Rechargeable vehicle for laminate storage assembly

Abstract

To provide a charging type vehicle which is simple and with a cost effectiveness.SOLUTION: A charging type vehicle 1 for a laminate storage assembly comprises: a chassis 4; a first impeller assembly 2 capable of moving the charging type vehicle 1 in a first direction; a second impeller assembly 3 capable of moving the charging type vehicle 1 in a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a lifting device having lifting drive devices 6, 7 acting vertically relative to the first and second directions. The lifting device has a platform 5, the lifting drive device 6, 7 are moved from an initial position to a lifted position in a gravity direction together with the lifting platform 5, the lifting drive devices 6, 7 act downward in the gravity direction relative to the second impeller assembly 3 and moves the second impeller assembly 3 downward beyond the first impeller assembly 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rechargeable vehicle for a stack storage assembly, the rechargeable vehicle comprising a chassis, a first impeller assembly capable of moving the rechargeable vehicle in a first direction, a second impeller assembly capable of moving the rechargeable vehicle in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a lifting device comprising a lifting drive device operating orthogonally to the first direction and the second direction.

Background Art

[0002] For example, such a rechargeable vehicle is known from WO 2019 / 238703. Known rechargeable vehicles are moved above a stack storage assembly. The stacking space of the containers is arranged in the stack storage assembly in the form of a matrix of rows and columns. A rail system is installed above the stack storage assembly so that the rechargeable vehicle can reach all the container stacking spaces, with a first group of rails running in the row direction and a second group of rails running in the column direction. The first impeller assembly interacts with the first group of rails. The second impeller assembly interacts with the second group of rails. By pushing the second impeller assembly downward from the chassis, switching is performed between the first rail assembly and the second rail assembly to engage with the second group of rails.

[0003] However, to operate the second impeller assembly, a drive device is required that can move the second impeller assembly downward and outward from the rechargeable vehicle relative to the weight of the rechargeable vehicle, together with the received container as necessary. This requires relatively high costs.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to configure a simple and cost-effective rechargeable vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In the type of rechargeable vehicle described at the beginning, this objective is achieved by having a lifting device having a lifting platform, a lifting drive device being able to move upward in the direction of gravity from an initial position to a lifted position together with the lifting platform, and the lifting drive device acting downward in the direction of gravity on a second impeller assembly, moving the second impeller assembly downward over the first impeller assembly.

[0006] This rechargeable vehicle is used in a stacked storage assembly, in which the rechargeable space is located below the container stacking space. In this way, containers are stored in the container loading space from below and removed from the container loading space downwards. The container loading space is also arranged in the form of a matrix with rows and columns. The rechargeable vehicle is then moved, for example, using a first impeller assembly in the row direction and a second impeller assembly in the column direction. To store the containers, a rechargeable vehicle is driven beneath the container stacking space. Containers placed on the rechargeable vehicle, or more precisely, containers placed on the lifting platform, are lifted until they pass through a holding device located at the lower end of the container stacking space. Once the container has passed the holding device and the lifting platform has lowered, the holding device holds the container. If one or more containers are already placed in the container stacking space, the container to be stored also lifts these containers, then forming the bottom container of the stack. When a container is to be removed, the rechargeable vehicle operates again, and together with its lifting platform, lifts the bottom container of the stack until it is released from the holding device. The holding device then remains open, and the lifting platform on which the container or container stack is located is lowered until the container to be removed passes near the holding device. The holding device then operates again to hold the remaining containers in the container stacking space.

[0007] In this example, the lifting device has a second function. It not only raises and lowers the lifting platform, but also pushes the second impeller assembly downwards. As a result, when the second impeller assembly moves downwards over the first impeller assembly, the rechargeable vehicle can move on the second impeller assembly. Consequently, the rechargeable vehicle is moved in two directions. No additional drive unit is needed to move the second impeller assembly. The lifting drive unit that operates the lifting platform must be able to raise and lower the container anyway. Therefore, dimensions can be determined without requiring significant effort to accommodate the additional weight of the rechargeable vehicle.

[0008] The lifting drive mechanism preferably acts on the second impeller assembly via the lifting platform. Therefore, the lifting drive mechanism should not be mechanically switched to act on the lifting platform on one hand and on the second hand on the other. This results in a simple structural configuration.

[0009] The lifting platform is preferably moved downward from its initial position in the direction of gravity via a lifting drive. When the second impeller assembly is moved downward beyond the first impeller assembly, the lifting platform is also lowered by a certain distance. This is also possible when the container is located on the lifting platform. The container is then moved further, at most, into the rechargeable vehicle, so as not to obstruct the rechargeable vehicle while it moves in the second direction.

[0010] A spring assembly is preferably provided between the chassis and the second impeller assembly, acting on the result of a lifting drive directed downward in the direction of gravity. Thus, the lifting drive only needs to be able to push the second impeller assembly downward from the first impeller assembly. Due to the effect of the spring assembly, the second impeller assembly moves backward, and the rechargeable vehicle can then traverse the first impeller assembly.

[0011] The spring assembly preferably has spring elements, particularly a pressure spring. When the second impeller assembly descends over the first impeller assembly, the pressure spring is compressed. When the second impeller assembly is lifted again, it is released. The spring elements store energy in different ways depending on the configuration of the spring elements.

[0012] The second impeller assembly preferably has at least one impeller, which is mounted on a rocking arm. Mounting it on a rocking arm facilitates the movement of the second impeller assembly. The rocking arm rotates relative to the chassis. The impeller is at a specific distance from the pivot axis, which connects the rocking arm to the chassis. Then, by rotating the rocking arm, the second impeller can be moved without issue.

[0013] The oscillating arm preferably extends in a second direction in the central region of the chassis. Therefore, the second impeller is located in the external region of the rechargeable vehicle, which positively impacts the stability of the rechargeable vehicle while it is in motion. The risk of the rechargeable vehicle tilting is kept low. The lifting platform preferably acts on the oscillating arm. This is a relatively simple method for rotating the oscillating arm.

[0014] Here, it is preferable that the lifting platform acts on the rocking arm via a ball assembly and ball support. As a result, friction between the lifting platform and the rocking arm is kept low. This has a favorable effect on any potential wear.

[0015] The lifting drive device has a push chain that acts with pressure on the lifting platform, giving it upward motion in the direction of gravity from its initial position, and also acts with a pulling force on the lifting platform, giving it downward motion in the direction of gravity from its initial position. This type of application is possible because the push chain is exposed to both pulling and pressing forces. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a rechargeable vehicle equipped with a first impeller assembly and a second impeller assembly. [Figure 2] This is a schematic side view of a rechargeable vehicle with the first impeller assembly in operation. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view of a rechargeable vehicle in a state where the first impeller assembly and the second impeller assembly can be switched. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view of a rechargeable vehicle with the second impeller assembly in operation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a rechargeable vehicle 1 used in a stacked storage assembly to store containers in the container stacking space from below and to remove containers from the container stacking space from below.

[0018] The rechargeable vehicle has a first impeller assembly 2 having first impellers 2a, 2b, 2c, and a second impeller assembly 3 having second impellers 3a, 3b. The first impellers 2a-2c are fastened to the chassis 4. The rechargeable vehicle 1 can move in a first direction using the first impeller assembly 2. The second impellers 3a, 3b of the second impeller assembly 3 are aligned perpendicularly to the first impellers 2a-2c. The rechargeable vehicle 1 can move perpendicular or transverse to the first direction using the second impeller assembly 3.

[0019] The rechargeable vehicle 1 further includes a lifting device, by which a container (not shown in detail) can be stored in the container stacking space of the laminate storage assembly from below, or the container can be removed from the container stacking space from below. For this purpose, the rechargeable vehicle 1 has a lifting platform 5 that is lifted by the lifting device. In this example, the lifting device includes a push chain 6. The push chain 6 is driven by a drive motor 7. The lifting platform 5 is guided by a guide 8.

[0020] The first impellers 2a-2c are directly arranged on the chassis 4. The first impellers 2a-2c can be moved by the traction drive unit 9. The second impellers 3a, 3b are respectively arranged on the swing arms 10, 11, and the swing arms 10, 11 are pivoted to the chassis 4. Only one pivot axis 12 is provided for the swing arm 11.

[0021] The swing arms 10, 11 are supported on the chassis 4 via compression springs 13, 14. Without receiving other forces, the compression springs 13, 14 pivot the second impellers 3a, 3b to the inoperative positions shown in FIG. 2, in which the rechargeable vehicle 1 is moved only by the first impeller assembly 2. The push chain 6 is fixedly connected to the lifting platform 5. A ball assembly 15 is provided on the lower side of the lifting platform 5 (the direction indications of "upward" and "downward" with respect to the direction of gravity). The upper sides of the swing arms 10, 11 have ball supports 16.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the initial position of the lifting platform 5. The initial position of the lifting platform 5 is the position where the container received on the lifting platform during the transportation of the rechargeable vehicle 1 in the first direction while rolling the first impeller assembly 2 moves within the charging space. The lifting platform 5 can move upward from this initial position so that the container can be stored in the container stacking space or the container can be removed from the container stacking space.

[0023] However, the lifting platform 5 can also move downward from the initial position with the help of the push chain 6. The ball conveying assembly 15 here contacts the ball support 16 as shown in FIG. 3. When the lifting platform 5 is further lowered as shown in FIG. 4, the swing arms 10, 11 are pivoted relative to the chassis, thereby moving the second impellers 3a, 3b downward beyond the first impellers 2a, 2b. During this movement, the pressure springs 13, 14 are compressed and the chassis 4 is lifted. Then, the electric vehicle 1 can be moved by the second impeller assembly 3.

[0024] When the first impeller assembly 2 is activated again, the lifting platform 5 is lifted again. This lifting can only be achieved by the force of the pressure springs 13, 14 with appropriate dimensions. However, it is also possible to use a lifting drive together with the push chain 6 for this movement. When the lifting platform 5 is lifted, the swing arms 10, 11 are pivoted backward, and the second impellers 3a, 3b are lifted relative to the chassis (or the chassis 4 is lowered relative to the second impellers 3a, 3b), and the first impeller assembly 2 becomes operational again.

[0025] At least while lifting the lifting platform 5 upward from the initial position, the push chain 6 operates by applying pressure to the lifting platform 5. In contrast, when the lifting platform 5 is moved downward from the initial position, the push chain 6 operates by applying a pulling force on the lifting platform 5.

[0026] The pivot axes 12 of the oscillating arms 10 and 11 are located in the central region of the chassis 4. In other words, the oscillating arms 10 and 11 extend within the central region on the chassis 4. This, in turn, makes it possible to position the second impellers 3a and 3b relatively far outwards on the rechargeable vehicle, resulting in the second impellers 3a and 3b (and their corresponding pairs on the other side of the rechargeable vehicle 1) having a relatively large footprint. This has a positive effect on the stability of the rechargeable vehicle 1.

Claims

1. A rechargeable vehicle (1) for a laminate storage assembly, comprising a chassis (4), a first impeller assembly (2) capable of moving the rechargeable vehicle (1) in a first direction, a second impeller assembly (3) capable of moving the rechargeable vehicle (1) in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a lifting device having lifting drive devices (6, 7) acting perpendicular to the first and second directions, The lifting device has a lifting platform (5), and together with the lifting platform (5), the lifting drive devices (6, 7) are moved in the direction of gravity from the initial position to the lifting position. The lifting drive devices (6, 7) act downward on the second impeller assembly (3) in the direction of gravity, moving the second impeller assembly (3) downward over the first impeller assembly (2), A rechargeable vehicle characterized by having a spring assembly (13, 14) provided between the chassis (4) and the second impeller assembly (3), and the lifting drive device (6, 7) acting in response to the downward force acting in the direction of gravity.

2. A rechargeable vehicle (1) for a laminate storage assembly, comprising a chassis (4), a first impeller assembly (2) capable of moving the rechargeable vehicle (1) in a first direction, a second impeller assembly (3) capable of moving the rechargeable vehicle (1) in a second direction that crosses the first direction, and a lifting device having lifting drive devices (6, 7) that act perpendicular to the first and second directions, The lifting device has a lifting platform (5), and together with the lifting platform (5), the lifting drive devices (6, 7) are moved in the direction of gravity from the initial position to the lifting position. The lifting drive devices (6, 7) act downward on the second impeller assembly (3) in the direction of gravity, moving the second impeller assembly (3) downward over the first impeller assembly (2), The rechargeable vehicle is characterized in that the second impeller assembly (3) has at least one impeller (3a, 3b), the impeller (3a, 3b) is arranged on the oscillating arms (10, 11).

3. A rechargeable vehicle (1) for a laminate storage assembly, comprising a chassis (4), a first impeller assembly (2) capable of moving the rechargeable vehicle (1) in a first direction, a second impeller assembly (3) capable of moving the rechargeable vehicle (1) in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a lifting device having lifting drive devices (6, 7) acting perpendicular to the first and second directions, The lifting device has a lifting platform (5), and together with the lifting platform (5), the lifting drive devices (6, 7) are moved in the direction of gravity from the initial position to the lifting position. The lifting drive devices (6, 7) act downward on the second impeller assembly (3) in the direction of gravity, moving the second impeller assembly (3) downward over the first impeller assembly (2), The rechargeable vehicle is characterized in that the lifting drive device (6, 7) has a push chain (6), which acts with pressure on the lifting platform (5), giving it upward motion in the direction of gravity from an initial position, and acts with traction on the lifting platform (5), giving it downward motion in the direction of gravity from an initial position.

4. The rechargeable vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lifting drive devices (6, 7) actuate to the second impeller assembly (3) via the lifting platform (5).

5. The rechargeable vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the lifting platform (5) can be moved downward from an initial position in the direction of gravity via lifting drive devices (6, 7).

6. The rechargeable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the spring assembly (13, 14) has spring elements, and in particular has a pressure spring.

7. The rechargeable vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the swing arms (10, 11) extend in the second direction in the central region of the chassis (4).

8. The rechargeable vehicle according to claim 2 or 7, wherein the lifting platform (5) acts on the swinging arms (10, 11).

9. The rechargeable vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the lifting platform (5) acts on the rocking arms (10, 11) via a ball assembly (15) and a ball support (16).

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