A roller sorting mechanism

Abstract

The present application provides a roller sorting mechanism, which adopts a variable-diameter roller to realize multi-directional sorting conveying, changes the traditional turning sorting roller and the damage of ordinary sorting roller to the goods by using a blocking component, and improves the efficiency of sorting conveying, and further adopts a horizontal control mechanism to realize the consistency of the variable-diameter roller conveying roller surface with the input roller and the output roller on the conveying roller surface, and further improves the safety and efficiency of goods sorting conveying.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of roller conveyor sorting, and specifically relates to a roller sorting mechanism in a roller conveyor. Background Technology

[0002] Roller conveyors are widely used in various production processes. For sorting and conveying, rollers with different directions are often configured on the roller conveyor line. Common types include turning roller conveyors, double-row inclined roller conveyors, turntable roller conveyors, or roller conveyors that are used in conjunction with chain conveyors, belt conveyors, push plates, and baffle mechanisms to achieve the turning and conveying of items. However, the roller structures of the above-mentioned roller sorting mechanisms are all fixed structures, and the sorting direction of the roller conveyor is relatively simple or the conveyed items need to be stopped before the sorting direction can be turned. This results in low efficiency and unstable connection between interconnected conveyors. Based on the above problems, this invention provides a roller sorting mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To achieve better protection, the inventors have filed separate applications for protection of the variable diameter rollers, sorting roller conveyors, and control methods for the roller conveyor sorting mechanism involved in this invention. This invention claims protection for a roller conveyor sorting mechanism as part of the overall inventive concept, which includes:

[0004] The roller conveyor sorting mechanism includes an input roller conveyor, a linear output roller conveyor, a right output roller conveyor, a left output roller conveyor, a sorting roller conveyor, and an intelligent control system. The input roller conveyor is located at the input end of the sorting roller conveyor, and the linear output roller conveyor is located at the output end of the sorting roller conveyor. The center lines of the input roller conveyor, the sorting roller conveyor, and the linear output roller conveyor are on the same straight line. The left output roller conveyor and the right output roller conveyor are located on the left and right sides of the sorting roller conveyor, respectively. Items enter from the input roller conveyor, pass through the sorting roller conveyor, and are output to the left output roller conveyor, the right output roller conveyor, or the linear output roller conveyor. The intelligent control system is used to control the operation of the input roller conveyor, the sorting roller conveyor, the left output roller conveyor, and the right output roller conveyor.

[0005] Preferably, a detection mechanism is provided on the input roller conveyor to detect information of the items input via the input roller conveyor and input the item information into the intelligent control system.

[0006] Preferably, a visual monitoring system is installed on the sorting roller conveyor. The visual monitoring system is used to monitor the movement position information of the items on the sorting roller conveyor in real time and feed the movement position information of the items back to the intelligent control system.

[0007] Preferably, the upper roller surfaces of the input roller conveyor, sorting roller conveyor, linear output roller conveyor, left output roller conveyor, and right output roller conveyor are all located on the same horizontal plane to ensure the stability of the items moving on the roller conveyor.

[0008] Preferably, the input roller conveyor, the linear output roller conveyor, the left output roller conveyor, and the right output roller conveyor are all ordinary roller conveyor mechanisms, and the rollers are all ordinary rollers. They are installed on the corresponding frame, and both ends of the rollers are installed on the frame through bearing seats. Gears are installed on one side of the corresponding roller conveyor and driven by a motor chain transmission mechanism, thereby driving its operation.

[0009] Preferably, the sorting roller conveyor includes multiple variable-diameter rollers, a sorting frame, and a vision monitoring system. Each variable-diameter roller includes a central shaft, a support disc, a cylindrical slider, multiple spokes, a connecting rod, a lead screw, a lead screw motor, an infrared horizontal position sensor, a left horizontal adjustment mechanism, a right horizontal adjustment mechanism, a left limit block, a right limit block, a right universal coupling, and a right rotary drive variable frequency motor. The support disc is fixed on the central shaft, and spokes are hinged to the outer periphery of the support disc, with multiple spokes forming the roller surface of the variable-diameter roller. A motor base is also fixed on the central shaft, and a motor mount is fixed on the motor base. A lead screw motor has a lead screw connected to one end of its output shaft. The other end of the lead screw is threaded to a cylindrical slider, which is slidably connected to a central shaft via a linear bearing. Multiple connecting rods are evenly hinged to the outer circumference of the cylindrical slider, with one end of each connecting rod hinged to the cylindrical slider and the other end hinged to a spoke. A left limit block is located between the cylindrical slider and the support disk and is fixed to the central shaft, while a right limit block is located between the cylindrical slider and the lead screw motor and is fixed to the central shaft. The cylindrical slider slides on the central shaft between the left and right limit blocks.

[0010] Preferably, the lead screw motor drives the slider to move axially along the central axis by rotating the lead screw, which in turn drives the connecting rod and spokes to move, so that the spokes can rotate around the hinge point with the support disk, thereby changing the taper of the roller surface of the variable diameter roller.

[0011] Preferably, a left horizontal adjustment mechanism and a right horizontal adjustment mechanism are respectively provided at both ends of the variable diameter roller. The left horizontal adjustment mechanism is installed on the sorting frame and includes a left support plate, a left lifting plate, a left universal bearing seat, a left lifting screw, two left guide rods, a left lifting motor, and a left mounting plate. The left universal bearing seat is installed on the left support plate. The left end of the central shaft of the variable diameter roller is rotatably supported on the left universal bearing seat and can move on the left universal bearing seat. A left nut is fixedly installed on the left lifting plate, and two left linear bearings are installed on the left mounting plate. The left nut is threadedly rotatably connected to the left lifting screw. One end of the two left guide rods is fixed on the left lifting plate, and the other end is fixed on the left support plate. The two left linear bearings and the two left guide rods cooperate with each other. The left lifting motor drives the rotation of the left lifting screw to drive the left lifting plate and the left support plate to move vertically. The lifting parts of the left and right horizontal adjustment mechanisms have the same structure.

[0012] Preferably, a right horizontal adjustment mechanism is provided at the right end of the central shaft of the variable diameter roller. The right horizontal adjustment mechanism is installed on the sorting machine frame and includes a right support plate, a right lifting plate, a right lifting screw, two right guide rods, a right lifting motor, a right universal coupling, a right rotary drive frequency converter motor, and a right mounting plate. A right nut is fixedly installed on the right lifting plate, and two right linear bearings are installed on the right mounting plate. The right nut is threadedly rotatably connected to the right lifting screw, and the two right linear bearings cooperate with the two right guide rods. One end of the two right guide rods is fixed to the right lifting plate, and the other end is fixed to the right support plate. The right lifting motor drives the right lifting plate and the right support plate to move vertically up and down by driving the rotation of the right lifting screw. The right rotary drive frequency converter motor is fixedly installed on the right support plate through a right rotary drive frequency converter motor mount and is connected to the right end of the variable diameter roller through a right universal coupling. The right rotary drive frequency converter motor is used to drive the rotation of the variable diameter roller.

[0013] Preferably, the right lifting motor, the left lifting motor, the right rotary drive frequency converter motor, and the lead screw motor are all controlled by an intelligent control system.

[0014] Preferably, to ensure that the roller surface driving the sorting of items remains horizontal during the rotation of the variable diameter roller and is on the same horizontal plane as the roller surfaces of other roller conveyors, each variable diameter roller is equipped with an infrared horizontal position sensor on both sides for detecting the horizontal state. This sensor includes a left infrared emitter and a right infrared emitter fixed to both ends of each spoke, and a left infrared sensing disk correspondingly positioned outside the left infrared emitter and fixed to the sorting frame, and a right infrared sensing disk correspondingly positioned outside the right infrared emitter and fixed to the sorting frame. Both the left and right infrared sensing disks are connected to the intelligent control system. The left infrared sensing disk receives signals from the left infrared emitter, and the right infrared sensing disk receives signals from the right infrared emitter. Since each infrared emitter is installed at both ends of the spoke, which are breakpoints, the infrared signals received on the sensing disks form circles representing these breakpoints. To ensure the correct deformation is obtained, the intelligent control system calculates the diameter of the circles formed by multiple breakpoints on the right and left infrared sensing disks, and takes the average value to obtain the diameter value D on both sides. 左 and D 右 During the calculation, outliers are eliminated. To facilitate adjustment, the diameter of the variable diameter roller is set to a constant value D when all spokes are in a horizontal state. Left infrared sensing point and right infrared sensing point are set on the left and right infrared sensing disks respectively. The left infrared sensing point and right infrared sensing point are the highest points of the circle forming the break point on the corresponding sensing disk when all spokes are in a horizontal state. The left infrared sensing point and right infrared sensing point are on the same straight line, and the line connecting the two points is parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0015] The working principle of its sorting roller conveyor is as follows:

[0016] Preferably, when linear conveying is required, meaning the items entering the roller conveyor do not need to be turned and are directly conveyed from the sorting roller conveyor to the linear output roller conveyor, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider slides to the horizontal position driven by the lead screw motor. At this time, all spokes on the variable diameter roller are horizontal under the support of the support disc and connecting rod, and all diameters of the variable diameter roller along the central axis are equal, i.e., D. 左 =D=D 右 At this time, the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitters of all spokes pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters of all spokes pass through the right infrared sensing point. Since the rotational angular velocity of the variable diameter roller is the same, the corresponding linear velocity on the roller surface of the variable diameter roller is the same, that is, the linear velocity of driving the item forward is the same, similar to ordinary rollers. Therefore, the item moves forward in a straight line on the variable diameter roller, thereby driving the item from the input roller track through the sorting roller track to the straight output roller track in a straight direction.

[0017] Preferably, when it is necessary to transport items from the input roller conveyor to the left output roller conveyor via the sorting roller conveyor, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider moves to the left tilting point position driven by the lead screw motor. At this time, all spokes on the variable diameter roller are tilted to the left under the support of the support disc and connecting rod, and the entire variable diameter roller exhibits a certain taper. The diameter of the variable diameter roller gradually increases from left to right along the central axis. 左 <D<D 右 Because the variable diameter rollers have the same rotational angular velocity, but different linear velocities at different positions, the linear velocity of the roller surface driving the items forward gradually increases from left to right. To adjust the level of the roller surface at the highest point, the intelligent control system simultaneously controls the right lifting motor to lower the right support plate and the left lifting motor to raise the left support plate until the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter of the spokes all pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters of all spokes all pass through the right infrared sensing point. That is, the highest point of the break circle on the left infrared sensing disk is the left infrared sensing point, and the highest point of the break circle on the right infrared sensing disk is the right infrared sensing point. At this time, it is ensured that the spokes of the variable diameter roller remain horizontal when rotating to the highest point. Because the linear velocity of the roller surface of the variable diameter roller gradually increases from left to right, the items on the sorting roller conveyor deflect to the left due to the different linear velocities supporting their movement, and gradually deflect to the left output roller conveyor when passing through the sorting roller conveyor.

[0018] Preferably, when it is necessary to transport items from the input roller conveyor to the right output roller conveyor via the sorting roller conveyor, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider moves to the right tilt point position driven by the lead screw motor. At this time, all spokes on the variable diameter roller are tilted to the right under the support of the support disc and connecting rod, and the entire variable diameter roller exhibits a certain taper. The diameter of the variable diameter roller gradually increases from right to left along the central axis. 左 >D>D 右 Because the variable diameter rollers have the same rotational angular velocity, but different linear velocities at different positions, the linear velocity of the roller surface driving the items forward gradually increases from right to left. To adjust the level of the roller surface at the highest point, the intelligent control system simultaneously controls the right lifting motor to raise the right support plate and the left lifting motor to lower the left support plate until the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter of the spokes all pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters of all spokes all pass through the right infrared sensing point. That is, the highest point of the break circle on the left infrared sensing disk is the left infrared sensing point, and the highest point of the break circle on the right infrared sensing disk is the right infrared sensing point. At this time, it is ensured that the spokes of the variable diameter roller remain horizontal when rotating to the highest point. Since the linear velocity of the roller surface of the variable diameter roller gradually increases from right to left, the items on the sorting roller conveyor deflect to the right due to the different linear velocities supporting their movement, and gradually deflect to the right output roller conveyor when passing through the sorting roller conveyor.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a control method for a roller conveyor sorting mechanism, comprising the following steps:

[0020] a) The detection mechanism on the input roller conveyor detects the information of the items and feeds the information back to the intelligent system.

[0021] The intelligent control system formulates sorting strategies based on the information of the items.

[0022] b) The visual monitoring system on the sorting roller conveyor is used to monitor the position information of the items and feed the position information back to the intelligent control system in real time to determine whether the items are sorted to the left output roller conveyor, right output roller conveyor or straight output roller conveyor, and change the variable diameter roller according to the specific position information of the items.

[0023] The sorting strategy in step a) is as follows:

[0024] Preferably, when it is necessary to linearly transport items to the linear output roller conveyor, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider slides to the horizontal position driven by the lead screw motor. The judgment condition is: D 左 =D=D 右 At this time, the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitters of all spokes pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters of all spokes pass through the right infrared sensing point.

[0025] Preferably, when it is necessary to convey the material to the left output roller conveyor, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider moves to the right to the left tilt point position driven by the lead screw motor. The judgment condition is: D 左 <D<D 右 The intelligent control system simultaneously controls the right lifting motor to drive the right support plate down and the left lifting motor to drive the left support plate up, until the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter of the spokes all pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters of all spokes all pass through the right infrared sensing point.

[0026] Preferably, when it is necessary to transport the item to the right output roller conveyor, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider moves to the right tilting point position by the drive of the lead screw motor. The judgment condition is: D 左 >D>D 右 The intelligent control system simultaneously controls the right lifting motor to drive the right support plate to rise and the left lifting motor to drive the left support plate to fall, until the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter of the spokes all pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters of all spokes all pass through the right infrared sensing point.

[0027] Preferably, step b) of changing the variable diameter roller according to the specific location information of the item also includes the following strategy: when it is necessary to change the sorting direction, the intelligent control system increases the speed of the right rotation drive variable frequency motor corresponding to the variable diameter roller below and in front of the item to speed up the sorting; at the same time, it reduces the speed of the right rotation drive variable frequency motor corresponding to the variable diameter roller behind the item in order to realize the adjustment of the variable diameter roller.

[0028] The inventive points and technical effects of this invention include at least the following:

[0029] 1. The sorting roller conveyor, composed of variable diameter rollers, can achieve sorting in at least three directions, avoiding the technical problems of large footprint and single sorting in turning roller conveyors.

[0030] 2. The sorting roller conveyor, composed of variable diameter rollers, avoids the impact damage to items caused by the push plates, baffles, and other obstructing components used in ordinary sorting roller conveyors, as well as the need to stop sorting, thus ensuring the integrity of the items and improving sorting efficiency.

[0031] 3. The variable diameter roller adopts a horizontal adjustment device, which makes the roller surface of the sorting roller and the input and output rollers on the same horizontal plane. This reduces the technical problems caused by the difference in height between adjacent roller surfaces, such as items being blocked and unable to move forward or falling and tipping over, and improves the stability of sorting.

[0032] 4. By controlling the rotational speed of the variable diameter rollers through an intelligent control system, the accumulation of items can be effectively avoided, the efficiency of item sorting and conveying can be significantly improved, and the implementation of intelligent automation can be facilitated. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 - Schematic diagram of roller conveyor sorting mechanism.

[0034] Figure 2 - Schematic diagram of the axial cross-section of the variable diameter roller.

[0035] Figure 3 - Schematic diagram of the variable diameter roller from the side.

[0036] Figure 4 - Schematic diagram of the linear conveyor variable diameter roller.

[0037] Figure 5 - Schematic diagram of the variable diameter roller state when conveying to the left.

[0038] Figure 6 - Schematic diagram of the variable diameter roller state when conveying to the right.

[0039] Figure 7 - Schematic diagram of the lifting section of the left horizontal adjustment mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, representing schematic diagrams rather than actual physical objects, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings.

[0041] In the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting the present patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0042] A roller conveyor sorting mechanism,

[0043] The roller conveyor sorting mechanism includes an input roller conveyor 1, a linear output roller conveyor 3, a right output roller conveyor 5, a left output roller conveyor 4, a sorting roller conveyor 2, and an intelligent control system. The input roller conveyor 1 is located at the input end of the sorting roller conveyor 2, and the linear output roller conveyor 3 is located at the output end of the sorting roller conveyor 2. The center lines of the input roller conveyor 1, the sorting roller conveyor 2, and the linear output roller conveyor 3 are on the same straight line. The left output roller conveyor 4 and the right output roller conveyor 5 are located on the left and right sides of the sorting roller conveyor 2, respectively. Items enter from the input roller conveyor 1, pass through the sorting roller conveyor 2, and are output to the left output roller conveyor 4, the right output roller conveyor 5, or the linear output roller conveyor 3. The intelligent control system is used to control the operation of the input roller conveyor 1, the sorting roller conveyor 2, the left output roller conveyor 4, and the right output roller conveyor 5.

[0044] The input roller conveyor 1 is equipped with a detection mechanism to detect the information of the items input via the input roller conveyor 1 and input the information of the items into the intelligent control system.

[0045] A visual monitoring system is installed on the sorting roller conveyor 2. The visual monitoring system is used to monitor the movement position information of the items on the sorting roller conveyor 2 in real time and feed the movement position information of the items back to the intelligent control system.

[0046] The upper roller surfaces of input roller 1, sorting roller 2, linear output roller 3, left output roller 4, and right output roller 5 are all at the same horizontal level to ensure the stability of the items moving on the rollers.

[0047] Among them, the input roller conveyor 1, the linear output roller conveyor 3, the left output roller conveyor 4, and the right output roller conveyor 5 are all ordinary roller conveyor mechanisms. The rollers are all ordinary rollers, which are installed on the corresponding frame. Both ends of the rollers are installed on the frame through bearing seats, and gears are installed on one side of the corresponding roller conveyor. They are driven by a motor chain transmission mechanism, which in turn drives the rollers to operate.

[0048] The sorting roller conveyor 2 includes multiple variable diameter rollers 20, a sorting frame, and a vision monitoring system. Each variable diameter roller 20 includes a central shaft 201, a support disc 202, a cylindrical slider 203, multiple spokes 204, a connecting rod 205, a lead screw 206, a lead screw motor 207, an infrared horizontal position sensor, a left horizontal adjustment mechanism 21, a right horizontal adjustment mechanism 22, a left limit block 208, a right limit block 209, a right universal coupling 210, and a right rotary drive variable frequency motor 2100. The support disc 202 is fixed on the central shaft 201, and spokes 204 are hinged to the outer periphery of the support disc 202. Multiple spokes 204 form the roller surface of the variable diameter roller 20. A motor base is also fixed on the central shaft 201, and a lead screw motor 20 is fixed on the motor base. 7. One end of the lead screw 206 is connected to the output shaft of the lead screw motor 207. The other end of the lead screw 206 is threadedly connected to a cylindrical slider 203. The cylindrical slider 203 is slidably connected to the central shaft 201 through a linear bearing. Multiple connecting rods 205 are evenly hinged on the outer circumference of the cylindrical slider 203. One end of the connecting rod 205 is hinged to the cylindrical slider 203, and the other end is hinged to the spoke 204. The left limit block 208 is located between the cylindrical slider 203 and the support disk 202 and is fixed on the central shaft 201. The right limit block 209 is located between the cylindrical slider 203 and the lead screw motor 207 and is fixed on the central shaft 201. The cylindrical slider 203 slides on the central shaft 201 between the left limit block 208 and the right limit block 209.

[0049] The lead screw motor 207 drives the slider to move axially along the central axis 201 through the rotation of the lead screw 206, which in turn drives the connecting rod 205 and the spokes 204 to move, so that the spokes 204 can rotate around the hinge point with the support disk 202, thereby changing the taper of the roller surface of the variable diameter roller 20.

[0050] The variable diameter roller 20 is also provided with a left horizontal adjustment mechanism 21 and a right horizontal adjustment mechanism 22 at both ends. The left horizontal adjustment mechanism 21 is installed on the sorting frame and includes a left support plate 211, a left lifting plate 212, a left universal bearing seat, a left lifting screw 213, two left guide rods 214, a left lifting motor 215, and a left mounting plate 217. The left universal bearing seat is installed on the left support plate 211. The left end of the central shaft 201 of the variable diameter roller 20 is rotatably supported on the left universal bearing seat and can move on the left universal bearing seat. The left lifting plate 212 is fixedly equipped with... There is a left nut 216, and two left linear bearings 218 are provided on the left mounting plate 217. The left nut 216 is threadedly connected to the left lifting screw 213. One end of the two left guide rods 214 is fixed on the left lifting plate 212, and the other end is fixed on the left support plate 211. The two left linear bearings 218 and the two left guide rods 214 cooperate with each other. The left lifting motor 215 drives the left lifting plate 212 and the left support plate 211 to move up and down in the vertical direction by driving the rotation of the left lifting screw 213. The lifting parts of the left horizontal adjustment mechanism 21 and the right horizontal adjustment mechanism 22 have the same structure.

[0051] A right horizontal adjustment mechanism 22 is provided at the right end of the central shaft 201 of the variable diameter roller 20. The right horizontal adjustment mechanism 22 is mounted on the sorting machine frame. The right horizontal adjustment mechanism 22 includes a right support plate, a right lifting plate, a right lifting screw, two right guide rods, a right lifting motor, a right universal coupling 210, a right rotary drive frequency converter motor 2100, and a right mounting plate. A right nut is fixedly provided on the right lifting plate, and two right linear bearings are provided on the right mounting plate. The right nut is threadedly rotatably connected to the right lifting screw, and the two right linear bearings are mutually connected to the two right guide rods. The two right guide rods are fixed at one end to the right lifting plate and at the other end to the right support plate. The right lifting motor drives the right lifting plate and the right support plate to move vertically by rotating the right lifting screw. The right rotation drive frequency converter motor 2100 is fixedly mounted on the right support plate by the right rotation drive frequency converter motor 2100 seat. The right rotation drive frequency converter motor 2100 is connected to the right end of the variable diameter roller 20 by the right universal coupling 210. The right rotation drive frequency converter motor 2100 is used to drive the rotation of the variable diameter roller 20.

[0052] Among them, the right lifting motor, the left lifting motor 215, the right rotary drive frequency converter motor 2100, and the lead screw motor 207 are all controlled by the intelligent control system.

[0053] To ensure that the roller surface driving the sorting of items remains horizontal during the rotation of the variable diameter roller 20, and is on the same horizontal plane as the roller surfaces of other roller conveyors, each variable diameter roller 20 is equipped with infrared horizontal position sensors on both sides for detecting horizontal status. These sensors include a left infrared emitter 23 and a right infrared emitter 24 fixed to both ends of each spoke 204, a left infrared sensing disk 231 correspondingly located outside the left infrared emitter 23 and fixed to the sorting frame, and a right infrared sensing disk 241 correspondingly located outside the right infrared emitter 24 and fixed to the sorting frame. Both the left infrared sensor disk 231 and the right infrared sensor disk 241 are connected to the intelligent control system. The left infrared sensor disk 231 receives signals from the left infrared transmitter 23, and the right infrared sensor disk 241 receives signals from the right infrared transmitter 24. Since each infrared transmitter is installed at both ends of the spoke 204, which are breakpoints, the infrared signals received on the sensor disks form circles at the breakpoints. To ensure the correct deformation is obtained, the intelligent control system calculates the diameters of the circles formed by the multiple breakpoints on the right infrared sensor disk 241 and the left infrared sensor disk 231, and takes the average value to obtain the diameter value D on both sides. 左 and D 右 During the calculation, outliers are eliminated. To facilitate adjustment, the diameter of the variable diameter roller 20 is set to a constant value D when each spoke 204 is in a horizontal state. Left infrared sensing point and right infrared sensing point are respectively set on the left infrared sensing disk 231 and the right infrared sensing disk 241. The left infrared sensing point and the right infrared sensing point are the highest points of the circle forming the break point on the corresponding sensing disk when each spoke 204 is in a horizontal state. The left infrared sensing point and the right infrared sensing point are on the same straight line, and the line connecting the two points is parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0054] The working principle of its sorting roller conveyor 2 is as follows:

[0055] When linear conveying is required, the items entering roller conveyor 1 do not need to be turned and are directly conveyed to the linear output roller conveyor 3 via sorting roller conveyor 2. Under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider 203 slides to the horizontal position driven by the lead screw motor 207. Therefore, all spokes 204 on the variable diameter roller 20 are horizontal under the support of the support disc 202 and the connecting rod 205. All diameters of the variable diameter roller 20 along the central axis 201 are equal, i.e., D. 左 =D=D 右At this time, the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitters 23 of all spokes 204 pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters 24 of all spokes 204 pass through the right infrared sensing point. Since the rotational angular velocity of the variable diameter roller 20 is the same, the corresponding linear velocity on the roller surface of the variable diameter roller 20 is the same, that is, the linear velocity of driving the item forward is the same, similar to ordinary rollers. Therefore, the item moves forward in a straight line on the variable diameter roller 20, thereby driving the item from the input roller 1 through the sorting roller 2 to the straight output roller 3 in a straight direction.

[0056] When items on the input roller conveyor 1 need to be transported to the left output roller conveyor 4 via the sorting roller conveyor 2, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider 203 moves to the left tilting point position driven by the lead screw motor 207. At this time, all spokes 204 on the variable diameter roller 20 are tilted to the left under the support of the support disc 202 and the connecting rod 205. The entire variable diameter roller 20 exhibits a certain taper, and the diameter of the variable diameter roller 20 gradually increases from left to right along the central axis 201. 左 <D<D 右 Since the rotational angular velocity of the variable-diameter roller 20 is the same, but the linear velocity of the roller surface at different positions is different, the linear velocity of the roller surface driving the item forward gradually increases from left to right. In order to adjust the level of the roller surface at the highest point, the intelligent control system simultaneously controls the right lifting motor to drive the right support plate to descend and the left lifting motor 215 to drive the left support plate 211 to rise, until the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter 23 of the spoke 204 all pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters 24 of all spokes 204 are also equal. The line passes through the right infrared sensing point, that is, the highest point of the break circle on the left infrared sensing disk 231 is the left infrared sensing point, and the highest point of the break circle on the right infrared sensing disk 241 is the right infrared sensing point. At this time, it is ensured that the spokes 204 of the variable diameter roller 20 remain horizontal when rotating to the highest point. Since the linear velocity of the roller surface of the variable diameter roller 20 gradually increases from left to right, the items on the sorting roller 2 deflect to the left due to the different linear velocities supporting their movement. When passing through the sorting roller 2, they gradually deflect to the left output roller 4.

[0057] When items on the input roller conveyor 1 need to be transported to the right output roller conveyor 5 via the sorting roller conveyor 2, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider 203 moves to the right tilt point position driven by the lead screw motor 207. At this time, all spokes 204 on the variable diameter roller 20 are tilted to the right under the support of the support disc 202 and the connecting rod 205. The entire variable diameter roller 20 exhibits a certain taper, and the diameter of the variable diameter roller 20 gradually increases from right to left along the central axis 201. 左 >D>D 右Since the rotational angular velocity of the variable-diameter roller 20 is the same, but the linear velocity of the roller surface at different positions is different, the linear velocity of the roller surface driving the item forward gradually increases from right to left. In order to adjust the level of the roller surface at the highest point, the intelligent control system simultaneously controls the right lifting motor to drive the right support plate to rise and the left lifting motor 215 to drive the left support plate 211 to fall, until the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter 23 of the spoke 204 all pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters 24 of all spokes 204 are also lowered. The line passes through the right infrared sensing point, that is, the highest point of the break circle on the left infrared sensing disk 231 is the left infrared sensing point, and the highest point of the break circle on the right infrared sensing disk 241 is the right infrared sensing point. At this time, it is ensured that the spokes 204 of the variable diameter roller 20 remain horizontal when rotating to the highest point. Since the linear velocity of the roller surface of the variable diameter roller 20 gradually increases from right to left, the items on the sorting roller 2 deflect to the right due to the different linear velocities supporting their movement. When passing through the sorting roller 2, they gradually deflect to the right output roller 5.

[0058] It also includes: a control method for a roller conveyor sorting mechanism, the method comprising the following steps:

[0059] a) The detection mechanism on the input roller conveyor 1 is used to detect the information of the items and feed the information of the items back to the intelligent control system. The intelligent control system formulates a sorting strategy based on the information of the items.

[0060] b) The visual monitoring system on the sorting roller conveyor 2 is used to monitor the position information of the items and feed the position information back to the intelligent control system in real time to determine whether the items are sorted to the left output roller conveyor 4, the right output roller conveyor 5 or the straight output roller conveyor 3, and change the variable diameter roller 20 according to the specific position information of the items.

[0061] The sorting strategy in step a) is as follows:

[0062] When it is necessary to linearly transport items to the linear output roller conveyor 3, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider 203 slides to the horizontal position driven by the lead screw motor 207. The judgment condition is: D 左 =D=D 右 At this time, the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter 23 of all spokes 204 pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitter 24 of all spokes 204 pass through the right infrared sensing point.

[0063] When it needs to be conveyed to the left output roller conveyor 4, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider 203 moves to the left tilting point position driven by the lead screw motor 207. The judgment condition is: D 左 <D<D 右The intelligent control system simultaneously controls the right lifting motor to drive the right support plate to descend and the left lifting motor 215 to drive the left support plate 211 to rise, until the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter 23 of the spokes 204 all pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters 24 of all spokes 204 all pass through the right infrared sensing point.

[0064] When it is necessary to transport items to the right output roller conveyor 5, under the control of the intelligent control system, the cylindrical slider 203 moves to the right tilt point position by the drive of the lead screw motor 207. The judgment condition is: D 左 >D>D 右 The intelligent control system simultaneously controls the right lifting motor to drive the right support plate to rise and the left lifting motor 215 to drive the left support plate 211 to fall, until the infrared rays emitted by the left infrared emitter 23 of the spoke 204 all pass through the left infrared sensing point, and the infrared rays emitted by the right infrared emitters 24 of all spokes 204 all pass through the right infrared sensing point.

[0065] Step b) of changing the variable diameter roller 20 according to the specific location information of the item also includes the following strategy: when it is necessary to change the sorting direction, the intelligent control system increases the speed of the right rotation drive variable frequency motor 2100 corresponding to the variable diameter roller 20 below and in front of the item to speed up the sorting; at the same time, it reduces the speed of the right rotation drive variable frequency motor corresponding to the variable diameter roller 20 behind the item in order to realize the adjustment of the variable diameter roller 20.

[0066] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A roller conveyor sorting mechanism, comprising an input roller conveyor, a linear output roller conveyor, a right output roller conveyor, a left output roller conveyor, a sorting roller conveyor, and an intelligent control system, wherein the input roller conveyor is located at the input end of the sorting roller conveyor, and the linear output roller conveyor is located at the output end of the sorting roller conveyor, wherein... The center lines of the input roller conveyor, sorting roller conveyor, and linear output roller conveyor are on the same straight line. The left output roller conveyor and the right output roller conveyor are located on the left and right sides of the sorting roller conveyor, respectively. The intelligent control system is used to control the operation of the input roller conveyor, sorting roller conveyor, left output roller conveyor, and right output roller conveyor. The features are as follows: the upper roller surfaces of the input roller conveyor, sorting roller conveyor, linear output roller conveyor, left output roller conveyor, and right output roller conveyor are all located on the same horizontal plane; a detection mechanism is provided on the input roller conveyor to detect the information of the items input via the input roller conveyor and input the item information into the intelligent control system; a visual monitoring system is provided on the sorting roller conveyor to monitor the movement position information of the items on the sorting roller conveyor in real time and feed the movement position information of the items back to the intelligent control system; when adjusting the sorting direction, the intelligent control system increases the speed of the right rotary drive variable frequency motor corresponding to the variable diameter roller below and in front of the item to speed up the sorting; at the same time, it decreases the speed of the right rotary drive variable frequency motor corresponding to the variable diameter roller behind the item and adjusts the variable diameter roller by controlling the lead screw motor; The sorting roller conveyor includes multiple variable-diameter rollers, a sorting frame, and a vision monitoring system. Each variable-diameter roller includes a central shaft, a support disc, a cylindrical slider, multiple spokes, a connecting rod, a lead screw, a lead screw motor, an infrared horizontal position sensor, a left horizontal adjustment mechanism, a right horizontal adjustment mechanism, a left limit block, a right limit block, a right universal coupling, and a right rotary drive variable frequency motor. The support disc is fixed on the central shaft, and spokes are hinged to the outer periphery of the support disc, with multiple spokes forming the roller surface of the variable-diameter roller. A motor base is also fixed on the central shaft, and a motor mount is fixed on the motor base. A lead screw motor has a lead screw connected to one end of its output shaft. The other end of the lead screw is threaded to a cylindrical slider, which is slidably connected to a central shaft via a linear bearing. Multiple connecting rods are evenly hinged to the outer circumference of the cylindrical slider, with one end of each connecting rod hinged to the cylindrical slider and the other end hinged to a spoke. A left limit block is located between the cylindrical slider and the support disk and is fixed to the central shaft, while a right limit block is located between the cylindrical slider and the lead screw motor and is fixed to the central shaft. The cylindrical slider slides on the central shaft between the left and right limit blocks.

2. In the roller conveyor sorting mechanism according to claim 1, the lead screw motor drives the slider to perform axial extension and retraction along the central axis by rotating the lead screw, thereby driving the movement of the connecting rod and spokes, so that the spokes can rotate around the hinge point with the supporting disc, thereby changing the taper of the roller surface of the variable diameter roller.

3. The roller conveyor sorting mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The variable-diameter roller is equipped with a left horizontal adjustment mechanism and a right horizontal adjustment mechanism at both ends. The left horizontal adjustment mechanism is mounted on the sorting frame and includes a left support plate, a left lifting plate, a left universal bearing seat, a left lifting screw, two left guide rods, a left lifting motor, and a left mounting plate. The left universal bearing seat is mounted on the left support plate. The left end of the central shaft of the variable-diameter roller is rotatably supported on the left universal bearing seat and can move on the left universal bearing seat. A left nut is fixedly mounted on the left lifting plate, and two left linear bearings are mounted on the left mounting plate. The left nut is threadedly connected to the left lifting screw. One end of each of the two left guide rods is fixed to the left lifting plate, and the other end is fixed to the left support plate. The two left linear bearings and the two left guide rods cooperate with each other. The left lifting motor drives the rotation of the left lifting screw to drive the left lifting plate and the left support plate to move vertically. The lifting parts of the left and right horizontal adjustment mechanisms have the same structure.

4. A roller conveyor sorting mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: A right horizontal adjustment mechanism is provided at the right end of the central shaft of the variable diameter roller. The right horizontal adjustment mechanism is installed on the sorting machine frame and includes a right support plate, a right lifting plate, a right lifting screw, two right guide rods, a right lifting motor, a right universal coupling, a right rotary drive frequency converter motor, and a right mounting plate. A right nut is fixedly installed on the right lifting plate, and two right linear bearings are installed on the right mounting plate. The right nut is threadedly rotatably connected to the right lifting screw, and the two right linear bearings cooperate with the two right guide rods. One end of the two right guide rods is fixed to the right lifting plate, and the other end is fixed to the right support plate. The right lifting motor drives the right lifting plate and the right support plate to move vertically by rotating the right lifting screw; the right rotation drive frequency converter motor is fixedly mounted on the right support plate by the right rotation drive frequency converter motor mount, and the right rotation drive frequency converter motor is connected to the right end of the variable diameter roller by the right universal coupling. The right rotation drive frequency converter motor is used to drive the rotation of the variable diameter roller.

5. A roller conveyor sorting mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The right lifting motor, left lifting motor, right rotary drive frequency converter motor, and lead screw motor are all controlled by an intelligent control system.

6. A roller conveyor sorting mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the aforementioned variable-diameter rollers is further equipped with infrared horizontal position sensors on both sides for detecting horizontal status. These sensors include a left infrared emitter and a right infrared emitter fixed to both ends of each spoke, and a left infrared sensing disk correspondingly positioned outside the left infrared emitter and fixed to the sorting frame, and a right infrared sensing disk correspondingly positioned outside the right infrared emitter and fixed to the sorting frame. Both the left and right infrared sensing disks are connected to the intelligent control system. The left infrared sensing disk receives signals from the left infrared emitter, and the right infrared sensing disk receives signals from the right infrared emitter. The intelligent control system calculates the diameters of multiple points on the breakpoint circles of the right and left infrared sensing disks, and takes the average value to obtain the diameter value D on both sides. 左 and D 右 The diameter of the variable diameter roller is set to a constant value D when all spokes are in a horizontal state. Left infrared sensing point and right infrared sensing point are set on the left infrared sensing disk and the right infrared sensing disk respectively. The left infrared sensing point and the right infrared sensing point are the highest points of the circle forming the break point on the corresponding sensing disk when all spokes are in a horizontal state. The left infrared sensing point and the right infrared sensing point are on the same straight line, and the line connecting the two points is parallel to the horizontal plane.

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