Automated storage shelf module

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs in the field of transport and storage - more specifically, the field of large-scale cargo warehouse shelf systems - and is meant for storing cargo on pallets and for operating fully-loaded pallets.

Background Art

[0002] The most widespread storage shelf types are static or selective shelves.

These are parallel shelf rows between which warehouse equipment can move freely. Selective shelves consist of vertical support beams that hold horizontal bearing beams for cargo on pallets. The flaw in this solution is the inefficient usage of storage space, because shelf corridors occupy a lot of unused space.

[0003] Well-known shelf system solutions with large capacity include, for

example, the drive-in type shelf systems. However, these shelf systems have a major flaw in that access to various shelf positions is difficult. In case of drive-in solutions, only a single type of cargo is generally stored, because cargo can only be retrieved by starting from one end of the shelf.

[0004] The most popular mechanized storage shelf systems include the so-called archive shelf solutions where whole shelf rows can be moved transversely to the longitudinal shelf direction and the shelf corridor is created exactly in the place that needs to be accessed. This solution has been described in the Japanese patent application JP7187333, for example. The flaw in the archive shelf solution is that it is only possible to operate in a single shelf corridor at any one time.

[0005] In terms of purpose, the closest solution to this invention is the Japanese patent application JP10218316 that proposes reducing unused storage space and increasing the storage effectiveness by placing storage shelves on an undercarriage so that the straightly installed shelves can be moved transversely to the longitudinal shelf direction, in order to eliminate the unused space between the shelves. In order to access a shelf, all other shelves are moved in the desired direction so that the corridor would be created in the suitable location. With this shelf system, it is possible to simultaneously access only the shelf positions in one shelf corridor. Thus only one lifter can operate in the warehouse at any one time. The shelf corridor is only open in one direction and as long as the lifter is in that corridor, it is impossible to create another corridor in another location. This makes the storage operation very slow.

[0006] The current invention is a continuation of the solution EE00645U1

"Mechanized storage shelf that was earlier registered as a utility model in Estonia. With the mechanized storage shelf, nothing is changed in the currently present selective shelves and the added rails are supported by special additional pillars. These pillars are placed between the storage shelf rows, into the working area of the warehouse lifter. However, this solution is not practical, since the shelf row corridors are designed as small as possible in order to maximize warehouse capacity and adding additional support pillars there would make the work of warehouse lifters complicated. In an effective warehouse the lifter uses the whole shelf corridor width and adding extra pillars there is ruled out.

Disclosure of Invention

[0007] The goal of the present invention is to propose a shelf system solution for warehouses, enabling the significantly more effective usage of existing storage space and at the same time preserving direct access to all shelf positions. This invention's solution will not restrict warehouse equipment operations and enables fast operation, unlike the solutions known thus far. The goal of this invention is achieved by employing the unused space above the shelf corridors.

[0008] This invention's automated storage shelf module is usable in both a

production company where single type product series are larger and the turnover per pallet position lower, and also in logistics warehouses where the turnover per pallet position is higher, product series smaller and each pallet position must be provided with direct access.

[0009] The advantage of this solution compared to the previously known solutions is the preservation of shelf corridor functions and the fact that the solution enables lifters working simultaneously in various corridors - by employing the unused space above the shelf corridors. Additional advantages are the expansion of storage capacity, the cheaper pallet position price and the faster operation in shelf corridors. Advantages compared the previously known solutions are gained by preserving shelf corridor functions and providing lifters with simultaneous access to various shelf corridors.

[0010] The automated storage shelf module is formed of a storage shelf placed in the shelf corridor - i.e. the passage between existing or planned static shelves - and consisting of a support structure on a flat surface and equipped with rails; an undercarriage; a shelf block equipped with a drive; and a control console.

[001 1] The rails placed in the shelf corridor and with the width of the corridor are high enough to let the warehouse lifters move freely under the system. The rails are installed in parallel to the shelf corridors and on them are shelf blocks with a quadrangular footprint and moving along the shelf corridor. There is one less moving shelf block on the rails than would fit there. This enables moving the shelf blocks to and fro, creating a gap exactly where the user needs access.

[0012] One possible support method would be to install the support structure on both a flat surface or on the existing static shelves. The shelf blocks that lean on the support structure can be moved in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the static shelves, thereby enabling access to the desired shelf positions. Shelf systems made up of such storage shelf modules would preserve the shelf corridor function that enables simultaneous access to various shelf positions in the corridors, by employing the unused space above the shelf corridors.

[0013] Shelf blocks are moved preferably by automatics (but can also be moved manually). The automatic control blocks are connected to the warehouse software and the whole shelf system management occurs automatically via the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or other suitable device. For example, when the user knows the desired pallet position in the shelf, it will be entered into the PDA and by the time the lifter operator has reached the desired shelf position, the automatic system has shifted the shelf blocks. This will also ensure warehouse operation speed and access to all pallet positions. [0014] For example, using this invention in a warehouse with the height of 9 meters would add up to 50% shelf space without slowing or hindering the work of warehouse lifters.

[0015] In order to optimally achieve this goal, such modules can be planned

consecutively and/or side-by-side in such numbers as the user desires.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0016] This invention is explained in greater detail with reference to the attached schematic figures where

[0017] the figure fig 1 depicts the well-known technical solution in the shape of a drive-in type storage shelf system;

[0018] the figure fig 2 depicts the front view of the automated storage shelf

module that corresponds to this invention;

[0019] the figure fig 3 depicts the top view of the automated storage shelf module

- depicted on the figure fig 2 - in the initial position of the shelf blocks;

[0020] the figure fig 4 depicts the top view of the automated storage shelf module

- depicted on the figure fig 2 - in the position of moved shelf blocks along with the lifter used to operate cargo;

[0021] the figure fig 5 depicts the side view of the automated storage shelf

module depicted on the figure fig 2;

[0022] the figure fig 6A depicts the front view of the storage shelf system - consisting of automated storage shelf modules depicted on the figure fig 2

- in the preferred combination;

[0023] the figure fig 6B depicts the front view of the storage shelf system - consisting of automated storage shelf modules depicted on the figure fig 2

- in the alternative combination;

[0024] the figure fig 7 depicts the top view of the storage shelf system - consisting of automated storage shelf modules depicted on the figure fig 2

- in the smaller capacity combination;

[0025] the figure fig 8 depicts the top view of the storage shelf system - consisting of automated storage shelf modules depicted on the figure fig 2

- in the larger capacity combination;

[0026] the figure fig 9 depicts the top perspective view of automated storage shelf module; [0027] the figure fig 10 depicts the front perspective view of automated storage shelf module.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] The automated storage shelf module according to the present invention comprises a vertical interior support pillar 1 a and an external support pillar 1 b that are connected by the support pillars 2; and of the static shelves 4 that are formed by the horizontal beams 3 fixed between the vertical support pillars 1 a and 1 b, creating the shelf corridor 5 (see drawings fig 2-5).

[0029] The support pillar 1 a on the side of the static shelf 4 shelf corridor 5 forms the fixation position for the support structure 6 to which are added the rails 7. The shelf corridor 5 rails 7 feature at least one undercarriage 8 with a drive and a preferably quadrangular shelf block 10 formed by the frame 9 (see fig 3 and fig 4). The shelf block 10 is movable and its movement direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the static shelves 4.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment of this invention, one less shelf block 10 has been installed in the shelf corridor 5 in order to ensure smooth movement on the rails 7. Additionally, support structures 6 have been designed so that shelf block 10 height could be regulated. The shelf block 10 height from warehouse floor is regulated so that warehouse equipment could move freely in shelf corridors 5 under shelf blocks 10.

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention for using the storage shelf module in existing shelf systems, the interior support pillar 1 a has been replaced with a support pillar that can withstand at least twice the bearing load (see fig 6A). The bearing load of the support pillar depends on the weight of the cargo.

[0032] In the third embodiment of the present invention for using the storage shelf module in existing shelf systems, the additional pillar 1 1 - depicted in the figure FIG 6b - has been added for further support of the shelves and for bearing the rails 7. The support pillar used is in the shape of T, U, V, A etc.

[0033] The storage self modules according to the present invention can be used for making the storage shelf system which comprises an automated storage shelf modules illustrated in the fig 2 in the smaller capacity combination as illustrated in the fig 7 or as illustrated in the fig 8 in the larger capacity combination. In the drawings fig 9 and fig 10 is illustrated in perspective view the automated storage shelf system comprising an automated shelf modules according to the present invention.