Modular Warehouse Storage System

Abstract

The present invention discloses a modular warehousing system, which relates to the field of warehousing logistics. The modular warehousing system includes a drive unit, a conveying device, and a plurality of warehousing modules, each of which includes a shelf body and rails, including vertical and horizontal rails. The system has an expansion mode and a single-module mode. In the single-module mode, the drive unit drives the conveying device to move along the vertical or horizontal rails. In the expansion mode, when expanding horizontally, the horizontal rails of adjacent warehousing modules are connected to each other. In the expansion mode, when expanding vertically, the horizontal rails of adjacent warehousing modules are connected to each other. In the connection mode, the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules are connected to each other, and in the non-connection mode, the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules are offset from each other. The present invention can meet the various needs and warehousing spaces of various customers, while reducing the production costs of the warehousing system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of warehousing logistics, and more particularly to modular warehousing systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the logistics industry is developing rapidly, and automation is improving significantly. In addition, the frequency of various online shopping promotions is increasing, making it difficult for the current warehousing situation to remain stable as in the traditional commercial era. Therefore, warehousing scale needs to be adjusted frequently based on the number of orders generated by online shopping promotions. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Customers have different requirements for warehousing. Some customers prioritize cost and are willing to sacrifice warehouse efficiency to some extent, while others prioritize efficiency and are willing to relax cost requirements. Furthermore, because each customer's warehouse storage space is different, it is difficult to standardize the dimensions and specifications of all warehouse storage shelves. Customization to meet each customer's needs can meet most customer needs, but the high customization and setup costs make it difficult for logistics warehousing suppliers to accept it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a modularized warehousing system that can meet the various needs of various customers and various warehousing spaces of various customers, while reducing the production costs of the warehousing system.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical means used in the present invention are as follows.

[0006] The modularized warehousing system includes a drive device, a conveying device, and a plurality of warehousing modules, each of which includes a shelf body and a rail provided on the shelf body, the rail including a vertical rail and a horizontal rail; The modular warehousing system has an expansion mode and a single module mode; In the single module mode, the drive device drives the conveyor device to move along the vertical rail or the horizontal rail, and the conveyor device removes or places products on the shelf body; In the expansion mode, when the modularized warehousing storage system expands horizontally, the horizontal rails of adjacent warehousing storage modules are connected to each other, and when the modularized warehousing storage system expands vertically, there are a connected state and a disconnected state, in which in the connected state, the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing storage modules are connected to each other and the drive devices drive the conveying devices to move along the connected horizontal rails and / or connected vertical rails, and in the disconnected state, the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing storage modules are offset from each other and the drive devices drive the conveying devices to move along the connected horizontal rails, and the conveying devices remove goods from or put goods into the shelf body.

[0007] The technical solution of the present invention is to modularize the warehousing system, dividing the entire warehousing system into individual warehousing modules and processing each module separately. If a customer prioritizes cost, only one conveying device is required. If a customer requires efficiency, multiple conveying devices can be added, ultimately providing one conveying device for each warehousing module. In this way, various customer needs can be met. Furthermore, because the warehousing system is modularized, the warehousing shelves can be adaptively expanded based on various customers' warehouse storage spaces, maximizing space utilization even for customers with irregular shapes. This is an advantage not available with integrated warehousing systems. In addition to meeting customer needs and efficiently utilizing space, the advantage of modularization means that warehousing system suppliers do not need to customize the warehousing system based on the customer's warehouse storage space and needs, and only need to build one warehousing module instead of multiple builds, effectively reducing production costs. Modularization also makes transportation more convenient, thereby reducing transportation costs.

[0008] Preferably, the drive device includes a vertical drive device, the transport device is detachably mounted on the vertical drive device, and the vertical drive device drives the transport device to rise or fall along the vertical rail.

[0009] The vertical drive device provides vertical movement to the transport device, and the transport device is detachably mounted on the vertical drive device, which makes it easier to maintain the transport device.

[0010] Preferably, the vertical drive and the vertical rail are engaged by a gear rack or sprocket chain.

[0011] In the prior art, various engagement methods for achieving linear drive exist, such as gear rack engagement, belt drive engagement, and ball screw engagement. Belt drive engagement can be divided into friction belt drive engagement and timing belt drive engagement. After extensive research, the inventors discovered that the friction belt drive method can only achieve a sealed circulation structure within the warehousing module, making it impossible for the vertical drive unit to straddle the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules. Timing belt drive can achieve a non-sealed, non-circulating structure, but requires tensioning the timing belt. If a timing belt is tensioned and a sealed circulation structure is not achieved within the warehousing module, the timing belt must be pulled from both ends of the vertical rail to the backside of the vertical rail. After tensioning, linear drive can be achieved without sealing or circulating the timing belt. However, the meshing requirements for the timing belt pulleys are very high. If the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules are tightly aligned, the timing belt will wrap around the backside of the vertical rail from both ends, preventing a tight connection between the ends of the adjacent vertical rails. Without a tight connection, it is impossible to ensure that the pitch of the timing belts adjacent to the two different connected vertical rails meets the meshing requirements of the timing belt pulleys. Therefore, when the vertical drive needs to cross the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules, the adjacent vertical rails will not mesh and the crossing will be impossible. When the present invention is actually used, the adjacent vertical rails are not always connected and tightly aligned, and the connected and disconnected states change in real time according to the actual situation. Due to installation accuracy, transmission error, vibration, etc., the meshing requirements of the timing belt pulleys will inevitably not be met when the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules enter a connected state.

[0012] In ball screw transmission systems, linear drive can only be achieved by rotating the screw. However, when the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules switch from a disconnected state to a connected state, it is impossible to ensure that the connection between the two adjacent screws can meet the nut transmission requirements. Even if the adjacent screw connection problem is resolved without regard for cost, the rigidity of the interconnected screws cannot be guaranteed when the warehousing system expands vertically to a high level. If rigidity cannot be guaranteed, the screw vibration will become severe, causing the nut to malfunction and even be damaged. Therefore, the ball screw system cannot meet the core need for a vertical drive unit to straddle the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules, both in terms of feasibility and cost.

[0013] Therefore, the inventors selectively use a gear rack or sprocket chain transmission system. In the gear rack transmission system, the rack has a certain rigidity, so it does not need to be a sealed transmission structure or tensioned. Furthermore, the gear meshing requirements are much lower than those of a timing belt. This means that when manufacturing warehousing modules, adjacent racks can be made to the exact dimensions required to meet the gear meshing requirements and installed on different vertical rails. When the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules switch from a disconnected state to a connected state, the adjacent racks can meet the gear meshing requirements if the vertical rails fit snugly together, allowing the vertical drive units to smoothly cross the vertical rails between adjacent warehousing modules. Both feasibility and cost can be met, satisfying the core need for vertical drive units to cross the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules. In the sprocket chain transmission system, the chain is a semi-rigid transmission bar, so the technical effect of rack docking can be achieved by directly fixing the chain through a mechanical connection without tensioning it. Although timing belts also use a meshing mechanism, they are flexible and must be tensioned during transmission. Furthermore, since the flexible belt is driven only by the transmission belt, even if the timing belt is mechanically connected to a vertical rail like a chain, it still cannot move up and down because it only drives the timing pulley. Similarly, since timing belts are flexible, they inevitably loosen over time, further making vertical movement impossible.

[0014] The inventors unexpectedly discovered that, in a gear rack or sprocket chain transmission system used to meet the core need of vertical drive units spanning the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules, the power source is located on only one side of the gear or sprocket. This centralized power layout allows for its control to be integrated with the conveying unit, achieving a centralized location. In this way, since there is no need to install electrical components on the vertical rails, the warehousing modules have a more rational and compact structural layout, avoiding excessive wiring that would affect the stable operation of the warehousing system. Furthermore, to facilitate maintenance, in special circumstances, quick maintenance can be achieved by simply removing the old conveying unit and replacing it with a new one, without having to remove the entire vertical rail.

[0015] Thus, inventors, through creative labor, intentionally select individual inventions from the broad range of prior art disclosures, and by their selections, similarly obtain unexpected technical results.

[0016] Preferably, the vertical rail includes a vertical rail profile, the vertical rail profile has a vertical transmission bar mounting groove, a rack or chain is mounted in the vertical transmission bar mounting groove, the vertical drive device further includes a first guide pulley that rolls and contacts the outside of the vertical transmission bar mounting groove, and the plane in which the first guide pulley is located is parallel to the plane in which the gear or sprocket is located.

[0017] Preferably, the vertical drive device further includes a second guide pulley that rolls and contacts the outside of the vertical transmission bar mounting groove, and the plane in which the second guide pulley is located is perpendicular to the plane in which the gear or sprocket is located.

[0018] The vertical transmission bar mounting groove not only provides a mounting location for the rack or chain, but also guides and supports the guide pulley of the vertical drive, thereby ensuring more stable engagement between the vertical drive and the vertical rail within a single warehousing module. The guide pulley guides the gear or sprocket of the vertical drive from two directions, preventing the gear or sprocket from separating from the rack. Although the characteristics of the rack or chain can be utilized to achieve good rail docking between adjacent vertical rails when connected, errors still exist due to various factors such as installation and manufacturing errors in the warehousing module. Therefore, the first and second guide pulleys may have a certain degree of elasticity. When passing through the connection between adjacent vertical rails, the guide pulley contacts the other vertical rail before the gear or sprocket, allowing the elasticity of the guide pulley itself to eliminate accumulated errors. In this case, the vertical drive contacts both adjacent vertical rails, providing favorable conditions for the gear or sprocket to smoothly straddle them.

[0019] Preferably, the vertical drive device includes a first housing for mounting a gear or sprocket, and the first guide pulley and / or the second guide pulley are detachably mounted to the first housing.

[0020] The guide pulley is detachably attached to the first housing, and when maintenance of the vertical drive device is required, the vertical drive device can be removed simply by removing the guide pulley, making it easy to maintain the vertical drive device.

[0021] Preferably, the drive device includes a horizontal drive device that is provided on the vertical rail and drives the vertical rail to move along a horizontal direction, thereby driving the conveying device to move along a horizontal direction.

[0022] The horizontal drive provides horizontal motion for the entire vertical rail and the vertical drives on the vertical rail, and provides power for switching the vertical rail between connected and disconnected states.

[0023] Preferably, the horizontal drive device is one of a meshing transmission device, a friction belt transmission device, a ball screw drive device, and a linear motor drive device, and the meshing transmission device is one of a gear rack transmission device, a sprocket chain transmission device, and a timing belt transmission device, and in the meshing transmission device, a rotating member functions as a driving wheel and a linear motion member functions as a driven member.

[0024] Preferably, the shelf body is provided with a horizontal rail section, the horizontal rail section having a linear motion member mounting groove for mounting the linear motion member, the horizontal drive device further having a third guide pulley that rolls and contacts the outside of the linear motion member mounting groove, and the plane on which the third guide pulley is located is parallel to the plane on which the drive wheel is located.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the guide pulleys of the horizontal drive are the same as those of the guide pulleys of the vertical drive, and therefore will not be described here.

[0026] Preferably, the horizontal drive device includes a second housing for mounting the drive wheel, and the third guide pulley is detachably mounted to the second housing.

[0027] The beneficial effects of the second housing are the same as those of the first housing, and therefore will not be described here.

[0028] Preferably, the horizontal rail further includes a horizontal guide rail, the vertical rail is provided with a cross member, the cross member is provided with a fourth guide pulley, and the fourth guide pulley and the horizontal guide rail are engaged with each other to guide and support the vertical rail for movement along the horizontal direction.

[0029] The horizontal guide rails support and restrain the vertical guide rails during horizontal movement, preventing unwanted movement in directions other than the required lateral horizontal movement, and preventing the vertical rails from separating from the warehousing module.

[0030] Preferably, a lateral electric rail is provided on the side of the horizontal guide rail, and a lateral brush is provided on the cross member, and the drive device and the conveying device obtain electric energy from the lateral electric rail via the lateral brush.

[0031] Preferably, a longitudinal electric rail is provided on a side of the vertical rail, the longitudinal electric rail is electrically connected to the lateral brush, the driving device is provided with a longitudinal brush, and the conveying device and the driving device obtain electric energy from the longitudinal electric rail via the longitudinal brush and from the lateral electric rail via the lateral brush; The ends of the longitudinal electric rails are provided with connection portions as insulators, and in the connected state, when the drive unit travels from one warehousing module to the other adjacent warehousing module along the interconnected vertical rails, the longitudinal brushes enter the longitudinal electric rail of the other warehousing module from the connection portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] Due to the electrical conduction effect of the vertical electric rails, when the vertical rails of vertically adjacent warehousing modules are connected, if the distance between the adjacent vertical electric rails is too close, arc discharges will occur. Therefore, a large gap must be left between the vertical electric rails of the two vertical guide rails. To ensure the safety of personnel and equipment, a sufficient safety distance must be left between adjacent vertical electric rails. When a drive unit travels from one warehousing module along the vertical rail to the other adjacent warehousing module, it is necessary to ensure that the vertical brushes do not penetrate from the vertical electric rail of one warehousing module to the vertical electric rail of the other warehousing module. Furthermore, because a safety distance is left between adjacent vertical electric rails, insulating the connection allows the vertical brushes to penetrate the connection and then from the connection to the vertical electric rail, thereby ensuring a safe distance to avoid discharges and ensuring smooth operation of the drive unit when crossing between warehousing modules.

[0033] These features and advantages of the present invention will be disclosed in detail in the following specific embodiments and drawings. The best mode or means of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the technical means of the present invention will not be limited. In addition, the features, elements and components in the following drawings are plural, and for the sake of convenience, different symbols or numerals are used, but all indicate components having the same or similar structure or function. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of the rail, drive device, and transport device engaged in an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a vertical rail, a vertical drive, and a transport device engaged in an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4]1 is a schematic diagram of a vertical rail, a vertical drive, and a transport device engaged in an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram of a horizontal drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 is a schematic diagram of a horizontal guide rail according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The technical means of the embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, but the following examples are only preferred examples of the present invention and are not all inclusive. Any other examples that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the examples in the embodiments without any creative work are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] References herein to "one embodiment" or "example" or "example" mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic described with reference to the embodiment itself is included in at least one embodiment disclosed in this patent. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0038] (Example) This embodiment provides a modularized warehousing system including a drive unit and a conveying unit 6. As its name suggests, the modularized warehousing system of this embodiment modularizes and divides the entire warehousing system into multiple warehousing modules. As shown in FIG. 1, each dashed frame forms a warehousing module, and each warehousing module can be individually processed. Since each warehousing module has the same dimensions and structure, only one build is required for each warehousing module, effectively reducing production costs. Because the warehousing system is modularized, the warehousing shelves can be adaptively expanded based on various customer warehouse storage spaces, maximizing space utilization even for customers with irregular shapes. This is an advantage not available with integrated warehousing systems. In addition to meeting customer needs and efficiently utilizing space, the advantage of modularization means that warehousing system suppliers do not need to customize the warehousing system based on the customer's warehouse storage space and needs, eliminating the need for multiple builds. Modularization also makes transportation more convenient, thereby reducing transportation costs.

[0039] Each warehousing module includes a shelf body and rails attached to the shelf body. As shown in FIG. 2 , the rails include a vertical rail 1 and a horizontal rail. In this embodiment, the horizontal rail includes a horizontal power rail 2 and a horizontal guide rail 3; in other embodiments, the horizontal power rail 2 may be omitted. The drive device includes a horizontal drive device 5 and a vertical drive device 4. In this embodiment, the conveying device 6 is a mechanical device capable of pulling and moving goods, but is not limited thereto. The basic structure of the vertical drive device 4 is a mechanical structure in which a motor drives a drive wheel. Accordingly, the vertical drive device 4 and the vertical rail 1 are engaged by a gear rack or sprocket chain. The horizontal drive device 5 and the horizontal power rail 2 are engaged by one of a gear transmission, a friction belt transmission, a ball screw drive, and a linear motor drive. Other mechanical transmissions capable of realizing linear transmission, such as pneumatic cylinders and hydraulic cylinders, may also be engaged, and are not described here. The gear transmission device here is one of a gear rack transmission, a sprocket chain transmission, and a timing belt transmission. When a linear motor drive, hydraulic cylinder drive, or pneumatic cylinder drive is used, the horizontal power rail 2 is not required. When a ball screw drive is used, the screw is attached to the shelf body as the horizontal power rail 2. When a gear transmission is used, the rotating member of the gear transmission functions as the driving wheel, and the linear motion member functions as the driven member. The horizontal power rail 2 is attached to the shelf body, and the linear motion member functioning as the driven member is a rack, chain, or timing belt, and the rotating member functioning as the driving wheel is a gear, sprocket, or timing pulley. Since these three transmission methods are all gear transmissions, their explanations are omitted. When a friction belt and friction pulley are used, the horizontal transmission bar is a rail with a certain friction coefficient, and the driving wheel is a friction pulley. In this case, the friction pulley and friction belt must be firmly pressed together to achieve the transmission engagement between the horizontal drive unit 5 and the horizontal power rail 2.

[0040] For this reason, the vertical rail 1 includes a vertical rail section 11, which has a vertical transmission bar mounting groove, into which a vertical rack or chain is attached, and the shelf body is provided with a horizontal rail section 21, which has a linear motion member mounting groove, into which a rack, chain, or timing belt is attached. In this embodiment, the engagement between the vertical drive unit 4 and the vertical rail 1, and the engagement between the horizontal drive unit 5 and the horizontal power rail 2, both preferably use a gear rack engagement method. Therefore, this embodiment will also be described using the gear rack engagement method.

[0041] 3 and 4, the vertical drive device 4 includes a first guide pulley 41, a second guide pulley 42, and a first housing 43 for mounting a gear. The first housing 43 provides a mounting position and bracket for mounting the gear of the vertical drive device 4. The first guide pulley 41 and the second guide pulley 42 are each detachably mounted to the first housing 43. When maintenance of the vertical drive device 4 is required, the vertical drive device 4 can be removed simply by removing the guide pulleys, facilitating maintenance of the vertical drive device 4. The first guide pulley 41 and the second guide pulley 42 roll and contact the outside of the vertical transmission bar mounting groove to guide the vertical drive device 4. In this embodiment, the vertical rail profile 11 is square-shaped, with the plane on which the first guide pulley 41 is located parallel to the plane on which the gear is located and rolling to contact the bent portion of the square-shaped profile. The plane on which the second guide pulley 42 is located perpendicular to the plane on which the gear is located and contacts the outer side of the vertical transmission bar mounting groove. The vertical transmission bar mounting groove not only provides a mounting position for the rack or chain, but also guides and supports the guide pulley of the vertical drive unit 4, thereby making the engagement between the vertical drive unit 4 and the vertical rail 1 more stable within a single warehousing module. The guide pulley guides the gear of the vertical drive unit 4 from two directions, and the first guide pulley 41 contacts the bent portion of the square-shaped profile, preventing the gear from separating from the rack. In this embodiment, eight first guide pulleys 41 are provided, one at each of the four corners of the first housing 43, and roll to contact both sides of the bent portion of the "box" shape, further preventing the gear from coming off the rack. The conveying device 6 is detachably mounted on the vertical drive device 4, which drives the conveying device 6 to ascend or descend along the vertical rail 1, providing vertical movement for the conveying device 6. By detachably mounting the conveying device 6 on the vertical drive device 4, the conveying device 6 can be easily maintained. In other embodiments, only the first guide pulleys 41 may be provided. When only the first guide pulleys 41 are provided, the second guide pulleys 42 may be omitted, taking the above into consideration.

[0042] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5 , the horizontal drive unit 5 also includes a third guide pulley 22 and a second housing 23. The second housing 23 is used to mount a gear 51 as a drive wheel and provides a mounting position and bracket for mounting the gear 51 or sprocket of the horizontal drive unit 5. The third guide pulley 22 is detachably mounted to the second housing 23. Therefore, if maintenance of the horizontal drive unit 5 is required, the horizontal drive unit 5 can be removed simply by removing the third guide pulley 22, making maintenance of the horizontal drive unit 5 easier. The third guide pulley 22 rolls and contacts the outside of the linear motion member mounting groove to guide the horizontal drive unit 5. The plane on which the third guide pulley 22 is located is parallel to the plane on which the gear 51 is located. In addition to providing a mounting position for the rack or chain, the linear motion member mounting groove also guides and supports the guide pulley of the horizontal drive unit 5, thereby more stably engaging the horizontal drive unit 5 with the horizontal power rail 2. The third guide pulley 22 guides the gear 51 or sprocket of the horizontal drive device 5, preventing to some extent the gear 51 from separating from the rack or the sprocket from separating from the chain. The horizontal drive device 5 is provided on one side of the vertical rail 1, and is engaged with the horizontal power rail 2 to drive the vertical rail 1 to move along the horizontal direction, thereby driving the conveying device 6 to move along the horizontal direction, and providing horizontal movement to the entire vertical rail 1 and the vertical drive device 4 on the vertical rail 1.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the vertical rail 1 is provided with a cross member 12, the cross member 12 is provided with a fourth guide pulley 31, and the horizontal rail further includes a horizontal guide rail 3, and the fourth guide pulley 31 and the horizontal guide rail 3 are engaged with each other to guide and support the vertical rail 1 to move along the horizontal direction, thereby supporting and restraining the vertical guide rail during horizontal movement, preventing unnecessary movement in other directions other than the required lateral horizontal movement, and further preventing the vertical rail 1 from separating from the warehouse storage module.

[0044] The modular warehouse storage system according to this embodiment has an expansion mode and a single module mode. In the single module mode, each warehouse storage module functions as a shelf by itself, and the driving device drives the conveying device 6 to move along the vertical rail 1 or the horizontal rail, and the conveying device 6 takes out goods from the shelf body or puts goods into the shelf body. In expansion mode, the modular warehousing system of this embodiment can expand both horizontally and vertically, without interfering with each other. When expanding horizontally, the horizontal rails of adjacent warehousing modules are connected to each other, while when expanding vertically, there are connected and disconnected states. As the names suggest, in the connected state, the vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehousing modules are connected to each other, while in the disconnected state, the vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehousing modules are offset from each other. The vertical rails 1 are switched between the connected and disconnected states by engaging the horizontal drive unit 5 and horizontal power rail 2 to propel the vertical rails 1. In the connected state, the vertical rails 1 of vertically adjacent warehousing modules are connected to each other, so that in the connected state, the drive unit drives the conveying device 6 to move along the horizontal rails and / or the vertical rails 1 connected to each other. In the disconnected state, the vertical rails 1 of vertically adjacent warehousing modules are offset from each other, so that in the disconnected state, the drive unit drives the conveying device 6 to move only along the horizontal rails connected to each other, so that the conveying device 6 removes or places goods on the shelf body. If a customer prioritizes cost, the entire warehousing system may use only one set of conveying devices 6 to reduce costs. If a customer requires efficiency, the entire warehousing system may add multiple sets of conveying devices 6 to improve product transportation efficiency, and thus each warehousing module may be provided with one set of conveying devices 6. In this way, various customer needs can be met. As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, an efficiency-focused approach is adopted, and multiple sets of drive units and conveying devices 6 are provided.

[0045] In the prior art, various engagement methods exist for achieving linear drive, including the gear rack engagement and chain drive engagement selectively used in this embodiment, as well as belt drive engagement and ball screw drive engagement. Belt drive engagement can be divided into friction belt drive engagement and timing belt drive engagement. After extensive research, the inventors discovered that the friction belt drive method only allows for a sealed circulation structure within the warehousing module, making it impossible for the vertical drive unit 4 to straddle the vertical rail 1 of an adjacent warehousing module. Timing belt drive can achieve a non-sealed, non-circulating structure, but requires tensioning of the timing belt. If a timing belt is used and a sealed circulation structure is not achieved within the warehousing module, the timing belt must be tensioned by pulling it from both ends of the vertical rail 1 to the back side of the vertical rail 1. After tensioning, linear transmission can be achieved as long as the timing belt is not sealed or rotated. However, the meshing requirements of the timing belt pulleys are very high. If the horizontal power rails 2 or vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehousing modules are tightly fitted together, the timing belt will wrap around the back of the horizontal power rail 2 or vertical rail 1 from both ends of the vertical rail 1, preventing a tight connection between the ends of the adjacent rails. If a tight connection is not possible, it cannot be guaranteed that the pitch of the timing belts adjacent to the two different connected horizontal power rails 2 or vertical rails 1 will meet the meshing requirements of the timing belt pulleys. Therefore, when the horizontal drive unit 5 or vertical drive unit 4 needs to straddle the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing modules, the adjacent horizontal power rails 2 or vertical rails 1 will not mesh and will not be able to straddle. When this embodiment is actually used, the adjacent horizontal power rails 2 are always in a connected state, but the adjacent vertical rails 1 are not always in a connected and tightly fitted state, and the connected and unconnected states change according to the driving of the horizontal drive device 5. Therefore, due to reasons such as installation accuracy, transmission error, and vibration, when the vertical rails 1 of the adjacent warehouse storage modules enter a connected state, they will inevitably be unable to meet the meshing requirements of the timing belt pulleys.

[0046] The ball screw transmission system can only achieve linear drive by rotating the screw. However, when the vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehousing modules switch from a disconnected state to a connected state, it is impossible to ensure that the connection between the two adjacent screws can meet the nut transmission requirements. Even if the adjacent screw connection problem is resolved without regard for cost, the rigidity of the interconnected screws cannot be guaranteed when the warehousing system expands vertically to a high level. If rigidity cannot be guaranteed, the screw vibration will become severe, causing the nut to malfunction and even be damaged. Therefore, the ball screw system cannot meet the core requirement of the vertical drive unit 4 spanning the vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehousing modules, both in terms of feasibility and cost.

[0047] Therefore, the inventors selectively use a gear rack and sprocket chain transmission method. In the gear rack transmission method, the rack has a certain rigidity, so it does not need to be a sealed transmission structure or tensioned. Furthermore, the gear meshing requirements are much lower than those of timing belt pulleys. This means that when manufacturing warehousing modules, adjacent racks can be made to the exact dimensions required to meet the gear meshing requirements and installed on different horizontal and vertical rails 1. When the vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehousing modules switch from a disconnected state to a connected state, the adjacent racks can meet the gear meshing requirements as long as the vertical rails 1 fit together perfectly, allowing the vertical drive units 4 to smoothly pass through and straddle the vertical rails 1 between adjacent warehousing modules. This method satisfies the core need for the vertical drive units 4 to straddle the vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehousing modules in terms of both feasibility and cost. Because the horizontal power rail 2 does not move vertically after lateral expansion, the horizontal power rail 2 must fit snugly to meet the gear meshing requirements of adjacent racks, allowing the drive units to smoothly pass over the horizontal or vertical rail 1 between adjacent warehouse storage modules. In the sprocket chain transmission system, the chain is a semi-rigid transmission bar, so it can be directly fixed to the vertical rail 1 through a mechanical connection without tensioning the chain, achieving the same technical effect during rack docking. Timing belts also use a meshing system, but they are flexible belts that require tensioning during transmission. Furthermore, flexible belts are driven only by the transmission belt. Therefore, even if the timing belt is mechanically fixed to the vertical rail 1 like a chain, it still cannot move vertically because it only drives the timing pulley. Similarly, because timing belts are flexible belts, they inevitably loosen over time, making vertical movement even more impossible.

[0048] Although the vertical rails 1 can achieve good rail docking between adjacent vertical rails 1 using the characteristics of the rack or chain when connected, errors still exist due to various factors, such as installation errors and manufacturing errors of the warehousing modules. Therefore, the first guide pulley 41 and the second guide pulley 42 may have a certain elasticity. When passing through the connection between adjacent vertical rails 1, the guide pulley contacts the other vertical rail 1 before the gear or sprocket, allowing the elasticity of the guide pulley itself to eliminate accumulated errors. At this time, the vertical drive unit 4 contacts both of the two adjacent vertical rails 1, providing favorable conditions for the gear or sprocket to smoothly straddle. Similarly, the third guide pulley 22 also has a certain elasticity. When straddling laterally adjacent warehousing modules, the guide pulley contacts the other horizontal power rail 2 before the gear, allowing the elasticity of the guide pulley itself to eliminate accumulated errors. The horizontal drive unit 5 contacts both of the two adjacent horizontal power rails 2, providing favorable conditions for the gear or sprocket to smoothly straddle.

[0049] Regarding electrical control, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 , horizontal electric rails are provided on the sides of the horizontal guide rails 3, and horizontal brushes 8 are provided on the cross members 12. The drive devices and conveyor devices 6 obtain electrical energy from the horizontal electric rails via the horizontal brushes 8. More specifically, vertical electric rails 13 are provided on the sides of the vertical rails 1, and the vertical electric rails 13 are electrically connected to the horizontal brushes 8. Vertical brushes 7 are provided on the vertical drive devices 4. The conveyor devices 6, horizontal drive devices 5, and vertical drive devices 4 obtain electrical energy from the vertical electric rails 13 via the vertical brushes 7 and from the horizontal electric rails via the horizontal brushes 8. The inventors unexpectedly discovered that, in a gear rack or sprocket chain transmission system used to satisfy the core need for the vertical drive devices 4 to straddle the vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehouse storage modules, the power source is located on only one side of the gear or sprocket. This centralized power layout allows the control to be combined with the conveyor devices 6 to achieve centralized placement. In this way, since there is no need to install electrical components on the vertical rail 1, the warehousing storage module has a more reasonable and compact structural layout, and avoids excessive wiring affecting the stable operation of the warehousing storage system. Furthermore, to facilitate maintenance, in special circumstances, quick maintenance can be achieved by simply removing the old conveying device 6 and replacing it with a new one, without having to remove the entire vertical rail 1.

[0050] The ends of the vertical electric rails 13 are provided with insulator-like connections. When the drive unit travels from one warehousing module to the other along the interconnected vertical rails 1, the vertical brushes 7 penetrate the connection into the vertical electric rails 13 of the other warehousing module. Because the vertical drive unit 4 may cross over a warehousing module along the interconnected vertical rails 1, the vertical brushes 7 may also cross over adjacent vertical electric rails 13 in electrical control. Due to the electrical conduction of the vertical electric rails 13, arc discharges can occur if the vertical rails 13 are too close when the vertical rails 1 of adjacent warehousing modules are connected. Therefore, a large gap must be left between the vertical electric rails 13 of the two vertical guide rails. To ensure the safety of personnel and equipment, a sufficient safety distance must be left between adjacent vertical electric rails 13. When the drive unit travels from one warehousing module to the other adjacent warehousing module along the vertical rail 1, it is necessary to ensure that the longitudinal brushes 7 penetrate from the longitudinal electric rail 13 of one warehousing module to the longitudinal electric rail 13 of the other warehousing module. Also, since a safety distance is left between the adjacent longitudinal electric rails 13, by insulating the connections, the longitudinal brushes 7 penetrate into the connections and then from the connections to the vertical electric rail, thereby ensuring a safety distance to avoid discharge and ensuring smooth operation of the drive unit when crossing over the warehousing modules.

[0051] Thus, inventors, through creative labor, intentionally select individual inventions from the broad range of prior art disclosures, and by their selections, similarly obtain unexpected technical results.

[0052] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention includes, but is not limited to, the contents described in the drawings and the above specific embodiments. Any modifications that do not deviate from the functional and structural principles of the present invention are included in the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 vertical rail 11 Vertical rail section 12 Cross member 13 Longitudinal Electric Rail 2 horizontal power rails 21 Horizontal rail profile 22 Third guide pulley 23 Second Housing 3 Horizontal guide rails 31 4th guide pulley 4 Vertical drive unit 41 First guide pulley 42 Second guide pulley 43 First gear housing 5 Horizontal drive unit 51 gears 6. Conveyor equipment 7 Vertical Brush 8 Horizontal brushes.

Claims

1. 1. A modular warehousing system comprising: a drive unit, a conveying unit, and a plurality of warehousing modules; Each warehousing module includes a shelf body and a rail attached to the shelf body; The rails include vertical rails and horizontal rails; The modular warehousing system has an expansion mode and a single module mode; In the single module mode, the drive device drives the conveyor device to move along the vertical rail or the horizontal rail, and the conveyor device removes or places products on the shelf body; In the extended mode, When the modular warehousing system expands horizontally, horizontal rails of adjacent warehousing modules are connected to each other; When the modular warehousing storage system expands vertically, it has a connected state and a disconnected state. In the connected state, the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing storage modules are connected to each other, and the driving devices drive the conveying devices to move along the connected horizontal rails and / or the connected vertical rails. In the disconnected state, the vertical rails of adjacent warehousing storage modules are offset from each other, and the driving devices drive the conveying devices to move along the connected horizontal rails, and the conveying devices take out goods from the shelf body or put goods into the shelf body. A modular warehouse storage system characterized by:

2. the drive unit includes a vertical drive unit; the conveying device is detachably provided on the vertical drive device, The vertical drive device drives the transport device to move up or down along the vertical rail.

2. The modular warehousing system of claim 1.

3. The vertical drive and the vertical rail are engaged by a gear rack or a sprocket chain.

3. The modular warehousing system of claim 2.

4. the vertical rail includes a vertical rail profile; The vertical rail section has a vertical transmission bar mounting groove; The rack or chain is attached to the vertical transmission bar attachment groove, The vertical drive device further includes a first guide pulley that rolls and contacts the outside of the vertical transmission bar mounting groove, and the plane on which the first guide pulley is located is parallel to the plane on which the gear or sprocket is located.

4. The modular warehousing system of claim 3.

5. The vertical drive device further includes a second guide pulley that rolls and contacts the outside of the vertical transmission bar mounting groove; The plane in which the second guide pulley lies is perpendicular to the plane in which the gear or sprocket lies.

5. The modular warehousing system of claim 4.

6. the vertical drive includes a first housing for mounting a gear or sprocket; the first guide pulley and / or the second guide pulley are detachably attached to the first housing; 6. A modular warehousing system according to claim 5.

7. the drive unit includes a horizontal drive unit; the horizontal drive device is provided on the vertical rail and drives the vertical rail to move along a horizontal direction, thereby driving the conveying device to move along the horizontal direction.

3. The modular warehousing system of claim 2.

8. the horizontal drive device is one of a meshing transmission device, a friction belt transmission device, a ball screw drive device, and a linear motor drive device; The meshing transmission is one of a gear rack transmission, a sprocket chain transmission, and a timing belt transmission; In the meshing transmission, the rotating member functions as a driving wheel and the linear motion member functions as a driven member.

8. A modular warehousing system according to claim 7.

9. The shelf body is provided with a horizontal rail member, the horizontal rail section has a linear motion member mounting groove for mounting the linear motion member; the horizontal drive device further includes a third guide pulley that rolls and contacts the outside of the linear motion member mounting groove; a plane on which the third guide pulley is located is parallel to a plane on which the drive wheel is located; 9. The modular warehousing system of claim 8.

10. the horizontal drive device includes a second housing for mounting the drive wheels; The third guide pulley is detachably attached to the second housing.

10. The modular warehousing system of claim 9.

11. the horizontal rail includes a horizontal guide rail; The vertical rail is provided with a cross member, The cross member is provided with a fourth guide pulley, The fourth guide pulley and the horizontal guide rail are engaged with each other to guide and support the vertical rail so that it moves along the horizontal direction. A modular warehouse storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. a horizontal electrical rail is provided on the side of the horizontal guide rail; The cross member is provided with a horizontal brush, the driving device and the transport device obtain electric energy from the horizontal electric rail via the horizontal brush; 12. The modular warehousing system of claim 11.

13. A vertical electrical rail is provided on the side of the vertical rail, the vertical electrical rail is electrically connected to the horizontal brush; The drive device is provided with a vertical brush, the conveying device and the driving device obtain electric energy from the vertical electric rail via the vertical brushes and from the horizontal electric rail via the horizontal brushes; An end of the vertical electrical rail is provided with a connection portion as an insulator, in a connected state, when the drive unit travels from one warehousing module to the other adjacent warehousing module along the interconnected vertical rails, the vertical brushes come into contact with the vertical electrical rails of the other warehousing module from the connection; 13. The modular warehousing system of claim 12.

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