Integration of transfer devices in a high-bay warehouse
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023798217
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-07
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-17
AI Technical Summary
High-bay warehouses face challenges in efficiently adjusting and converting the number of storage and retrieval machines per storage aisle, which is time-consuming and costly, and lack flexibility to adapt to varying container turnover rates.
A high-bay warehouse design that includes a device for transporting stacker cranes between storage aisles, allowing for the flexible distribution and reallocation of storage and retrieval units, enabling the addition or removal of machines as needed, and incorporating a transport route that allows for unhindered movement of external transport means.
This design enhances flexibility and efficiency by allowing for the optimal use of storage and retrieval machines, enabling the adjustment of machine numbers based on demand, reducing downtime, and increasing throughput to over 2500 standard containers per hectare per year.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] INTEGRATION OF TRANSFER DEVICES INTO HIGH-BAY WAREHOUSES
[0002] 1 . Field of the invention
[0003] The invention relates to a high-bay warehouse for storing and retrieving containers and to a method for reducing and / or increasing the number of operating devices per storage aisle in such a high-bay warehouse.
[0004] 2. State of the art
[0005] High-bay storage (HBS) is well-known in the art and is widely used, especially in transshipment facilities at sea or inland ports. High-bay storage typically comprises a multitude of shelves arranged horizontally next to one another and vertically one above the other, preferably separate shelves, and storage aisles arranged between groups of shelves and running parallel to one another. Each aisle contains at least one storage and retrieval machine that can move back and forth and is designed to move containers vertically and horizontally, as well as into and out of the shelves.
[0006] An example of such a high-bay warehouse is disclosed in WO 2015 / 1243482 A1. In this high-bay warehouse, standard containers are picked up by a storage and retrieval machine at a transfer point within the high-bay warehouse. The storage and retrieval machine then transports them to a predetermined shelf compartment and stores them there. The containers are gripped from above while hanging and stored laterally in the respective shelf compartments using a telescopic system so that the long side of the container is aligned parallel to the storage aisle. This results in maximum space utilization within the high-bay warehouse, since the storage aisles only need to be slightly wider than the respective end faces of the containers.This special handling and storage of containers, especially empty containers, also means that, with a suitable design of the telescopic systems on the storage and retrieval machines, two adjacent shelf compartments on each side can be served from each storage aisle, thus a total of four shelf compartments (“double deep”).
[0007] Within each storage aisle, at least one storage and retrieval machine is usually provided, via which each container can be transferred from a specified receiving position to the respective shelf compartment, as well as a container can be removed from the shelf compartment and moved to a suitable transfer position in order to then be picked up by an external means of transport directly or indirectly with the interposition of suitable transfer devices.
[0008] The capacity of each stacker crane to pick up, move, and return a container, as well as the number of stacker cranes within a warehouse aisle, determines the throughput capacity of the high-bay warehouse, which is usually finalized during the design phase. Converting the high-bay warehouse by reducing or increasing the number of stacker cranes per aisle is time-consuming and costly.
[0009] 3. Object of the invention
[0010] It was therefore an object of the invention to provide a high-bay warehouse and a method for reducing and / or increasing the number of storage and retrieval machines per storage aisle in such a high-bay warehouse, which are suitable for overcoming the problems known from the prior art and for achieving a higher degree of flexibility as well as a high-bay warehouse that can be adjusted and converted to the respective forecast or desired turnover of containers per time. According to the invention, this object is achieved with a high-bay warehouse comprising the features of claim 1 and with a method comprising the features of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in particular in the dependent claims.
[0011] 4. Summary of the invention
[0012] According to the invention, a high-bay warehouse for storing and retrieving containers is provided, which has a plurality of storage locations for containers arranged horizontally next to one another and vertically one above the other, between groups or levels of storage locations and running parallel to one another, in each of which at least one storage and retrieval machine is movable back and forth, wherein this storage and retrieval machine is designed to move the containers vertically and horizontally and to move them into and out of the storage locations. Such groups of storage locations are usually provided in a modular manner extending over almost the entire length and height of the rack warehouse. The storage locations are preferably provided as separately arranged shelf compartments and can thus also be accessed separately by at least one storage and retrieval machine in order to store or retrieve a container.The containers are therefore placed in the rack compartments individually or at most in pairs, whereby there must only be sufficient space above the containers for the operation of the storage and retrieval machine's transport equipment, in particular telescopic systems with which the containers can be supported in a suspended position and moved into the rack compartments perpendicular to the storage aisles.
[0013] According to the invention, the high-bay warehouse has a device for transporting at least one storage and retrieval machine perpendicular to the longitudinal alignment of the storage aisles, which device is designed and configured to accommodate at least one storage and retrieval machine and to move it between at least two storage aisles. The device for transporting the storage and retrieval machine(s) is arranged above a transport path for external transport means or transport means assigned to the high-bay warehouse, which is also aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal alignment of the storage aisles and arranged below the plane in which the storage and retrieval machines are moved. According to the invention, the device for transporting at least one storage and retrieval machine spans this transport path for transport means in such a way that the transport means, if applicable,loaded with containers, can be moved unhindered along the transport route and the device for transporting at least one storage and retrieval machine can also be moved between at least two storage aisles, with or without a storage and retrieval machine, regardless of the occupancy of the transport route.
[0014] It is preferred if the transport route is located at at least one end of the high-bay warehouse. Typically, a high-bay warehouse is connected to external transport routes by arranging the transport route directly next to a high-bay warehouse. It is preferred if the transport route(s) for, for example, rail-bound vehicles or trucks are connected to the high-bay warehouse in such a way that the storage and retrieval machines can transport the picked-up containers to the transport route itself or into its immediate vicinity. The container can then be transferred from the storage and retrieval machine to the external means of transport directly or using an appropriate transfer device in the form of a roller conveyor, a crane device, and / or another transfer device.The vertical arrangement of the transport route to the high-bay warehouse allows for the transfer from every storage aisle of the high-bay warehouse to the transport route in the same way. Likewise, access to every storage aisle from the transport route is possible in the same way. If the transport route is located at one end of the high-bay warehouse, preferably at both ends of the high-bay warehouse, optimal space utilization and a minimal transport route from the high-bay warehouse to the external transport device or from the external transport device into the high-bay warehouse can be achieved.
[0015] According to the invention, it is preferred if the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines is provided so as to be movable over a distance that corresponds at least to the distance between all storage aisles within the high-bay warehouse. This creates a high-bay warehouse that enables the exchange of all storage and retrieval machines from all storage aisles and thus enables the greatest possible flexibility for the use of all available storage and retrieval machines. Depending on requirements, each storage aisle can then be equipped with more than one storage and retrieval machine; on the other hand, at least temporarily unused storage aisles can remain without a storage and retrieval machine, and the storage and retrieval machine not used there can be used in another storage aisle of the high-bay warehouse according to the invention.
[0016] This also ensures that all standard operating devices in the high-bay warehouse can be removed from the respective storage aisle in the event of a failure or any type of functional impairment, and replaced if necessary, as well as serviced and / or repaired outside the high-bay warehouse. It is particularly preferred if the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval devices is movable on rails arranged on both sides of the transport path. This creates a device that can be operated particularly safely with a low probability of failure and susceptibility to errors.
[0017] In this context, it is particularly preferred if the rails are arranged on side barriers for the transport route. It is also extremely preferred in this context if the side barriers extend from the level of the transport route to the travel level of the storage and retrieval machines. This ensures, using simple means, that on the one hand, the operation of the transport route can take place unhindered, and on the other hand, it can be ensured, using simple means, that the storage and retrieval machines can remain in their travel level, which also corresponds to the level of the storage aisles, when leaving the storage aisles. Exchanging storage and retrieval machines or transporting them to another storage aisle or to a waiting position can therefore be carried out particularly easily.
[0018] It is further preferred if at least one waiting position for unused storage and retrieval machines or for the maintenance of storage and retrieval machines is provided outside the high-bay warehouse and the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines is designed and configured to be moved between all storage aisles and the waiting position or at least the longitudinal extent of their supply path.The waiting position therefore does not necessarily have to be located within the travel path for the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines; it can also be provided laterally offset therefrom, in which case a storage and retrieval machine is moved by the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines into a position from which the storage and retrieval machine can then reach the waiting position independently after leaving the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines, for example via rails provided for this purpose between the waiting position and the travel path for the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines.
[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines comprises a chassis, preferably with at least one drive, in particular with one drive for each wheel, and a support structure, preferably a support frame, for securely supporting a storage and retrieval machine received within the device. This provides a device which, on the one hand, can be moved safely and, on the other hand, can ensure safe transport of a storage and retrieval machine at least between a first and a second storage aisle. It should be noted here that storage and retrieval machines for high-bay container warehouses have a height-to-weight-to-width ratio that is inherently unfavorable for transport due to the limited width of the storage aisles.It is therefore preferred if the construction of the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines is designed in such a way that tip-proof transport of a storage and retrieval machine is ensured. This is ensured, on the one hand, by the weight of the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines preferably being approximately in the same order of magnitude as the dead weight of the storage and retrieval machine, for example, approximately 200 t, with a height of more than 19 m, a width of more than 11 m, and a length of more than 23 m, and, on the other hand, if appropriate, the support structure, preferably the support frame, for securely supporting a storage and retrieval machine received within the device corresponds to at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, of the height of a storage and retrieval machine.
[0020] The high-bay warehouse preferably has at least one area that is designed and suitable for receiving empty containers stacked on top of one another. In this area for empty containers, which according to the invention is located within the high-bay warehouse, no separate shelf compartments are provided, but rather at least one area is provided that does not have the separate shelf compartments otherwise provided for the containers. In this at least one area for empty containers, the empty containers can be arranged directly and immediately stacked on top of one another and are still accessible using the storage and retrieval machines. A high-bay warehouse that is designed exclusively to receive empty containers is particularly preferred and can therefore preferably do without separate shelf compartments instead of storage locations altogether.This ensures that, on the one hand, separate stacking areas for empty containers outside the high-bay warehouse can be dispensed with, and, on the other hand, the handling of empty containers can be carried out automatically, preferably fully automatically, via the storage and retrieval machines within the high-bay warehouse.
[0021] It is preferred if the storage locations or separate racking areas are designed and suitable for accommodating a 20' standard container (1 TEU, Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit) or a 40' standard container (2 TEU), or for accommodating two half-length standard containers arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction. This means that two 20' standard containers adjacent to each other at their end faces can be placed in a storage location or separate racking compartment designed to accommodate a 40' standard container, or two 10' standard containers (0.5 TEU) can be stored in a storage location or separate racking compartment designed to accommodate a 20' standard container. This creates a high-bay warehouse that enables fully automated container handling while optimizing space utilization.In this context, it is particularly preferred if the storage and retrieval machine can move the containers into and out of the storage locations, preferably shelf compartments, with their long sides aligned parallel to the storage aisles. This results, on the one hand, in the arrangement of two rows of storage locations, preferably shelf compartments, on each side of a storage and retrieval machine, already described as preferred, being particularly advantageously supported. On the other hand, it also results in a minimal width of the storage aisles required for the storage and retrieval machines.
[0022] Unlike loaded containers, empty containers are stacked directly on top of one another. However, due to discontinuities in the corner areas of the containers, the so-called "corner castings", this can lead to instability of the stack as the stack height increases. In the worst case, this can lead to the entire stack or parts of it tipping over, possibly into the aisle of the storage and retrieval machine. To overcome this problem, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, retaining devices can be provided on the high-bay warehouse itself. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, these retaining devices are attached at regular intervals, preferably on both sides of the stack or the areas for empty containers. It is highly preferred if such retaining devices are attached to the vertical uprights of the high-bay warehouse.
[0023] In this context, it is particularly preferred if the high-bay warehouse is designed so that it can handle more than 2,500 standard containers per hectare and year (2,500 TEU / ha), preferably more than 3,000 TEU / ha, very preferably more than 5,000 TEU / ha. The unit TEU per hectare shown here represents a commercially available measure for the capacity of port logistics and in particular of high-bay warehouses. The stacking areas for empty containers outside of high-bay warehouses described above and operation with vehicles specially designed for this purpose, such as reach stackers or the like, achieve an annual throughput of no more than 2,500 TEU / ha. The high-bay warehouse according to the invention is capable of increasing the throughput of both loaded and empty containers, preferably in a fully automated manner, beyond this known level.According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for reducing and / or increasing the number of storage and retrieval machines per storage aisle in a high-bay warehouse according to the first aspect of the invention described above is provided. Within this high-bay warehouse, the containers are picked up by means of the storage and retrieval machines, transported to the respective shelf compartments and stored therein. Depending on requirements, in order to increase or reduce the number of storage and retrieval machines in a respective storage aisle, storage and retrieval machines are guided out of a storage aisle by means of a device for transporting at least one storage and retrieval machine perpendicularly or transversely to the longitudinal orientation, then picked up by the device, or fed by the device for transporting at least one storage and retrieval machine into the respective storage aisle or in front of the respective storage aisle and from there guided into the storage aisle.
[0024] Typically, a storage and retrieval machine is removed from operation in a first warehouse aisle and transferred to operation in a second warehouse aisle. However, the concept of the invention also encompasses the removal of a storage and retrieval machine from a warehouse aisle and its transfer to a waiting position, possibly outside the high-bay warehouse, or the increase in the number of storage and retrieval machines within a warehouse aisle by transferring a storage and retrieval machine from a waiting position, possibly outside the high-bay warehouse, to operation in a warehouse aisle. In such a case, the number of storage and retrieval machines within the other warehouse aisles remains unchanged.
[0025] The invention thus comprises a method in which, in a first alternative, a storage and retrieval machine is removed from a first storage aisle and moved to a second storage aisle by means of the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines, in order to then continue operation in this second storage aisle. In a second alternative, a storage and retrieval machine is moved from a waiting position, possibly a waiting position outside the high-bay warehouse, to a storage aisle by means of the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines and operated there while increasing the number of storage and retrieval machines used in this storage aisle. In a third alternative embodiment of the invention, a storage and retrieval machine is removed from a storage aisle and then moved by the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines to a waiting position in order to be kept, repaired, or maintained in the waiting position.
[0026] In any case, the movement of the storage and retrieval machine between the respective storage aisles and / or a storage aisle and the waiting position usually means that a storage and retrieval machine is moved completely out of the storage aisle, preferably by rail, and then moved transversely to the longitudinal alignment of the respective storage aisle by means of the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines. The distance between the storage aisle and the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines should preferably be kept as short as possible, but can vary depending on local conditions without departing from the spirit of the invention.In any case, it is essential that the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines uses the space above existing transport routes for external transport means and preferably enables unhindered operation of both the transport route and the device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines.
[0027] Preferably, the transport of the containers, both loaded and empty, within the high-bay warehouse is fully automated.
[0028] 5. Short description of the characters
[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to five figures, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. The figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0030] Shown are: Fig. 1 a plan view of a device according to the invention for
[0031] For receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines,
[0032] Fig. 2a) to 2c) a perspective view of a high-bay warehouse with storage and retrieval machines operated therein and a front-mounted and movable device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines,
[0033] Fig. 3a) a first embodiment of an inventively operated
[0034] Device for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines,
[0035] Fig. 3b) a second embodiment of a device operated according to the invention for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines,
[0036] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an inventive
[0037] High-bay warehouse with a device arranged above a transport route for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines,
[0038] Fig. 5a) shows a side view of a high-bay warehouse with a travel level for external transport equipment arranged below the area of the rack compartments, and
[0039] Fig. 5b) shows a top view of the high-bay warehouse according to
[0040] Figure 5a.
[0041] 6. Detailed description of the characters
[0042] Figure 1 shows a device 20 for transporting a storage and retrieval machine 5 which is movable along parallel rails 40. The device 20 has a chassis 21 which has a pair of wheels 24 at each corner, thus a total of eight wheels 24 which run on the outer rails 40. Each pair of wheels 24 is assigned a drive (not shown) in order to accelerate the device 20, which in this embodiment has a dead weight which is approximately in the same order of magnitude as the dead weight of the storage and retrieval machine, for example around 200 t, with a width of 11.1 m, a height of 19.3 m and a length of 23.3 m, to a transport speed of approximately 1.0 m / sec.Above the chassis 21, a frame-like support structure 23 is an integral part of the device 20 for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines 5, within which the storage and retrieval machine 5 can be held in a tilt-proof manner in order to then be moved along the rails 40 between the individual (not shown) storage aisles or their longitudinal extensions, or between a (not shown) waiting position and the (not shown) storage aisles.
[0043] Figures 2a) to 2c) show a section of a high-bay warehouse 1 with a device 20 arranged at the front for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines 5 perpendicular to the longitudinal extensions of the parallel storage aisles 4 and above a transport path (not shown) for external transport means. In Figure 2a), the device 20 has been moved in front of a corresponding storage aisle 4, with floor-side rails 7 being provided within the storage aisle 4 up to the device 20, in particular the area above the chassis 21 of the device 20.
[0044] Figure 2b) shows the moving out of a storage and retrieval machine 5 from its corresponding storage aisle 4, wherein the storage and retrieval machine 5 moves out of its roof-side guide within the high-bay warehouse 1 when leaving the storage aisle 4 and is then held exclusively by the support frame 23 of the device 20.
[0045] Finally, Figure 2c) shows the complete removal of the storage and retrieval machine 5 from its corresponding storage aisle and the complete reception of the storage and retrieval machine 5 within the device 20 for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines 5. The storage and retrieval machine 5 can thus be transported via the device 20 to any desired storage aisle 4 or to a waiting position (not shown), if necessary also outside the high-bay warehouse 1.
[0046] Figure 3a) shows an inventive use of a device 20 for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (not shown). The device 20 is arranged above a transport path 30 for external transport means 31 in the form of trucks. The chassis 21 of the device 20 consists of a crossbeam 25, along which a storage and retrieval machine (not shown) can be moved in and out of the device 20, as well as supports 26, 27, which are designed below the crossbeam 25 such that they rest on the wheels 24 on the one hand and extend to the crossbeam 25 on the other, ensuring safe and unhindered operation of the transport path 30. Above the crossbeam 25, supports 26, 27 are dimensioned such that they securely hold a storage and retrieval machine (not shown) in place, even when the device 20 moves.
[0047] Figure 3b) shows a further embodiment of a device 20 used according to the invention for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (not shown) above a transport path 30 for transport means 31, here in the form of a truck. The device 20 has a crossbeam 25 as a chassis 21, which supports wheels 24 arranged in pairs. The wheels 24 rest on side limits 32, 33 that define the transport path 30 laterally and a central limit 34 that divides the transport path 30 in the middle. The height of the side boundaries 32, 33, 34 is designed such that the transport path 30 below the travel level 6 for storage and retrieval machines (not shown) can be used safely and unhindered by the transport means 31, even if the device 20 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the transport path 30 and thus perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal alignment of the storage aisles (not shown) on the side boundaries 32, 33 and 34.The supports 26, 27 of the frame-like support structure 23 of the device 20 are designed in such a way that, as in Figure 3a), a tilt-proof transport of the control devices (not shown) accommodated in the device 20 is ensured even when the device 20 is moving.
[0048] Figure 4 shows a plan view of a high-bay warehouse 1 according to the invention with a plurality of storage aisles 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 arranged parallel to one another, in each of which at least one storage and retrieval machine 5 is arranged and can transport containers 2 into or out of the respective storage locations 15 or separate shelf compartments 3. At the front of the high-bay warehouse 1, a transport path 30 is arranged below the travel plane 6 for storage and retrieval machines 5. According to the invention, a device 20 for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines 5 is arranged above the transport path 30 such that, on the one hand, it can be moved perpendicular to the longitudinal alignment of the storage aisles 4 and, on the other hand, spans the transport path 30.The movement of the device 20 is dimensioned such that not only the transport of storage and retrieval machines 5 between the individual storage aisles 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 is possible, but also the removal of storage and retrieval machines from the high-bay warehouse 1 into the laterally arranged waiting position 60. For this purpose, the device 20 is arranged in alignment with the waiting position 60 such that a storage and retrieval machine 5 can be transported out of the device 20 and parallel to the storage aisles 4 into the waiting position 60.
[0049] Figure 5a) shows a side view of a high-bay warehouse 1 with an area with separate shelf compartments 3 for receiving containers 2 and a driving level for external transport means 31 arranged below the area for separate shelf compartments 3. The external transport means 31 travel from the outside into the area of the high-bay warehouse 1 and to parking positions below the separate shelf compartments 3 or storage locations 15 for containers. From these parking positions, storage and retrieval machines (not shown) can remove the containers 2 from the external transport means 31 and transport them into the high-bay warehouse 1 into the suitable separate shelf compartments 3 or storage locations 15 for empty containers. Likewise, the containers 2 are removed from the high-bay warehouse 1 via storage and retrieval machines (not shown), which place the containers 2 on the external transport means 31, for example trucks or rail-bound vehicles.In the embodiment shown, the transport of the containers 2 out of the high-bay warehouse 1 (or into it) takes place by crossing the supply path 61 over the transport path 30, which is spanned by the device 20 for transporting storage and retrieval machines.
[0050] Figure 5b) shows a top view of the high-bay warehouse 1 according to Figure 5a). Below the area for separate shelf compartments 3 and storage locations 15 for empty containers 2, feed paths 61 for external transport means 31 are provided below the storage aisles 4. Storage and retrieval machines (not shown) can be arranged via the respective parking positions within the feed paths 61 and can pick up containers 2 from the external transport means 31 from there or deposit them onto them. The containers 2 are transported away via the external transport means 31 along the feed path 61, which in the present embodiment crosses the transport path 30, along whose route the device 20 for transporting storage and retrieval machines also travels, in order to then be transported further, for example, on a road or the like independent of the high-bay warehouse 1.
[0051] List of reference symbols
[0052] 1 high-bay warehouse
[0053] 2 containers
[0054] 3 separate shelves
[0055] 4 Lagergasse
[0056] 5 storage and retrieval machine
[0057] 6 Travel level of the storage and retrieval machines 5
[0058] 7 floor-side rails (in storage aisles 4)
[0059] 15 Storage space for Container 2
[0060] 20 Device for transporting storage and retrieval machines
[0061] 21 Chassis
[0062] 22 Drive
[0063] 23 Support structure
[0064] 24 wheels
[0065] 25 crossbeam
[0066] 26 supports
[0067] 27 supports
[0068] 30 Transport route
[0069] 31 means of transport
[0070] 32 page limits
[0071] 33 Page limit
[0072] 40 rails
[0073] 60 waiting position
[0074] 61 Supply route
Claims
Patent claims 1. High-bay warehouse (1) for storing and retrieving containers (2), comprising a plurality of storage locations (15) for containers (2) arranged horizontally next to one another and vertically one above the other, and storage aisles (4) arranged between groups of storage locations (15) and running parallel to one another, in each of which at least one storage and retrieval machine (5) is movable back and forth and is designed to move the containers (2) vertically and horizontally, as well as into and out of the storage locations (15), wherein the high-bay warehouse (1) is assigned a transport path (30) for transport means (31), which is arranged below the travel plane (6) of the storage and retrieval machines (5), and at least one device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) is provided, which device spans the transport path (30) and is designed and equipped toto pick up at least one storage and retrieval machine (5) and to move it perpendicular to the longitudinal alignment of the storage aisles (4) between at least two storage aisles (4-1, 4-2).
2. High-bay warehouse (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport path (30) is arranged on at least one end face of the high-bay warehouse (1).
3. High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) is provided to be movable over a distance which corresponds at least to the distance between all storage aisles (4) within the high-bay warehouse (1).
4. High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) is movable on rails (40) which are arranged on both sides of the transport path (30). High-bay warehouse (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rails (40) are arranged on side boundaries (32, 33) for the transport path (30), which preferably extend from the plane of the transport path (30) to the travel plane (6) of the storage and retrieval machines (5). High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one waiting position (60) for unused storage and retrieval machines (5) or for the maintenance of storage and retrieval machines (5) is provided outside the high-bay warehouse (1), and the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) is designed and configured to be moved between all storage aisles (4) and the waiting position (60) or at least along the longitudinal extent of their supply path (61).High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage locations (15), preferably the separate shelf compartments (3), are designed and suitable for accommodating a 20-foot standard container (1 TEU) or a 40-foot standard container (2 TEU), or for accommodating two half-length standard containers (10-foot or 20-foot standard containers) arranged one behind the other in their longitudinal direction. High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage and retrieval machine (5) can move the containers (2) with their long sides aligned parallel to the storage aisles (4) into and out of the storage locations (15), preferably separate shelf compartments (3). High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage and retrieval machine (5) can transport the containers (2) hanging and supported from above. High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatcharacterized in that the storage locations (15) each have supports at least for the lower corners of the containers (2), preferably supports that are connected to vertical supports (10) of the high-bay warehouse (1). High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) has a chassis (21), preferably with at least one drive (22), and a support structure (23), preferably a support frame, for securely supporting a storage and retrieval machine (5) received within the device (20). High-bay warehouse (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the support structure (23) has a height that corresponds to at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, of the height of a storage and retrieval machine (5).High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the high-bay warehouse (1) is designed and suitable for handling more than 2500 TEU / ha, preferably more than 3000 TEU / ha, very preferably more than 5000 TEU / ha. High-bay warehouse (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is part of a handling facility, in particular of a seaport or inland port. Method for reducing and / or increasing the number of storage and retrieval machines (5) per storage aisle (4) in a high-bay warehouse (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one storage and retrieval machine (5) is provided by means of at least one device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5), which device spans a transport path (30) for transport means (31) and receives at least one storage and retrieval machine (5) and moves it perpendicular to the longitudinal alignment of the storage aisles (4) between at least two storage aisles (4). Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) is moved along and above the transport path (30), wherein the movement of transport means (31) along the transport path (30) takes place unaffected by the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5). Method according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that a storage and retrieval machine (5) is guided out of a first storage aisle (4-1), fed to the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5), picked up by the latter and moved to a second storage aisle (4-2), and removed from the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) and fed into the second storage aisle (4-2).Method according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that a storage and retrieval machine (5) is led out of a waiting position (60), fed to the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5), picked up by the latter and moved to a storage aisle (4), and removed from the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) and fed into the storage aisle (4). Method according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that a storage and retrieval machine (5) is led out of a storage aisle (4), fed to the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5), picked up by the latter and moved to a waiting position (60), and removed from the device (20) for receiving and transporting storage and retrieval machines (5) and fed to the waiting position (60).