Method and storage system for storing load carriers

Abstract

An airport early baggage storage system (2) fulfills multiple functions. The present invention discloses a storage system (2) and method suitable for storing uniform load carriers (4) that are empty or loaded with cargo (4a) having sorting criteria, the storage system (2) and method comprising a conveyor (6), a loading device (8), an automated guided vehicle (16), a plurality of racks (12) with rack compartments (14) for accommodating the load carriers (4), and a control system. The load carriers (4) are uniquely identifiable and associable with the sorting criteria. The control system determines the sorting criteria for the cargo (4a) in the load carrier (4) when the load carrier (4) is loaded and assigns the sorting criteria to the load carrier (4), and when the load carrier (4) is empty, assigns the empty sorting criteria to the load carrier (4), and selects a rack (12) with an empty rack compartment (14) as the preferred rack (12). * The loading device (8) is configured to selectively receive and / or deliver load carriers (4) to the conveyor (6) and to mount the load carriers (4) on the appropriate racks (12). * The automated guided vehicle (16) is configured to load and / or unload a suitable rack (12). * ) toward and away from a storage location defined by a specific storage criterion in the storage area (18). * ) can be reversibly attached.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of transport systems, more particularly to the technical field of storage systems for load carriers. The load carriers are suitable for storing cargo, however the invention is also suitable for empty load carriers. In particular, the invention relates to an early baggage storage system in airport areas.

[0002] In airport environments, passenger baggage needs to be temporarily stored for several hours. The reason for this early baggage storage may be a very early check-in, a delayed departure, or a longer temporary stopover. Airport operators' processes require the least effort if such baggage is temporarily deposited in baggage handling equipment and released onto the aircraft in a timely manner for transfer. If the operation and construction of early baggage storage systems were simpler, more convenient, and more fault-safe, the load on baggage handling equipment for individual pieces of baggage could be reduced, and individual pieces of baggage would likely require fewer ground handling moments in the future.

[0003] Various solution approaches exist, such as line storage systems on belt or tray systems, circular transport loops, or similar approaches. However, these approaches only allow for difficult access to specific individual baggage items, complex tracking of each individual baggage item, and existing solutions have high three-dimensional space and energy demands. High-rise rack warehouses based on rack handling equipment or shuttle solutions are the most widespread. Available solutions are usually complex in terms of planning, construction, design, implementation, and operation. During planning and installation, the solution must also be designed for the maximum anticipated capacity in advance, which results in high overall investment costs at a very early stage. Furthermore, flexible and inexpensive expansion is not possible, and failure of individual components can disrupt the entire system. Many baggage handling systems in airports are configured as tray-supported baggage handling systems (ICS = Individual Carrier System). The advantages of tray-supported foundation systems are the always uniform shape of the load carriers (baggage trays), which results in highly uniform transport characteristics for all load carriers, as well as unique, automated, and nearly 100% baggage identification via RFID tags on the (baggage) trays. Furthermore, the load carriers prevent loose parts from getting caught in the baggage transport equipment, ensuring that transport is harmless to the goods. Further advantages of trays are easy access for loading and unloading, achievable higher transport speeds, and uniformity (which allows for standardized and therefore simpler manufacturing of components that only need to be configured for a uniform load carrier, rather than for the high variation in different cargo loads). Tray-supported transport equipment is also used in other areas of logistics, where cargo is transported and temporarily stored in load carriers. The present invention is also suitable for non-tray-supported transport equipment, provided that the storage area is always designed to accommodate the load carrier, specifically the cargo in the trays.

[0004] The problem underlying the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a system for better storage of load carriers. This problem is solved by the solutions set forth in the independent claims.

[0005] This problem is solved by a method and a storage system having the features of the independent claims.

[0006] The solution according to the invention is characterized by a method for storing uniform load carriers, in particular baggage trays, either empty or loaded with cargo, in particular individual baggage items, where the cargo has assigned sorting criteria and the load carriers are uniquely identifiable and associable with the sorting criteria, the method comprising the following method steps: a) A method step of transporting cargo or load carriers on a conveyor and receiving the cargo or load carriers by a loading device in a transfer area, in the case of cargo, transferring the cargo from the conveyor to the load carrier while the load carrier is being held by the loading device. b) A method step of defining sorting criteria for cargo in the load carrier if the load carrier is loaded and assigning these sorting criteria to the load carrier, and assigning empty sorting criteria to the load carrier if the load carrier is empty. c) providing a plurality of racks each comprising a rack section stacked on top of one another for accommodating a load carrier, with or without wheels, and a chassis; d) A method step of designating one of the racks with an empty rack compartment as the preferred rack by the control system. e) A method step of moving the load carrier to a suitable rack by means of a loading device in the transfer area and loading the load carrier into an empty rack compartment of the suitable rack by means of the loading device. f) Method steps for mounting the automated guided vehicle on a suitable rack. g) A method step of moving suitable racks by automated guided vehicles in a storage area towards storage positions defined by specific storage criteria. h) method step of removing the automated guided vehicle from the suitable rack.

[0007] The solution according to the present invention further relates to a storage system for storing uniform load carriers, in particular baggage trays, either empty or loaded with cargo, in particular individual baggage items, comprising a conveyor, a loading device, an automated guided vehicle, a plurality of racks, and a control system. The cargo has assigned sorting criteria, and the load carriers are uniquely identifiable and can be associated with the sorting criteria. The racks have stacked rack sections for accommodating load carriers, with or without wheels. The racks can be configured very simply and therefore inexpensively, for example as simple steel racks. The conveyor is configured to transport the load carriers or cargo. The height is determined by the height of the robot arm, the provided height of the early baggage storage system, and the load capacity of the automated guided vehicle. If the racks are too high, manual loading and unloading in the event of a breakdown is obviously no longer possible. The loading device is located in the transfer area. The control system is configured to define sorting criteria for cargo in the load carrier and assign the sorting criteria to the load carrier when the load carrier is loaded, and to assign empty sorting criteria to the load carrier when the load carrier is empty. The control system is configured to select a rack with an empty rack compartment as a preferred rack. The loading device and conveyor are configured to selectively receive and / or deliver cargo or the load carrier to the conveyor while the load carrier is held by the loading device, and load and / or unload the load carrier from the preferred rack. The automated guided vehicle is reversibly attachable to the preferred rack (including attachment and detachment of the attached vehicle) for moving the preferred rack toward and away from a storage position defined by the unique storage criteria in the storage area. The control system is connectable to the loading device and the automated guided vehicle for control.

[0008] Thus, the following additional advantages can be obtained: the load carriers are used as containers that are moved by a corresponding tool of the loading device (robot or the like); a system with load carriers allows uniformity in the baggage transport, more reliable operation, higher speeds, and better throughput; the risk of damage to individual baggage items (e.g., caused by carrier pinching or the like) and system failure is low, since all individual baggage items remain entirely within their load carriers throughout the baggage transport; the same storage area can be used to temporarily store empty and full load carriers; the use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) allows not only easy scaling based on modularity, but also high failure safety (storage systems typically comprise several loading devices and several AGVs, so that the failure of an individual AGV or an individual loading device does not result in the failure of the entire storage system in the same way).

[0009] A load carrier in the sense of the present invention is understood to mean, in particular, a tray, more specifically a baggage tray, that typically allows access from above and thus easy loading and unloading. The cargo is provided with an identifier, and in the case of individual baggage, typically a baggage label. In the case of individual baggage, the sorting criterion is typically the flight, however, ground handling time or another criterion (e.g., accompanying passengers) may also be used. The transfer area substantially corresponds to the operating range of the loading device for receiving and transferring the load carrier. The attachment of automated guided vehicles to suitable racks includes all attachment possibilities that allow the attached automated guided vehicles to move the rack, for example, tow, push, or combine. An empty sorting criterion means a sorting criterion that represents to the control system an exchangeable empty load carrier. A uniform load carrier is understood to mean that all load carriers are of the same shape or that only a few formats are used, where the different formats, for example, have the same length for at least one side. The gripping process for loading and unloading by the loading device is therefore significantly simplified, and furthermore each load carrier fits into a predetermined rack compartment.

[0010] The solution according to the invention can be further improved by various configurations which are advantageous in themselves and which, unless otherwise stated, can be combined with one another in any way. These configurations and the advantages associated with them are explained below.

[0011] In order to sort the load carriers in an orderly manner according to the sorting criteria and thereby avoid unnecessary displacement of the racks for both loading and unloading, the control system may determine whether one of the racks near the delivery area already contains a load of a load carrier that matches the sorting criteria of the load carrier and has an empty rack section with the capacity to accommodate this load carrier, and is therefore an available rack, and designate this rack as the preferred rack; otherwise, an available rack that has not yet been assigned to the cargo sorting criteria may be designated as the preferred rack.

[0012] In relation to the storage system, the control system may be configured to determine whether one of the racks near the transfer area already contains a load of a load carrier that matches the load carrier sorting criteria and has an available rack section with capacity to accommodate the load carrier, and therefore is an available rack, and designate that rack as the preferred rack; otherwise, designate an available rack that has not yet been assigned to the cargo sorting criteria (and therefore may be empty or filled with at least one load carrier) as the preferred rack.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the automated guided vehicle may be driven underneath the rack before attachment, and is therefore an underwater AGV. After driving underneath, the underwater AGV may attach to the rack and then transport the rack (without lifting; for this, the rack must have wheels). Alternatively, the underwater AGV may lift the rack (for this, the rack does not need to have wheels, but may have), then move it, and then lower it. Driving underneath reduces the combined space required for the automated guided vehicle and the rack, which in turn reduces the space required for transport operations (inversions, turns, turning), and therefore the space required for the storage area. Also, an AGV that drives through an aisle between racks without a rack individually can evade another AGV (with or without a rack) by driving underneath the rack at a storage position.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the racks can be moved by an automated guided vehicle from their storage positions in the storage area to a transfer area, after which the load carriers can be unloaded from the racks to be unloaded with the load carriers by a loading device in the transfer area, with the higher-level control system instructing the unloading if the stored load carriers need to be accessed or brought back into the baggage transport facility.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the storage areas are arranged in more than one plane, and the planes of the storage areas may be located at the height of and / or above and / or below the loading device. Thus, the space in high halls can be better utilized and existing supply underpasses or the like can be used as (early baggage) storage systems.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the storage system may further comprise a ramp and / or a lifting device so that suitable racks can traverse height differences between the planes with or without an automated guided vehicle. Thus, suitable racks can traverse height differences between the planes with or without an automated guided vehicle by means of a lifting device and / or via a ramp. The lifting device may be configured as a lift or the like; however, the loading device may also be configured to lift the rack.

[0017] Instead of or in addition to a ramp or lifting device, the loading device may be configured to load and / or unload the racks in more than one plane. For this purpose, it is suitable to arrange the loading device (and possibly a conveyor) between planes (in which case the loading device may extend upward or downward) or the robot arm of the loading device may be configured to be sufficiently long. Thus, a stationary loading device can load and unload the racks in different planes.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, multiple racks may be positionable in the transfer area such that the loading device can load the multiple racks without repositioning. Thus, the loading device can load and unload load carriers with different sorting criteria during the loading process without repositioning (which would reduce the throughput and even the number of currently available automated guided vehicles based on time demand, thus increasing the demand for automated guided vehicles and thus the costs of the storage system). For higher throughput, more than one loading device may be used for the same transfer area or for different transfer areas.

[0019] According to one embodiment, empty load carriers may be received by the loading device, preferably in a transfer area, so that the loading device can also receive cargo from the conveyor and load full load carriers into the rack compartment.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, provision can be made to define adjacent storage positions for racks with matching sorting criteria, so that the individual baggage items of a flight can be placed in the lower area of ​​the storage area, which makes it easier to find all load carriers with matching sorting criteria even in the event of a failure of the higher-level control system.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the racks may be moved manually without an automated guided vehicle, thereby allowing manual support in case of AGV failure / shortage.

[0022] According to one embodiment, loading and unloading may take place in different delivery areas and thus be spatially flexible.

[0023] The storage system, insofar as it can be adapted, has the same advantages as those described for the method described above. The description of advantageous configurations of the present invention described above includes numerous features, which are partly recited in multiple groups in the individual dependent claims. However, these features may also be combined into meaningful further combinations, taking into account the objectives individually. In particular, these features can be combined with the method according to the present invention and the storage system according to the present invention, each individually and in any suitable combination. Method features can therefore be considered as objectively defined properties of the corresponding equipment units, and vice versa.

[0024] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a handover area of ​​an early baggage storage system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a baggage handling facility with two sub-storage systems of an early baggage storage system, shown with oversized dimensions. [Figure 3] 1A-1D illustrate different embodiments of an early baggage storage system. [Figure 4] 1A-1D illustrate different embodiments of an early baggage storage system. [Figure 5] 10A-10C illustrate the transfer areas and conveyors of different embodiments of the early baggage storage system. [Figure 6] 10A-10C illustrate the transfer areas and conveyors of different embodiments of the early baggage storage system. [Figure 7a] FIG. 1 shows a transfer area for loading cargo into a load carrier. [Figure 7b] FIG. 1 shows a transfer area for unloading cargo in a load carrier.

[0026] The embodiments of the device and method described below exemplarily relate to an airport early baggage storage system 2 as the storage system 2; however, all embodiments are also applicable to other forms of storage systems 2 in logistics. Therefore, in each of the following embodiments, the terms individual baggage 4a and baggage tray 4 may be replaced with the more general terms cargo 4a and load carrier 4 / tray 4. The baggage handling installations of FIGS. 1 to 6 are configured as tray-supported baggage handling installations in which individual baggage 4a are transported within baggage trays 4 that function as load carriers 4 throughout the baggage handling installation. In the baggage handling installation of FIG. 7, the individual baggage 4a may be transported without baggage trays 4, whereas the early baggage handling system 2 as the storage system 2 for early baggage is tray-supported. The trays 4 are used as unified containers that can be moved by appropriate tools provided on the loading device 8. Based on easily purchased components (loading device 8, racks 12, load carriers 4) that are not dependent on one another, the storage system 2 can be easily expanded without any intervention in the operation of the running storage system 2, which results in low initial investment costs.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an early baggage storage system 2. This early baggage storage system 2 has two loading devices 8.1 and 8.2, each equipped with a robotic arm 8.1a and 8.1b, and two transfer areas 10.1 and 10.2 for increased throughput. The transfer areas 10, each assigned to a loading device 8, are areas where the loading devices 8 can manipulate baggage trays 4. A sorting criterion, typically a flight, for each baggage item 4a in each baggage tray 4 is defined, and the baggage tray 4 is assigned the sorting criterion for that baggage item 4a. According to one embodiment, the baggage tray 4 has an identifier, implemented as an RFID chip or in another form, which allows the control system to easily identify the exact location of the baggage item 4a or baggage tray 4 throughout the entire process. The baggage trays 4 are transported to the transfer areas 10.1 and 10.2 by a conveyor 6. When an individual piece of baggage 4a needs to be temporarily stored, the baggage tray 4 of this individual piece of baggage 4a is received by the loading device 8. Empty baggage trays 4 transported on the conveyor 6 may also be received by the loading device 8, in which case the empty baggage trays 4 are assigned an empty sorting criterion. The early baggage storage system is therefore suitable both for early baggage 4a and for storing empty baggage trays 4. This dual functionality is useful both in cases of high and low utilization of the baggage handling equipment 26: in the case of high utilization, there are almost no empty baggage trays 4 and there is a high demand for early baggage storage, and in the case of low utilization, there are many empty baggage trays 4 and therefore a high demand for baggage tray storage and little demand for early baggage storage.

[0028] In the transfer area 10, a plurality of racks 12, with or without wheels, are arranged, each having a chassis and rack compartments 14 stacked on top of one another for accommodating the baggage trays 4. A control system selects one of the racks 12 with at least one free rack compartment 14 as the suitable rack 12 for the baggage tray 4 that has been previously received and is currently being held by the robotic arm 8a of the loading device 8. * The loading device 8 places the luggage trays 4 on suitable racks 12. * An automated guided vehicle (AGV) 16 then loads the rack 12 into a suitable vacant rack section 14. * This suitable rack is attached to * are moved by the AGV 16 towards the storage position defined by the storage criteria, and then the AGV 16 moves the rack 12 * is removed from.

[0029] 1 shows an exemplary arrangement of four racks 12 in the transfer area 10, with further racks 12 also being provided outside the transfer area 10, i.e., in the storage area 18. According to one embodiment, the control system preferably selects one of the racks 12 in the transfer area 10 or one of the racks 12 near the transfer area 10 (if another baggage tray 4 with sorting criteria that do not match those of the baggage tray 4 to be loaded is already loaded on that rack 12) as the preferred rack 12. * Therefore, rack 12, 12 * Preferably, a rack 12 that is already loaded with at least one baggage tray 4 that matches the sorting criteria of the baggage tray 4 to be loaded is designated as the preferred rack 12. * If this is not possible, an available rack 12 (i.e., a rack 12 that is still completely empty or (in the absence of availability) a rack with at least one empty rack compartment 14) is selected as the preferred rack 12. * is specified as

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a baggage transport installation 26 of an early baggage storage system 2 according to another embodiment, which includes two oversized sub-storage systems 2.1, 2.2. The loading devices 8 and thus the transfer stations 8 are arranged along the conveyor 6. A number of racks 12 are arranged in each transfer area. In the case of extremely low utilization rates of the early baggage storage system 2, the number of racks 12 in the transfer area 10 may already be sufficient, thereby eliminating the need to move the racks 12. The control-technical division into the sub-storage systems 2.1, 2.2 reduces the travel distance of the AGVs 16. In the storage area 18, the racks 12 are arranged in two rows, each with an aisle 28. Therefore, for displacement, each rack 12 can be individually accessed. According to one embodiment, the aisle 28 is wide enough to allow the AGVs 16 to pass the attached racks 12. In larger storage areas 18, to allow for the intersection of racks 12 currently being transported, either the aisle 28 is expanded or two rows of empty space (which may happen to exist or be specially provided) in the form of a route shelter for evacuation is used.

[0031] 3 shows yet another embodiment of an early baggage storage system 2. The AGV 16 is configured as a submerged AGV 16, i.e., the submerged AGV 16 is mounted on a suitable rack 12. * This suitable rack 12 * and then attached to this suitable rack 12 * and moves the rack 12 to a storage position defined by the storage criteria for the baggage trays 4 in the storage area 18. An advantage of the submersible AGV 16 is that it requires less space when moving the rack 12, as well as the space required for the rack 12 without the AGV 16 attached. Furthermore, the submersible AGV 16 can easily retreat within the aisle 28 from the opposing AGV 16 or the opposing rack 12 containing the AGV 16 by driving underneath the rack 12 in the storage position.

[0032] If it is desired to bring back into the baggage handling facility 26 a stored baggage item 4 a containing a baggage tray 4 a (in the case of all baggage trays 4 a with matching sorting criteria, this is the case, for example, when a departure is imminent) or a stored empty baggage tray 4, the control system selects the rack 12 with the baggage tray 4 to be removed from the appropriate rack 12. * and instructs the AGV 16 to travel to the storage location, and the AGV 16 moves to the appropriate rack 12. * This suitable rack 12 * The baggage trays 4a are then attached to the appropriate racks 12, which are then moved to the delivery area 10. The loading device 8 then attaches the baggage trays 4a to the appropriate racks 12. * 3 shows two conveyors 6, one for supplying baggage trays 4 for loading onto racks 12 and the other for removing the unloaded baggage trays 4. Alternatively, the loading device 8 may receive or deliver the baggage trays 4a from or to a by-passing conveyor 6 (see in particular Figures 1, 2 and 5).

[0033] In the previous embodiments, the conveyor 6, the transfer area 10, and the storage area 18 are arranged on one plane. Figures 4 and 6 show embodiments in which they are arranged on different planes. Thus, unused underground passages or the like can be used as the storage area 18, or the height of the hall can be utilized, without increasing the floor space requirement of the early baggage storage system 2. Due to the high modularity, the racks 12 or the storage positions in the storage area 18 can be arranged in various ways, for example around a curve.

[0034] 4, the racks 12, which are filled or to be unloaded, are brought from the plane 20a of the transfer area 10 into the plane 20b of the storage area 18 by a lift 24 or another lifting device. Depending on the configuration of the lifting device 26, the racks 12 will overcome the height difference with or without the AGV 16. As an alternative to the lifting device 26, the height difference can also be overcome by a ramp or the like; however, for this the AGV 16 must be equipped with a motor powerful enough to overcome the height difference or another assistance means (e.g., a tow rope) must be provided.

[0035] For improved orderliness and visibility, racks 12 with matching sorting criteria are arranged next to each other in the storage area, i.e., directly next to each other or at least close to each other, if possible. Therefore, even in the event of a failure of the higher-level control system, it is possible to easily find the individual baggage items 4 a or baggage trays 4 with common sorting criteria (based on a limited number of different sorting criteria). The failure of an individual AGV 16 can be compensated for by another AGV 16. To ensure that the individual baggage items 4 a can be accessed in the early baggage storage system 2 even in the event of a complete failure of all AGVs 16 or the narrow path of an AGV 16, the racks 12 can be moved manually in one embodiment.

[0036] 5 shows an embodiment of the transfer area 10 of the early baggage storage system 2 with two loading devices 8.1, 8.2 and transfer areas 10.1, 10.2 for increased throughput and improved failure safety. In order to prevent as much as possible the transport of individual pieces of baggage 4a not intended for the early baggage storage system 2 from being hindered, the conveyor 6 has a branch 6a provided only for baggage trays 4 intended for the early baggage storage system 2.

[0037] 6 shows a further embodiment of a part of an early baggage storage system 2, in which the conveyors 6 for loading or unloading are arranged in one plane 20b. Above the conveyors 6, a further plane 20c is arranged in which a loading device 8 is arranged, in which racks 12 are transported by AGVs 16 towards an upper storage area 18 (not shown). The robot arm 8a of the loading device 8 is configured to be sufficiently long so as to be able to reach downwards towards the conveyor 6 towards the baggage tray 4 and to place the baggage tray 4 on the suitable rack 12 in the upper plane 20c. * Below the conveyor 6, a lower plane 20a is arranged. The loading device 8 for loading and unloading from the racks 12 on the lower plane 20a is mounted at a high position in this embodiment, so that it can grab a baggage tray 4 from the conveyor 6 and load it onto the appropriate rack 12 on the lower plane 20a without requiring a significantly extended robot arm 8a. * Alternatively, the lower loading device 8 can be positioned in the lower plane 20a, however, in this case a correspondingly long robot arm 8a would be required. The transfer area 10 of the loading device 8 therefore extends across the two planes 20c, 20b; 20b, 20a, respectively, in this embodiment.

[0038] The different levels 20a, 20b, 20c may, according to one embodiment, be realized in a large hall with a platform. According to further embodiments, the early baggage storage system 2 may extend over even more levels 20, in which case: - a loading device 8 with a longer robotic arm 8a may be used, and / or the conveyors 6 may be realized in different planes 20 (several early baggage storage systems 2 of FIG. 6 are stacked on top of each other, so to speak), - and / or starting from the upper plane 20c and / or the lower plane 20a, a lifting device 24 or a ramp may be used to a further plane 20 in which the storage area 18 is located.

[0039] 7 shows a further embodiment in which baggage pieces 4a are transported without baggage trays 4 in the baggage handling facility 26, however the early baggage storage system 2 is based on baggage trays 4. FIG. 7a shows the loading of baggage pieces 4a, delivered by conveyor 6, onto a loading device 8 already holding a baggage tray 4. Prior to loading of the baggage pieces 4a onto the baggage trays 4, cargo sorting criteria are defined by a detection unit 30. The baggage trays 4 containing the baggage pieces 4a are then loaded onto suitable racks 12, as in the other embodiments described above. * Prior to the new receipt of further baggage units 4a by the conveyor 6, the loading device 8 receives a baggage tray 4 stored in one of the racks 12 or elsewhere.

[0040] Figure 7b shows the unloading of baggage pieces 4a from the loading device 8 while the loading device 8 continues to hold the baggage tray 4. In the embodiment shown in Figures 7a and 7b, items 4a are loaded from one conveyor 6 (Figure 7a) and unloaded onto a further conveyor 6 (Figure 7b), with the items 4a being loaded onto and unloaded from the respective ends of the conveyor 6. For loading, the baggage trays 4 are placed directly on the conveyor, possibly slightly lowered. For safe and damage-free unloading, the receiving conveyor 6 in Figure 7b is equipped with a ramp 22, and the loading device 8 holds the baggage trays 4 at an angle so that the baggage pieces 4a can slide off. When loading and unloading in this form, the inlet conveyor 6 and the outlet conveyor 6 may be arranged directly above each other (with sufficient space between them for the individual baggage items 4a to be transported), so that the same loading device 8 can be used for loading and unloading. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 2. Storage System 4a cargo 4 Load Carriers 6 Conveyor 8 Loading equipment 8a Robotic Arm 10 Delivery Area 12 racks 12 * Suitable rack 14 rack compartments 16 Automated Guided Vehicle 18 Storage area 20 planes 22 shots 24 Lifting device 26 Baggage handling equipment 28 Isle 30 Detection Unit

Claims

1. 1. A method for storing uniform load carriers (4), in particular baggage trays, empty or loaded with cargo (4a), in particular individual pieces of baggage, wherein said cargo (4a) has assigned sorting criteria and said load carriers (4) are uniquely identifiable and associable with the sorting criteria; a) transporting cargo (4a) or load carriers (4) on a conveyor (6) and receiving said cargo (4a) or said load carriers (4) by a loading device (8) in a transfer area (10), in the case of cargo (4a), transferring said cargo (4a) from said conveyor (6) to said load carrier (4) while said load carrier (4) is being held by the loading device (8); b) defining the sorting criteria for the cargo (4a) in the load carrier (4) if the load carrier (4) is loaded and assigning the sorting criteria to the load carrier (4) if the load carrier (4) is empty, and assigning empty sorting criteria to the load carrier (4); c) providing a plurality of racks (12) with rack sections (14) stacked one on top of the other for accommodating said load carriers (4), with or without wheels; d) one of said racks (12) with an empty rack section (14) is selected by the control system as the suitable rack (12) ＊ ) method steps, e) transferring the load carrier (4) to the suitable rack (12) by the loading device (8) in the transfer area (10); ＊ ) and move it to the appropriate rack (12 ＊ loading said load carriers (4) into vacant rack compartments (14) of said rack by means of said loading device (8); f) the suitable rack (12) ＊ Attaching the automated guided vehicle (16) to the g) the suitable rack (12 ＊ ) by the automated guided vehicle (16) towards a storage location in a storage area (18) defined by a unique storage criterion; h) placing the automated guided vehicle (16) on the suitable rack (12) ＊ Steps to remove from A method comprising:

2. A control system determines whether one of the racks (12) near the transfer area (10) is already carrying a load of a load carrier (4) that matches the sorting criteria of the load carrier (4) and has an available rack section (14) with capacity to accommodate the load carrier (4), and thus is an available rack (12), and identifies the rack (12) as a suitable rack (12). ＊ otherwise, an available rack (12) that has not yet been assigned to the sorting criteria of the cargo (4a) is designated as a preferred rack (12). ＊ 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the method step of:

3. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the automated guided vehicle (16) is driven underneath the rack (12) before being attached.

4. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the load carriers (4) are unloaded from the rack (12) to be unloaded, which is provided with the load carriers (4), in the transfer area (10) by the loading device (8).

5. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage area (18) is arranged in more than one plane (20), the planes (20) of the storage area (18) being located at the height of the loading device (8) and / or above and / or below the loading device (8).

6. The suitable rack (12 ＊ 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the height difference between the planes (20) is overcome by a lifting device with or without an automated guided vehicle (16) and / or via a ramp.

7. 7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the racks (12) are loaded in different planes (20) by the stationary loading device (8).

8. 8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an empty load carrier (4) is received by the loading device (8).

9. 9. A method according to claim 1, further comprising defining adjacent storage positions for racks (12) having matching sorting criteria.

10. A storage system (2) for storing uniform load carriers (4), in particular baggage trays, empty or loaded with cargo (4a), in particular individual baggage items, comprising a conveyor (6), a loading device (8), an automated guided vehicle (16), a plurality of racks (12), and a control system; - said cargo (4a) has sorting criteria assigned to it and said load carrier (4) is uniquely identifiable and associable with the sorting criteria; - said rack (12) has rack sections (14) stacked one on top of the other for accommodating said load carriers (4), with or without wheels; - said loading device (8) is located in a transfer area (10); - said conveyor (6) is adapted to transport load carriers (4) or cargo (4a); the control system is configured to define the sorting criteria for the cargo (4a) in the load carrier (4) when the load carrier (4) is loaded and to assign the sorting criteria to the load carrier (4) when the load carrier (4) is empty, and to assign empty sorting criteria to the load carrier (4), - the control system selects the rack (12) with the free rack compartment (14) as the preferred rack (12 ＊ ) and - the loading device (8) and the conveyor (6) are arranged to selectively receive and / or deliver cargo (4a) or load carriers (4) to the conveyor (6) while the load carriers (4) are held by the loading device (8) and to transfer the load carriers (4) to the suitable racks (12). ＊ ) configured to load and / or unload a - the automated guided vehicle (16) is mounted on the suitable rack (12 ＊ ) towards and away from a storage location defined by a specific storage criterion in a storage area (18). ＊ ) can be reversibly attached to - said control system is connectable to said loading device (8) and said automated guided vehicle (16) for control; Storage system (2).

11. The control system determines whether one of the racks (12) near the transfer area (10) already carries a load of a load carrier (4) that matches the sorting criteria of the load carrier (4) and has an available rack section (14) with capacity to accommodate the load carrier (4), and therefore is an available rack (12), and identifies the rack (12) as a preferred rack (12). ＊ otherwise, an available rack (12) that has not yet been assigned to the sorting criteria of the cargo (4a) is designated as a preferred rack (12). ＊ 11. The storage system (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that it is adapted to designate as:

12. 12. A storage system (2) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the storage areas (18) are arranged in more than one plane (20), the planes (20) of the storage areas (18) being located at the height of and / or above and / or below the loading device (8).

13. 13. A storage system (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that the loading device (8) is configured for loading and / or unloading the racks (12) in more than one plane (20).

14. The suitable rack (12 ＊ 14. The storage system (2) according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a ramp and / or a lifting device so that the automatic guided vehicle (16) can overcome the height difference between the planes (20) between the planes (20) with or without the automatic guided vehicle (16).

15. 15. The storage system (2) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that a plurality of racks (12) can be arranged in the transfer area (10) so that the loading device (8) can load the plurality of racks (12) without changing its position.

Images