Storage lift

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage lift (10) comprising an operating opening (20) for storing and retrieving items located on item carriers (16) and also comprising a loading balcony (22), which extends along the operating opening (20) and is intended for receiving items and / or at least one item carrier (16), wherein a weighing device (32) for measuring a weight of at least one item carrier (16) and / or item is integrated in the loading balcony (22).

Description

[0001] Hänel GmbH & Co. KG Munich, February 18, 2026 74177 Bad Friedrichshall Our reference: 01320305 P-WC Germany

[0002] Storage lift

[0003] The invention relates to a storage lift comprising an operating opening for loading and unloading goods located on storage carriers and a loading balcony extending along the operating opening for receiving goods and / or at least one storage carrier.

[0004] A storage lift of the type mentioned above serves for the automated provision of stored goods. The stored goods themselves are held in storage carriers arranged within the storage lift. For the storage and retrieval of goods, a transport device moves at least one storage carrier to an access opening. At the access opening, an operator and / or a robot can remove goods from the storage carrier for retrieval or place goods onto the storage carrier for storage. The process of storage and retrieval can also be referred to as order picking.

[0005] To comply with the static and / or dynamic requirements for the storage lift and / or the storage carrier, it is necessary to weigh the goods being stored and / or retrieved. This is done using a scale, either a weight scale to measure the weight of the stored goods or a counting scale to count the goods. With a counting scale, the number of items is determined based on the measured weight against a reference weight.

[0006] Such a scale is usually an external device that connects via an interface to the storage lift. A disadvantage of this is that it requires an additional peripheral device, which takes up extra space.

[0007] To circumvent this disadvantage, a storage device is known from EP 2607 867 B1, which has a movable weighing device for weight measurement in the area of ​​a loading opening. A storage carrier can be fed from the loading opening to this device for its weight to be measured. The known storage device has the disadvantage that the weighing device has a complicated design due to the drive mechanism required for its movableness. In addition, the drive mechanism can pose a danger to the operator, for example, by accidentally reaching into it.

[0008] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a storage lift that offers the possibility of measuring the weight force of stored goods and at the same time has a simple design and improved occupational safety.

[0009] To solve the problem, a storage lift with the features of claim 1 is proposed.

[0010] Advantageous designs of the storage lift are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, a storage lift is proposed which has an operating opening for storing and retrieving goods located on storage carriers and a loading balcony extending along the operating opening for receiving goods and / or a storage carrier, wherein a weighing device for measuring a weight force of at least one storage carrier and / or goods is integrated into the loading balcony.

[0012] The integration of a weighing device into the loading platform results in a simple design for the storage lift. Furthermore, the weighing device integrated into the loading platform allows for the recording of the weight and / or quantity of goods being stored or retrieved. In addition, the integrated weighing device provides sufficient occupational safety for the operator, as it eliminates any hazards posed by additional equipment. Moreover, by determining the weight of the stored goods and / or at least one load carrier, the risk of unloading is significantly minimized, thereby fulfilling the static and dynamic requirements for the storage lift and / or the load carrier. In this context, a weighing device is defined as a device that uses measurement of the weight to determine the weight and / or quantity of stored goods and / or at least one load carrier.

[0013] In the context of the invention, the integration of the weighing device into the loading platform is understood to mean a static, i.e. fixed and therefore non-movable, arrangement of the weighing device in the loading platform; that is, the weighing device is not movable relative to the loading platform, but rather the weighing device is permanently installed in the loading platform.

[0014] The storage lift can be an automated storage rack or automated storage system. The storage lift can be designed as a vertical lift or as a carousel rack.

[0015] The storage lift can comprise a housing, an operating opening (also referred to as a loading and unloading opening) through which goods can be positioned for storage on a storage carrier and / or removed from a storage carrier, and an automatic transport device located within the housing that delivers storage carriers loaded with goods to the operating opening. Alternatively, the automatic transport device can transport the storage carriers from storage locations within the housing to the operating opening and vice versa. The automatic transport device can include a driven, circulating chain, support units connected to the chain, and support sets connected to the chain via the support units that hold the storage carriers. The chain can be driven by a motor, for example, an electric motor.Furthermore, the storage lift can have a control unit for operating the lift and, next to the operating opening, an operating device in the form of a control panel and / or a display, which serves to confirm picking commands. The operating device can be connected to the control unit. In addition, the storage lift can have a matrix display below the operating opening that shows the position of the goods to be retrieved on the storage carrier. The storage lift can also have light barriers within the operating opening for measuring the height of the goods to be stored. Advantageously, the loading platform also has a work surface for placing or setting down goods and / or storage carriers. Furthermore, the loading platform can be arranged adjacent to the operating opening and extend approximately across the entire width of the operating opening and / or the storage lift.The loading platform can have a depth extension oriented perpendicular to the operating opening and a width extension oriented parallel to the operating opening. Furthermore, the loading platform can have a suspension system by means of which it is attached to the storage lift.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the loading platform has a fastening system for attachment to the storage lift, with the weighing device integrated into the fastening system. By integrating or installing the weighing device into the fastening system, the entire contact surface of the loading platform can be used as a weighing platform.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the weighing device comprises at least one load cell integrated into the mounting system. A load cell is an electromechanical sensor that converts the force exerted by a weight into an electrical signal. For this purpose, the load cell can include a strain gauge that measures the deformation of the load cell under load. The strain gauge changes its electrical resistance proportionally to the strain caused by the applied weight. This change in resistance is converted into an electrical signal, which is then amplified and converted into a digital signal for display or further processing. The load cell can also be referred to as a load cell. Advantageously, the quantity is determined via a control unit of the storage lift connected to the load cell.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening system comprises two fastening means arranged on the end faces of the loading platform, with at least one load cell integrated into each fastening means. Due to the span of the spaced-apart load cells, the weighing device can determine a larger weighing range, for example, kilograms. In an advantageous embodiment, the loading platform has a flat, upper work surface, with the weighing device inserted into a recess in the work surface. This enables precise measurement of small quantities or individual containers directly on a weighing platform of the weighing device. Furthermore, providing the weighing device in a recess in the work surface allows the use of a standard scale. This makes it possible to precisely measure the weighing range, for example, in grams and kilograms.

[0019] In an advantageous design, the weighing device is flush with the worktop. This creates a visually appealing appearance. Furthermore, the flush surface increases user safety.

[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the recess can be closed by means of a cover. The cover protects the weighing device from damage when not in use. Advantageously, the cover is positioned on the weighing platform of the weighing device for covering purposes.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the weighing device is connected to a control unit of the storage lift. The storage lift can be controlled by means of the control unit. Furthermore, the control unit can determine the quantity of goods on the storage carrier based on the weight measured by the weighing device. The control unit can include a processing unit by means of which a weight and / or quantity of the stored goods can be determined. The control unit can also include a storage device in which information about the stored goods being loaded or unloaded, such as their weight or a reference weight, is stored. For example, the control unit can determine the quantity of the measured goods based on a reference weight stored in the storage device, using the measured weight force.

[0022] The following section explains a storage lift and its other features and advantages in more detail using exemplary embodiments, which are schematically illustrated in the figures. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a storage lift with a weighing device according to a first embodiment; and

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a top view of a loading platform with a weighing device according to a second embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a storage lift 10, which serves for storing and retrieving goods not shown and which is designed here as a carousel storage system.

[0025] The storage lift 10 has a housing 12, support sets 14 for receiving storage carriers 16 in which the stored goods are received, an automatic transport device 18 arranged inside the housing 12 for transporting the storage carriers 16, and an operating opening 20 through which the stored goods are stored and retrieved.

[0026] The automatic transport device 18, which operates according to the paternoster principle, has a driven, circulating chain on which support units are arranged, via which the support sets 14 are connected to the chain. The chain is driven by a motor, for example an electric motor.

[0027] For the storage and retrieval of goods, the carrier set 14 with the storage carriers 16 is conveyed into the operating opening 20 by means of the transport device 18. Through the operating opening 20, an operator and / or a robot can remove goods from the storage carrier 16 for retrieval or feed goods into the storage carrier 16 for storage.

[0028] To facilitate loading and unloading, a loading balcony 22 is arranged in front of the operating opening 20, which extends over the entire width B of the storage lift 10 and serves for the storage of goods and / or storage carriers 16, as can be seen in Fig. 1.

[0029] The loading platform 22 has a depth extension TL oriented perpendicular to the operating opening 20 and a width extension BL oriented parallel to the operating opening 20. The loading platform 22 also has a flat work surface 23 on its upper side for supporting stored goods and / or storage carriers 16.

[0030] To attach the loading platform 22 to the storage lift 10, in particular to the housing 12, the loading platform 22 has a fastening system 24. The fastening system 24 has two fastening means 26, one fastening means 26 being arranged, in particular attached, to an end face 28 of the loading platform 22. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the fastening means 26 are designed as sheet metal brackets 28, which are attached, in particular welded, to end faces 30 of the work surface 22.

[0031] For measuring a weight force and / or a number of items of the stored goods to be stored or retrieved and / or at least one storage carrier 16, the storage lift 10 has a weighing device 32 integrated into the loading platform 22.

[0032] The weighing device 32 has two load cells 34, shown schematically, with each load cell 34 integrated into one of the fastening means 26. By integrating the load cells 34 into the fastening means 26, the entire contact surface of the loading platform 22 can be used as a weighing area.

[0033] Each of the load cells 34 can have a strain gauge that measures the deformation of the load cell 34 under load. The strain gauge changes its electrical resistance proportionally to the strain caused by the applied weight. The change in resistance is converted into an electrical signal, which is then amplified and sent as a digital signal to the control unit. The weight and / or quantity can be displayed via a display unit (not shown) located on the storage lift 10 and connected to the control unit. Based on the measured weight force and a reference weight, the control unit can determine the quantity of the stored goods.

[0034] A second embodiment of the storage lift 10 is described below, using the same reference numerals for identical or functionally equivalent parts. The storage lift 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the worktop 23 has a recess 36 into which the weighing device 32 is inserted.

[0035] As can be seen in Fig. 2, a weighing plate 38 of the weighing device 32 is flush with the work surface 23. This embodiment allows the use of a commercially available scale as the weighing device 32.

[0036] In an embodiment not shown, a cover may be provided which is inserted into the recess to protect the weighing device 32 when not in use. In this case, the weighing plate 38 does not sit flush with the worktop 23, but is set back slightly so that the cover is flush with the worktop 23 when inserted.

[0037] The storage lift 10 is characterized by the integration of the weighing device 32 into the worktop 22. This results in a simple design for the storage lift 10 while simultaneously providing sufficient occupational safety for an operator. Furthermore, by determining the weight of the stored goods and / or at least one storage carrier 16, the risk of unloading is significantly minimized, thus ensuring that the static and dynamic requirements for the storage lift 10 and / or the storage carrier 16 are met. Reference numeral list

[0038] 10 storage lift

[0039] 12 cases

[0040] 14 Carrying set

[0041] 16 storage carriers

[0042] 18 automatic transport devices

[0043] 20 Operating opening

[0044] 22 loading balcony

[0045] 23 Worktop

[0046] 24 fastening system

[0047] 26 Fasteners

[0048] 28 sheet metal angles

[0049] 30 Front

[0050] 32 Weighing device

[0051] 34 Load cell

[0052] 36 Exclusion

[0053] 38 weighing plates

[0054] B Width of the storage lift

[0055] TL Depth extension of the loading platform

[0056] BL Width of the loading balcony

Claims

Claims 1. Storage lift (10) comprising an operating opening (20) for loading and unloading goods located on storage beams (16) and a loading platform (22) extending along the operating opening (20) for receiving goods and / or at least one storage beam (16), wherein a weighing device (32) for measuring a weight force of at least one storage beam (16) and / or goods is integrated into the loading platform (22).

2. Storage lift according to claim 1, characterized in that the loading platform (22) has a fastening system (24) for attachment to the storage lift (10), wherein the weighing device (32) is integrated into the fastening system (24).

3. Storage lift according to claim 2, characterized in that the weighing device (32) has at least one load cell (34) which is integrated into the fastening system (24).

4. Storage lift according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fastening system (24) has two fastening means (26) arranged on end faces (30) of the loading platform (22), wherein at least one load cell (34) is integrated into each of the fastening means (26).

5. Storage lift according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading platform (22) has an upper, flat work surface (23), wherein the weighing device (32) is inserted into a recess (26) of the work surface (23).

6. Storage lift according to claim 5, characterized in that the weighing device (32) is flush with the work surface (23).

7. Storage lift according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the recess (26) can be closed by means of a cover.

8. Storage lift according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weighing device (32) is connected to a control device of the storage lift (10).

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