Integrating transport equipment into high-rack warehouses

Abstract

The present invention relates to a high-rise rack warehouse (1) for storing and retrieving containers (2), comprising a number of storage locations (15) for the containers (2) arranged side by side horizontally and one above the other vertically, and warehouse aisles (4) arranged between groups of the storage locations (15) and extending parallel to each other, in which at least one rack operation device (5) is capable of reciprocating within each warehouse aisle (4), and the rack operation devices (5) are designed to move the containers (2) vertically and horizontally into and out of the storage locations (15), and the high-rise rack warehouse ( The present invention relates to a high-rise warehouse (1), in which a conveying path (30) for conveying means (31) is assigned to a high-rise rack warehouse (1), the conveying path (30) is arranged below a running plane (6) of the rack handling equipment (5), and at least one device (20) for accommodating and transporting the rack handling equipment (5) is provided, the device (20) being arranged to straddle the conveying path (30) and designed and configured to accommodate the at least one rack handling equipment (5) and move it between at least two warehouse aisles (4-1, 4-2) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the warehouse aisle (4). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for reducing and / or increasing the number of rack handling equipment (5) per warehouse aisle (4) in the high-rise warehouse (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a high-rise rack warehouse for storing and retrieving containers and a method for reducing and / or increasing the number of handling devices per warehouse aisle in such a high-rise rack warehouse.

[0002] 2. Background technology High-rise rack warehouses or HBS (high bay warehouses) are well known in the prior art and are often used in particular in transshipment facilities at seaports or inland ports. High-rise rack warehouses usually have a number of rack compartments, preferably individual rack compartments, arranged horizontally next to each other and vertically one above the other, and parallel-extending warehouse aisles arranged between the groups of rack compartments, in which at least one rack handling device is reciprocally movable and designed to move containers vertically and horizontally into and out of the rack compartments.

[0003] An example of such a high-rise warehouse is disclosed in WO 2015 / 1243482. In this high-rise warehouse, standard containers are received by a rack handling device at a transfer point inside the high-rise warehouse and then transported to and stored in a predefined rack section by the rack handling device. The containers are grasped from above in a suspended state and, with their long sides oriented parallel to the warehouse aisle, are laterally loaded into each rack section by a telescopic system. This maximizes the use of space inside the warehouse, since the warehouse aisles only need to be designed slightly wider than the end faces of the containers. This special handling and storage of containers, especially empty containers, allows for the appropriate configuration of the telescopic system in the rack handling device to handle two rack sections arranged next to each other on each side from each warehouse aisle, resulting in a total of four rack sections ("double deep").

[0004] Within each warehouse aisle there is usually at least one rack handling device, by means of which each container can be transferred from a defined delivery position to a respective rack section, and from which the container can again be removed and brought to a suitable delivery position, so that it can then be received by external transport means, either directly or indirectly through the intermediation of a suitable transport device.

[0005] The capacity of each piece of racking equipment to receive, move, and deliver containers again, and the number of racking equipment within a warehouse aisle, are defining factors for the transshipment capacity of a high-rise warehouse, and these factors are usually finalized during the design of the high-rise warehouse. Modifying a high-rise warehouse by reducing or increasing the number of racking equipment per warehouse aisle is time-consuming and costly. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] 3. Problem of the invention The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a high-rack warehouse and a method for reducing and / or increasing the number of rack handling devices per warehouse aisle in such a high-rack warehouse, which overcomes the problems known from the prior art and is suitable for obtaining a higher degree of flexibility and a high-rack warehouse that is adjustable and changeable to a currently predicted or desired turnover rate of containers per hour. According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a high-rack warehouse comprising the features of claim 1 and a method comprising the features of claim 15. Advantageous configurations of the invention are recited in particular in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] 4. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention, a high-rise warehouse for storing and retrieving containers is provided, which has a number of storage locations for containers arranged horizontally next to each other and vertically one above the other, and parallel warehouse aisles arranged between groups or planes of storage locations, in each of which at least one rack handling device is reciprocally movable, and which is designed to move containers vertically and horizontally into and out of the storage locations. Typically, such groups of storage locations are arranged modularly over substantially the entire length and height of the warehouse. The storage locations are preferably arranged as individually arranged rack sections, which may be individually accessed by at least one rack handling device for storing and retrieving containers. Thus, containers are accommodated in the rack sections individually or at most in pairs, with only sufficient space above the containers for the operation of the transport means of the rack handling device, in particular a telescopic system that supports the containers in a suspended state and can move them into the rack sections perpendicular to the warehouse aisle.

[0008] According to the present invention, a high-rise warehouse has a device for transporting at least one rack handling device perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a warehouse aisle, the device being designed and configured to accommodate the at least one rack handling device and move it between at least two warehouse aisles. In this case, the device for transporting the one or more rack handling devices is arranged above a transport path for a transport means assigned to the external or high-rise warehouse, the transport path also being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the warehouse aisle and arranged below a plane along which the rack handling device is moved. According to the present invention, the device for transporting the at least one rack handling device is arranged to straddle the transport path for the transport means, so that a transport means, possibly loaded with containers, can move along the transport path without hindrance, and the device for transporting the at least one rack handling device can also be moved between at least two warehouse aisles regardless of whether or not the rack handling device is present in the transport path.

[0009] Preferably, the transport path is located on at least one end of the high-rise warehouse. Connection of the high-rise warehouse to external transport paths is typically achieved by arranging the transport path directly in the high-rise warehouse. In this case, one or more transport paths, for example, rail-operated or truck-operated, are preferably connected to the high-rise warehouse so that the rack handling device can drive the accommodated containers to the transport path itself or in the immediate vicinity of the transport path. The transfer of containers from the rack handling device to the external transport means can be carried out directly or by using corresponding transfer means in the form of a roller, crane, and / or other transfer device. By arranging the transport path perpendicular to the high-rise warehouse, this allows for the transfer of containers from each warehouse aisle of the high-rise warehouse to the transport path in the same way. The same access to each warehouse aisle from the transport path is also possible. As long as the conveying path is arranged on one end side of the high-rise rack warehouse, preferably on both end sides of the high-rise rack warehouse, optimal space utilization and the shortest conveying path from the high-rise rack warehouse to an external conveying means or from an external conveying means into the high-rise rack warehouse can be achieved.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is preferable that the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment is arranged to be movable over a section at least corresponding to the distance between all warehouse aisles inside the high-rise rack warehouse. This allows for the exchange of all rack handling equipment from all warehouse aisles, thereby achieving the highest possible flexibility for using all available rack handling equipment. If necessary, each warehouse aisle may be equipped with more than one rack handling equipment, while warehouse aisles that are at least temporarily unused may be left without rack handling equipment, and the unused rack handling equipment may be used in other warehouse aisles of the high-rise rack warehouse according to the present invention.

[0011] This also ensures that all rack handling equipment in a high-rise warehouse can be removed from the respective warehouse aisles in the event of a breakdown or malfunction, and if necessary, replaced and placed on standby and / or repaired outside the high-rise warehouse. It is particularly preferred if the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment is movable on rails arranged on both sides of the transport path. This results in an apparatus that can be operated particularly reliably with a low probability and susceptibility to breakdowns.

[0012] In this connection, it is particularly preferred if the rails are arranged on side partitions for the transport path. It is even more preferred in this connection if the side partitions extend from the plane of the transport path to the running plane of the rack handling device. This makes it possible, by simple means, to ensure, on the one hand, that the transport path can be operated without interference, and, on the other hand, to ensure that the rack handling device remains in a running plane that also corresponds to the plane of the warehouse aisle when traveling out of the warehouse aisle. This makes it particularly easy to exchange the rack handling device or to transport it to another warehouse aisle or to a waiting position.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one waiting position for unused rack handling equipment or for maintenance of rack handling equipment is provided outside the high-rise warehouse, and that the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment be designed and configured to be movable between all warehouse aisles and the waiting position or at least in the longitudinal direction of the equipment's supply path. Therefore, the waiting position does not necessarily have to be located within the path for the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment; it can also be provided offset laterally from the path. In this case, the rack handling equipment is driven to a predetermined position by the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment, from which it can then independently reach the waiting position after leaving the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment. This movement is effected, for example, via a rail provided for this purpose between the waiting position and the path for the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment preferably has a chassis with at least one drive, in particular one drive for each wheel, and a support structure, preferably a support frame, for supporting the rack handling equipment stored inside the device in a safe manner against tipping. This allows for the use of a device that can, on the one hand, be reliably moved and, on the other hand, can reliably transport the rack handling equipment between at least a first warehouse aisle and a second warehouse aisle. It should be noted here that, due to the limited width of the warehouse aisle, rack handling equipment for high-rise container warehouses has unfavorable height, weight, and width relationships for its own transport. Therefore, it is preferable that the structure of the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment is designed in such a way that safe transport of the rack handling equipment is guaranteed against tipping. This is ensured, on the one hand, by the weight of the device for housing and transporting the rack handling equipment being preferably of approximately the same order of magnitude as the weight of the rack handling equipment itself, for example about 200 t, with a height of more than 19 m, a width of more than 11 m and a length of more than 23 m, and, in some cases, by the support structure, preferably a support frame, for securely supporting the rack handling equipment housed inside the device, corresponding to at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, of the height of one piece of rack handling equipment.

[0015] Preferably, the high-rack warehouse has at least one area designed and suitable for stacking empty containers on top of one another. Therefore, according to the present invention, this area for empty containers located inside the high-rack warehouse is not provided with a separate rack section, and at least one area is provided that does not have a separate rack section that would normally be provided for containers. In this at least one area for empty containers, empty containers can be placed directly and directly on top of one another and still be reachable by rack handling equipment. High-rack warehouses that are designed exclusively to accommodate empty containers and thus, preferably, can completely dispense with separate rack sections in lieu of storage space are particularly preferred. This allows, on the one hand, to dispense with a separate stacking point for empty containers outside the high-rack warehouse, and, on the other hand, ensures that empty containers can be handled automatically, preferably fully automated, inside the high-rack warehouse via rack handling equipment.

[0016] Preferably, storage locations or individual rack sections are designed and suitable for accommodating a 20' standard container (1 TEU, 20-foot equivalent) or a 40' standard container (2 TEU), or two half-length standard containers arranged longitudinally one behind the other. Thus, two 20' standard containers may be placed end-to-end in one storage location or individual rack section designed to accommodate a 40' standard container, or two 10' standard containers (0.5 TEU) may be placed in one storage location or individual rack section designed to accommodate a 20' standard container. This provides a high-rack warehouse with optimal space utilization and, further, fully automated container handling.

[0017] In this connection, it is particularly preferred if the rack handling device is capable of moving containers in and out of storage locations, preferably rack compartments, with their long sides in a direction parallel to the warehouse aisle, which, on the one hand, particularly advantageously supports the arrangement of two rows of storage locations, preferably rack compartments, on each side of the rack handling device, which has already been described as preferred, and, on the other hand, it also minimizes the width of the warehouse aisle required for the rack handling device.

[0018] Unlike full containers, empty containers are directly stacked on top of one another. However, due to discontinuities in the corner areas of the containers, known as "corner casting," the stacks become unstable as the stacking height increases, which can, in the worst case, lead to the entire container or a part of it falling into the travel aisle of the rack handling equipment. To eliminate this problem, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the high-rack warehouse itself can be provided with restraining devices, which, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, are provided at regular intervals, preferably on both sides of the stack or area for empty containers. It is even more preferred if such restraining devices are attached to the vertical stands of the high-rack warehouse.

[0019] In this context, it is particularly preferred if the high-rise warehouse is designed to be capable of transshipping more than 2,500 standard containers per hectare and per year (2,500 TEU / ha), preferably more than 3,000 TEU / ha, and most preferably more than 5,000 TEU / ha. The TEU / ha unit mentioned here constitutes a commercially accepted measure of port logistics capacity, in particular the capacity of a high-rise warehouse. The aforementioned stacking area for empty containers outside the high-rise warehouse and the operation of vehicles specifically provided for this purpose, such as reach stackers or the like, achieve an annual transshipment capacity of up to 2,500 TEU / ha. The high-rise warehouse according to the invention can increase the transshipment of filled and empty containers beyond this known scale, preferably in a fully automated manner.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reducing and / or increasing the number of rack handling devices per warehouse aisle in a high-rise rack warehouse according to the above-mentioned first aspect of the present invention. Inside this high-rise rack warehouse, containers are received by rack handling devices, transported to each rack section, and stored in these rack sections. If necessary, to increase or decrease the number of rack handling devices in each warehouse aisle, rack handling devices are removed from the warehouse aisle perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or transversely by a device for transporting at least one rack handling device, and then stored by the device or supplied into or in front of each warehouse aisle by a device for transporting at least one rack handling device, and then transported into the warehouse aisle from there.

[0021] Typically, the rack handling equipment is suspended from operation in a first warehouse aisle and handed over for operation in a second warehouse aisle. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to increase the number of rack handling equipment in one warehouse aisle by removing the rack handling equipment from the warehouse aisle and bringing it to a standby position, possibly located outside the high-rack warehouse, or by bringing it from a standby position, possibly located outside the high-rack warehouse, for operation in one warehouse aisle. Therefore, in such cases, the number of rack handling equipment in other warehouse aisles remains unchanged.

[0022] Thus, in a first alternative, the present invention comprises a method in which rack handling equipment is removed from a first warehouse aisle and moved to a second warehouse aisle by a device for storing and transporting rack handling equipment, whereby operation then continues in this second warehouse aisle. In a second alternative, rack handling equipment is moved from a standby position, possibly from a standby position outside the high-rise rack warehouse, to a warehouse aisle by a device for storing and transporting rack handling equipment, whereby an increased number of rack handling equipment is used in this warehouse aisle and put into operation. In a third alternative embodiment of the present invention, rack handling equipment is removed from a warehouse aisle and then moved to a standby position by a device for storing and transporting rack handling equipment, whereby the equipment can be parked in advance, maintained, or waited.

[0023] In any case, the movement of the rack handling equipment between each warehouse aisle and / or one warehouse aisle and a waiting position usually means that the rack handling equipment is removed completely from the warehouse aisle, preferably running on rails, and is then moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the respective warehouse aisle by the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment. The distance between the warehouse aisle and the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment is preferably kept as short as possible, but may vary based on local givens without departing from the spirit of the invention. In any case, what is important is that the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment utilizes the space above the existing transport path for external transport means, preferably allowing the transport path and the device for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment to operate unhindered.

[0024] Preferably, the transport of containers, both full and empty, within the high-rack warehouse is carried out fully automatically.

[0025] 5. Brief description of the drawings The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to five drawings which reveal preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the drawings are not suitable for limiting the protection scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of an apparatus according to the invention for storing and transporting rack handling equipment; [Figure 2a] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a high-rise rack warehouse with rack handling equipment operating inside and a mobile device arranged on the end side for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment. [Figure 2b] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a high-rise rack warehouse with rack handling equipment operating inside and a mobile device arranged on the end side for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment. [Figure 2c] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a high-rise rack warehouse with rack handling equipment operating inside and a mobile device arranged on the end side for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment. [Figure 3a] 1 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for storing and transporting rack handling equipment, operated in accordance with the present invention; [Figure 3b] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for storing and transporting rack handling equipment, operated in accordance with the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a high-rise rack warehouse according to the present invention, with a device for storing and transporting rack handling equipment located above the transport path; FIG. [Figure 5a] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a high-rise rack warehouse with the running plane for external transport means arranged below the area of ​​the rack compartments. [Figure 5b] FIG. 5B is a plan view of the high-rise rack warehouse shown in FIG. 5A as seen from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] 6. Detailed description of the drawings 1 shows an apparatus 20 for transporting rack handling equipment 5, movable along parallel rails 40. The apparatus 20 has a chassis 21 with a pair of wheels 24 at each corner, i.e., a total of eight wheels 24, running on the outer rails 40. Each pair of wheels 24 is assigned a drive unit (not shown), which enables the apparatus 20, which in this embodiment has a width of 11.1 m, a height of 19.3 m, and a length of 23.3 m and a weight of, for example, about 200 t, which is of the same order of size as the weight of the rack handling equipment, to accelerate to a transport speed of about 1.0 m / s. A frame-like support structure 23 provided above the chassis 21 is an integral part of the device 20 for accommodating and transporting the rack handling equipment 5, and inside the support structure 23 the rack handling equipment 5 can be held safely against tipping, allowing the rack handling equipment 5 to be moved along the rails 40 between individual warehouse aisles (not shown), or between the longitudinal extensions of warehouse aisles, or between a waiting position (not shown) and a warehouse aisle (not shown).

[0028] 2a) to 2c) show part of a high-rise warehouse 1 with an end-located device 20 for accommodating and transporting rack handling equipment 5 perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of parallel-arranged warehouse aisles 4 and above a transport path for external transport means (not shown). In FIG. 2a), the device 20 has been moved in front of the corresponding warehouse aisle 4, and floor-side rails 7 are provided inside the warehouse aisle 4 up to the device 20, in particular in the area above the chassis 21 of the device 20.

[0029] Figure 2b) shows the outward movement of the rack handling equipment 5 from the corresponding warehouse aisle 4, in which the rack handling equipment 5 runs out of the roof-side guide inside the high-rise rack warehouse 1 when leaving the warehouse aisle 4 and is held exclusively by the support frame 23 of the device 20.

[0030] Finally, FIG. 2c) shows the complete removal of the rack handling equipment 5 from the corresponding warehouse aisle and the complete storage of the rack handling equipment 5 inside the device 20 for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment 5. This allows the rack handling equipment 5 to be transported via the device 20 to any desired warehouse aisle 4 or, if necessary, to a waiting position (not shown) provided outside the high-rise warehouse 1.

[0031] FIG. 3a) shows the use according to the invention of an apparatus 20 for accommodating and transporting rack handling equipment (not shown). The apparatus 20 is arranged above a transport path 30 for an external transport means 31 in the form of a truck. The chassis 21 of the apparatus 20 consists of a cross beam 25 and struts 26, 27, on which the rack handling equipment (not shown) can travel along the path to and from the apparatus 20. The struts 26, 27 are formed below the cross beam 25 so that, on the one hand, they remain on the wheels 24 and, on the other hand, their length up to the cross beam 25 ensures reliable and uninterrupted operation of the transport path 30. Above the cross beam 25, the struts 26, 27 are dimensioned to reliably ensure that the rack handling equipment (not shown) does not tip over even when the apparatus 20 is being moved.

[0032] FIG. 3b) shows another embodiment of an apparatus 20 used according to the invention for accommodating and transporting rack handling equipment (not shown) above the transport path 30 for a transport means 31, here in the form of a truck. The apparatus 20 has as its chassis 21 cross beams 25 that support pairs of wheels 24. The wheels 24 are mounted on side partitions 32, 33 that laterally limit the transport path 30 and on an intermediate partition 34 that divides the transport path 30 in the middle. The height of the side partitions 32, 33, 34 is configured so that the transport path 30 can be reliably and safely used by the transport means 31 below the running plane 6 for the rack handling equipment (not shown), even when the apparatus 20 is moved on the side partitions 32, 33, 34 along the longitudinal direction of the transport path 30 and thus perpendicularly or transversely to the longitudinal direction of the warehouse aisle (not shown). The columns 26, 27 of the frame-like support structure 23 of the device 20 are configured, as shown in Figure 3a), to ensure safe transport of the rack handling equipment (not shown) housed within the device 20 against tipping over even when the device 20 is being moved.

[0033] 4 shows a plan view from above of a high-rise warehouse 1 according to the present invention, which has a number of warehouse aisles 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 arranged parallel to one another, in each of which at least one rack handling device 5 is arranged, allowing containers 2 to be transferred into or out of the respective storage locations 15 or individual rack sections 3. At the end of the high-rise warehouse 1, a transport path 30 is arranged below the running plane 6 for the rack handling device 5. According to the present invention, a device 20 for accommodating and transporting the rack handling device 5 is arranged above the transport path 30, on the one hand, so that it can move perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the warehouse aisle 4, and on the other hand, so that it straddles the transport path 30. The dimensions of the device 20 are set so that the movement not only allows the transport of the rack handling equipment 5 between the individual warehouse aisles 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, but also allows the removal of the rack handling equipment from the high-rise rack warehouse 1 and the introduction of the rack handling equipment into a waiting position 60 arranged to the side. For this purpose, the device 20 is arranged flush with the waiting position 60 so that the rack handling equipment 5 can be transported from the device 20 to the waiting position 60 parallel to the warehouse aisle 4.

[0034] FIG. 5a) shows a side view of the high-rack warehouse 1 with an area with individual rack compartments 3 for accommodating containers 2 and a running plane for an external transport means 31 arranged below the area for the individual rack compartments 3. The external transport means 31 runs from the outside into the area of ​​the high-rack warehouse 1 and into a parking position below the individual rack compartments 3 or storage locations 15 for containers. In this parking position, a rack handling device (not shown) can remove the container 2 from the external transport means 31 and place it into the appropriate individual rack compartment 3 or storage location 15 for empty containers in the high-rack warehouse 1. The removal of the container 2 from the high-rack warehouse 1 is also carried out via the rack handling device (not shown), which unloads the container 2 onto the external transport means 31, which may be, for example, truck- or rail-driven. In the illustrated embodiment, the transport of containers 2 from (or into) the high-rise rack warehouse 1 is carried out by the crossing of a supply path 61 over a transport path 30 straddled by an apparatus 20 for transporting rack handling equipment.

[0035] Figure 5b) shows a plan view from above of the high-rack warehouse 1 shown in Figure 5a). Below the areas for the individual rack sections 3 and the storage locations 15 for empty containers 2, below the warehouse aisle 4, a supply path 61 for external conveying means 31 is provided. Rack handling equipment (not shown) can be arranged inside the supply path 61 above each parking location, from which containers 2 can be picked up by or unloaded onto the external conveying means 31. The removal of containers 2 via the external conveying means 31 takes place along the supply path 61, which in the embodiment shown intersects with a transport path 30 along whose path also runs a device 20 for transporting the rack handling equipment, thereby allowing further transport, for example, over roads or the like, independent of the high-rack warehouse 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. High-rise rack warehouse 2. Container 3 individual rack compartments 4 Warehouse Aisle 5 Rack operation equipment 6. Running plane of rack operation device 5 7. Floor rails (installed in Warehouse Aisle 4) 15 Storage area for container 2 20 Equipment for transporting rack operation equipment 21 chassis 22 Drive unit 23 Support structure 24 wheels 25 Crossbeam 26 Posts 27 Pillar 30 Conveyor path 31 Means of transport 32 Side partition 33 Side partition 40 Rail 60 Standby position 61 Supply route

Claims

1. A high-rise rack warehouse (1) for storing and retrieving containers (2) comprises a number of storage locations (15) for the containers (2) arranged horizontally next to each other and vertically one above the other, and warehouse aisles (4) arranged between groups of the storage locations (15) and extending parallel to each other, in each of which at least one rack handling device (5) is reciprocally movable, and the rack handling device (5) is designed to move the containers (2) vertically and horizontally into and out of the storage locations (15), and the high-rise rack warehouse ( A high-rise rack warehouse (1) (1) is assigned a transport path (30) for a transport means (31), the transport path (30) is arranged below a running plane (6) of the rack operation equipment (5), and at least one device (20) for accommodating and transporting the rack operation equipment (5) is provided, the device (20) is arranged to straddle the transport path (30), and is designed and configured to accommodate the at least one rack operation equipment (5) and move it between at least two warehouse aisles (4-1, 4-2) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the warehouse aisle (4).

2. 2. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying path (30) is arranged on at least one end side of the high-rise rack warehouse (1).

3. 3. A high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (20) for storing and transporting rack operation equipment (5) is arranged to be movable over a section at least corresponding to the distance between all warehouse aisles (4) within the high-rise rack warehouse (1).

4. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling equipment (5) is movable on rails (40) arranged on both sides of the transport path (30).

5. 5. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rails (40) are arranged on side partitions (32, 33) for the conveying path (30), the side partitions (32, 33) preferably extending from the plane of the conveying path (30) to the running plane (6) of the rack handling equipment (5).

6. 6. A high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one waiting position (60) is provided outside the high-rise rack warehouse (1) for unused rack handling equipment (5) or for maintenance of the rack handling equipment (5), and the device (20) for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment (5) is designed and configured to be moved between all warehouse aisles (4) and the waiting position (60) or at least in the longitudinal extension direction of the supply path (61) of the device (20).

7. 7. The high-rise warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the storage locations (15), preferably the individual rack sections (3), are designed and suitable for accommodating a 20-foot standard container (1 TEU) or a 40-foot standard container (2 TEU) or for accommodating two standard containers with half the length (10-foot or 20-foot standard containers) arranged longitudinally one after the other.

8. 8. A high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the rack handling device (5) is capable of moving the container (2) by its long side in a direction parallel to the warehouse aisle (4) into and out of the storage location (15), preferably in an individual rack section (3).

9. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rack operation device (5) is capable of supporting and transporting the container (2) from above in a suspended state.

10. 10. A high-rise warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the storage locations (15) each have a resting portion for at least a lower corner of the container (2), preferably a resting portion connected to a vertical support (10) of the high-rise warehouse (1).

11. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling equipment (5) has a chassis (21), preferably equipped with at least one drive device (22), and a support structure (23), preferably a support frame, for safely supporting the rack handling equipment (5) stored inside the device (20) against tipping.

12. 12. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the support structure (23) has a height corresponding to at least 25%, preferably at least 30%, of the height of one rack handling device (5).

13. 13. The high-rise rack warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the high-rise rack warehouse (1) is designed and suitable for transshipping more than 2500 TEU / ha, preferably more than 3000 TEU / ha, and most preferably more than 5000 TEU / ha.

14. 14. A high-rise warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it is part of a transshipment facility, in particular a seaport or an inland port.

15. 15. A method for reducing and / or increasing the number of rack handling devices (5) per warehouse aisle (4) in a high-rise warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, 1. A method for transporting a rack using at least one device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling devices (5), the device (20) being arranged to straddle a transport path (30) for a transport means (31) and accommodating the at least one rack handling device (5) and moving the device (20) between at least two warehouse aisles (4) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the warehouse aisles (4).

16. 16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the device (20) for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment (5) is moved along the transport path (30) above the transport path (30), and the movement of the transport means (31) along the transport path (30) is carried out without being influenced by the device (20) for storing and transporting the rack handling equipment (5).

17. 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that one piece of rack handling equipment (5) is removed from a first warehouse aisle (4-1), supplied to the device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling equipment (5), stored by the device (20), moved to a second warehouse aisle (4-2), removed from the device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling equipment (5), and supplied to the second warehouse aisle (4-2).

18. 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that one rack handling device (5) is removed from a waiting position (60), supplied to the device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling devices (5), stored by the device (20), moved to one warehouse aisle (4), removed from the device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling devices (5), and supplied to the warehouse aisle (4).

19. 17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that one rack handling device (5) is removed from one warehouse aisle (4), supplied to the device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling devices (5), stored by the device (20), moved to a waiting position (60), removed from the device (20) for storing and transporting rack handling devices (5), and supplied to the waiting position (60).

Images