GB1371450A - Warehousing system using slowdown and stop bin indicators - Google Patents

Abstract

1371450 Hoist control; mechanical warehousing system CONGO Inc 26 Oct 1972 [1 Nov 1971] 49392/72 Headings B8L and B8E In a ware-housing system in which a carriage (40), Fig. 1 (not shown), for carrying pallets moves vertically adjacent a set of bins 21, the carriage hoisting assembly being movable horizontally on rails (25, 26) the carriage carries a photo-cell sensor unit 55 and light source 54, vertical rail (50) supporting, for each bin level, a set 50, 60, 62 of indicator plates intercepting the light beam, the set, for each level carrying a binary code in the form of perforations 70 identifying the level plate 50 identifying the stop positions, plates 60, 62 being mounted at points where slowdown during ascent, or descent is to be initiated. Since the set 50, 60, 62 for each level bears the same binary code, such sets are interleaved as in Figure 2. Operation.-A desired destination is stored in address 224 in binary form, its feeding in by an operator or central data source causing the carriage to move at high speed towards the desired level. Further data indicates whether loading, or unloading of a pallet is intended, selecting, respectively either a low, or high stopping position by closing one or other of "deposit", or "retrieve" contacts in speed control 220. Passage of the unit 55 past each slowdown plate, for example 62-3, causes, via a respective tab 112 the enabling of strobe unit 212 in turn enabling, via contacts STROBE 1- STROBE n the comparison in unit 226 of the desired destination with that represented by the number on the plate. When equality prevails, contacts M1, and M2 close, and, SLOW-DOWN 1 being closed slowdown is initiated, and a creep speed initiated, until the corresponding stop plate, for example 50-3 intercepts the light beams, stopping the carriage by means of the unit 232 at the preselected high or low level, the contacts HIGH-2 or LOW-2 being closed by units 202, or 200, under control of photo-cells A and B interacting with end parts of the stop plate 50, contact M-2 being closed under control of comparator M. Mechanical construction. Fig. 1 (not shown) carriage 40 is driven vertically by a pair of chains moved by hoist motor and brake apparatus (37). The system works in a corridor between two storage racks (20), a fork mechanism (42) operating either to left or right. A similar control system may be used for horizontal positioning of the carriage. The plates need not all carry the binary code, the identity of some being inferred from a previous address sequence.