Luggage basket recovery device and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a baggage basket recovery device and a control method thereof. The baggage basket recovery device comprises: a return conveyor line and a descending mechanism; the return conveyor line comprises an upstream end and a downstream end opposite to the upstream end; the descending mechanism is arranged above the upstream end, and is used to place an empty baggage basket on the upstream end; wherein the upstream end is used to be arranged on the exit side of a security inspection machine, and the downstream end is used to be arranged on the entrance side of the security inspection machine, and the transport direction of the return conveyor line is from the upstream end to the downstream end. The recovery device realizes automatic recovery of baggage baskets, and reduces the labor intensity of security inspection staff.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a luggage basket recovery device and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] At present, in places where security checks are required, such as airports, subways or railway stations, due to the low efficiency of existing security checks, a large number of passengers often gather at the security check system, thus wasting a lot of time.

[0003] In the traditional passenger carry-on baggage inspection system, passengers take their luggage after inspection. Security staff need to continuously collect empty luggage baskets at the rear of the security inspection machine and move them to the front of the security inspection machine for passengers to use. This method not only increases the labor intensity of security staff and has low work efficiency, but also may prolong the waiting time of passengers due to human factors of staff.

[0004] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0005] A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the Summary of the Invention, which will be further described in detail in the Detailed Description of the Invention. The Summary of the Invention does not mean to attempt to define the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0006] A main purpose of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art and provide a luggage basket recovery device, which comprises:

[0007] a return transmission line including an upstream end and a downstream end opposite the upstream end; and

[0008] Descending mechanism, including

[0009] A plurality of screws are vertically arranged above the upstream end and are capable of rotating around their own axes;

[0010] A transmission mechanism, which is transmission-connected to each screw;

[0011] A descending drive mechanism, which is transmission-connected to the transmission mechanism and is used to drive the multiple screws to rotate synchronously through the transmission mechanism;

[0012] Among them, when multiple screws rotate synchronously, they can carry the empty luggage basket to the return conveyor line. The upstream end is used to be arranged on the exit side of the security inspection machine, and the downstream end is used to be arranged on the entrance side of the security inspection machine. The transport direction of the return conveyor line is from the upstream end to the downstream end.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a control unit;

[0014] The control unit includes a controller, a servo controller and a plurality of roller drive cards;

[0015] The controller is electrically connected to the servo controller and the plurality of roller drive cards respectively, the servo controller is electrically connected to the descending mechanism, the roller drive cards are electrically connected to the return transmission line, and the descending drive mechanism is connected to the servo controller.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the screw comprises a vertically arranged rod body and helical teeth extending helically from one end of the rod body to the other end, wherein the pitch of the helical teeth increases gradually from top to bottom.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the roller drive card is connected to the controller via an Ethernet cable.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it also includes an emergency stop button, which is arranged on the power supply line between the power supply and the roller drive card.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the recovery device further comprises a detection component and a control unit;

[0020] The control unit is respectively connected to the return transmission line, the descending mechanism and the detection assembly;

[0021] The detection assembly is used to detect whether there is an empty luggage basket on the descending mechanism and whether there is an empty luggage basket below the descending mechanism;

[0022] The control unit is configured to control the descending mechanism to place the empty baggage basket on the descending mechanism onto the return conveyor line when the detection component detects that there is an empty baggage basket on the descending mechanism and there is no empty baggage basket below the descending mechanism, and then control the return conveyor line to transport the empty baggage basket to the entrance side of the security inspection machine.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the return conveyor line includes a plurality of motorized rollers, the plurality of motorized rollers are connected together in sequence, and the speed of each motorized roller can be controlled individually.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detection assembly is also used to detect whether an empty luggage basket enters each motorized roller;

[0025] The control unit is also configured to put the return transmission line into sleep mode when the detection component detects that no empty luggage basket enters any of the electric rollers within a second preset time.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detection component is also used to detect whether the distance between two adjacent empty totes on the return conveyor line is less than a preset distance;

[0027] The control unit is configured to control the return conveyor line to suspend conveying the rear one of the two empty baggage baskets when the detection component detects that the distance between two adjacent empty baggage baskets on the return conveyor line is less than a preset distance, until the distance between the two empty baggage baskets reaches a preset value.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the detection component is also used to detect whether a basket jam occurs on any section of the return transmission line;

[0029] The control unit is also configured to immediately stop the return transmission line and issue a basket jam reminder when the detection component detects that a basket jam occurs on any section of the return transmission line when the return transmission line is in the awake state.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the return transmission line is in a straight bar shape and is arranged below the security inspection machine.

[0031] The present invention also proposes a control method for a recovery device, the control method is implemented based on the recovery device as described above, and the control method includes:

[0032] Receive an empty frame to be recovered signal and determine whether there is an empty luggage basket under the descending mechanism;

[0033] When there is no empty tote under the descending mechanism, the empty tote on the descending mechanism is placed on the return conveyor line;

[0034] When there is an empty luggage basket below the descending mechanism, it is determined again whether there is an empty luggage basket below the descending mechanism after a first preset time interval.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control method further includes:

[0036] When an empty tote arrives at a first preset position of the return conveyor line, the timing starts;

[0037] According to the timing duration and the transportation speed of the empty luggage basket, the current travel distance of the empty luggage basket within the timing duration is obtained;

[0038] If the next empty luggage basket has not passed the second preset position when the current walking distance is greater than or equal to the preset distance, the next empty luggage basket directly passes the second preset position;

[0039] If the next empty luggage basket has reached the second preset position when the current walking distance is less than the preset distance, the next empty luggage basket stays at the second preset position until the sum of the distance between the previous empty luggage basket and the next empty luggage basket and the current walking distance is greater than the preset distance, and the next empty luggage basket continues to move forward.

[0040] It can be seen from the above technical solution that the advantages and positive effects of the recovery device of the present invention are:

[0041] Before passing their luggage through the security inspection machine, people take an empty luggage basket located at the entrance side of the security inspection machine, load their carry-on luggage into the luggage basket, and then place the luggage basket at the entrance of the security inspection machine. The security inspection machine automatically transports the luggage basket to the security inspection machine for scanning. After the scanning is completed, the security inspection machine sends the luggage basket out of the security inspection machine from its exit. Subsequently, the carry-on luggage is taken out of the luggage basket by people, and the empty luggage basket can be transported from the exit side of the security inspection machine to the entrance side of the security inspection machine by the luggage conveying device. People who arrive later can select the empty luggage basket again to load their carry-on luggage for security inspection. In this way, the luggage basket is automatically recycled, reducing the labor intensity of security inspection staff. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Various objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by considering the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present invention and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals always refer to the same or similar parts. Among them:

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a luggage basket recovery device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0044] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a control unit according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0045] Figure 3 is a perspective schematic diagram showing a descending mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0046] Figure 4 is a perspective schematic diagram of a descending mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0047] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an electrical connection of a return transmission line according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0048] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of electrical connections of a descending mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0049] Figure 7is a flow chart showing a control method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0050] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a sufficient distance between empty luggage baskets M1 and M2 according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0051] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram showing that there is not enough distance between empty luggage baskets M1 , M2 according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present invention will be comprehensive and complete and fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar structures, and thus their detailed description will be omitted.

[0053] Reference Figure 1 The security inspection machine 1 is provided with an entrance 11 and an exit 12, which are respectively arranged at opposite sides of the security inspection machine 1. A conveyor extending from the entrance 11 to the exit 12 is also provided in the security inspection machine 1. A tote basket containing luggage is placed at the entrance 11, and the conveyor can transport the tote basket and the luggage inside to the security inspection machine 1 for scanning, and finally the scanned tote basket and the luggage inside are output from the exit 12 of the security inspection machine 1.

[0054] A platform 2 is usually provided at the exit 12 of the security inspection machine 1. The platform 2 may be a straight strip-shaped platform 2. The platform 2 includes a table top, which may be a horizontal rectangular flat plate. One end of the table top is connected to the conveyor at the exit 12 of the security inspection machine 1. After the luggage basket output from the exit 12 of the security inspection machine 1 enters the table top, the table top can temporarily store the luggage basket so that people have enough time to take the luggage out of the luggage basket.

[0055] The baggage basket recovery device 3 is arranged below the security inspection machine 1. The baggage basket recovery device 3 includes a descending mechanism 31, a return conveying line 32, a detection component 34 and a control unit 35. The descending mechanism 31 can be arranged at one end of the platform 2 away from the security inspection machine 1. After people take away the luggage in the baggage basket on the platform 2, they place the empty baggage basket on the descending mechanism 31, and the descending mechanism 31 can move the baggage basket in the empty frame recovery area to the return conveying line 32.

[0056] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 3The descending mechanism 31 includes a descending actuator 312 and a descending driving mechanism 311. The descending driving mechanism 311 may be a servo motor. The servo motor is electrically connected to the control unit 35 to receive a control signal from the control unit 35. The servo motor is transmission-connected to the descending actuator 312, and the servo motor provides power to the descending actuator 312 so that the descending actuator 312 performs the action of carrying the empty baggage basket to the return conveying line 32.

[0057] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 4 The descending actuator 312 includes a transmission mechanism 3121 and a plurality of screw rods 3122. The plurality of screw rods 3122 are all vertically arranged and can rotate around their own axes. The plurality of screw rods 3122 are arranged above the upstream end of the return transmission line 32. The number of screw rods 3122 can be four. The transmission mechanism 3121 connects the descending drive mechanism 311 and each screw rod 3122. The transmission mechanism 3121 is used to transfer the torque output by the descending drive mechanism 311 to each screw rod 3122 to drive all screw rods 3122 to rotate synchronously. The screw rod 3122 includes a rod body 3129 and a helical tooth 3120. The rod body 3129 is a vertically arranged cylindrical shape. The helical tooth 3120 spirally extends from one end of the rod body 3129 to the other end. The spiral teeth 3120 of the screw rod 3122 can support the edge of the luggage basket. The spiral teeth 3120 of multiple screw rods 3122 support the luggage basket from opposite sides of the luggage basket respectively. When the multiple screw rods 3122 rotate synchronously, the opposite sides of the luggage basket can be synchronously guided downward by the screw rods 3122, so that the luggage basket can descend smoothly and finally fall onto the return conveyor line 32.

[0058] The transmission mechanism 3121 includes a first steering box 3123 , a second steering box 3124 , a third steering box 3125 , a fourth steering box 3126 , a first connecting rod 3127 and a second connecting rod 3128 .

[0059] The first steering box 3123 is provided with an input shaft and two output shafts. The input shaft of the first steering box 3123 faces upward and is connected to the main shaft of the descending drive mechanism 311. The two output shafts of the first steering box 3123 extend from the opposite sides of the first steering box 3123 in directions away from each other, and the two output shafts are coaxially arranged.

[0060] There are two second steering boxes 3124, and each of the two second steering boxes 3124 has an input shaft and an output shaft. The first steering box 3123 is arranged between the two second steering boxes 3124. The two output shafts of the first steering box 3123 extend toward the second steering box 3124, respectively. The input shafts of the two second steering boxes 3124 are both output toward the first steering box 3123, and are both coaxially arranged with the output shaft of the first steering box 3123. There are two first connecting rods 3127, and the two first connecting rods 3127 connect the two output shafts of the first steering box 3123 and the input shafts of the two second steering boxes 3124, respectively. The output shafts of the two second steering boxes 3124 extend in a direction perpendicular to their input shafts, and the extending directions are the same.

[0061] There are two third steering boxes 3125. Each of the two third steering boxes 3125 is provided with an input shaft and two output shafts. The input shafts of the two third steering boxes 3125 are respectively coaxially arranged with the output shafts of the two second steering boxes 3124, and the input shafts of the two third steering boxes 3125 are respectively connected to the output shafts of the two second steering boxes 3124. One output shaft of the third steering box 3125 extends upward and is fixedly connected to a screw rod 3122, and the other output shaft is coaxially arranged with the input shaft of the third steering box 3125.

[0062] There are two fourth steering boxes 3126. Each of the two fourth steering boxes 3126 is provided with an input shaft and an output shaft. The input shafts of the two fourth steering boxes 3126 are respectively coaxially arranged with the output shafts of the two third steering boxes 3125 that are not connected to the screw rod 3122. There are two second connecting rods 3128. The two second connecting rods 3128 respectively connect the input shafts of the two fourth steering boxes 3126 and the output shafts of the two third steering boxes 3125. The input shaft of the fourth steering box 3126 extends upward and is fixedly connected to a screw rod 3122.

[0063] Therefore, the torque of the descending drive mechanism 311 is input from the input shaft of the first speed box and transmitted to the input shafts of the two second turn boxes 3124, and then transmitted from the output shafts of the two second turn boxes 3124 to the input shafts of the two third turn boxes 3125 and the two screws 3122 on the third turn boxes 3125, and then transmitted from the output shafts of the two third turn boxes 3125 to the two screws 3122 on the two fourth turn boxes 3126. Thus, the synchronous rotation of the four screws 3122 is achieved.

[0064] In this embodiment, the pitch of the spiral teeth 3120 increases gradually from top to bottom. In this way, the luggage basket descends slowly in the upper section with a smaller pitch, and descends quickly in the lower section with a larger pitch, and the descending speed of the luggage basket increases steadily, which is conducive to the screw 3122 to smoothly transport the luggage basket and ensures the speed of transporting the luggage basket.

[0065] The return conveyor line 32 includes a plurality of electric rollers 323. The return conveyor line 32 may be in a straight bar shape and is disposed below the security inspection machine 1. The plurality of electric rollers 323 are arranged in sequence. In the present embodiment, the conveying directions of the plurality of electric rollers 323 are the same, and the plurality of electric rollers 323 are arranged in a straight line. The return conveyor line 32 is electrically connected to the control unit 35. The return conveyor line 32 is arranged below the security inspection machine 1. The return conveyor line 32 includes an upstream end 321 and a downstream end 322 opposite to the upstream end 321. The conveying direction of the return conveyor line 32 is from the upstream end 321 to the downstream end 322. The downstream end 322 of the return conveyor line 32 is located at the entrance side of the security inspection machine 1, and the upstream end 321 of the return conveyor line 32 is located at the exit side of the security inspection machine 1. The upstream end 321 of the return conveyor line 32 extends to the bottom of the descending mechanism 31. After the descending mechanism 31 places the empty tote basket on the upstream end 321 of the return conveying line 32 , the return conveying line 32 transports the empty tote basket from the exit side of the security inspection machine 1 to the entrance side of the security inspection machine 1 .

[0066] The detection component 34 has a plurality of sensors for detecting the position of the luggage basket. These sensors may be photoelectric sensors. These sensors are connected to the control unit 35 and send the detection results to the control unit 35.

[0067] In this embodiment, refer to Figure 2 , 5 The control unit 35 includes a controller 351, a servo controller 353 and a plurality of roller drive cards 352. The controller 351 is a logic control unit 35, preferably a PLC controller 351. The controller 351 is connected to the servo controller 353 and the conveyor line speed controller 351. The servo controller 353 is electrically connected to the descending drive mechanism 311, and the controller 351 drives the servo motor through the servo controller 353. The number of roller drive cards 352 is the same as the number of electric rollers 323, and the roller drive cards 352 are arranged corresponding to the electric rollers 323, and the roller drive cards are electrically connected to the corresponding electric rollers 323. The controller 351 controls the speed of the electric roller 323 corresponding to the roller drive card 352 through the roller drive card 352, so as to realize the segmented control of the speed of the return conveyor line 32.

[0068] The detection component 34 is used to detect whether there is an empty luggage basket on the descending mechanism 31 and whether there is an empty luggage basket below the descending mechanism 31;

[0069] The control unit 35 is configured to control the descending mechanism 31 to place the empty luggage basket on the descending mechanism 31 onto the return conveyor line 32, and then control the return conveyor line 32 to transport the empty luggage basket to the entrance side of the security inspection machine 1 when the detection component 34 detects that there is an empty luggage basket on the descending mechanism 31 and there is no empty luggage basket below the descending mechanism 31.

[0070] The specific control method in the control unit 35 includes the following steps:

[0071] Step S1a: receiving an empty frame to be recycled signal;

[0072] Reference Figure 3 The detection component 34 includes a first sensor 321. The first sensor 321 may be a photoelectric sensor. The first sensor 321 is disposed above the descending actuator 312 and is used to detect whether there is an empty luggage basket on the descending actuator 312. When there is an empty luggage basket on the descending actuator 312, the first sensor 321 is triggered, and the first sensor 321 can send an empty basket to be recycled signal to the control unit 35.

[0073] After receiving the empty frame to be recovered signal, the control unit 35 can obtain information that there is an empty luggage basket on the descending actuator 312 according to the empty frame to be recovered signal.

[0074] Step S2a: Determine whether there is an empty luggage basket under the descending mechanism 31, if there is an empty luggage basket, proceed to step S3a, otherwise proceed to step S4a;

[0075] The detection assembly 34 further includes a second sensor 342. The second sensor 342 may be a photoelectric sensor. The second sensor 342 is disposed between the descending actuator 312 and the return conveying line 32, and is used to detect whether there is an empty luggage basket on the return conveying line 32 directly below the descending actuator 312, and if so, continuously sends a prompt signal to the control unit 35.

[0076] After receiving the prompt information, the control unit 35 can obtain information that there is an empty luggage basket below the descending actuator 312 according to the prompt signal.

[0077] Step S3a: After waiting for a first preset time, proceed to step S2a again;

[0078] The first preset time is manually set, and its length may be the time required for the return conveyor line 32 to transport an empty tote basket from under the descending actuator 312. After waiting for the first preset time, it is determined again whether there is an empty tote basket under the descending actuator 312, so that when there is an empty tote basket under the descending actuator 312, the descending actuator 312 can avoid interference with the empty tote basket under the descending actuator 312.

[0079] Step S4a: controlling the descending driving mechanism 311 to place the empty tote on the descending actuator 312 onto the return conveying line 32 .

[0080] After executing this step, the control unit 35 further controls the descending actuator 312 to place the empty tote basket on the return conveying line 32 and then return to the original position to wait for receiving the next empty tote basket. After the descending actuator 312 returns to the original position, people can place the next empty tote basket on the descending actuator 312 to recycle the next empty tote basket.

[0081] Step S5a: controlling the return conveying line 32 to transport the empty luggage basket to the entrance side of the security inspection machine 1 .

[0082] After the descending mechanism 31 places the empty baggage basket at the upstream end 321 of the return conveying line 32 , the control unit 35 controls the return conveying line 32 to transport the empty baggage basket from its upstream end 321 to its downstream end 322 so that the empty baggage basket is transported to the entrance side of the security inspection machine 1 .

[0083] Before passing the luggage through the security inspection machine 1, people take an empty luggage basket located at the entrance side of the security inspection machine 1, and use the luggage basket to load their carry-on luggage items, and then place the luggage basket at the entrance 11 of the security inspection machine 1. The security inspection machine 1 automatically transports the luggage basket to the security inspection machine 1 for scanning. After the scanning is completed, the security inspection machine 1 sends the luggage basket out of the security inspection machine 1 from its exit 12. Subsequently, the carry-on luggage items are taken out of the luggage basket by people, and the empty luggage basket can be transported from the exit side of the security inspection machine 1 to the entrance side of the security inspection machine 1 by the luggage conveying device. People who arrive later can select the empty luggage basket again to load their carry-on luggage items for security inspection. In this way, the automatic recycling of luggage baskets is realized, and the labor intensity of security inspection staff is reduced.

[0084] Furthermore, the recovery device 3 further includes a bag placing platform 33. The bag placing platform 33 is arranged at the entrance side of the security inspection machine 1 and is connected to the downstream end 322 of the return conveyor line 32. The empty bag on the return conveyor line 32 is sent to the bag placing platform 33 from the downstream end 322 of the return conveyor line 32. The bag placing platform 33 has a plurality of basket taking positions 331. The empty bag entering the bag placing platform 33 is automatically allocated to the basket taking position 331. People who need to load baggage in the bag can take the empty bag from the basket taking position 331.

[0085] The detection component 34 also includes a plurality of third sensors 343. The third sensor 343 may be a photoelectric sensor. The third sensors 343 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the basket taking positions 331, and the third sensors 343 are arranged in the basket taking positions 331 corresponding thereto, and each third sensor 343 is used to measure whether there is an empty luggage basket in the basket taking position 331. When there is an empty luggage basket in the basket taking position 331, the third sensor 343 corresponding thereto is continuously triggered, and the third sensor 343 continuously sends a full load signal to the control unit 35. The period during which the control unit 35 receives the full load signal indicates that there is an empty luggage basket in the corresponding basket taking position 331. The period during which the control unit 35 does not receive the full load signal indicates that there is no empty luggage basket in the corresponding basket taking position 331.

[0086] Furthermore, the detection component 34 is also used to detect whether an empty baggage basket enters each motorized roller 323. The control unit 35 is also configured to put the return conveyor line 32 into sleep standby when the detection component 34 detects that no empty baggage basket enters any motorized roller 323 within the second preset time.

[0087] The detection assembly 34 also includes a plurality of fourth sensors 344. The fourth sensors 344 may be photoelectric sensors. The fourth sensors 344 are all electrically connected to the control unit 35. The fourth sensors 344 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the electric rollers 323. The fourth sensor 344 may be arranged at the upstream end 321 of the electric roller 323 corresponding thereto. The fourth sensor 344 is used to detect whether an empty luggage basket enters the electric roller 323 corresponding thereto. When the fourth sensor 344 is triggered, the fourth sensor 344 sends a start signal to the control unit 35, and the control unit 35 can obtain information that the empty luggage basket enters the electric roller 323 corresponding to the fourth sensor 344 after receiving the start signal.

[0088] The specific control method in the control unit 35 also includes the following steps:

[0089] Step S1b: In response to any one of the fourth sensors 344 being triggered, the timer restarts timing.

[0090] Step S2b: When the time length recorded by the timer reaches the second preset time, the entire feedback transmission line 32 is put into sleep mode.

[0091] The length of the second preset time can be selected according to the actual working conditions, for example, it can be 20 seconds. When it is detected that no empty baggage basket enters any of the motorized rollers 323 within the second preset time, the return conveyor line 32 is put into sleep standby. This can avoid the return conveyor line 32 from idling for a long time, thereby achieving the purpose of energy saving.

[0092] Preferably, putting the entire return conveying line 32 into sleep and standby mode is to install the electric rollers 323 located from the downstream side to the electric rollers 323 located from the upstream side in sequence into sleep and standby mode.

[0093] Furthermore, the control unit 35 is configured to reawaken the return conveyor line 32 when the detection component 34 detects that an empty bag in any basket taking position 331 of the bag placing table 33 is taken away or detects that there is an empty bag on the descending actuator 312 when the return conveyor line 32 is in a dormant standby state.

[0094] When the first sensor 321 is triggered or any of the third sensors 343 changes from the triggered state to the untriggered state, it indicates that the first sensor 321 detects that there is an empty baggage basket on the descending actuator 312 or the third sensor 343 detects that the empty baggage basket in the bag taking position 331 is taken away, and these empty baggage baskets will soon need to be sent back to the bag placing platform 33, so that the return conveyor line 32 can be restarted in time to recycle the empty baggage baskets that are about to arrive.

[0095] Furthermore, the detection component 34 is also used to detect whether the distance between two adjacent empty totes on the return conveyor line 32 is less than a preset distance. The control unit 35 is configured to control the return conveyor line 32 to suspend the conveyance of the rear one of the two empty totes when the detection component 34 detects that the distance between two adjacent empty totes on the return conveyor line 32 is less than the preset distance, until the distance between the two empty totes reaches the preset value.

[0096] Reference Figure 8 , 9 , the detection component 34 also includes a fifth sensor 345 and a sixth sensor 346, both of which are connected to the control unit 35. The fifth sensor 345 and the sixth sensor 346 can both be photoelectric sensors. The fifth sensor 345 and the sixth sensor 346 are both arranged on one side of the return conveyor line 32. The fifth sensor 345 is used to detect whether the empty luggage basket reaches the first preset position of the return conveyor line 32, and the sixth sensor 346 is used to detect whether the empty luggage basket reaches the second preset position of the return conveyor line 32, wherein the first preset position is downstream of the second preset position. The first preset position can be below the entrance 11 of the security inspection machine 1. When the empty luggage basket passes the first preset position, the fifth sensor 345 can be triggered. When the empty luggage basket passes the second preset position, the sixth sensor 346 can be triggered.

[0097] Reference Figure 7 The specific control method in the control unit 35 also includes the following steps:

[0098] Step S1c: When an empty luggage basket M1 reaches the first preset position, start timing;

[0099] When the fifth sensor 345 is triggered by the empty luggage basket M1 , the timer in the control unit 35 starts counting.

[0100] Step S2c: obtaining the current travel distance S of the empty luggage basket M1 within the timing time T according to the timing time T and the transportation speed V of the empty luggage basket M1;

[0101] The current travel distance S is equal to the product of the timing duration T and the transport speed V, that is, the distance traveled by the empty luggage basket M1 after the fifth sensor 345 is triggered.

[0102] Step S3c: Determine in real time whether the current walking distance S is greater than or equal to the preset distance d and the next empty luggage basket M2 has not passed the second preset position. If so, proceed to step S4c; otherwise, proceed to step S5c;

[0103] In this step, if the sixth sensor 346 is never triggered by the next empty bag M2 during the process of the current walking distance S gradually increasing from zero to the preset distance d, it indicates that the next empty bag M2 has not passed the second preset position when the current walking distance S is greater than or equal to the preset distance d. If the sixth sensor 346 is triggered by the next empty bag M2 during the process of the current walking distance S gradually increasing from zero to the preset distance d, it indicates that the next empty bag M2 has passed the second preset position when the current walking distance S is less than the preset distance d.

[0104] Step S4c: The next empty baggage basket M2 directly passes through the second preset position.

[0105] Reference Figure 8 In this step, the next empty luggage basket M2 does not stay at the second preset position, but continues to move toward the first preset position.

[0106] Step S5c: the next empty bag M2 stays at the second preset position until the sum of the distance S1 between the previous empty bag M1 and the next empty bag M2 and the current walking distance S is greater than the preset distance d, and the next empty bag M2 continues to move forward;

[0107] Reference Fig. 9 In this step, the distance S1 between the previous empty bag M1 and the next empty bag M2 is equal to the distance Q between the first preset position and the second preset position minus the difference between the length L of the empty bag M1 and the current walking distance S, that is, S1 = Q-(LS).

[0108] The next empty luggage basket M2 stays at the second preset position until the sum of S1 and S is greater than the preset distance d, and then continues to move toward the first preset position, so that a sufficient distance can be maintained between two adjacent empty luggage baskets.

[0109] Furthermore, the detection component 34 is also used to detect whether a basket jam occurs on any section of the return transmission line 32. The control unit 35 is also configured to immediately stop the return transmission line 32 and issue a basket jam reminder when the detection component 34 detects that a basket jam occurs on any section of the return transmission line 32 when the return transmission line 32 is in the awake state.

[0110] When the fourth sensor 344 is continuously triggered and reaches a preset threshold, it can be considered that the motorized roller 323 corresponding to the fourth sensor 344 has been blocked by the empty luggage basket.

[0111] When the detection component 34 detects that the time when any fourth sensor 344 is continuously triggered reaches a preset threshold, it determines whether the return transmission line 32 is in the awake state; if the return transmission line 32 is in the awake state, the return transmission line 32 is stopped and a basket jam reminder is issued; if the return transmission line 32 is in the sleep state, no action is taken.

[0112] The security inspector can clean up the jam basket in time after seeing the jam basket reminder. After the security inspector has cleaned up the jam basket, the control unit 35 starts the return transmission line 32 again.

[0113] Further, when the return conveyor line 32 is started, the motorized rollers 323 are started in sequence from the downstream end 322 to the upstream end 321 of the return conveyor line 32 .

[0114] Further, the recycling device 3 includes an emergency stop button. The emergency stop button is used to cut off the power supply of the return conveyor line 32. The emergency stop button is arranged on the power supply line between the power supply and the roller drive card 352. When an emergency occurs, such as a mechanical failure, pressing the emergency stop button can cut off the power supply of the roller drive card 352 so that the return conveyor line 32 stops urgently. After the emergency is relieved, the power supply of the roller drive card 352 is restored by releasing the emergency stop button.

[0115] After the power supply of the roller drive card 352 is restored, the roller drive card 352 will not drive the return transmission line 32 to operate. After the emergency fault is reset, the return transmission line 32 will start to operate normally.

[0116] Further, the plurality of fourth sensors 344 are electrically connected to a plurality of roller drive cards 352, respectively, and each roller drive card 352 is connected to the controller 351 via an Ethernet cable 354. Each roller drive card 352 is also electrically connected to the motorized roller 323 of the return transmission line 32 driven by it.

[0117] Although the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certain embodiments, various modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope and category of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and its scope of protection should be limited by the content of the attached claims and their equivalent structures and schemes.

Claims

1. A luggage basket recovery device, characterized in that: include: A return transmission line including an upstream end and a downstream end opposite to the upstream end; as well as Descending mechanism, including A plurality of screws are vertically arranged above the upstream end and are capable of rotating around their own axes; A transmission mechanism, which is transmission-connected to each screw; A descending drive mechanism, which is transmission-connected to the transmission mechanism and is used to drive the multiple screws to rotate synchronously through the transmission mechanism; Wherein, when the plurality of screws rotate synchronously, the empty luggage basket can be transported to the return conveyor line, the upstream end is used to be arranged at the exit side of the security inspection machine, the downstream end is used to be arranged at the entrance side of the security inspection machine, and the transport direction of the return conveyor line is from the upstream end to the downstream end; The recovery device also includes a detection component and a control unit; the control unit is respectively connected to the return transmission line, the descending mechanism and the detection component; The detection component is further used to detect whether the distance between two adjacent empty totes on the return conveyor line is less than a preset distance; the control unit is configured to control the return conveyor line to suspend the conveyance of the rear one of the two empty totes when the detection component detects that the distance between two adjacent empty totes on the return conveyor line is less than the preset distance until the distance between the two empty totes reaches a preset value, including: When an empty tote arrives at a first preset position of the return conveyor line, the timing starts; According to the timing duration and the transportation speed of the empty luggage basket, the current travel distance of the empty luggage basket within the timing duration is obtained; If the next empty luggage basket has not passed the second preset position when the current walking distance is greater than or equal to the preset distance, the next empty luggage basket directly passes the second preset position; If the next empty bag has reached the second preset position when the current walking distance is less than the preset distance, the next empty bag stays at the second preset position until the sum of the distance between the previous empty bag and the empty bag staying at the second preset position and the current walking distance is greater than the preset distance, and then the empty bag staying at the second preset position continues to move forward; The first preset position is downstream of the second preset position, and the first preset position is below the entrance of the security inspection machine.

2. The recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes a control unit; The control unit includes a controller, a servo controller and a plurality of roller drive cards; The controller is electrically connected to the servo controller and the plurality of roller drive cards respectively, the servo controller is electrically connected to the descending mechanism, the roller drive cards are electrically connected to the return transmission line, and the descending drive mechanism is connected to the servo controller.

3. The recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screw comprises a vertically arranged rod body and a helical tooth extending helically from one end of the rod body to the other end, wherein the pitch of the helical tooth increases gradually from top to bottom.

4. The recovery device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The roller drive card is connected to the controller via an Ethernet cable.

5. The recovery device according to claim 4, characterized in that: An emergency stop button is also included, and the emergency stop button is arranged on the power supply line between the power supply and the roller drive card.

6. The recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection assembly is also used to detect whether there is an empty luggage basket on the descending mechanism and whether there is an empty luggage basket below the descending mechanism; The control unit is configured to control the descending mechanism to place the empty baggage basket on the descending mechanism onto the return conveyor line when the detection component detects that there is an empty baggage basket on the descending mechanism and there is no empty baggage basket below the descending mechanism, and then control the return conveyor line to transport the empty baggage basket to the entrance side of the security inspection machine.

7. The recovery device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The return conveyor line includes a plurality of electric rollers, which are connected in sequence, and the speed of each electric roller can be controlled individually.

8. The recovery device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The detection assembly is also used to detect whether an empty luggage basket enters each motorized roller; The control unit is further configured to, when the detection component detects that no empty luggage basket enters any of the motorized rollers within a second preset time, Then put the return transmission line into sleep mode.

9. The recovery device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The detection component is also used to detect whether a basket is blocked on any section of the return transmission line; The control unit is also configured to immediately stop the return transmission line and issue a basket jam reminder when the detection component detects that a basket jam occurs on any section of the return transmission line when the return transmission line is in the awake state.

10. The recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The return transmission line is in a straight bar shape and is arranged below the security inspection machine.

11. A control method for a recovery device, characterized in that: The control method is implemented based on the recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and the control method includes: Receive an empty frame to be recovered signal and determine whether there is an empty luggage basket under the descending mechanism; When there is no empty tote under the descending mechanism, the empty tote on the descending mechanism is placed on the return conveyor line; When there is an empty luggage basket under the descending mechanism, re-determine whether there is an empty luggage basket under the descending mechanism after a first preset time interval; The control method further comprises: When an empty tote arrives at a first preset position of the return conveyor line, the timing starts; According to the timing duration and the transportation speed of the empty luggage basket, the current travel distance of the empty luggage basket within the timing duration is obtained; If the next empty luggage basket has not passed the second preset position when the current walking distance is greater than or equal to the preset distance, the next empty luggage basket directly passes the second preset position; If the next empty bag has reached the second preset position when the current walking distance is less than the preset distance, the next empty bag stays at the second preset position until the sum of the distance between the previous empty bag and the empty bag staying at the second preset position and the current walking distance is greater than the preset distance, and then the empty bag staying at the second preset position continues to move forward; The first preset position is downstream of the second preset position, and the first preset position is below the entrance of the security inspection machine.

Images