Storage device comprising an integrated work area in front of the access area

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage device (1) comprising: at least two shelf columns (4) that are located opposite each other with respect to a storage shaft (2); a plurality of storage goods carriers (20) on which storage goods (25) can be placed; and at least one access area (6) which is accessible from outside the storage device through an access opening (42) allowing for the placement of storage goods on a storage goods carrier located in the access area and / or for the removal of storage goods from a storage goods carrier located in the access area, wherein: each shelf column has storage compartments (18) arranged one above the other in each of which two storage goods carriers can be accommodated one behind the other, as seen from the storage shaft; the storage device has a conveyor device (10) for transporting at least one storage goods carrier through the storage shaft between one of the storage compartments and the access area; and the storage device has at least one work area (8) which is accessible from outside the storage device and extends below the storage compartments of a shelf column from a front side (40) of the storage device towards the storage shaft up to the access opening. A storage device according to the invention saves space and allows quick access to the storage goods. At the same time, operation of the storage device is ergonomic.

Description

[0001] Storage device with integrated work area in front of the access area

[0002] The present invention relates to a storage device.

[0003] Storage devices are used to temporarily store goods in storage compartments and to make the goods available to a person operating the storage device or a robot in an access area as needed. The transport of the goods within the storage device is usually achieved by a conveyor system that moves between the storage compartment and the access area. Goods can be removed or deposited via the access area. The goods within the storage device are usually located on goods carriers, such as trays, pallets, or containers.

[0004] Storage equipment must meet a wide range of requirements. Storage equipment must enable quick access to the stored goods or storage carriers while simultaneously being space-saving. For frequent storage and / or retrieval operations by human operators, the access area must be designed as ergonomically as possible. Regardless of whether access to the stored goods is carried out by robots or human personnel, the remaining operational processes in the operating room in which the access area of ​​the storage carrier is located should be disrupted as little as possible by the storage or retrieval process. Conversely, the operational processes should be disrupted as little as possible by the storage or retrieval process.

[0005] The invention aims to create a storage device that meets these requirements.

[0006] This object is achieved by a storage device with at least two shelf columns opposite one another with respect to a storage shaft, with a plurality of storage goods carriers on which storage goods can be deposited, with at least one access area which is accessible from outside the storage device through an access opening for depositing storage goods on a storage goods carrier located in the access area and / or for removing storage goods from a storage goods carrier located in the access area, wherein each shelf column has storage compartments arranged one above the other, in each of which two storage goods carriers can be received one behind the other as seen from the storage shaft, wherein the storage device has a conveyor device for transporting at least one storage goods carrier through the storage shaft between one of the storage compartments and the access area, and wherein the storage device has at least one work area accessible from outside the storage device,which extends beneath the storage compartments of a rack column from the front of the storage unit to the storage shaft and up to the access opening. Such a working area has the advantage that storage and / or retrieval takes place in an area separated from the operating area. For example, if the storage unit is located in a warehouse where people and vehicles are moving, these movements are not hindered by the person operating the storage unit at the access area or the robot located at the access area, as the working area does not block the walkways or driveways in the warehouse. The risk of collision and accidents is reduced.

[0007] The protected position of the work area also means that a person in the access area is shielded from visual, acoustic, or other stimuli in the warehouse. This contributes to improved workplace ergonomics and thus to increased efficiency and occupational safety.

[0008] Because the work area is open to the outside of the storage device, it is still easy to interact with people or materials located next to the storage device from within the work area. For example, the person operating the storage device can load stored goods removed from the storage device onto a conveyor belt or pick trolley that runs alongside or is positioned next to the work area. This improves the integration of the storage device into a logistics infrastructure.

[0009] The double-deep storage with two storage goods carriers positioned one behind the other in a storage compartment enables a correspondingly deep working area, so that there is sufficient space for both the access area and the working area.

[0010] The above invention can be further improved by the following features, each of which is advantageous in itself and can be combined with one another as desired.

[0011] In one embodiment, the storage goods carriers can have standardized, particularly identical, dimensions. The storage goods carriers can, for example, be tray-shaped and / or designed to accommodate stored goods. Preferably, exactly two storage goods carriers can be accommodated one behind the other in a storage compartment. Several storage goods carriers can also be arranged side by side in the storage compartments or shelves.

[0012] The work area can be located, preferably together with the access area, within a shelving column or within the frame of a shelving column. In particular, the supports of the shelving columns can extend through the lounge area, for example, at its corners. In this configuration, the shelving column or its frame can protectively surround the work area. Furthermore, this configuration simplifies the installation of, for example, a panel for the work area. For example, the work area can be paneled on the sides with wall elements. These wall elements can be attached to the shelving column or its frame.

[0013] The access opening of the access area can be an opening in a wall delimiting the work area. The access opening can be designed to be closable, in particular automatically closable. The access area can have a closable opening, in particular opposite the access opening, which opens toward the storage shaft. Preferably, the opening can be automatically closable. The wall can be formed by a wall element attached to the shelving column or its frame.

[0014] The storage device may have at least one safety device which, when activated, protects certain spaces from unauthorized access in order to prevent injuries to operators.

[0015] For example, the access opening can be equipped with a safety device such as a light curtain. When activated, the safety device can be designed to emit an alarm signal if an object protrudes through the access opening.

[0016] Regardless of whether the access opening is equipped with a safety device, a safety device, in particular a light curtain, can also be installed at the entrance to the work area. This safety device can be designed to emit an alarm signal when activated if an object protrudes through the access.

[0017] In one embodiment, the work area can have a base area that corresponds at least approximately to an integer multiple of the base area of ​​a load carrier. The base area of ​​the work area can also correspond to the simple base area of ​​a load carrier and / or have the same contour as a load carrier. The base area of ​​the work area can be considered to correspond to the base area of ​​a load carrier if the base area of ​​the work area does not deviate from the base area of ​​the load carrier by more than 20%.

[0018] The base area of ​​the work area can overlap the base area of ​​the rack column above the access opening in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the base area of ​​the work area can lie vertically within the base area of ​​the rack column above the access opening. The depth of the work area can correspond to the depth of a storage carrier. The depth of the work area can be considered to correspond to the depth of a storage carrier if the depth of the work area does not deviate from the depth of a storage carrier by more than 20%. Furthermore, the depth of the work area can be at least about 40 cm and / or a maximum of about 110 cm. Preferably, the depth of the work area is between about 50 cm and about 90 cm.

[0019] The storage device can also have multiple work areas. The work areas can both be located in the same or in different storage columns. In particular, two or more work areas arranged in the same storage column can be positioned at different heights or levels. For example, a first work area can be located on the ground floor of the storage device and a second work area on the first floor of the storage device. Furthermore, two or more work areas can be positioned on different sides of the storage device. For example, one work area can be located at a front and another work area at a rear of the storage device. The rear can be opposite the front relative to the longitudinal axis of the storage shaft.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the working area can have a width that corresponds at least to the width of a storage carrier. This ensures that a person operating the storage device can easily reach every point along its width, but especially the outer points of the storage carrier, from the working area. This improves the operability of the storage device. The design also ensures that a storage carrier can be removed from the storage device via the working area.

[0021] The width of the working area can preferably correspond to an integer multiple of the width of a storage carrier or the width of a storage carrier. The width of the working area can be considered to correspond to the width of a storage carrier if the width of the working area does not deviate from the width of a storage carrier by more than 20%.

[0022] The work area may be narrower than the shelving column above it. This width extends horizontally and perpendicularly to the direction in which the shelving columns face each other.

[0023] According to a further aspect, the sum of the depth of the work area and the access area can correspond to the depth of one of the shelving columns. Preferably, the sum of the depth of the work area and the access area can correspond to the depth of the shelving column above. A storage device according to this embodiment is space-saving because a person in the work area stands within the cubic volume of the storage device, since the work area is not located outside the storage device.

[0024] In the access area, one—in particular, exactly one—storage carrier can be placed in the depth direction. However, if necessary, several storage carriers can be placed next to each other in the width direction.

[0025] The storage carriers or shelves can have an ergonomically advantageous depth (in particular, half the depth of a storage carrier or a storage compartment of the above-described, standard design of the storage carriers), so that a person operating the storage device does not have to bend forward as far when removing stored goods from these narrow storage carriers or when placing stored goods on the narrow storage carriers. In particular, the lever with which stored goods are removed from the storage carrier or placed on the storage carrier can be reduced, as the person's arm does not have to be extended as far. The combined capacity of two narrow storage carriers can correspond to the capacity of one standard storage carrier.

[0026] The work area is preferably designed to be accessible. The height, in particular the clear height, of the work area can correspond at least to the height of the 95th percentile of adults between 18 and 65 years of age living in Germany according to DIN 33402-2. For example, the height, in particular the clear height, can be between approximately 195 cm and approximately 220 cm. Furthermore, the height, in particular the clear height of the work area, can correspond at least to the minimum height for headroom according to DIN 18065 and thus be greater than 2.07 m.

[0027] The work area can have a ceiling as part of a work area enclosure, which shields the work area from the shelving column above it. Furthermore, the access area can have a roof that shields the access area from the shelving column above it. The shelving column can, in particular, be the same shelving column as the one above the work area. Furthermore, a roof over the personnel area can extend at least partially above the roof over the access area.

[0028] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a ceiling of the work area can be arranged higher than a roof over the access area. This ensures that the height of the work area is sufficiently high for the operator located there, while the lower access area ensures that no storage space is wasted in the storage column located above the access area or work area. Such a storage device is therefore space-saving and therefore particularly economical. The work area can be enclosed on three sides, preferably by an enclosure of the storage area. The enclosure or its walls can, as described above, be attached to a shelving column and / or its frame. The width of the work area relative to the access can correspond to the width of the access. Furthermore, the work area can be located within the cubature or structural volume of the storage device.The storage device can, for example, have a cuboid-shaped cubature.

[0029] The work area can be accessed through an opening – preferably floor-level – in the storage area enclosure. In one embodiment, the work area opening is located opposite the access opening. The opening can extend across the entire width of the storage area.

[0030] According to a further aspect, the storage device can have at least one storage compartment designed as a buffer compartment. The buffer compartment is designed for the temporary storage of storage goods carriers between their storage goods compartment and the access area.

[0031] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the conveyor device can be configured to remove two consecutive storage carriers from a storage compartment and simultaneously move them to at least one buffer compartment; to deposit the storage carrier of the two consecutive storage carriers located on the side of the access area in the at least one buffer compartment; and to move the remaining storage carrier to the access area. If the conveyor device can only transport one storage carrier at a time, this configuration of the storage device enables the rear storage carrier located in the storage compartment to also be delivered to the access area.

[0032] The buffer compartment represents a storage compartment that is always available. The buffer compartment can be dynamically or statically defined. A static buffer compartment is always located in the same place. A dynamic buffer compartment is formed by a currently free storage location of a storage compartment adjacent to the storage shaft.

[0033] In a shelving column containing the access area, the side of a storage compartment facing away from the access opening is the side of the storage compartment facing away from the storage shaft. In a shelving column opposite the access area, the side of a storage compartment facing away from the access opening is the side facing away from the storage shaft.

[0034] The front side of a storage compartment is the side facing the storage shaft, the rear side is the side facing away from the storage shaft. The rear load carrier in a storage compartment is therefore the load carrier on the side facing away from the storage shaft, and the front load carrier is the load carrier located next to the storage shaft. In a fully occupied storage compartment, the front load carrier is therefore located between the storage shaft and the rear load carrier.

[0035] The location where a load carrier is stored in a storage compartment is called a storage location. If two load carriers are arranged one behind the other in a storage compartment, a storage compartment therefore has two storage locations: a rear and a front storage location.

[0036] If there are two storage goods carriers one behind the other on the conveyor system, of which the storage goods carrier facing away from the access opening is to be moved into the access area, it is advantageous if the storage goods carrier facing the side of the access opening is first removed from the conveyor system and placed in a storage compartment serving as a buffer compartment.

[0037] In one embodiment, the conveyor device can be configured to access the load carrier located in the front storage location and transport it to the buffer compartment and / or access area. Alternatively or cumulatively, the conveyor device can be configured to access only the load carrier located in the front storage location of a storage compartment and transport it to the buffer compartment and / or access area.

[0038] The conveyor system can be configured, alternatively or cumulatively, to access the storage goods carrier located in a rear storage location and transport it to the buffer compartment and / or access area. This may require that the front storage location of the storage compartment be free.

[0039] The conveyor device can be configured, alternatively or cumulatively, to access both storage goods carriers of a storage compartment simultaneously. In particular, the conveyor device can be designed to move both storage goods carriers of a storage compartment simultaneously from the storage compartment to the access area and / or to the buffer compartment, and in particular also back.

[0040] The conveyor system can be designed to transport two or more storage goods carriers simultaneously in two or more stacked shelves. For this purpose, the conveyor system can have two or more stacked shelves or storage locations. In particular, at least one of the shelves can serve as a buffer compartment.

[0041] Furthermore, the conveyor device can be designed to move the storage goods carrier from the storage compartment and to the access area or to the buffer compartment, in particular also to move it back.

[0042] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the storage device can be designed to remove two storage goods carriers located one behind the other from a storage compartment and simultaneously move them to at least one buffer compartment; to deposit the storage goods carrier of the two storage goods carriers located on the side of the access area in the at least one buffer compartment; and to move the remaining storage goods carrier to the access area.

[0043] In this way, it is ensured that only the storage goods carrier facing away from the access area of ​​two storage goods carriers located one behind the other is moved to the access area and made accessible.

[0044] According to a further aspect of the invention, the storage device can be designed to move a storage goods carrier from the access area to the buffer compartment; and to pick up a storage goods carrier deposited in the buffer compartment, to move the picked up storage goods carrier with the storage goods carrier moved from the access area to the buffer compartment to a free storage compartment and to deposit both storage goods carriers there.

[0045] Such a design makes it possible for two storage goods carriers, which were arranged in pairs next to each other in a storage compartment before one storage goods carrier was placed in the buffer compartment, to be picked up again in pairs next to each other after access to the other storage goods carrier in the access area and after one storage goods carrier has been picked up in the buffer compartment.

[0046] Preferably, the storage device can have a controller that controls the conveyor device, the transport of storage goods carriers by the conveyor device and in particular the above functionalities.

[0047] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the buffer compartment can be located above the access area and / or above the work area. Such a configuration reduces the distance between the access area and the buffer compartment. If the storage carrier facing away from the access area and the storage carrier facing the access area are accessed consecutively, the distance to be covered by the conveyor system to the buffer compartment is short. This reduces changeover times and access times, respectively, and increases productivity.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the buffer compartment can be located above, in particular directly above, or below, in particular directly beneath, the access area. The buffer compartment can be formed by the lowest storage compartment of the rack column above the access area. This shortens the path to be covered by the conveyor system and thus reduces access times. According to one embodiment, there is no buffer compartment above the work area. In particular, the buffer compartment can be located horizontally between the work area or a ceiling of the work area and the storage shaft.

[0049] The ceiling of the work area may be at least at the level of the buffer compartment and there may be more storage compartments, including the buffer compartment, above the access area than above the work area.

[0050] Alternatively, or cumulatively, the buffer compartment can also be located below the access area. In this case, there may be more storage compartments, including the buffer compartment, below the access area than below the work area.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, two storage carriers arranged one behind the other in a storage compartment can each have complementary, interconnectable couplings which, when coupled together, connect the two storage carriers to each other in a tension-resistant manner. The conveyor device can thus access a rear storage carrier facing away from the storage shaft without directly moving it. Instead, the conveyor device can access the front storage carrier facing the storage shaft, whereby its movement is transferred via the coupling to the rear storage carrier facing away from the storage shaft.

[0052] A tensile-resistant connection means, for example, that a tension acting on the front storage carrier is transferred to the rear, connected storage carrier. The coupled couplings can also form a pressure-resistant connection, so that pressure on the front storage carrier can be transferred to the rear storage carrier via the coupled couplings. With such a design, the rear storage carrier can be pushed into the rear storage location by pressure on the front storage carrier. According to a further aspect, the couplings can be designed so that they can be coupled or uncoupled by a vertical relative movement of two storage carriers arranged directly one behind the other. If two storage carriers arranged one behind the other are in a coupled state, the two storage carriers can be pushed into or removed from a storage compartment together.However, since the two load carriers can be disengaged, only the load carrier facing the storage shaft can be removed. Similarly, only the load carrier facing the storage compartment can be placed in an empty storage compartment. Such a storage device can therefore respond flexibly to the number of load carriers that need to be inserted into or removed from a buffer compartment. This increases the efficiency of the storage device.

[0053] To engage and disengage the couplings, the front load carrier or the one located toward the storage shaft can be moved into the storage shaft. In particular, the load carrier can be moved into the storage shaft by the conveyor system.

[0054] The couplings can be disengaged by moving the front load carrier downward relative to the rear load carrier, especially when the front load carrier is located in the storage shaft. The front load carrier can be located on the conveyor, and the rear load carrier can be located in the storage compartment.

[0055] The couplings can be engaged by moving the front load carrier upward relative to the rear load carrier, especially when the front load carrier is located in the storage shaft. The front load carrier can be located on the conveyor, and the rear load carrier can be located in the storage compartment.

[0056] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a robot can be arranged in the work area. The robot can be arranged, for example, on the frame of the storage device, on a rack column, or on the rack column below or in which the work area is located. A gantry robot or a robot arm can be used as the robot, for example.

[0057] According to a further embodiment, the work area can have a ceiling, behind which, on the side of the rack column, there is at least one attachment point attached to the supporting structure of the storage device and / or at least one connector connected to lines for power supply and / or data exchange. Lifting equipment can be attached to such an attachment point to assist a person operating the storage device in lifting loads, for example, stored goods. Alternatively or additionally, a robot can be attached to such an attachment point and / or connector and integrated into the control system of the storage device via the connector. This increases productivity and user-friendliness. By providing a connector, electronic devices, such as tools or communication hardware, can be used in the work area, which are advantageous for working on the storage device or for controlling the storage device.

[0058] The ceiling of the work area can be modular and, for example, comprise multiple panels. The panels can be designed to be removable, in particular without dismantling other elements of the storage device. Behind at least one panel, there can be at least one electrical plug, which is preferably connected to cables for supplying power to and / or controlling the storage device. Behind at least one panel, there can be at least one fastening element attached to the frame of the storage device. The fastening element is preferably attached to a part of the supporting structure of the storage device. A robot arm or a gantry robot can be attached to the fastening element.

[0059] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one device from the following group of devices can be arranged in the work area:

[0060] - coat hooks,

[0061] - sound source,

[0062] - Odor dispenser,

[0063] - a light source that can be varied in terms of luminous spectrum and / or luminous intensity,

[0064] - at least one drawer,

[0065] - a camera,

[0066] - an air conditioning unit,

[0067] - a device for wireless data transmission,

[0068] - a replaceable floor covering on the floor of the work area, a projector with a projection screen, and an operator panel. The various features of such a storage device improve the ergonomics of the storage device and contribute to the well-being of the person operating it, which improves operating safety, productivity, and user-friendliness in general. Furthermore, the various designs can accommodate the individual physical and psychological needs and preferences of the person operating the storage device. In particular, the sound source, the light source, the camera, and the device for wireless data transmission can also improve the communication of the person operating the storage device with their surroundings and the controllability of the storage device. The work area can thus be customized.

[0069] An air conditioner, a fan, or a heater can be used as a climate control device. The device for wireless data transmission can, in particular, include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. A replaceable floor covering for the floor of the work area can, for example, be a rubber mat, which supports back-friendly work for the person operating the storage device.

[0070] The light source, the sound source, the odor source, and the air conditioning unit can be automatically controlled depending on a data transmitter located at a predetermined distance from the area where people are present. The data transmitter can be, for example, a transponder worn by the person, a telephone, or an optical code on work clothing. Instead of the optical code, or in addition to the optical code, a QR code or a barcode can also be provided on the work clothing. Furthermore, facial, speech, and / or voice recognition or other methods for identifying persons, particularly those operating the storage device, can also be used. The data transmitter can also communicate, for example, via RFID and / or NFC technologies.

[0071] At least one device can also be located outside the storage device, in an area adjacent to the work area.

[0072] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. In accordance with the above explanations, individual features present in the following exemplary embodiments can be omitted if the technical effect associated with this feature is not important. Conversely, a feature described above but not present in a following exemplary embodiment can be added to the exemplary embodiment if the technical effect associated with this feature is important for a specific application. In the following, the same reference numerals are used for elements that correspond to one another in terms of structure and / or function.

[0073] They show:

[0074] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the storage device according to a possible embodiment;

[0075] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of two storage goods carriers in the uncoupled state according to a possible embodiment;

[0076] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of two storage goods carriers in the coupled state according to a possible embodiment;

[0077] Fig. 4 is a schematic detailed representation of the working area according to a possible embodiment;

[0078] Fig. 5 is a schematic detailed representation of the work area with robot according to a possible embodiment;

[0079] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the storage device at the beginning of the storage process according to a possible embodiment;

[0080] Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 1 according to a possible embodiment;

[0081] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 2 according to a possible embodiment;

[0082] Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 3 according to a possible embodiment;

[0083] Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 4 according to a possible embodiment;

[0084] Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 5 according to a possible embodiment;

[0085] Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 6 according to a possible embodiment; Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 7 according to a possible embodiment;

[0086] Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 8 according to a possible embodiment;

[0087] Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of the storage device in step 9 according to a possible embodiment;

[0088] Fig. 16 is a schematic representation of the storage device according to another possible embodiment;

[0089] Fig. 17 is a schematic representation of the storage device with a smaller storage area according to a possible embodiment;

[0090] Fig. 18 is a schematic representation of the storage device with a smaller storage area according to another possible embodiment.

[0091] First, the structure of a storage device 1 is described by way of example with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 5.

[0092] The storage device 1 comprises a storage shaft 2, rack columns 4, an access area 6, a work area 8, and a conveyor device 10. The storage shaft 2 extends with its longitudinal axis 11 along a longitudinal axis 12 of the storage device 1. The storage shaft 2 is designed such that the conveyor device 10 can be moved therein along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 or along the longitudinal axis 12 of the storage device 1. Therefore, a width 14 of the storage shaft 2 is greater than a width 16 of the conveyor device 10.

[0093] The shelf columns 4 are arranged opposite one another with respect to the storage shaft 2, so that longitudinal axes 17 of the shelf columns 4 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 12 of the storage device 1 or parallel to the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2. Each shelf column 4 has a plurality of storage compartments 18 arranged one above the other along the longitudinal axis 17 of the shelf column 4, which are arranged in particular parallel to one another.

[0094] Each storage compartment 18 can accommodate two storage goods carriers 20, which are arranged one behind the other with respect to the storage shaft 2. Each storage compartment 18 thus has two storage locations 21, one behind the other, on each of which a storage goods carrier 20 can be placed. A storage compartment 18, in which two storage goods carriers 20 are accommodated, has a front storage goods carrier 22 facing the storage shaft 2 and a rear storage goods carrier 24 facing away from the storage shaft. The storage goods carriers 20 can have standardized, in particular identical, dimensions and can be, for example, tray-shaped. Container-shaped storage goods carriers are also possible.

[0095] The storage goods carriers 20 are designed so that storage goods 25 can be placed on them. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 1, exactly two storage goods carriers 20 are arranged one behind the other in a storage compartment 18. According to a further embodiment, however, a storage compartment 18 can also accommodate fewer or more than two storage goods carriers 20.

[0096] According to a possible embodiment shown in Fig. 2, two storage goods carriers 20 arranged one behind the other in a storage compartment 18 can have mutually complementary couplings 26. In a coupled state 28 (see Fig. 3), the two storage goods carriers 20 are connected to each other via the couplings 26 in a tensile and / or compressive manner. If one of the two storage goods carriers 20 is moved along a depth direction 30, this movement is transmitted to the other storage goods carrier 20 via the couplings 26.

[0097] Two storage goods carriers 20 in the coupled state 28 can be uncoupled by moving the two storage goods carriers 20 away from each other by a vertical relative movement 32. Analogously, two storage goods carriers 20 not in the coupled state 28 can be coupled and thus transferred to the coupled state 28 by moving the two storage goods carriers 20 towards each other by a vertical relative movement 32. The vertical relative movement 32 can extend along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2, the longitudinal axis 17 of the rack columns 4, and the longitudinal axis 12 of the storage device 1. In particular, the vertical relative movement 32 can be initiated by a movement of the conveyor device 10.

[0098] The conveyor device 10 can be moved along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 through the storage device 1 and has a storage surface 34 on which at least one storage goods carrier 20 can be placed. The conveyor device 10 is designed to move storage goods carriers 20 through the storage shaft 2. In doing so, the conveyor device 10 transports at least one storage goods carrier 20 from a storage compartment 18 to the access area 6 or from the access area 6 to a storage compartment 18.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the conveyor device 10 can move at least one storage goods carrier 20, but preferably simultaneously two storage goods carriers 20 arranged one behind the other, from a storage compartment 18 to a buffer compartment 36. The storage goods carriers 20 can be connected to one another by the couplings 26 or can be in the coupled state 28. In the embodiment described in Fig. 1, the buffer compartment 36 is located above the access area 6 of the storage device 1. The buffer compartment 36 has a depth 37 that extends along the depth direction 30. The depth 37 of the buffer compartment 36 can correspond to a depth 39 of a storage goods carrier 20. The depth 39 of the storage goods carrier 20 also extends along the depth direction 30.

[0100] The work area 8 of the storage device 1 is located beneath the storage compartments 18 on a rack column 4 and extends from a front side 40 of the storage device 1 toward the storage shaft 2 to an access opening 42 of the access area 6. The work area 8 is accessible from outside the storage device 1. For this purpose, the storage device 1 or the work area 8 can have an access 44. The access 44 can be located on the front side 40 of the storage device 1.

[0101] The access 44 can be open so that the working area 8 is freely accessible from outside the storage device 1 through an access 44, in particular for a person 94.

[0102] Access 44 can alternatively be secured by doors, light curtains, etc. This is useful, for example, if a robot is operated in work area 8 and the work area may not be entered for safety reasons.

[0103] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the work area 8 has a ceiling 46 which shields the work area 8 from the shelf column 4 located above it.

[0104] The work area 8 has a depth 48, a width 50 and a height 52. The height 52 of the work area 8 extends along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2, the longitudinal axis 12 of the storage device 1 and along the longitudinal axis 17 of the shelf columns 4. The depth 48 of the work area 8 extends along the depth direction 30, which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 17 of the shelf columns 4 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12 of the storage device 1. The width 50 of the work area 8 runs along a width direction 54, which is oriented perpendicular to the depth direction 30 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 17 of the shelf columns 4 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12 of the storage device 1. In Fig. 1, the width direction 54 extends perpendicular to the plane under consideration.According to one possible embodiment, the width 50 of the work area 8 can correspond to at least a width 56 of the storage goods carrier 20 (not shown). The sum of the depth 48 of the work area 8 and a depth 60 of the access area 6 can correspond to a depth 62 of the shelf columns 4. The depth 62 of the shelf columns 4 extends along the depth direction 30.

[0105] The work area 8 of the storage device can further comprise at least one device 64. According to an embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the work area 8 comprises a coat hook 66, a sound source 68, an odor dispenser 70, two light sources 72, a drawer 74, a camera 76, an air conditioning device 78, a wireless data transmission device 80, a floor covering 82, a projector with projection surface 132, a screen 134, and an operator panel 136. The floor covering 82 is arranged on a floor 84 of the work area 8.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 5, a robot 86 can be arranged in the work area 8. The robot 86 can be, for example, a gantry robot or a robot arm. The robot 86 can be attached, for example, to a frame of the storage device 1, a rack column 4, and / or the rack column 4 under / in which the work area 8 is located. Furthermore, the robot 86 can also stand on the floor 84 of the work area 8.

[0107] The access area 6 lies in the depth direction 30 between the storage shaft 2 and the work area 8. In particular, the access area 6 extends from an end 88 of the storage shaft 2 facing away from the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 to an end 90 of the work area 8 facing the storage shaft 2. At the end 90 of the work area 8 facing the storage shaft 2 or at an end 92 of the access area 6 facing away from the storage shaft 2, the access area 6 has the access opening 42. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the access opening 42 is designed as an opening in a wall 96. The wall 96 delimits the work area 8 at its end 90 facing the storage shaft 2. The access opening 42 can be closable - in particular automatically. At the end 98 of the access area 6 facing the storage shaft 2, the access area 6 can have a closable opening 100, in particular an automatically closable opening.The opening 100 can be located opposite the access opening 42 of the access area 6, so that the access opening 42 of the access area 6 is spaced 30 from the opening 100 in the depth direction. Storage goods carriers 20 can be moved from the storage shaft 2—e.g., from the conveyor device 10—into the access area 6 via the opening 100 of the access area 6. The access area 6 can furthermore have a roof 102. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the ceiling 46 of the working area 8 is partially arranged higher than the roof 102 of the access area 6. The functioning of the storage device 1 according to a possible exemplary embodiment is described below with reference to Figs. 6-15. The functioning of the storage device is not limited to the sequence of steps described below, which is merely illustrative.

[0108] First, it is explained how a load carrier 24 facing away from the storage shaft 2 of two load carriers 20 arranged one behind the other in the same storage compartment 18 along the depth direction 30 is transported from the storage compartment 18 to the access area 6, and how a load carrier 22 facing the storage shaft 2 is transported from the same storage compartment 18 to the buffer compartment 36. The storage compartment 18 is located in a rack column 104 facing away from the access area 6.

[0109] Initially (see Fig. 6), both storage goods carriers 22, 24 are stored in the same storage compartment 18, which is located in the rack column 104 opposite the access area 6 and at a height 106. The storage goods carriers 22, 24 are arranged one behind the other along the depth direction 30. The two storage goods carriers 22, 24 are in the coupled state 28, so that the storage goods carrier 24 facing away from the storage shaft 2 is connected in a tensile and compressive manner to the storage goods carrier 22 facing the storage shaft 2. According to a further embodiment, the storage goods carriers 22, 24 can also be coupled to one another in a tensile or compressive manner. The conveyor device 10 is located at a height 108 in the storage shaft 2. The height 108 of the conveyor device 10 extends along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2.

[0110] In a first step, the conveyor device 10 is moved along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 toward the storage compartment 18 in which the load carriers 20 to be transported are stored, until the height 108 of the conveyor device 10 corresponds to the height 106 of the storage compartment 18 (see Fig. 7). The conveyor device 10 is then located adjacent to the storage compartment 18 with respect to the depth direction 30.

[0111] In a second step, the two storage goods carriers 20 are moved together along the depth direction 30 and toward the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 toward the conveyor device 10 until the storage goods carriers 20 lie completely on the deposit surface 34 of the conveyor device 10 (see Fig. 8). In the described exemplary embodiment, the storage goods carrier 20 facing away from the access area 6 is to be deposited in the access area 6. For this purpose, the storage goods carrier 20 facing the access area 6 is first temporarily stored in the buffer compartment 36, as described below. The two storage goods carriers 20 can be coupled to one another, for example as described above. In a third step, the conveyor device 10 is moved along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 in the direction of the buffer compartment 36 until the height 108 of the conveyor device 10 corresponds to the height 110 of the buffer compartment 36 (see Fig. 9).

[0112] In a fourth step, the two storage goods carriers 20 are moved along the depth direction 30 and toward the front side 40 of the storage device 1 until the storage goods carrier 20 facing the access area 6 has been fully inserted into the buffer compartment 36 (see Fig. 10). The two storage goods carriers 20 remain in the coupled state 28.

[0113] In a fifth step, the coupled state 28 of the storage goods carriers 20 is canceled by separating the couplings 26 from one another by the vertical relative movement 32. For this purpose, the conveyor device 10, together with the storage goods carrier 20 remaining on it, is moved upwards along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2, while the storage goods carrier 20 now located in the buffer compartment 36 remains in the buffer compartment 36. The upward movement is directed perpendicularly away from the floor 126 of the storage device 1. After the coupled state 28 of the storage goods carriers 20 has been canceled, a vertical offset 112 exists between the storage goods carrier 20 located in the buffer compartment 36 and the storage goods carrier 20 remaining on the conveyor device 10 (see Fig. 11). The fifth step can be omitted if no couplings or differently designed couplings, for example remote-controllable couplings, are present.

[0114] After the storage carriers 20 have been detached from one another, the storage carrier 20 remaining on the conveyor 10 protrudes slightly from the conveyor 10 in the direction of the access area 6, as can be seen in Fig. 11 when a coupling system as described above is used. Therefore, in a sixth step, the storage carrier 20 remaining on the conveyor 10 is moved along the depth direction 30 and in the direction of the rack column 114 facing away from the front side 40 of the storage device 1. The sixth step is completed when the storage carrier 20 remaining on the conveyor 10 has been completely deposited on the storage surface 34 of the conveyor 10 (see Fig. 12).

[0115] In a seventh step, the conveyor device 10 is moved along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 in the direction of the access area 6 until the height 108 of the conveyor device 10 corresponds to a height 116 of a shelf 118 of the access area 6 (Fig. 13).

[0116] In an eighth step, the opening 100 of the access area 6 opposite the access opening 42 is opened (Fig. 14), so that the storage goods carrier 20 lying on the conveyor 10 can be pushed into the access area 6 or pushed onto the shelf 118 of the access area 6. In a ninth step (see Fig. 15), the storage goods carrier 20 lying on the conveyor 10 is pushed into the access area 6 along the depth direction 30 and in the direction of the front side 40 of the storage device 1 until an end 120 of the storage goods carrier 20 facing away from the storage shaft 2 rests against the access opening 42. After completion of the ninth step, a person 94 standing in the work area 8 or a robot 86 (not shown in Fig. 15) arranged in the work area 8 can reach through the access opening 42 in order to deposit stored goods 25 (not shown) on the storage goods carrier 20 located in the access area 6 and / or to pick them up from it.According to a possible embodiment, the access opening 42 may have been automatically opened or closed after completion of the ninth step or before depositing and / or picking up stored goods 25.

[0117] The following describes how the storage goods carrier 20 located in the access area 6 and the storage goods carrier 20 located in the buffer compartment 36 are transported back to a free storage compartment 124, for example the original storage compartment 18.

[0118] In a tenth step, the storage goods carrier 20 located in the access area 6 is moved along the depth direction 30 and in the direction of the conveyor device 10 until the storage goods carrier 20 lies completely on the storage surface 34 of the conveyor device 10 (see Fig. 14). In particular, after completion of the tenth step, the storage goods carrier 20 can lie on a side 122 of the conveyor device 10 facing the front side 40 of the storage device 1.

[0119] In step eleven, the opening 100 of the access area 6 opposite the access opening 42 is closed again (Fig. 13). The closing of the opening 100 preferably occurs automatically.

[0120] In the twelfth step, the conveyor device 10 is moved along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 in the direction of the buffer compartment 36 until the height 108 of the conveyor device 10 corresponds to the height 110 of the buffer compartment 36 (Fig. 12).

[0121] In order to prepare the coupling, the storage goods carrier 20 located on the conveyor device 10 is displaced in a thirteenth step along the depth direction 30 and in the direction of the front side 40 of the storage device 1, so that the storage goods carrier 20 protrudes from the conveyor device 10 in the direction of the front side 40 of the storage device 1 (see Fig. 11).

[0122] In an optional fourteenth step (see Figs. 10 and 11), the coupled state 28 of the storage goods carriers 20 is re-established by coupling the couplings 26 through the vertical relative movement 32. For this purpose, the conveyor device 10, together with the storage goods carrier 20 located thereon, is moved along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 in the direction of the floor 126 of the storage device 1, while the storage goods carrier 20 located in the buffer compartment 36 remains motionless in the buffer compartment 36. After the vertical offset 112 between the storage goods carrier 20 located on the conveyor device 10 and the storage goods carrier 20 located in the buffer compartment 36 has been eliminated, the storage goods carriers 20 are again in the coupled state 28, whereby they are connected to one another in a tensile and compressive strength. According to a further embodiment, the storage goods carriers 20 can be connected to one another only in a tensile or only compressive manner.

[0123] In the fifteenth step, the two storage goods carriers 20 arranged one behind the other are moved together along the depth direction 30 and away from the front side 40 of the storage device 1 until the storage goods carriers 20 rest completely on the storage surface 34 of the conveyor device 10 (Fig. 9).

[0124] Subsequently, in a sixteenth step, the conveyor 10 is moved along the longitudinal axis 11 of the storage shaft 2 until the height 108 of the conveyor 10 corresponds to the height 106 of the storage compartment 18 into which one or both of the two storage goods carriers 20 are to be stored (Fig. 8). The storage compartment 18 is a free storage compartment 124.

[0125] In the seventeenth step, the storage goods carriers 20 are inserted along the depth direction 30 and into the free storage compartment 124. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, the free storage compartment 124 is located in the rack column 4 of the storage device 1 facing away from the access area 6. The coupled storage goods carriers 20 are completely accommodated in the storage compartment 18 or in the free storage compartment 124 when their couplings 26 lie on the longitudinal axis 17 of the rack column 4 in which the storage compartment 18 is arranged (see Fig. 7).

[0126] In the following, the functioning of the storage device 1 according to further possible embodiments is described with reference to Fig. 16 to Fig. 18.

[0127] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 16, the conveyor device 10 of the storage device 1 has the storage surface 34, on which two storage goods carriers 20 arranged one behind the other can be transported simultaneously. Initially, a first storage goods carrier 138 and a second storage goods carrier 140 lie one behind the other in the same storage compartment 18, which is located in the rack column 4 in which the access area 6 or the work area 8 is arranged. The first storage goods carrier 138 faces the storage shaft 2, the second storage goods carrier 140 faces away from the storage shaft 2. If the first storage goods carrier 138 is to be transported to the access area 6, both storage goods carriers 138, 140 are first removed from the storage compartment 18 and moved onto the conveyor device 10. Thereafter, the conveyor device 10 is moved to the buffer compartment 36 and the second storage goods carrier 140 is placed in the buffer compartment 36, so that only the first storage goods carrier 138 remains on the conveyor device 10.Thereafter, the conveyor device 10 together with the first storage goods carrier 138 is moved to the access area 6, where the first storage goods carrier 138 can be provided or removed.

[0128] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 17, the conveyor device 10 of the storage device 1 has the storage surface 34, on which only a single storage goods carrier 20 can be transported. The initial position of the two storage goods carriers 138, 140 corresponds to the position of the two storage goods carriers 138, 140 in Fig. 16. If the second storage goods carrier 140 is now to be moved to the access area 6, the first storage goods carrier 138 is first removed from the storage compartment 18 and moved onto the conveyor device 10. The conveyor device 10 is then moved to the buffer compartment 36, and the first storage goods carrier 138 is deposited in the buffer compartment 36. The conveyor device 10 is then moved back to the storage compartment 18, where the second storage goods carrier 140 is picked up by the conveyor device 10. The conveyor device 10 then moves to the access area 6, where the second storage goods carrier 140 can be provided or removed.

[0129] In Fig. 18, the first load carrier 138 and the second load carrier 140 lie one behind the other in the same storage compartment 18, which is located in the rack column 114 facing away from the front 40 of the storage device 1. The first load carrier 138 faces away from the storage shaft 2, while the second load carrier 140 faces the storage shaft 2. The conveyor device 10 can - as in Fig. 17 - only transport a single load carrier 20. If the first load carrier 138 is to be moved to the access area 6, the second load carrier 140 is first removed from the storage compartment 18 and moved onto the conveyor device 10. The conveyor device 10 is then moved to the buffer compartment 36, and the second load carrier 140 is deposited in the buffer compartment 36. The conveyor device 10 is then moved back to the storage compartment 18, where the first storage goods carrier 138 is picked up by the conveyor device 10.The conveyor device 10 is then moved to the access area 6, where the first storage goods carrier 138 can be provided or removed. Reference numeral.

[0130] 1 storage device

[0131] 2 storage shafts

[0132] 4 shelf columns

[0133] 6 Access area

[0134] 8 Work area

[0135] 10 Conveyor system

[0136] 11 Longitudinal axis of the storage shaft

[0137] 12 Longitudinal axis of the storage device

[0138] 14 Width of the storage shaft

[0139] 16 Width of the conveyor

[0140] 17 Longitudinal axes of the shelf columns

[0141] 18 storage compartment

[0142] 20 storage goods carriers

[0143] 21 storage space

[0144] 22 Storage goods carrier facing the storage shaft

[0145] 24 Storage goods carrier facing away from the storage shaft

[0146] 25 stored goods

[0147] 26 Clutch

[0148] 28 coupled state

[0149] 30 Depth direction

[0150] 32 vertical relative movement

[0151] 34 Storage area of ​​the conveyor system

[0152] 36 buffer compartment

[0153] 37 Depth of the buffer compartment

[0154] 39 Depth of the storage goods carrier

[0155] 40 Front of the storage device

[0156] 42 Access opening

[0157] 44 Access

[0158] 46 Ceiling of the work area

[0159] 48 Depth of work area

[0160] 50 Width of the work area

[0161] 52 Height of the working area

[0162] 54 Width direction 56 Width of the storage goods carrier

[0163] 60 Depth of access area

[0164] 62 Depth of the shelf columns

[0165] 64 Facility

[0166] 66 coat hooks

[0167] 68 Sound source

[0168] 70 odor dispensers

[0169] 72 light source

[0170] 74 drawer

[0171] 76 Camera

[0172] 78 Air conditioning unit

[0173] 80 Device for wireless data transmission

[0174] 82 Flooring

[0175] 84 Floor of the work area

[0176] 86 robots

[0177] 88 End of the storage shaft facing away from the longitudinal axis of the storage shaft

[0178] 90 end of the working area facing the storage shaft

[0179] 92 end of the access area facing away from the storage shaft

[0180] 94 people

[0181] 96 Wall

[0182] 98 end of the access area facing the storage shaft

[0183] 100 opening

[0184] 102 Roofing of the access area

[0185] 104 shelf column facing away from the access area

[0186] 106 Height of the storage compartment

[0187] 108 Height of the conveyor

[0188] 110 Height of the buffer compartment

[0189] 112 vertical offset

[0190] 114 Rack column facing away from the front of the storage unit

[0191] 116 Height of the access area shelf

[0192] 118 Storage of the access area

[0193] 120 end of the storage goods carrier facing away from the storage shaft

[0194] 122 Side of the conveyor facing the front of the storage device

[0195] 124 free storage compartments

[0196] 126 Base of the storage device Fastening point Connector132 Projector with projection surface Screen Operator panel First storage carrier Second storage carrier

Claims

Claims 1. Storage device (1), with at least two shelf columns (4) opposite one another with respect to a storage shaft (2), with a plurality of storage goods carriers (20) on which storage goods (25) can be deposited, with at least one access area (6) which is accessible through an access opening (42) for depositing storage goods (25) on a storage goods carrier (20) located in the access area (6) and / or for removing storage goods (25) from a storage goods carrier (20) located in the access area (6) from outside the storage device (1), wherein each shelf column (4) has storage compartments (18) arranged one above the other, in each of which two storage goods carriers (20) can be accommodated one behind the other as seen from the storage shaft (2),wherein the storage device (1) has a conveyor device (10) for transporting at least one storage goods carrier (20) through the storage shaft (2) between one of the storage compartments (18) and the access area (6), and wherein the storage device (1) has at least one working area (8) accessible from outside the storage device (1), which extends under the storage compartments (18) of a rack column (4) from a front side (40) of the storage device (1) to the storage shaft (2) up to the access opening (42).

2. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the working area (8) has a width (50) which corresponds at least to the width (56) of a storage goods carrier (20).

3. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the sum of the depth (48) of the working area (8) and the depth (60) of the access area (6) corresponds to the depth (62) of one of the shelf columns (4).

4. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a ceiling (46) of the working area (8) is arranged higher than a roof (102) of the access area (6).

5. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveyor device (10) is designed - to remove the front storage goods carrier (20) closer to the storage shaft (2) from a storage compartment (18) and to move it to at least one buffer compartment (36); - to remove the rear storage goods carrier (20) further away from the storage shaft (2) from a storage compartment (18) and to move it into the access area (6).

6. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conveyor device (10) is designed - to remove two storage goods carriers (20) lying one behind the other from a storage compartment (18) and to move them simultaneously to at least one buffer compartment (36); - to deposit the storage goods carrier (20) located on the side of the access area (6) of the two storage goods carriers (20) located one behind the other in the at least one buffer compartment (36); and - to move the remaining storage goods carrier (20) to the access area (6).

7. Storage device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the storage device (1) is designed - to move a storage goods carrier (20) from the access area (6) to at least one buffer compartment (36); and - to pick up a storage goods carrier (20) deposited in at least one buffer compartment (36), to move the picked up storage goods carrier (20) with the storage goods carrier (20) moved from the access area (6) to the buffer compartment (36) to a free storage compartment (18, 124) and to deposit both storage goods carriers (20) there.

8. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the at least one buffer compartment (36) is located above the access area (6) and / or above the working area (8).

9. Storage device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one buffer compartment (36) is located directly above and / or below the access area (6).

10. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein two storage goods carriers (20) arranged one behind the other in a storage compartment (18) each have mutually complementary couplings (26) which, in the coupled state (28), connect the two storage goods carriers (20) to one another in a tensile-resistant manner.

11. Storage device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the couplings (26) are designed to be engageable and / or disengageable by a vertical relative movement (32) of two storage goods carriers (20) arranged directly one behind the other.

12. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a robot (86) is arranged in the working area (8).

13. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein above the working area (8) there is a fastening point (128) attached to the supporting structure of the storage device (1) and / or a plug (130) which is connected to lines for power supply and / or data exchange.

14. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one device (64) from the following group of devices (64) is arranged in the working area (8): - coat hooks (66), - Sound source (68), - Odor dispenser (70), - a light source (72) which can be varied in terms of luminous spectrum and / or luminous intensity, - at least one drawer (74), - a camera (76), - an air conditioning unit (78), - a device for wireless data transmission (80), - a replaceable floor covering (82) on the floor (84) of the working area (8), - a projector with projection screen (132), - a screen (134), and - an operator panel (136).

15. Storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the conveyor device (10) has at least two storage surfaces (34) lying one above the other with respect to a longitudinal axis (11) of the storage shaft (2), wherein at least one storage goods carrier (20) can be placed on each of the storage surfaces (34).

Images