High-bay warehouse with guide structure for containers

Abstract

This invention provides a high-bay warehouse that includes multiple container racks separated along two sides of an aisle. [Solution] The container rack 2 includes a plurality of cargo support stands, each of which is equipped with support parts 3, which are configured to support two ends of the bottom surface of a container 4, or four corners of the bottom surface of a container 4, thereby forming separate container storage spaces 5, the central portion of the bottom surface of a container located in a separate container storage space is suspended, forming a gap 10 between the containers in the vertical direction, which constitutes an insertion space, and each separate container storage space is provided with at least two support parts, preferably at least one guide structure 6, the guide structure extending upward from the support part and having at least one surface 6a that is inclined vertically and toward the upper surface of the support part corresponding to each separate container storage space, the high bay warehouse 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of container storage, particularly to container flat stations in the form of high-bay warehouses.

Background Art

[0002] In conventional container flat stations, containers are mainly stored by stacking containers. When a container has to be removed, the container is lifted by a crane fixed to the warehouse or an independent movable crane, and then loaded onto a container truck. However, the time point of container removal is restricted by various factors and cannot be accurately predicted. If the container to be removed in the container stack is not in the uppermost position but in the middle or the lowermost position, other containers located above have to be sequentially lowered and temporarily transferred to the peripheral position. Only after the target container is released can this container be lifted and lowered onto the container vehicle. The overall process takes time, which significantly reduces the throughput capacity of the container flat station. Furthermore, the additional and temporary handling and placement are likely to cause safety accidents and can easily damage the original placement rules of the containers, which leads to inaccurate recording of the container storage positions, and this in itself significantly impairs the operating efficiency of the container flat station.

[0003] To allow access to individual containers without having to remove each individual container located on top of the target container, high-bay warehouses are equipped with container racks. These container racks are arranged in blocks between aisles where container stacker cranes travel on rails, and each container rack has a separate container storage space that allows access to the individual containers stored in the high-bay warehouse. However, storage space is limited, and the size of the support columns in each separate container storage space is limited to the bare minimum. Therefore, precise positioning of containers is required in each separate container storage space, and especially in the loading area. If the position of the containers in the loading area is not precise, it is often necessary to raise and reposition the containers after delivery to the separate container storage space. This is not only time-consuming but also costly. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Taking into account the problems of the prior art, this disclosure aims to provide a container freight station, in particular a container high-bay warehouse, that overcomes the difficulties of the prior art. This disclosure allows containers, preferably standard shipping containers, such as approximately 20-foot or 40-foot containers, to be stacked vertically in multiple layers without interfering with each other, and ensures that the containers are independent of each other, thereby ensuring better space utilization. Furthermore, the containers do not affect each other when lifted or lowered, thereby improving the transshipment performance of the container storage facility. The high-bay warehouse according to this invention has a particularly simple structure and allows containers to be supported only at the corners. To solve the problems mentioned above, this invention identifies a high-bay warehouse having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of this invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the detailed description of this invention as described below.

[0005] According to this invention, at least two support sections of each container storage position are preferably provided with guide structures, each of which extends upward from the support section and has at least one surface inclined vertically and toward the support section corresponding to each container storage position. This makes it possible to forcibly guide the container corner toward the support section when lowering the container, enabling precise positioning of the container within each separate container storage space without requiring new alignment or even repeated lifting. This objective is achieved by using a simple and cost-effective structure within a high-bay warehouse.

[0006] When the corners of a container are surrounded by a guide structure, this guide structure can reliably protect the container from displacement, especially in the event of a collision with another container or in strong winds, as the container is moved into a separate container storage space.

[0007] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a high-bay warehouse is provided, comprising one aisle and a plurality of container frames separated along two sides of the aisle, each of which includes a plurality of load support stands, each of which is fitted with defining supports, which are configured to support two ends of the bottom of a container or four corners of a container, thereby forming separate container storage spaces, each of which is configured such that the central portion of the bottom of a container located in the separate container storage space remains open, and the gaps between the containers form vertical insertion spaces.

[0008] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cargo support stand is provided with a plurality of horizontal connecting rods in different height directions, which surface-contact two ends of the bottom surface of the container to support the ends. Preferably, the cargo support post is provided with a plurality of support parts in different height directions, which surface-contact four corners of the bottom surface of the container to support these corners.

[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container high-bay warehouse further includes oblique connecting rods that connect horizontal connecting rods and support stands to each other. Preferably, the high-bay warehouse further includes a container stacker crane that moves along the warehouse aisle, and the vertical plane aisle on which the aisle is located forms a handling space for the container stacker crane for transshipping containers.

[0010] A container stacker crane preferably includes a horizontal moving unit that moves along a passageway, a stacker provided on the horizontal moving unit, and a horizontal fork driven by the stacker to raise and lower vertically, the horizontal fork entering and exiting an insertion space on the base on the side of the horizontal travel assembly to lift or lower containers, thereby transporting containers between the container stacker crane and an independent container storage space, the vertical spacing between containers being greater than the thickness of the horizontal fork of the container stacker crane.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the high-bay warehouse further includes a ceiling supported by load support stands to cover a plurality of separate container storage spaces and at least one aisle. Preferably, the high-bay warehouse further includes a lift rail, which is provided on the underside of the ceiling and at the bottom of the aisle, preferably in cooperation with the rail, thereby guiding the stacker crane so that it moves linearly along the aisle. The load support columns of the container rack are preferably arranged parallel to the aisle.

[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide structure is designed to align a container being lowered to a support at a desired position within separate container storage spaces. Particularly preferred, each guide structure includes two inclined surfaces, which are perpendicular to each other, thereby creating an inclination in the support towards a desired position of the container's corner. Particularly preferred is that the inclination of each guide portion is directed towards the geometric center of the support, corresponding to each separate container storage space. This allows for precise alignment of the container in the container storage location, even if the container is not precisely delivered to the container storage location by the container stacker crane. Container alignment is performed when the container is lowered to the support via the guide structure.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide structure has a square cross-section when viewed from above, and the inclined surface extends diagonally across at least one half of the square cross-section. This makes it possible to easily manufacture the guide structure and to reliably perform its function.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide structure comprises at least two separate components attached to the supports, preferably one storage space, and more preferably all of all storage spaces. Particularly preferably, the guide structure comprises at least two separate components attached to the supports, such that the respective bevels of the guide structure are aligned perpendicular to each other. This allows the guide structure to be assembled easily and reliably by individually attaching, for example, two or more separate components, particularly prefabricated sheets, to the supports in a specific shape and size.

[0015] In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least two separate components of the guide structure are mounted to a support parallel to each other, preferably a pair of parallel separate components aligned perpendicularly to another pair of separate components. This provides a reliable guide structure that can be easily mounted to a support and easily replaced in case of damage. The guide structure can also remain usable even if one of the separate components is significantly damaged or broken off.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, guide structures for each separate container storage space are attached to the support by surrounding the area corresponding to the container corners that are placed on the support. This allows for reliable positioning of the container by utilizing the angled surface of the guide structure as a guide for the container corners when lowering it onto the support. When the spacing between the guide structures in the area corresponding to each container corner preferably corresponds to the dimensions of the container being transported, the guides are used not only as ducts for positioning the container but also to secure the container being transported, for example, in the event of collision with another container or when strong winds are acting.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide structures of individual separate container storage spaces are spaced apart from each other to correspond to the dimensions of the containers being brought in. This allows for precise positioning of containers being brought into separate container storage spaces without requiring operator intervention, thereby improving the degree of automation of the high-bay warehouse.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide structure is made of metal and is preferably removably attached to a support by screws. This allows for the easy and simple manufacture of a robust guide structure and enables simple and cost-effective maintenance if the guide structure is damaged by repeated contact with the container.

[0019] This invention aims to provide a unique high-bay warehouse. This invention allows containers to be stacked in multiple layers without interaction or obstruction, and ensures that containers are transported independently, leading to better space utilization. Furthermore, containers do not interfere with each other when being lifted or lowered, thereby improving the transshipment performance of the container storage facility. Moreover, this invention enables a higher degree of automation when supplying containers to compartments and when aligning containers at their respective support points. The guide structure of this invention is used not only as a duct for container alignment, but also to secure containers being transported, for example, in the event of collision with another container or under strong wind conditions.

[0020] Further features, purposes, and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a high-bay warehouse according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram of a guide structure used in a high-bay warehouse according to the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] In connection with a specific embodiment, the implementation of the present application will be described. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present application in connection with the content disclosed in the present application. The system of the present application may also be implemented or applied by another specific implementation. Various details in the present application can also be modified or changed in some form according to various viewpoints and application systems without departing from the spirit of the present application. It should be noted that multiple embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other as long as they do not cause contradictions.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Thereby, those skilled in the art proficient in the field of the present application can easily implement the present application. The present application can be realized in various forms, but is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification.

[0024] In the description of the present application, descriptions related to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "one example", "specific example" or "some examples" or the like mean that specific features, specific structures, specific materials or specific characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. Furthermore, the described special features, structures, materials or characteristics can be appropriately combined in one or more embodiments or examples. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can incorporate and combine various embodiments or examples and features of the various embodiments or examples presented in the present application as long as they do not conflict.

[0025] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for purposes of description only and should not be construed as indicating relative importance of the technical features shown, or implicitly indicating quantity or implying quantity. Therefore, the features defined by "first" or "second" may include at least one of a plurality of features, either explicitly or implicitly. In the description of the present application, the term "plurality" means two or more, unless specifically and particularly defined otherwise.

[0026] For the purpose of clearly explaining the present application, components not relevant to the description are omitted, and identical or similar components are characterized by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0027] Throughout this specification, when a particular component is discussed as being "coupled" to another component, this includes cases of "direct coupling" as well as cases of "indirect coupling" with intervening elements. When a particular component is described as "including" a particular element, this means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, this particular component may include, rather than exclude, another element.

[0028] When a particular component is described as being "on" another component, this particular component may be directly on the other component or another component may be interposed therebetween. In comparison, when a particular component is described as being "directly" "on" another component, no other component exists therebetween.

[0029] Where terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein to represent different elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are simply used to distinguish one element from another, for example, to represent the first interface and the second interface. Furthermore, the singular forms “ein,” “ein,” “eine,” and “die” as used herein should be understood to include the plural form unless otherwise indicated by the context. It should also be understood that the terms “enthalten” and “einschliessen” indicate the existence of features, steps, processes, elements, assemblies, objects, types, and / or groups, but do not preclude the existence, occurrence, or addition of one or more other features, steps, processes, elements, assemblies, objects, types, and / or groups. The expressions “oder” and “und / oder” as used herein are to be interpreted as encompassing all or any combination thereof. Therefore, "A, B or C" or "A, B and / or C" means one of A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B and C. Exceptions to this definition exist only when combinations of elements, functions, steps, or operations exclude each other in a particular way.

[0030] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The singular form as used herein includes the plural form unless expressly indicated otherwise. In this specification, the terms “contains” and / or “contains” are used to identify specific features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not preclude the existence or addition of other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scholarly terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries shall further be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the relevant specialized literature and this disclosure, and shall not be interpreted excessively to have an ideal or overly formal meaning unless otherwise defined.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a high-bay warehouse 1 according to the present disclosure. As shown, the high-bay warehouse 1 of the present disclosure includes a plurality of container racks 2, which are separated along two sides of an aisle or passage 9, and each container rack 2 includes a plurality of load support posts, each load support post is equipped with a support section 3, which supports two ends of the bottom surface of a container 4 or four corners of the bottom surface, thereby forming separate container storage spaces 5. The container frame 2 is separated along two sides of an aisle 9, and each container frame 2 includes a plurality of load support stands, each load support stand is equipped with a defined support section, which extends vertically and supports two ends of the bottom surface of a container 4 or four corners of the container 4, thereby forming separate container storage spaces 5. Each separate container storage space 5 is arranged in a single-layer matrix, along the vertical plane, on the base of the support stand. The central portion of the bottom of each container 4 located in the separate container storage space 5 is suspended, and the gaps 10 between the containers 4 form vertical insertion spaces. To enable passage through the vertical plane where the aisle 9 is located, each container 4 has an independent handling path for moving horizontally independently to each separate container storage space 5. The multi-layer frame structure of this disclosure provides separate storage positions for each container 4, thereby allowing the containers 4 to be transported independently of each other. When a container 4 is lifted or lowered, the desired container 4 can be directly manipulated, the desired container 4 does not obstruct another container 4, and the vertical space of the storage area is well utilized by raising the frame structure. The load support stand is equipped with a plurality of horizontal connecting rods in different height directions, which surface-contact the two ends of the bottom of the container 4 to support the ends. The support post is equipped with multiple support sections 3 in different height directions, and the support sections 3 contact the four corners of the bottom surface of the container 4 and support these corners.The container rack further includes diagonal coupling rods that connect horizontal coupling rods to support posts. The high bay warehouse 1 further includes a container stacker crane that moves along an aisle or passage 9, and a vertical through-passage on which the aisle 9 is located forms a handling space for the container stacker crane, thereby handling containers. The container stacker crane includes a horizontal moving unit, a stacker, and horizontal forks. The horizontal moving unit moves along the aisle 9. The stacker is attached to the horizontal moving unit. The horizontal forks are driven by the stacker so that they can be raised and lowered vertically, and the horizontal forks start from the side of the horizontal moving unit, enter and exit the insertion space, lifting or lowering containers 4, thereby handling containers 4 between the container slide vehicle and the independent container storage space 5, and the spacing or gap 10 between containers 4 in the vertical direction is greater than the thickness of the horizontal forks of the three-dimensional handling device. High bay warehouse 1 further has a ceiling supported by support posts to cover independent container storage spaces 5 and aisles 9, which is a single, plate-like structure that can shield from the sun and rain. An integrated structure consisting of ceiling rails and a freight station structure provides stable and reliable horizontal support for horizontal wheels above the stacker. High bay warehouse 1 further includes lift rails, which are mounted on the underside of the ceiling and can work in cooperation with aisles 9 to guide three-dimensional handling devices to move linearly along aisles 9. Support posts for container racks are arranged parallel to aisles 9. The high bay warehouse 1 according to the present invention can be used to stack containers 4, and the multi-layer structure of high bay warehouse 1 can ensure that containers 4 are stacked in multiple layers without colliding with each other and that the containers 4 are independent of each other, which leads to better space utilization and comfort when lifting and lowering containers 4.The two ends of the rack structure protrude outward, and a ceiling rail is installed on top of rack 2, allowing the container stacker to move horizontally. A ceiling is installed on top of rack 2, which effectively protects container 4 from direct sunlight and prevents it from getting wet in the rain, thereby providing a comfortable storage environment for container 4 in stack area 2.

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a guide structure 6 used in a high-bay warehouse 1 according to the present invention. The guide structure 6 is composed of three components 6.1 to 6.3, each of which has an inclined surface 6a, which is either perpendicular to the bottom of the guide structure 6 or inclined to the corners of the containers 4 placed on the mounting section 3. Each support section 3 of each separate container storage space 5 has at least two, preferably four, guide structures 6 of similar shape and size. Figure 2 shows one embodiment in which the guide structure 6 is composed of three elements 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3, two of the guide structure elements 6.1 and 6.2 are positioned parallel to each other and attached to the first surface of the support section 3, while the third guide structure element 6.3 is positioned on the second surface of the support section 3 which is perpendicular to the first surface. Therefore, the three guide structure elements 6.1 to 6.3 surround the corners of the container 4 placed on the support 3 and are used as three-dimensional guide elements for the corners of the container 4.

[0034] In the high-bay warehouse according to this invention, when containers are transshipped, the target container can be moved directly without the need to transship another container. This significantly accelerates the speed of container transport and exit processing, reduces unnecessary handling processes, and improves the safety of unmanned wharves at port sites. Furthermore, the alignment of containers in each separate container storage space can be automatically achieved by using a guide structure at the support section that forcibly guides the container corner when the container corner is lowered by the container stacker crane.

[0035] The above is a further detailed description of the disclosure relating to specific preferred embodiments, and it cannot be confirmed that the specific embodiments of the disclosure are limited to these descriptions. Those familiar with the art of the disclosure can make several simple derivatives or substitutions that are considered to fall within the scope of protection of the disclosure without departing from the concepts of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A high bay warehouse (1) comprising a plurality of container frames (2) separated along two sides of an aisle (9), each of the container frames (2) including a plurality of load support stands, the load support stands being equipped with support parts (3), the support parts (3) being configured to support two ends of the bottom surface of a container (4) or four corners of the bottom surface of the container (4), thereby forming separate container storage spaces (5), the containers located in the independent container storage spaces (5), The central portion of the bottom surface of (4) remains open, and between the containers (4) a gap (10) is formed vertically, forming an insertion space, and each independent container storage space (5) has at least two support parts (3), preferably each support part (3) is provided with at least one guide structure (6), the guide structure (6) extends upward from the support part (3) and has at least one surface (6a) that is inclined vertically and toward the upper surface of the support part, the high bay warehouse (1).

2. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cargo support stand is equipped with a plurality of horizontal connecting rods in different height directions, and the horizontal connecting rods contact and support the two ends of the bottom surface of the container (4) with a surface.

3. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cargo support stand is provided with a plurality of support parts in different height directions, and the support parts are in surface contact with and support the four corners of the bottom surface of the container (4).

4. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to claim 2, wherein the container rack (2) further includes an inclined connecting rod, and the inclined connecting rod connects the horizontal connecting rod and the cargo support stand.

5. A high bay warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising at least one container stacker crane, the container stacker crane comprising a horizontal moving unit that moves along rails (7) within the aisle (9), and a horizontal fork driven by a stacker crane to raise and lower vertically, wherein the horizontal fork enters and exits an insertion space on a base on the side of the horizontal running device to lift or lower the container (4), thereby moving the container (4) between the container stacker crane and separate container storage spaces (5), and the vertical spacing between the containers (4) is greater than the thickness of the horizontal fork of the container stacker crane.

6. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the guide structure (6) is designed to align the container (4) to be lowered onto the support (3) to a desired position within the separate container storage spaces (5).

7. Each of the guide structures (6) has at least one inclined surface (6a), thereby forming an inclination in the support portion (3) toward a desired position of the corner of the container (4), as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the inclination (6a) of each of the guide structures (6) is aligned with the geometric center of the corner position of the container (4) at the support portion (3) in each separate container storage space (5).

9. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide structure (6) has a square cross-section in a plan view from above, and the slope (6a) extends diagonally over at least half of the square cross-section.

10. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the guide structure (6) is composed of at least two separate components (6.1, 6.2), and the components (6.1, 6.2) are attached to the support parts (3) of separate container storage spaces (5), preferably all of the support parts (3).

11. The high bay warehouse (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide structure (6) is composed of at least two separate components (6.1, 6.2), and the components (6.1, 6.2) are attached to the support (3) such that their respective inclined surfaces (6a) are aligned perpendicular to each other.

12. The high bay warehouse (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that at least two individual parts (6.1, 6.2) of the guide structure (6) are attached to the support part (3) parallel to each other, and the pair of parallel individual parts (6.1, 6.2) is preferably aligned perpendicular to at least one other individual part (6.3).

13. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the guide structure (6) of each separate container storage space (5) is attached to the support part (3) by surrounding the area of ​​the container (4) corresponding to the corner of the container (4) which is placed on the support part (3).

14. The high-bay warehouse (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the spacing between the guide structures (6) in each corner area associated with the container (4) is greater than or corresponds to the dimensions of the container (4) being transported.

15. The high bay warehouse (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the guide structure (6) is made of metal and preferably is detachably attached to the support part (3) by screws.

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