Load receiving means for a system for operating storage units

• US 20050065636A1
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Westfalia Intralogistic GmbH
• Original Assignee: Krusche Lagertechnik AG
• Inventors: Lakas, Gunther, Hafeneder, Anton, Krusche, Arnold
• Granted Patent: US 7,909,559 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/214
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 1/0421 with control for stacker crane operations
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/07 Floor-to-roof stacking devices, e.g. "stacker cranes", "retrievers"
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 9/141 with shuttle-type movement

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for operating storage units. The inventive system enables quick storage and removal therefrom and exhibits an optimum redundancy capacity. In order to counteract shortfalls in individual shelf operation devices, the inventive load receiving means acts as a support for a system for operating storage units, especially high shelf storage units, comprising means for mechanical connection to shelf unit, a lift device and a device arranged thereon for the transversal movement of loads, whereby the means for connection to a shelf unit has an electric drive unit with a pinion gear, driving a toothed rack and the toothed rack is arranged and embodied in such a way that when the pinion gear is rotated said toothed rack moves laterally outside the load receiving means, and the toothed racks are respectively provided with means which protrude from the ends thereof above the load receiving means, engaging into corresponding receiving devices on the shelf units.

Claims

1. A system for feeding store units, in particular high rack stores, consisting of

a plurality of rack units that are designed and arranged in a room such that at least one equidistant alley is formed,

at least one rack feeding device consisting of a traversing means adapted to be moved on rails in the longitudinal direction of the alley;

a control unit for controlling the movement of the traversing means;

means for determining the position of the traversing means in the alley;

a load receiving means hanging on cables beneath the traversing means;

means for determining the position of the load receiving means relative to the traversing means;

means for mechanical connection of the load receiving means with a rack unit.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit in the traversing means comprises at least one processor and one memory, and wherein a data processing program is stored in the memory, which calculates, by using at least the position and/or the velocity data of the traversing means and of the load receiving means, a traversing path from a first place to a second place in the alley.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit of a traversing means is in contact with the control unit of an at least second traversing means, and wherein the data of motion are exchanged.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the load receiving means comprises a lifting device.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the lifting device is operated via eccentric discs.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein a device for transversal movement is provided on the lifting device.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the device for transversal movement comprises push elements that are designed like a telescope and that are adapted to be horizontally extended via a mechanical drive.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the push elements engage positively with one another and support one another in the extended state.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the push elements are designed to be equally extendable on both sides of the load receiving means.

11. A load receiving means for use in a system according to claim 1, comprising

means for the mechanical connection with a rack unit, a lifting device, and a device for transversal movement of loads arranged thereon.

12. The load receiving means according to claim 11, wherein the means for connecting with a rack unit comprises an electric drive with a pinion that drives a gear rod, and wherein the gear rod is arranged and designed such that it extends laterally out of the load receiving means on rotation of the pinion, and wherein the gear rods each comprise means at their ends projecting over the load receiving means that engage with appropriate receiving devices at the rack units.

13. The load receiving means according to claim 12, wherein the means at the end of each gear rod substantially consist of two truncated conical bodies, the tapered end faces of which are connected with one another via a cylindrical body.

2. The system according to claim 2, wherein the means for mechanical connection of the load receiving means consists of a first and a second component, and wherein the first component is arranged at the load receiving means and gets into contact with the second component by means of shifting devices, wherein the second component is arranged at the tack unit and comprises receiving means that are designed like claws, into which the first component is adapted to engage.