SYSTEM"

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of loading/unloading devices and storage systems for loading platforms. In particular, the present invention relates to a station for transferring loading platforms between a vehicle, in particular a lorry or a semi-trailer truck, and a storage area for the loading platforms, and vice versa.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a logistic system for transferring loading platforms from/to vehicles, in particular lorries or semi-trailer trucks.

Prior art

The logistics systems of the known type employ vehicles, typically lorries or semi-trailer trucks, for the transport of goods from a pick-up point to a delivery point. The goods arranged inside the vehicle are organized in loading units, for example palletised, and arranged on a loading platform, which substantially has equal dimensions to the load dimension of the used vehicle.

In correspondence of a loading/unloading area of the loading platforms, respectively of the pick-up point or delivery point, the vehicle must be loaded and/or unloaded by removing and/or inserting the aforesaid loading platform.

The vehicles are therefore arranged side-by-side in correspondence of the loading/unloading area at appropriate docking stations, designed to accommodate each a single vehicle. The loading/unloading of the loading platforms is carried out by means of forklift trucks which provide for the insertion of the loading units in the loading platform, which is subsequently inserted on the loading plane of the vehicle, or which serve to unload the loading units from the same platform, which was previously removed from the loading plane of the vehicle.

For the loading/unloading of the loading platforms on the vehicle it is possible to use suitable transfer stations of the known type. These comprise a loading bed for housing a loading platform and movement means able to allow movement of said loading bed and/or of the loading platform along the three dimensions of the space.

In case of arrival at the loading/unloading area of a vehicle provided with a loading platform filled with the relevant loading units, it is first necessary to arrange the transfer station in correspondence of the back of the vehicle to be emptied, then to pick said entering loading platform up and arrange it in an area suitable for the treatment of the loading units. The same transfer station is used for inserting a new loading platform to be arranged on the loading plane of the vehicle, for example taken from a loading platform warehouse.

This operation obliges the vehicle to a considerable waiting time with respect to its stay in the loading/unloading area until the insertion of the new loading platform is completed. This entails significant loss of time and productivity increasing the costs of logistics and, therefore, of the same transported goods. For the realization of a complete cycle, i.e. unloading and subsequent loading, it is estimated, in fact, a stay from 60 minutes to 120 minutes of each vehicle at its docking station, as a function of the type of system used to carry out the movements.

There is therefore the need for a transfer station of loading platforms. In particular, there is the need for a transfer station of loading platforms capable to manage effectively the platform to be unloaded and loaded on the same vehicle. Furthermore, there is the need for a logistic system capable to manage effectively the space for the storage and the management of the loading units and of the loading platforms, as well as the time associated to these operations.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a transfer station of loading platforms between a vehicle and a storage area of the loading platforms, and vice versa, capable of minimizing the aforementioned drawbacks. A further object of the present invention is to provide a logistic system for transferring loading platforms from/to vehicles capable of minimizing the aforementioned drawbacks.

According to the present invention it is therefore disclosed a transfer station of loading platforms between a vehicle and a storage area of loading platforms, and vice versa, according to the appended claims.

The aforementioned purposes are further achieved by means of a logistic system for transferring loading platforms from/to vehicles, according to the appended claims.

Description of the figures

These and further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the disclosure of the preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying figures, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a transfer station, according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a front plan view of the transfer station of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the support device of the transfer station of Figure 1;

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the base portion of the support device of Figure 3;

- Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the support device of Figure 3 provided with the loading platform;

- Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a detail of the transfer station of Figure 3;

- Figure 7 shows a side plan view of a logistic system according to the present invention;

- Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view of the logistic system of Figure 7;

- Figure 9 shows a top plan view of the logistic system of Figure 7;

- Figure 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the logistic system of Figure 7.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a transfer station of loading platforms between a vehicle and a storage area for loading platforms, and vice versa, capable to reduce the transfer times. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a logistic system for transferring loading platforms from / to vehicles capable of exploiting the features of the aforesaid transfer station in order to improve the efficiency of the logistics, in particular with respect to the transfer of the loading units to / from loading platforms and to the transfer of the latter to / from vehicles suitable for the transport, for example lorries or semi-trailer trucks.

Figures 1 and 2 show schematically a transfer station 10 of loading platforms 1, according to the present invention. This loading platform 1 is illustrated by way of example in Figure 5, coupled with a portion of the aforesaid transfer station 10, hereinafter described in greater detail.

The loading platform 1 is able to support the transport of a plurality of loading units 2, illustrated by way of example in Figure 2.

In particular, the term "loading unit" means, in the present invention, a device for supporting or containing one or more objects to be transported, for example stacked or inserted in bulk. The simplest loading unit, which will be referred to below, is the pallet, whose the Europallet version has a size of 800x1200 mm.

The size of the pallet is imported for the calculation of the dimensions of commercial vehicles and, therefore, of the related loading possibilities. For example, a standard semi-trailer has a loading base of about 13.6x2.5 m, therefore it features a loading capacity of 34 Europallets, as illustrated by way of example in Figures 7, 8 and 10.

The term "loading platform" means, in the present invention, a platform which substantially has an equal dimension to the loading dimension of the used vehicle, i.e. the loading plane, and which is able to support a plurality of load units, for example a plurality of pallets and, in particular of Europallets.

Therefore, the size of the loading platform 1 may vary according to the suitable vehicle to transport it, i.e. the loading plane thereof, since it must reproduce the area of the loading plane which will be used during the vehicular transport. Preferably, the platform 1 has a size equal to 13600x2400 mm, thus allowing the housing of two rows of 17-piece Europallets, for a total of 34 Europallets.

Therefore, the use of the loading platform 1 allows to minimize the time taken for the operations of loading and unloading the goods, or of the loading units, from the vehicles allowing the extraction, or insertion, of the whole loading plane rather than individual pallets 2.

The loading platform 1 according to the present invention is provided with a smooth surface in correspondence of the area being in contact with the loading units and a plurality of rollers (not shown), on the opposite surface, to facilitate the movement operations, as described in greater detail below. These rollers are preferably housed partially within the volume of the loading platform 1 and emerge from the aforesaid surface of the necessary distance to allow the safe rolling even when loaded.

Furthermore, the loading platform 1 according to the present invention, is provided with a plurality of openings (not shown) made on the same surface where the rollers are arranged. These allow to couple with suitable movement means of the transfer station 10, as described in greater detail below.

Therefore, the transfer station 10 comprises a frame 13 on which suitable support means of the loading platform 1 are located. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support means comprise a first support device 11 and a second support device 12, each respectively able to support independently its own loading platform 1. Furthermore, the aforesaid first support device 11 and the aforesaid second support device 12 are respectively coupled to the frame 13 and able to rotate independently the loading platforms 1 capable of housing with respect to the frame 13. This rotation takes place on a rotation plane which is defined by the loading / unloading direction X and by the translation direction Y, i.e. substantially parallel to the planes of the loading platform 1.

These loading / unloading direction X and translation direction Y correspond to the directions along which it is possible to move the loading platform 1 and / or the transfer station. Specifically, the transfer station 10 is provided with suitable movement means of the loading platforms 1 along the loading / unloading direction X of the above-described support means. For example, this loading / unloading direction X substantially corresponds to the loading / unloading direction of the loading platforms 1 from / to a vehicle and from the storage area of the aforementioned platforms 1. Furthermore, the movement means allow the loading platforms 1 to move along a translation direction Y perpendicular to the aforesaid loading / unloading direction X. As will be described in greater detail below, the translation direction Y corresponds, for example, to the movement direction of movement of the transfer station 10 between the vehicles and between the portions of the storage area of the loading platforms 1. Finally, the movement means allow the loading platforms 1 to move also along an elevation direction Z perpendicular to the loading / unloading direction X and to the translation direction Y.

The first support device 11 and the second support device 12 are distinct and arranged side by side on the frame 13 along the translation direction Y (Figures 1 and 2). In the accompanying Figures, these support devices 11, 12 are represented schematically and for this reason they seem to be different, although they are actually identical. In particular, the first support device 11 and the second support device 12 comprise respectively a base portion 21, 22, operatively connected to the frame 13, and a housing portion 31 operatively connected to the aforementioned base portion 21, 22, able to support the loading platform 1.

The aforesaid portions will be described below only with reference to the first support device 11, as illustrated in Figures 3-6, since the same considerations can be applied to the second support device 12. In the embodiment illustrated therein, both the base portion 21 and the housing portion 31 are defined by a metallic structure, the dimensions of which are slightly larger than the dimensions of the loading platform 1 to be used. These are connected to each other, in particular rotatably connected to obtain the rotation of the loading platforms 1 with respect to the frame 13 which supports the support device 11, as described above. In particular, the rotation is obtained by maintaining the base portion 21 aligned with the frame 13 and allowing related displacement of the housing portion 31 whit respect to the base portion 21. The portions defining the support device 11 are independent with respect to the portions defining the support device 12, to allow an independent rotation of any loading platforms 1 arranged on the related housing portions.

The rotation of the housing portion 31 with respect to the base portion 21 is made on a rotation plane (not shown) defined by the loading / unloading direction X and the translation direction Y. This rotation is preferably obtained by means of the use of an axial bearing 50, or washer, which is interposed between the housing portion 31 and the base portion 21. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, said axial bearing 50 is arranged at the center of the structure of the base portion 21, coupled to a specifically designed flange. Likewise, as illustrated in Figure 3, the housing portion 31 is provided with a further flange, which is disposed centrally as well with respect to the structure to be coupled with the opposite surface of the axial bearing 50. To improve the rotation, the housing portion 31 may be provided with suitable rollers (not shown) distributed along the surface arranged towards the base portion 21. Said rollers allow the two portions 21, 31, in particular the related structures, to be kept separated and operatively connected so as to facilitate the rotating movement. Moreover, these rollers allow to distribute evenly the load of the loading platform 1, and of the related content, on the base portion 21 also during the rotation.

The effects of the aforesaid rotation allow to determine accurately the arrangement of the housing portion 31 with respect to the loading platform 1 to be picked-up or unloaded. In particular, the rotation is important for correctly aligning the housing portion 31 to the loading plane of the vehicle to be loaded / unloaded. The alignment is typically achieved by means of a maximum rotation of ±2.5° on the rotation plane, preferably within ±1.7° on the rotation plane. This rotation can also occur automatically by using a plurality of sensors detecting the position of the loading plane and the related distances from the housing portion 31. For example, the use of a laser control of loading plane of the vehicle can allow an automatic, accurate and reliable alignment.

The movement of the housing portion 31 with respect to the base portion 21, i.e. the related rotation between the aforementioned portions 21, 31, can be controlled by a motor driver specifically used for this purpose. Alternatively, it is possible to use one of the motor drivers used for the movement means, as described in detail below.

In the embodiment described herein, the movement means for moving along the aforesaid directions X, Y and Z are defined by three distinct movement devices, each coupled to a specific portion of the transfer station 10.

A first movement device of the loading platforms 1 allows the movement along the loading / unloading direction X. This first movement device, indicated by the reference numeral 51, is coupled to the housing portion 31 and illustrated schematically in Figure 6. In the preferred embodiment, the first movement device 51 comprises a pair of skids, arranged on opposite sides of the structure of the housing portion 31, with respect to the translation direction Y, on which a pair of chains driven by a pair of pulleys slide; one of the chains being a drive, and the other being conducted. On the outer surface of the chain, a plurality of pins 5 are coupled with a predetermined pitch. These are designed for the insertion within the plurality of openings defined on the above-described loading platform 1. Therefore, also these openings must be defined at a predetermined pitch, equal to the pitch of the pins 5 , and on both opposite sides of the loading platform 1, with respect to the translation direction Y.

The aforesaid first movement device 51 is present both on the first support device 11 and on the second support device 12. This allows the independent movement of the loading platforms 1 supported by them. As illustrated by way of example in a portion of Figure 6, the first movement device 51 is coupled to the housing portion 31 to allow the aforementioned movement independently of the loading platforms 1 of each of the aforesaid first support device 11 and second support device 12 along the loading / unloading direction X. Furthermore, the movement means of the loading platforms 1 along the loading / unloading direction X of the support means comprise, in addition to the first movement device 51, a hooking and dragging device (not shown) of the loading platforms 1. This hooking and dragging device is provided for each of the first support device 11 and second support device 12, in order to allow the independence between them to be kept. Specifically, the hooking and dragging device of the loading platforms 1 is coupled to the housing portion 31 to move independently the loading platforms 1 of each of the first support device 11 and second support device 12 along the loading / unloading direction X. Preferably, each housing portion 31 is provided with a pair of hooking and dragging devices arranged in correspondence of the ends of the related structure.

This hooking and dragging device allows the coupling with the loading platform 1 to facilitate the operations of loading and unloading thereof from the support devices 11, 12 of the transfer station 10. Therefore, the loading platform 1 must be arranged so as to allow the aforesaid coupling.

In the preferred embodiment, the hooking and dragging device is designed by a motorized telescopic arm, able to extend and retract in the two directions along the loading / unloading direction X. The telescopic arm is pivoted on the structure of the housing portion. The free end of the telescopic arm is provided with a locking device made by a pair of pins which are movable between a locking position, wherein they are moved away to create mechanical interference with the greatest encumbrance, and a rest position, wherein they are approached to reduce said encumbrance. Likewise, the loading platform 1 must be provided with an appropriate locking seat able to house the aforesaid telescopic arm and, specifically, the portion related to the locking device. Preferably, the locking seat must be provided on both ends of the loading platform 1 in the loading / unloading direction X. Even more preferably, the hooking and dragging device has a dimension which is able to fit the encumbrance of the housing portion on which it is pivoted. In particular, the encumbrance of the hooking and dragging device is such as not to be an obstacle to the sliding of the loading platform and to the movement of the housing portion with respect to the base portion. Figure 3 shows the two seats for the hooking and dragging device made on the housing portion 31. These, collectively numbered 60, are defined on the structure of the housing portion 31 placed in correspondence of the related structure along the loading / unloading direction X. In particular, these seats are obtained in the central portion of each end to allow an optimum load balance.

The hooking and dragging device is able to be coupled to the loading platform 1 and actuated before the first movement device 51, during the loading step of the loading platform 1 in the housing portion 31. Thus, during the loading step of the loading platform 1 in the housing portion 31, first of all, the hooking and dragging device will be actuated, in particular by extending the robotic arm from the related seat 60 towards the loading platform 1 itself. Subsequently, the portion related to the locking device will be inserted within the related locking seat of the loading platform 1, subsequently arranging the locking pins into the operative position. After locking, the telescopic arm is retracted to bring the loading platform 1 closer to the housing portion 31. Finally, as soon as the first pair of pins 5 of the first movement device 51 is in operative connection with the related pair of openings on the loading platform 1, the hooking and dragging device is decoupled from the loading platform 1, arranging the device locking in rest condition and retracting the telescopic arm into said seat 60. Therefore, the first movement device 51 is operated following the hooking and dragging device to complete the movement of the loading platform 1 along the loading / unloading direction X.

Likewise, during the unloading step from the housing portion 31, the aforesaid operations are repeated by inverting the sequence. In this case, the hooking and dragging device is able to be coupled to the loading platform 1 and actuated after the first movement device. Also in this case, the hooking and dragging device is actuated following said first movement device 51 for the movement of the loading platform 1 along the loading / unloading direction X, thus helping to complete the unloading step.

A second movement device of the loading platforms 1 allows the movement along the translation direction Y. This second movement device, indicated by the number 52, is coupled to the frame 13 and illustrated schematically in Figures 1 and 2 making reference only to the drive motors. Unlike the first movement device 51, the second movement device 52 allows the simultaneous movement of the first support device 11 and of the second support device 12 along the aforesaid translation direction Y.

In the preferred embodiment, the second movement device 52 comprises a plurality of pulleys (not shown), arranged at least along the perimeter of the frame 13, suitable for sliding along a corresponding plurality of rails having suitable dimensions. One or more pulleys can be of the motorized type, i.e. provided with a motor driver for the synchronous displacement.

Finally, a third movement device of the loading platforms 1 allows the movement along the elevation direction Z. This second movement device, indicated by the reference numeral 53, is coupled to the base portion 21, 22 and illustrated schematically in Figure 4, making reference to the assembly guide- structure. As disclosed for the first movement device 51, the third movement device 53 allows the independent movement of the loading platforms 1 of each of the first support device 11 and second support device 12 along the elevation direction Z. Moreover, the third movement device 53 allows simultaneously to move both the base portion 21, 22 and the housing portion 31 respectively of each support device 11, 12 along said elevation direction Z with respect to the frame 13. This makes it possible to maintain unchanged the characteristics of the particular coupling between the base portion 21, 22 and the housing portion 31 to always allow an optimum alignment of the loading platform 1 with respect to the vehicle or to the corresponding warehouse, as described above.

In the preferred embodiment, the third movement device 53 comprises a plurality of guides arranged along the perimeter of the structure of the base portion 21 (Figure 4). Each guide has a support coupled with the base portion 21 and shaped like a "U" for the containment of a plurality of rollers which allow and facilitate sliding in the elevation direction Z. In this regard, the frame 13 defines, in addition to the bearing structure of the station 10, a base from which a pair of frames develop, one for each support device 11, 12 for moving the aforementioned support means, i.e. the third movement device 53. The pillars of each frame define the guide structures for the independent movement of the first support device 11 and of the second support device 12. Therefore, each guide is positioned in correspondence of the related pillar defining the rail for the sliding. Finally, the third movement device 53 comprises four electric motors 53' arranged on the upper plane of each frame which allow the correct handling of the movement along the elevation direction Z and the correction of any inclinations according to the positioning of the loading platform 1.

Figure 7 shows a first schematic representation of the logistic system 100 according to the present invention. In particular, the logistic system 100 is able to transfer the loading platforms 1, as described above, to or from the aforementioned vehicles 101. Specifically, the same logistics system 100 is also able to move the loading units 2 and loading platforms 1, as described above, as well as to load and unload loading units 2 from the aforementioned loading platform 1.

In the logistic system 100 disclosed herein, it is possible to identify four distinct areas, as well illustrated in Figure 7. In particular, it is possible to identify a loading / unloading area 110 of platforms 1 from the vehicles 101, a storage area 120 of loading units 2, a storage area 130 of loading platforms 1 and a movement area 140 of said loading platforms 1. In particular, the storage area 120 of loading units 2 and the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1 are provided with one or more shelves arranged side by side and defining pairwise one first movement lane (not shown) and a second movement lane 130' of loading units 2, respectively.

As illustrated in Figures 7-9, the logistic system 100 comprises a plurality of shelves, and of corresponding first lanes, of the storage area 120 of loading units 2, as well as a plurality of shelves, and of corresponding second lanes, of the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1.

In case of smaller logistic systems, at least constituted by a single shelf for the storage area of loading units and for the storage area of loading platforms, the movement area of the platforms is a function only of movement which must be carried out with respect to the first support device 11 or to the second support device 12.

A stacker crane 150 operatively connects the storage area 120 of loading units 2 and the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1. In particular, the logistic system 100 comprises a plurality of stacker cranes 150, each operating in a lane and in a second lane, or in a single lane, the portions of which are defined by the aforementioned first and second lanes, as described in greater detail below. The stacker crane 150 allows to take the loading units 2 which are arranged into the storage area 120 of loading units 2 arranging them onto the loading platform 1 arranged in the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1, in order to compose the loading platform 1 with the requested loading units 2. For this purpose, the first movement lane of loading units and the second movement lane 130' of loading units are used by the stacker crane 150 to carry out the movement of the load units 2, which is able to move on the related rail 130" of the aforementioned lanes. Likewise, the stacker crane 150 can carry out the reverse movement by picking up the loading units 2 entering on the loading platform 2 and arranging them in the related locations assigned to them into the storage unit 120 of loading units 2.

The operation of the stacker crank 150 along the lanes 130', both at the storage unit area 120 of loading units 2 and at the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1, allows to obtain an optimum movement of the loading units 2 which are serviced by the same stacker crane 150 device and can be handled in a completely automatic manner.

To obtain the maximum flexibility of use, it is possible to use a second stacker crane (not shown) able to cross perpendicularly all the shelves constituting the storage area of loading units 2. In this case, it is possible to arrange additional rails, preferably above the last shelf level. Such rails can be arranged at the bottom of the storage area of loading units 2 or in an intermediate position, according to the construction needs of the system. Therefore, this second stacker crane enables the loading units 2 to be moved among the plurality of shelves without intervening on the use of the loading platforms 1 and without interrupting or invalidating the correct movement thereof.

Therefore, the logistic system 100 envisages the use of the transfer station 10 of the loading platforms 1 between the vehicle 101 and the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1, and vice versa, as illustrated schematically in Figures 8 to 10. What described above for the transfer station 10 is applied mutatis mutandis to the disclosure of the logistics system 100 that employs it. In particular, this transfer station 10 is interposed between the loading / unloading area 110 of loading platforms 1 and the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1, while defining the tool for moving the loading platforms 1 and a buffer for handling sequential entry and exit movements on the same vehicle 101 or on vehicles on hold.

The present embodiment illustrates a movement area 140 of loading platforms 1 which extends perpendicularly to the plurality of second movement lanes 130' of loading units 2. Within the aforesaid movement area 140, the transfer station 10 is able to move by means of the above- described second movement device 52. Specifically, the movement area 140 is provided with four rails 140" on which the second movement device 52, i.e. the related plurality of pulleys, is able to operate to obtain the translation along the translation direction Y, perpendicularly to the aforementioned movement lane 130'. The movement in the movement area 140 carries out the simultaneous displacement of the first support device 11 and of the second support device 12, along the same translation direction Y. This movement makes it possible to arrange the transfer station 10 in correspondence of one of the shelves of the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1 and / or in correspondence of a vehicle 101 awaiting to load or unload the related loading plane.

As clearly illustrated in Figures 8-10, in the embodiment described therein, the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1 is an integral part of the storage area 120 of loading units 2 and defines at least partially the terminal portion of the shelves in correspondence of the movement area 140 of loading platforms 1. In this case, the first lane and the second lane defined by the respective shelves of the aforementioned storage areas 120, 130 constitute portions of a single lane, where the first movement lane of loading units 2 and the second movement lane of loading units 2 are arranged in succession. This enables the stacker crane 150 to operate quickly and effectively for carrying out the movement of the loading units 2, minimizing the space required for the realization of the different storage areas.

Specifically, the storage area 130 of loading platforms 1 is provided with four individual locations for the loading platforms 1 in each of the aforementioned shelves, or in each of the terminal portions of the shelves. Alternatively, a different number of locations may be provided without modifying the inventive concept of the present invention, for example two or more locations. These locations are located one above the other in the terminal portion so as to arrange each location, and each loading platform 1 inserted therein, in direct contact with the transfer station 10. The latter is able, by means of the third movement device 53, to arrange the housing portion 31 of each first 11 or second 12 support devices in correspondence of the desired location for the insertion or the extraction of the related loading platform 1. The transfer station 10 of loading platforms 1 is in fact able to move by means of the third movement device 53 along the elevation direction Z, to move in an independent manner the loading platforms 1 of each of the first support device 11 and second support device 12 and simultaneously the base portion 21, 22 and the housing portion 31 of the first support device 11 and second support device 12, respectively, with respect to the frame 13 in correspondence of the desired location.

The whole logistic system can be commanded and controlled by one or more control units, not shown in the present embodiment. In particular, the control unit is suitable for handling the stacker crane 150 as a function of the loading units 2 to be loaded / unloaded from one of the loading platforms 1. In this way, depending on the loading plane and / or the assignment of unique codes to each location and / or loading unit, it is possible to automate completely the movement operations of the stacker crane 150, already simplified by the arrangement of the storage areas 120, 130.

In addition, the control unit is suitable con control the transfer station 10 for handling the movement means 51, 52, 53 of the first support device 11 and second support device 12 depending on the operations of loading and unloading of the loading platforms 1.

Furthermore, the control unit is able to control the rotation of the housing portion 31 with respect to the base portion 21, 22 of each of the first support device 11 and second support device 12, depending on the alignment to be achieved. Preferably, the alignment is typically achieved by a maximum rotation of ±2.5° on the rotation plane, preferably within ±1.7° on the rotation plane. A plurality of sensors can be used by the control unit for detecting the position of the loading plane and the related distances from the housing portion 31. For example, the use of a laser control of the loading plane of the vehicle 101 may allow an automatic, accurate and reliable alignment.

This control unit can be implemented according to a centralized logic or by assigning the logic of each device to local controllers, coordinated by a central controller.

Below, it is disclosed an example of operation of the logistic system 100 according to the present invention.

It is assumed that a loading platform 1 must be defined with the corresponding loading units 2 and that the aforementioned loading platform 1 must be subsequently transferred to the selected vehicle 101.

The loading units 2, for example pallets or Europallets, packaged and ready to be delivered to their destination, are fed by means of a motorized roller conveyor at the exit of the palletizing plant, not shown and arranged upstream of the storage area 120 of loading units 2. The transpallet 150 picks the loading unit 2 up from the exit of the palletizing plant to store it in a predetermined location of a shelf in the storage area 120.

According to the loading requirements for a specific loading platform 1, the loading units 2 arranged within the storage area 120, ready to be used, are picked up from the transpallet 150 of the corresponding first movement lane and arranged on the predetermined loading platform 1 and placed in one of the locations of the terminal portion of a shelf of the storage area 130. The loading platform 1 is loaded by the transpallet 150 according to the LIFO (Last In-First Out) logic assuming to arrange each loading unit 2, i.e. each pallet, so as to define two rows of pallets on the loading platform 1. It is assumed in this sense that the pallets are of the Europallet type and that they are arranged on the loading platform 1 side by side with respect to the longer side, equal to 1200 mm.

Potentially, it is possible to arrange the same Europallet also side by side with respect to the short side, equal to 800 mm, defining three rows of pallets on the loading platform 1.

Once a loading platform 1 is loaded into the related location of the storage area 130, the latter remains on hold until the vehicle 101 used for its transport is present in the loading / unloading area 110 of loading platforms 1 from the related vehicles 101.

As soon as the vehicle 101 is present in the loading / unloading area 110, the transfer station 10 provides to pick the already loaded loading platform 1 up from the related location of the shelf to allow the transfer of the same on the loading platform of the vehicle 101. Thus, the transfer station 10 provides to actuate the second movement device 52 to move along the translation direction Y and to be arranged in correspondence of the correct rack. Subsequently, the third movement device 53 is actuated to move along the elevation direction Z and to be arranged in correspondence of the correct location of the shelf. Finally, the transfer station 10 provides to actuate the first movement device 51, and the related hooking and dragging device, to move along the loading / unloading direction X and pick the loading platform 1 up to arrange it on the free support device.

When the loading platform 1 is arranged on the housing portion 31 of the related support device 11, the transfer station 10 is again moved along the translation axis Y to achieve the correct position of the vehicle 101 on hold.

The transfer station 10 must align with the loading plane of the vehicle 101 before proceeding with the unloading of the loading platform 1 onto the loading plane of the vehicle 101. By actuating again the third movement device 53 again, the support device 11, i.e. the housing portion 31, is aligned with the loading plane of the vehicle. To compensate for the differences in inclination of the loading plane with respect to the axis of symmetry of the plane of the housing portion 31, it is possible to move the housing portion 31 with respect to the base portion 21 so as to obtain a rotation on the rotation plane defined by the loading / unloading direction X and by the translation direction Y.

Finally, the transfer station 10 can actuate the first movement device 51, and the related hooking and dragging device, to complete the transfer of the transfer station 1 on the loading plane of the vehicle 101. All the aforesaid steps can be carried out automatically by the use of the aforesaid control unit, possibly assisted by one or more databases for handling the positions of the loading units 2 and loading platforms 1 in the related storage areas 120, 130 and for defining the list of loading units 2 to be coupled with the related loading platform 1. The control unit can be further assisted by appropriate sensors for handling the related movement, i.e. rotation, between the housing portion 31 and the base portion 21.

In the case of unloading and subsequent loading of the vehicle 101, it is possible to use the two support devices 11, 12 to buffer the loading platform 1 to be extracted from the loading plane of the vehicle 101. It is assumed that the transfer station 10 already has the first support device 11 occupied by the loading platform 1 according to the above-described operations. In this case, the transfer station 10 first lines up the second support device 12 to the loading plane to proceed with the extraction of the loading platform 1 from the vehicle 101 (full or empty) and then aligns the first support device 11 to proceed with the insertion of the loading platform 1 stored therein.

The loading platform 1 placed on the second device 12 will therefore be inserted into the predetermined location of the storage area 130, as previously described, inverting the procedure performed during the loading operations.

The loading units 2 arranged on the new loading platform 1 deposited at the storage area 130 are subsequently taken over by the transpallet 150 which deals with allocating each loading unit 2 at the correct location of the storage area 120.

The estimated cycle time to completely complete the aforesaid unloading and loading operations is equal to a maximum of 20 minutes, i.e. an average of 3 vehicles per hour with complete unloading and loading operations, against the 90-105 minutes required on average with traditional systems.

The estimated cycle time to complete the operations only related to the loading step of the vehicle is equal to a maximum of 12 minutes, i.e. an average of 5 vehicles per hour, against the 60 minutes required on average with traditional systems.

Assuming an operation equal to 16 hours, i.e. 960 minutes per day, and a mean preparation time for each operation equal to 16 minutes, with a transfer station or a logistic system according to the present invention, it is possible to serve up to 60 vehicles per day, i.e. 45 vehicles per day if considering an efficiency of 75%. Therefore, a comparison with respect to the traditional systems highlight a higher efficiency equal to 400%, i.e. it is possible to save four traditional ramps for each transfer station according to the present invention.

Therefore, the transfer station and the related logistic system, according to the present invention, allow to reduce considerably the time necessary for loading and unloading the vehicles, minimizing the time of stop and inactivity thereof. The transfer station allows to obtain a movement of loading platforms entering and exiting subsequently and on the same structure. Likewise, it is possible to sequentially load / unload two vehicles without using the storage area of loading platforms between one operation and the other.

The construction of the transfer station according to the present invention allows an optimal use of resources, maintaining the coupling precision necessary both for manual operations and for fully automated operations.

Furthermore, the use of a transfer station and of the related logistic system, according to the present invention allows to improve the logistic flow of warehouses and logistics systems in general, as well as to minimize the space required for the necessary operations.