Load support frame for stacker crane

0001The invention relates to a cargo supporting structure, as described in the preamble of claim 1.

0002From DE 100 40 492 A1 a telescopic table assembly is mounted on a load-bearing frame a stacker crane for loading and unloading of pallets, boxes, etc. to or from shelves known, the telescopically Placed with drive unit, and a delivery of several interlocking and reciprocally on guide rails movable elements has, thus, a corresponding range of the boom on the operation of at least two parking places arranged behind one another is achieved in shelves.

0003Furthermore, it is also known, provided with a telescopically movable load-bearing arms Last stage of a lifting device in addition in the area between the load carrying arms with a conveyor, for example a conveyor belt or chain conveyors, equip. Thus, the Manipulation of loading equipment at this Handed to up- and downstream supply or Discharge devices, such as belt conveyors, roller conveyors etc., simplified.

0004Object of the invention is to provide a load carrying structure, with short inlet and Auslagerspielzeiten be achieved.

0005This object of the invention is achieved in that the conveyor consists of two in relation to a support between the devices perpendicular to a contact surface of the Stacker crane extending center plane symmetrically arranged in pairs two conveyors parallel to an adjustment of the carrying devices conveying direction forming linear conveyors are formed and perpendicular to the center plane Center distances of the linear conveyors are greater than a center distance of the supporting devices. The surprising advantage of this is that it allows both a longitudinal and transverse transport the load support is possible and in many cases required inverters in supply and Discharge zone and with such facilities resulting idle times, extending a the charging seasons and therefore mean an increase in storage costs, significantly be reduced.

0006Of advantage are the embodiments defined in claims 2 and 3. This training facilitate the realization of the different levels of the for inclusion Load support provided underside, through the special design of the substructure to load supports are conditioned depending on their direction of conveyance. The optional funding the loading aid in the direction of the longitudinal extension or transversely with respect thereto is determined by the Tuning the set to a transport plane on different levels conveying planes achieved thereby maintaining the transport plane - according to the load bearing surface the supporting devices - the conveyors and of the conveyors formed load bearing surfaces in longitudinal transport with respect to the transport plane and deeper extend in a transverse transport higher and therefore no other height adjustment or time-consuming adjustment of additional technical equipment is required.

0007Another possible configuration according to claim 4, whereby a precise adjustment is achieved on the structural circumstances of the substructure of the load support.

0008According to the advantageous development as described in claim 5, is a universal be achieved construction for the longitudinal and transverse transport of the load support and elaborate Actuating devices saved for adjusting the load-bearing frame.

0009Another advantage is an embodiment defined in claim 6, because a central support is achieved for the load support.

0010Advantageous developments also describe the claims 7 and 8, which already technically proven means for transporting and manipulating the loading aid be employed on cargo supporting structure.

0011Also of advantage are the embodiments defined in claims 9 and 10, whereby the mechanical and additional control circuitry is kept low.

0012Due to the advantageous embodiments described in the claims 11 and 12, a Side guides for the load support ensures this with on the cargo supporting structure to center the conveying devices to the safety during the transport operation.

0013According to the advantageous development described in claim 13 is an exact vote possible between the guide elements and the conveyors.

0014The training described in the claims 14 and 15 ensures the input and Outsourcing of load supports in the most part intended for an economic storage double deep shelf assembly.

0015According to the advantageous developments described in claims 16 and 17, superposed the load support in the area of ​​the load-bearing frame on the conveyors and delivery process passed from the conveyors to the supporting devices, whereby increased speeds reached and the bearings Periods be very substantially reduced.

0016According to the developments described in claims 18 and 19, positioning of loading equipment both on the shelf as well as the cargo supporting structure with minimized Cycle times are performed.

0017Also of advantage is an embodiment defined in claim 20, whereby an economic Energy use is achieved.

0018According to the advantageous embodiments described in claims 21 to 26 is both an exact centric positioning of the load support on the cargo supporting structure as also positionally accurate securing of the load support achieved which makes it possible with high acceleration and thus speeds the turnaround times and thereby reducing associated storage costs.

0019Finally, however, are also embodiments according to claims 27 and 28 is advantageous because by the intrinsic weight of the apparatus and thus reduces the load factor, which calculated from the ratio of payload to dead weight, is increased and this both positive impact on efficient use of energy in the operation of such plants means, as it further even the shortening of the turnaround times to be moved by is lower masses serve.

0020For a better understanding the invention will be hereinafter with reference to the Exemplary embodiments shown explained.

0021Show it:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a warehouse with an inventively embodied with the cargo supporting structure equipped storage and retrieval device;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a portion of the shelf storage with the supply and discharge zone and the storage and retrieval unit with the inventive cargo supporting structure;</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>the cargo supporting structure in cross-section, in a simplified schematic representation;</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a further embodiment of the load-bearing frame of the invention;</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a schematic representation of the cargo supporting structure illustrating the transportation a pallet load support;</dd><dt>Fig. 6</dt><dd>a schematic representation of an end portion of the cargo supporting structure;</dd><dt>Fig. 7</dt><dd>another configuration of the load-bearing frame of the invention for multiple input and Outsourcing in a rack storage.</dd></dl>

0022By way of introduction it is noted that in the embodiments described differently like parts with like reference numerals and same component names , whereby the disclosures contained throughout the description, mutatis mutandis, to transmitted the same parts with the same reference numbers or same component names can be. Also, the positions chosen for purposes of the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., relate to the drawing specifically being described and illustrated and to be transferred mutatis mutandis when another position to the new position. In addition to Individual features or combinations of features from the shown and described different embodiments in themselves independent or inventive represent solutions.

0023In FIG. 1 is a storage and retrieval unit 1 and a 2-bay warehouse at the example of a high-bay warehouse with shelves 3 for storage of goods, goods 4 on or in load supports 5, for example, Pallets 6, cardboard boxes, mesh boxes, etc. shown. The stacker crane 1 is exemplarily in an aisle 7 in a plane running on or in a supporting surface 8 rail 9 and a rail 10 on a ceiling 11 of the racking 2 by undercarriages 12 and a Drive 13 movable perpendicular to the contact surface 8 extending mast 14 forms this a guide arrangement 15 for a variable to the support surface 8 in the vertical direction, by driving 16 movable lifting 17th

0024The stacker crane 1, by a Einmastregalbediengerät, as known from DE 44 05 952 A1, DE 195 34 291 A1, DE 196 14 660 A1 known or as a two-mast stacker crane as from DE 195 34 291 A1 are known formed.

0025On lifting 17 of the stacker crane 1 a cargo supporting structure 18 is arranged. These is preferred by a supporting frame 19 in sheet-profile design, to achieve a low Own weight, manufactured and this support frame 19 with the prior art known, formed by movable telescopic support arms 20 supporting devices 21 is provided. The supporting devices 21 with the telescopic support arms 22 are preferably multiple times telescoped, thus starting from a predetermined aisle 7, the one or both sides of the rack aisle 7 arranged shelves 3, as shown double shelves, for inputting and Outsourcing of load supports 5 are to operate regardless whether in full Lines shown, the aisle 7 adjacent pallet 6, or remote from the aisle 7, as pallet shown in dashed lines, single or outsource is. Is to be mentioned, that the shelf storage 2 course in the form of non-illustrated single shelves may be formed, the more economical solution to the double shelves, as in the embodiment shown represents. The shelf 3 can be both a longitudinal or transverse storage the load support 5, for example, the pallets 6, such as those in accordance with DIN 15146 or DIN 15156 standardized pallets or grid boxes be formed. Course also Other floor plans of load supports 5 possible.

0026In FIG. 2 is a portion of the racking 2 with the storage and retrieval unit 1 and a feed and / or Discharge zone 23 is shown for the load support. 5 In the feed and discharge zone 22 are in accordance with the illustrated embodiment roller tracks 23 for the feed or discharge the load support 5 is provided, with which these are preferably in a direction of travel - to promote the storage and retrieval unit 1 vertically - indicated by double arrow 24th As example shown it may be necessary, the load support 5 on the cargo supporting structure 18 of the stacker crane 1 transversely supply to a length 25 or in the direction of the length of the 25th In both cases, an assumption on the cargo supporting structure 18 is without the interposition further manipulation devices, such as turning devices or the Making accounting manipulations, be possible on the cargo supporting structure 18, since all these extra Measures extended storage and retrieval Time by idle time and thus the Handling costs, thus increasing storage costs.

0027As can be seen especially in FIG. 2 now, is on the lifting slide 17 the stacker crane 1, the support frame 19 of the cargo supporting structure 18 is arranged. In addition to the already gewähnten, of the telescopic support arms 20 formed substantially supporting devices 21 are on the frame 19 each of the paired linear conveyors 26 two conveyors 27 is provided with a feed direction - indicated by double arrow 28 - parallel Gradient to a displacement direction - indicated by double arrow 29 - of the telescopic support arms 20 and are the linear conveyors 26 for lateral guidance of the load support 5 parallel associated rail-shaped guide elements 30th Furthermore, it is on the support frame 19 along a extend between the telescopic support arms 20 mid-plane 31, a support device 32 arranged, which, for example by a roller arrangement, endlessly circulating belt or chain may be formed.

0028As shown in FIG. 2 furthermore, provides the inventive design of the load-bearing frame 18 with the supporting devices 21 and comprising a plurality of linear feeders 26 Conveyors 27 the way the load support 5 in both the longitudinal or take transverse orientation on the cargo supporting structure 18 or dispense of this, without undertaking any tampering by adjustment of transport organs. recording or discharge the load support 5 by or on one of the roller tracks 23 in the feed and Discharge zone 22 takes place by the operation of the linear conveyor 26, wherein the support devices 21 not be actuated. This represents a significant time savings in the Acquisition of the load support 5 on the cargo supporting structure 18. It is of course about z. B. sensors possible the linear conveyor 26 after approach of loading equipment 5 to put on the roller conveyor 23 of the cargo supporting structure 18 in operation.

0029The storage or retrieval of the load support 5 in or out of the shelf 3 with the simultaneous Operation of the supporting devices 21 and the linear feeder 26, whereby high travel speeds and thus short clearance times are achieved.

0030Furthermore, FIG. 2 reveals that with the cargo supporting structure 18 with appropriate rack design a mixed storage of load support 5, ie in the direction of the length 25 or to be carried across can, whereby the operator of a warehouse after conception facilitates the free storage space allocation and inventory turnover is further accelerated.

0031In the described below Fig. 3 now is a preferred embodiment of the load-bearing frame 18 shown. Basically, the cargo supporting structure 18 is in view of low designed weight in order to optimize the ratio of payload to dead weight and to achieve a factor of between 1.5 and 3. This allows on the one hand to minimize the use of energy in the operation of the stacker crane, as this also higher accelerations and ultimately high speeds for the handling of Load support 5 are made possible.

0032The supporting frame 19 of the load-bearing frame 18 is to in a sheet-profile construction in direction extreme lightweight designed with perforated profile webs to save weight as well Weight minimized node connections in coordination with the required supporting forces are standard. Preferably, the supporting frame 19 is welded from metal, light metal etc. created.

0033On the supporting frame 19 are now parallel from the two and parallel to the central plane 31 spaced support devices 21 arranged with the telescopic support arms 28, the multi-telescoped to achieve appropriate coverage in a known training are. The supporting devices 21 and the telescopic support arms 20 are common over a Drive 33, in particular operated by an electric motor. Of course, the Drive 33 are reversible and the support device 21 designed to the effect that a two-sided Extension is achieved. A load bearing surface 34 of the telescopic support arms 20 for supporting the load support 5 is for further definition and assignment of the conveying device 27 called transport level 35th During the between the telescopic support arms 20 and aligned parallel thereto and at a right angle to the transport plane 35 Midplane 31 is the supporting device is formed by a roller assembly 36 32 provided. Instead of the roller conveyor 36 are of such a support device 32 but also Other solutions, such as an endlessly over rollers revolving chain or belt possible wherein a drive for the support device 32 is not absolutely necessary.

0034Approximately symmetrical running parallel to the center plane 31 and these are on both sides of this two of the linear conveyor 26 arranged in pairs in each case in relation to the center plane 31 pairs conveyor planes 37, 38 form, varying with the transport plane 35 Level. To center plane 31 perpendicular center distances 39, 40 are larger a center distance 41 of the supporting devices 21 and are different in magnitude. The by the supporting devices 21 closer associated linear conveyors 26 formed conveying plane 38 is a distance 42 in the direction of the support frame 19 below the transport plane 35 during the 26 trained by the more widely spaced linear conveyors more Conveying plane 37 extends a small distance 43 above the transport plane 35th Any difference the distances 42, 43 Resulting, perpendicular to the transport plane 35 extending distance 44 between the conveyor planes 37, 38 corresponds to an inner clear height of a pallet base frame or a base detail of a stack of container, wire baskets or similar Loading equipment.

0035As also shown in FIG. 3 are given in the linear conveyors 26 according to the conveying plane 37, 38 running parallel assigned the rail-like guide members 30 a lateral boundary for the conveyor planes 37, 38 form, and these are to promote intended length 25 or width 45der load supports 5 matched.

0036For the formed from the linear conveyors 26 conveyors 27 is a common 46 drive, preferably an electromotive drive, provided with reversible drive direction. For this purpose in the supporting frame 19 of the drive is formed by an electric motor 46 is provided, of connecting with the linear conveyors 26 drive train 47 of shafts, Cardan shafts etc. drive-connected. This design ensures a synchronous, simultaneous operation, the four linear conveyor 26. By means of a control device 48 of the stacker crane 1 is optionally the function of the transport operation Drive 33 of the supporting devices 21 or the drive 46 of the conveyors 27 or the drives 33, 46 driven in common, whereby a each transport operation, as described later, adapted operation of load-bearing frame is achieved 18th

0037It is of course also depending conveyor 27, ie, the pair of linear conveyor 26 a common drive 46, or even more than ever linear conveyor its own drive 46 quite possible and these statements make quite other formations invention represent.

0038In FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic representation of a further embodiment of the load-bearing frame 18 shown. In this case, the supporting frame 19 at opposite parallel to the conveying direction extending side walls 49 support brackets 50, the transport layer 35 or the conveyor planes 37, 38 outstanding arranged in which in each case via a drive device 51 adjustable in the center plane 31 perpendicular direction, preferably plate-shaped Positioning and / or retaining means are guided 52nd Thus, it is possible that load supports on the cargo supporting structure 18 and thus in respect to the support devices 21 and Conveyor to position 27 and during the process of the stacker crane 1 to keep or the lifting slide 17 in position whereby it is also possible, in accordance with make the storage and retrieval higher speeds and so the turnaround time to reduce significantly.

0039For the driving device 51 and a guide assembly between the positioning and / or Retaining means 52 and the support brackets 50 are a number of technical possibilities known from the prior art. So it is possible, for example, the adjustable Positioning and / or holding means 52 through a steering lever arrangement to the support brackets store 50 and construct the driving device 51 as a crank mechanism, the electric motor are actuated. Of course, even more technical training well within the bounds of possibility.

0040Based on FIGS. 5 and 6 is now a transporting operation of the load support 5, in particular a pallet 6, shown, the situation shown for both an input as well as removal process in or out of a rack storage 2 equally in the reverse direction of adjustment the telescopic load arms 21 - indicated by double arrow 29 - and the linear conveyor 26 - indicated by double arrow 28 - expires. In the illustrated embodiment, the pallet 6 is in full line for a so-called cross-promotion, so a promotion in the length of 25 transverse shown direction and in dashed lines the uptake or release of the pallet 6 on the Telescoping support arms 20 is shown in the longitudinal direction. In both the removal of the pallet from the area of ​​the load-bearing frame 18 as well as when taking the pallet 6 in the area the cargo supporting structure 18 there is a synchronous, simultaneous adjustment of the telescopic support arms 20 of the supporting devices 21 and linear conveyors 26 of the conveyors 27th In the area of ​​the cargo supporting structure 18 the pallet 6 is provided on the load bearing surfaces 34 of the linear conveyor 26 is superimposed which the conveyor plane 37, or conveyor plane 38 to the load bearing surface 34 of the telescopic support arms 20 different level, as already described above, supported.

0041In one end region 53, a conveying member 54 extends in the direction of the load bearing surface 34 inclined, thereby making it during the transport of the pallet 6, respectively in a lowering of the respective according to the orientation of the pallet 6 for supporting on the load bearing surface 34 specific sub 55 comes. By combining the advancing movement of the linear conveyor 26 and the load-carrying arms 20 is to achieve a higher feed rate possible and the turnaround time, also known as Time, substantially reduced.

0042Of course, it is technically possible control, the drives 33 and 46 so to each other tune in that the conveying devices 27 in receiving the pallet 6 on the cargo supporting structure 18 are only switched on when the pallet 6 with telescopic load-bearing arms 20 reaches the region of the linear conveyor 26th When submitting the pallets the range of the load-bearing frame 18 can reverse the drive 46 of the linear conveyor 26 are then brought to a standstill when the pallet 6 entirely on the load bearing surface 34 of the telescopic support arms 20 is added. This is a more efficient use of energy reached for the economic operation of the stacker crane. 1

0043Because a substructure 56 of the pallets 6 but in many cases also of other loading equipment 5, such as boxing, for the support on the load bearing surface 34 in response to a Promotion longitudinally or transversely thereto extending at different levels subpages 55 exhibit, there is the distance 44 between the conveyor planes 37, 38 in accordance with an internal height 57 of the base 56 of the load support. 5

0044In FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the load-bearing frame 18 of the stacker crane 1 shown. The bay warehouse 2, afterward called gravity roller conveyors 58 for receiving the load support 5 for example on the pallets. 6 Interpreted this bay warehouse 2 by way of example regardless of the inclusion of three of the load support 5 in a row storage of a longitudinal or transverse storage.

0045The cargo supporting structure 18 has to the supporting devices formed by the telescopic support arms 20 21, an additional, an extension path 59 for a dual storage superior adjustment 60 are extendable.

0046Incorporation of the load support 5 by means of simply extended telescopic support arms 20 on the sloping gravity roller conveyors 58 on the first the storage and retrieval unit 1 given parking space 61 from where a conditional by gravity Sequence takes place on a remote parking 62nd

0047To remove the load support 5 of this remote Pitch 62, the telescope will Load arms 20 of the supporting devices 21 to the extension path 59 and in addition to the further adjustment 60 extended the eg ¼ of the length 25 of the pallets 6. By Raising the telescopic support arms 20 creates a friction fit with the range of 5 to thereby accordance with a retraction - arrow 63 - of the telescopic load carrying arms 20 on the Gravity roller conveyor 58 supported closer toward a the stacker crane 1 convenient parking space is drawn as Pitch 61st Therefrom, the cargo supporting structure 18 by a rapid reaction of the telescopic support arms 20 for normal paging operation be included.

0048It will further be noted that such a design for both sides of a rack aisle arranged shelves can be provided.

0049The sake, it is noted that for a better understanding of the Construction of the load support, it and its constituent parts are not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

0050The independent inventive solutions underlying object, the description be removed.

0051In particular, the individual may be in the Fig. 1; 2; 3; 4; 5, 6; 7 may be construed to be the subject of independent solutions according to. The relevant, Tasks and solutions can the detailed descriptions of these figures refer to.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

0052<dl tsize="1" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>Storage and retrieval unit</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>bay warehouse</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>shelf</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>Were</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>loading equipment</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>6</dt><dd>palette</dd><dt>7</dt><dd>aisle</dd><dt>8th</dt><dd>footprint</dd><dt>9</dt><dd>rail</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>rail</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>11</dt><dd>blanket</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>landing gear</dd><dt>13</dt><dd>drive</dd><dt>14</dt><dd>mast</dd><dt>15</dt><dd>guide assembly</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>16</dt><dd>drive</dd><dt>17</dt><dd>lifting</dd><dt>18</dt><dd>Cargo supporting structure</dd><dt>19</dt><dd>supporting frame</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>Telescopic arm</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>21</dt><dd>carrying device</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>Feed and discharge zone</dd><dt>23</dt><dd>roller conveyor</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>double arrow</dd><dt>25</dt><dd>length</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>26</dt><dd>linear Feeders</dd><dt>27</dt><dd>conveyor</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>double arrow</dd><dt>29</dt><dd>double arrow</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>guide member</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>31</dt><dd>midplane</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>support device</dd><dt>33</dt><dd>drive</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>Load bearing surface</dd><dt>35</dt><dd>transport plane</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>36</dt><dd>roller conveyor</dd><dt>37</dt><dd>conveying plane</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>conveying plane</dd><dt>39</dt><dd>center distance</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>center distance</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>41</dt><dd>center distance</dd><dt>42</dt><dd>distance</dd><dt>43</dt><dd>distance</dd><dt>44</dt><dd>distance</dd><dt>45</dt><dd>width</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>46</dt><dd>drive</dd><dt>47</dt><dd>powertrain</dd><dt>48</dt><dd>controller</dd><dt>49</dt><dd>Side wall</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>support bracket</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>51</dt><dd>driving device</dd><dt>52</dt><dd>Positioning and / or holding means</dd><dt>53</dt><dd>end</dd><dt>54</dt><dd>transport member</dd><dt>55</dt><dd>bottom</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>56</dt><dd>substructure</dd><dt>57</dt><dd>height</dd><dt>58</dt><dd>Gravity roller conveyor</dd><dt>59</dt><dd>exit way</dd><dt>60</dt><dd>adjustment</dd></dl><dl tsize="2" compact="compact"><dt>61</dt><dd>parking space</dd><dt>62</dt><dd>parking space</dd><dt>63</dt><dd>arrow</dd></dl>