# US 12,006,142 B2 · Modular storage and order picking system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,006,142 B2 - Document ID: US12006142B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/770,309 - Filed: 2018-12-03 - Published: 2021-06-10 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-07 - Assignees: Stow Robotics GmbH - Applicants: Rainer Buchmann - Inventors: Rainer Buchmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006142B2 ## CPC - B65G 1/026: {Racks equipped with a displaceable load carrying surface to facilitate loading or unloading} - B65G 1/02: Storage devices (furniture A47B; shop fittings A47F) - B65G 1/0407: {using stacker cranes (constructional features of stacker cranes B66F9/06)} - B65G 1/06: with means for presenting articles for removal at predetermined position or level (B65G1/12 takes precedence) - B65G 1/08: the articles being fed by gravity {(braking arrangements for roller-ways B65G13/075; separating or stopping elements B65G47/88)} - B65G 1/137: with arrangements or automatic control means for selecting which articles are to be removed - B65G 1/1371: {with data records} - B65G 1/1378: {the orders being assembled on fixed commissioning areas remote from the storage areas} - H02M 1/36: Means for starting or stopping converters - H02M 1/40: Means for preventing magnetic saturation - H02M 3/33584: {Bidirectional converters} - B65G 2201/0258: Trays, totes or bins - B65G 2207/30: Modular constructions - E04B 1/34317: {Set of building elements forming a self-contained package for transport before assembly} - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) ## Abstract The invention relates to a storage and order picking system with a storage unit, comprising a plurality of through-flow channels for receiving storage containers for storing articles, an order picking unit having one or more dispensing areas for removing articles and one or more target areas for the order-related or partially order-related collection of articles, a conveyor unit for conveying storage containers between the storage unit and the order picking unit, wherein the storage unit has a self-supporting frame structure on which the order picking unit and the conveyor unit are attached such that they are detachably connected to one another. The modular storage and order picking system is built, brought into service and tested preferably in an installation location, then modularly dismantled and brought to an application location, where it is then brought into service by assembling the modules. A bringing into service and test phase in the application location can be forgone due to the above-mentioned test phase, so that the system is functional and ready for operation within a few hours. In addition, the modular structure of the storage and order picking system according to the invention permits the units—storage unit, order picking unit and conveyor unit—to be transported separately and then to be assembled in the application location. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A modular storage and order picking system, comprising: a storage unit having a plurality of through-flow channels arranged perpendicular to the storage unit for receiving a plurality of storage containers for storing articles, wherein each through-flow channel is inclined relative to the horizontal and is configured to store multiple storage containers, one in front of the other, such that when a front-most storage container is removed from a through-flow channel, a second storage container in the through-flow channel automatically moves into the front most position, an order picking unit arranged on one or both end faces of the storage unit and having one or more dispensing spaces for removing articles and one or more target spaces for collating articles relating to an order or partial order, at least one conveyor unit arranged along the longitudinal axis of the storage unit for conveying storage containers between the storage unit and the order picking unit, wherein the storage unit has a self-supporting frame structure, on which the order picking unit and the conveyor unit are mounted in a manner detachably connected to one another, wherein the self-supporting frame structure is configured to have at least one of: dimensions corresponding to internal dimensions of a standard 40-foot container; and dimensions corresponding to maximum dimensions of a semi-trailer: and wherein the storage unit, the order picking unit and the conveyor unit are functionally connected to one another by means of detachable mechanical and electrical plug-in connections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 1, which is not permanently connected to the floor or to a building and wherein the self-supporting frame structure stands on the floor and the through-flow channels, the order picking unit and the conveyor unit are connected thereto. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is shaped as a cuboid with the self-supporting frame structure on the outside, said self-supporting frame structure being formed by suspended flat bar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one conveyor unit further comprises a conveyor means configured for conveying storage containers between the storage unit and the order picking unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 1, wherein the through-flow channels are arranged one above the other transversely to the longitudinal direction of the storage unit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 5, wherein the through-flow channels are arranged in groups or stacks inclined in opposite directions. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor unit has conveyor means extending on both sides along the longitudinal axis of the storage unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 7, wherein the conveyor means are held by add-on frames which can be detachably connected to the frame structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 7, wherein the order picking unit has buffer spaces above or below the target spaces, said buffer spaces being served by the conveyor means. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 1, wherein the order picking unit has an inventory management computer which records the position of the storage containers in the storage unit and enables direct access to individual storage containers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 10, wherein the order picking unit has optical display means for displaying the quantity and target container of the article(s) to be picked. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The modular storage and order picking system according to claim 10, wherein the conveyor means are configured as rail-guided conveyor devices for storing the storage containers in the through-flow channels of the storage unit and retrieving them therefrom in an automated and computer-controlled manner.