WO2017144296A1

WO2017144296A1 - Vertical storage device for goods

Info

Publication number: WO2017144296A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/053147
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ralph Werder
Original assignee: Werder Solutions Ag
Priority date: 2016-02-24
Filing date: 2017-02-13
Publication date: 2017-08-31
Also published as: EP3210917A1

Abstract

The vertical storage device (1) comprises a supply carrier (2) to which the goods can be delivered in a horizontal transport direction (4). In a rack (5), lifting elements (19) for the goods are arranged which are permanently connected to at least one circulating traction means (9) and are movable up and down in a vertical transport direction (10). By selecting particular lifting elements (19), the vertical dimensions of the superposed storage locations are individually adaptable to the corresponding item (16).

Description

Vertical Storage Device For Goods

The invention relates to a vertical storage device for goods according to the preamble of claim 1.

A device of the aforementioned kind has become known from European Patent

Application EP2450295A1 entitled "Vertical storage device for containers and assembly comprising a shelf and a vertical storage device." In a support body, a plurality of receiving means are arranged one above another which are displaceable vertically through the support body by a drive. In the lower end position of the receiving means, the latter form a stack that rests on the floor. In operation, the receiving mean currently situated at the top of the stack is lifted by a pick-up arranged on the drive. The vertical distance between receiving means and thus also the maximum height of the containers is determined by the spacing of the pick-ups. According to the document, it is an object of the invention to increase the capacity regarding the storage and retrieval of containers in resp. from a rack, more particularly a high rack, while simultaneously achieving a significant cost reduction.

The increasing number of e-shops and the trend toward online shopping lead to higher demands with respect to logistics facilities and logistics providers. Ever increasing quantities of different goods have to be handled in ever shorter periods, and the diminishing product life cycles also play an important role particularly in the field of storage. The transition from "Business to Business" (BtoB or B2B), where batch sizes are explicitly greater than 1 , to "Business to Customer" (BtoC or B2C) requires inventory management for a batch size of 1 , and return logistics (goods can be returned free of charge) have to be taken into account as well.

On the background of this prior art, it is an object of the invention to suggest a vertical storage device where the space allocated to each item is adjustable to the vertical dimension of the latter.

This object of the invention is achieved by the features defined in the characterizing part of claim 1. This allows maximum utilization of the space available in the rack. The vertical spacing of the lifting elements can be kept relatively small so that many items having a small height can be stored in a rack of a given height. If goods of a greater height are stored, the lifting elements beside these goods remain empty. Another object of the invention is to provide a storage arrangement that allows performing a large number of simultaneous sorting processes and where the space for the goods is also adaptable in the horizontal direction.

This further object is achieved by the features of claim 9.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The latter show:

Figure 1 a first exemplary embodiment of a vertical storage device in a perspective view;

Figure 2 a detail of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale;

Figures 3a to 3d schematic views of four variants of a goods carrier as seen in the direction of the horizontal transport direction;

Figure 4 a lateral view of another variant of a goods carrier;

Figure 5 a second exemplary embodiment of a vertical storage device in a perspective view;

Figure 6 a perspective view of a lifting element unit of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 5;

Figure 7 a detail of Figure 5 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 8 an enlarged detail of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 5; Figure 9 a perspective view of pivoting lifting elements in the swung-out condition; Figure 10 a perspective view of pivoting lifting elements in the swung-in condition; Figure 11 a detail of a pivoting lifting element; and

Figure 12 another detail of the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 5 that

illustrates the lift drive. Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of a vertical storage device 1 according to the invention. A supply carrier 2 for the goods is provided with carrying elements 3 which in the present example are in the form of rolls on which the goods are placed in a horizontal transport direction 4 and of which at least one can be driven. In a rack 5, a plurality of lifting elements 6 are arranged which are rigidly connected to circulating traction means 9 and displaceable by the latter in a vertical transport direction

10. In the present exemplary embodiment, lifting elements 6 are in the form of rotatable rolls 8 (see Figure 2) mounted on axles 7, but they may be designed in another way, e.g. as supports having any desired cross-sectional shape, as simple, rigid pins, as pin-like and mushroom-shaped elements, or as hooks.

As appears particularly clearly in Figure 2, lifting elements 6 can be moved through the gap between two carrying elements 3 in the vertical transport direction 10. Groups of carrying elements 3 in the form of rolls are mounted in lateral supports. Alternatively it is also possible to make supply carrier 2 narrower so that lifting elements 6 can move past them laterally.

In the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 1 to 4, the goods, which are not shown in the drawings, are placed on goods carriers 1 1 that are e.g. designed as shown in Figures 3 and 4. According to Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d, goods carrier 1 1 comprises a carrier body 12 that may be designed as an open or closed box, a tray, or a flat tray, the width of carrier body 12 fitting through lifting elements 6 while goods carrier 11 is being introduced into vertical storage device 1 in the horizontal transport direction 4. On each side of carrier body 12, a respective ridge 13 is arranged which engages between two respective superposed lifting elements 6 while being introduced into vertical storage device 1 such that goods carrier 1 1 is lifted by lifting elements 6 when the latter are raised. According to Figure 4, goods carrier 1 1 has the shape of a flat tray whose overall width reaches between lifting elements 6. The design in the form of a flat tray offers the advantage that the minimum vertical distance between the goods in vertical storage device 1 is determined by the height of the goods rather than the height of goods carrier

11. in the example shown in Figure 4, goods carrier 1 1 has recesses 14 which rest on rolls 8 while it is being lifted and thus stabilize the position of goods carrier 11 in the horizontal direction. Such recesses may be provided in the bottom of the flat tray or in the described ridges 12 of the goods carriers of all types.

The exemplary embodiment of vertical storage device 1 described with reference to Figures 5 to 12 distinguishes itself from the previously described exemplary embodiment in that specifically designed goods carriers are not required here although it is possible here also to use goods carriers such as pallets or containers that need not be specifically designed for use in the vertical storage device according to the invention and thus are not provided with ridges 13. This is achieved by lifting elements 19 that are selectively movable into and out of the transport path of the goods or goods carriers, respectively, as will be described in more detail below. Figure 5 shows two vertical storage devices 1 that are arranged one behind the other in the horizontal transport direction. Goods 16 are further illustrated. In this example, carrying elements 3 of supply carrier 2 are also designed as rolls whereas respective supports 17 are provided for groups of carrying elements 3. Clearly visible in Figure 5 are traction means 9, which are endlessly circulating over lower deflection rollers 22 and upper deflection rollers and on which lifting elements 19 are mounted at regular intervals. Groups of adjoining lifting elements 19 are pivotally arranged in respective cassette-like lifting element units 18 that are in turn connected to traction means 9.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a lifting element unit 18 in which, according to the present example, four lifting elements 19 are arranged. Each lifting element 9 is composed of an axle 20 that is arranged in lifting element 18 vertically and of an pivot arm 21 that projects from the axle. Pivot arms 21 are shown as being relatively long here so that they would interfere with one another while being swung into lifting element unit 18. Measures to prevent this will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 1 . Pivot arms 21 may also be made much shorter than illustrated e.g. in Figure 6, though. They allow lifting pallets or containers, for example. Similarly to the example according to Figure 2, pivot arms 21 may be provided with rolls (not shown). A connecting bolt designated by reference numeral 24 is intended for connection to a chain forming the traction means 9, and guide rollers 25 serve for guiding lifting element unit 18 during its ascending and descending motions in rack 5.

Figure 7 shows a detail of supply carrier 2 with carrying elements 3 on an enlarged scale relative to Figure 5. Well visible here are pivot arms 21 of lifting elements 19 which project between carrying elements 3 in the form of rollers. In this position, an item 16 can be introduced in the horizontal transport direction 4 and subsequently lifted to a storage position by means of pivot arms 21. The same position of pivot arms 21 is of course also reached after an item 16 has been laid down on supply carrier 2 by pivot arms 21 and subsequently removed in the horizontal transport direction 4.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged detail of the lower area of vertical storage device 1 of Figure 5 in a perspective view. Traction means 9 is in the form of a schematically illustrated chain here. By its connecting bolt 24, a lifting element unit 18 is suspended to a chain link of traction means 9. Guide rollers 25 of lifting element unit 18 are guided in guide rails 26 which have a lead-in guide 27 at their lower ends and prevent tilting of the lifting elements while goods are being lifted. When a lifting element unit 18 reaches the lower end of its stroke, where traction means 9 runs over lower deflecting pulley 22, guide rollers 25 leave their guide rails 26 and the lifting element unit in question moves around the lower deflecting pulley 22 while being suspended to connecting bolt 24, and is then transported upwards by the ascending strand of traction means 9 while guide rollers 25 again engage in the corresponding guide rails 26. It is further visible in the Figure that the lower deflecting pulley 22 can be driven by means of a drive belt 28. An actuating mechanism designated by the reference numeral 29 as a whole serves to swing the pivot arms 21 of a lifting element unit 18 positioned above or below carrying elements 3 in or out. The mechanism comprises a drive unit 30 e.g. in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic piston and cylinder unit or a spindle-type lifting gear that is connected to an actuating linkage 31 which in turn is translationally displaceable in a guide 32. Actuating linkage 31 has actuating studs 33 which cooperate with respective transmission rods 34 arranged in lifting element units 18 (see Figures 9 and 0).

In Figures 9 and 10, lifting element unit 18 is shown with pivot arms 21 swung out and swung in, respectively, while parts that would hide the elements to be described are omitted in the Figures. The axles 20 of lifting element 19 are provided with respective arms 36 for rotating the axles and thereby pivoting pivot arm 21. A pin 35 arranged on the mentioned transmission rod 34 engages in a slot of arm 36. As seen in the Figures, there are two transmission rods 34, the upper transmission rod 34 in the Figure being operatively connected to the two lifting elements located on the right in the Figure whereas the lower transmission rod 34 in the Figure is operatively connected to the two lifting elements located on the left in the Figure. The two transmission rods 34 are coupled by a two-armed lever 37 so as to move in opposite directions when actuated. Pivot arms 21 are thus swung in towards one another, as seen in Figure 10, and can thus be accommodated inside lifting element unit 18. Figure 10 also shows that while being swung in, pivot arms 21 are displaced in the vertical direction to avoid that they hinder one another in their pivoting motion. Figure 11 illustrates how this is achieved. Axle 20 has a pin 39 that projects therefrom and is rotatably supported in a fixed sleeve 38. When pivot arm 21 is swung in, pin 39 slides on a cam 40 provided on the sleeve and thereby lifts axle 20 together with pivot arm 21. In this manner, in the swung-in condition, the two pivot arms 21 located on the left in the illustration of Figure 10 will be positioned above the two pivot arms 21 located on the right. In the swung-out position according to Figure 9, however, all four pivot arms 21 lie in a common plane. With a corresponding length of pivot arms 21 it is possible to provide lifting elements 19 on only one side of supply carrier 2 so that they lift the goods 16 in the manner of a forklift.

Figure 12 shows a detail of vertical storage device 1 according to Figure 5 in a perspective view. Supply carrier 2 is integrated in rack 5 here, and respective pairs of carrying elements 3 are joined by lateral plates. In the background, one of the traction means 9 and a lower deflecting pulley 22 are visible. In the foreground, the mentioned drive unit 30 for the pivoting lifting elements 18 and a motor 41 that drives traction means 9 via a shaft 42 and a belt 43 are visible.

A vertical storage device 1 of the kind described above is preferably operated

automatically by a non-represented control device as described hereafter. In order to load vertical storage device 1 , an item 16 placed on a goods carrier 11 , as the case may be, is transported to a supply position on supply carrier 2 in the horizontal transport direction 4. This transport may be accomplished by a conveyor means such as a conveyor belt or a roller conveyor following supply carrier 2. Alternatively, supply carrier 2 may be designed so as to be long enough to form the transport means itself and to extend beyond vertical storage device 1 on one or preferably on both sides in the horizontal transport direction 4. In embodiments having pivoting lifting elements 19 according to Figures 5 to 12, lifting elements 19 are previously swung out either below or above carrying elements 3 and then moved to a height position just below the bearing surface formed by the carrying elements in the vertical transport direction 10. From the supply position, item 16 or the goods carrier 11 , respectively, is lifted to such a vertical position as required by the height of the following item by lifting elements 6 or 19, respectively. The height of the following item lying on the transport means is detected by non-represented measuring means and communicated to the control device. In this manner, the goods are stored one above another with a minimum loss of vertical space, and the total height of the vertical storage device can be optimally utilized. To retrieve the item stored at the bottom of the vertical storage device, lifting elements 6, 19 are lowered until the item or the goods carrier, respectively, comes to rest on the supply carrier. Subsequently, the item is removed from vertical storage device 1 in the horizontal transport direction and the possibly pivoting lifting elements 19 are moved to a position below or above carrying elements 3 and swung in. If a particular item in storage under which other goods are stored is to be retrieved from the vertical storage device, these other goods need to be removed first. In simple cases, these items that have been removed but are not needed at the moment can be temporarily stored on one side of the vertical storage device or in another vertical storage device while the aforementioned particular item is removed from the vertical storage device and supplied to a delivery point, e.g. a packing station. Afterwards, the temporarily stored items are replaced in storage in the described manner. When at least two of the described vertical storage devices 1 are arranged one behind another in the horizontal transport direction 4, a storage arrangement is obtained which also allows to adapt the space for goods 16 in the horizontal transport direction 4 by synchronously operating two or more vertical storage devices 1 arranged one behind another. Furthermore, such a storage arrangement allows far more complex operating modes than the previously described ones. In principle, any desired number of vertical storage devices can be arranged in rows one behind another or side by side, the rows being connected by corresponding transport means for the goods. In this case, in each vertical storage device of a row, the last item stored has to be lifted enough to allow other goods to be transported through the vertical storage device in the horizontal transport direction, e.g. to another vertical storage device or to a delivery point.

Since, as mentioned, such a storage arrangement allows a flexible adaptation of the storage area in height and in length, it is possible to react to changing requirements in storage logistics without additional investments. The same storage arrangement can be used both for e.g. containers, pallets, and small parts, and for oversized goods. There are no particular requirements regarding the building, such as e.g. a leveled floor as it would e.g. be required for operating storage and retrieval machines. The storage arrangement can also be used in buildings having varying ceiling heights. Furthermore, the storage arrangement allows optimum utilization of the available space, not least since alleys for storage and retrieval machines and circulation areas for forklifts and pedestrians are no longer required.

List of Reference Numerals

1 vertical storage device 31 actuating linkage

2 supply carrier 32 guide

3 carrying element 33 actuating stud

4 horizontal transport direction 34 transmission rod

5 rack 35 pin

6 lifting element 36 arm

7 axle 37 lever

8 roll 38 sleeve

9 traction means 39 pin

10 vertical transport direction 40 cam

11 goods carrier 41 motor

12 carrier body 42 shaft

13 ridge 43 belt

14 recess 44

15 45

16 item 46

17 support 47

18 lifting element unit 48

19 lifting element 49

20 axle 50

21 pivot arm

22 lower deflecting pulley

23 upper deflecting pulley

24 connecting bolt

25 guide roller

26 guide rail

27 lead-in guide

28 drive belt

29 actuating mechanism

30 drive unit

Claims

1. Vertical storage device (1 ) comprising a supply carrier (2) to which the goods can be delivered in a horizontal transport direction (4) and a rack (5) with lifting elements (6; 19) for the goods, the lifting elements (6; 19) being movable up and down in a vertical transport direction (10) by means of at least one circulating traction means (9) arranged in the rack (5), characterized in that a plurality of lifting elements (6; 19) are arranged one above another and permanently connected to the traction means (9).

2. Vertical storage device (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the supply carrier (2) is provided with carrying elements (3) which extend perpendicularly to the horizontal transport direction (4) of the goods and are spaced apart.

3. Vertical storage device (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the carrying elements are designed as rotatable rolls (3).

4. Vertical storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the lifting elements (6; 19) comprise rolis (8) that are rotatable about a horizontal axle (7).

5. Vertical storage device (1 ) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by goods carriers (1 1 ) whose lateral edges oriented in the horizontal transport direction (4) reach between two respective vertically adjacent lifting elements (6; 9) when placed on the supply carrier (2).

6. Vertical storage device (1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lifting elements (19) have pivot arms that are pivotable about a vertical axle (20) and can be brought from an swung-out position, in which they project into the area of the supply carrier (2), to a swung-in position in which they are located outside the area of the supply carrier (2).

7. Vertical storage device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that groups of at least two lifting elements (19) are joined to form respective lifting element units (18).

8. Vertical storage device (1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one lifting element (19) of a lifting element unit (18) has displacing means (40) by which the pivot arm (21 ) of that lifting element (19) can be brought to such a height, in the swung-in position, that it is positioned below or above the pivot arm (21) of a neighboring lifting element (19).

9. Storage arrangement comprising a plurality of vertical storage devices (1) according to one of the preceding claims that are arranged one behind the other in the horizontal transport direction (4).