Storage station for storing a load carrier

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage station for storing a load carrier, the storage station comprising: a first strut (11); a second strut (12); a third strut (13); a fourth strut (14); a first support element (21) connected to the first strut (11) and the second strut (12); a second support element (22) connected to the third strut (13) and the fourth strut (14); a first crossbar (31) connected to the first strut (11) and the third strut (13); and a second crossbar (32) connected to the second strut (12) and the fourth strut (14), wherein the struts (11, 12, 13, 14) extend parallel to one another in a vertical direction (Z), and wherein the support elements (21, 22) extend parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction (X), and wherein the crossbars (31, 32) extend parallel to one another in a transverse direction (Y), and wherein the struts (11, 12, 13, 14) each have a main body (50), a foot (55), and an adjusting device, wherein a distance between the foot (55) and the main body (50) can be adjusted in the vertical direction (Z) by means of the adjusting device.

Description

[0001] Storage station for storing a load carrier

[0002] Description:

[0003] The invention relates to a storage station for storing a load carrier, which comprises a first strut, a second strut, a third strut, a fourth strut, a first support element which is connected to the first strut and the second strut, a second support element which is connected to the third strut and the fourth strut, a first crossbeam which is connected to the first strut and the third strut, and a second crossbeam which is connected to the second strut and the fourth strut.

[0004] Storage stations are used in technical facilities, for example, in production plants, to store load carriers such as pallets, containers, or wire mesh crates. These load carriers are used to hold raw materials to be processed as well as finished products. Load carriers are transported within the technical facility by vehicles, such as forklifts, and temporarily stored at defined transfer points, especially storage stations, until further transport.

[0005] DE 7825 717 U1 discloses a frame for shelves and cabinets. The frame has four vertical struts, each of which includes a height adjustment device.

[0006] DE 102009 002 796 A1 discloses a refrigeration appliance with a shelf module. The shelf module has four vertically extending struts, each of which is extended vertically downwards by adjustable feet.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of improving a storage station for storing a load carrier.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by a storage station for storing a load carrier with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. A storage station according to the invention for storing a load carrier comprises a first strut, a second strut, a third strut, a fourth strut, a first support element which is connected to the first strut and the second strut, a second support element which is connected to the third strut and the fourth strut, a first crossbeam which is connected to the first strut and the third strut, and a second crossbeam which is connected to the second strut and the fourth strut. The struts run parallel to one another in a vertical direction, and the support elements run parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction, and the crossbeams run parallel to one another in a transverse direction.The struts each have a base body, a foot and an adjusting device, wherein a distance of the foot from the base body in the vertical direction can be adjusted by means of the adjusting device.

[0009] Using the adjustment devices, the vertical extension of the individual struts can be adjusted. The storage station is positioned in a technical facility such that the vertical direction runs perpendicular to the floor. The adjustment devices thus compensate for unevenness in the floor. In particular, the storage station can be arranged so that the feet of all struts are in contact with the floor.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adjustment device comprises a spindle connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the base of the strut and a spindle nut connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the base body of the strut. The spindle is at least partially screwed into the spindle nut. By rotating the base relative to the base body, the distance of the base from the base body in the vertical direction can be adjusted relatively easily and precisely.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support elements are permanently connected to the struts, in particular by a material bond. This increases the stability of the storage station.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the crossbeams are detachably connected to the struts, in particular by means of a form-fitting connection. This makes disassembly of the storage station relatively simple. The storage station is easier to transport in the disassembled state. When the storage station is not needed, the space required in the disassembled state is reduced. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the base bodies of the struts each have a rectangular, in particular square, cross-section. An angle profile is attached to each end of the crossbeams, which has two legs oriented at right angles to each other. Each leg of the angle profile rests on one side of the base body of a strut. This further increases the stability of the storage station.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, each leg of the angle profile has a plurality of openings, and a plurality of bolts are attached to the base bodies of the struts. The bolts extend through the openings. By removing the bolts from the openings, the positive connection between the crossbeams and the struts can be released relatively easily. By inserting the bolts into the openings, the positive connection can be established relatively easily.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support elements each have a support surface for receiving a load carrier. The support surface extends perpendicular to the vertical direction and is partially surrounded by centering bevels. A load carrier can thus be placed on the support surfaces of the support elements. The centering bevels ensure correct alignment of the load carrier on the support surfaces, even if the load carrier is inaccurately positioned during placement.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the storage station comprises at least one inductive sensor for detecting a load carrier located on the support surface of a support element. The inductive sensor is connected to a central server, for example, via a data bus and sends a corresponding signal to the server upon detection of a load carrier.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the storage station comprises at least one RFID tag arranged on the support surface of a support element. The RFID tag is used to detect a metallic load carrier located on the support surface of a support element, for example, by an autonomous transport vehicle. If the storage station is free of load carriers, the RFID tag is detectable. If a metallic load carrier is on the support surface, the RFID tag is concealed by the load carrier. Thus, the RFID tag is not detectable. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the struts are at least partially covered with a film that reflects electromagnetic waves, in particular light beams and laser beams. This simplifies the detection of the storage station by an autonomous vehicle using a laser scanner or optical sensors.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a curtain made of a material that reflects electromagnetic waves, in particular light rays and laser beams, is arranged between at least two struts. This simplifies the detection of the storage station by an autonomous vehicle using a laser scanner or optical sensors.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first support element and / or the second support element comprises a coil for contactless inductive energy transfer to a load carrier stored on the storage station. For this purpose, the coil is preferably inserted into the support surface for receiving the load carrier.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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:

[0021] Figure 1 : a perspective view of a storage station,

[0022] Figure 2: a sectional view of the storage station and

[0023] Figure 3: a side view of the storage station.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a storage station. The storage station comprises a first strut 11, a second strut 12, a third strut 13, and a fourth strut 14. The struts 11, 12, 13, and 14 run parallel to each other in a vertical direction Z. In the illustration shown here, the storage station is positioned such that the vertical direction is perpendicular to a floor.

[0025] The storage station comprises a first support element 21, which is connected to the first strut 11 and the second strut 12. The storage station also comprises a second support element 22, which is connected to the third strut 13 and the fourth strut 14. The support elements 21, 22 are permanently connected, in particular by a material bond, to the struts 11, 12, 13, 14. In the present case, the support elements 21, 22 are welded to the struts 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0026] The support elements 21, 22 each have a support surface 70 for receiving a load carrier. The support surface 70 is flat and extends perpendicular to the vertical direction Z.

[0027] The storage station comprises a first crossbeam 31, which is connected to the first strut 11 and the third strut 13. The storage station also comprises a second crossbeam 32, which is connected to the second strut 12 and the fourth strut 14. The crossbeams 31, 32 are detachably connected, in particular in a form-fitting manner, to the struts 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0028] The support elements 21, 22 run parallel to each other in a longitudinal direction X. The crossbeams 31, 32 run parallel to each other in a transverse direction Y. The longitudinal direction X runs perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. The transverse direction Y runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and perpendicular to the vertical direction Z. Viewed in the vertical direction Z, the storage station has a rectangular cross-section. The struts 11, 12, 13, 14 form the corners of a rectangle.

[0029] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the storage station. The struts 11, 12, 13, and 14 each have a base body 50, a foot 55, and an adjustment device. The distance of the foot 55 from the base body 50 in the vertical direction Z can be adjusted using the adjustment device. In the illustration shown here, the feet 55 of the struts 11, 12, 13, and 14 are in contact with the floor (not shown).

[0030] The adjustment device of a strut 11, 12, 13, 14 comprises a spindle 57 that is non-rotatably connected to the base 55 of the strut 11, 12, 13, 14. The adjustment device of a strut 11, 12, 13, 14 also comprises a spindle nut that is non-rotatably connected to the base body 50 of the strut 11, 12, 13, 14. The spindle 57 is partially screwed into the spindle nut. By rotating the base 55 relative to the base body 50, the distance of the base 55 from the base body 50 in the vertical direction Z can be adjusted.

[0031] The support surfaces 70 of the support elements 21, 22 are partially surrounded by centering bevels 75. The centering bevels 75 are arranged in an area of ​​the support elements 21, 22 facing away from the struts 11, 1, 13, 14. The centering bevels 75 ensure correct alignment of a load carrier on the support surfaces 70 of the support elements 21, 22.

[0032] Figure 3 shows a side view of the storage station. The base bodies 50 of the struts 11, 12, 13, 14 each have a rectangular, in particular square, cross-section. An angle profile 60 is attached to each end of the crossbeams 31, 32. The angle profile 60 has two legs oriented at right angles to each other. Each leg of the angle profile 60 rests against one side of the base body 50 of one of the struts 11, 12, 13, 14.

[0033] Each leg of the angle profile 60 has a plurality of openings 65. A plurality of bolts 67 are attached to the base bodies 50 of the struts 11, 12, 13, 14. The bolts 67 on the struts 11, 12, 13, 14 extend through the openings 65 into the leg of the angle profile 60. The openings 65 are each designed in the form of a double bore. The double bore has a first partial bore with a first partial diameter and a second partial bore with a second partial diameter. The first partial bore merges into the second partial bore. The first partial diameter is larger than the second partial diameter.

[0034] The bolts 67 are each mushroom-shaped and have a circular-cylindrical portion with an inner diameter and a head with an outer diameter. The outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter. The circular-cylindrical portion is arranged between the struts 11, 12, 13, 14 and the head.

[0035] The first partial diameter is greater than or equal to the outer diameter. The first partial diameter is greater than the inner diameter. The second partial diameter is greater than or equal to the inner diameter. The second partial diameter is smaller than the outer diameter.

[0036] To connect a crossbeam 31, 32 to one of the struts 11, 12, 13, 14, the heads of the bolts are inserted through the first partial bores. The crossbeam 31, 32 is then moved in the vertical direction Z until the circular-cylindrical portion is located in the second partial bore. The head then prevents the bolt from slipping out of the opening.

[0037] List of reference symbols

[0038] 11 first strut

[0039] 12 second strut

[0040] 13 third strut

[0041] 14 fourth strut

[0042] 21 first support element

[0043] 22 second support element

[0044] 31 first crossbeam

[0045] 32 second crossbeam

[0046] 50 basic bodies

[0047] 55 feet

[0048] 57 spindle

[0049] 60 angle profile

[0050] 65 Opening

[0051] 67 bolts

[0052] 70 contact surface

[0053] 75 centering bevel

[0054] X Longitudinal direction

[0055] Y transverse direction

[0056] Z vertical direction

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A storage station for storing a load carrier, comprising a first strut (11), a second strut (12), a third strut (13), a fourth strut (14), a first support element (21) connected to the first strut (11) and the second strut (12), a second support element (22) connected to the third strut (13) and the fourth strut (14), a first crossbeam (31) connected to the first strut (11) and the third strut (13), and a second crossbeam (32) connected to the second strut (12) and the fourth strut (14), wherein the struts (11, 12, 13, 14) run parallel to one another in a vertical direction (Z), and wherein the support elements (21, 22) run parallel to one another in a longitudinal direction (X), and wherein the crossbeams (31, 32) run parallel to each other in a transverse direction (Y), and wherein the struts (11, 12, 13, 14) each have a base body (50),a foot (55) and an adjusting device, wherein a distance of the foot (55) from the base body (50) in the vertical direction (Z) can be adjusted by means of the adjusting device.

2. Storage station according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device comprises a spindle (57) which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the base (55) of the strut (11, 12, 13, 14) and a spindle nut which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the base body (50) of the strut (11, 12, 13, 14), and in that the spindle (57) is at least partially screwed into the spindle nut.

3. Storage station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support elements (21, 22) are non-detachably, in particular materially, connected to the struts (11, 12, 13, 14).

4. Storage station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the crossbeams (31, 32) are detachably, in particular positively, connected to the struts (11, 12, 13, 14).

5. Storage station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base bodies (50) of the struts (11, 12, 13, 14) each have a rectangular, in particular square, cross-section, and that an angle profile (60) is attached to the end of each of the crossbeams (31, 32), which has two legs oriented at right angles to one another, and that each leg of the angle profile (60) rests on one side of the base body (50) of a strut (11, 12, 13, 14).

6. Storage station according to claim 5, characterized in that each leg of the angle profile (60) has a plurality of openings (65), and that a plurality of bolts (67) are attached to the base bodies (50) of the struts (11, 12, 13, 14), and that the bolts (67) extend through the openings (65).

7. Storage station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support elements (21, 22) each have a support surface (70) for receiving a load carrier, and that the support surface (70) extends at right angles to the vertical direction (Z), and that the support surface (70) is partially surrounded by centering bevels (75).

8. Storage station according to claim 7, characterized in that the storage station comprises at least one inductive sensor for detecting a load carrier located on the support surface (70) of a support element (21, 22).

9. Storage station according to one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that the storage station comprises at least one RFID tag which is arranged on the support surface (70) of a support element (21, 22).

10. Storage station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the struts (11, 12, 13, 14) are at least partially covered with a film which reflects electromagnetic waves.

11. Storage station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a curtain is arranged between at least two struts (11, 12, 13, 14), which curtain consists of a material that reflects electromagnetic waves.

12. Storage station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support element (21) and / or the second support element (22) comprises a coil for contactless inductive energy transmission to a load carrier stored on the storage station.

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