Block stacking device

Abstract

To achieve good flexibility of a block stacking device.SOLUTION: A block stacking device includes: a plurality of container stacking slots; a loading space disposed below the container stacking slots in the direction of gravity; through holes disposed between each container stacking slot and the loading space. Via the through holes, a container (6) can be moved from the loading space to the container stacking slot or from the container stacking slot to the loading space, the through holes having holding devices. The objective of achieving good flexibility of the block stacking device is achieved by having at least two through holes of different sizes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a block stacking device comprising a plurality of container stacking slots and a loading space arranged below the container stacking slots in the direction of gravity, wherein a through opening is arranged between each container stacking slot and the loading space, a container is movable from the loading space to the container stacking slot or from the container stacking slot to the loading space via the through opening, and the through opening is provided with a holding device.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating a block stacking device, the block stacking device comprising a plurality of container stacking slots and a loading space arranged below the container stacking slots in the direction of gravity, a through opening being arranged between each container stacking slot and the loading space, and the through opening being provided with a holding device.

Background Art

[0003] A block stacking device describes a storage device having at least one container stacking slot, in which block stacking elements such as containers can be stored, rearranged and retrieved from the slot. Here, containers are transferred from the loading space to the container stacking slot, or retrieved from the container stacking slot and transferred to the loading space. During transfer from the loading space to the container stacking slot, or vice versa, the container in each case passes through a through opening arranged between the container stacking slot and the loading space. Transfer of the container through the through opening always takes place in the direction of gravity. When a plurality of containers are stored in a container stacking slot, a container stack is formed. Alternative designations for block stacking installations are stacking storage or container stacking storage.

[0004] The holding device can be in two positions: a release position and a holding position. In the holding position, a container or container stack is held within the container stacking slot. When the holding device is in the release position, one or more containers can be removed from the container stacking slot. The number of containers removed depends on the number of containers placed in the container stacking slot. When the holding device is in the release position, one or more containers can also be moved into the container stacking slot. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The objective of this invention is to propose a device that achieves good flexibility in block stacking. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This objective is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 8. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

[0007] The type of block stacking device described at the beginning has at least two through-openings of different sizes. Therefore, it is possible to store containers of different sizes through through-openings of different sizes. Thus, for example, a first article can be stored in a first container, and correspondingly a second article can be stored in a second container, the first container can be stored and removed through the first through-opening, and the second container can be stored and removed through the second through-opening. The first container is, for example, smaller than the second container. Further containers of different sizes can also be stored and removed through corresponding through-openings, and as a result, the present invention can also be applied to more than two through-openings of different sizes. This achieves good flexibility in the block stacking device.

[0008] Preferably, the through-opening of each container stacking slot is located in the base area of ​​the container stacking slot. Match The through-opening is located in the base area of ​​the container stacking slot. Match By doing so, for example, it can be ensured that only containers up to a certain size can be stored in the corresponding container stacking slot. In addition, through openings Match This ensures that the container stacks located within the container stacking slots are properly guided through the boundaries of the container stacking slots, thereby preventing the container stacks from tipping over.

[0009] Preferably, the retaining device has at least two retaining claws that are diametrically opposed to each other. The container is held in the container stacking slot by the retaining device having at least two retaining claws. In this case, the retaining claws are moved to the release position as part of the container being stored. As soon as the retaining device having retaining claws is in the release position, the container can be stored in the container stacking slot. Once the container is placed in the container stacking slot, the retaining device is moved to the retaining position so that the container or container stack is held in the container stacking slot. The container or container stack is well held by the configuration of diametrically opposed retaining claws.

[0010] Preferably, the loading vehicle is movable within the loading space and has a lifting device that can move containers from the loading space into container stacking slots or remove them from the container stacking slots, and the lifting device is fixed to the chassis of the loading vehicle on one side. The loading vehicle allows containers to be automatically transferred to the container stacking slots. For this purpose, the loading vehicle, for example, picks up the containers. As soon as the loading vehicle receives the containers, it transfers them from the loading space to the container stacking slots. The loading vehicle can also remove the containers from the container stacking slots and transport them to their destination. By positioning the lifting device on one side, a compact loading vehicle with a small footprint is realized. By using the loading vehicle, the block stacking device can be operated flexibly and automatically.

[0011] Preferably, the loading vehicle is a first loading vehicle, and a second loading vehicle is capable of moving within the loading space in synchronization with the first loading vehicle, and the lifting device of the first loading vehicle is positioned opposite the lifting device of the second loading vehicle. As a result of this configuration, the two loading vehicles can move a large second container together and transport it to or from a container stacking slot having a corresponding large through-opening. For this purpose, the two loading vehicles together accept the second container and transport it to a position below the corresponding container stacking slot. Upon arrival there, the two loading vehicles unlock the holding device, which is then placed in the released position, allowing the two loading vehicles to store the second container in the container stacking slot. As soon as the second container is stored in the container stacking slot, the holding device is returned to the holding position, and the second container is placed on the holding device. Instead of using two loading vehicles to transport the larger second container, each loading vehicle can transport the smaller first container independently, inserting it into the container stacking slot or removing it from the container stacking slot. This process is carried out in the same way as the storage and removal of the larger second container. By using multiple loading vehicles, containers of different sizes can be transported and inserted into the container stacking slots through the corresponding large through-openings. Thus, good flexibility of the block stacking device is achieved.

[0012] Preferably, the two loaders have a common controller. Simple control of both vehicles is achieved by the common control, since the two loaders are controlled jointly or side by side.

[0013] The controller is preferably designed as a master / slave controller. In a master / slave controller, one of the two load vehicles is controlled as the master vehicle, and the other is controlled as the slave vehicle accordingly. The master vehicle is the dominant component that the slave vehicle follows. As a result, the slave vehicle is guided by the master vehicle, enabling simple and precise control of both vehicles.

[0014] Furthermore, the above-mentioned objective is achieved by the method described in claim 8.

[0015] This method involves the following steps. a. The process of selecting a container stacking slot according to the size of the container, b. The process of placing at least one container into a container stacking slot, starting from the loading space, c. The process of removing at least one container from the container stacking slot into the loading space.

[0016] As a result of through-openings of different sizes, containers of different sizes can be transported into corresponding container stacking slots. To do this, containers are transported from the loading space into the container stacking slots via the corresponding through-openings. To remove a container, it is transported from the container stacking slot back into the loading space via the through-openings. The container is held in place within the container stacking slot by a holding device. When multiple containers are placed in the container stacking slots, they form a container stack, which is also held by the holding device. When the holding device is in the holding position, it holds the container stack. When the holding device is in the release position, one or more containers can be removed from the container stacking slot and transported into the loading space. By using through-openings of different sizes, containers of different dimensions can be stored in corresponding container stacking slots, thereby achieving good flexibility in the block stacking device.

[0017] Preferably, steps b and c are performed by at least one loading vehicle having a lifting device, the lifting device being positioned on one side of the loading vehicle's chassis. Using a loading vehicle allows the block stacking device to be operated automatically, which provides good flexibility. Positioning the lifting device on the loading vehicle's chassis keeps the loading vehicle's footprint or base area small.

[0018] Preferably, the loading vehicles move in sync at least occasionally. When two loading vehicles move in sync, they can jointly transport containers of corresponding sizes. The two loading vehicles can also store corresponding large containers in corresponding container stacking slots through corresponding large through-openings, and the two loading vehicles can synchronously lift the containers and transfer them into the container stacking slots through the through-openings. Correspondingly, the two loading vehicles can also remove large containers from the container stacking slots through the through-openings. Alternatively, the loading vehicles can also transport smaller containers individually and store or remove them accordingly. This achieves good flexibility in the block stacking device.

[0019] Preferably, at least one loading vehicle activates the holding device. The activation of the holding device by the loading vehicle allows for the removal of containers from the container stacking slots or their transport. As a result, the containers are securely held within the container stacking slots.

[0020] It is preferable that the load-carrying vehicles be controlled by a common controller. Simple control of both vehicles is achieved through common control of the two load-carrying vehicles. As a result, computational or control effort is kept low.

[0021] The controller preferably operates based on the master / slave principle. In the master / slave principle, one of two loading vehicles transporting a large container together is selected as the master vehicle, and the other is the slave vehicle. The master vehicle takes the lead, and the slave vehicle follows the master vehicle. As a result, simple control of the two vehicles is achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] The present invention will be described below with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings are as follows. [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a loading vehicle. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram of two loading vehicles transporting large containers. [Figure 3] It is a schematic plan view of a block stacking device. [Figure 4] It is a schematic side view of the block stacking device.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Figure 1 shows a loading vehicle 1 having a chassis 2 with a lifting device 3 arranged on one side. Further, the loading vehicle 1 has a release mechanism 4 capable of operating a holding device 12 (Figure 3) of a block stacking device 8. The lifting device 3 has a container holder 5, whereby a container (not shown in Figure 1) can be accommodated.

[0024] Figure 2 shows two loading vehicles 1 each accommodating a container 6. The container 6 has two receiving regions 7 respectively in two opposite end regions of the container 6, and the receiving regions 7 can interact with the container holder 5 of the loading vehicle 1.

[0025] The loading vehicle 1 and container 6 are used in a block stacking device 8. The block stacking device 8 has a plurality of container stacking slots 9 and a loading space 10 located below the container stacking slots 9 in the direction of gravity. Here, through-openings 11a and 11b are located between each container stacking slot 9 and the loading space 10, and containers can be transferred from the loading space 10 to the container stacking slots 9, or from the container stacking slots 9 to the loading space 10, through the through-openings 11a and 11b. In this case, the through-openings 11a and 11b have holding devices 12 that can be actuated by a release mechanism 4 of the loading vehicle 1. The release mechanism 4 can move the holding claws 13 of the holding device 12 from the released position to the held position, and from the held position to the released position. In the held position, the holding device 12 holds the container located in the container stacking slot 9, and the plurality of containers form a container stack. On the other hand, in the released position, the container can be transferred into the container stacking slot 9 and can be removed again from this container stacking slot 9. For this purpose, the retaining device 12 has, for example, two or more retaining claws 13 positioned diametrically opposite to each other. The release mechanism 4 is designed according to the configuration of the retaining claws 13.

[0026] As described above, the through-openings 11a and 11b are located between the container stacking slot 9 and the loading space. The base area of ​​the container stacking slot 9 is located between these through-openings 11a and 11b. Match At least two of the through-openings 11a and 11b are of different sizes so that containers of different sizes can be placed in and removed from the appropriate container stacking slots 9 through the corresponding through-openings 11a and 11b.

[0027] Therefore, the first container can be stored through the first through-opening 11a, and the second container 6 can be removed through the second through-opening 11b. This process is carried out using one or more loading vehicles 1. The first container is transported by one loading vehicle 1, and the second container 6 is transported, i.e., stored, removed, and rearranged by two loading vehicles 1. The second container 6 is, for example, larger than the first container.

[0028] For example, multiple first containers can be transported by one of the loading vehicles 1 in each case, and the same loading vehicle 1 can then transport second containers 6 together or side by side. Correspondingly, loading vehicle 1 can also transport the second containers 6 first, and then the first containers.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, two loading vehicles 1 can receive a large container 6. Here, the two loading vehicles 1 are positioned appropriately so that the container holders 5 of each loading vehicle 1 can interact with the receiving area 7 of the container 6. The loading vehicles 1 are positioned so that their lifting devices 3 face outwards and their container holders 5 face each other. As soon as the two loading vehicles 1 receive the container 6, they move in sync. This means that the container 6 rises, falls, or moves in sync. The two loading vehicles are controlled by a common controller. As a result of the common control, the two loading vehicles 1 operate as a single unit, enabling simple control. Furthermore, the controller can be designed, for example, as a master / slave controller. In master / slave control, one of the two loading vehicles 1 is selected as the master and the other as the slave. The slave loading vehicle 1 is oriented by the master loading vehicle 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0030] 1 Loading vehicle 2 chassis 3. Lifting devices 4 release devices 5 container holders 6 containers 7 Receiving Area 8-block stacking device 9 container storage slots 10 loading spaces 11 through-openings 12 Retaining devices 13 retaining claws

Claims

1. A block stacking device having a plurality of container stacking slots (9) and a loading space (10) located below the container stacking slots (9) in the direction of gravity, wherein a through-opening is provided between each of the container stacking slots (9) and the loading space (10), and a container (6) can be moved from the loading space (10) into the container stacking slot (9) or from the container stacking slot (9) to the loading space (10) through the through-opening, the through-opening has a holding device, and at least two of the through-openings are of different sizes. A loading vehicle (1) is movable within the loading space (10), the loading vehicle (1) has a lifting device (3), the lifting device (3) can place containers (6) from the loading space (10) into container stacking slots (9), or remove them from container stacking slots (9), and the lifting device (3) is fixed to the chassis (2) of the loading vehicle on one side. A block stacking device characterized in that the loading vehicle (1) is a first loading vehicle (1), a second loading vehicle (1) is capable of moving within the loading space (10) in synchronization with the first loading vehicle (1), and the lifting device (3) of the first loading vehicle (1) is opposite to the lifting device (3) of the second loading vehicle (1).

2. The block stacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the through-opening of each container stacking slot (9) matches the base region of the container stacking slot (9).

3. The block stacking device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holding device has at least two holding claws (13) facing each other.

4. The block stacking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first loading vehicle (1) and the second loading vehicle (1) have a common controller.

5. The block stacking device according to claim 4, characterized in that the controller is configured as a master / slave controller.

6. A method for operating a block stacking device having a plurality of container stacking slots (9) and a loading space (10) located below the container stacking slots (9) in the direction of gravity, wherein a through-opening is provided between each container stacking slot (9) and the loading space (10), the through-opening has a holding device, and at least two of the through-openings are of different sizes, a. A step of selecting a container stacking slot (9) according to the size of the container (6), b. A step of storing at least one container (6) in the container stacking slot (9), starting from the loading space (10), c. The process includes the step of removing at least one container (6) from the container stacking slot (9) into the loading space (10), Steps b and c are performed by at least one load vehicle (1) having a lifting device (3), the lifting device (3) being located on one side of the chassis (2) of the load vehicle (1), A method characterized in that multiple load vehicles (1) are moved in synchronous manner at least occasionally.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one loading vehicle (1) operates the holding device.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the loading vehicle (1) is controlled by a common controller.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that the controller operates based on the master / slave principle.

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