Operating stand and storage system

Abstract

The invention relates to an operating stand (100) for a conveyor device (200) which comprises a stationary operating part (102) and a mobile operating part (104) that is paired with the stationary operating part (102), wherein the stationary operating part (102) comprises at least one safety-relevant safety device (106) which can be actuated by a user, and the mobile operating part (104) can be physically separated from the stationary operating part (102). The mobile operating part (104) comprises a user interface (108), which can be operated by the user, for manually controlling at least one non-safety-relevant function of the conveyor device (200). The invention additionally relates to a storage system (300) comprising such an operating stand.

Description

[0001] Control station and storage system

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] The invention relates to an operating station for a conveyor, in particular for a warehouse conveyor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a storage system with such an operating station and with at least one conveyor, preferably in the form of a storage and retrieval machine.

[0004] It is known to arrange operating stations in the form of external control stations outside of hazardous areas in which the conveyor executes travel, lifting, and / or lowering commands. The operating station in the form of an external control station is thus located in an area that is safe for the user (operator), which is often also referred to as the user's work and / or traffic area.

[0005] Concepts for access control or for safe access to the danger zone for maintenance purposes can be found in the documents EP 3 505 466 A1 or DE 202021 103 304 U1.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an operating station and a storage system which provides a simplified operating concept for the user while observing the necessary safety measures.

[0007] This object is achieved by an operating station having the features of claim 1 and by a storage system having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments with expedient refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. Within the context of the present disclosure, "operating station" does not necessarily refer to a standing element. Rather, the operating station can also be designed as a suspended or cantilevered element. The only important thing for the operating station is that it comprises a stationary operating part that is fixed in place within the warehouse.

[0008] An operating position is a location from which the material handling equipment can be controlled. Examples of operating positions include an external control position, an emergency control position, and a mobile operator's position on the material handling equipment. An external control position is a location outside the danger zone of the material handling equipment from which the movements of the material handling equipment can be controlled. An emergency control position is an operating position on the material handling equipment or within the danger zone of the material handling equipment from which the material handling equipment can be controlled in the event of a malfunction (emergency) or during maintenance work. A mobile operator's position is a protected position on the material handling equipment from which the movements of the material handling equipment can be controlled.

[0009] The control station for a conveyor device according to the invention is characterized by a stationary control unit, to which a mobile control unit is assigned. The stationary control unit is fixed in place; it is immobile. The stationary control unit comprises at least one safety-relevant safety device operable by a user, wherein the mobile control unit is physically separable from the stationary control unit, and wherein the mobile control unit comprises a user-operable user interface for manually controlling at least one non-safety-relevant function of the conveyor device. The mobile control unit is thus relocatable; it can therefore be moved manually by a person.

[0010] Such a semi-mobile approach with fixed, stationary control units and mobile control units offers the following advantages: The stationary control units remain stationary at positions within the warehouse that are defined as "safe" positions and are located outside the danger zone. A single mobile control unit can also be assigned to multiple stationary control units, allowing the mobile control unit to be moved from a first stationary control unit to another stationary control unit. The mobile control unit can then be coupled to the desired stationary control unit, allowing the remaining control units to be decoupled. This semi-mobile approach ensures that the safety-relevant function(s) remains an integral part of the stationary control unit.Therefore, no further safety functions are required on the conveyor itself.

[0011] For conveyor systems used to operate racks, it has proven advantageous if the safety device is selected from the group comprising emergency stop buttons, operating mode selectors (e.g., in the form of a key switch), and enabling switches. It is also possible for several of the above elements from this group to be present on the stationary operating unit.

[0012] In order to make operation as simple as possible for a user, it has proven preferable for the mobile control unit to be equipped with a microprocessor, wherein the user interface is preferably in the form of an input device or a touchscreen, and for the mobile control unit to be configured to control the conveyor device in such a way that it directly establishes and at least temporarily maintains a communication connection with a programmable logic controller (PLC) of the conveyor device. This communication connection can be wired or wireless, for example. A LAN or Ethernet connection (English "Local Area Network" for "local area network"; standard according to IEEE 802.3, in particular 802.3bd and later, preferably 802.3de (as of 2022)) is implemented as a wired connection.A wireless connection is preferably implemented via WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network; standard according to IEEE 802.11, in particular IEEE 802.11 -2012 and newer, preferably IEEE 802.11 -2016; preferably IEEE 802.11 ac, IEEE 802.11 ax, IEEE 802.11 ad or IEEE 802.11 ah). This direct connection between the mobile control unit and the programmable logic controller of the conveyor is particularly useful for time-critical applications, such as buttons on the user interface of the mobile control unit that relate to jog commands or manual resetting. Travel, lifting and / or lowering commands should therefore be carried out in real time if possible.A communication protocol based on HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is preferably used here, as this ensures that all data is transmitted in a way that is as secure as possible against eavesdropping and forgery.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the mobile control unit can be configured to establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection with a higher-level visualization server that communicates with a programmable logic controller (PLC) of the conveyor. This makes it possible to display the status of the storage system or the conveyor on the mobile control unit using a browser. The connection to the visualization server is preferably established either wired via Ethernet (standard according to IEEE 802.3, in particular 802.3bd and later, preferably 802.3de (as of 2022)) or wirelessly via WLAN (standard according to IEEE 802.11, in particular IEEE 802.11-2012 and later, preferably IEEE 802.11-2016; preferably IEEE 802.11 ac, IEEE 802.11 ax, IEEE 802.11 ad, or IEEE 802.11 ah).

[0014] This connection between the mobile control unit and the visualization server is typically used for non-time-critical applications, such as messages or other display values. An HTTPS communication protocol (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is preferably used for transmission. The communication connection between the visualization server and the programmable logic controller (PLC) is preferably implemented via an OPC UA connection (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture; a standard for data exchange as a platform-independent, service-oriented architecture (SOA)). In both cases, the transmission protocol is characterized by its high level of security against eavesdropping and tampering.

[0015] The number of buttons or switches can be reduced, for example, by dispensing with a separate operating mode selector switch. Using the operating mode selector switch, the conveyor can be switched between automatic mode, in which the conveyor automatically carries out storage and / or retrieval processes in the warehouse, and manual control mode, in which travel, lifting and / or lowering commands as well as commands for adjusting the load handling device (e.g. channel vehicle, satellite carriage or load fork) are manually entered and then executed. To increase safety, however, automatic mode can only be selected in very specific situations or constellations, in particular when no one is in the danger zone of the warehouse or the conveyor.

[0016] In this context, it is advantageous if the stationary operating part comprises a first interface part of an operating station interface, if the mobile operating part comprises a second interface part of the operating station interface that is complementary to the first interface part, and if automatic operation of the conveyor device is only possible if the first interface part and the second interface part are coupled to one another. The operating station interface can, for example, be implemented by electrical contacts that must physically touch each other. However, the operating station interface can also be realized by recognition via Bluetooth (Bluetooth 4.0 and higher, in particular Bluetooth 4.2 smart, preferably Bluetooth 5.4) or by means of RFID (radio-frequency identification), preferably by means of NFC (near field communication), so that the mobile control unit can be coupled with the stationary control unit even if the mobile control unit is not in physical contact but is nevertheless close to the stationary control unit.

[0017] To increase safety within the warehouse, it has proven advantageous to automatically switch the conveyor from automatic mode to manual mode when the control station interface is disconnected. This configuration eliminates the need for a separate mode selector (e.g., a key switch) and saves space.

[0018] In order to meet the normative requirements for access security, it has proven advantageous for the mobile control unit to comprise a first interface part of an access interface, which is assigned to a repelling protective device that can be adjusted between an open and a closed position. Coupling the first interface part of the access interface with a second interface part of the access interface, which is complementary to the first interface part, then causes the repelling protective device to be moved into the open position. Thus, the mobile control unit itself can provide a key or act as a key to gain access to a hazardous area, for example, for maintenance purposes.The access interface is preferably implemented as a wireless interface, with data exchange (key exchange) preferably taking place via Bluetooth or via RFID or preferably via NFC.

[0019] Preferably, the manual control of the at least one non-safety-relevant function involves travel commands for the conveyor. However, lifting and lowering commands can also be issued and executed by the conveyor. In addition, commands can be issued for the load-handling device and subsequently executed by it, for example, moving a satellite carriage or a load fork into or out of a storage compartment.

[0020] The advantages, advantageous configurations and effects explained in connection with the control station according to the invention apply equally to the storage system according to the invention which comprises such a control station.

[0021] The storage system according to the invention therefore has an operating station and a conveyor device assigned or assignable to the operating station for storing and retrieving goods, in particular piece goods.

[0022] The at least one safety-relevant, user-operable safety device is preferably wired to an input card of a programmable logic controller (PLC) of the conveyor. Communication preferably takes place via Ethernet (standard according to IEEE 802.3, in particular 802.3bd and later, preferably 802.3de (as of 2022)). This ensures that safety-relevant signals are transmitted reliably and are not lost due to a connection interruption, as could occur with a wireless connection.

[0023] The mobile control unit can also be equipped with a microprocessor in the storage system and include a user interface, preferably in the form of an input device or a touchscreen. The mobile control unit for controlling the conveyor is configured to directly establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection with a programmable logic controller (PLC) of the conveyor. Such a connection is used in particular for time-critical applications, such as the actuation of buttons for travel, lifting, and / or lowering commands. Manual resetting of the conveyor is also possible in this way. The connection between the mobile control unit and the programmable logic controller is preferably implemented via the HTTPS communication protocol in order to ensure data transmission that is as secure as possible against eavesdropping and tampering.

[0024] The mobile control unit is also particularly configured to establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection with a higher-level visualization server, which in turn is connected to a programmable logic controller of the conveyor device. Such a connection is used for non-time-critical applications, such as messages or other display values. The connection between the mobile control unit and the visualization server is preferably implemented via the HTTPS communication protocol, which ensures data transmission in a way that is secure against eavesdropping and tampering. The connection between the visualization server and the programmable logic controller of the conveyor device is preferably established via a communication protocol in accordance with the Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (see above).The programmable logic controller preferably only accepts connections with a “Security Policy” of “Sign and Encrypt”, which also ensures that data is transmitted in a way that is secure against eavesdropping and forgery.

[0025] The stationary operating part preferably comprises a first interface part of an operating station interface, while the mobile operating part comprises a second interface part of the operating station interface that complements the first interface part. Automatic operation of the conveyor device is only possible if the first interface part and the second interface part are coupled to one another.

[0026] It is possible for the conveyor to automatically switch from automatic mode to manual mode when the control station interface is disconnected. It is possible for the mobile control unit to be used as a key for access to the hazardous area. In this context, it is advantageous to have a protective device that can be adjusted between an open and a closed position (e.g., a mesh fence with a lockable access door) that separates the user's work and / or traffic area from the hazardous area in which the conveyor is located and performing work tasks.Here, the mobile operating part comprises a first interface part of an access interface of the repellent protective device, wherein the coupling of the first interface part of the mobile operating part with a second interface part of the access interface, which is complementary to the first interface part and assigned to the repellent protective device, causes the repellent protective device to be transferred from the closed position to the open position.

[0027] The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figure, can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments are also considered to be encompassed and disclosed by the invention that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figure, but which emerge and can be produced from the explained embodiments through separate feature combinations.

[0028] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments, and the drawings. Herein:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a storage system with a control station (control point),

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a control station (control point), with the individual constituents and communication connections involved in the control being additionally illustrated, and

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic view of the protective device and the access procedure using the mobile control unit of the control station shown in Figure 2.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a top view of a storage system 300, which in this case is configured as a high-bay warehouse. The high-bay warehouse comprises several rows of shelves, with a conveyor 200 provided between every two rows of shelves, which conveyor is configured purely by way of example as a storage conveyor, in particular as a storage and retrieval machine. The conveyor 200 can be moved along the shelf aisles between the rows of shelves and is configured here, also purely by way of example, as an aisle-bound storage and retrieval machine. It is possible to use conveyors 200 that can change their shelf aisle. The area in which the conveyor 200 executes its commands is referred to as the danger zone 304. In this danger zone 304, the conveyor 200 automatically executes storage commands when it is in so-called automatic mode.Users may only stay outside the danger zone 304 when automatic mode is activated on the conveyor 200. Users can therefore move freely within the work and / or traffic area 302, which is separated from the danger zone 304 by a protective barrier 136. For maintenance purposes or to rectify malfunctions, the danger zone 304 can be entered via one or more access doors 138, but only if the conveyor is no longer in automatic mode or at least part of the danger zone 304 is blocked from storage commands from the storage and retrieval device.

[0033] In the present case, each conveyor device 200 is assigned its own operating station 100, which can also be understood as an operating point, since it does not necessarily have to be a "stand on the floor." Such an operating station 100 is illustrated in more detail in Figure 2. In the present case, it is formed in at least two parts: a stationary operating part 102 and a mobile operating part 104. The mobile operating part is designed in the manner of a tablet computer or a smartphone. In any case, the mobile operating part 104 is assigned to the stationary operating part 102. It can be seen that the stationary operating part 102 has means for actuation, which in the present case are designed as safety-relevant safety devices 106 that can be actuated by a user.Purely by way of example, the safety devices 106 shown include an emergency stop button 110, the actuation of which immediately brings the conveyor 200 to a standstill; a mode selector switch 112, which, purely by way of example, is designed as a key switch; the actuation of which switches the conveyor 200 from automatic mode to manual mode; and an enabling button 114, with which a user, for example, authorizes the movement of a drive. In particular, it can also be confirmed that the conveyor 200 should return to automatic mode.

[0034] If the key switch 112 is turned, the key can be removed from the keyhole of the key switch 112 and used as a key to unlock the access door 138 to the danger zone 304. Using the mobile control unit 104, a user can then manually issue travel commands, lifting commands, lowering commands, or commands for the load-handling device, which are then immediately executed by the conveyor device 200. For this purpose, the mobile control unit 104 is equipped with a microprocessor, with a user interface 108 for manually controlling at least one non-safety-relevant function of the conveyor device 200; in this case, the user interface is implemented by a touchscreen 118.

[0035] Figure 2 further illustrates that the mobile control unit 104 for controlling the conveyor device 200 is configured to directly establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection 116 with a programmable logic controller 122 of the conveyor device 200. In this way, time-critical applications, such as issuing commands for adjusting the conveyor device 200, can be carried out virtually in real time.

[0036] The mobile control unit 104 is further configured to establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection 120 with a higher-level visualization server 124, which also has a communication connection 126 with the programmable logic controller 122 of the conveyor device 200. In this way, the current status of the storage system 300 can be displayed on the touchscreen 118 of the mobile control unit 104 via a browser. The communication connection 120 via the visualization server 124 is used for non-time-critical applications, such as messages or other display values.

[0037] Furthermore, it can be seen that the safety-relevant safety devices 106 are directly and wired connected to input cards 140 of the programmable logic controller 122 of the conveyor 200. This cable connection also ensures the reliability of the connection, so that the connection cannot fail and thus safety-critical applications can be executed immediately and reliably if necessary.

[0038] The semi-mobile approach to an operating station (operating station 100) shown in Figure 2 also allows for the implementation of an additional safety concept. For this purpose, the stationary operating part 102 comprises a first interface part 128 of an operating station interface, with the mobile operating part 104 comprising a second interface part 130 of the operating station interface that complements the first interface part 128. Automatic operation of the conveyor device 200 is only possible if the first interface part 128 and the second interface part 130 are coupled to one another. In this case, the coupling is via electrical contacts, although wireless coupling is also possible. Thus, if the mobile operating part 104 is physically connected to the stationary operating part 102, the conveyor device 200 can be operated in automatic mode.Furthermore, it is possible that when the control station interface is decoupled, the conveyor is automatically switched from automatic mode to manual mode. Thus, if a user removes the mobile control unit 104 from its holder in the stationary control unit 102, this is equivalent to turning the key switch 112. This can therefore be omitted in this embodiment.

[0039] Figure 3 shows the storage system 300, which in this case comprises a protective barrier 136 and an access door 138. The protective barrier 136 is implemented in the present case as a grid, with the access door being normally closed and able to be opened only in manual control mode. Due to the physical removal of the mobile operating unit 104 from the stationary operating unit 102, the conveyor device 200 is in manual control mode. The mobile operating unit 104 can communicate with a locking device of the access door 138 via a wireless communication connection. In other words, an access interface is provided, which is formed by a first interface part 132 of the mobile operating unit 104 and which is formed by a second interface part 134 of the access interface, which is complementary to the first interface part 132 and assigned to the protective barrier 136.If the first interface part 132 is coupled to the second interface part 134 (possibly with an additional "digital" key exchange), the access door 138 is unlocked, thus moving the protective device 136 into the open position. A user can then enter the danger zone 304, whereby the mobile operating part 104 can then communicate with the conveyor device 200 so that it executes corresponding commands. This is illustrated by a small antenna on the conveyor device 200 in Figure 3.

[0040] After leaving the danger zone 304, after closing and locking the access door 138 and after inserting the mobile operating unit 104 into the stationary operating unit 102, the automatic operation of the conveyor device 200 can then be started again.

[0041] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

[0042] 100 control station

[0043] 102 stationary control unit

[0044] 104 mobile control unit

[0045] 106 Safety device

[0046] 108 User interface

[0047] 110 emergency stop button

[0048] 112 Operating mode selector switch

[0049] 114 enabling buttons

[0050] 116 (first) communication connection (mobile control unit and PLC)

[0051] 118 touchscreen

[0052] 120 (second) communication connection (mobile control unit and visualization server)

[0053] 122 programmable logic controllers (PLCs)

[0054] 124 visualization servers

[0055] 126 (third) communication connection (visualization server and PLC)

[0056] 128 first interface part (control station interface)

[0057] 130 second interface part (control station interface)

[0058] 132 first interface part (access interface)

[0059] 134 second interface part (access interface)

[0060] 136 repellent protective device

[0061] 138 Access door

[0062] 140 entrance card

[0063] 200 conveyor equipment (especially storage and retrieval machines)

[0064] 300 storage system

[0065] 302 Work and / or traffic area

[0066] 304 Danger zone

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An operating station (100) for a conveyor device (200), comprising a stationary operating part (102) and a mobile operating part (104) associated with the stationary operating part (102), wherein the stationary operating part (102) comprises at least one safety-relevant safety device (106) operable by a user, wherein the mobile operating part (104) is physically separable from the stationary operating part (102), and wherein the mobile operating part (104) comprises a user interface (108) operable by the user for manually controlling at least one non-safety-relevant function of the conveyor device (200).

2. Control station (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the safety device (106) is selected from the group comprising emergency stop buttons (110), operating mode selector switches (112) and enabling buttons (114).

3. Control station (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mobile control part (104) is provided with a microprocessor, and that the mobile control part (104) for controlling the conveyor device (200) is set up in such a way as to directly establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection (116) with a programmable logic controller (122) of the conveyor device (200).

4. Control station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mobile control part (104) is set up to establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection (120) with a higher-level visualization server (124), which is in a communication connection (126) with a programmable logic controller (122) of the conveyor device (200).

5. Control station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stationary control part (102) comprises a first interface part (128) of an control station interface, that the mobile control part (104) comprises a second interface part (130) of the control station interface complementary to the first interface part (128), and that automatic operation of the conveyor device (200) is only possible if the first interface part (128) and the second interface part (130) are coupled to one another.

6. Control station (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that when the control station interface is uncoupled, the conveyor device (200) is automatically switched from automatic operation to manual control operation.

7. Control station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the mobile control part (104) comprises a first interface part (132) of an access interface which is associated with a rejecting protective device (136) adjustable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the coupling of the first interface part (132) of the access interface with a second interface part (134) of the access interface complementary to the first interface part (132) causes the rejecting protective device (136) to be transferred into the open position.

8. Control station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the manual control of the at least one non-safety-relevant function is formed by travel commands for the conveyor device (200).

9. Storage system (300) comprising an operating station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a conveyor device (200) assigned or assignable to the operating station (100) for storing and retrieving goods.

10. Storage system (300) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one safety-relevant safety device (106) operable by a user is coupled by wire to an input card (140) of a programmable logic controller (122) of the conveyor device (200).

11. Storage system (300) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the mobile operating part (104) is provided with a microprocessor and comprises a user interface (108), and in that the mobile operating part (104) for controlling the conveyor device (200) is configured to directly establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection (116) with a programmable logic controller (122) of the conveyor device (200).

12. Storage system (300) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the mobile operating part (104) is set up to establish and at least temporarily maintain a communication connection (120) with a higher-level visualization server (124), which is in a communication connection (126) with a programmable logic controller (122) of the conveyor device (200).

13. Storage system (300) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the stationary operating part (102) comprises a first interface part (128) of an operating station interface, that the mobile operating part (104) comprises a second interface part (130) of the operating station interface complementary to the first interface part (128), and that automatic operation of the conveyor device (200) is only possible when the first interface part (128) and the second interface part (130) are coupled to one another.

14. Storage system (300) according to claim 13, characterized in that when the operating station interface is uncoupled, the conveyor device (200) is automatically switched from automatic operation to manual control operation.

15. Storage system (300) according to one of claims 9 to 6, characterized in that a rejecting protective device (136) is provided which is adjustable between an open position and a closed position and separates a working and / or traffic area (302) of the user from a danger zone (304) in which the conveyor device (200) is located, that the mobile operating part (104) comprises a first interface part (132) of an access interface of the rejecting protective device (136), wherein the coupling of the first interface part (132) of the mobile operating part (104) with a second interface part (134) of the access interface, which is complementary to the first interface part (132) and assigned to the rejecting protective device (136), causes the rejecting protective device (136) to be transferred into the open position.

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