Logistics system

Abstract

A logistics system according to the invention comprises a first conveyor means (11), which has a first conveyor unit (21), and a second conveyor means (12), which has a second conveyor unit (22), wherein the conveyor means (11, 12) are arranged such that material to be conveyed can be conveyed in the longitudinal direction (X) from the first conveyor unit (21) to the second conveyor unit (22). The first conveyor means (11) comprises a support unit (30), which has a support roller (31) that is rotatably mounted about a support axis (32) running in a transverse direction (Y), and the support roller (31) is positioned between the first conveyor unit (21) and the second conveyor unit (22) in the longitudinal direction (X).

Description

[0001] Logistics system

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a logistics system which comprises a first conveying means having a first conveying unit and a second conveying means having a second conveying unit, wherein the conveying means are arranged such that a conveyed good can be conveyed in a longitudinal direction from the first conveying unit to the second conveying unit.

[0004] In technical facilities, such as production plants, industrial halls, or logistics centers, material is transported between different stations. For example, finished products are transported from a production area to a shipping station by an autonomous vehicle. For this purpose, the products are placed in a transport container, such as a container or a pallet cage, and transported there. At the shipping station, the transport container and the products inside are then conveyed further by a logistics system.

[0005] DE 10 2014 003 053 A1 discloses a logistics system of this type and a method for operating the logistics system. The logistics system comprises a mobile conveyor and a stationary conveyor, with the stationary conveyor having a transport means designed as a chain.

[0006] A conveyor system for transporting objects is known from JP 2000177836 A. The conveyor system comprises two conveyor belts arranged one behind the other, with a support roller between them.

[0007] US 2022 / 0289489 A1 discloses a conveyor system for transporting objects. The conveyor system comprises an upper conveyor belt section and a lower conveyor belt section arranged behind it.

[0008] DE 198 10 200 A1 discloses a device for transporting vehicles, which comprises two circulating conveyor belts arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction and provided with an intermediate link that bridges the distance between the conveyor belts. DE 102022 123422 A1 discloses a conveyor arrangement comprising a mobile conveyor, a plurality of stationary conveyors, and a travel module. The mobile conveyor comprises a conveyor track configured to transport an object between different positions along the mobile conveyor track.

[0009] A conveyor system for transporting printed circuit boards is known from KR 102022138094 A. The conveyor system comprises several conveyor rollers arranged one behind the other in a transport direction.

[0010] The invention is based on the object of further developing a logistics system.

[0011] The object is achieved according to the invention by a logistics system having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] A logistics system according to the invention comprises a first conveyor having a first conveyor unit, and a second conveyor having a second conveyor unit. The conveyors are arranged such that a conveyed item can be conveyed in a longitudinal direction from the first conveyor unit to the second conveyor unit. The first conveyor comprises a support unit having a support roller mounted for rotation about a support axis extending in a transverse direction. The support roller is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit.

[0013] A longitudinal gap exists between the first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit, which is partially closed by the support unit with the support roller. A conveyed item, in particular a transport container such as a container or a pallet cage, temporarily rests on the support roller during conveyance in the logistics system. The conveyed item thus does not slip into the gap between the first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit. This largely prevents jerking during conveyance and blockage of the logistics system due to a conveyed item stuck in the gap.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first conveying means is designed as a mobile transport vehicle, and the second conveying means is arranged in a stationary manner. The mobile transport vehicle is, for example, an autonomous vehicle or a rail vehicle. The stationary second conveying means is, for example, part of a shipping station.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first conveyor unit comprises a circulating first conveying medium, which is partially wrapped around a first roller. The first roller is arranged in an end region of the first conveyor unit facing the second conveying medium. The first roller is mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation extending in the transverse direction. The first conveying medium of the first conveyor unit is, for example, a conveyor belt, a conveyor belt, or a conveyor chain.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a diameter of the support roller is smaller than a diameter of the first roller. As a result, the gap between the first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit is relatively small. Preferably, the diameter of the support roller is smaller than a radius of the first roller.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the second conveyor unit comprises a circulating second conveyor medium, which is partially wrapped around a second roller. The second roller is arranged in an end region of the second conveyor unit facing the first conveyor medium. The second roller is mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation extending in the transverse direction. The second conveyor medium of the second conveyor unit is, for example, a conveyor belt, a conveyor belt, or a conveyor chain.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a diameter of the support roller is smaller than a diameter of the second roller. As a result, the gap between the first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit is relatively small. Preferably, the diameter of the support roller is smaller than a radius of the second roller.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first conveyor unit forms a first support area, and the second conveyor unit forms a second support area. The first support area and the second support area are arranged in a conveying plane that extends perpendicular to the vertical direction, and an upper surface of the support roller is arranged in the conveying plane. Thus, the material to be conveyed can be conveyed continuously on the conveying plane; raising or lowering the material in the vertical direction is not necessary. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support unit comprises a holder that has a front leg, a rear leg, and a base leg. The base leg connects the front leg to the rear leg. The support roller is mounted in the front leg and the rear leg.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base leg extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the base leg is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the support axis and the second roller.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support roller is designed to be circularly cylindrical in some areas. The support roller has several circular-cylindrical sections that are offset from one another in the axial direction, in this case, in the transverse direction.

[0022] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the support unit comprises a sensor for detecting rotation of the support roller relative to the holder about the support axis. While a conveyed item is being conveyed from the first conveyor unit to the second conveyor unit, the conveyed item moves over the support roller and causes the support roller to rotate. When the support roller stops rotating, conveyance of the conveyed item is terminated. The sensor thus provides information about whether there is still an item on the support roller.

[0023] The invention is not limited to the combination of features in the claims. Further possible combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly from the problem and / or the problem posed by comparison with the prior art.

[0024] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings only represent the subject matter of the invention schematically. They show:

[0025] Figure 1 : a schematic side view of a logistics system and

[0026] Figure 2: a perspective view of a support unit.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a logistics system. The logistics system is located in a logistics center and comprises a first conveyor 11 and a second conveyor 12. The logistics system serves to further transport a conveyed item, for example, a container or a pallet cage with products inside. The first conveyor 11 and the second conveyor 12 are arranged offset from one another in a longitudinal direction X.

[0028] The first conveyor 11 is designed as a mobile transport vehicle and has wheels. The second conveyor 12 is stationary in the logistics center and has support legs. The wheels of the first conveyor 11 and the support legs of the second conveyor 12 stand on a level floor in the logistics center.

[0029] A vertical direction Z runs perpendicular to the ground. The longitudinal direction X runs perpendicular to the vertical direction Z and parallel to the ground. A transverse direction Y runs perpendicular to the vertical direction Z, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and parallel to the ground.

[0030] The first conveyor 11 further comprises a drive unit for driving the wheels. The drive unit comprises a traction motor and a transmission. The traction motor drives the wheels via the transmission. The first conveyor 11 also comprises a control unit for controlling the drive unit. The first conveyor 11 comprises an electrical energy storage device for supplying the drive unit with electrical energy. The electrical energy storage device is designed as a rechargeable battery. The electrical energy storage device also supplies the control unit with electrical energy.

[0031] The first conveyor 11 has a first conveyor unit 21. The first conveyor unit 21 comprises a first roller 23, which is at least approximately circularly cylindrical. The first roller 23 is arranged in an end region of the first conveyor unit 21 facing the second conveyor 12. The first roller 23 is mounted for rotation about a first axis of rotation 25 extending in the transverse direction Y.

[0032] The first conveyor unit 21 comprises a circulating first conveyor medium 17. The first conveyor medium 17 of the first conveyor unit 21 is, for example, a conveyor chain and is partially wrapped around the first roller 23. The first conveyor unit 21 comprises at least one further roller around which the circulating first conveyor medium 17 is partially wrapped.

[0033] The second conveyor 12 has a second conveyor unit 22. The second conveyor unit 22 comprises a second roller 24, which is at least approximately circularly cylindrical. The second roller 24 is arranged in an end region of the second conveyor unit 22 facing the first conveyor 11. The second roller 24 is mounted for rotation about a second axis of rotation 26 extending in the transverse direction Y.

[0034] The second conveyor unit 22 comprises a circulating second conveyor medium 18. The second conveyor medium 18 of the second conveyor unit 22 is, for example, a conveyor chain and is partially wrapped around the second roller 24. The second conveyor unit 22 comprises at least one further roller around which the circulating second conveyor medium 18 is partially wrapped.

[0035] The first conveyor unit 21 forms a first support area 27 for supporting the material to be conveyed. The second conveyor unit 22 forms a second support area 28 for supporting the material to be conveyed. The first support area 27 and the second support area 28 are offset from one another in the longitudinal direction X. The first support area 27 and the second support area 28 are arranged in a conveying plane. The conveying plane extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z.

[0036] The first conveyor 11 comprises a support unit 30. The support unit 30 has a support roller 31 that is rotatably mounted about a support axis 32 extending in the transverse direction Y. The support unit 30 also comprises a holder 35. The support roller 31 is mounted in the holder 35 and is rotatable relative to the holder 35 about the support axis 32. Optionally, the support unit 30 comprises a motor for rotating the support roller 31 about the support axis 32.

[0037] The support roller 31 is arranged in the longitudinal direction X between the first conveyor unit 21 and the second conveyor unit 22. The support roller 31 is at least approximately circularly cylindrical. A diameter of the support roller 31 is smaller than a diameter of the first roller 23. A diameter of the support roller 31 is smaller than a diameter of the second roller 24. An upper surface of the support roller 31, which projects upward in the vertical direction Z, i.e., away from the floor, is arranged in the conveying plane.

[0038] The support axis 32 is arranged in the longitudinal direction X between the first axis of rotation 25 and the second axis of rotation 26. The support axis 32 is arranged in the vertical direction Z above the first axis of rotation 25 and above the second axis of rotation 26, i.e., further away from the ground.

[0039] A material to be conveyed resting on the first support area 27 of the first conveyor unit 21 can be conveyed in the longitudinal direction X over the upper surface of the support roller 31 to the second support area 28 of the second conveyor unit 22. To convey the material, for example, the first roller 23 and the second roller 24 are driven in the same direction about their respective axes of rotation 25, 26. The conveying means 11, 12 are thus arranged and designed such that the material to be conveyed can be conveyed in the longitudinal direction X from the first conveyor unit 21 to the second conveyor unit 22.

[0040] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a support unit 30. The holder 35 of the support unit 30 has a front leg 41, a rear leg 42, and a base leg 40. The base leg 40 connects the front leg 41 to the rear leg 42.

[0041] The base leg 40 of the holder 35 extends at right angles to the longitudinal direction X. The front leg 41 and the rear leg 42 each extend at right angles to the transverse direction Y and at right angles to the base leg 40. Viewed in the vertical direction Z, the holder 35 has an approximately U-shaped cross-section.

[0042] The base leg 40 is arranged in the longitudinal direction X between the first roller 23 and the second roller 24. The base leg 40 is arranged in the longitudinal direction X between the support roller 31 and the second roller 24. The base leg 40 is arranged in the longitudinal direction X between the support axis 32 and the second axis of rotation 26. The support roller 31 is rotatably mounted in the front leg 41 and in the rear leg 42. The support axis 32 passes through openings that are made in the front leg 41 and in the rear leg 42. The support roller 31 is circularly cylindrical in some regions. The support roller 31 has a plurality of circular-cylindrical regions that are offset from one another in the axial direction, i.e., in the transverse direction Y. It is also conceivable for the support roller 31 to be circularly cylindrical throughout. The support roller 31 projects beyond the base leg 40, the front leg 41 and the rear leg 42 in the vertical direction Z.The upper surface of the support roller 31 is thus further away from the ground in the vertical direction Z than the surfaces of the legs 40, 41, 42 facing away from the ground. A mounting bracket is attached to each of the front leg 41 and the rear leg 42. The mounting brackets serve to secure the bracket to a surface of the first conveyor 11.

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] 11 first funding

[0045] 12 second funding

[0046] 17 first pumped medium

[0047] 18 second conveying medium

[0048] 21 first conveyor unit

[0049] 22 second conveyor unit

[0050] 23 first roller

[0051] 24 second roller

[0052] 25 first axis of rotation

[0053] 26 second axis of rotation

[0054] 27 first edition area

[0055] 28 second support area

[0056] 30 support unit

[0057] 31 support roller

[0058] 32 support axis

[0059] 35 bracket

[0060] 40 base legs

[0061] 41 front thigh

[0062] 42 rear thigh

[0063] X Longitudinal direction

[0064] Y transverse direction

[0065] Z vertical direction

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Logistics system, comprising a first conveyor (11) which has a first conveyor unit (21), and a second conveyor (12) which has a second conveyor unit (22), wherein the conveyors (11, 12) are arranged such that a conveyed item can be conveyed in a longitudinal direction (X) from the first conveyor unit (21) to the second conveyor unit (22), characterized in that the first conveyor (11) comprises a support unit (30) which has a support roller (31) which is rotatably mounted about a support axis (32) running in a transverse direction (Y), and in that the support roller (31) is arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) between the first conveyor unit (21) and the second conveyor unit (22).

2. Logistics system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first conveying means (11) is designed as a mobile transport vehicle and that the second conveying means (12) is arranged stationary.

3. Logistics system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first conveyor unit (21) comprises a circulating first conveyor medium (17) which is partially placed around a first roller (23) which is arranged in an end region of the first conveyor unit (21) facing the second conveyor means (12) and which is rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation (25) running in the transverse direction (Y).

4. Logistics system according to claim 3, characterized in that a diameter of the support roller (31) is smaller than a diameter of the first roller (23), in particular smaller than a radius of the first roller (23).

5. Logistics system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second conveyor unit (22) comprises a circulating second conveyor medium (18) which is partially placed around a second roller (24) which is arranged in an end region of the second conveyor unit (22) facing the first conveyor means (11) and which is rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation (26) running in the transverse direction (Y).

6. Logistics system according to claim 5, characterized in that a diameter of the support roller (31) is smaller than a diameter of the second roller (24), in particular smaller than a radius of the second roller (24).

7. Logistics system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first conveyor unit (21) forms a first support area (27), and that the second conveyor unit (22) forms a second support area (28), and that the first support area (27) and the second support area (28) are arranged in a conveying plane which extends at right angles to a vertical direction (Z), and that an upper surface of the support roller (31) is arranged in the conveying plane.

8. Logistics system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support unit (30) comprises a holder (35) which has a front leg (41), a rear leg (42) and a base leg (40) which connects the front leg (41) to the rear leg (42), and in that the support roller (31) is mounted in the front leg (41) and in the rear leg (42).

9. Logistics system according to claim 8, characterized in that the base leg (40) extends at right angles to the longitudinal direction (X), and that the base leg (40) is arranged in the longitudinal direction (X) between the support axis (32) and the second roller (24).

10. Logistics system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support roller (31) is circular-cylindrical in some areas and has a plurality of circular-cylindrical areas which are arranged offset from one another in the axial direction.

11. Logistics system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support unit (30) comprises a sensor for detecting a rotation of the support roller (31) about the support axis (32).

Images