Stack storage device and method of operating a stack storage device

Abstract

To provide a stack storage device and a method of operating a stack storage device.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a stack storage device and a method of operating the stacked storage device. The stack storage device is identified to include multiple container receiving spaces, a loading and unloading space located below the container receiving space, and a loading and unloading vehicle 10 that is movable within the loading and unloading space. The loading and unloading vehicle is equipped with a vehicle body 11 and a container pedestal 14 that is height-adjustable with respective to the vehicle body, and a holding device is positioned between each container receiving space and the loading and unloading space. An open-holding device 20 is positioned on the vehicle body separately from the container pedestal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a stack storage device and a method of operating a stack storage device. [Background technology]

[0002] The present invention relates to a stack storage apparatus including a plurality of container receiving spaces, loading and unloading spaces located below the container receiving spaces, and a loading and unloading vehicle movable within the loading and unloading spaces, the loading and unloading vehicle having a vehicle body and a container base that is height adjustable relative to the vehicle body, and a releasable holding device for removing containers located between each container receiving space and the loading and unloading space.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a method of operating a stack storage device including a plurality of container pedestals, in which at least one container is removed from the container pedestal by using an unloading vehicle movable within unloading spaces arranged below the plurality of container receiving spaces by releasing a retention device arranged between each of the container receiving spaces and the unloading spaces, the unloading vehicle comprising a vehicle body and a container pedestal that is height adjustable relative to the vehicle body.

[0004] A stack storage device of this type and a method of this type are known, for example, from DE 198 49 391 A1.

[0005] To store a container in the container receiving space, a loading / unloading vehicle is operated beneath the container receiving space and then lifts the container until, or up to, the container comes into contact with the lowest container in the stack. As the container is further raised, it releases the holding device. Once the container has been moved far enough over the holding device, it is lowered again so that the holding device, along with any stacks that may be located above it, can lock into place beneath the container. When a container is removed, it is lifted again, along with any other stacks of containers located above it, if any. An opening device located on the container base thereby engages with the holding device and releases it. Once the container is lowered, the opening device holds the holding device open until the container has passed, and then locks it into place beneath the next container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] German Patent No. 19849391 Summary of the Invention

[0007] If a container is to be removed from the stacking storage device but is not the bottom container of the stack, the containers located below the desired container must first be re-stacked, i.e., removed and loaded into another container receiving space, which requires time and energy.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to operate a stack storage system in an economical manner.

[0009] This object is achieved by a stack storage device of the type mentioned at the outset in that the holding-release device is arranged in the vehicle body separately from the container base.

[0010] Using the hold-open device, the stacking storage device can be operated such that the hold-open device does not automatically reclose when a container resting on the container base is removed from the container receiving space in a downward direction. Instead, the hold-open device can be kept open using the hold-open device, so that, for example, two or more containers can be removed from the container receiving space in one movement. As a result, the re-stacking operation can be performed in a shorter time and with fewer driving movements of the loading and unloading vehicle.

[0011] Preferably, the holding device comprises a plurality of holding elements and the holding-release device comprises a number of holding-release elements that at least corresponds to the number of holding elements, so that allocation can be performed such that one holding-release element can act on each holding element and thereby hold each holding element in the open position.

[0012] Preferably, the holding-release device comprises a drive device arranged on the vehicle body, in which case the drive device is also not arranged on the container base and does not move with the container base, but is arranged on the vehicle body, i.e. is arranged in a stationary manner that does not move relative to the holding-release device.

[0013] Preferably, a force limiting device is arranged between the drive unit and the holding-release device, which allows for a certain degree of imprecision and tolerance. The hold-release device can only act on the holding device with a force limited by the force limiting device, so that, for example, the unevenness of the driving surface on which the loading / unloading vehicle is driven no longer plays any role. Even if the drive unit is always in operation and thus acts on the hold-release device with the same stroke, damage to the holding device due to excessive movements by the hold-release device is avoided.

[0014] Preferably, the drive device comprises a drive element subjected to a preload and a power device acting on the drive element against said preload, the preload for example being able to act on the drive element in the same direction as the holding-release device acts on the holding device.

[0015] Preferably, the power unit is embodied as a rotary motor, which can be embodied as, for example, a stepping motor, etc., and is therefore easy to control.

[0016] Preferably, the holding and releasing device is arranged outside the opening connecting the container receiving space with the loading and unloading space, so that the holding and releasing device is arranged outside the path of movement along which containers move from the container receiving space to the loading and unloading space or vice versa, and therefore the holding and releasing device does not interfere with the movement of the containers.

[0017] Preferably, the holding device comprises a locking element movable between a first position in which the locking element holds the holding element in the open position and a second position in which the locking element does not act on the holding element, and the locking element can be actuated by a lock-release device. The holding device can be opened, for example, by movement of the container base, at which point the lock-release device can simply use the locking element to hold the corresponding holding element in the open position. This allows the lock-release device to be made relatively small and can be operated with a relatively small force.

[0018] Preferably, the fixing element is pivotally mounted, for example the fixing element can be embodied as a lever that can pivot about an axis.

[0019] Preferably, the fixing element is preloaded to the second position, which ensures that accidental release of the holding device is not possible, and in the absence of drive energy the holding device automatically sets itself in a state where it can hold a container or a container stack.

[0020] Preferably, an unlocking device for releasing the holding device is arranged on the unloading vehicle. The unlocking device may, for example, be arranged on a height-adjustable container base, and releases the holding device when the container is lifted.

[0021] This object is achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset in that the holding device is kept open by means of a holding-opening device which is arranged separately from the container base on the vehicle body.

[0022] This means that it is no longer necessary for the container base to hold the holding device open when a container is to be removed from the container receiving space: instead, a holding-opening device is used for this purpose, so that several containers can also be removed from the container receiving space simultaneously.

[0023] Preferably, the holding device is opened by lifting the container base. In this case, known elements can be used to open or release the holding device. In this case, only the holding-release function is used as an additional function.

[0024] It is also preferable that multiple containers are removed from one container receiving space at the same time, so that the re-stacking operation can be carried out in a short time.

[0025] The invention is explained below on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a stack storage device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the loading / unloading vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a part of the hold-release device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the holding device in the closed position. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the retention device of FIG. 4 in an open position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of a detail of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a stack storage device having a number of container receiving spaces 2 and a loading / unloading space 3 arranged below the container receiving spaces 2.

[0028] A frame structure 4 is arranged between the multiple container receiving spaces 2 and the loading / unloading space 3. A multiple number of uprights 5 are arranged on the frame structure 4, and the multiple uprights 5 are connected to each other by a multiple number of transverse braces 6 and a multiple number of longitudinal braces 7.

[0029] For each container receiving space 2 the frame structure 4 is provided with an opening 8 through which the container receiving space 2 is connected to the loading / unloading space 3 .

[0030] In order to place and store a plurality of containers 9 in one container receiving space 2 or to remove one container from one container receiving space 2, a loading / unloading vehicle 10 shown in Figure 2 is provided. The loading / unloading vehicle 10 can be operated into the loading / unloading space 3 and moved within this location.

[0031] The unloading vehicle comprises a body 11 provided with wheels 12, 13. Furthermore, the unloading vehicle 10 comprises a container base 14 which is height adjustable in a manner not shown in detail so that the container 9 placed on the container base 14 can be raised and lowered.

[0032] A plurality of unlocking elements 15 of the unlocking device can be arranged on the container base 14. The unlocking elements 15 can be lifted together with the container base 14 to move the holding device, one holding element 16 of which is shown in Figures 4 to 7 from a holding position (Figures 4 and 5) to a release position (Figures 6 and 7). The plurality of holding elements 16 are attached to the frame structure 4, i.e., to the lower end of one container receiving space 2. The plurality of holding elements 4 can therefore both hold one container 9 in place within one container receiving space 2 (Figure 4) and allow the container 9 to be removed downwards from the container receiving space 2 (Figure 6).

[0033] In the present exemplary embodiment, four holding elements 16 each form one holding device, but it is also possible to embody a holding device with only two holding elements 16, in which case the two holding elements 16 are arranged, for example, at diagonally opposite corners of the opening of one container receiving space 2.

[0034] In this exemplary embodiment, the loading / unloading vehicle 10 is provided with a sensor 17 for each retaining element 16, which can determine, for example by means of a light beam 18, whether the retaining element 16 is in the locked position shown in Figure 4 or in the released position shown in Figure 6.

[0035] The sensors 17 are mounted on posts 19 of the loading / unloading vehicle 10, on which holding-release devices 20 are also arranged. Each holding-release device 20 comprises a power unit 21, for example an electric motor, which is embodied as a rotary motor. The power unit 21 drives an eccentrically configured drive wheel 22 (FIG. 3), which is arranged in the inner space of an essentially triangular connecting link 23. When the power unit 21 is activated, the drive wheel 22 generates a linear movement of the connecting link 23. The connecting link 23 is connected to a tappet 24, the other end of which acts on a drive segment 25 of an actuating lever 26. The actuating lever 26 can pivot about an axis 27.

[0036] The tappet 24 is loaded by a spring 28, i.e., loaded in a direction away from the drive wheel 22, so that the power unit 21 must always work against the force of the spring 28.

[0037] Therefore, when the power unit 21 moves the drive wheel 22 to the position shown in Figure 3a, the drive wheel 22 then pulls the tappet 24 and therefore the actuating lever 26 to the "unactuated" position. On the other hand, when the power unit 21 moves the drive wheel 22 to the position shown in Figure 3b, the tappet 24 is moved by the spring 28 to a position of maximum displacement and therefore pivots the actuating lever 26 to a position where the actuating lever 26 is "fully actuated".

[0038] On the other hand, if a force greater than that acting on the actuating lever 26 by the spring 28 acts on the actuating lever 26, more particularly on the pressure surface 29 of the actuating lever 26, then the actuating lever 26 is pivoted to the position shown in Figure 3c, in which the actuating lever 26 is "minimally actuated". The spring 28 therefore forms a force limiting device so that the actuating lever 26 is force controlled and cannot cause any damage even if the power unit 21 rotates the drive wheel 22 to a position of maximum deflection.

[0039] Since the actuating lever 26 acts directly or indirectly on the holding device, damage to the holding device is reliably prevented.

[0040] 4 and 5 show the holding element 16 of the holding device in the closed position, i.e. in a position in which the container 9 rests on the holding element 16. In this position, the container cannot move downwards past the holding element 16. The container is therefore held in the container receiving space 2. The holding-opening device 20 is not activated. The sensor 17 can detect the "closed position" of the holding element 16 by means of the light beam 18.

[0041] If the container 9 needs to be removed, then the container base 14 is raised and the unlocking element 15 comes into contact with the holding element 16, pivoting the holding element 16 to the position shown in Figure 6. In the position shown in Figure 6, the container 9 can be guided past the holding element 16. If the unlocking element 15 is not present, the opening or unlocking of the holding element 16 can also be done in a different way.

[0042] 5 and 7 it can be seen that a fixing element 30 is assigned to the holding element 16, said fixing element 30 being embodied as a lever which is pivotable about an axis 31.

[0043] When the actuating lever 26 is pivoted from the inoperative position shown in Figure 4 to the actuated position shown in Figure 6, the actuating lever 26, together with the contact surface 29 of the actuating lever 26, acts on the locking element 30 to pivot the locking element 30, whereby the locking element 30, together with the nose portion 32, acts on the retaining arm 33 of the retaining element 16, thus holding the retaining element 16, which is pivotable about the pivot 34, in an open or unlocked position.

[0044] Thereby, the holding-release device 20 and the lift drive of the container base 14 are connected by a common control device, which is not shown in detail, and the control device does not activate the holding-release device 20 until the lift device 14 has been lifted sufficiently for the unlocking device with the unlocking element 15 to pivot the holding element 16 of the holding device into the open or released position.

[0045] The holding-release device 20 is arranged outside the opening 8 connecting the container receiving space 2 and the loading / unloading space 3. Therefore, the holding-release device 20 does not prevent the movement of the container 9 from the container receiving space 2 into the loading / unloading space 3 or vice versa.

[0046] The holding element 16 is embodied in such a way that when it is not acted upon by the hold-release device 20, it pivots back to its locked position shown in FIG. 4. This can be achieved, for example, by the holding element 16 being loaded by a return spring. This can also be achieved by the holding element 16 having a mass distribution such that its center of gravity is always located on the side of the pivot axis 34 to which it is returned. As soon as the hold-release device 20 is deactivated, the holding element 16 automatically moves to the holding position shown in FIG. 4.

[0047] The fixing element 30 is preloaded by a spring, not shown in detail, towards a position in which the fixing element 30 no longer acts on the retaining element 16. The spring therefore exerts a rotational torque on the fixing element 30, which rotational torque is directed clockwise with respect to the views in Figures 5 and 7.

[0048] Therefore, once the actuating lever 26 no longer acts on the locking element 30, the locking element 30 automatically pivots back to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5, and the retaining element can then easily pivot back to the retaining position shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Claims

1. A stacking storage device (1) comprising a plurality of container receiving spaces (2), a loading / unloading space (3) arranged below the container receiving spaces (2), and a loading vehicle (10) movable within the loading / unloading space (3), the loading vehicle (10) comprising a vehicle body (11) and a container base (14) whose height is adjustable relative to the vehicle body (11), a holding device arranged between each of the container receiving spaces (2) and the loading / unloading space (3), the holding device comprising a plurality of holding elements (16), and the loading vehicle (10) comprising an unlocking device for releasing the holding device, A holding-release device (20) is arranged on the vehicle body (11) separately from the container base (14); the retention-release device (20) includes retention-release elements (26) in a number at least corresponding to the number of retention elements (16) and the number of locking elements (30); each of said holding elements (16) is assigned to one of said fixing elements (30); the locking element (30) is movable between a first position in which the locking element (30) holds the holding element (16) in an open position and a second position in which the locking element (30) does not act on the holding element (16); A stacking storage device (1), characterized in that said fixing element (30) can be actuated by said holding-release device (20).

2. 2. A stacking storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding-release device (20) comprises a drive device (21, 22, 24) arranged on the car body (11).

3. 3. A stacking storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that a force limiting device (28) is arranged between the drive device (21) and the actuating lever (26) of the holding-release device (20).

4. 4. The stacking storage device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the drive device (21, 22) comprises a drive element (24) subjected to a preload and a power device (21) acting on the drive element (24) against the preload.

5. 5. A stacking storage device according to claim 4, characterized in that the power unit (21) is embodied as a rotary motor.

6. 6. The stacking storage device according to claim 1, wherein the holding-release device (20) is arranged outside an opening (8) connecting the container receiving space (2) with the unloading space (3).

7. 2. A stacking storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing element (30) is pivotally mounted.

8. Stackable storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the fixing element (30) is preloaded into the second position.

9. A method for operating a stack storage device (1) comprising a plurality of container receiving spaces (2), comprising using a loading vehicle (10) movable in unloading spaces (3) arranged below the container receiving spaces (2), at least one container (9) being removed from one of the container receiving spaces (2) by releasing a holding device arranged between each of the container receiving spaces (2) and the unloading spaces (3), the loading vehicle (10) comprising a body (11) and a container base (14) height-adjustable relative to the body (11), the holding device comprising a plurality of holding elements (16), the loading vehicle (10) comprising an unlocking device for releasing the holding device, The holding device is kept open by means of a holding-opening device (20) arranged on the vehicle body (1) separately from the container base (14); the retention-release device (20) includes retention-release elements (26) in a number at least corresponding to the number of retention elements (16) and the number of locking elements (30); each of said holding elements (16) is assigned to one of said fixing elements (30); the locking element (30) is movable between a first position in which the locking element (30) holds the holding element (16) in an open position and a second position in which the locking element (30) does not act on the holding element (16); A method, characterized in that said fixing element (30) is capable of being actuated by said holding-release device (20).

10. 10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the holding device is opened by lifting the container base (14).

11. 11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that several containers (9) are removed simultaneously from one said container receiving space (2).

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