WO2019111221A1

WO2019111221A1 - A storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2019111221A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/059754
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franco Stefani
Original assignee: Modula SpA
Current assignee: Modula SpA
Priority date: 2017-12-07
Filing date: 2018-12-07
Publication date: 2019-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-07

Abstract

A storage system, comprising: a main warehouse (2), predisposed for containing articles (P) in prefixed positions; a loading/unloading zone (3), predisposed to be reached by one or more transport means (T) and to 5 allow the picking up or loading of the articles (P) onto the transport means (T); one or more operating vehicles (M), predisposed to transfer the articles (P) between the main warehouse (2) and the loading/unloading zone (3); an automatic warehouse (4) according to one of the preceding claims, interposed between the main warehouse (2) and the 10 loading/unloading zone (3) and provided with: two or more shelves (41) for the temporary support of the articles (P); at least one loading/unloading station (42), predisposed to allow the picking up or depositing of an article (P) from an operating vehicle (M); a traveling lift (43), predisposed to transfer the articles (P) between the loading/unloading station (42) and the 15 shelves (41).

Description

A STORAGE SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a storage system for various articles.

In particular, but not only, the invention relates to a storage system directly served by heavy transport means, such as lorries and trailer trucks.

The systems of known type generally have a storage zone, i.e. a main warehouse, in which the articles are contained, and a loading/unloading zone, located substantially at the height of the loading plane of the transport means, internally of which the articles are picked up by the transport means and taken into the warehouse, or vice versa.

In present storage systems, there is a substantially direct transit between the loading/unloading zone and the warehouse and storage zone. For example, in the unloading of articles by a means the articles are picked up by the means itself, for example with the use of lift trucks or other transporters, and directly taken internally of the warehouse, into the position or onto the shelves provided. The time required for the unloading of the transport means is therefore the sum of the time required for picking up and transporting all the articles to the destination positions inside the warehouse. The time required is therefore relatively long, and increases with the increase in the warehouse dimensions. The same can be said of the time necessary for loading a transport means.

As the stop time for the transport means is effectively an unproductive one, the present storage systems are certainly liable to improvement as regards the management of the loading/unloading steps of the transport means.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a storage system which obviates the drawbacks of the currently available storage systems.

An advantage of the system according to the present invention is that it enables drastically reducing the times necessary for loading and unloading a transport means.

A further advantage of the system according to the present invention is that it enables organising the positioning and pick up activities of the articles in the warehouse with greater flexibility with respect to what is possible in presently-available systems.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached figures, wherein:

- figures 1 to 5 illustrate an automatic warehouse according to the present invention, in various operating steps;

- figure 6 is a front view of the warehouse of figures from 1 to 5 in larger scale;

- figure 7 is an isometric view of the warehouse of figures from 1 to 5 in larger scale;

- figure 8 is a view of the system according to the present invention.

The system of the present invention comprises a main warehouse (2), predisposed for containing articles (P) in prefixed positions. The main warehouse (2), illustrated only in generic form in the figures, can be located inside a large hangar or can be covered by a canopy roof, or might be located outside. The main warehouse (2) can further be provided with shelving, or other support elements for containing articles (P) of various nature. The main warehouse (2) further comprises corridors and spaces necessary for enabling access to the deposit or storage place of the articles (P) on the ground surface, or access to the shelves or shelving present.

The system further comprises a loading/unloading zone (3), predisposed to be reached by one or more transport means (T) and to allow the picking up or loading of the articles (P) onto the transport means (T). For example, the loading/unloading zone (3) comprises a raised plane, located substantially at the same height as the loading plane of the transport means (T). The loading/unloading zone (3) can be provided with various separate accesses, at each of which a transport means (T) can be positioned for loading and unloading the articles (P).

The system can be provided with one or more operating vehicles (M), predisposed to transfer the articles (P) between the main warehouse (2) and the loading/unloading zone (3). The operating vehicles (M) can be lift trucks, either manual or motorised, forklift trucks or other vehicles predisposed to raise and transport objects.

In present systems, the operating vehicles (M) shuttle between the main warehouse (2) and the single transport means (M), transiting through the loading/unloading zone. As already emphasised, this leads to a lengthening of the time necessary for the loading and unloading of the transport means (M).

The system of the present invention advantageously comprises an automatic warehouse (4), interposed between the main warehouse (2) and the loading/unloading zone (3). The automatic warehouse (4) comprises two or more shelves (41 ) for the temporary support of the articles (P), and at least one loading/unloading station (42), predisposed to allow the picking up or depositing of an article (P) from an operating vehicle (M). The automatic warehouse (4) further comprises a traveling lift (43), predisposed to transfer the articles (P) between the loading/unloading station (42) and the shelves (41 ).

The presence of the automatic warehouse (4) allows to reduce significantly the times required for loading and unloading the transport means (T). In fact, the automatic warehouse (4) is in an intermediate position between the main warehouse (2) and the loading/unloading zone. For example, the automatic warehouse (4) can be located at a much shorter distance from the transport means (T) with respect to the main warehouse (2). In this way, the articles (P) can be transferred between the automatic warehouse (4) and the transport means (T) while performing a notably shorter journey with respect to what occurs in present systems. The articles (P) on-board a transport means (T) can thus be unloaded and positioned in the automatic warehouse (4), freeing up the transport means (T) in a short time. The articles (P) can then be transferred to the main warehouse (2) without requiring further stay of the means (T) in the system.

The load or the picking-up of the articles (P) from the automatic warehouse (4) are further very rapid and easy. For the loading it is in fact sufficient to position an article (P) on the station (42) by means of an operating vehicle (M). Subsequently the traveling lift (43) autonomously picks up the article (P) from the station (42) and transfers it to a shelf (41 ). After having positioned the article (P) on the station (42), and during the displacement cycle operated by the traveling lift (43), the operating vehicle (M) is free to pick up another article (P) from the transport means (T). Likewise, for picking up the articles (P) from the warehouse, the traveling lift transfers each article (P) from the shelf (41 ) on which they are positioned to the loading/unloading station (42). From this, the operating vehicle (M) can transfer the article (P) to the transport means (T), while the traveling lift (43) proceeds to position a new article (P) on the station (42).

In the illustrated embodiment, the loading/unloading station (42) and at least one shelf (41 ) are vertically superimposed with each other, next to a vertical corridor (V), kept free to enable the vertical displacements of the traveling lift (43). The number of shelves (41 ) positioned on the station (42) can vary in relation to the overall height of the automatic warehouse (4) and the storage capacity requested. Preferably though not necessarily, at least one or more other shelves (41 ) are arranged on the opposite side of the vertical corridor (V) with respect to the loading/unloading station (42). In substance, the automatic warehouse (4) comprises two columns of shelves (41 ), arranged at opposite sides of the vertical corridor (V). This enables increasing the storage capacity of the automatic warehouse (4), by occupying vertical space.

In the illustrated embodiment, the loading/unloading station (42) comprises a rest structure (44), structured to support an article (P) raised from the ground surface, leaving free at least two base opposing peripheral zones. Said peripheral zones are orientated parallel to a horizontal displacement of the traveling lift (43). For example, the rest structure (44) comprises a pair of profiled members (44a) parallel to one another and located at a prefixed distance. In the case of articles (P) having a constantly-shaped rest base, constituted for example by a pallet having standard dimensions, the rest structure (44) leaves two lower side strips free from the base of the articles (P). The strips are parallel to a horizontal displacement direction of the traveling lift (43).

Preferably though not necessarily, the automatic warehouse (4) comprises a second loading/unloading station (42a), substantially aligned with the first loading/unloading station (42) along a horizontal direction (A), and positioned on the opposite side of the vertical corridor (V). In other terms, the automatic warehouse comprises two loading/unloading stations (42, 42a) aligned to one another and separated from the vertical corridor (V). The warehouse provided with two loading/unloading stations thus comprises two columns of shelves (41 ), each positioned above a loading/unloading station.

In a possible embodiment of the system, the two loading/unloading stations (42, 42a) can be facing one towards the loading/unloading zone (3) and the other towards the main warehouse (2). For example, a first station (42) can be used to transfer the articles (P) between the automatic warehouse (4) and the loading/unloading zone (3), to unload or load the transport means (T). The second station (42a) can be used to transfer the articles (P) between the automatic warehouse (4) and the main warehouse (2).

The traveling lift (43) comprises a gripping member (45), structured to be arranged at least partially below an article (P). For example, the gripping member (45) can be structured so as to enter into contact with the base peripheral zones of the articles (P) which remain free when the articles (P) are arranged on the rest structure (44). This enables the gripping member to insert beneath the articles (P) and to lift them.

The traveling lift (43) comprises motor means, predisposed to move the gripping member (45) along a vertical direction and along a horizontal direction. The horizontal direction along which the gripping member (45) is movable is the same for picking up/depositing the articles (P) on the loading/unloading station (42) and for picking up/depositing the articles (P) on the shelves (41 ).

As already indicated, the traveling lift (43) can displace vertically along the vertical corridor (V). In particular, the traveling lift (43) is movable between a lower position, in which the gripping member (45) is able to pick up or deposit an article (P) on the rest structure (44), and an upper position, in which the gripping member (45) is able to pick up or deposit an article (P) on a shelf (41 ) located at a greater height.

The gripping member (45) is further movable along a horizontal direction between an external position, at which it is inside the loading/unloading station (42), and an internal position, in which it is outside the loading/unloading station (42). When in the internal position, the gripping member (45) is located in the vertical corridor (V) and can displace vertically, by action of the traveling lift (43), along the vertical corridor (V). Passing from the internal position to the external position, the gripping member (45) can be positioned beneath an article (P) arranged on the rest structure (44) or on one of the shelves (41 ), or it is able to position an article (P) on the rest structure (44) or on one of the shelves (41 ). In the embodiment comprising two columns of shelves (41 ), the gripping member (45) is movable along the horizontal direction of alignment between the two columns, between the internal position and two external positions, aligned to one another on opposite sides of the vertical corridor (V), in each of which the gripping member (45) is arranged in a respective loading/unloading station (42, 42a).

Each gripping member (45) is preferably movable along a second horizontal direction (C) perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (A). This enables the two gripping members (45) to be able to near or distance from one another, in order to grip or release the article (P).

In the illustrated embodiment, preferred but not exclusive, the traveling lift (43) comprises a pair of sliders (46), movable along a vertical direction. Each slider (46) is movable along a vertical guide solidly constrained to a frame (F) of the automatic warehouse. The vertical guide is arranged along a vertical corridor (V) positioned next to the loading/unloading station (42). Further, the two sliders (46) can be movable along the vertical direction independently of one another, utilising respective motorisations which can be synchronised with one another so as to produce a coordinated movement of the two sliders. In particular, the two sliders (46) can be activated in a synchronised way, so as to move vertically as a single body. The use of independent motorisations enables avoiding the use of relay and/or connection organs between the two sliders (46), which would obstruct the displacement of the articles (P). The sliding of each slider (46) can be actuated by an electric motor and a belt transmission, in a way known to the expert in the sector. The electric motors can be controlled in such a way as to produce the synchronised movements of the two sliders (46).

Each slider (46) is provided with a slidable element (47), movable along the horizontal direction (A). Sliding guides, within the knowledge of the expert in the sector, are interposed between the slider (46) and the slidable element (47). Each slidable element (47) supports a gripping member (45) slidably along the horizontal direction (A). Sliding guides are interposed between the slidable element (47) and the gripping member (45). The sliding of the sliding elements (47) and the gripping members (45) can be actuated by respective motors, associated to each side by belt transmissions, in a known way for a technical expert in the sector.

Each gripping member (45) is movable with respect to the slidable element (47) thereof along the second horizontal direction (C). A sliding actuator, in the form for example of a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or an electric actuator, together with the sliding guides, can be interposed between the slidable element (47) and the gripping member (45), in a way known to the expert in the sector.

Each gripping member (45) has a projecting rest (45a), structured to be arranged at least partially below an article (P). For example, each projecting rest (45a) is structured so as to enter into contact with the base peripheral zones of the articles (P) which remain free when the articles (P) are arranged on the rest structure (44). This enables the gripping member to insert beneath the articles (P) and to lift them. In the illustrated embodiment, the projecting rest (45a) is in the form of a bar orientated horizontally so as to define a horizontal rest. Each gripping member (45) substantially comprises a profiled member, parallel to the horizontal direction (A), which has an L-shaped section on a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction (A). The profiled member is defined by a projecting rest (45a) associated to a side (45b) that is vertically orientated.

In order to carry out the unloading of a transport means (T), the various articles (P) can be transferred in succession to the automatic warehouse (4), by means of one or more operating vehicles (M). In particular, each article (P) can be picked up by the transport means (T), driven to the loading/unloading station (42) and deposited on the rest structure (44). Subsequently the traveling lift (43) transfers the article (P) to one of the shelves (41 ). To carry out the transfer of the article (P) to one of the shelves (41 ), the traveling lift (43) takes up the lower position thereof, with the gripping members (45) in the internal position. Subsequently the gripping members (45) move into the external position, arranging the projecting rests (45a) beneath the base of the article (P). From this position, the traveling lift (43) rises slightly in order to detach the article (P) from the rest structure (44), and the gripping members (45) move into the internal position, in order to enable the traveling lift (43) to rise further along the vertical corridor (V). When they have reached the desired shelf (41 ), which might be on both sides of the vertical corridor (V), the gripping members (45) displace into the external position on the side of the shelf (41 ) intended for the deposit of the article (P). With a reverse-order cycle of movements, the traveling lift (43) can thus return to the lower position for transfer of a new article (P). By inverting the described steps, it is obviously possible to pick up an article (P) from a shelf (41 ) so as to deposit it on the rest structure (44) in the loading/unloading station (42). The described movement steps are valid also in a case where there is a second loading/unloading station (42a) present. In this case, for example, the articles (P) can be gradually inserted in the automatic warehouse (4), via the first loading/unloading station (42). Subsequently the articles (P) can then be transferred from the automatic warehouse (4) to the main warehouse (2) in succession, from the side of the second loading/unloading station (42a).

The automatic warehouse (4) can be provided with a control system for management and command of the motor means which activate the traveling lift (43), i.e. the actuators which produce the vertical displacement of the sliders (46) and the horizontal displacements of the sliding elements (47) and the gripping members (45).

The control system can be predisposed to control the traveling lift (43) so as to realise various pick-up and deposit cycles of the articles (P) on predetermined shelves (41 ), according to a prefixed positioning sequence. For example, the control system can command the traveling lift (43) so as to position the various articles (P), which are positioned in succession on the loading/unloading station (42), starting from the lowest shelf (41 ) and, progressively, on the upper shelves, or vice versa. The control system might also be predisposed so as to position various articles (P) on the shelves (41 ) on the basis of dimensions and/or the weight of the articles (P). Likewise, the control system can be predisposed to pick up articles (P) from the respective shelves (41 ) according to a predetermined sequence. In a known way in the sector, the control system comprises a processor and a plurality of sensors and encoders which communicate to the processor the position of the movable parts of the traveling lift (43) and the presence of the articles (P) on the shelves (41 ).

Claims

1. An automatic warehouse (4) for articles (P), comprising:

two or more shelves (41 ) for the temporary support of the articles (P);

at least one loading/unloading station (42), predisposed to allow the picking up or depositing of an article (P) from an operating vehicle (M); a traveling lift (43), predisposed to transfer the articles (P) between the loading/unloading station (42) and the shelves (41 ), which comprises a gripping member (45) for gripping the articles (P);

a motor means, predisposed to move the gripping member (45) along a vertical direction (B) and along a horizontal direction (A), wherein the horizontal direction (A) is the same for picking up/depositing the articles (P) on the loading/unloading station (42) and for picking up/depositing the articles (P) on the shelves (41 );

characterised in that the traveling lift (43) comprises a pair of sliders (46), movable along a vertical direction independently from one another, each of which is provided with a slidable element (47), movable along the horizontal direction (A), with which a gripping member (45) is associated slidably along the horizontal direction (A).

2. The warehouse according to claim 1 , wherein each gripping member (45) is movable along a second horizontal direction (C) perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (A).

3. The warehouse according to claim 1 , wherein each slider (46) is movable along a vertical guide, arranged along a vertical corridor (V) positioned next to the loading/unloading station (42).

4. The warehouse according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping member (45) is structured to be arranged at least partially below an article (P).

5. The warehouse according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping member (45) comprises a projecting rest (45a), which lies on a horizontal plane, and a side (45b), perpendicular to the projecting rest (45a).

6. The warehouse according to claim 1 , wherein the gripping member (45) is movable along a horizontal direction (A) between an external position, at which it is inside the loading/unloading station (42), and an internal position, in which it is outside the loading/unloading station (42).

7. The warehouse according to claim 1 , comprising a second loading/unloading station (42a), aligned with the first loading/unloading station (42) along a horizontal direction, and positioned on the opposite side of the vertical corridor (V).

8. The warehouse according to claim 1 , wherein the loading/unloading station (42) and at least one shelf (41 ) are vertically superimposed with each other, next to a vertical corridor (V).

9. The warehouse according to claim 8, wherein at least one other shelf (41 ) is arranged on the opposite side of the vertical corridor (V) with respect to the loading/unloading station (42).

10. The warehouse according to claim 1 , wherein the loading/unloading station (42) comprises a rest structure (44), structured to support an article (P) raised from the ground, leaving free at least two base opposing peripheral zones.

1 1. A storage system, comprising: a main warehouse (2), predisposed for containing articles (P) in prefixed positions; a loading/unloading zone (3), predisposed to be reached by one or more transport means (T) and to allow the picking up or loading of the articles (P) onto the transport means (T); one or more operating vehicles (M), predisposed to transfer the articles (P) between the main warehouse (2) and the loading/unloading zone (3); characterised in that it comprises an automatic warehouse (4) according to one of the preceding claims, interposed between the main warehouse (2) and the loading/unloading zone (3) and provided with: two or more shelves (41 ) for the temporary support of the articles (P); at least one loading/unloading station (42), predisposed to allow the picking up or depositing of an article (P) from an operating vehicle (M); a traveling lift (43), predisposed to transfer the articles (P) between the loading/unloading station (42) and the shelves (41 ).