Pallet-rack warehousing system

Abstract

A pallet-rack warehousing system, comprising at least one group of racks (1). A goods transfer device (2) is provided in an aisle between two racks of the same group; the goods transfer device comprises a primary carrier (2-1); a carrying platform (2-3) is connected to the primary carrier by means of lifting / lowering belts (2-2); the primary carrier cooperates, by means of first locomotion mechanisms (2-4), with traveling tracks provided on the racks, so as to travel in the direction of extension of the racks; the carrying platform is provided with a stretchable / retractable fork assembly (2-9); and the stretchable / retractable fork assembly is connected to lifting / lowering mechanisms mounted on the carrying platform. The warehousing system has good operation safety.

Description

A pallet racking storage system

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2024114541177, filed on October 17, 2024, entitled “A Pallet Racking Storage System”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of warehousing technology, specifically to pallet racking warehousing systems. Background Technology

[0004] The statements herein provide only background information in relation to this disclosure and do not necessarily constitute prior art.

[0005] In current pallet racking storage systems, pallet transfer devices are installed in the aisles between two adjacent racks. These devices include a mother car and a loading platform. The mother car is connected to the loading platform via a lifting belt, which moves the loading platform up and down. The mother car is connected to a track on the side of the rack via a first traveling mechanism, allowing it to travel along the rack's extension direction. The lifting belt moves the loading platform up and down to the target location on the rack. The loading platform is equipped with a telescopic fork assembly configured to engage with the pallet's fork holes. During use, the telescopic fork assembly extends into the fork holes, and the lifting belt moves the loading platform up and down, allowing the pallet to be detached from or placed on the target location on the rack via the telescopic fork assembly. However, with this method, if the goods on the pallet are heavy, the telescopic fork assembly can easily cause the equipment to tip over during the retrieval process. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a pallet racking storage system that ensures the safety of the goods picking process using telescopic fork components.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present disclosure adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a pallet racking storage system, including at least one set of racks. An aisle between two racks in the same set is provided with a cargo transfer device. The cargo transfer device includes a mother car, which is connected to a loading platform via a lifting belt. The mother car travels along the extension direction of the racks via a first traveling mechanism that cooperates with the traveling track provided on the racks. The loading platform is provided with a telescopic fork assembly, which is connected to a lifting mechanism installed on the loading platform.

[0009] Optionally, at least one of the lifting mechanisms is provided on each side of the loading platform.

[0010] Optionally, the lifting mechanism may be a cam-lifting mechanism, a screw-lifting mechanism, or a rack and pinion lifting mechanism installed on the loading platform.

[0011] Optionally, the shelving is provided in multiple sets, and the travel tracks of adjacent sets of shelving are connected by aisle-changing tracks to enable the transfer of goods between adjacent sets of shelving aisles.

[0012] Optionally, the aisle-changing track is a curved track. In two adjacent sets of shelves, one end of the curved track is connected to the end of the travel track of one set of shelves, and the other end of the curved track is connected to the end of the travel track of the other set of shelves.

[0013] Optionally, a mobile platform is provided at the top end of the shelf, the mobile platform being configured to carry the goods transfer device and move it along a direction perpendicular to the shelf extension to realize the transfer of the goods transfer device between adjacent sets of shelf aisles.

[0014] Optionally, each side of the loading platform is provided with at least one clamping component configured to cooperate with the shelf, and the clamping component is connected to the telescopic assembly installed on the loading platform; the clamping component is a magnetic claw or a rigid claw.

[0015] Optionally, the telescopic assembly adopts a rack and pinion telescopic mechanism or a telescopic cylinder. Optionally, in the mother car, at least one buffer component is provided on each of the two edges perpendicular to the extension direction of the rack.

[0016] Optionally, a second traveling mechanism is provided on both sides of the loading platform along the extension direction of the shelf. The second traveling mechanism is configured to travel along the floor of the aisle or along the traveling track of the loading platform set along the extension direction of the aisle.

[0017] Optionally, a cargo detection element is also provided above the loading platform to detect whether the cargo has been transferred to the loading platform.

[0018] Optionally, the cargo detection element is a photoelectric sensor, and two photoelectric sensors are distributed along the extension direction of the telescopic fork assembly. The photoelectric sensors are fixed on a sensor bracket, and the sensor bracket is fixed on the cargo platform.

[0019] Optionally, an attitude detection element is installed on the cargo platform, and the attitude detection element uses a gyroscope to detect the attitude of the cargo platform; or, multiple laser rangefinders are installed on the cargo platform or the mother car as the attitude detection element.

[0020] Optionally, two first traveling mechanisms are provided on both sides of the mother car. Each first traveling mechanism includes a traveling wheel that cooperates with the traveling track. At least one of the traveling wheels is connected to a traveling drive motor installed on the mother car. The traveling drive motor drives the traveling wheel to rotate, thereby driving the entire mother car to move along the traveling track.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the above disclosure are as follows:

[0022] 1. The pallet racking storage system disclosed herein connects a telescopic fork assembly to a lifting mechanism. When retrieving goods, the telescopic fork assembly works with the pallet, and the lifting mechanism first lifts the pallet and goods to a set height before retrieving the goods. Compared with the traditional method of using a lifting belt to lift the pallet and goods, this avoids the risk of equipment tipping over, making the goods transfer device safer to operate.

[0023] 2. The pallet racking storage system disclosed herein has a loading platform equipped with a clamping component connected to a telescopic assembly. When the telescopic fork assembly picks up or places goods, the telescopic assembly can drive the clamping component to extend and cooperate with the rack, thereby blocking the rack and further preventing the loading platform from tipping over, thus ensuring safety when picking up or placing goods.

[0024] 3. The pallet racking storage system disclosed herein is equipped with aisle-changing tracks, which enables the cargo transfer device to move to aisles of different groups of racks. The same cargo transfer device can pick up and put down goods on different groups of racks, eliminating the need to install cargo transfer devices on each group of racks, thus reducing the equipment cost of the storage system. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments of this application and their descriptions are configured to explain this application and do not constitute a limitation thereof.

[0026] Figure 1 is a front view of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 2 is a top view of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the cargo transfer device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 4 is a front view of the cargo transfer device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure;

[0030] Figure 5 is a side view of the cargo transfer device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure;

[0031] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the cargo transfer device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure;

[0032] Among them, 1. rack, 2. cargo transfer device, 3. aisle changing track, 4. pallet, 5. second traveling mechanism, 6. wheel and axle, 7. slider, 8. telescopic drive mechanism, 9. intermediate shaft, 10. belt drive mechanism, 11. cargo platform traveling drive motor, 2-1. mother car, 2-2. lifting belt, 2-3. cargo platform, 2-4. first traveling mechanism, 2-5. lifting belt drive motor, 2-6. winding wheel, 2-7. guide wheel, 2-8. buffer assembly, 2-9. telescopic fork assembly, 2-10. clamping component, 2-11. telescopic assembly, 2-12. cargo detection element. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Example 1

[0034] This embodiment provides a pallet racking storage system, including at least one set of racks 1, with two racks 1 arranged side by side in the same set. An aisle is provided between adjacent racks 1, and a cargo transfer device 2 is provided at the aisle position of adjacent racks. The cargo transfer device 2 includes a mother car 2-1, which is connected to a loading platform 2-3 via a lifting belt 2-2. The mother car 2-1 can drive the loading platform 2-3 to move up and down via the lifting belt 2-2. The mother car 2-1 is also provided with two first traveling mechanisms 2-4, which cooperate with the traveling track fixed to the rack 1. The mother car 2-1 can travel along the traveling track via the first traveling mechanism 2-4, thereby realizing that the mother car 2-1 travels along the extension direction of the rack 1 and the aisle.

[0035] In this embodiment, the walking track is set on the top of the shelf 1, so the mother car 2-1 travels from the top of the aisle.

[0036] The mother car 2-1 is equipped with lifting belt drive components at its four corners. The lifting belt drive components are devices such as lifting belt drive motor 2-5 that can output rotational motion. The output shaft of the lifting belt drive motor 2-5 is connected to the winding wheel 2-6. The lifting belt 2-2 is wound on the winding wheel 2-6. The lifting belt 2-2 passes around the guide wheel 2-7 set on the loading platform 2-3 and extends downward through the loading platform. The movable end of the lifting belt is connected to the loading platform 2-3.

[0037] Two first traveling mechanisms 2-4 are provided on both sides of the mother car 2-1. Each first traveling mechanism 2-4 includes a traveling wheel that cooperates with the traveling track. At least one traveling wheel is connected to a traveling drive motor installed on the mother car 2-1. The traveling drive motor drives the traveling wheel to rotate, thereby driving the entire mother car to move along the traveling track.

[0038] The mother car 2-1 is provided with at least one buffer component 2-8 on each of its two edges perpendicular to the direction of travel. The buffer component 2-8 is a block made of flexible material such as rubber.

[0039] A lifting mechanism is provided on the loading platform 2-3. The lifting mechanism is connected to the telescopic fork assembly 2-9. The telescopic fork assembly 2-9 can extend and retract. The telescopic fork assembly 2-9 is configured to cooperate with the fork holes on the pallet 4. When the telescopic fork assembly extends, it can be inserted into the fork holes, thereby driving the pallet 4 to move.

[0040] The telescopic fork assembly 2-9 can be made using existing equipment, and its specific structure is described in detail here.

[0041] The telescopic fork assembly 2-9 is connected to the lifting mechanism installed on the loading platform 2-3. The lifting mechanism can drive the telescopic fork assembly to move up and down a certain distance.

[0042] In this embodiment, in order to ensure the stability of the lifting of the telescopic fork assembly 2-9, at least one lifting mechanism is provided on both sides of the loading platform 2-3. Optionally, multiple lifting mechanisms are provided on both sides of the loading platform 2-3.

[0043] The lifting mechanism can be a screw lifting mechanism, a cam lifting mechanism, or a screw lifting mechanism, etc. It can be understood that the lifting mechanism only needs to be able to achieve vertical lifting motion perpendicular to the loading platform. Those skilled in the art can set it according to actual needs, which will not be described in detail here.

[0044] To further improve the stability of the loading platform 2-3 when loading and unloading goods, at least one holding component 2-10 is provided on each side of the loading platform. The holding component 2-10 is connected to the telescopic component 2-11 installed on the loading platform. When the loading platform 2-3 moves to the target position of the shelf, the telescopic component 2-11 can drive the holding component 2-10 to extend and abut against the shelf 1, thereby realizing the stability of the loading platform 2-3 by using the shelf 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, two clamping components 2-10 are provided on both sides of the loading platform. In another embodiment, one clamping component 2-10 is provided on both sides of the loading platform 2-3. The clamping components 2-10 on both sides are diagonally arranged relative to the loading platform 2-3 to avoid the position of the clamping components 2-10 deviating from the center of the loading platform 2-3 and causing the center to shift, thus ensuring the stability of the loading platform.

[0046] The telescopic component 2-11 employs a telescopic cylinder or a rack and pinion telescopic mechanism, which are capable of outputting telescopic motion. In this embodiment, the telescopic component 2-11 employs a rack and pinion telescopic mechanism, including a telescopic shaft. The telescopic shaft is slidably connected to a guide block installed on the loading platform 2-3. A clamping component 2-10 is connected to the end of the telescopic shaft. A servo motor is provided on the guide block. The servo motor is connected to a gear located in the cavity inside the guide block. The gear meshes with a rack on the telescopic shaft. The servo motor drives the gear to rotate, thereby driving the telescopic shaft to perform telescopic motion through the rack.

[0047] The clamping component 2-10 adopts magnetic or rigid clamping claws, and has multiple claws to increase the contact area with the shelf.

[0048] Optionally, cargo detection elements 2-12 are provided on both sides above the loading platform 2-3, configured to detect whether cargo has moved to the loading platform. In this embodiment, the cargo detection elements 2-12 are photoelectric sensors. Two photoelectric sensors are distributed along the extension direction of the telescopic fork assembly. The photoelectric sensors are fixed on the sensor bracket, and the sensor bracket is fixed on the loading platform, so that there is a set distance between the photoelectric sensors and the loading platform.

[0049] Optionally, an attitude detection element is installed on the loading platform 2-3. The attitude detection element uses a gyroscope to detect the attitude of the loading platform. Alternatively, multiple laser rangefinders are installed on the loading platform or the mother car as attitude detection elements. By detecting the distance between the mother car and the loading platform at different positions using multiple laser rangefinders, the attitude of the loading platform can be determined.

[0050] In this embodiment, multiple sets of shelves 1 are provided, and a transfer track 3 is provided between the walking tracks of adjacent sets of shelves. The mother car 2-1 can travel on the transfer track 3, thereby moving to the aisle position of the adjacent set of shelves 1. With this arrangement, the goods transfer device 2 can move to the aisles of different sets of shelves 1. The same goods transfer device 2 can pick up and put away goods on different sets of shelves 1, eliminating the need to set up a goods transfer device for each set of shelves, thus reducing the equipment cost of the warehousing system.

[0051] In this embodiment, the lane-changing track 3 is a curved track, or optionally a semi-circular track. One end of the curved track is connected to one end of the travel track of one of the two adjacent sets of shelves, and the other end of the curved track is connected to the same side end of the travel track of the other set of shelves. In this way, the mother car can move directly to the travel track of the adjacent set of shelves through the curved track without the need to set a steering mechanism.

[0052] In another embodiment, a mobile platform is provided at the end of the shelf, the mobile platform being configured to carry the cargo transfer device and move it along a direction perpendicular to the extension of the shelf to enable the cargo transfer device to be transferred between adjacent sets of shelf aisles.

[0053] The working method of the warehousing system in this embodiment is as follows:

[0054] The mother car 2 travels along the track. The mother car 2-1 drives the loading platform 2-3 to rise and fall via the lifting belt 2-2, so that the loading platform 2-3 moves to the target storage location on the shelf 1. When loading, the telescopic fork assembly 2-9 extends and retracts to transfer the pallet 4 carrying the goods to the target storage location. Then, the lifting mechanism drives the telescopic fork assembly 2-9 to descend, placing the pallet 4 on the shelf 1. When retrieving, the telescopic fork assembly 2-9 extends and inserts into the fork hole of the pallet 4. Then, the lifting mechanism drives the pallet 4 to rise to the set height, and the pallet 4 detaches from the shelf 1. Then, the telescopic fork assembly retracts, transferring the pallet to the loading platform. The lifting belt lifts the loading platform to the highest height, and the mother car moves to the unloading station. The lifting belt lowers the loading platform to the unloading station, and the telescopic fork assembly is used to unload the goods.

[0055] Optionally, when the telescopic fork assembly 2-9 is picking up or placing goods, the telescopic assembly 2-11 will drive the clamping component 2-10 to extend and abut against the shelf 1, ensuring the stability of the loading platform when picking up or placing goods.

[0056] In this embodiment of the warehousing system, after the telescopic fork assembly is used in conjunction with the pallet, the pallet and goods are first lifted to a set height using a lifting mechanism, and then the goods are retrieved. Compared with the traditional method of using a lifting belt to lift the pallet and goods, this avoids the risk of equipment tipping over, making the operation of the goods transfer device safer.

[0057] Example 2

[0058] This embodiment provides a pallet racking storage system. Compared with embodiment 1, the difference is that the loading platform is provided with a second traveling mechanism 5 on both sides along the extension direction of the rack. The second traveling mechanism 5 is configured to travel along the aisle floor or along the loading platform traveling track set along the extension direction of the aisle.

[0059] The second traveling mechanism 5 uses traveling wheels installed on the side of the loading platform. The traveling wheels are connected to the drive mechanism, which drives the traveling wheels to rotate, so that the loading platform can travel along the loading platform traveling track or the aisle floor.

[0060] When the second traveling mechanism is engaged with the cargo platform traveling track, the second traveling mechanism is a telescopic structure. Specifically, the traveling wheel of the second traveling mechanism is connected to the wheel axle 6, the wheel axle 6 is rotatably connected to the slider 7 through a bearing, the slider is slidably connected to the cargo platform, and the slider 7 is connected to the telescopic drive mechanism 8 on the cargo platform. The wheel axle 6 is also connected to the corresponding intermediate shaft 9 through a key connection. The intermediate shaft is rotatably connected to the cargo platform through an intermediate shaft seat. The wheel axle 6 can rotate synchronously with the intermediate shaft 9 and can also move linearly along the axial direction of the intermediate shaft 9. The intermediate shaft 9 is connected to the cargo platform traveling drive motor 11 through a belt drive mechanism 10. The cargo platform traveling drive motor is mounted on the cargo platform.

[0061] The telescopic drive mechanism can be any mechanism capable of outputting linear motion, such as a cylinder or a rack and pinion telescopic mechanism. It will not be described in detail here. In this embodiment, a rack and pinion telescopic mechanism is used, including a telescopic shaft, which is slidably connected to a guide block. A servo motor is fixed on the guide block, and the servo motor is connected to a gear. The gear meshes with a rack on the telescopic shaft.

[0062] The remaining structure of this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and will not be described again here.

[0063] While the specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solutions of this disclosure are still within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Industrial applicability

[0064] In summary, this disclosure provides a pallet racking storage system that ensures the safety of the goods retrieval process using telescopic fork components.

Claims

1. A pallet racking warehousing system characterized by, It includes at least one set of racks, and the aisle between two racks in the same set is provided with a cargo transfer device. The cargo transfer device includes a mother car, which is connected to a loading platform via a lifting belt. The mother car travels along the extension direction of the racks by cooperating with the traveling rails set on the racks via a first traveling mechanism. The loading platform is provided with a telescopic fork assembly, which is connected to a lifting mechanism installed on the loading platform.

2. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein, At least one of the lifting mechanisms is provided on each side of the loading platform.

3. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein, The lifting mechanism is a cam-lifting mechanism, a screw-lifting mechanism, or a rack and pinion lifting mechanism installed on the loading platform.

4. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein, The shelving is provided in multiple sets, and the walking tracks of adjacent sets of shelving are connected by aisle-changing tracks to enable the transfer of goods between adjacent sets of shelving aisles.

5. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in claim 4 wherein, The aisle-changing track adopts a curved track. In two adjacent sets of shelves, one end of the curved track is connected to the end of the travel track of one set of shelves, and the other end of the curved track is connected to the end of the travel track of the other set of shelves.

6. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein, The end of the shelf is provided with a mobile platform, which is configured to carry the cargo transfer device and move it along the direction perpendicular to the extension of the shelf to realize the transfer of the cargo transfer device between adjacent sets of shelf aisles.

7. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein, The shelf is equipped with multiple walking tracks at different heights, and the mobile platform is also configured to carry the cargo transfer device along the height of the shelf so that the cargo transfer device can reach different layers of the shelf.

8. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein, At least one clamping component is provided on each side of the loading platform, configured to cooperate with the shelf. The clamping component is connected to the telescopic assembly installed on the loading platform. The clamping component is a magnetic claw or a rigid claw.

9. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in claim 8 wherein, The telescopic assembly adopts a rack and pinion telescopic mechanism or a telescopic cylinder.

10. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein, In the mother car, at least one buffer component is provided on each of the two edges perpendicular to the extension direction of the shelf.

11. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein, The loading platform is provided with a second traveling mechanism on both sides along the extension direction of the shelf. The second traveling mechanism is configured to travel along the floor of the aisle or along the traveling track of the loading platform.

12. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein, The loading platform is also equipped with cargo detection elements to detect whether the cargo has been transferred to the loading platform.

13. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in claim 12 wherein, The cargo detection element uses a photoelectric sensor. Two photoelectric sensors are distributed along the extension direction of the telescopic fork assembly. The photoelectric sensors are fixed on a sensor bracket, which is fixed on the cargo platform.

14. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein, An attitude detection element is installed on the cargo platform, and the attitude detection element uses a gyroscope to detect the attitude of the cargo platform; or, multiple laser rangefinders are installed on the cargo platform or the mother car as the attitude detection element.

15. A pallet racking warehousing system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein, Two first traveling mechanisms are provided on both sides of the mother car. Each first traveling mechanism includes a traveling wheel that cooperates with the traveling track. At least one of the traveling wheels is connected to a traveling drive motor installed on the mother car. The traveling drive motor drives the traveling wheel to rotate, thereby driving the entire mother car to move along the traveling track.

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