed in various storage positions within the storage volume. This allows the distance between two vertically successive storage aids in a rack to be adjusted to the space requirements of the respective object stored on the storage aid. This significantly improves space utilization within the storage system.

[0010] According to the invention, the warehouse service vehicle comprises a load-handling device which is essentially vertically movable within the storage volume and can be coupled to one of the storage aids for inserting and removing the storage aid from the storage volume. This achieves the advantage that the warehouse service vehicle itself does not need to be inserted into the storage volume to fix or remove a storage aid from a storage position.

[0011] According to the invention, the load-bearing device is designed to move the engagement means from the locked state to the released state during coupling with the bearing aid and / or from the released state to the locked state during decoupling from the bearing aid. This achieves the advantage that no separate means is necessary to move the engagement means between the locked and released states, and that fixing or releasing the bearing aid in or out of the bearing position occurs simultaneously with connecting or releasing it from the load-bearing device.

[0012] The receiving elements are preferably designed as recesses, depressions, or grooves provided in the shelf uprights. This offers the advantage that the receiving elements are simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0013] The engagement elements are preferably designed as hooks, bolts, or segmented discs arranged on a shaft. They are also preferably pre-tensioned by a spring in the locking and / or release states. This offers the advantage that a simple movement allows for switching between the locking and release states. Furthermore, pre-tensioning in the release state prevents accidental locking, and pre-tensioning in the locking state prevents accidental release. Preferably, in the locking state, the engagement elements of one of the storage aids engage with opposing receiving elements of several rack uprights in the same plane.

[0014] The storage aids are preferably stackable. This offers the advantage of space-saving storage. Furthermore, their stackability allows them to be stored directly within the storage system, saving space. The locking mechanisms of the bottommost storage aid are locked, holding it in position. Subsequently, other storage aids are placed or stacked on top of this bottommost aid, with their locking mechanisms remaining in the release position. When removing stacked storage aids, they are taken sequentially from the top of the stack.

[0015] The inventive method for storing objects in the inventive storage system comprises the following steps: Determining the initial storage height of a first object to be stored in the storage system; placing or positioning the first object in or onto a first storage aid selected from the storage aids of the storage system; connecting the first storage aid to the storage vehicle; moving the first storage aid into a first storage position within the storage volume using the storage vehicle while the engagement elements of the first storage aid are in the release state; moving the engagement elements of the first storage aid from the release state to the locking state to fix the first storage aid in the first storage position during the process of uncoupling the first storage aid from the storage vehicle; connecting a second storage aid selected from the storage aids of the storage system to the storage vehicle;Insertion of the second storage aid into a second storage position within the storage volume by the storage vehicle while the engagement means of the storage aid are in the release state, wherein the second storage position is located at a vertical distance of at least the first storage height above the first storage position; movement of the engagement means of the second storage aid from the release state to the locking state in order to fix the second storage aid in the second storage position during the process of uncoupling the second storage aid from the storage vehicle.

[0016] Determining the first storage height of the first object, as well as selecting the second storage position at a vertical distance of at least the first storage height above the first storage position, allows the variation of the distance of the first storage position from the second storage position based on the space requirement of the object to be stored in the first storage position.

[0017] According to the preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the space required for a fire extinguishing or fire suppression device is taken into account in the vertical distance between the first storage position and the second storage position. This makes it possible to automatically consider the space requirements for different fire extinguishing or fire suppression devices between the storage positions in order to ensure an adequate supply of fire extinguishing agent and sufficient distribution of the fire extinguishing agent in the storage system in the event of a fire.

[0018] The relocation of at least one of the engagement elements of the storage system's support devices between the locked and released states is preferably achieved by rotating the engagement elements around a pivot axis arranged essentially along the length of the rack uprights. This offers the advantage that the relocation between the released and locked states can be carried out in a mechanically simple manner, starting from the operating level.

[0019] Preferably, at least one of the engagement elements of the bearing aids of the bearing system is moved from the locked state to the released state by lifting the bearing aid from the first or second bearing position. This simplifies the procedure for removing the respective bearing aid from its bearing position, as no separate process step is necessary for moving the engagement elements from the locked state to the released state.

[0020] The first object can be a storage aid, a stack of storage aids, or an item. This makes it possible to store storage aids within the storage system and retrieve them as needed. This significantly reduces the space required for keeping storage aids readily available.

[0021] Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises the following additional steps: Determining a second storage height for a second object to be stored in the storage system; placing or positioning the second object in or onto the second storage aid.

[0022] This allows us to add another object to the storage system and record its second storage height. This enables us to consider the space requirements of each object stored in the system.

[0023] The storage system according to the invention, as well as the method according to the invention for storing objects in a storage system, will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a storage system according to the invention with several objects of different dimensions stored on storage aids. Figure 2 shows the bearing system according to the invention Figure 1 with a stack of additionally stored storage aids. Figure 3a shows a bearing aid of the bearing system according to the invention with engagement means which are in a locking state. Figure 3b shows an intervention means of the storage aid according to Figure 3a in detail. Figure 3c shows the storage aid from Figure 3a in a top view. Figure 3d shows an intervention means of the storage aid according to Figure 3a , which engages in a receiving device of a shelf support of the storage system. Figure 4aFigure 1 shows a bearing aid of the bearing system according to the invention with engagement means which are in a release state. Figure 4b shows an intervention means of the storage aid according to Figure 4a in detail. Figure 4c shows the storage aid from Figure 4a in a top view. Figure 4d shows an intervention means of the storage aid according to Figure 4a , which is detached from a receiving device of a shelf support of the storage system. Figure 5 Figure 1 shows a bearing aid of the bearing system according to the invention in an alternative embodiment in a partial sectional view and in an external view. Figure 6a shows a load-bearing device of the bearing system according to the invention before coupling with a bearing aid. Figure 6b shows the load-bearing device according to Figure 6a in a state coupled with the storage aid Figure 6c shows the load-bearing device according to Figure 6b, where an object is also shown which is picked up by the load-bearing device.

[0024] The bearing system 1 according to the invention is in Figure 1 and Figure 2The storage system 1 is shown section by section in an external view. It comprises at least one rack 2 with several rack uprights 3, which are erected on a base and extend substantially, or at least section by section, vertically. The storage system 1 also comprises at least one storage vehicle, which is not shown in the figures, and at least two storage aids 4. Furthermore, the storage system 1 comprises an operating level arranged at an upper end of the rack 2 and a storage volume 5 arranged below the operating level. The storage vehicle is arranged to be movable in the operating level and is designed to insert the storage aids 4 into and remove them from the storage volume 5. According to the invention, each of the storage aids 4 has engagement means 6, and the rack uprights 3 have receiving means 7 arranged in the storage volume 5. The engagement means 6 are, for example, located in the Figures 3b and 4b presented in detail, whereby the 3D and 4D figures in addition, the receiving means 7 are shown. The engagement means 6 are movable between a locking state, in which the engagement means are essentially fixed in at least some of the receiving means 7 and hold the respective storage aid 4 in a storage position in the storage volume 5, and a release state, in which the engagement means 6 are released from the receiving means 7. Figures 3a to 3d The intervention devices 6 are shown in the locked state and the Figures 4a to 4dThe intervention devices 6 are shown in the release state. The warehouse vehicle is designed to move the intervention devices 6 between the locked and released states from the operator level. Because the intervention devices 6 can be moved between the released and locked states from the operator level, the storage aid 4 can be mounted in various storage positions within the storage volume 5. This allows the distance A between two storage aids 4 vertically arranged in a rack 2 to be adjusted to the space requirements of the respective object 8 stored on the storage aid 4. This significantly improves the space utilization within the storage system 1.

[0025] According to the invention, the warehouse service vehicle has a load-handling device 9, which is essentially vertically movable within the storage volume 5 and can be coupled to one of the storage aids 4 for inserting and removing the storage aid 4 from the storage volume 5. Such a load-handling device 9 is located in the Figures 6a to 6c As shown, this load handling device 9 is lowered from the operating level into the storage volume 5 by the warehouse vehicle (not shown). A warehouse aid 4 is already coupled to the load handling device 9, as shown in the Figures 6b and 6cThis is evident, or the load-handling device 9 is not yet occupied and is only coupled to a storage aid 4 located at a storage position upon reaching that position. For example, the warehouse operator vehicle can lower the load-handling device 9 into the storage volume 5 using a cable pull (not shown in the figures). This offers the advantage that the warehouse operator vehicle itself does not have to enter the storage volume 5, and rapid insertion into and removal of the storage aid 4 from the storage volume 5 is possible. As shown in the Figures 6a to 6cAs can be seen, a coupling of the load-handling device 9 with the storage aid 4 can be achieved by a retaining element 10, for example in the form of scissors, wherein the retaining element 10 engages in corresponding recesses or slots 11 in the storage aid 4 during the lowering of the load-handling device 9 onto the storage aid 4. In this way, an automatic coupling of the load-handling device 9 with the storage aid 4 is achieved as soon as the load-handling device 9 has been lowered onto the storage aid 4. According to the invention, the load-handling device 9 is designed to move the engagement elements 6 from the locked state to the released state during coupling with the storage aid 4 and / or from the released state to the locked state during decoupling from the storage aid 4.This can be achieved, for example, by means of a mechanical folding or rotating mechanism, which is not shown separately in the figures. This prevents the engagement elements 6 of the load-handling device 4 from remaining in the locked state once coupling with the load-handling device 9 has taken place. As in . Figure 6c As can be seen, the load handling device 9 can have a receiving space 12 which is adapted to a maximum dimension of the warehouse vehicle. Alternatively, the load handling device 9 can also be designed to be open at the top, so that the height of the object 8 stored or to be stored on the load handling device 9 is not limited.

[0026] The receiving means 7 of the rack uprights 3, into which the engagement means 6 of the storage aid 4 engage in the locked state, are preferably designed as recesses, depressions or grooves provided in the rack uprights 3. For example, in the 3D and 4D figuresOne embodiment is shown in which the receiving elements 7 are designed as slots. This simplifies the manufacture of the shelf supports 3, thereby keeping the overall costs of the storage system 1 low. The engagement elements 6, on the other hand, can be designed, for example, as hooks, bolts, or segmented discs arranged on a shaft. In the version shown in the Figures 3a to 4d In the illustrated embodiment of the bearing system 1 according to the invention, the engagement means 6 are designed as segmented discs. This enables a particularly robust, yet also easily manipulated design of the engagement means 6 and the receiving means 7. Furthermore, the engagement means 6 can preferably be pre-tensioned in the locked and / or released state by means of a spring (not shown in the figures). This avoids the risk of operating errors. Figure 5An alternative embodiment of the engagement means 6 is shown, in which the engagement means 6 are designed as hooks. For example, in this embodiment, the engagement means 6 can be released from their locked state by simply lifting the bearing aid 4. The hooks then retract into a space within the bearing aid 3.

[0027] In the storage system 1 according to the invention, the engagement means 6 of one of the storage aids 4 preferably engage in the locked position with receiving means 7 of several shelf uprights 3 that are opposite each other in one plane. As can be seen in the figures, for example, storage aids 4 can be provided with a rectangular base plan, with an engagement means 6 provided in each corner. This achieves a particularly stable fastening of the storage aid 4 in the locked position and ensures a high load-bearing capacity.

[0028] The storage aids 4 are preferably stackable. In Figure 2Figure 1 illustrates how several storage aids 4 can be stacked on top of each other at a storage position within storage volume 5. These stacked storage aids 4 thus form an object 8 which is stored on the lowest storage aid 4 in storage system 1. Only the engagement elements 6 of the lowest storage aid 4 are locked, and the other storage aids 4 forming object 8 are placed on top of this lowest storage aid 4. The engagement elements 6 of the other storage aids 4 are in the release state. The storage aids 4 can be removed from this stack by removing them sequentially from the top, starting with the storage aid 4 closest to the operating level, for example, using the load handling device 9. This significantly reduces the space required for storing the storage aids 4.

[0029] The inventive method for storing objects 8 in the inventive storage system 1 comprises determining a first storage height H 1 of a first object 8 to be stored in the storage system. This determines the space requirement of this first object 8. The determination can be carried out, for example, by means of a survey or stored in a database. Furthermore, the first object 8 is selected from among the storage aids 4 of the storage system 1 and placed onto or into a first storage aid 4. In addition, the first storage aid 4 is connected to the storage vehicle and moved by it into a first storage position in the storage volume 5, while the engagement means 6 of the first storage aid 4 are in the release state.When the first storage aid 4 is in the first storage position, the engagement elements 6 of the first storage aid 4 are moved from the release state to the locking state to fix the first storage aid 4 in the first storage position. Then, or simultaneously, the first storage aid 4 is uncoupled from the storage vehicle. Subsequently, a second storage aid 4, selected from among the storage aids 4 of the storage system, is coupled to the storage vehicle and moved into a second storage position within the storage volume 5 by the storage vehicle, while the engagement elements 6 of the second storage aid 4 are in the release state. The second storage position is located at a vertical distance A of at least the first storage height H1 above the first storage position.This achieves the advantage that the distance A between the first storage position and the second storage position is selected based on the space requirements of the first object 8. This allows the storage positions to be adapted to the actual space requirements of the objects 8 to be stored in the storage system 1 according to the invention. This reduces empty spaces in the storage volume 5. Subsequently, the engagement means 6 of the second storage aid 4 are moved from the release state to the locking state in order to fix the second storage aid in the second storage position, and the second storage aid 4 is decoupled from the storage vehicle.

[0030] Preferably, according to the inventive method, the vertical distance A between the first storage position and the second storage position provides space for a fire extinguishing or fire suppression device (not shown in the figures). This ensures that, in the event of a fire, sufficient fire extinguishing or fire suppression device can be introduced into the storage volume 5 and that it can reach all stored objects 8.

[0031] The relocation of at least one of the engagement elements of the storage aids of the storage system 1 between the locked state and the released state is preferably achieved by rotating the engagement elements 6 in a rotation axis D arranged substantially along a path of the rack uprights 3. This ensures easy operation of the engagement elements 6. The rotation axis D is located in the Figures 3b and 4bAs can be seen, for example, for twisting, an axis connected to the engagement means 5, which is in the form of a segmented disk, can be provided as shown in these figures, and which includes a coupling element at one end opposite the segmented disk.

[0032] Moving at least one of the engagement means 6 of the bearing aids 4 of the bearing system 1 from the locked state to the released state can also be achieved by lifting the bearing aid 4 from the first or second bearing position. This reduces the probability that one of the bearing aids 4 will become stuck in the respective bearing position and reduces the susceptibility to errors of the method according to the invention. The first object 8 can be a bearing aid 4, as shown in Figure 2It is evident that the first object 8 can be a stack of storage aids 4 or an article. In general, the first object 8 can be an article or any object 8 which is stored in and / or retrieved from the storage system 1 using the method according to the invention.

[0033] Preferably, in the method according to the invention, a second storage height H 2 of a second object 8 to be stored in the storage system is determined, and the second object 7 is placed in or onto the second storage aid 4. This allows the storage height of each object 8 stored using the method according to the invention to be determined. Like the first object 8, the second object 8 can also be a storage aid 4, a stack of storage aids 4, or an article. In general, the second object 8 can be an article or any object 8 that is stored in and / or retrieved from the storage system 1 using the method according to the invention.

Claims

1. A storage system (1) comprising at least one shelf (2) having several essentially vertically extending shelf supports (3) set up on a base, at least one storage operating vehicle and at least two storage aids (4), wherein the storage system (1) comprises an operating level arranged at an upper end of the shelf (2) and a storage volume (5) arranged below the operating level, wherein the storage operating vehicle is arranged such that it can move in the operating level and is configured to introduce the storage aids (4) into the storage volume (5) and to retrieve them from it, wherein each of the storage aids (4) has engagement means (6), and the shelf supports (3) have receiving means (7) arranged in the storage volume (5), wherein the engagement means (6) may be moved between a locking state, in which the engagement means (6) are substantially fixed in at least some of the receiving means (7) and hold the respective storage aid (4) in a storage position in the storage volume (5), and a release state, in which the engagement means (6) are released from the receiving means (7), wherein the storage operating vehicle is configured to move the engagement means (6) between the locking state and the release state starting from the operating level, wherein the storage operating vehicle has a load-receiving means (9), which may be moved essentially vertically in the storage volume (5) and may be coupled to one of the storage aids (4) for introducing and retrieving the storage aid (4) from the storage volume (5), characterized in that the load-receiving means (9) is configured to move the engagement means (6), in the course of coupling with the storage aid (4), from the locking state into the release state and / or in the course of decoupling from the storage aid (4) from the release state to the locking state.

2. A storage system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving means (7) are configured as recesses, depressions or seams provided in the shelf supports (3).

3. A storage system (1) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the engagement means (6) are configured as hooks, bolts or segment discs arranged on a shaft, and are preferably prestressed by means of a spring in the locking state and / or the release state.

4. A storage system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the engagement means (6) of one of the storage aids (4) in the locking state engage with receiving means (7) of several shelf supports (3) located opposite one another in a level.

5. A storage system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the storage aids (4) are stackable.

6. A method for storing objects (8) in a storage system (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, comprising the steps of: • determining a first storage height (H1) of a first object (8) to be stored in the storage system; • introducing or applying the first object (8) into or onto a first storage aid (4) selected from the storage aids (4) of the storage system (1); • connecting the first storage aid (4) to the storage operating vehicle; • introducing the first storage aid (4) into a first storage position in the storage volume (5) by the storage operating vehicle, while the engagement means (6) of the first storage aid (4) are in the release state; • moving the engagement means (6) of the first storage aid (4) from the release state into the locking state in order to fix the first storage aid (4) in the first storage position upon decoupling the first storage aid (4) from the storage operating vehicle; • connecting a second storage aid (4) selected from the storage aids (4) of the storage system (1) to the storage operating vehicle; • introducing the second storage aid (4) into a second storage position in the storage volume (5) by the storage operating vehicle, while the engagement means (6) of the storage aid (4) are in the release state, wherein the second storage position is located at a vertical distance (A) of at least the first storage height (H1) above the first storage position; • moving the engagement means (6) of the second storage aid (4) from the release state into the locking state in order to fix the second storage aid (4) in the second storage position upon uncoupling the second storage aid (4) from the storage operating vehicle.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that a space requirement of a fire extinguishing or fire suppression means is taken into account in the vertical distance (A) between the first storage position and the second storage position.

8. A method according to any of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the moving of at least one of the engagement means (6) of the storage aids (4) of the storage system (1) between the locking state and the release state is realized by rotating the engagement means (6) in an axis of rotation (D) arranged substantially along a course of the shelf supports (3).

9. A method according to any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the moving of at least one of the engagement means (6) of the storage aids (4) of the storage system (1) from the locking state into the release state is realized by lifting the storage aid (4) from the first storage position or the second storage position.

10. A method according to any of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the first object (8) is a storage aid (4), a stack of storage aids (4) or an article.

11. A method according to any of claims 6 to 10, characterized by the steps of: • determining a second storage height (H2) of a second object (8) to be stored in the storage system; • introducing or applying the second object (8) into or onto the second storage aid (4).