Device for providing ordered goods in a sequence having a compact structure, and order-picking system and operating method therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1a..1d) for providing ordered goods (2, 2a.. 2h) in a sequence having a stationary conveying system (3, 3') and a travel surface (6) for autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h). A plurality of buffer stations (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in a conveying direction (A, A') of the stationary conveying system (3, 3') are arranged on the stationary conveying system (3, 3'), and a plurality of delivery stations (9) arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A') are arranged on the travel surface (6), wherein a delivery station (9) is assigned to a buffer station (5, 5'). The device (1a.. 1d) also comprises in particular a control unit (10), which receives a sequencing order (B), assigns delivery stations (9) to the ordered goods (2, 2a..2h) on the basis of the sequencing order, sends travel orders (C..C'') to the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h) for the purpose of delivering the ordered goods (2, 2a..2h), monitors a transfer of the ordered goods (2, 2a..2h) to the assigned buffer stations (5, 5'), defines a transport condition and triggers transport of the ordered goods (2, 2a..2h) by the stationary conveying system (3, 3') in the conveying direction (A, A') when the transport condition is met. The invention also relates to an order-picking system (12a, 12b) comprising such a device (1a.. 1d) and to a method for operating such a device (1a..1d).

Description

[0001] Device for providing order goods in a sequence with a compact structure and commissioning system and operating method therefor

[0002] The invention relates to a device for providing order goods in a sequence, which device comprises a stationary conveyor system, a buffer area on the stationary conveyor system, a travel surface for autonomous transport vehicles, and a delivery area on the travel surface. The stationary conveyor system is configured to transport the order goods along a conveying direction, and the buffer area has a plurality of buffer locations arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction. The autonomous transport vehicles are designed to travel on the travel surface and to transport the order goods on the travel surface, and the delivery area has a plurality of delivery locations arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, wherein a delivery location is assigned to a buffer location of the buffer locations arranged one behind the other.

[0003] The invention further relates to a picking system for processing picking orders, comprising a storage area with storage locations for storing order goods, a picking station for picking order goods according to picking orders, and a device for forming a sequence of order goods of the aforementioned type. The travel area adjoins the storage area, with the autonomous transport vehicles connecting the storage area and the delivery area via conveyor technology to enable transport of the order goods from the storage locations to the delivery locations according to the transport orders. Furthermore, the stationary conveyor system adjoins the picking station and enables transport of the order goods to the picking station in the ordered sequence.

[0004] Finally, the invention relates to a method for providing order goods in a sequence using a device of the type mentioned.

[0005] A device, a picking system, and a method of the type mentioned are generally known from the prior art. Ordered goods are delivered to the device by means of transport vehicles, arranged there in the ordered sequence, and finally transported away by the stationary conveyor system. The problem is that the known devices and methods are sometimes technically complex and require a lot of installation space. One object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved device, an improved picking system, and an improved method for providing order-ordered goods in a sequence. In particular, the provision of order-ordered goods in a sequence is to be simplified, and the required installation space for a corresponding device is to be reduced compared to the prior art, particularly in systems with autonomous (driverless) transport vehicles.

[0006] The object of the invention is achieved with a device for providing order goods in a sequence, comprising a stationary conveyor system which is designed to transport the order goods along a conveying direction, a travel surface for autonomous transport vehicles, wherein the autonomous transport vehicles are designed to travel on the travel surface and to transport the order goods on the travel surface, a vertical structure with which a transport plane of the stationary conveyor system is vertically spaced from the travel surface in the delivery area, a buffer area on the stationary conveyor system which has a plurality of buffer positions arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, a delivery area on the travel surface which has a plurality of delivery positions arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, wherein a delivery position is assigned to a buffer position, and a vertical movement area for the autonomous transport vehicles,which connects to the driveway in the delivery area and extends along the vertical structure. The proposed design variants and the resulting advantages are also applicable to this device. The transport of the ordered goods takes place in particular by means of or on the autonomous transport vehicles traveling on the driveway.

[0007] The object of the invention is further achieved with a device of the type mentioned above, which additionally comprises a control unit which is set up to carry out the following steps: a) receiving a sequencing order which comprises a definition of a sequence of the order goods, b) assigning one of the delivery locations to each of the order goods based on the definition of the sequence of the order goods, c) sending travel orders to the autonomous transport vehicles, wherein the travel orders comprise travel instructions for transporting the order goods to the assigned delivery locations and transfer instructions for handing over the order goods to the assigned buffer locations (the buffer locations of the stationary conveyor system which are arranged directly one after the other, d) monitoring the handover of the order goods,which can be transported by the autonomous transport vehicles according to the driving instructions to the assigned delivery locations and transferred to the assigned buffer locations according to the transfer instructions, e) definition of a transport condition to trigger a transport of the order goods and f) triggering a transport of the order goods by the stationary conveyor system in the conveying direction if the transport condition is met.

[0008] The object of the invention is also achieved by a picking system of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the device is designed as stated above.

[0009] The object of the invention is finally achieved with a method for providing order goods in a sequence using a device of the type specified above, wherein the control unit carries out the following steps: a) receiving a sequencing order which comprises a definition of a sequence of the order goods, b) assigning one of the delivery locations to each of the order goods based on the definition of the sequence of the order goods, c) sending travel orders to the autonomous transport vehicles, wherein the travel orders comprise travel instructions for transporting the order goods to the assigned delivery locations and transfer instructions for handing over the order goods to the assigned buffer locations, d) monitoring the handover of the order goods,which can be transported by the autonomous transport vehicles according to the driving instructions to the assigned delivery locations and transferred to the assigned buffer locations according to the transfer instructions, e) definition of a transport condition to trigger a transport of the order goods and f) triggering a transport of the order goods by the stationary conveyor system in the conveying direction if the transport condition is met.

[0010] The proposed measures significantly simplify the sequential provision of order goods compared to the state of the art, as the delivery locations can be accessed independently by the transport vehicles, and the order goods can be transferred to the buffer locations independently of each other. No special equipment such as sorters or similar devices is required on the stationary conveyor system. The proposed device therefore requires comparatively little installation space. This is essentially determined by the buffer area on the stationary conveyor system and the delivery area on the travel surface. However, the use of additional sorting devices on the stationary conveyor system is not excluded.

[0011] In general, it should be mentioned that in the present description, in connection with buffer spaces or buffer space, the buffer spaces of the stationary conveyor technology arranged one behind the other are meant.

[0012] Thanks to the delivery points being accessible independently of each other and the ability to transfer the order goods to the buffer locations independently of each other, the transport of the order goods by the transport vehicles and the transfer of the order goods to the buffer locations can take place simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously. In this context, it is advantageous if the control unit is configured to send all transport orders required for the delivery and transfer of the order goods at once and to trigger the simultaneous delivery of the order goods to the assigned delivery points.

[0013] The buffer area extends on the stationary conveyor system along the conveying direction and has a plurality of buffer spaces arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction in a sequence of buffer spaces, wherein each of the buffer spaces has a unique position or a unique rank in the sequence of the buffer spaces. The delivery area extends on the travel surface in the conveying direction of the stationary conveyor system along the buffer area. In one embodiment of the proposed device, exactly one delivery space can be assigned to exactly one buffer space. By assigning a delivery space to a buffer space, the delivery spaces are also arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the stationary conveyor system in the sequence of the buffer spaces, wherein each of the delivery spaces has a unique position or a unique rank in the sequence of the delivery spaces or in the sequence of the buffer spaces.However, it should be noted that the order of delivery locations assigned to the order goods does not necessarily correspond to the order of the buffer locations; rather, there may be "gaps" in the occupancy of the buffer locations. For example, (with consecutive numbering of the buffer locations), order goods 1 (first order goods) can be delivered to buffer location 2 and order goods 2 (second order goods) to buffer location 4, whereas buffer locations 1 and 3 remain unused. The resulting order of order goods remains unaffected. It should also be noted that an EL assignment of the delivery locations to the buffer locations is not mandatory, and a delivery location can also be assigned to multiple buffer locations of a conveyor system, or a buffer location can be assigned to multiple delivery locations.

[0014] The transport vehicles can include a transport platform and can drive to a delivery point, where the order goods are transferred from the transport platform of a transport vehicle to a buffer location. The transfer can be carried out using appropriate transfer equipment (pushers, grippers, driven conveyor rollers, etc.). The transport vehicles can also park the order goods at a delivery point or a storage area of ​​the delivery point. From there, the order goods are transferred to a buffer location, where the transfer can also be carried out using appropriate transfer equipment (pushers, grippers, etc.).

[0015] It would also be conceivable to use an intermediate conveyor system that connects the delivery area with the buffer area or the delivery locations with the buffer locations and is aligned transversely to the conveying direction of the stationary conveyor system. The ordered goods can then be transferred from a transport platform of a transport vehicle or from the delivery location to the intermediate conveyor system, transported from the intermediate conveyor system to the assigned buffer location, and then transferred from the intermediate conveyor system to the buffer location. Appropriate transfer devices (pushers, grippers, etc.) can be used to transfer the ordered goods to or from the intermediate conveyor system. Ordered goods can also be transferred directly from a transport vehicle to a buffer location, and further ordered goods can be transferred from the same transport vehicle to the intermediate conveyor system.The remaining order goods can then be transferred to the assigned buffer location by the intermediate conveyor system, which serves as an intermediate buffer. This preferably occurs after the stationary conveyor system has further conveyed the order goods already present at the buffer location, thus releasing the buffer location. For example, the conveyor system can transport the order goods already present at the buffer location to a buffer location arranged in the conveying direction, preferably to the next buffer location arranged in the conveying direction.

[0016] The driving surface can generally be designed in the form of one or more lanes or tracks, or it can be more or less unstructured, whereby the paths used by the transport vehicles on the driving surface can be freely specified or selected. For example, the paths can be specified by a higher-level control system or freely selected by the transport vehicles.

[0017] The buffer area and the transfer area can also be divided into transfer areas, each of which includes (exactly) one buffer location and (exactly) one assigned delivery location.

[0018] In the order of goods, each of the order goods has a unique rank. This order can be ascending or descending. The delivery locations assigned to the order goods (as seen in the conveying direction of the stationary conveyor system) each have a rank in a sequence that corresponds to the rank of the assigned order goods in the order of goods. When assigning the delivery locations to the order goods, the order of the order goods can also be reversed (inverted).

[0019] A contract item can be uniquely identified (thereby creating an 1:1 assignment of delivery location and storage location) or be one of several items of a given goods type (thereby creating a 1:n assignment of delivery location and storage location). An identification of a contract item can therefore uniquely identify it or simply indicate a group affiliation of a contract item. In particular, the identification of a contract item can indicate the goods type of a contract item or correspond to it. The transport orders to the autonomous transport vehicles can in particular each include an identification of a contract item and an identification of the assigned delivery location. A transport order can also include an identification of a storage location for the contract item.The transport condition can in particular relate to a complete transfer of all order goods to the buffer locations or a transfer of part of the order goods to the buffer locations. In particular, it can be provided that the transport condition relates to the provision of a partial quantity of the order goods at the buffer locations under the additional condition that all order goods in the sequence before the partial quantity have already been transported away. Furthermore, it can be provided that the transport condition relates to the provision of a partial quantity of the order goods at the buffer locations under the additional condition that there are no open transport orders for order goods in the sequence before the partial quantity. The proposed measures make it possible in particular to create sequences of order goods which comprise more order goods than there are buffer locations.For example, a completed part could be removed at the beginning of the sequence as soon as it is in stock at the assigned buffer locations. The remaining order goods can then be moved (pushed back) to the vacated front positions to free up the back positions. In such a case, open transport orders can or should be adjusted or updated so that missing order goods are transferred to the correct buffer locations.

[0020] At this point, it should be noted that step e), i.e. the definition of the transport condition by the control unit, can also be omitted if the transport condition is fixed in advance or is specified externally, for example by a higher-level control system.

[0021] The stationary conveyor system can include, for example, conveyor rollers, conveyor belts, or conveyor chains for conveying the order goods. Order goods touch the stationary conveyor system primarily at a transport level. The transport level generally represents the level at which the conveying process takes place.

[0022] Furthermore, the stationary conveyor system can have side walls that are aligned at least in sections in the conveying direction, which protrude beyond the transport plane and prevent the order goods from falling down. In the buffer area, the height of such side walls can be reduced or can be reduced in order to facilitate or enable the transfer of the order goods to the buffer locations. For the same purpose, it can be provided that the side walls in the buffer area have corresponding recesses or are omitted altogether in the buffer area. In an alternative embodiment, the side walls, preferably sections of the side walls, can be movable in the buffer area, in particular between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the side walls protrude beyond the transport plane and in the open position an (unhindered) transfer of the order goods to the buffer locations is possible.

[0023] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the proposed measures can be provided only on the side of the stationary conveyor system adjacent to the delivery area, but no such measures are implemented on the opposite side. This means that the side walls on the side opposite the delivery area are continuous and full-height. This prevents ordered goods from accidentally falling off the stationary conveyor system during transfer to the buffer stations on the side opposite the delivery area.

[0024] Preferably, the stationary conveyor system is designed, at least in the buffer area, such that the ordered goods are moved from the side on which the delivery area is located to the opposite side, which can be achieved by a transverse movement superimposed on the conveying direction. This is particularly advantageous if the above-mentioned measures (reduced height of the side walls, recesses in the side walls, or omitted side walls) are provided on the side on which the delivery area is located and no such measures are taken on the opposite side. By means of a stationary conveyor system designed in this way, the ordered goods are guided to the side which has the side wall. This prevents the ordered goods from falling down.

[0025] The autonomous transport vehicles can each have a transport platform for receiving a delivery item so that the delivery items can be transported on the driving surface. The autonomous transport vehicles can, in particular, have a chassis, several wheels, an electric drive for the wheels or at least one of the wheels, a battery, a device for changing the direction of travel (e.g., steering, differential drive, Mecanum wheel), a drive controller, and a communication device. A drive order can be received with the help of the communication device, which is then executed using the drive controller.

[0026] In this context, "autonomous" means, in particular, that the transport vehicles are driverless. Specifically, it can be provided that the autonomous transport vehicles determine, at least in part, how a driving task is carried out. For example, this can concern the selection of a route, the selection of a driving speed, and the like. However, it is also conceivable that the execution of a driving task is at least partially specified by a higher-level controller. For example, the higher-level controller can specify routes for the autonomous transport vehicles, whereas the driving speed is selected by the autonomous transport vehicles themselves. Autonomous transport vehicles can, in particular, also apply or execute algorithms to avoid collisions, for example with obstacles, persons, or other transport vehicles.

[0027] The storage area can, in particular, comprise storage racks with storage locations. In one embodiment of the order picking system, the storage area can additionally comprise a retrieval conveyor system configured to remove the order goods for a sequencing order or order picking order from the storage locations and to make them available in a transfer area. For example, the storage racks can be accessible from intermediate rack aisles, in particular for storage and retrieval machines, and at least one transfer device, accessible in particular for storage and retrieval machines, can be provided for each rack aisle, with which the order goods are made available. The transport vehicles can take the order goods from the transfer area (from the transfer device) and transport them to the delivery area (to the delivery locations). The retrieval conveyor system can comprise a horizontal conveyor device and a vertical conveyor device.In particular, the retrieval conveyor system can include storage and retrieval machines (such as single-level or multi-level storage and retrieval machines) that can move in rack aisles between the storage racks and retrieve the ordered goods.

[0028] The transfer area can be formed on the driving surface. If the transfer area is located below the storage locations, i.e. if the lower height area of ​​the storage racks remains free of storage locations, the driving surface can also run below the storage locations, allowing the goods to be driven under. The transfer area can also be located on a front and / or long side of the storage racks, and the driving surface can extend to the front and / or long side of the storage racks. In this case in particular, storage locations can also be formed in the lower height area of ​​the storage racks, making it no longer possible to drive under the storage locations. In one variant of the order picking system, the autonomous transport vehicles can be designed to drive in the storage area and to transport the ordered goods in the storage area.In this case, the autonomous transport vehicles are designed both to travel on the travel surface and to transport the order goods on the travel surface, as well as to transport the order goods in the warehouse area. Accordingly, the autonomous transport vehicles in such an embodiment are also used as retrieval conveyor systems. However, it would also be conceivable for a first group of autonomous transport vehicles to travel on the travel surface and to transport the order goods to the delivery area, and for a second group of autonomous transport vehicles to travel (only) in the warehouse area and therefore function as retrieval conveyor systems. The autonomous transport vehicles of the first group and the second group can be of similar design or can differ in their construction. Separate rail-guided single-level or multi-level storage and retrieval machines can then be omitted.

[0029] In particular, it is conceivable for the transport vehicles to move vertically along a vertical structure or support structure of the storage racks, i.e., to climb up / down the storage racks. In particular, such transport vehicles can couple into the vertical structure (for example, into a respective rack support) and climb it, for example, using a chain or gear drive (which engages the vertical structure) or (synchronous) belts with multiple protrusions (which engage the vertical structure). The transport vehicles can also be designed to climb the rack vertically along two adjacent rack supports using a frictional connection.

[0030] It is also conceivable for a transport level of the stationary conveyor system to be vertically spaced from the travel surface in the delivery area, with the transport level being located above the travel surface in particular. This can be advantageous, for example, if the stationary conveyor system leads to a (manual) picking station and the order goods are to be presented there at an ergonomically advantageous height. If the transport level is above the travel surface and the vertical spacing provides sufficient clearance height for the transport vehicles, the transport vehicles can also drive underneath the stationary conveyor system. If the transport level is below the travel surface and the vertical spacing enables the order goods to be transported on the stationary conveyor system, the transport vehicles can also drive above the stationary conveyor system.In both cases, access to and from the delivery points is made easier, and the risk of mutual blockages between transport vehicles is reduced. Various options are proposed for overcoming such a vertical distance. For example, the transport vehicles can be moved vertically using lifting devices (e.g. lifts) of the proposed device. It would also be conceivable for the driving surface to be arranged at least partially on a ramp, allowing the transport vehicles to overcome a vertical distance in this way. It would also be conceivable for the transport vehicles each to have a vertically adjustable transport platform, allowing them to lift an order item in this way. If the driving surface is level, at least in the delivery area, the vertical spacing can also be determined or defined in relation to the transport level and the driving level.

[0031] In a further particular embodiment, it can be provided that the device comprises a vertical movement area for the autonomous transport vehicles, which adjoins the driving surface in the delivery area and extends along a vertical structure or support structure, with which the transport plane is vertically spaced from the driving surface. In particular, the transport vehicles can be climbing-capable and vertically movable along the, in particular structural, vertical structure of the device, which is designed for this purpose. As a vertical structure, for example, uprights and / or supports, etc. of the device can be provided, with which the transport plane is vertically spaced from the driving surface in the delivery area and on which the transport vehicles can climb.In this case, the order goods are preferably transferred from the transport platform of a transport vehicle to a buffer location when at least part of the vertical movement range has been overcome by the transport vehicle, i.e., the transport vehicle has driven up part of the ramp or climbed vertically along the vertical structure of the device. The transfer can be carried out, as mentioned above, by the appropriate transfer means (pushers, grippers, driven conveyor rollers, etc.).

[0032] In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the storage racks of the warehouse, which comprise the storage locations, have the same vertical structural design as the vertical structural design of the device, or vice versa. This allows the transport vehicles to "climb up / down" both the storage racks and the device using the same climbing device, i.e., be vertically movable. For example, the same type of uprights can be provided for the storage racks and the device.

[0033] A vertical structure usable by the transport vehicles can, in particular, also be formed by a vertically (or comparatively very steeply) running section of the running surface. For example, the transport vehicles can adhere magnetically to the running surface. In contrast, within the scope of the invention, it can be assumed that a ramp in the conventional sense can be driven over by the transport vehicles without special aids (e.g., based solely on gravity and without holding magnets). However, the use of magnets to increase frictional force is not excluded here either (and can therefore be considered).

[0034] The picking station can be designed for manual picking of the order goods and / or comprise a robot or a palletizer for automatic picking of the order goods. A picking station for manual picking of order goods can comprise an output device for outputting picking instructions to a picking person and an input device for recording an acknowledgement command from the picking person. A picking station for automatic picking of order goods can comprise a device for automatically loading a load carrier, for example a pallet or a roll container, with order goods in a predetermined spatial arrangement (to form a stack). Such devices for automatically loading a load carrier in multiple layers are known as palletizing devices or palletizing robots.A picking station for the automatic picking of order goods can also include a device for automatically transferring order goods into shipping packages. Such automatic transfer devices are known as picking robots for single-item picking.

[0035] In one embodiment, the device may include transfer means for transferring order goods from a transport platform of a transport vehicle to a buffer location. These may, for example, be pushers that push order goods from a transport platform of a transport vehicle to the buffer location, or grippers that lift order goods from a transport platform of a transport vehicle to the buffer location. In another embodiment, the transport vehicles may each include transfer means for transferring order goods from the transport platform to a buffer location.For example, a transport vehicle can comprise a pusher which pushes an order item from the transport platform to a buffer location of the stationary conveyor system or, for example, a gripper which lifts an order item from the transport platform to a buffer location of the stationary conveyor system.

[0036] It is generally conceivable for the transport platform of a transport vehicle to be tiltable. For example, the transport platform can be tilted to facilitate the delivery of order goods, or to allow them to slide onto a buffer space on the stationary conveyor system. The tilting technology of the transport vehicle then functions as a transfer device for transferring order goods from the transport platform to a buffer space.

[0037] It is further advantageous if the disclosed device comprises a first and a second stationary conveyor system for each providing a sequence of order goods, each with a buffer area of ​​the type mentioned, wherein the delivery area is arranged between the first and second buffer areas, and wherein (each) a delivery location is assigned (each) to a buffer location of the first conveyor system and (each) to a buffer location of the second stationary conveyor system, and wherein delivered order goods can be transferred selectively to the first or second buffer locations. The first stationary conveyor system and the second stationary conveyor system can thus be arranged at a distance from one another, wherein a common delivery area is provided which is arranged therebetween.

[0038] This creates a particularly compact design for a device for staging order goods in two sequences, as a (single) delivery area is provided for two buffer areas. This design variant is particularly advantageous when the conveying capacity of the autonomous transport vehicles is significantly higher than the conveying capacity of a stationary conveyor system or the capacity of a downstream picking station. The resulting sequences can be combined after they have been formed to create a longer overall sequence. For example, a first partial sequence could be formed in the first buffer area and a second partial sequence in the second buffer area.Subsequently, the first partial sequence and then the second partial sequence can be transported away to form a complete sequence consisting of the first and second partial sequences on a conveyor section that combines the first and second conveyor systems. In connection with the given embodiment, it is particularly advantageous if a vertical spacing of the travel surface from a transport plane of the first and / or second stationary conveyor system provides sufficient clearance for the transport vehicles or transport of the order goods on the stationary conveyor system.In this way, the transport vehicles can also pass under the first and / or second stationary conveyor system or travel above the first and / or second stationary conveyor system, thereby facilitating access to and departure from the delivery points and reducing the risk of mutual blockages of the transport vehicles. The delivery area can generally be arranged in a substantially horizontal direction or in a substantially vertical direction between the first and second buffer areas. Particularly in the second case, the first and second stationary conveyor systems can be vertically spaced from one another by a corresponding vertical structure and can preferably be arranged (directly) one above the other.

[0039] It is also advantageous if the control unit is further configured to select the delivery locations in an alternating arrangement (but taking into account the order of the ordered goods) if the sequencing order includes fewer ordered goods than there are delivery locations available. This ensures even wear on the device, even when small sequencing orders are frequently processed and only a portion of the buffer locations and only a portion of any lifting devices and transfer devices are required. In particular, the selection of the delivery locations can be random or quasi-random.

[0040] It is also advantageous if the control unit is additionally configured to control the simultaneous provision of sequences of order goods in the buffer area. In this way, multiple sequencing orders can be processed simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously. This is possible if the total length of the sequences of order goods does not exceed the size (i.e., in particular, the number of consecutively arranged buffer locations) of the buffer area. It should be noted here that the order goods of the different sequencing orders are not necessarily transported to the same destination after the ordered sequences have been established, but can also have different destinations.For example, the order goods of a first sequence may belong to a first picking order and be transported to a first picking station, whereas the order goods of a second sequence may belong to a second picking order and be transported to a second picking station.

[0041] At this point, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed for the device and the order-picking system and the resulting advantages also apply analogously to the presented method for providing order goods in a sequence and vice versa.

[0042] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0043] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0044] Fig. 1 shows an exemplary device for forming a sequence of order goods in a schematic plan view;

[0045] Fig. 2 shows the device from Fig. 1 during the removal of the finished sequence;

[0046] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary device with a delivery area between two stationary conveyor systems;

[0047] Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary order picking system;

[0048] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of an exemplary order picking system;

[0049] Fig. 6 is a front view of an exemplary device for providing

[0050] Order goods with delivery means and

[0051] Fig. 7 shows an exemplary autonomous transport vehicle in an oblique view.

[0052] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations. The disclosure contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the position information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure and, in the event of a change in position, is to be applied analogously to the new position.

[0053] Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic plan view of a first exemplary device 1a for providing order goods 2a..2h in a sequence in two different states. Figure 1 shows the device 1a during the preparation of the sequence, and Figure 2 shows the device 1a during the removal of the completed sequence of order goods 2a..2h.

[0054] The device 1a comprises a stationary conveyor system 3, which is configured to transport the ordered goods 2a..2h along a conveying direction A, and a buffer area 4, which extends on the stationary conveyor system 3 along the conveying direction A and has a plurality of buffer locations 5 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction A. The buffer locations 5 are arranged one behind the other in a sequence, with each of the buffer locations 5 having, in particular, a unique position P1..P8 or a unique rank in the stated sequence. In the example shown in Fig. 1, eight positions P1..P8 are provided, with the lowest position P1 being provided downstream in the conveying direction A. However, an inverse arrangement of the positions P1..P8 would also be possible. Furthermore, it should be noted that the provision of eight positions P1..P8 is purely exemplary, and a different, larger or smaller number of positions P1..P8 may be provided.

[0055] Furthermore, the device 1a comprises a driving surface 6 for autonomous transport vehicles 7c, 7f, 7h, which are designed to travel on the driving surface 6 and to transport the ordered goods 2 on the driving surface 6. Furthermore, the device 1a comprises a delivery area 8, which extends in the conveying direction A of the stationary conveyor system 3 along the buffer area 4 on the driving surface 6 and which has several delivery locations 9 arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction A. In one embodiment of the proposed device 1, exactly one delivery location 9 can be assigned to exactly one buffer location 5, as is the case in Fig. 1. By assigning a delivery location 9 to a buffer location 5, the delivery locations 9 are also arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction A of the stationary conveyor system 3 in the order of the buffer locations 5, with each of the delivery locations 9 having a unique position P1.P8 or has a unique rank in the specified order of delivery locations 9 or in the order of buffer locations 5. In other words, the delivery location of the delivery locations 9 with position PI is assigned to buffer location 5 with position PI, the one with position P2 is assigned to buffer location 5 with position P2, and so on.

[0056] Finally, the device 1 comprises a control unit 10, and furthermore, Fig. 1 shows an optional higher-level controller 11.

[0057] The function of the device shown in Fig. 1 is as follows:

[0058] In step a), the control unit 10 receives a sequencing order B, which includes a definition of the order of the (in this case, eight) order items 2a to 2h. In this example, the sequencing order B is sent to the control unit 10 from the higher-level controller 11, but it could also originate from another source.

[0059] In a step b), the control unit 10, based on the definition of the sequence of order goods 2a..2h, assigns a delivery location 9 to each order item 2a..2h. Specifically, the order item 2a is assigned to the delivery location 9 with the position PI, the order items 2b to the delivery location 9 with the position P2, and so on. In the sequence of the order goods 2a..2h, each of the order items 2a..2h thus has a unique rank. The sequence can be ascending or descending. The delivery locations 9 assigned to the order items 2a..2h each have (seen in conveying direction A of the stationary conveyor system 3) a rank in a sequence that corresponds to the rank of the assigned order items 2a..2h in the sequence of the order items 2a..2h. When assigning delivery locations 9 to order goods 2a..2h, the order of order goods 2a..2h can also be reversed (inverted).

[0060] In a step c), the control unit 10 sends transport orders C to the autonomous transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h, which include transport instructions for transporting the ordered goods 2a..2h to the assigned delivery locations 9 and transfer instructions for handing over the ordered goods 2a..2h to the assigned buffer locations 5. In one embodiment, the transport orders C are sent from the control unit 10 directly to the transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h. However, it would also be conceivable for the transport orders C' to be sent from the control unit 10 to the higher-level controller 11, and for the higher-level controller 11 to then send transport orders C" to the transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h. The transport orders C, C" to the autonomous transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h can, in particular, each include an identification of an ordered good 2a..2h and an identification of the assigned delivery location 9.

[0061] Subsequently, the order goods 2a..2h are transported by the transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h to the delivery locations 9. In a step d), the control unit 10 monitors the transfer of the order goods 2, which are transported by the autonomous transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h according to the driving instructions to the assigned delivery locations 9 and transferred to the assigned buffer locations 5 according to the transfer instructions. At this point, it should be noted that in the state shown in Fig. 1, not all order goods 2a..2h have yet been transported to the device 1a and therefore only the order goods 2b, 2c, 2e..2h are shown in Fig. 1. Likewise, only the transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h are shown in Fig. 1. However, additional transport vehicles (not shown) are provided for the transport of the order goods 2a..2h to the assigned delivery locations 9 and for the transfer of the order goods 2a..2h to the assigned buffer locations 5.In the example shown, one order item 2a..2h is transported by each transport vehicle 7c, 7f..7h to a delivery location 9. In principle, however, it would also be conceivable for several order items 2a..2h to be transported simultaneously by one transport vehicle 7c, 7f..7h to the delivery area 8 and there transferred one after the other from the assigned delivery locations 9 to the assigned buffer locations 5. In principle, however, it would also be conceivable for several order items 2a..2h (each individually) to be transported one after the other by one transport vehicle 7c, 7f..7h to the assigned delivery locations 9 and there transferred to the assigned buffer locations 5. Specifically, in the situation shown in Fig. 1, the order items 2b, 2e, 2f were transferred from the respectively assigned delivery locations 9 of the delivery locations 9 to the buffer locations 5 with the positions P2, P5, P6.The order goods 2c are currently being transferred from the assigned delivery location 9 to buffer location 5 with position P3, and the order goods 2g are currently being transported by the transport vehicle 7g to the assigned delivery location 9 of the delivery locations 9 and are still en route. The transport vehicle 7f has just left the assigned delivery location 9 with position P6, and the transport vehicle 7h is currently at the assigned delivery location 9 with position P8 and is ready to transfer the goods 2h.

[0062] In a step e), the control unit 10 defines a transport condition for triggering a transport of the order goods 2a..2h, and in a step f), the control unit 10 triggers a transport of the order goods 2a..2h by the stationary conveyor system 3 in the conveying direction A if the transport condition is met. This means that the transport condition is checked by the control unit 10. If it is met, the control unit 10 sends a transport order D to the stationary conveyor system 3. This state is shown in Fig. 2. In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the transport condition relates to a complete transfer of all order goods 2a..2h to the buffer locations 5. This means that the order goods 2a..2h are transported away by the conveyor system 3 if, according to the transport condition, all order goods 2a..2h are completely in stock at the buffer locations 5.At this point, it is noted that step e), i.e. the definition of the transport condition by the control unit 10, can also be omitted if the transport condition is fixed in advance or is specified externally, for example by the higher-level control 11.

[0063] The proposed measures significantly simplify the provision of order goods 2a..2h in a sequence compared to the prior art, since the delivery locations 9 can be accessed independently of one another by the transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h, and the order goods 2a..2h can be transferred to the buffer locations 5 independently of one another. In this context, it is advantageous if the control unit 10 is designed to send all transport orders C, C' required for the delivery and transfer of the order goods at once and to trigger a simultaneous delivery of the order goods 2a..2h to the assigned delivery locations 9. The transport of the order goods 2a..2h by the transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h and the transfer of the order goods 2a..2h to the buffer locations 5 can then take place simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously.

[0064] No special equipment such as sorters or similar devices is required on the stationary conveyor system 3. The device 1a therefore requires very little installation space. This is essentially determined by the buffer area 4 on the stationary conveyor system 3 and the delivery area 8 on the running surface 6. However, the use of additional sorting devices on the stationary conveyor system 3 is not excluded, particularly in the downstream conveying direction A.

[0065] In the example shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the order goods 2a..2h are transported away according to the transport condition. In the given example, this is the case when the order goods 2a..2h are completely in stock at the buffer locations 5. However, this is not the only conceivable possibility. It would also be conceivable for the transport condition to relate to the transfer of a portion of the order goods 2a..2h to the buffer locations 5 and for the order goods 2a..2h to be transported away by the conveyor system 3 when a defined portion of them is in stock at the buffer locations 5. In particular, it can be provided that the transport condition relates to the provision of a partial quantity of the order goods 2a..2h at the buffer locations 5 under the additional condition that all order goods 2a..2h have already been transported away in the sequence before the partial quantity.Furthermore, it can be provided that the transport condition relates to the provision of a partial quantity of the order goods 2a..2h at the buffer locations 5 under the additional condition that there are no open transport orders for order goods 2a..2h in the sequence before the partial quantity. The proposed measures make it possible, in particular, to create sequences of order goods 2a..2h that include more order goods 2a..2h than there are buffer locations 5. For example, the order goods 2a..2c can be transported away as soon as they are in stock at the buffer locations 5 of positions P1..P3. The order goods 2d..2h can then be moved forward to positions P1..P5 in order to free up the rear positions P6..P8. In such a case, open transport orders C..C" can be adjusted or updated so that missing order goods 2d..2h are transferred to the correct buffer locations 5. In the example shown in Fig.1, this means that the transport order C..C" for the order goods 2d is updated so that the missing order goods 2d are not transferred to, for example, the (fourth) position P4, but to the (first) position PI.

[0066] It would also be conceivable for the control unit 10 to be designed to control the simultaneous formation of several sequences of the order goods 2a..2h in the buffer area 4. This is particularly possible if the several sequences comprise a maximum of as many order goods 2a..2h as there are buffer locations 5. For example, a first sequence can be formed at the (front, 1st part) positions P1..P3 and a second sequence at the (rear, 2nd part) positions P4..P8, and so on. At this point, it should also be noted that the use of all positions P1..P8 is not a prerequisite for the application of the proposed method and that fewer positions P1..P8 can be used than are available, for example if a sequence to be formed or several sequences to be formed require fewer positions P1..P8 than are available. It is also conceivable that a sequence which includes more positions P1..P8 requires more than are available, is constructed step by step. For example, a sequence comprising sixteen order items 2a..2h can be constructed in two steps in the example shown: in a first step, the first eight order items 2a..2h are placed in the ordered sequence and transported away, and then the second eight order items 2a..2h are placed in the ordered sequence and transported away.

[0067] It should also be noted that the sequence of delivery locations 9 assigned to the order goods 2a..2h does not necessarily correspond to the sequence of buffer locations 5, but there may also be "gaps" in the occupancy of buffer locations 5. For example, order goods 2a can be delivered to buffer location 5 with position P2 and order goods 2b to buffer location 5 with position P4, whereby buffer locations 5 with positions P1 and P3 remain unused. The resulting sequence of order goods 2a..2h remains unaffected. In the given context, it is particularly advantageous if the control unit 10 is designed to select the delivery locations 9 in an alternating arrangement (but taking into account the sequence of order goods 2a..2h) if sequencing order B includes fewer order goods 2a..2h than there are delivery locations 9.In this way, uniform wear of the device 1a is achieved, even when small sequencing orders B (with a comparatively small number of order goods 2a..2h) are frequently processed and only a portion of the buffer locations 5 and only a portion of other devices of the device 1a are required. In particular, the selection of the delivery locations 9 can be random or according to a quasi-random pattern.

[0068] The driving surface 6 can generally be designed in the form of one or more lanes or tracks, or can be more or less unstructured, whereby the paths used by the transport vehicles 7c, 7f, 7h on the driving surface 6 can be freely specified or selected. For example, the paths can be specified by the higher-level controller 11 or freely selected by the transport vehicles 7c, 7f, 7h.

[0069] Fig. 3 now shows a schematic plan view of a further example of a device 1b. The device 1b comprises a first stationary conveyor system 3 and a second stationary conveyor system 3' for providing a sequence of order goods 2a..2h, each with a buffer area 4, 4' of the type mentioned, wherein the delivery area 8 is arranged between the first buffer area 4 and the second buffer area 4'. A delivery location 9 is assigned to a buffer location 5 of the first conveyor system 3 and to a buffer location 5' of the second stationary conveyor system 3'. In particular, exactly one delivery location 9 can be assigned to exactly one buffer location 5 of the first conveyor system 3 and exactly one buffer location 5' of the second stationary conveyor system 3', as is the case in Fig. 3. What has been said about forming a sequence of order goods 2a..2h in relation to Figs. 1 and 2 also applies analogously to the arrangement shown in Fig.3, wherein the delivered order goods 2a..2h are transferred optionally to the first buffer locations 5 or the second buffer locations 5'. A transport order C..C" can thus in particular comprise the instruction as to which of the buffer locations 5, 5' an order goods 2a..2h is to be transferred. In this way, a particularly compact design of a device 1b is created for providing order goods 2a..2h in two sequences, since a (single) delivery area 8 is provided for two buffer areas 4, 4'. Such a design variant is particularly advantageous when the conveying capacity of the autonomous transport vehicles 7c, 7f..7h is significantly higher than the conveying capacity of a stationary conveyor system 3 or the capacity of a downstream picking station. The sequences formed can be combined after they have been formed in order to create a longer overall sequence.For example, a first partial sequence could be formed in the first buffer area 4 and a second partial sequence in the second buffer area 4'. The first partial sequence and then the second partial sequence can be transported away in order to form an overall sequence consisting of the first and second partial sequences on a conveyor section which brings together the first and second conveyor systems 3, 3'. In Fig. 3, the delivery area 9 is arranged essentially horizontally between the first and second buffer areas 8, 8'; however, it would also be conceivable for the delivery area 9 to be arranged essentially vertically between the first and second buffer areas 8, 8'. The first and second stationary conveyor systems 3, 3' could, particularly in the second case, be vertically spaced from one another by a corresponding vertical structure (see also Figs. 5 and 6).

[0070] Fig. 4 further shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary order picking system 12a for processing order picking orders with a device 1a. The order picking system 12a additionally comprises a storage area 13 with storage racks 14 with storage locations 15 for storing order goods 2a..2h, wherein the storage locations 15 are preferably arranged on several storage levels and wherein a rack aisle 16 is provided between the storage racks 14. Furthermore, the order picking system 12a comprises a picking station 17 for picking order goods 2 according to order picking orders. The structure of the storage area 13 is purely exemplary, and a storage area 13 could also be constructed differently. In particular, the storage racks 14 could be arranged differently or even omitted. The storage locations 15 can then be located on the floor, for example.

[0071] In the illustrated order picking system 12a, the travel area 6 adjoins the storage area 13, with the autonomous transport vehicles 7a, 7c, 7h connecting the storage area 13 and the delivery area 8 by means of conveyor technology in order to enable the ordered goods 2a..2h to be transported from the storage locations 15 to the delivery locations 9 in accordance with the transport orders C. Fig. 4 shows the travel path of the transport vehicle 7a purely as an example. It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, only the transport order C sent by the control unit 10 is explicitly shown in Fig. 4, but a transport order C" can also be sent, for example, from the higher-level controller 11, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0072] The stationary conveyor system 3 can be connected to the picking station 17 and enable transport of the order goods 2a..2h to the picking station 17 as is the case in Fig. 4.

[0073] What has been said regarding the formation of a sequence of order goods 2a..2h in Figs. 1 and 2 applies mutatis mutandis to the device 1a shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, in the state shown in Fig. 4, the order goods 2b, 2e, 2f have been transferred to the buffer locations 5 with the positions P2, P5, P6 of the buffer locations 5. In the example shown, the order goods 2c are currently being transferred to the buffer location 5 with the position P3, and the order goods 2a are currently being transported by the transport vehicle 7a and are still en route. The transport vehicle 7h is currently in the delivery area 8 at the assigned delivery location 9 with the position P8 and is ready for the transfer of the goods 2h. The goods 2d, 2g are still in the storage area 13 and have yet to be picked up. If the transport condition is met, that is, in the given example, if the sequence of order goods 2a..2h is completed (see Fig. 2), the order goods 2a..2h to the picking station 17 and can be prepared there for shipping (see also Fig. 5). In the embodiment of the picking system 12a shown in Fig. 4, the autonomous transport vehicles 7a..7h can travel not only on the travel surface 6, but also in the storage area 13 and transport the order goods 2a..2h in the storage area 13. Accordingly, the autonomous transport vehicles in such an embodiment are also used as retrieval conveyor technology. This is particularly advantageous when the storage locations 15 are located on the ground. In particular, it can also be provided that the transport vehicles 7a..7h climb up to higher storage locations 15, from where the order goods 2a..2h are taken over (see also Fig. 5 in this context). However, it would also be conceivable for a first group of autonomous transport vehicles 7a..7h to travel on the travel surface 6 and transport the order goods 2a..2h is intended for delivery area 9, and a second group of autonomous transport vehicles (not shown in Fig. 4) is intended for travel (only) in storage area 13 and therefore functions as a retrieval conveyor system. The autonomous transport vehicles 7a..7h of the first group and the autonomous transport vehicles of the second group can be constructed similarly or can differ in their design.

[0074] However, the storage area 13 can also comprise a separate retrieval conveyor system, which is configured to remove the order goods 2a..2h for a sequencing order B or for a picking order from the storage locations 15 and to provide them in a transfer area. For example, at least one transfer device can be provided for each rack aisle 16, with which the order goods 2a..2h are provided. The transport vehicles 7a..7h can receive the order goods 2a..2h in sequence from the transfer area (from the transfer device) and transport them to the delivery area 8 (to the delivery locations 9). The retrieval conveyor system can comprise a horizontal conveyor system and a vertical conveyor system. In particular, the retrieval conveyor system can comprise rail-guided storage and retrieval machines (such as single-level or multi-level storage and retrieval machines) that travel in rack aisles 16 between the storage racks 14 and retrieve the order goods 2a..Can display for 2 hours.

[0075] The transfer area can be formed on the driving surface 6. If the transfer area is arranged below the storage locations 15, i.e., if the lower height range of the storage racks 14 remains free of storage locations 15, the driving surface 6 can also run below the storage locations 15, allowing driving under the storage locations 15. However, the transfer area can also be arranged on a front side and / or long side of the storage racks 14, and the driving surface 6 can extend to the front side and / or long side of the storage racks 14. In this case, in particular, storage locations 15 can also be formed in the lower height range of the storage racks 14, whereby driving under the storage locations 15 is no longer possible.

[0076] A commissioned item 2a..2h can be uniquely identified (which creates an L1 assignment of delivery location 9 and storage location 15) or can be one of several items of a given item type (which creates an Ln assignment of delivery location 9 and storage location 15). An identification of a commissioned item 2a..2h can therefore uniquely identify it or simply indicate a group affiliation of a commissioned item 2a..2h. In particular, the identification of a commissioned item can indicate the item type of a commissioned item 2a..2h or correspond to it. The transport orders C..C" to the autonomous transport vehicles 7a..7h can each include an identification of a commissioned item 2a..2h and an identification of the assigned delivery location 9. A transport order C..C" can also include an identification of a storage location 15 of the commissioned item 2a..2h.For example, the storage location 15 can be determined by the control unit 10 or the higher-level controller 11.

[0077] At this point, it should be noted that the order goods 2a..2h of different sequencing orders B are not necessarily transported to the same destination after the order sequences have been established, but can also have different destinations. For example, the order goods 2a..2h of a first sequence can belong to a first picking order and be transported to a first picking station 17, whereas the order goods 2a..2h of a second sequence can belong to a second picking order and be transported to a second picking station 17.

[0078] Fig. 5 shows a further example of a picking system 12b with a device 1c for providing order goods 2a..2h in a sequence and with a picking station 17a shown in somewhat more detail in a schematic side view. In this example, the picking station 17a comprises a robot or palletizer 18 for automatically picking the order goods 2, 2a..2h, which is movable along a guide rail 19 and has a gripper 20. Instead of such a gantry robot, an articulated robot can also be provided. With the help of the robot or palletizer 18, the order goods 2, 2a..2h are loaded onto a loading aid in the form of a pallet 21 and prepared for shipping. The structure of the picking station 17a is purely exemplary, and the picking station 17a could also have a different structure.For example, the robot 18 could be constructed differently, and a different type of loading equipment (e.g., cartons, roll containers) could be loaded. It would also be conceivable for the picking station 17a to be designed for manual picking of the order goods 2, 2a..2h. In this case, the picking station 17a can comprise an output device for outputting picking instructions to a picking operator and an input device for recording an acknowledgment command from the picking operator.

[0079] The device 1c in turn comprises a stationary conveyor system 3 with buffer spaces 5 with the positions P1..P8. As can be seen from Fig. 5, a transport plane E of the stationary conveyor system 3 in this example is vertically spaced from the running surface 6 in the delivery area 8. Specifically, the transport plane E is offset upwards by the vertical distance h relative to the running surface 6. For this purpose, the conveyor system 3 is supported, for example, by a vertical structure or support structure 22 of the device 1c. Specifically, the vertical structure 22 in the example shown in Fig. 5 is uprights or supports. However, a different type of support structure 22 could also be provided.

[0080] Raising the transport level E relative to the travel surface 6 can be advantageous, for example, if the stationary conveyor system 3 leads to a (manual) picking station 17, 17a and the order goods 2, 2a..2h are to be delivered there at an ergonomically advantageous height. If the vertical distance h provides sufficient clearance for the transport vehicles 7a..7h, the transport vehicles 7a..7h can also drive underneath the stationary conveyor system 3. However, it would also be conceivable for the transport level E to be arranged below the travel surface 6. If the vertical spacing enables transport of the order goods 2, 2a..2h on the stationary conveyor system 3, the transport vehicles 7a..7h can also drive above the stationary conveyor system 3. In both cases, access to and departure from the delivery points 9 is facilitated, and the risk of mutual blockages between the transport vehicles 7a..7h is reduced. Such a measure is particularly advantageous in connection with an embodiment according to Fig. 3, since otherwise accessibility to the delivery locations 9 is restricted. The transport level E generally represents the level at which the ordered goods 2, 2a..2h touch the stationary conveyor system 3 or the level at which the conveying process takes place. If the travel surface 6 is flat at least in the delivery area 8, the vertical spacing can also be implemented or defined in relation to the transport level E and the travel level.

[0081] The vertical structure 22 can be used by the autonomous transport vehicles 7a..7h for vertical movement, as shown in Fig. 5 by way of example for the transport vehicle 7f with the order goods 2f. This means that in this embodiment, the transport vehicles 7a..7h are capable of climbing and can move vertically along the structural vertical structure 22 of the device 2. The device 1c accordingly has a vertical movement area F for the autonomous transport vehicles 7a..7h, which adjoins the driving surface 6 in the delivery area 8 and extends along a vertical structure 22. The proposed measures enable the transport vehicles 7a..7h to climb up to the stationary conveyor system 3, where the order goods 2, 2a..2h are transferred sequentially to the buffer locations 5.

[0082] In Fig. 5, an eager rack 14 is indicated behind the device 1c (due to the side view). This rack has several vertically spaced storage locations 15. For this purpose, the storage rack 14 has a vertical structure or support structure 23, which supports the storage locations 15 and the order goods 2, 2a..2h stored thereon. Specifically, the vertical structure 23 in the example shown in Fig. 5 is again a set of uprights or supports. However, a different type of support structure 23 could also be provided.

[0083] The vertical structure 23 can also be used by the autonomous transport vehicles 7a..7h for vertical movement, as shown in Fig. 5 by way of example for the transport vehicle 7a with the goods 2a. This means that in this embodiment, the transport vehicles 7a..7h are capable of climbing and can move vertically along the structural vertical structure 23 of the storage rack 14. Thanks to the proposed measures, the transport vehicles 7a..7h can climb up to the storage locations 15, from where the order goods 2, 2a..2h are taken over. Separate single-level or multi-level storage and retrieval machines can then be omitted. It is particularly advantageous if the storage racks 14 of the storage area 13 have the same structural vertical structure 23 as the structural vertical structure 22 of the device 1c. In this way, the transport vehicles 7a..7h, both the storage racks 14 and the device 1c can be climbed with one and the same climbing device. For example, the same type of uprights can be provided for the storage racks 14 and the device 1c.

[0084] A vertical structure 22, 23 usable by the transport vehicles 7a..7h can, in particular, also be formed by a vertically (or very steeply or essentially vertically) extending section of the running surface 6. For example, the transport vehicles 7a..7h can magnetically adhere to such a running surface 6.

[0085] Fig. 6 now shows a further exemplary device Id in a schematic front view. Specifically, a transport vehicle 7a..7h can also climb up the vertical structure of the device Id, as is shown in Fig. 6 using the example of the transport vehicle 7f. However, this is not the only conceivable possibility for overcoming the height difference between the transport level E of the stationary conveyor system 3 and the running surface 6 in the delivery area 8. Alternatively, this height difference can also be overcome with a ramp 24 on which the running surface 6 is arranged, as indicated in Fig. 6 with a dashed line. A ramp 24 can generally be driven over by the transport vehicles 7a..7h without special aids, but it can also be provided that the transport vehicles 7a..7h are connected to the ramp 24 by suitable aids, e.g. magnetically adhered.

[0086] To overcome the vertical distance h, the transport vehicles 7a..7h can also be moved vertically by lifting devices (e.g., lifts) of the device Id. It would also be conceivable for the transport vehicles 7a..7h each to have a vertically adjustable transport platform and thus be able to lift a contracted product 2a..2h (see also Fig. 7).

[0087] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the device Id comprises transfer means 25 for transferring an order item 2a..2h from a transport platform of a transport vehicle 7a..7h to a buffer location 5 on the stationary conveyor system 3. These transfer means 25 can, for example, have a slider 26 which is movable along a guide rail 27 and with which the order item 2a..2h can be pushed from a transport platform of a transport vehicle 7a..7h to a buffer location 5, as shown schematically in Fig. 6. It would also be conceivable, for example, to use grippers which lift an order item 2a..2h from a transport platform of a transport vehicle 7a..7h to the buffer location 5 (compare the gripper 20 from Fig. 5).

[0088] In another embodiment, it can be provided that the transport vehicles 7a..7h each have their own transfer means for transferring an order item 2a..2h from the transport platform to a buffer location 5. For example, a transport vehicle 7a..7h itself can comprise a pusher 26, which pushes an order item 2a..2h from the transport platform to a buffer location 5 of the stationary conveyor system 3, or, for example, a gripper, which lifts an order item 2a..2h from the transport platform to a buffer location 5 of the stationary conveyor system 3.

[0089] The stationary conveyor system 3 can comprise, for example, conveyor rollers, conveyor belts or conveyor chains for conveying the order goods 2a..2h. Furthermore, the stationary conveyor system 3 can have side walls that are aligned at least in sections in the conveying direction A, which project beyond the transport plane E and prevent the order goods 2a..2h from falling down. In the buffer area 4, the height of such side walls can be reduced in order to facilitate or enable the transfer of the order goods 2a..2h to the buffer locations 5. For the same purpose, it can be provided that the side walls in the buffer area 4 have corresponding recesses or are omitted altogether in the buffer area 4. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it can be provided that the proposed measures are only provided on the side of the stationary conveyor system 3 adjacent to the delivery area 8 (ie on the left side in Fig. 6), on the opposite side (ieHowever, no such measures are taken (see Fig. 6 on the right). This means that the side walls are continuous and of full height on the side opposite the delivery area 8. This prevents order goods 2a..2h from inadvertently falling off the stationary conveyor system 3 during transfer to the buffer locations 5 on the side opposite the delivery area 8 (i.e., on the right in Fig. 6).

[0090] It would also be generally conceivable for the transport vehicles 7a..7h to deposit the order goods 2a..2h at the delivery location 9 or a storage area of ​​the delivery location 9. From there, the order goods 2a..2h are transferred to a buffer location 5, whereby the transfer can also be carried out by appropriate transfer means 25 (pushers, grippers, etc.). It would also be conceivable to use an intermediate conveyor system that connects the delivery area 8 with the buffer area 4 or the delivery locations 9 with the buffer locations 4 and is aligned, in particular, transversely to the conveying direction A of the stationary conveyor system 3. The order goods 2a..2h can then be transferred from a transport platform of a transport vehicle 7a..7h or from the delivery location 9 to the intermediate conveyor system, transported by the intermediate conveyor system to the assigned buffer location 5, and then transferred from the intermediate conveyor system to the buffer location 5. For the transfer of the order goods 2a..2h to or from the intermediate conveyor system, appropriate transfer devices (pushers, grippers, etc.) can be used. In Fig. 7, the intermediate conveyor system can run from left to right.

[0091] In the examples shown, each delivery location 9 is assigned to a buffer location 5 of the same conveyor system 3, 3'. However, this is not mandatory. It is also conceivable that a delivery location 9 is assigned to several buffer locations 5, 5' of the same conveyor system 3, 3', or that a buffer location 5, 5' is assigned to several delivery locations 9.

[0092] Finally, Fig. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of an autonomous transport vehicle 7 in an oblique view. The transport vehicle 7 comprises a chassis 28, wheels 28 mounted thereon, and a transport platform 30 for receiving one or more order goods 2, 2a...2h. The transport platform 30 is preferably arranged on the top side of the transport vehicle 7.

[0093] The wheels 28 can be electrically driven. The transport vehicle 7 can have a battery for power supply. Furthermore, the transport vehicle 7 can have a device for changing the direction of travel, for example, a steering system for the wheels 28 or a differential drive for the wheels 28. The wheels 28 can also be designed as Mecanum wheels to enable a change in the direction of travel.

[0094] The transport platform 30 can be mounted on the chassis 28 with an optional lifting / tilting mechanism 31, so that the transport platform 30 can be raised and / or tilted, as is the case in Fig. 7. By raising the transport platform 30, a vertical distance h between the transport plane E and the running surface 6 can be reduced or overcome without the transport vehicle 7 itself having to be moved vertically. By tilting the transport platform 30, a transfer of an order item 2a..2h can take place from the transport platform 30 to a buffer location 5 of the stationary conveyor system 3. This means that the transfer then takes place by sliding due to gravity. Pushers 26 or grippers are then not required; instead, the lifting / tilting mechanism 31 forms the transfer means 25 for transferring an order item 2a..2h from a transport platform 30 to a buffer location 9.However, it is also conceivable that the transport platform 30 is merely tilted in order to better present an order item 2a..2h for transfer to the buffer location 5, for example for a gripper of the transfer means 25.

[0095] Finally, the autonomous transport vehicle 7 also comprises a controller 32, which, on the one hand, controls the movements of the transport vehicle 7 and, on the other hand, communicates with the control unit 10 and / or the higher-level controller 11, in particular to receive a travel order C, C" (see also Fig. 1 and Fig. 4). With the aid of the controller 32, a travel order C, C" can be received and subsequently executed accordingly. A separate communication device can also be provided for communication with the control unit 10 and / or the higher-level controller 11.

[0096] In some cases, the devices shown or their components may be shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

[0097] Reference symbol list la.. Id device, 2a..2h order sw are

[0098] 3, 3' stationary conveyor technology, 4' buffer area

[0099] 5.5' buffer space

[0100] 6 driving surface, 7a..7h autonomous transport vehicle

[0101] 8 Delivery area

[0102] 9 Delivery point

[0103] 10 Control unit

[0104] 11 higher-level control

[0105] 12a, 12b picking system

[0106] 13 Storage area

[0107] 14 storage rack

[0108] 15 storage space

[0109] 16 shelf aisle

[0110] 17, 17a picking station

[0111] 18 robots / palletizers

[0112] 19 Rail 0 Gripper 1 Pallet 2 Vertical structure / supporting structure of the device 3 Vertical structure / supporting structure of the storage rack 4 Ramp 5 Transfer device 6 Pusher 27 Guide rail

[0113] 28 chassis

[0114] 29 bikes

[0115] 30 Transport platform transport vehicle

[0116] 31 Lifting / tilting mechanism

[0117] 32 Control h Vertical distance

[0118] A, A' conveying direction

[0119] BS sequence order

[0120] C..C“ driving order

[0121] D Transport order

[0122] E Transport level

[0123] FV vertical movement area

[0124] P1..P8' Position / Rank

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. Device (1a..1d) for providing order goods (2, 2a..2h) in a sequence, comprising a stationary conveyor system (3, 3') which is designed to transport the order goods (2, 2a..2h) along a conveying direction (A, A'), a driving surface (6) for autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h) which are designed to travel on the driving surface (6) and to transport the order goods (2, 2a..2h) are formed over the running surface (6), a vertical structure (22) with which a transport plane (E) of the stationary conveyor system (3, 3') is vertically spaced from the running surface (6) in the delivery area (8), characterized by a buffer area (4, 4') on the stationary conveyor system (3, 3'), which has a plurality of buffer locations (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A'), a delivery area (8) on the running surface (6), which has a plurality of delivery locations (9) arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A'), wherein a delivery location (9) is assigned to a buffer location (5, 5'), and a vertical movement area (F) for the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h), which adjoins the running surface (6) in the delivery area (8) and extends along the vertical structure (22).

2. Device (1a..1d) according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical structure (22) is designed such that climbing transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h) are vertically movable along the device (2, 2a..2h) and / or that the vertical movement area (F) comprises a ramp (24) on which the driving surface (6) is arranged.

3. Device (1a.. 1d) for providing order goods (2, 2a..2h) in a sequence, comprising a stationary conveyor system (3, 3') which is set up to transport the order goods (2, 2a..2h) along a conveying direction (A, A'), a buffer area (4, 4') on the stationary conveyor system (3, 3'), which has a plurality of buffer spaces (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A'), a driving surface (6) for autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h), which is set up to drive on the running surface (6) and for transporting the order goods (2, 2a..2h) on the running surface (6), a delivery area (8) on the running surface (6), which has a plurality of delivery locations (9) arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A'), wherein a delivery location (9) is assigned to a buffer location (5, 5') of the buffer locations (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A'), characterized by a control unit (10) which is set up to carry out the following steps: a) receiving a sequencing order (B) which comprises a definition of a sequence of the order goods (2, 2a..2h), b) assigning one of the delivery locations (9) to one of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) based on the definition of the sequence of the order goods (2, 2a..2h), c) sending travel orders (C..C”) to the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h), whereby the driving orders (C..C”) are driving instructions for transporting the ordered goods (2, 2a..2h) to the assigned delivery locations (9) and transfer instructions for a transfer of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) to the assigned buffer locations (5, 5'), d) monitoring the transfer of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) which can be transported by the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h) according to the driving instructions to the assigned delivery locations (9) and can be transferred according to the transfer instructions to the assigned buffer locations (5, 5'), e) defining a transport condition for triggering a transport of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) and f) triggering a transport of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) by the stationary conveyor technology (3, 3') in the conveying direction (A, A') when the transport condition is fulfilled.

4. Device (la.. Id) according to claim 3, characterized in that the stationary conveyor system (3, 3 ') comprises a transport plane (E) which is vertically spaced from the driving surface (6) in the delivery area (8).

5. Device (la.. Id) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by a vertical movement area (F) for the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h), which adjoins the driving surface (6) in the delivery area (8) and extends along a Vertical structure (22), wherein with the vertical structure (22) the transport plane (E) is vertically spaced from the driving surface (6), wherein the vertical structure (22) is designed such that climbing transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h) are vertically movable along the device (2, 2a..2h) and / or wherein the vertical movement region (F) comprises a ramp (24) on which the driving surface (6) is arranged.

6. Device (1a.. Id) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by transfer means (25) for transferring an order item (2, 2a..2h) from a transport platform (30) of a transport vehicle (7, 7a..7h) to a buffer location (5, 5') of the buffer locations (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A').

7. Device (la.. Id) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h), each of which has a transport platform (30) for receiving an order product (2, 2a..2h).

8. Device (la.. Id) according to one of claims 2 or 5, characterized by the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h), each of which has a transport platform (30) for receiving an order product (2, 2a..2h), Transfer means (25) for transferring an order item (2, 2a..2h) from the transport platform (30) of a transport vehicle (7, 7a..7h) to a buffer location (5, 5') of the buffer locations (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A'), wherein the transfer of the order item (2, 2a..2h) from the transport platform (30) of the transport vehicle (7, 7a..7h) to a buffer location (5, 5') takes place when at least part of the vertical movement range (F) has been overcome by the transport vehicle (7, 7a..7h), i.e. the transport vehicle (7, 7a..7h) has driven up part of the ramp or has climbed vertically on the vertical structure (22) of the device.

9. Device (1a..1d) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h) each have transfer means for transferring an order item (2, 2a..2h) from the transport platform (30) to a buffer location (5, 5') of the buffer locations (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A').

10. Device (la.. Id) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the transport platform (30) is vertically adjustable and / or inclinable. 11 Device (1a.. 1d) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by a first and a second stationary conveyor system (3, 3') for providing a respective sequence of order goods (2, 2a..2h), each with a buffer area (4, 4') of the type mentioned, wherein the delivery area (8) is arranged between the first and second buffer areas (4, 4') and wherein a delivery location (9) is assigned to a buffer location (5) of the first conveyor system (3) and a buffer location (5') of the second stationary conveyor system (3'), and wherein delivered order goods (2, 2a..2h) can be transferred selectively to the first or second buffer locations (5, 5').

12. Device (1a.. Id) according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the control unit (10) is further designed to select the delivery locations (9) in an alternating arrangement if the sequencing order (B) comprises fewer order goods (2, 2a..2h) than there are delivery locations (9).

13. Device (1a..1d) according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the control unit (10) is further designed to control the simultaneous formation of several sequences of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) in the buffer area (4, 4').

14. Device (1a.. Id) according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the transport condition concerns a complete transfer of all order goods (2, 2a..2h) to the buffer locations (5, 5') or a transfer of a part of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) to the buffer locations (5, 5').

15. Device (1a.. Id) according to one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that the control unit (10) is designed to send all the transport orders (C, C') necessary for the delivery and transfer of the ordered goods (2, 2a..2h) at once and to trigger a simultaneous delivery of the ordered goods (2, 2a..2h) to the assigned delivery locations (9).

16. Order picking system (12a, 12b) for processing order picking orders, comprising a storage area (13) with storage locations (15) for storing order goods (2, 2a..2h), a picking station (17, 17a) for picking order goods (2, 2a..2h) according to order picking orders, characterized by a device (1a..1d) for forming a sequence of order goods (2, 2a..2h) according to one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the travel area (6) adjoins the storage area (13) and the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h) connect the storage area (13) and the delivery area (8) in terms of conveyor technology in order to enable transport of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) from the storage locations (15) to the delivery locations (9) in accordance with the travel orders (C..C”), and wherein the stationary conveyor technology (3, 3') adjoins the picking station (17, 17a) and enables transport of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) to the picking station (17, 17a) in the ordered sequence.

17. Order picking system (12a, 12b) according to claim 16, characterized in that the autonomous transport vehicles (71) are designed additionally for driving in the storage area (13) and additionally for transporting the order goods (2, 2a..2h) in the storage area (13).

18. Storage and order-picking system (12a, 12b) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the order-picking station (71) is designed for manual order-picking of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) and / or comprises a robot or a palletizer (18) for automatic order-picking of the order goods (2, 2a..2h).

19. Storage and order-picking system (12a, 12b) according to one of claims 16 to 18 with a device (1a.. Id) according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that storage racks (15) of the storage area (13), which comprise the storage locations (15), have, with regard to their design, the same structural vertical structure (23) as the structural vertical structure (22) of the device (1a.. Id).

20. Method for providing order goods (2, 2a..2h) in a sequence with a device (1a..1d), preferably according to one of claims 3 to 15, wherein the device (1a..1d) comprises a stationary conveyor system (3, 3') which is designed to transport the order goods (2, 2a..2h) along a conveying direction (A, A'), a buffer area (4, 4') on the stationary conveyor system (3, 3'), which has a plurality of buffer spaces (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A'), a driving surface (6) for autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h), which are designed to travel on the driving surface (6) and to transport the order goods (2, 2a..2h) on the driving surface (6), and a delivery area (8) on the driving surface (6), which has a plurality of buffer spaces (5, 5') arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction (A, A'). arranged delivery locations (9), wherein a delivery location (9) is assigned to a buffer location (5, 5'), characterized in that the control unit (10) carries out the following steps: a) receiving a sequencing order (B) which comprises a definition of a sequence of the order goods (2, 2a..2h), b) assigning one of the delivery locations (9) to one of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) based on the definition of the sequence of the order goods (2, 2a..2h), c) sending travel orders (C..C") to the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h), wherein the travel orders (C..C") comprise travel instructions for transporting the order goods (2, 2a..2h) to the assigned delivery locations (9) and transfer instructions for handing over the order goods (2, 2a..2h) to the assigned buffer locations (5, 5'), d) Monitoring the handover of the ordered goods (2, 2a..2h) carried out by the autonomous transport vehicles (7, 7a..7h) can be transported to the assigned delivery locations (9) in accordance with the travel instructions and can be transferred to the assigned buffer locations (5, 5') in accordance with the transfer instructions, e) definition of a transport condition for triggering a transport of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) and f) triggering a transport of the order goods (2, 2a..2h) by the stationary conveyor system (3, 3') in the conveying direction (A, A') when the transport condition is fulfilled.

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