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EP-4274790-B1 - STORAGE AND REMOVAL SYSTEM AND ALSO USE OF A WORKSTATION FOR A STORAGE AND REMOVAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A STORAGE AND REMOVAL SYSTEM

EP4274790B1EP 4274790 B1EP4274790 B1EP 4274790B1EP-4274790-B1

Inventors

  • GEBHARDT, MARCO

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20221221

Claims (7)

  1. A storage and removal system for containers (4), comprising: a latticework structure (3) comprising a multiplicity of latticework cells, wherein each latticework cell defines a storage column (5) of a container-storage structure arranged beneath the latticework structure (3), wherein the storage columns (5) are configured such that they each accommodate a vertical stack of containers (4), and wherein the latticework structure (3) defines longitudinal transport paths in a longitudinal direction and transverse transport paths in a transverse direction, at least one transport vehicle for containers (4), which vehicle is designed to travel along the longitudinal transport paths and/or transverse transport paths, and a workstation (1) for providing access to at least one container (4), wherein the workstation (1) comprises a vertical shaft (6) having an access opening (8) leading from or to the shaft (6), wherein a container (4) can be moved along the shaft (6), by means of a gripper assigned to the transport vehicle or to the latticework structure (3), from a transport vehicle toward the access opening (8) or in the opposite direction toward the transport vehicle, and wherein the shaft (6) is assigned a locking device (12) for preventing unwanted movement of a container (4) or other objects in the shaft (6), characterized in that a light barrier or a light curtain (14) is arranged in the region of the access opening (8) and in that the locking device (12) can be activated by means of the light barrier or the light curtain (14).
  2. The storage and removal system according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (12) comprises locking elements which can be unfolded or introduced into the shaft (6).
  3. The storage and removal system according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking elements comprise one or more fingers (13) or plates or are formed by one or more fingers (13) or plates.
  4. The storage and removal system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a plurality of locking elements are arranged at different heights or in different positions in the shaft (6).
  5. The storage and removal system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the locking device (12) comprises a mechanical or electric drive, for example an electric motor.
  6. The use of a workstation (1) for a storage and removal system according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the workstation (1) is designed to provide access to at least one container (4), wherein the workstation (1) comprises a vertical shaft (6) having an access opening (8) leading from or to the shaft (6), wherein a container (4) can be moved along the shaft (6), by means of a gripper assigned to the transport vehicle or to the latticework structure (3), from a transport vehicle toward the access opening (8) or in the opposite direction toward the transport vehicle, and wherein the shaft (6) is assigned a locking device (12) for preventing unwanted movement of a container (4) or other objects in the shaft (6), wherein a light barrier or a light curtain (14) is arranged in the region of the access opening (8) and the locking device (12) can be activated by means of the light barrier or the light curtain (14).
  7. A method for operating a storage and removal system according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locking device (12) is used to close the shaft (6) at least in part and is activated by means of the light barrier or the light curtain (14).

Description

The invention relates to a storage and retrieval system for containers, comprising: a grid structure with a plurality of grid cells, wherein each grid cell defines a support column of a container support structure arranged below the grid structure, wherein the support columns are configured to each accommodate a vertical stack of containers, and wherein the grid structure defines longitudinal transport paths in a longitudinal direction and transverse transport paths in a transverse direction. at least one transport vehicle for containers designed for driving along the longitudinal and/or transverse transport routes, and a workstation for creating access to at least one container, wherein the workstation has a vertical shaft with an access opening leading out of or to the shaft, wherein a container can be moved along the shaft from a transport vehicle towards the access opening or in the opposite direction towards the transport vehicle by means of a gripper associated with the transport vehicle or the grid structure. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a workstation for a storage and retrieval system. Finally, the present invention relates to a method for operating a storage and withdrawal system. Storage and retrieval systems of the type mentioned above are known from practice and exist in various designs. WO 2020/094604 A1 Figure 1 shows, for example, such a storage and retrieval system 1 for containers 106. The storage and retrieval system 1 is designed as a block storage system. Access to the containers 106 is provided by means of a workstation 10, for example, a picking workstation. The workstation 10 can be arranged at different positions on a storage and retrieval system 1, for example, on each side of the block storage system. [Transport vehicles 200] On the block storage area, containers 106 can be discharged directly onto a conveyor 41, which can supply a container 106 to an operator through an access opening to and from a vertical shaft of the workstation. The workstation 10 also has a pivoting cover plate 36 for covering a container 106, as well as individual covers 31 to provide individual access to specific areas of the container 106. Furthermore, it is also evident from the WO 2021/165030 A1 A storage and retrieval system 1 for containers 106 is known, comprising a workstation for providing access to a container 106. Furthermore, the storage and retrieval system 2 includes horizontal conveyors for containers 106 to transport the containers 106 to a predetermined distance from the storage and retrieval system 1 for safety reasons, allowing operating personnel to work at a greater distance from the storage and retrieval system 1. The WO 2014/195901 A1 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1. A problem with known storage and retrieval systems is that the access opening in the shaft inherently poses a risk of operators accidentally reaching into the shaft through this opening. This can lead to injury to the operator's hand or arm if, for example, containers fall down the shaft due to defective transport vehicles and onto the operator's arm or hand, or are unintentionally placed on the operator's arm or hand. A similar risk exists if any objects, such as stored goods, accidentally fall down the shaft. Therefore, sufficient safety for the operation of known storage and retrieval systems is not guaranteed. The present invention is therefore based on the objective of specifying a storage and retrieval system, a use of a workplace for a storage and retrieval system, and a method for operating a storage and retrieval system, whereby safe operation is enabled with structurally simple means. According to the invention, the aforementioned problem is solved by a storage and retrieval system. solved by the features of claim 1, by using a workplace with the features of claim 6, and by a method with the features of claim 7. The storage and retrieval system according to claim 1 is characterized in that a light barrier or a light grid is arranged in the area of the access opening and that the locking device can be activated by means of the light barrier or the light grid. Claim 6 claims the use of the workstation for this storage and retrieval system. Finally, the method for operating a storage and retrieval system according to claim 7 is characterized in that the locking device is used to at least partially close the shaft and is activated by means of the light barrier or the light grid (14). In accordance with the invention, it has first been recognized that the aforementioned problem is solved in a surprisingly simple manner through a clever design of the shaft. Specifically, in accordance with the invention, a locking device is assigned to the shaft to prevent unintentional movement of a container or other objects within the shaft. This prevents unintentional movement that could lead to contact and thus potential injury, for example, to the hand or arm of an operator, should