EP3921815B1 - Automated, modular and compact, addressable object storage device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an automated, modular and compact object-addressing device, particularly for use as a cloakroom. Said device may comprise modules on floors.

The present invention is described in application to a locker room but the applications could be the storage of specific personal equipment such as medical equipment, safety equipment, sensitive and fragile devices, using the same storage device. The aim is to propose a storage device which comprises mechanical means of depositing, means of storing and retrieving at least one object OB, mechanical means of transferring said at least one object OB, mechanical means of storing said at least one object OB and mechanical and software means of identifying a holder wishing to store or retrieve the at least one object OB.

• adaptable en fonction de la nature des objets OB à entreposer,
• mobile pour pouvoir positionner ledit dispositif en des lieux différents en fonction de manifestations temporaires comme des salons, des manifestations sportives, des congrès ou d'autres besoins éphémères,
• modulaire en fonction des volumes nécessaires d'entreposage. On entend par modulaire, une modularité de type industriel, c'est-à-dire du type "Modulé et Utilisé", analogue au "Plug and Play", formulation anglo-saxonne très significative sur l'absence d'intervention au coeur d'un dispositif, en l'occurrence en évitant des interventions du point de vue de la mécanique des différents moyens du dispositif d'entreposage et des interventions du point de vue du logiciel comme il sera indiqué plus avant. Les seules interventions sont des interventions de connexions mécaniques et filaires. Des exemples de tels dispositifs sont connus des documents US 4 225 278 A , US 4 789 293 A , US 3 964 577 A , CN 102 080 485 A , FR 2 732 141 A1 .

Such a storage device is advantageously:

• adaptable according to the nature of the OB objects to be stored,
• mobile to be able to position said device in different locations depending on temporary events such as trade fairs, sporting events, congresses or other ephemeral needs,
• modular according to the necessary storage volumes. Modular means an industrial type of modularity, i.e. of the "Modulated and Used" type, similar to "Plug and Play", a very significant Anglo-Saxon formulation on the absence of intervention at the heart of a device, in this case by avoiding interventions from the point of view of the mechanics of the different means of the storage device and interventions from the point of view of the software as will be indicated later. The only interventions are interventions of mechanical and wired connections. Examples of such devices are known from the documents US 4,225,278 A , US 4,789,293 A , US 3,964,577 A , CN 102 080 485 A , FR 2 732 141 A1 .

The storage device includes movements of different organs and the particularity is to provide only linear movements along the three axes: X, Y and Z.

According to the present invention the storage device comprises the features defined in each of claims 1 to 10.

• [Fig. 1] représente une vue en perspective simplifiée du dispositif d'entreposage d'au moins un objet OB selon la présente invention, en service.
• [Fig. 2] représente une vue en perspective de la structure du dispositif d'entreposage d'au moins un objet OB, les panneaux d'habillage étant retirés,
• [Fig. 3] représente une vue isolée en perspective d'une première partie des moyens mécaniques de transfert,
• [Fig. 4] représente une vue isolée en perspective des moyens de réception d'un objet OB,
• [Fig. 5] représente une vue détaillée des moyens moteurs des premiers moyens de transfert,
• [Fig. 6] représente une vue en perspective d'une seconde partie des moyens mécaniques de transfert,
• [Fig. 7] représente une vue en perspective isolée, de détail, des moyens d'entreposage.

The present invention is now described with the aid of an embodiment which is solely illustrative and in no way limiting of the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] represents a simplified perspective view of the device for storing at least one object OB according to the present invention, in service.
• [ Fig. 2 ] represents a perspective view of the structure of the storage device for at least one OB object, the covering panels being removed,
• [ Fig. 3 ] represents an isolated perspective view of a first part of the mechanical transfer means,
• [ Fig. 4 ] represents an isolated perspective view of the means for receiving an object OB,
• [ Fig. 5 ] represents a detailed view of the motor means of the first transfer means,
• [ Fig. 6 ] represents a perspective view of a second part of the mechanical transfer means,
• [ Fig. 7 ] represents an isolated, detailed perspective view of the storage facilities.

The storage device according to the figures 1 And 2 comprises several assembled parts, and cooperating with each other. The device according to the present invention is illustrated in the various figures indifferently and comprises two levels, a level L0 on the ground and a superimposed floor at level L1. The storage device is described according to an orthonormal reference X, Y and Z and takes the general shape of a parallelepiped. As can be seen in the figure 1 , with front face 2 being the origin. The direction of the X axis is perpendicular to this front face 2, with the + direction going from front face 2 to back face 4. The Y axis is oriented perpendicular to the X axis in the horizontal plane, with the + direction being from left face 6 to right face 8 of the drawing. The Z axis is oriented vertically, perpendicular to the XY plane and the + direction being from bottom to top. The directions will therefore be either positive or negative depending on the part described. As shown in the figure 2 , the storage device according to the present invention comprises a metal frame, this type of metal frame assembly being well known as such, the connections being able to be made with removable connections such as screws/nuts, snap-fastening, keying or with fixed connections such as welding to produce a mechanically welded structure, this in no way modifying the invention.

• des moyens mécaniques de dépose et de reprise 10 d'au moins un objet OB,
• des moyens de réception 20 du au moins un objet OB,
• des moyens mécaniques de transfert 30 des moyens de réception 20 dudit au moins un objet OB,
• des moyens mécaniques d'entreposage 40 des moyens de réception 20 dudit au moins un objet OB, et
• des moyens mécanique et logiciel de pilotage et d'identification 50 d'un titulaire souhaitant déposer ou reprendre le au moins un objet OB.

The storage device according to the figure 2 understand :

• mechanical means for removing and retrieving 10 at least one object OB,
• means 20 for receiving at least one object OB,
• mechanical transfer means 30 of reception means 20 of said at least one OB object,
• mechanical storage means 40 of the reception means 20 of said at least one object OB, and
• mechanical and software means for controlling and identifying 50 a holder wishing to deposit or take back at least one OB object.

For the remainder of the description, the term OB object means goods, personal objects such as bags, clothes in the case of a locker room. The example of the locker room is also the one that is retained in a non-limiting manner.

The mechanical means of removal and recovery 10 of an object OB by a holder, shown in the figures 2 And 3 comprise a metal frame defining at least one station 102, in this case two stations, a first left deposit and recovery station 102G and a second right deposit and recovery station 102D, both accessible on the front face 2 of the storage device. These two deposit and recovery stations 102G and 102D are strictly identical from the point of view of design and operation and are symmetrically arranged on the front face. Each deposit and recovery station 102G and 102D comprises an opening 104G and 104D, formed in the metal frame and each provided with a shutter 106G and 106D. Each shutter is of the guillotine type and can take, each independently or simultaneously, two positions, one of total closure or the other of total opening. The translation direction of the guillotine movement is +Z/-Z. These shutters 106G and 106D can be advantageously mounted with an upper pair and a lower pair of guide means, for example rollers mounted on the lateral edges of said shutters, rolling in vertical rails or sliding pads in a rail with an anti-friction material. In particular, each slide has an offset d towards the rear, at the level of the upper pair of rollers when the shutter is in the low position. Thus, during the vertical translation upwards, from the start of the translation, each shutter 106 undergoes a displacement of a value d along the X axis, therefore from the front to the rear. Each shutter 106 comprises, in the upper part, two translation drive pins 108, said pins projecting on the rear face of each shutter, and oriented in the X direction. Instead of a slide with offset and fixed pins, the slide can be rectilinear and the fixed pins 108 are replaced by movable pins, namely a plunger of a solenoid, movable between a basic retracted position under the effect of a return spring and an operational projecting position when the solenoid is powered, in a known manner. Each shutter 106G and 106D is associated with its own motor means 110G and 110D, for example a worm screw and a threaded sleeve mounted on the screw and secured to said shutter. Such an arrangement is also well known in itself and allows, by rotation of the screw, the sleeve to be translated and therefore the shutter associated with said sleeve to be operated. Limit switches, force limiters and other safety accessories are normally associated with these motor means, depending on the regulations in force and the applicable standards.

The means 20 for receiving at least one object OB are in the form of containers 202. Such containers are shown in the figure 4 . These containers 202 have the same dimensions in height along the Z axis, in width along the Y axis and identical or variable depths along the X axis. The volumes of the containers can therefore all be identical V but also of different volumes V1, V2..., depending on the needs and applications. These containers each comprise six faces including a front face 204, oriented along the -X axis. This front face 204 is movable in vertical translation relative to the other five faces. A suitable assembly allowing sliding is in the form of slides 206G and 206D, integral with the right 208D and left 208G walls of the container 202 or in the form of portions of slides in the embodiment shown. A stop 210, advantageously a third slide 212, arranged in the lower part and integral with the lower part 214, ensures a limitation of the downward translation. When the movable front face 204 is supported on the stop 210, the container is closed and when the movable front face 204 is translated upwards, access to the interior volume V of the container 202 is made possible. The front face 204 is naturally supported on the stop by its own weight. These containers 202 are completed by attachment means 216. These attachment means 216 comprise stops 218, arranged at the edge of the container and symmetrical, so as to allow attachment on each side. Advantageously, each container comprises in the upper part suspension means 220, in this case a rail R, of profile adapted to roll on rollers. This rail R is capable of rolling on rollers. Furthermore, each front face 204 comprises two gripping holes provided at the top, on each side, so as to receive the translation drive pins 108 or the plungers in the case of a solenoid, as will be explained in the operation further below.

The mechanical means 30 for transferring the reception means 20 from the at least one OB object are represented on the figures 2 And 4 in particular and comprise two elevators 302G and 302D, each arranged respectively within the first left drop-off and pick-up station 102G and within the second right drop-off and pick-up station 102D. These elevators have the sole purpose of positioning each of the receiving means 20, in this case each of the containers 202, at level L0 or level L1, in the embodiment chosen as an example, comprising two levels. The mechanical transfer means 30 comprise a lower central corridor 304, at level L0 and an upper central corridor 306 at level L1. Each corridor is oriented in the direction of the X axis, for each level. The mechanical transfer means 30 comprise, for each level L0 and L1, a shuttle 308 and 310 respectively, allowing in particular transfer movements in translation in the directions X, -X, in each of said corridors. Each shuttle 308, 310 comprises rolling means, in this case rollers and a motor with rack, capable of rolling on the welded mechanical structure. A specific motorization 312, 314 of each shuttle 308, 310 allows a controlled indexed movement, in particular thanks to a well-known pinion/rack motorization.

The mechanical means 30 for transferring the receiving means 20 further comprise on-board means for loading and unloading a container 202, respectively an on-board loading/unloading means 316 for the level L0 and an on-board loading/unloading means 318 for the level L1. Each loading/unloading means 316, 318 is supported by the corresponding shuttle 308, 310. These loading/unloading means 316, 318 each comprise rollers intended to receive the rail R of a container 202. In addition, means for operating in translation 320, 322 of the containers are provided for moving each container transversely, along the Y axis. These means for operating in translation 320, 322 comprise, according to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a motorized and indexed belt, provided with two drive cleats 324, 326, integral with said belt. These drive cleats are capable of cooperating by bearing on the attachment means 216 of the containers, as shown in the figure 6 . When the belt turns, the container 202 translates along the Y axis.

The storage device according to the present invention also comprises mechanical storage means 40 for receiving means 20 for said at least one object OB. These mechanical storage means 40 are arranged on either side of each corridor 304, 306 and at each level, which leads to 4 storage modules 402, 404, 406, 408 in the embodiment shown in the figure 2 And 7 . The storage modules are advantageously made of a welded mechanical structure. These modules each comprise roller ramps, parallel to each other and spaced in a manner suitable for receiving the receiving means 20, in this case the containers 202. These roller ramps are oriented in the +Y -Y directions, closed on the outside, and open into each corridor. These roller ramps are intended to receive the rails R of the containers 202. Particularly advantageously, the ramps are slightly inclined along the Z axis, the end opening on the corridor side being higher than the end on the outside. The containers 202, by their own weight, are thus held in abutment on the outside. In the case of a storage device using containers 202 of different volumes and therefore of different depths, the spacing of the ramps is adapted to the depth of each container and to the number of containers of each of the depths. Each on-board loading/unloading means 316 for level L0 and 318 for level L1 can thus load and unload a container 202 on a roller ramp of one of the storage modules 402, 404, 406, 408.

The storage device according to the present invention comprises mechanical and software means for controlling and identifying 50 a holder wishing to deposit or retrieve the at least one object OB. These mechanical and software identification means 50 comprise, for example, a terminal 502 with a control screen 504, such as a touch screen, and also comprise a programmable automaton 506, advantageously integrated into the terminal, possibly connected to a remote operational center for the purpose of maintenance or resolving a problem remotely, for example. The control screen 504 comprises a menu and means for enabling the identification of a holder of an object OB, for example a biometric parameter or means for issuing a personal code, whatever its form, QR code for example. The commands are then simple since they consist of the holder requesting either the deposit or the retrieval of his object OB. When depositing, the programmable controller 506 provides a means of identification by recording the biometric parameter or by issuing a code and when retrieving, the holder provides this means of identification to the programmable controller upon request. The programmable controller 506 has the mapping of the OB objects and the R rails of the storage modules and the positions of the shuttles because all the movements are indexed.

The operation of the device is now described, in accordance with the figures indifferently. The description which will be presented aims at the deposit of an object OB of the cloakroom type, for example a coat and a bag. The holder presses the "deposit" key on the control screen 504 of the terminal 502, which has the consequence of requesting from the holder a biometric parameter such as a fingerprint, or of issuing a code. Optionally, when there are containers of different volumes, the holder chooses what suits him. From then on the closing flap 106G and 106D of one of the openings 104G and 104D of one of the deposit and recovery stations 102G and 102D opens, releasing the interior of a container 202, of the required volume if the choice is proposed. The holder then places his locker in container 202 which can have accessories such as a hanger, a bin etc. The holder returns to the terminal to press "Done" and can leave the premises.

To achieve this result, the storage device according to the invention performs the following operations. As soon as the holder has indicated his request for container 202, has possibly chosen the volume, and has been identified, the programmable controller 506 sends a shuttle 308 or 310 to fetch an empty container 202, of the appropriate volume, stored on one of the roller ramps of one of the storage modules 402, 404, 406, 408. Once the shuttle is positioned at the right of the container sought and identified by the controller, the belt 316, 322 of the shuttle rotates to bring a drive cleat 324, 326 against the attachment means 216, in this case the cleat 218 of the identified container, and translates said container from the roller ramp of the storage module onto the rollers of the shuttle concerned. The shuttle with its container moves in -X towards the deposit module and positions the rail R of the container 202 at the right of the rollers of one of the elevators 110d and 110G. The belt 316, 322 turns again in the appropriate direction depending on whether the container must be deposited at the right deposit and recovery station 102D or left 102G, of an object OB. The belt, by its drive lugs, pushes the container by rolling from its rail R towards the rollers of the corresponding elevator, 302G or 302D. The elevator descends from level L1 or remains at level L0 if it is already there. Then, as soon as the container is positioned opposite an opening 104G or 104D, the shutter 106G or 106D of this opening 104G or 104D of the deposit and recovery station 102G or 102D concerned opens. When the shutter concerned is driven upwards, it drives with it the front face 204, movable of the container 202 in place by means of the two translational drive pins 108, said pins projecting on the rear face of each shutter and cooperating with the gripping holes provided in the front face 204. The opening concerned is then cleared and access to the interior volume of the container 202 is accessible to the holder. The holder can place his object OB there, in this case his locker.

It is possible to provide all the necessary safety features for said device, these safety features being within the reach of those skilled in the art. Thus, a sensor, not shown, can detect incorrect positioning of the object OB in the container, for example in the case of a cloakroom, the coat sticking out. Similarly, in the event of closing the shutter, if a third party or the user puts their hands and arms back into the opening at the last moment, a detector raises the shutter and in all cases, a force sensor limits the force exerted.

For recovery, the reverse operations are carried out once the user has indicated their biometric or coded identification to the terminal.

It is also possible to optimize the storage device by the programmable logic controller control software. Thus, in the case of containers of different volumes, the containers can be arranged according to their volumes but alternately so that access times are as short as possible. It is also possible to request from the terminal holder an approximate time of recovery or a storage duration to advance the container.

We note that the device is very compact, very accessible as soon as the cladding panels of the figure 1 are removed. This storage device can be transported to position it in different geographical locations. All that is needed is an electrical power connection. The device can also receive means of payment when the service is chargeable.

Claims (10)

1. A device for storing at least one object OB, with a front face (2), comprising at least one level (L0, L1), characterized in that it comprises:

   - mechanical means (10) for depositing and retrieving the at least one object OB, said mechanical means (10) for depositing and retrieving the at least one object OB comprise at least one deposition and retrieval station (102), accessible on the front face (2) of the device, comprising an opening (104), provided with a shutter (106), said shutter (106) being mounted with an upper pair and a lower pair of rolling or sliding means, mounted on the side edges of said shutter, rolling or sliding in vertical slides, each slide comprising a rearward offset d, so that, during upward vertical translation, said shutter undergoes a displacement and said shutter comprising, at the top, two translation drive pins (108), projecting from the rear face;

   - means (20) for receiving the at least one object OB, said means (20) for receiving the at least one object OB, are in the form of containers (202), each container (202) comprising six faces, of which a front face (204) is vertically translatable relative to the other five faces, said front face (204) of each container (202) comprising two gripping holes arranged at the top, on each side, so as to receive the translational drive pins (108) of the shutter (106) when said receiving means are placed opposite said opening;

   - mechanical means (40) for storing the means (20) for receiving said at least one object OB,

   - mechanical means (30) for transferring the means (20) for receiving said at least one object OB between the deposition and retrieval station and the mechanical storage means (40) and

   - mechanical and software means (50) for identifying an owner seeking to deposit or retrieve the at least one object OB.
2. The device for storing at least one object OB according to claim 1, characterized in that the shutter (106) is a sash shutter which can assume two positions in which the opening (104) is fully closed or fully open.
3. The device for storing at least one object OB according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shutter (106) is mounted with an upper pair and a lower pair of rolling or sliding means, on the side edges of said shutter, the shutter comprising a solenoid with a plunger which forms a translational drive pin (108).
4. The device for storing at least one object OB, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (202) comprise fastening means (216) and rolling means (220), suitable for rolling on rails R.
5. The device for storing at least one object OB according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical means (30) for transferring the means (20) for receiving at least one object OB comprise an elevator (302) for each at least one deposition and retrieval station (102).
6. The device for storing at least one object OB according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical transfer means (30) comprise at least one central corridor (304, 306) per level, and one translational transfer shuttle (308, 310) in each of the corridors, per level.
7. The device for storing at least one object OB according to claim 6, characterized in that each shuttle (308, 310) comprises rolling means and on-board means for loading and unloading (316, 318) the container (202).
8. The device for storing at least one object OB, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the loading/unloading means (316, 318) each comprise a roller ramp, which is intended to receive a rail R of the container.
9. The device for storing at least one object OB, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the mechanical means (40) for storing the means (20) for receiving said at least one object (OB) comprise storage modules (402, 404, 406, 408), arranged on either side of a corridor, said modules each comprising roller ramps for receiving the rails R of the container (202).
10. The device for storing at least one object OB according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical and software means (50) for identifying an owner seeking to deposit or retrieve the at least one object OB comprise a terminal (502) with a control screen (504), and a programmable controller (506).

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