Storage device for storing transport units
A storage device ( 1 ′) for storing transport units ( 3 ′) includes a number of transport units ( 3 ′), a number of storage lines ( 12 a ′- 12 g ′) which are configured to store transport units ( 3 ′), a feeding line ( 11 ′) which is connected by a respective first switch point ( 111 ′) to the storage lines ( 12 a ′- 12 g ′), a measuring device ( 15 ′) which is arranged on the feeding line ( 11 ′) and which is configured to determine a respective extent of a transport unit ( 3 ′), and a controller ( 16 ′) which is connected to the measuring device ( 15 ′) and to the first switch pointes ( 111 ′) and which is configured to select a storage line ( 12 a ′- 12 g ′) for storing the transport unit ( 3 ′) on the basis of the extent of the transport unit ( 3 ′) determined by the measuring device ( 15 ′).
1. A storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) for storing transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 ), comprising:
a number of transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 );
a number of storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) which are configured to store transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 );
a feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′) which is connected by a respective first switch point ( 111 , 111 ′) to the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a 1 - 12 g ′);
a measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) which is arranged on the feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′) and which is configured to determine a respective extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ); and
a controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) which is connected to the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) and to the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) and which is configured to select a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) for storing the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) on the basis of an extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) determined by the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ), wherein
the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) is configured to determine the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in a conveying direction (F), wherein the present number of transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 ) stored in the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′), the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) in the conveying direction (F) associated with the stored transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) and the lengths of the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) is stored in the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″), wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) is configured to determine free lengths of the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) from the lengths of the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′), from the number of stored transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) and from the associated extents (L 1 , L 2 ) in the conveying direction (F) and to control the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) store a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) with a free length which is greater than or equal to the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in the conveying direction (F) determined by the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ).
2. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′) is arranged upstream of the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′).
3. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) is configured to control the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) with an extent (L 1 , L 2 ) in the conveying direction (F) which is greater than the free length of a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) is led past said storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) by the first switch pointes ( 111 , 111 ′).
4. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) is configured to control the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) store the transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ) in accordance with a storage plan stored in the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″).
5. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) comprises a discharge line ( 13 , 13 ′) which is connected by means of a respective second switch point ( 131 , 131 ′) to the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′).
6. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) is configured to assign the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) a respective extent range, and to control the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) with an extent (L 1 , L 2 ) which lies in the extent range of a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) is stored in said storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) by the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′).
7. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) is configured to assign the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) in each case a number of extent ranges and to control the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) with an extent (L 1 , L 2 ) which lies in one of the extent ranges of a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) is stored in said storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) by the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′).
8. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) is configured to, in the case of multiple storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) in which a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) can be stored on the basis of the determined extent (L 1 , L 2 ), select a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) in accordance with a prioritization plan, stored in the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″), for the storage of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ).
9. The storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the measuring device ( 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) comprises an optical sensor ( 15 . 11 - 15 . 61 ), a light barrier ( 15 . 31 , 15 . 51 ), a camera ( 15 . 41 , 15 . 61 ), a light curtain ( 15 . 311 , 15 . 511 ), a light grid, or a light scanner ( 15 . 11 , 15 . 21 ).
10. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) each comprise at least one of a carrying unit ( 31 , 361 , 371 - 391 , 3101 , 3111 , 3121 ), and a bag ( 31 , 371 - 391 , 3101 , 3111 , 3121 ), for carrying items for transport ( 4 , 4 ′, 4 ″, 46 , 411 ).
11. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) each comprise a carriage ( 32 , 362 , 372 ) to which the carrying units ( 31 , 361 , 371 - 391 , 3101 , 3111 , 3121 ) are respectively fastenable, wherein the carriage ( 32 , 362 , 372 ) configured to be conveyed in hanging fashion in the storage device ( 1 , 1 ′).
12. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) each comprise at least one of an identification element, a barcode ( 33 ) and an RFID tag.
13. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 12 , wherein, on the feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′), there is arranged a readout device ( 112 ′) which is connected to the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) and which is configured to read out the identification element ( 33 ) of a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) and to transmit the read-out information to the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″).
14. The storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) is configured to assign the read-out information to an determined extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ).
15. The storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the measuring device ( 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) comprises a guiding device ( 15 . 12 - 15 . 62 ) which is configured to stabilize a transport unit ( 37 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) during the determination of the extent by the measuring device ( 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ).
16. The storage device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the guiding device ( 15 . 2 , 15 . 6 ) comprises a drive which is configured to drive the guiding device ( 15 . 2 , 15 . 6 ) for moving the transport unit along ( 37 - 39 , 310 - 312 ).
17. The storage device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the guiding device ( 15 . 12 - 15 . 62 ) comprises at least one limiting body ( 15 . 22 a , 15 . 22 b , 15 . 62 a , 15 . 62 b ) which is configured to limit a movement of the transport unit ( 37 - 39 , 310 - 312 ), an oscillatory movement, horizontally transversely or longitudinally with respect to the conveying direction (F).
18. The storage device as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the limiting body ( 15 . 22 a , 15 . 22 b , 15 . 62 a , 15 . 62 b ) comprises a belt ( 15 . 121 , 15 . 221 , 15 . 321 , 15 . 521 , 15 . 621 ) which circulates over at least two rollers ( 15 . 223 , 15 . 224 , 15 . 523 , 15 . 524 , 15 . 623 , 15 . 624 ) and which is configured to limit a movement of the transport unit ( 37 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) transversely with respect to the belt ( 15 . 121 , 15 . 221 , 15 . 321 , 15 . 521 , 15 . 621 ).
19. The storage device as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the belt ( 15 . 121 , 15 . 221 , 15 . 321 , 15 . 521 , 15 . 621 ) comprises at least one of a stabilizing structure and a carrier structure which is configured as at least one of brushes ( 15 . 122 , 15 . 222 , 15 . 322 , 15 . 522 ) and foam elements ( 15 . 622 ) arranged on the outer surface of the belt ( 15 . 121 , 15 . 221 , 15 . 321 , 15 . 521 , 15 . 621 ), wherein the brushes ( 15 . 122 , 15 . 222 , 15 . 322 , 15 . 522 ) and/or foam elements ( 15 . 622 ) are configured to stabilize the transport unit ( 37 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) and move the latter along in the conveying direction (F).
20. A storage facility ( 10 ) comprising a storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) comprising a storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) for storing transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 ), comprising:
a number of transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 );
a number of storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) which are configured to store transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 );
a feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′) which is connected by a respective first switch point ( 111 , 111 ′) to the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′);
a measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) which is arranged on the feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′) and which is configured to determine a respective extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ); and
a controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) which is connected to the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) and to the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) and which is configured to select a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) for storing the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) on the basis of an extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) determined by the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ), wherein
the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) is configured to determine the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in a conveying direction (F), wherein the present number of transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 ) stored in the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′), the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) in the conveying direction (F) associated with the stored transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) and the lengths of the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) is stored in the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″), wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) is configured to determine free lengths of the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) from the lengths of the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′), from the number of stored transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) and from the associated extents (L 1 , L 2 ) in the conveying direction (F) and to control the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) store a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) with a free length which is greater than or equal to the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in the conveying direction (F) determined by the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ), and
a loading station ( 2 , 2 ″) which is arranged on the feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′) and at which the transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) can each be loaded with items for transport ( 4 , 4 ′, 4 ″, 46 , 411 ).
21. The storage facility ( 10 ) as claimed in claim 20 , wherein, at the loading station ( 2 , 2 ″), there is arranged a second measuring device ( 281 ″) which is configured to determine the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of the transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) after the loading with items for transport ( 4 , 4 ′, 4 ″, 46 , 411 ).
22. A method for operating a storage device ( 1 , 1 ′), comprising the steps:
i) providing a storage device ( 1 , 1 ′) for storing transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 ), comprising
a number of transport units (( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 );
a number of storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) which are configured to store transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 );
a feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′) which is connected by a respective first switch point ( 111 , 111 ′) to the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′);
a measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) which is arranged on the feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′); and
a controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) which is connected to the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) and to the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′);
ii) providing transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) loaded with items for transport ( 4 , 4 ′, 4 ″, 46 , 411 ) in the feeding line ( 11 , 11 ′);
iii) determining a respective extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) by means of the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ) in the conveying direction (F) and
iv) storing the present number of transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) stored in the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′), the extents (L 1 , L 2 ) in the conveying direction (F) associated with the stored transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) and the lengths of the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) in the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″); and
v) determining the free lengths of the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) from the lengths of the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′), from the number of stored transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) and from the associated extents (L 1 , L 2 ) in the conveying direction (F) by means of the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) and transmitting the determined extent (L 1 , L 2 ) to the controller ( 16 , 16 ′); and
vi) selecting a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) for storing the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) on the basis of the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) determined by the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ); and
vii) controlling the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) by means of the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) such that the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) store a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) with a free length which is greater than or equal to the extent (L 1 , L 2 ) of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in the conveying direction (F) determined by the measuring device ( 15 , 15 ′, 15 . 1 - 15 . 6 ).
23. The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) controls the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) with an extent (L 1 , L 2 ) in the conveying direction (F) which is greater than the free length of a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) is led past said storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) by the first switch pointes ( 111 , 111 ′).
24. The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) controls the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) store the transport units ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) in the respective storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ) in accordance with a storage plan stored in the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″).
25. The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) assigns the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) a respective extent range, and controls the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) with an extent (L 1 , L 2 ) which lies in the extent range of a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) is stored in said storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) by the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′).
26. The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″) assigns the storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) in each case a number of extent ranges and controls the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′) in each case such that that a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) with an extent (L 1 , L 2 ) which lies in the one of the extent ranges of a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) is stored in said storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) by the first switch points ( 111 , 111 ′).
27. The method as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″), in the case of multiple storage lines ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) in which a transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ) can be stored on the basis of the determined extent (L 1 , L 2 ), selects a storage line ( 12 , 12 a ′- 12 g ′) in accordance with a prioritization plan, stored in the controller ( 16 , 16 ′, 16 ″), for the storage of the transport unit ( 3 , 3 ′, 3 ″, 3 a ″, 36 - 39 , 310 - 312 ).