A product sorting control method for a multi-palletizing station mixed output line

Abstract

The present invention relates to product sorting, and specifically to a product sorting control method for a mixed output line with multiple palletizing stations. A product information detection system is used to detect the product information of each product on the mixed output line, and the parsed product information is uploaded to the host computer. The host computer establishes a corresponding Boolean array, as well as corresponding assignment pointers and value pointers for each palletizing station. The host computer accumulates the assignment pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station according to the received product information, and sets the arrays corresponding to the assignment pointers. When the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer accumulates the value pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station. The host computer determines whether to sort the products passing through each palletizing station through the sorting station according to the array results corresponding to the value pointers. The technical solution provided by the present invention can effectively overcome the defects of the prior art, such as high cost and low sorting accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to product sorting, and specifically to a product sorting control method for a multi-palletizing station mixed output line. Background Art

[0002] Currently, many enterprises have multiple production lines at the front end. After the products are packaged, due to the long length of the production line and space occupation problems, generally, multiple production lines are merged into one output line and transported to the palletizing station for automatic or manual palletizing. However, since the mixed line is used for transportation to the palletizing station, the products produced may be different. Even if the products are the same, the production lines are different, which is not conducive to product traceability. Therefore, sorting is required before palletizing to transport the products from the same production line to the corresponding palletizing station.

[0003] Currently, there are two mainstream sorting methods. One is to add detection equipment at the entrance of each palletizing station to identify product information. If the detected product information is for the product of this palletizing station, it is immediately sorted to this station. This solution has a high cost, and a set of detection equipment needs to be added to each palletizing station. The other is to install detection equipment in front of the total entrance of the palletizing station to identify product information. According to the product transportation speed, calculate the time when the product arrives at the corresponding palletizing station (the distance between the corresponding palletizing station and the detection equipment remains unchanged, and it is assumed that the processing time of the detection software has no fluctuation). After the corresponding time arrives, automatic sorting is performed. This solution assumes that the time for the detection equipment to parse each product information remains unchanged or changes slightly and will not affect sorting. It has high requirements for the recognition ability of the detection equipment, and it cannot guarantee that the mixed output line will not fail, and the stability of the recognition time of each product information by the detection equipment. These factors will all have a certain impact on the sorting accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (1) Technical Problems to be Solved

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention provides a product sorting control method for a multi-palletizing station mixed output line, which can effectively overcome the defects of high cost and low sorting accuracy existing in the prior art.

[0006] (2) Technical Solutions

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention is realized through the following technical solutions:

[0008] A product sorting control method for a multi-palletizing station mixed output line includes the following steps:

[0009] S1. Use the product information detection system to detect the product information of each product on the mixed output line, and upload the parsed product information to the host computer;

[0010] S2. The host computer creates a corresponding Boolean array for each palletizing station, as well as corresponding assignment pointers and value pointers.

[0011] S3. The host computer accumulates the assignment pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station according to the received product information, and sets the arrays corresponding to the assignment pointers.

[0012] S4. When the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer accumulates the value pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station.

[0013] S5. The host computer determines whether to sort the products passing through each palletizing station through the sorting station according to the array results corresponding to the value pointers.

[0014] Preferably, the product information detection system is installed at the product input end of the mixed output line, and triggers the product information detection for each product on the mixed output line through sensors.

[0015] Preferably, in S3, when the host computer accumulates the assignment pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station according to the received product information, it includes:

[0016] Every time the host computer receives a product information, it accumulates 1 to the assignment pointer of the Boolean array corresponding to the first palletizing station, and at the same time accumulates 1 to the assignment pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to the subsequent palletizing stations when the product information does not belong to all the previous palletizing stations.

[0017] Preferably, in S3, setting the arrays corresponding to the assignment pointers includes:

[0018] The host computer determines the palletizing station to which the corresponding product belongs according to the product information, and sets the array corresponding to the current assignment pointer of this palletizing station to true.

[0019] Preferably, in S4, when the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, when the host computer accumulates the value pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station, it includes:

[0020] When the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer accumulates 1 to the value pointer of the Boolean array corresponding to the palletizing station through which the product passes.

[0021] Preferably, in S5, when the host computer determines whether to sort the products passing through each palletizing station through the sorting station according to the array results corresponding to the value pointers, it includes:

[0022] The host computer determines whether the array corresponding to the current value pointer of the palletizing station is true, and in the case where the array corresponding to the current value pointer is true, sorts the products passing through this palletizing station to this palletizing station through the sorting station.

[0023] Preferably, products that are not sorted at the sorting station or whose product information is not effectively recognized on the mixed output line flow out automatically from the mixed output line.

[0024] Preferably, the calculation method for the number of products corresponding to each palletizing station before the last palletizing station includes:

[0025] Subtracting the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to the next palletizing station from the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to the current palletizing station, the number of products belonging to the current palletizing station can be obtained.

[0026] Preferably, when there is no product flowing out automatically on the mixed output line, the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to the last palletizing station is the number of products belonging to that palletizing station.

[0027] (III) Advantageous Effects

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the product sorting control method for a multi-palletizing station mixed output line provided by the present invention has the following advantageous effects:

[0029] 1) Only one set of product information detection system is installed at the product input end of the mixed output line, and in cooperation with the product detection sensors at each palletizing station, the product sorting of the multi-palletizing station mixed output line can be realized, and the cost is very low;

[0030] 2) The host computer accumulates the assignment pointers of the boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station according to the received product information, and sets the arrays corresponding to the assignment pointers. When the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer accumulates the value pointers of the boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station. The host computer judges whether to sort the products passing through each palletizing station through the sorting station according to the array results corresponding to the value pointers. By establishing a corresponding boolean array, as well as the corresponding assignment pointer and value pointer for each palletizing station, the products on the mixed output line can be accurately sorted to the corresponding palletizing stations, and at the same time, the number of products at each palletizing station can be accurately counted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention, and those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings without creative efforts based on these drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 is the flow schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-palletizing station mixed output line in the present invention. Specific Embodiments

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] A product sorting control method for a multi-palletizing station mixed output line, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, ① The product information detection system detects the product information of each product on the mixed output line and uploads the parsed product information to the host computer.

[0036] The product information detection system is installed at the product input end of the mixed output line and triggers the detection of the product information of each product on the mixed output line through sensors.

[0037] ② The host computer establishes a corresponding Boolean array for each palletizing station, as well as corresponding assignment pointers and value pointers.

[0038] ③ The host computer accumulates the assignment pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station according to the received product information and sets the corresponding arrays of the assignment pointers.

[0039] 1) The host computer accumulates the assignment pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station according to the received product information, including:

[0040] When the host computer receives each product information, it accumulates 1 to the assignment pointer of the Boolean array corresponding to the first palletizing station, and at the same time accumulates 1 to the assignment pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to the subsequent palletizing stations when the product information does not belong to all the previous palletizing stations.

[0041] 2) Setting the corresponding arrays of the assignment pointers includes:

[0042] The host computer determines the palletizing station to which the corresponding product belongs according to the product information and sets the array corresponding to the current assignment pointer of this palletizing station to true.

[0043] ④ When the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer accumulates the value pointers of the Boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station, specifically including:

[0044] When the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer increments the value pointer corresponding to the Boolean array of the palletizing station passed by the product by 1.

[0045] ⑤ The host computer determines whether to sort the products passing through each palletizing station through the sorting station according to the array result corresponding to the value pointer, specifically including:

[0046] The host computer determines whether the array corresponding to the current value pointer of the palletizing station is true, and when the array corresponding to the current value pointer is true, the product passing through the palletizing station is sorted to the palletizing station through the sorting station.

[0047] In the technical solution of the present application, the products that are not sorted by the sorting station or the product information of which is not effectively recognized on the mixed output line flow out automatically from the mixed output line.

[0048] The following gives an application example in combination with the above technical solution:

[0049] For example, there are 5 production lines at the front end, corresponding to 5 products, namely Product A, Product B, Product C, Product D, and Product E. After sorting, they need to be transported to Palletizing Station A, Palletizing Station B, Palletizing Station C, Palletizing Station D, and Palletizing Station E respectively, as Figure 2 shown.

[0050] The PLC establishes 5 Boolean arrays A, B, C, D, and E. The assignment pointer of array A is R1. Each time the PLC receives a product information sent by the product information detection system, the assignment pointer R1 of array A is incremented by 1; when the product information received by the PLC is Product A, the PLC sets the value of array A[R1] to true; when the product passes through Palletizing Station A, the value pointer R11 of array A is incremented by 1, and the PLC determines whether the product is Product A, that is, whether to sort the product, according to whether the value of array A[R11] is true.

[0051] The assignment pointer of array B is R2. When the product information received by the PLC is not Product A, the assignment pointer R2 of array B is incremented by 1; when the product information received by the PLC is Product B, the PLC sets the value of array B[R2] to true; when the product passes through Palletizing Station B, the value pointer R22 of array B is incremented by 1, and the PLC determines whether the product is Product B, that is, whether to sort the product, according to whether the value of array B[R22] is true.

[0052] The assignment pointer of the C array is R3. When the PLC receives a product information that is not product A or B from the product information detection system, the assignment pointer R3 of the C array is incremented by 1; when the product information received by the PLC is product C, the PLC sets the value of the array C[R3] to true; when the product passes through the C palletizing station, the value pointer R33 of the C array is incremented by 1, and the PLC determines whether the product is product C, that is, whether to sort the product, according to whether the value of the array C[R33] is true.

[0053] The assignment pointer of the D array is R4. When the PLC receives a product information that is not product A, B, or C from the product information detection system, the assignment pointer R4 of the D array is incremented by 1; when the product information received by the PLC is product D, the PLC sets the value of the array D[R4] to true; when the product passes through the D palletizing station, the value pointer R44 of the D array is incremented by 1, and the PLC determines whether the product is product D, that is, whether to sort the product, according to whether the value of the array D[R44] is true.

[0054] The assignment pointer of the E array is R5. When the PLC receives a product information that is not product A, B, C, or D from the product information detection system, the assignment pointer R5 of the E array is incremented by 1; when the product information received by the PLC is product E, the PLC sets the value of the array E[R5] to true; when the product passes through the E palletizing station, the value pointer R55 of the E array is incremented by 1, and the PLC determines whether the product is product E, that is, whether to sort the product, according to whether the value of the array E[R55] is true.

[0055] Using the product sorting control method in this application, the product quantity of each palletizing station can also be accurately counted, as follows:

[0056] 1) For the calculation method of the product quantity corresponding to each palletizing station before the last palletizing station, including:

[0057] Subtracting the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to the next palletizing station from the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to this palletizing station, that is, obtaining the product quantity belonging to this palletizing station;

[0058] 2) When there is no product flowing out automatically on the mixed output line, the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to the last palletizing station is the product quantity belonging to that palletizing station.

[0059] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that: they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements on some of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements will not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A product sorting control method for a multi-palletizing station mixed output line, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: S1. Use the product information detection system to detect the product information of each product on the mixed output line, and upload the parsed product information to the host computer; S2. The host computer establishes a corresponding boolean array for each palletizing station, as well as corresponding assignment pointers and value pointers; S3. The host computer accumulates the assignment pointers of the boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station according to the received product information, and sets the array corresponding to the assignment pointer; S4. When the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer accumulates the value pointers of the boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station; S5. The host computer determines whether to sort the products passing through each palletizing station through the sorting station according to the array result corresponding to the value pointer; In S3, the host computer accumulates the assignment pointers of the boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station according to the received product information, including: When the host computer receives each product information, it accumulates 1 to the assignment pointer of the boolean array corresponding to the first palletizing station, and at the same time accumulates 1 to the assignment pointers of the boolean arrays corresponding to the subsequent palletizing stations when the product information does not belong to all the previous palletizing stations; In S3, setting the array corresponding to the assignment pointer includes: The host computer determines the palletizing station to which the corresponding product belongs according to the product information, and sets the array corresponding to the current assignment pointer of this palletizing station to true; In S4, when the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer accumulates the value pointers of the boolean arrays corresponding to each palletizing station, including: When the products on the mixed output line pass through each palletizing station, the host computer accumulates 1 to the value pointer of the boolean array corresponding to the palletizing station passed by this product; In S5, the host computer determines whether to sort the products passing through each palletizing station through the sorting station according to the array result corresponding to the value pointer, including: The host computer determines whether the array corresponding to the current value pointer of the palletizing station is true, and in the case where the array corresponding to the current value pointer is true, sorts the products passing through this palletizing station to this palletizing station through the sorting station; Except for the last palletizing station, the calculation method of the number of products corresponding to each previous palletizing station includes: Subtract the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to the next palletizing station from the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to this palletizing station, and the number of products belonging to this palletizing station can be obtained; When there is no product flowing out automatically on the mixed output line, the number of value pointers of the boolean array corresponding to the last palletizing station is the number of products belonging to this palletizing station.

2. The product sorting control method of the multi-palletizing station hybrid output line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The product information detection system is installed at the product input end of the mixed output line, and triggers the detection of the product information of each product on the mixed output line through sensors.

3. The product sorting control method for the multi-palletizing station hybrid output line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The products that are not sorted by the sorting station or whose product information is not effectively identified on the mixed output line flow out automatically from the mixed output line.

Images