Upright post for a storage rack

Abstract

Upright post (102) for a storage rack, the upright post (102) comprising a pole (10) extending in a first direction and a toothed rack (20) comprising first teeth (23) projecting in a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction (Z) and distributed in the first direction (Z), the first teeth (23) being intended to mesh with second teeth (43) on the periphery of a toothed wheel (42) of a vehicle (V), characterized in that the toothed rack (20) is made of plastic and is fixed directly to the pole (10).

Description

Description Title: Storage Rack Amount Technical field

[0001] The present description relates to an upright for a storage rack. The present description also relates to a storage rack comprising such an upright and to a transport system comprising at least one such storage rack and a vehicle such as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle). Prior art

[0002] In the logistics field, it is well known to have storage racks in warehouses. A storage rack in a warehouse typically comprises a vertical structure, formed by a set of vertical uprights, often in the form of vertical metal profiles. Bracing devices, such as crossbars or similar, typically connect the uprights. These bracing devices are distributed along the height of the vertical structure and ensure the stability of the storage rack structure.

[0003] In warehouses, these storage racks are intended to accommodate and store items, said items then being brought together to form orders; these orders are then sent to an end customer by means of road, rail or any other type of transport, or taken out of the warehouse to be collected directly by the end customer at a "drive".

[0004] Within their structure, storage racks define storage locations, also called cells. These cells are designed to hold bins or, more generally, receptacles, in which items are placed and stored. To this end, pairs of mechanical interfaces, typically in the form of brackets, are attached to the uprights to ensure the centering and support of the various loads at the level of the different cells.

[0005] Such storage racks may be served by a transport system comprising automated guided vehicles configured to pick up and place items in said storage racks. Such storage systems are called ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System). Automatic guided vehicles, hereinafter referred to by their abbreviation AGV (Automatic guided vehicle), are robots that move autonomously without human intervention.

[0006] The AGVs can also move in at least one direction, or even both directions, of a horizontal surface which can typically be the warehouse floor. The automated guided vehicles can also move vertically on the storage racks. Such storage systems are disclosed in particular by the document WO 2019 / 072432. As disclosed by this document WO2019 / 072432, automated guided vehicles are configured to pick up receptacles of products or articles supported by the brackets in the storage racks, and transport them to another location, typically another location of storage or at an order preparation station where said items are brought together, typically in order to constitute an order for an end customer.

[0007] According to this latter configuration, said AGVs may have a chassis equipped with climbing means. Typically, these means comprise motorized toothed wheels 210 of the vehicle which are configured to mesh with the links of a substantially tensioned roller chain, or with the teeth of a rack bar extending along the uprights of the storage racks.

[0008] As disclosed by WO 2019 / 072432, the chassis of the automated guided vehicle also typically has a gripping device comprising a support movable relative to the chassis which is configured to move from a retracted position for loading a receptacle (typically a bin) on the chassis of the vehicle in which the support is typically housed on the chassis, and to a deployed unloading position in which the movable support extends cantilevered from the chassis to unload / deposit the receptacle, typically on one of the pairs of brackets of the storage rack.

[0009] Thus, AGVs have means of locomotion and orientation, making them capable of moving in three dimensions. In addition to the two flat dimensions generally associated with the ground on which the AGVs move, there is a third vertical dimension associated with the storage racks on which the AGVs are able to climb and descend. Examples of this technology can be found in WO 2018 / 189110, but also WO 2020 / 056175, EP 3 288 865 and WO 2022 / 089811, among others.

[0010] In such a state of the art, the rack bars (or tensioned chains) fixed vertically to the posts of the storage racks are additional equipment to the profiles of the storage rack uprights, which require specific fixing devices for their connection to the upright profiles. Their assembly to the profile often requires compliance with a rigorous assembly procedure when fixing them to the uprights. Document FR 3.103.368 A1 is an example of such an assembly procedure.

[0011] As understandable from the assembly steps of document FR 3.103.368 A1, in particular when the engaging member fixed to the post is a chain, such an assembly procedure requires compliance with a specific order of the assembly procedure steps, including adjustments of various dimensions. These assembly procedures are typically complex, lengthy and therefore both costly and time-consuming. In addition, they require skilled operators to implement them.

[0012] Chains have an additional disadvantage compared to racks, in that they loosen and therefore stretch. Chains require regular maintenance to replace them, otherwise the teeth on the sprocket wheel will wear out prematurely.

[0013] In order to benefit from a transmission requiring less regular maintenance, the professional prefers racks to chains.

[0014] An example of an upright 200 provided with a rack 204 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The rack 204 extends over the height of the upright 200. The rack 204 is connected to a post 202 of the upright by means of a plurality of spacers 206 fixed to the upright and distributed along the height of the upright and by means of a metal omega profile 208 also extending over the height of the upright 204, this profile 208 providing one or more rolling paths for guide rollers of the climbing means.

[0015] Such an amount 200 thus includes a superimposed assembly of four types of components: - post 202, in the form of a first profile, acting as a structural element, - the spacers 206, typically plastic, distributed over the height of the post, - the omega profile 208, forming a second profile, extending parallel to the profile of the post 202, acting as a guide element, and - said rack 204 typically comprising several plastic sections, depending on the height of the upright.

[0016] The post 202 and the rack 204 are generally standard commercial elements. In addition, the raceways of the profile 208 are typically formed on faces of the profile 208 which are opposite the AGV. For these reasons, the arrangement of spacers proves necessary to adjust as precisely as possible the distance between the guide rollers of the climbing means of the AGV on the one hand, and the raceways of the profile 208 on the other hand, thus allowing said rollers to mesh with the raceways.

[0017] Such an arrangement has the disadvantage of being bulky due to the large number of elements connected to each other. Also, due to the large number of elements, the assembly of such an amount is long, complex and expensive. Summary

[0018] There is provided an upright for a storage rack, the upright comprising a post extending in a first direction and a rack comprising first teeth projecting in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and distributed in the first direction, the first teeth being intended to mesh with second teeth at the periphery of a toothed wheel of a vehicle, characterized in that the rack is made of plastic material and is fixed directly to the post.

[0019] A rack made of plastic has the advantage of being lightweight and less expensive. The fact that the rack is directly connected to the post allows the number of assembled parts to be reduced. The upright is therefore easier and faster to assemble. Furthermore, due to its compactness, this solution proves to be more rigid than the known solution using spacers distributed along the height of the post, particularly with respect to lateral forces (i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the first direction) exerted by the vehicle as it moves along the upright. Indeed, in the known solution, the lever arm between the means The vehicle's climbing height and the post are greater due to the arrangement of the spacers, which makes the post less rigid at equal dimensions or requires expensive oversizing to achieve the desired rigidity.

[0020] By "directly fixed", it is understood that the rack is directly attached to the post to be fixed there. The rack may be fixed to the post by any suitable fixing means, such as screws, bolts, rivets, elastic fitting means. The upright has no intermediate element between the post and the rack, other than fixing means. In particular, the upright has no spacer between the rack and the post.

[0021] The vehicle may be an AGV, the acronym for "automated guided vehicle." Cooperation between the first teeth and the second teeth may allow the vehicle to move in the first direction along the upright.

[0022] The post may have a first dimension along the first direction. The rack may extend along the first direction over at least a portion of the first dimension of the post. The first direction may correspond to a vertical direction. The first dimension of the post may coincide with a height of the post.

[0023] The rack can be made, in whole or in part, by plastic injection. The rack can have a constant first tooth pitch in the first direction.

[0024] The post may comprise a bearing wall which extends in the first direction and which comprises a front face, the rack comprising a main wall which extends in the first direction and which comprises a front face from which the first teeth project in the second direction and a rear face opposite the front face in the second direction, the rear face of the main wall bearing in the second direction on the front face of the bearing wall of the post.

[0025] The support wall of the post may comprise a rear face opposite the front face in the second direction, the rear face of the support wall being configured to cooperate with a first guide member of the vehicle such as a roller or a shoe.

[0026] This ensures stabilization of the vehicle in the second direction when it moves in the first direction along the upright. The first guide member can be coupled to a toothed wheel support.

[0027] The post may be rectilinear in shape in the first direction. The post may be non-rectilinear in shape. The post may have a bend.

[0028] The support wall of the post may comprise at least one notch adapted to move the first guide member in the second direction from the side of the front face to the side of the rear face to position it opposite the rear face of the support wall of the post.

[0029] The toothed wheel and the first guide member can be coupled to the same support and it is possible to engage the second teeth with the first teeth and the first guide member. guiding with the rear face of the support wall simultaneously according to a displacement of the support in the second direction.

[0030] Said at least one notch may be made at a lower end of the post, the lower end preferably being the end by which the post is fixed to the ground.

[0031] Due to the reduced mass of the rack, the notch can be advantageously located at the lower end of the post to facilitate engagement of the first guide member with the rear face of the post's support wall without weakening the post.

[0032] The rack can be removably attached to the post, preferably by elastic fitting.

[0033] The assembly of the rack to the post is simple and quick. It has been observed that assembly time is reduced by a factor of ten for such a post compared to the assembly of known posts. Also, a removable rack attachment allows the rack to be removed from the post in case of maintenance or replacement, without the need to move the post.

[0034] The rack may comprise at least one first projecting relief received by elastic fitting, or clipped, in a respective hole through the post. The rack may comprise a plurality of first reliefs distributed along the first direction. Each first relief may project from the rear face of the main wall of the rack along the second direction. Each first relief may comprise a retention portion adapted to be deformed between a deformed configuration in which the retention portion can be inserted into the respective hole through the post and a rest configuration in which the retention portion cooperates with a face of the post which is opposite the rack. The holes receiving the first reliefs of the rack may be formed through the bearing wall. The retention portion of the first reliefs may cooperate by elastic return with the rear face of the bearing wall.The rack may comprise at least two rows along the first direction of first reliefs. The holes receiving the first reliefs may be formed through the fourth wall of each wing of the profile. According to a particular example, the rack may comprise two rows along the first direction of first reliefs.

[0035] The main wall of the rack may comprise at least one notch adapted for inserting a tool, preferably flat, between the post and the rack in the second direction.

[0036] This makes it easier to disassemble the rack.

[0037] Each notch of the rack can open at the rear face of the main wall in the second direction and at a side face of the main wall in a third direction, this second and this third direction being perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0038] The main wall may include a plurality of notches distributed along the first direction. This makes disassembly even easier.

[0039] The main wall may comprise a side face on each side in the third direction. The main wall may comprise, for each side face, at least one notch emerging at the side face in the third direction and at the rear face of the main wall in the second direction. The main wall may comprise, for each side face, a plurality of notches distributed in the first direction, each emerging at the side face in the third direction and at the rear face of the main wall in the second direction.

[0040] The rack may comprise at least one side wall extending in the first direction and projecting from the front face of the main wall in the second direction, each side wall comprising an external face configured to cooperate with a second guiding member of the vehicle such as a roller or a shoe, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and to the second direction and / or an internal face configured to cooperate with a third guiding member of the vehicle such as a roller or a shoe, in the third direction.

[0041] This ensures stabilization of the vehicle in the third direction when it moves in the first direction along the upright. The second guide member and / or the third guide member may be coupled to a toothed wheel support.

[0042] The rack may comprise two side walls, preferably each arranged at a respective end of the main wall in the third direction.

[0043] The outer face of each side wall may form a raceway, or rolling surface, for the second guide member. The inner face of each side wall may form a raceway, or rolling surface for the third guide member.

[0044] Each side wall may extend in the first direction between a lower end and an upper end. The lower end of each side wall may be located above the portion of the post comprising said at least one notch to allow the movement of the first guide member in the second direction from the side of the front face to the side of the rear face to position it opposite the rear face of the support wall of the post.

[0045] The rack may comprise a plurality of unit rack elements each extending in the first direction between a lower end and an upper end, the unit rack elements being arranged end to end in the first direction, each unit rack element comprising a portion of first teeth.

[0046] This makes the rack easier to manufacture. A rack of this type is more rigid. Furthermore, it facilitates maintenance in that a single unitary rack element can be replaced without having to dismantle the other unitary rack elements. Also, such a rack has an increased service life. Such a rack can be advantageously adapted to have a service life of at least 20 years, or a service life allowing 2,000,000 round trips of the vehicle along the upright.

[0047] Each unitary rack element can be manufactured by injection molding.

[0048] Each unitary rack element may have a dimension in the first direction of between 500 mm and 1000 mm, preferably equal to 600 mm. The rack may be formed by the plurality of unitary rack elements.

[0049] It is understood that each unitary rack element comprises a portion of the main rack wall and a portion of the side rack walls.

[0050] Each unitary rack element may be fixed directly to the post, preferably by elastic interlocking or clipping. Each unitary rack element may comprise at least one first relief as described above. Each unitary rack element may comprise a pair of first reliefs at each of its ends in the first direction, the first reliefs of each pair preferably being aligned in the third direction. Each unitary rack element may comprise at least one notch as described above. Each unitary rack element may comprise a pair of notches at each of its ends in the first direction, the notches of each pair preferably each opening respectively at one of the lateral faces of the part of the main wall of the rack formed by the unitary rack element.

[0051] The lower end and the upper end of each unit rack element may extend in an inclined plane forming an angle with a plane perpendicular to the first direction.

[0052] When the vehicle moves along the upright in the first direction, a gradual or even continuous transition of the contact of the second guide member on the outer face of one of the side walls between two consecutive rack unit elements and / or of the contact of the third guide member on the inner face of one of the side walls between two consecutive rack unit elements is thus ensured. This reduces jolts at these transitions. Premature wear of the second guide member and / or the third member is thus avoided and the noise level is reduced.

[0053] In other words, the lower end and the upper end of each unitary rack element are beveled.

[0054] The angle between the plane defining the upper end and the lower end of each unit rack element may be formed about the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0055] The angle between the inclined plane defining the upper end and the lower end of each unitary rack element and a plane perpendicular to the first direction may be greater than a minimum angle determined as a function of a contact width between the second guide member and the external face of the corresponding side wall and / or between the third guide member and the internal face of the corresponding side wall.

[0056] The angle between the plane defining the upper end and the lower end of each unit rack element and a plane perpendicular to the first direction may be less than a maximum angle determined so as to allow the removal of one of the unit rack elements.

[0057] Each unitary rack element may comprise at least one second relief projecting in the first direction from one of the lower end and the upper end, and at least one housing formed in the other of the lower end and the upper end, said at least one second relief of each unitary rack element cooperating by form complementarity with the housing formed of the adjacent unitary rack element.

[0058] This ensures better alignment in the first direction of the unit rack elements relative to each other. The rolling of the toothed wheel along the rack is thus improved. The unit rack elements can be nested within each other. Two unit rack elements can be nested within each other by being displaced at least one relatively relative to the other in a corresponding direction of the first direction.

[0059] The post may comprise at least one groove along the first direction opening out along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the rear face of the support wall at least partially delimiting said groove. Said at least one groove being adapted to receive the first guide member. The post may comprise a first groove and a second groove along the first direction and opening out along the third perpendicular direction. The first groove may be formed on a first side of the post along the third direction. The second groove may be formed on a second side of the post along the third direction. The first groove and / or the second groove may be adapted to receive the first guide member.

[0060] The post may have symmetry about a plane of symmetry including the first direction and the second direction.

[0061] The post may be a profile extending in the first direction, preferably metallic, for example steel or aluminum. The profile may have a tubular or semi-tubular section. The profile may have a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, preferably equal to 1.5 mm, which ensures the performance of the post in terms of rigidity, bending strength, or even resistance to torsion of the post.

[0062] The profile may comprise a web, a first flange and a second flange. The flanges may be arranged on either side of the web in the third direction. Each flange may be connected to a respective end of the web by a respective bend line. The web of the column may extend perpendicular to the second direction.

[0063] Each wing may respectively comprise a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall. The first wall of each wing may be connected to the web by the corresponding first fold line. The second wall of each wing may be connected to the first wall of the corresponding wing by a fold line. The third wall of each wing may be connected to the second wall of the corresponding wing by a fold line. The fourth wall of each wing may be connected to the third wall of the corresponding wing by a fold line. The first wall, second wall, third wall, and fourth wall of each wing may each be planar. The fold lines may each extend in the first direction.

[0064] The fourth wall of the first wing and the fourth wall of the second wing may extend in the same plane, preferably perpendicular to the second direction. The fourth wall of the first wing and the fourth wall of the second wing may form the support wall of the column. The third wall of the first wing may be opposite the third wall of the second wing in the third direction.

[0065] Each fold line can form a 90° angle between two adjacent walls.

[0066] The first groove may be delimited by the second wall, the third wall and the fourth wall of the first flange. The second groove may be delimited by the second wall, the third wall and the fourth wall of the profile of the second flange.

[0067] A notch as described above may be formed in the fourth wall of the first wing and a notch as described above may be formed in the fourth wall of the second wing.

[0068] The fourth wall of each wing of the profile may comprise a row along the first direction of holes for receiving the first reliefs of one of the two rows of first reliefs.

[0069] The amount may further comprise an arranged stop member, fixed directly to the post and / or to the rack.

[0070] The stop member is intended to prevent the gear wheel from moving upwards beyond this. The stop member may be arranged at an upper end of the rack (20) or the post.

[0071] The amount may further comprise a centering member fixed directly to the post and arranged below the rack in the first direction, the centering member being adapted to cooperate with a positioning device of the vehicle to adjust the positioning of the second teeth of the toothed wheel of the vehicle relative to the first teeth of the rack, in particular in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[0072] This ensures correct positioning of the second teeth of the vehicle's gear wheel relative to the first teeth of the rack before moving the vehicle along the upright in the first direction. The cooperation between the centering member and the positioning device allows for correction of any positioning errors of the vehicle before starting to move it along the upright.

[0073] The centering member may comprise at least one side wall which comprises an inner face and an outer face adapted respectively to cooperate with a first support member and a second support member of the positioning device. The inner face and the outer face of the side wall of the centering member may be opposite in the third direction. The inner face and the outer face of the side wall of the centering member may extend respectively in a first plane and a second plane forming an angle with respect to each other around the first direction. The centering member preferably comprises two side walls.

[0074] The centering member may comprise a central wall from which said at least one side wall projects in the second direction. The centering member, in particular the central wall of the centering member, may be integral, i.e. in one piece, with the rack. The centering member may be integral with the lowest unitary rack element, i.e. the unitary rack element whose lower end forms the inner end of the rack.

[0075] The centering member may be adapted to cooperate with a positioning device of the vehicle to adjust the positioning of the first guide member relative to the rear face of the support wall of the post and / or the positioning of the second guide member relative to the external face of the side wall of the rack and / or the positioning of the third guide member relative to the internal face of the side wall of the rack.

[0076] A distance in the third direction between the outer face of the side wall of the rack and a median plane of the rack comprising the first direction may be less than a distance in the third direction between the outer face of the side wall of the centering member and the median plane. This allows for a smooth transition when switching from the cooperation of the positioning device with the centering member to the cooperation between the guide members and the post and the rack.

[0077] According to another aspect, there is provided a storage rack comprising a plurality of uprights as described above.

[0078] The storage rack may comprise at least one row of uprights as described above in the third direction, preferably each upright of each row of uprights being aligned in the second direction with one of the uprights of each of the other rows of uprights. The storage rack may preferably comprise two rows of uprights as described above in the third direction.

[0079] Storage racking can also be referred to as “shelfing.”

[0080] The storage rack may comprise a plurality of cells adapted to store at least one bin and / or at least one item. Access to a cell for storing or removing an item and / or a bin may be effected in the second direction. Each cell may be delimited in the second direction by two consecutive uprights in the second direction of at least one of the rows of uprights.

[0081] The uprights can be kept parallel to each other by a bracing system.

[0082] According to another aspect, there is provided a transport and storage system comprising a storage rack as described above and at least one vehicle comprising a chassis and at least one climbing means, said climbing means comprising at least one toothed wheel which comprises second teeth distributed along its periphery and adapted to mesh with the first teeth of the rack of a respective upright among the plurality of uprights of the storage rack, to ensure movement in the first direction of the vehicle along said respective upright.

[0083] When ascending or descending, a rotational movement of the toothed wheel, or toothed wheels, is transformed into a translational movement of the vehicle along the respective upright.

[0084] The structure of the uprights as described above also has the advantage of not being deformed, particularly in torsion, in the event that the vehicle ends up at an angle between the uprights, for example if one of the toothed wheels breaks causing one side of the vehicle to collapse. This avoids replacing the upright, or uprights as the case may be, which constitutes a major intervention on the transport system and requires a stoppage of order preparation for a long period.

[0085] The system may comprise at least two storage racks as described above, spaced apart from each other in the second direction. The vehicle may be arranged between the two storage racks in the second direction. The vehicle may comprise at least one climbing means arranged on each side of the chassis in the second direction. Each climbing means may be arranged on one side in the second direction corresponding to one of the storage racks. Each climbing means may cooperate with one of the uprights of the corresponding storage rack.

[0086] Each climbing means may comprise a support associated with each toothed wheel. Each climbing means may comprise a first guide member such as a roller or a shoe, adapted to cooperate with, in particular to roll on, the rear face of the support wall of the post during movement in the first direction of the vehicle along the upright. Each climbing means may comprise a second guide member such as a roller or a shoe, adapted to cooperate with, in particular to roll on, the external face of the side wall of the rack during movement in the first direction of the vehicle along the upright. Each climbing means may comprise a third guide member such as a roller or a shoe, adapted to cooperate with, in particular to roll on, the internal face of the side wall of the rack during movement in the first direction of the vehicle along the upright.

[0087] The vehicle may comprise a vehicle positioning device for adjusting the positioning of the second teeth of each toothed wheel of the vehicle relative to the first teeth of the associated rack, in particular in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. Brief description of the drawings

[0088] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

[0089] Figure 1 shows a partial view of a storage rack upright according to the known state of the art.

[0090] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the upright of Figure 1 in cooperation with an AGV.

[0091] Figure 3 includes Figures 3a to 3c. Figure 3a shows a perspective view of a storage rack including an upright according to the present disclosure. Figures 3b and 3c show on an enlarged scale the boxed areas of Figure 3a.

[0092] Figure 4 shows a partial view of a transport and storage system comprising storage racks identical to that of Figure 3 and a vehicle.

[0093] Figure 5 shows a partial view of a storage rack upright according to the present description and cooperating with a vehicle.

[0094] Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the upright and vehicle of Figure 5.

[0095] Figure 7 shows a partial perspective view of a rack of the upright of Figure 5.

[0096] Figure 8 represents a partial perspective view of a detail of the upright of Figure 5.

[0097] Figure 9 shows an exploded view of two unit rack elements of the rack of Figure 7.

[0098] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a lower end of the upright of Figure 5.

[0099] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a lower end of the upright of Figure 5 from which a lower end of the rack and a centering member have been removed.

[0100] Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a lower end of the rack and a centering member of the upright of Figure 5.

[0101] Figure 13 shows a front view of the lower end of the rack and the centering member of the upright of Figure 5.

[0102] Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the centering member of Figure 12 cooperating with a vehicle positioning device. Description of the embodiments

[0103] Reference is now made to Figures 3 to 14. In the remainder of the description, reference is made to a first direction Z, a second direction X and a third direction Y. In the examples shown, the first direction Z coincides with a vertical direction extending according to the Earth's gravity field. However, embodiments in which the first direction Z does not coincide with the vertical direction are not excluded. The first direction Z is perpendicular to the second direction X and the third direction Y. The second direction X is perpendicular to the third direction Y. It is therefore understood that the second direction X and the third direction Y form horizontal directions, here orthogonal to each other.

[0104] Figure 3 shows a storage rack 100. According to an equivalent term, the storage rack 100 can be referred to as “shelving”. The storage rack 100 comprises a structure which comprises a plurality of uprights 102. In the example shown, the storage rack 100 comprises two rows of uprights 102 along the third direction Y. Each upright 102 of one of the rows of uprights 102 is aligned with one of the uprights 102 of the other row of uprights 102 along the second direction X. The uprights 102 are kept parallel to each other along the first direction Z by a system of spacers 104.

[0105] The storage rack 100 forms a plurality of cells 106, or storage locations, adapted to receive at least one item and / or at least one bin which may comprise one or more items. Access to a cell 106 for storing or removing an item and / or a bin may be from at least one of the sides of the storage rack along the second direction X. Each cell 106 is delimited along the second direction X by two consecutive uprights 102 along the second direction X of each row of uprights 102.

[0106] A transport and storage system comprises at least one storage rack 100 and preferably at least two storage racks 100. Figure 4 shows a transport and storage system which comprises two storage racks 100 spaced apart from each other in the second direction X. The transport and storage system further comprises a vehicle V. The vehicle V may be an AGV, the acronym AGV designating “automated guided vehicle”. The vehicle V is arranged between the two storage racks 100 in the second direction X.

[0107] The vehicle V comprises a chassis C. The vehicle V comprises, on each side of the chassis C in the second direction X, two climbing means G. The climbing means G are here arranged at the four corners of the chassis C. Each climbing means G is therefore arranged in the second direction X between the chassis C and one of the storage racks 100. Each climbing means G cooperates with one of the uprights 102 of the corresponding storage rack to ensure movement in the first direction of the vehicle V along the storage racks 100. Thus, the vehicle V can rise and fall in order to pick up or place an item and / or a bin in a given cell 106.To do this, the vehicle V may comprise a gripping device comprising a support movable relative to the chassis C which is configured to move from a retracted position for loading a bin onto the chassis C of the vehicle V and in which the support is housed on the chassis C, and to a deployed unloading position in which the movable support extends cantilevered from the chassis C to unload / deposit the bin.

[0108] In the following, an assembly comprising an upright 102 for a storage rack 100 as described above and a climbing means G for a vehicle V of the storage and transport system as described above is described in more detail.

[0109] The amount 102 firstly comprises a post 10 extending in the first direction Z. The post 10 is of rectilinear shape in the first direction Z. The post 10 may have a first dimension along the first Z direction. The first dimension of the post may coincide with a height thereof. A lower end of the post is configured to be fixed to the ground.

[0110] The post is more particularly visible in section in Figure 6. The post 10 is here a profile 10a extending in the first direction Z, preferably metallic, for example made of steel or aluminum. The profile 10a has a partly tubular section. The profile 10a may have a thickness of between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, preferably equal to 1.5 mm, which makes it possible to ensure the performance of the post 10 in terms of rigidity, resistance to bending, or even resistance to torsion of the post 10.

[0111] The profile 10a comprises a web 11, a first flange 12a and a second flange 12b. The flanges 12a, 12b are arranged on each side of the web 11 in the third direction Y. Each flange is connected to a respective end of the web 11 by a respective fold line 17. The web 11 of the post 10 extends perpendicular to the second direction X.

[0112] Each wing comprises respectively a first wall 13a, 13b, a second wall 14a, 14b, a third wall 15a, 15b and a fourth wall 16a, 16b. The first wall 13a, 13b of each wing 12a, 12b is connected to the core 11 by the corresponding first fold line 17. The second wall 14a, 14b of each wing 12a, 12b is connected to the first wall 13a, 13b of the corresponding wing by a fold line 17. The third wall 15a, 15b of each wing 12a, 12b is connected to the second wall 14a, 14b of the corresponding wing 12a, 12b by a fold line 17. The third wall 15a of the first wing 12a is opposite the third wall 15b of the second wing 12b in the third direction Y. The fourth wall 16a, 16b of each wing 12a, 12b is connected to the third wall 15a, 15b of the corresponding wing 12a, 12b by a fold line 17.The first wall 13a, 13b, the second wall 14a, 14b, the third wall 15a, 15b and the fourth wall 16a, 16b of each wing 12a, 12b are all planar. The fold lines 17 all extend in the first direction Z. Each fold line here forms an angle of 90° between two adjacent walls. The post 10 has symmetry with respect to a plane of symmetry comprising the first direction Z and the second direction X.

[0113] The upright 102 then comprises a rack 20. The rack 20 extends in the first direction at least over a portion of the first dimension of the post 10. The rack comprises first teeth 23 projecting in a second direction X perpendicular to the first direction Z and distributed in the first direction Z. The rack 20 may have a constant pitch of first teeth 23 in the first direction Z.

[0114] The rack is here made of plastic. The rack 20 may be made, in whole or in part, by plastic injection. A rack 20 made of plastic has the advantage of being light and less expensive. The rack may be made of Nylon (PA6). The plastic material from which the rack is made may include glass fibers in order to improve its rigidity and give it better dimensional stability.

[0115] Also, remarkably, the rack 20 is directly fixed to the post 10. The fact that the rack 20 is directly connected to the post 10 makes it possible to reduce the number of assembled parts. The upright 102 is thus easier and faster to assemble. Furthermore, this solution proves to be more rigid than the known solution using spacers distributed along the height of the post 10. By “directly fixed”, it is understood that the rack 20 is directly attached to the post 10 to be fixed there. The fixing of the rack 20 to the post 10 can be carried out by any suitable fixing means, such as screws, bolts, rivets or even by elastic interlocking means as described below in more detail. On the other hand, the upright 102 is devoid of intermediate elements between the post 10 and the rack 20, other than fixing means. In particular, the upright 102 is devoid of spacers between the rack 20 and the post 10.

[0116] For this purpose, the post 10 comprises a support wall 18 which extends in the first direction Z. The support wall comprises a front face 18a and a rear face 18b opposite the front face in the second direction X. The front face 18a and the rear face 18b of the support wall 18 are here perpendicular to the second direction X. The rack 20 comprises a main wall 21 which extends in the first direction. The main wall 21 comprises a front face 21a from which the first teeth 23 project in the second direction X and a rear face 21b opposite the front face 21a in the second direction X. The rear face 21b of the main wall 21 bears in the second direction X on the front face 18a of the bearing wall 18 of the post 10. The fourth wall 16a of the first wing 12a and the fourth wall 16b of the second wing 12b extend in the same plane, here perpendicular to the second direction X.The fourth wall 16a of the first wing 12a and the fourth wall 16b of the second wing 12b form the support wall 18 of the post 10.

[0117] Such an upright 102 also has the advantage of not being deformed, in particular in torsion, in the event that the vehicle V ends up at an angle between the uprights 102 (that is to say that it is no longer in a horizontal position relative to the ground, or in a perpendicular position relative to the uprights), for example if one of the elements of the transmission chain or climbing means breaks (for example one of the toothed wheels, a pinion, a reducer, a belt, a gear or a universal joint) causing one side of the vehicle V to collapse or in the event of a power supply failure. This avoids replacing the upright 102, which constitutes a major intervention on the storage and transport system and requires stopping order preparation for a long period.

[0118] The rack 20 is removably attached to the post 10, preferably by elastic interlocking. The assembly of the rack 20 to the post 10 is thus simple and rapid. A time saving of a factor of ten has been observed for the assembly of such an upright 102 compared to the assembly of known uprights 102. Also, a removable attachment of the rack 20 allows the removal of the rack 20 from the post 10 in the event of maintenance or replacement thereof, without it being necessary to move the post 10.

[0119] To do this, as visible in Figure 7, the rack 20 here comprises two rows along the first direction of first reliefs 24. Each first relief 24 projects from the rear face 21b of the main wall 21 of the rack 20 along the second direction X. Each first relief 24 of one of the rows is aligned with a first relief of the other row along the third direction Y. Each first relief 24 is received by elastic fitting, or by clipping, in a respective hole through the post 10. Each first relief 24 comprises a retention portion adapted to be deformed between a deformed configuration in which the retention portion can be inserted into the respective hole 18a through the post 10 and a rest configuration in which the retention portion cooperates with a face of the post 10 which is opposite the rack 20.The retention portion of the first reliefs 24 can therefore cooperate by elastic return with the rear face 18b of the support wall 18. The holes 18a receiving the first reliefs 24 of the rack 20 are formed through the support wall 18. In particular, the holes 18a receiving the first reliefs 24 are formed through the fourth wall of each wing of the profile 10a. The fourth wall of each wing of the profile 10a comprises a respective row of holes 18a along the first direction Z to receive the first reliefs 24 of one of the two rows of first reliefs 24.

[0120] The climbing means G firstly comprises a support 41. The support 41 can be securely connected to the chassis C of the vehicle V. The climbing means G comprises a toothed wheel 42 which has second teeth 43 distributed along its periphery. The second teeth 43 of the toothed wheel 42 mesh with the first teeth 23 of the rack 20 as seen in FIG. 5. A rotational movement of the toothed wheel, or of the toothed wheels, is thus transformed into a translational movement of the vehicle V along the upright 102, uphill or downhill depending on the direction of rotation of the toothed wheel 42.

[0121] The climbing means G also comprises a first guide member 44 for the vehicle V such as a roller or a skate. The first guide member 44 is adapted to cooperate with, here to roll on, the rear face 18b of the support wall 18 of the post 10 during the movement in the first direction Z of the vehicle V along the upright 102. This ensures stabilization of the vehicle V in the second direction X during its movement in the first direction Z along the upright 102. The first guide member 44 is connected to the support 41.

[0122] The post 10 comprises a first groove 10b and a second groove 10b, each extending in the first direction Z and opening in the third perpendicular direction Y. The first groove 10b is formed on a first side of the post 10 in the third direction Y and the second groove 10b is formed on a second side of the post 10 in the third direction Y. The first groove 10b is delimited by the second wall 14a, the third wall 15a and the fourth wall 16a of the first wing 12a. The second groove 10b is delimited by the second wall 14b, the third wall 15b and the fourth wall 16a of the profile 10a of the second wing 12b. Remarkably, the rear face 18b of the bearing wall 18 therefore at least partially delimits each groove 10b. Also, the first groove 10b and the second groove 10b are each adapted for receive the first guide member 44. According to the example shown in FIG. 6, the first guide member 44 is received in the second groove 10b.

[0123] Visible in Figure 11, the support wall 18 of the post 10 comprises notches 19 adapted to move the first guide member 44 in the second direction X from the side of the front face 18a to the side of the rear face 18b to position it opposite the rear face 18b of the support wall 18 of the post 10, in one of the grooves 10b. The toothed wheel 42 and the first guide member 44 can thus be coupled to the same support 41 and it is possible to engage the second teeth 43 with the first teeth 23 and the first guide member 44 with the rear face 18b of the support wall 18 simultaneously according to a movement of the support 41 in the second direction X. Each notch 19 is made at the lower end of the post 10.Due to the reduced mass of the rack, the notch 19 is advantageously located at the lower end of the post 10 to facilitate the engagement of the first guide member 44 with the rear face 18b of the support wall 18 of the post 10 without this weakening the post 10. A notch 19 is formed in the fourth wall 16a of the first wing 12a and a notch 19 is formed in the fourth wall 16b of the second wing 12b.

[0124] The climbing means G further comprises a second guide member 45 of the vehicle V such as a roller or a shoe adapted to cooperate with, here to roll on, an external face 22b of a side wall 22 of the rack 20 during the movement in the first direction Z of the vehicle V along the upright 102. The climbing means G also comprise a third guide member 46 such as a roller or a shoe, adapted to cooperate with, here to roll on, an internal face 22a of the side wall 22 of the rack 20 during the movement in the first direction Z of the vehicle V along the upright 102. The second guide member 45 and the third guide member 46 are securely connected to the support 41 of the toothed wheel 42. This ensures stabilization of the vehicle V in the third direction Y during its movement in the first direction Z along the upright 102.

[0125] For this purpose, the rack 20 comprises two side walls 22, each arranged at a respective end of the main wall 21 in the third direction Y. Each side wall 22 extends in the first direction Z, projecting from the front face 21a of the main wall 21 in the second direction X. Each side wall 22 comprises an external face 22b configured to cooperate with the second guide member 45 in the third direction Y and an internal face 22a configured to cooperate with the third guide member 46 in the third direction Y. In the example shown, the external face 22b of each side wall 22 forms a rolling track, or rolling surface, for the second guide member 45 and the internal face 22a of each side wall 22 forms a rolling track, or rolling surface for the third guide member 46.Each side wall 22 extends in the first direction Z between a lower end 22c and an upper end. As shown in FIG. 11, the lower end 22c of each side wall 22 is located above the portion of the post 10 comprising the notches 19 to allow the movement of the first guide member 44 in the second direction X from the side of the front face 18a towards the side. of the rear face 18b and its positioning opposite the rear face 18b of the support wall 18 of the post 10, in the corresponding groove 10b.

[0126] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the rack 20 comprises a plurality of unitary rack elements 20a arranged end to end in the first direction Z. In the example shown, the rack 20 is formed by the plurality of unitary rack elements 20a. Each unitary rack element 20a extends in the first direction Z between a lower end 20a2 and an upper end 20a1. Each unitary rack element 20a comprises a portion of first teeth 23. Each unitary rack element 20a therefore comprises a portion of the main wall 21 of the rack 20 and a portion of the side walls 22 of the rack 20. Each unitary rack element 20a can be manufactured by injection molding. Each unitary rack element 20a may have a dimension in the first direction Z of between 500 mm and 1000 mm, preferably equal to 600 mm.

[0127] The manufacture of the rack 20 is thus facilitated. A rack 20 of this type is also advantageously more rigid compared to a rack formed in one piece over the height of the post. Furthermore, this facilitates maintenance in that a single unitary rack element 20a can be replaced without having to dismantle the other unitary rack elements 20a. Such a rack also has an improved service life. Such a rack can be advantageously adapted to have a service life of at least 20 years, or a service life allowing 2,000,000 round trips of the vehicle V along the upright 102.

[0128] Each unitary rack element 20a is fixed directly to the post 10, preferably by elastic interlocking, or clipping. Each unitary rack element 20a comprises a pair of first reliefs 24 at each of its ends in the first direction Z, the first reliefs 24 of each pair being preferably aligned in the third direction Y.

[0129] Remarkably, visible in Figure 8, the lower end 20a2 and the upper end 20a1 of each unitary rack element 20a extend in an inclined plane B forming an angle with a plane perpendicular to the first direction Z. In other words, the lower end 20a2 and the upper end of each unitary rack element 20a is beveled.

[0130] When moving in the first direction Z of the vehicle V along the upright 102, a progressive, or even continuous, transition of the contact of the second guide member 45 on the external face 22b of one of the side walls 22 between two consecutive unitary rack elements 20a and / or of the contact of the third guide member 46 on the internal face 22a of one of the side walls 22 between two consecutive unitary rack elements 20a is thus ensured. This makes it possible to reduce jolts at these transitions. Premature wear of the second guide member 45 and / or of the third member is thus avoided and the noise level is reduced.

[0131] The angle (hereinafter also referred to as the “bevel angle”) between the plane defining the upper end 20a1 and the lower end 20a2 of each unit rack element 20a is formed around the second direction X perpendicular to the first direction Z. The angle between the inclined plane B defining the upper end 20a1 and the lower end 20a2 of each unitary rack element 20a and a plane perpendicular to the first direction Z may be greater than a minimum angle determined as a function of a contact width between the second guide member 45 and the external face 22b of the corresponding side wall 22 and / or between the third guide member 46 and the internal face 22a of the corresponding side wall 22. The angle between the plane defining the upper end 20a1 and the lower end 20a2 of each unitary rack element 20a and a plane perpendicular to the first direction Z may be less than a maximum angle determined so as to allow the removal of one of the unitary rack elements 20a. The bevel angle may be greater than or equal to 5°. The bevel angle may be less than or equal to 45°. According to a preferred embodiment, the bevel angle is equal to 20°. The bevel angle can be between 5° and 20°.Alternatively, the bevel angle can be 10° or 15°.

[0132] More particularly visible in Figure 9, each unitary rack element 20a comprises two second reliefs 25 projecting in the first direction Z of the lower end 20a2 and at least one housing 26 formed in the upper end 20a1. Each second relief 25 of each unitary rack element 20a cooperates by complementary shape with the housing 26 formed by the adjacent unitary rack element 20a. This makes it possible to ensure better alignment in the first direction Z of the unitary rack elements 20a relative to each other. The rolling of the toothed wheel 42 along the rack 20 is thus improved. The unitary rack elements 20a can therefore be nested within each other. Two unitary rack elements 20a can be nested with each other by being displaced at least one relatively to the other in a direction S1, S2 corresponding to the first direction Z.

[0133] Also visible in Figure 8, the main wall 21 comprises, at its lateral faces on each side in the third direction Y, a plurality of notches 27 distributed in the first direction Z, each opening out at the lateral face in the third direction Y and at the rear face 21b of the main wall 21 in the second direction X. Each notch 27 is adapted to insert a tool, preferably flat, between the post 10 and the rack 20 in the second direction X. This makes it easier to disassemble the rack 20. In this case, each unitary rack element 20a comprises a pair of notches 27 at each of its ends in the first direction Z, the notches of each pair each opening out respectively at one of the lateral faces of the part of the main wall 21 of the rack 20 formed by the unitary rack element 20a.The individual disassembly of each unitary rack element 20a is thus facilitated.

[0134] The upright 102 further comprises a stop member 50 arranged fixed directly to the post 10 and to the rack 20. Such a stop member is visible in Figure 3b. The stop member 50 is intended to prevent the toothed wheel from moving upwards beyond it. The stop member 50 is here arranged at an upper end of the rack 20. The stop member 50 can be made of plastic, for example by plastic injection.

[0135] The upright 102 further includes a centering member. The centering member is visible in Figures 3c, 10 and 12 to 14.

[0136] The centering member 30 is fixed directly to the post 10 and arranged below the rack 20 in the first direction Z. The centering member 30 is adapted to cooperate with a positioning device of the vehicle V to adjust the positioning of the second teeth 43 of the toothed wheel 42 of the climbing means G relative to the first teeth 23 of the rack 20, in particular in a third direction Y perpendicular to the first direction Z and the second direction X. This makes it possible to ensure correct positioning of the second teeth 43 of the toothed wheel 42 of the vehicle V relative to the first teeth 23 of the rack 20 before moving the vehicle V in the first direction Z along the upright 102. The cooperation between the centering member and the positioning device makes it possible to correct positioning errors of the vehicle V before starting its movement along the upright 102.The centering member 30 may also be adapted to cooperate with a positioning device of the vehicle V to adjust the positioning of the first guide member 44 relative to the rear face 18b of the support wall 18 of the post 10 and / or the positioning of the second guide member 45 relative to the external face 22b of the side wall 22 of the rack 20 and / or the positioning of the third guide member 46 relative to the internal face 22a of the side wall 22 of the rack 20.

[0137] The centering member 30 comprises a central wall 31. The centering member comprises a side wall 32 on each side of the central wall 31 in the third direction Y. Each side wall 32 projects in the second direction X. Each side wall 32 comprises an internal face 32a and an external face 32b. The inner face 32a and the outer face 32b of the side wall 32 of the centering member 30 are opposite in the third direction Y. The inner face 32a and the outer face 32b of the side wall 32 of the centering member 30 extend respectively in a first plane and a second plane forming an angle with respect to each other around the first direction Z. The inner face 32a and the outer face 32b are respectively adapted to cooperate with a first support member 47 and a second support member 48 of the positioning device visible in FIG. 14.The positioning device may comprise an actuator making it possible to exert a force on the internal face 32a and / or the external face 32b via the first support member 47 and the second support member 48 so as to correct the position of the climbing means G relative to the upright 102. This operation is carried out when the vehicle V is preferably on the ground.

[0138] The centering member 30 is here connected to the lower end of the rack 20, in this case with the lowest unitary rack element 20a, i.e. the unitary rack element 20a whose lower end 20a2 forms the inner end of the rack. The centering member 30 is here integral with the rack 20. The centering member 30 can be made of plastic, for example by plastic injection.

[0139] With reference to figure 13, a distance D1 along the third direction Y between the external face 22b of the side wall 22 of the rack 20 and a median plane M of the rack 20 comprising the first direction Z is less than a distance D2 along the third direction Y between the external face 32b of the side wall 32 of the centering member 30 and the median plane M. This allows a smooth transition between the cooperation of the positioning device with the centering member 30 and the cooperation between the guide members 44, 45, 46 and the post 10 and the rack 20.

Claims

Claims

1. Upright (102) for storage rack, the upright (102) comprising a post (10) extending in a first direction and a rack (20) comprising first teeth (23) projecting in a second direction (X) perpendicular to the first direction (Z) and distributed in the first direction (Z), the first teeth (23) being intended to mesh with second teeth (43) at the periphery of a toothed wheel (42) of a vehicle (V), characterized in that the rack (20) is made of plastic material and is fixed directly to the post (10).

2. Upright (102) according to the preceding claim, wherein the post (10) comprises a bearing wall (18) which extends in the first direction (Z) and which comprises a front face (18a), the rack (20) comprising a main wall (21) which extends in the first direction and which comprises a front face (21a) from which the first teeth (23) project in the second direction (X) and a rear face (21b) opposite the front face (21a) in the second direction (X), the rear face (21b) of the main wall (21) bearing in the second direction (X) on the front face (18a) of the bearing wall (18) of the post (10).

3. Upright (102) according to the preceding claim, in which the support wall (18) of the post (10) comprises a rear face (18b) opposite the front face in the second direction (X), the rear face (18b) of the support wall (18) being configured to cooperate with a first guide member (44) of the vehicle such as a roller or a shoe.

4. Upright (102) according to the preceding claim, in which the support wall (18) of the post (10) comprises at least one notch (19) adapted to move the first guide member (44) in the second direction (X) from the side of the front face (18a) towards the side of the rear face (18b) to position it opposite the rear face (18b) of the support wall (18) of the post (10).

5. Upright (102) according to preceding claim, wherein said at least one notch (19) is made at a lower end of the post (10), the lower end preferably being the end by which the post (10) is fixed to the ground. [Claim s] Upright (102) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rack (20) is removably attached to the post (10), preferably by elastic interlocking.

7. Upright (102) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the main wall (21) of the rack (20) comprises at least one notch (27) adapted to insert a tool, preferably flat, between the post (10) and the rack (20) in the second direction (X).

8. Upright (102) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the rack (20) comprises at least one side wall (22) extending in the first direction (Z) and projecting from the front face (21a) of the main wall (21) in the second direction (X), each side wall (22) comprising an external face (22b) configured to cooperate with a second guide member (45) of the vehicle such as a roller or a shoe, in a third ... direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (Z) and to the second direction (X) and / or an internal face (22a) configured to cooperate with a third guide member (46) of the vehicle such as a roller or a shoe, in the third direction (Y).

9. Upright (102) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rack (20) comprises a plurality of unit rack elements (20a) each extending in the first direction (Z) between a lower end (20a2) and an upper end (20a1), the unit rack elements (20a) being arranged end to end in the first direction (Z), each unit rack element (20a) comprising a portion of first teeth (23).

10. An upright (102) according to claim 9, wherein the lower end (20a2) and the upper end (20a1) of each unitary rack element (20a) extend in an inclined plane (B) forming an angle with a plane perpendicular to the first direction (Z).

11. An upright (102) according to claim 10, wherein each unitary rack element (20a) comprises at least one second relief (25) projecting in the first direction (Z) from one of the lower end (20a2) and the upper end (20a1), and at least one housing (26) formed in the other of the lower end (20a2) and the upper end (20a1), said at least one second relief (25) of each unitary rack element (20a) cooperating by form complementarity with the housing (26) formed of the adjacent unitary rack element (20a).

12. An upright (102) according to any preceding claim, the upright (102) further comprising an arranged stop member fixed directly to the post (10) and / or to the rack (20).

13. Upright (102) according to any one of the preceding claims, the upright (102) further comprising a centering member (30) fixed directly to the post (10) and arranged below the rack (20) in the first direction (Z), the centering member (30) being adapted to cooperate with a positioning device of the vehicle to adjust the positioning of the second teeth (43) of the toothed wheel (42) of the vehicle relative to the first teeth (23) of the rack (20), in particular in a third direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (Z) and the second direction (X).

14. A storage rack (100) comprising a plurality of uprights (102) according to any preceding claim.

15. Storage rack (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the uprights (102) are kept parallel to each other by a system of spacers (104).

16. A transport and storage system comprising a storage rack according to claim 14 or 15 and at least one vehicle (V) comprising a chassis (C) and at least one climbing means (G), said climbing means (G) comprising at least one toothed wheel (42) which has second teeth (43) distributed along its periphery and adapted to mesh with the first teeth (23) of the rack (20) of a respective upright (102) among the plurality of uprights (102) of the storage rack, to ensure movement in the first direction of the vehicle (V) along said respective upright (102).

Images