A cross-belt sorter

Abstract

The application relates to a cross-belt sorting machine and belongs to the technical field of sorting equipment. The cross-belt sorting machine comprises a track, a sorting trolley, a driving mechanism and a position switching mechanism, both sides of the track are respectively provided with a bag falling opening; the sorting trolley comprises a trolley body, a conveying belt and a friction wheel, the friction wheel is movably and rotatably arranged on the trolley body and is in transmission connection with the conveying belt; the driving mechanism comprises two friction surfaces extending along the moving direction of the sorting trolley, the position switching mechanism drives the friction wheel to move relative to the trolley body to be in rolling cooperation with any one of the two friction surfaces, and the steering directions of the friction wheel when cooperating with the two friction surfaces are opposite, so that the conveying directions of the conveying belt are opposite. The cross-belt sorting machine provided by the application utilizes the movement of the sorting trolley, so that the friction wheel is selectively in rolling cooperation with one of the two friction surfaces, the steering directions of the friction wheel are different, the conveying belt is driven to send articles to the bag falling openings on both sides of the track, and the sorting trolley does not need to be provided with an electric roller, so the cost is low.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of sorting equipment, and particularly relates to a cross-belt sorting machine. BACKGROUND

[0002] The cross-belt sorting machine comprises a plurality of sorting trolleys arranged along a track, and dozens of drop openings are arranged on both sides of the track. The sorting trolleys are used to move articles along the track. The sorting trolley is provided with a conveying assembly. When the sorting trolley reaches a target drop opening, the conveying assembly sends the article to the target drop opening. The conveying assembly in the related art comprises electric rollers and driven rollers arranged at intervals along the article conveying direction, and a conveying belt sleeved on the electric rollers and the driven rollers. The electric rollers rotate to drive the conveying belt to move, and the conveying belt sends the article to the target drop opening. However, the electric rollers have a high cost. For a sorting machine comprising several hundred sorting trolleys, one electric roller is arranged on each sorting trolley. The several hundred electric rollers result in a high cost of the sorting machine. SUMMARY

[0003] In view of this, the purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a low-cost cross-belt sorting machine.

[0004] The embodiments of the present application are implemented as follows:

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a cross-belt sorting machine, which comprises a rack, a track arranged on the rack, and a plurality of sorting trolleys capable of moving along the track. Drop openings are arranged on both sides of the track. The sorting trolley comprises a trolley body, a conveying belt arranged on the trolley body, and a friction wheel movably and rotatably arranged on the trolley body and in transmission connection with the conveying belt. The friction wheel is used to drive the conveying belt to convey articles to the drop openings. The cross-belt sorting machine further comprises a driving mechanism and a position switching mechanism arranged on the rack. The driving mechanism comprises two friction surfaces extending along the moving direction of the sorting trolley. When the sorting trolley moves, the position switching mechanism is configured to drive the friction wheel to move relative to the trolley body to rollingly engage with any one of the two friction surfaces. The turning direction of the friction wheel when the friction wheel rollingly engages with one of the two friction surfaces is opposite to the turning direction of the friction wheel when the friction wheel rollingly engages with the other one of the two friction surfaces. When the turning directions of the friction wheel are opposite, the conveying direction of the conveying belt is opposite.

[0006] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned embodiment, the package drop openings located on both sides of the track are a first package drop opening and a second package drop opening, the friction wheel has two conveying positions relative to the vehicle body, and the two conveying positions are a first position and a second position, respectively. The two friction surfaces are a first friction surface and a second friction surface, respectively. The first friction surface is configured to cooperate with the friction wheel located at the first position, and the friction wheel rotates forward with the movement of the sorting trolley. The forward rotating friction wheel drives the conveying belt to convey the articles to the first package drop opening in a first conveying direction. The second friction surface is configured to cooperate with the friction wheel located at the second position, and the friction wheel rotates reversely with the movement of the sorting trolley. The reversely rotating friction wheel drives the conveying belt to convey the articles to the second package drop opening in a second conveying direction, wherein the first conveying direction is opposite to the second conveying direction.

[0007] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned embodiment, the two friction surfaces are spaced apart back to back or opposite to each other, and a standby passage is formed between the two friction surfaces. The friction wheel has a standby position and two conveying positions, and the two conveying positions correspond to the two friction surfaces one by one. The standby position is located between the two conveying positions. When the sorting trolley moves, the friction wheel located at the standby position passes through the standby passage, and the friction wheel located at the conveying position rolls along the corresponding friction surface.

[0008] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned embodiment, the two friction surfaces are spaced apart back to back. The sorting trolley further comprises an elastic mechanism configured to make the friction wheel have a tendency to reset to the standby position.

[0009] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned embodiment, the position switching mechanism is located upstream of the driving mechanism in the moving direction of the sorting trolley. The position switching mechanism is configured to drive the friction wheel to move to one of the standby position and the two conveying positions relative to the vehicle body.

[0010] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned embodiment, the driving mechanism further comprises two first guide surfaces. The two first guide surfaces are connected to the starting ends of the two friction surfaces at a first included angle, and the range of the first included angle is 180°-270°.

[0011] As an optional solution of the above-mentioned embodiment, the driving mechanism further comprises two second guide surfaces. The two second guide surfaces are connected to the ending ends of the two friction surfaces at a second included angle, and the range of the second included angle is 180°-270°.

[0012] As an optional scheme of the above-mentioned embodiment, the driving mechanism further comprises two limiting surfaces, the two limiting surfaces correspond to the two second guiding surfaces one by one, each limiting surface is arranged opposite to the corresponding second guiding surface, and the opposite limiting surface and the second guiding surface form a reset channel.

[0013] As an optional scheme of the above-mentioned embodiment, a base plate is arranged on the rack, and the position switching mechanism and the driving mechanism are both mounted on the base plate.

[0014] As an optional scheme of the above-mentioned embodiment, the driving mechanism, the position switching mechanism and two package drop openings located on both sides of the track and opposite in the conveying direction of the conveying belt form a package drop unit, and the cross-belt sorting machine comprises a plurality of package drop units arranged in sequence along the track.

[0015] As an optional scheme of the above-mentioned embodiment, the sorting trolley further comprises two guide wheels rotatably arranged on the trolley body, and the driving mechanism further comprises two guide surfaces extending in the moving direction of the sorting trolley, the two guide surfaces are arranged opposite to or away from each other, and the two friction surfaces are located between the two guide surfaces, and when the sorting trolley moves, the two guide wheels are respectively in rolling cooperation with the two guide surfaces.

[0016] The present application has the following advantages:

[0017] The cross-belt sorting machine provided by the present application comprises a rack, a track, a sorting trolley, a driving mechanism and a position switching mechanism, the driving mechanism and the position switching mechanism are both mounted on the rack, the sorting trolley can move along the track, the position switching mechanism is used for driving the friction wheel of the moving sorting trolley to selectively roll with one of the two friction surfaces of the driving mechanism, when the friction wheel rolls with the two friction surfaces, the steering directions of the friction wheel are opposite, and the friction wheels with different steering directions drive the conveying belts in opposite directions, so that the conveying belts can selectively convey the articles to the package drop opening on any one side of the track, the cross-belt sorting machine provided by the present application does not need to be provided with an electric roller on the sorting trolley, and the cost is greatly reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to make the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application or the prior art clearer, the accompanying drawings needed in the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description only need to explain the present application and can help the ordinary skilled in the art to understand the present application without any creative effort. The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like features. The accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present application.

[0019] Figure 1 A first partial structure schematic view of the cross-belt sorter according to an embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0020] Figure 2 A structure top view of the cross-belt sorter according to an embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0021] Figure 3 A second partial structure schematic view of the cross-belt sorter according to an embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0022] Figure 4 A structure schematic view of the sorting trolley according to an embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0023] Figure 5 A structure schematic view of the sorting trolley and the driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0024] Figure 6 A first matching state schematic view of the friction wheel and the driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0025] Figure 7 A Figure 6 An enlarged view of A in FIG. 6;

[0026] Figure 8 A second matching state schematic view of the friction wheel and the driving mechanism according to an embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0027] Figure 9 A first matching state schematic view of the friction wheel and the driving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0028] Figure 10 A second matching state schematic view of the friction wheel and the driving mechanism according to another embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a structure schematic view of a cross-belt sorter according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] 10-cross-belt sorter;

[0031] 11-frame; 12-track; 13-sorting trolley; 14-driving mechanism; 16-position switching mechanism;

[0032] 110 - substrate; 111 - power mechanism; 112 - power motor; 113 - chain transmission assembly; 114 - transmission shaft; 115 - first drop opening; 116 - second drop opening;

[0033] 130 - vehicle body; 131 - bracket; 132 - conveying belt; 133 - friction wheel; 134 - guide wheel; 135 - elastic mechanism;

[0034] 140 - first friction surface; 141 - standby passage; 142 - first guide surface; 143 - second guide surface; 144 - limiting surface; 145 - first guide surface; 146 - guide groove; 147 - second friction surface; 148 - second guide surface;

[0035] 150 - first flat plate; 151 - second flat plate; 152 - first inclined plate; 153 - second inclined plate; 154 - reset passage;

[0036] 160 - moving piece; 161 - transition passage. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following will be combined with the accompanying drawings for the embodiments of the present application to make a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0038] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present application, but only represents selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0039] It should be noted that: similar reference numerals and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in the subsequent drawings.

[0040] In addition, the terms "first", "second", etc. are only used for differentiation description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] Figure 1 A first partial structure schematic view of the cross-belt sorter 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application, Figure 2 A structure top view of the cross-belt sorter 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application. Please refer to Figure 1 ,Figure 2 As shown, the embodiment of the present application provides a cross-belt sorter 10 for sorting articles into predetermined drop pockets.

[0042] The cross-belt sorter 10 comprises a rack 11 and a track 12 arranged on the rack 11.

[0043] The track 12 is provided with a first drop pocket 115 on one side and a second drop pocket 116 on the other side, and the first drop pocket 115 and the second drop pocket 116 are arranged opposite to each other. The first drop pocket 115 and the second drop pocket 116 can be provided with containers or equipment for transferring articles, etc.

[0044] The cross-belt sorter 10 further comprises a plurality of sorting trolleys 13 arranged in sequence on the track 12, and the plurality of sorting trolleys 13 move along the track 12 to convey articles to the first drop pocket 115 or the second drop pocket 116 located on both sides of the track 12.

[0045] The cross-belt sorter 10 further comprises a driving mechanism 14 and a position switching mechanism 16 arranged on the rack 11. The driving mechanism 14 and the position switching mechanism 16 are located between the first drop pocket 115 and the second drop pocket 116 and are located upstream of the first drop pocket 115 and the second drop pocket 116 along the moving direction of the sorting trolleys 13. The driving mechanism 14 and the position switching mechanism 16 are used to cooperate with the moving sorting trolleys 13 to drive the sorting trolleys 13 to convey articles to the first drop pocket 115 or the second drop pocket 116.

[0046] The driving mechanism 14, the position switching mechanism 16, and the first drop pocket 115 and the second drop pocket 116 located on both sides of the track 12 form a drop pocket unit. The number of drop pocket units is not limited. In this embodiment, the cross-belt sorter 10 comprises a plurality of drop pocket units arranged in sequence in the extension direction of the track 12.

[0047] Each drop pocket unit comprises the first drop pocket 115 and the second drop pocket 116 located on both sides of the track 12, and can sort two different types of articles. The plurality of drop pocket units arranged in sequence can sort more types and destinations of articles, and the sorting efficiency is higher.

[0048] The cross-belt sorter 10 provided in this embodiment uses the driving mechanism 14 and the position switching mechanism 16 in one drop pocket unit to drive the sorting trolleys 13 to convey articles to the first drop pocket 115 or the second drop pocket 116 in the drop pocket unit. Generally, the number of drop pocket units of the cross-belt sorter 10 is much smaller than the number of sorting trolleys 13. Therefore, compared with the cross-belt sorter in the related art in which each sorting trolley is provided with an electric roller, the cross-belt sorter 10 provided in this embodiment has low cost.

[0049] Specifically, the rack 11 is used to support the track 12, the sorting trolley 13, the driving mechanism 14, the position switching mechanism 16 and the like, and the structure of the rack 11 is not limited, for example, the rack 11 can adopt a frame structure, a base plate 110 can be arranged at the upper middle part of the rack 11, and the base plate 110 and the rack 11 can be connected in an integrated manner or in a detachable manner, in this embodiment, the position switching mechanism 16 and the driving mechanism 14 are both mounted on the base plate 110, and the base plate 110 and the rack 11 are detachably connected, so as to facilitate the maintenance of the position switching mechanism 16 or the driving mechanism 14.

[0050] The track 12 is arranged at the upper part of the rack 11, and the form of the track 12 is not limited, in this embodiment, the track 12 includes two guide rails which are arranged in parallel and at intervals, the sorting trolley 13 is provided with a first roller at each end, and the first rollers at the two ends of the sorting trolley 13 are respectively supported by the two guide rails, when the sorting trolley 13 moves, the first rollers roll along the guide rails; the base plate 110 is located between the two guide rails, and the position switching mechanism 16 and the driving mechanism 14 are both mounted on the base plate 110 and correspond to the first drop port 115 and the second drop port 116 located on both sides of the track 12, when the sorting trolley 13 moves to the position switching mechanism 16 and the driving mechanism 14, under the joint action of the two, the sorting trolley 13 sends the articles to the first drop port 115 or the second drop port 116, and the sorting action is completed.

[0051] The sorting trolley 13 is supported on the track 12, and the sorting trolley 13 can move along the track 12, and the manner in which the sorting trolley 13 moves along the track 12 is not limited, in this embodiment, the sorting trolley 13 is driven by a power mechanism 111.

[0052] Figure 3 A second partial structure schematic view of the cross-belt sorting machine 10 provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 2. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2, the cross-belt sorting machine 10 further includes a power mechanism 111 for driving the sorting trolley 13 to move along the track 12, wherein the power mechanism 111 includes a power motor 112, two chain transmission assemblies 113 and two transmission shafts 114.

[0053] The two chain transmission assemblies 113 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart on the frame 11, each chain transmission assembly 113 comprises a driving sprocket, a driven sprocket and a transmission chain, the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket are arranged in parallel along the extending direction of the track 12, the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket are coaxially fixed with the transmission chain, one of the two transmission shafts 114 is coaxially fixed with the driving sprockets of the two chain transmission assemblies 113, the other of the two transmission shafts 114 is coaxially fixed with the driven sprockets of the two chain transmission assemblies 113, the power motor 112 is in transmission connection with one of the two driving sprockets or the transmission shaft 114 for connecting the two driving sprockets.

[0054] Each sorting trolley 13 is fixedly connected with the transmission chain of the two chain transmission assemblies 113, when the power motor 112 works, the driving sprocket, the driven sprocket and the transmission shaft 114 are driven to rotate, thereby driving the transmission chain to move, so as to drive the sorting trolley 13 to move along the track 12.

[0055] The track 12 extends between the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket, and the track 12 is adjacent to the upper part of the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket. In the embodiment, two guide rails extend between the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket of the two chain transmission assemblies 113. The number of the sorting trolleys 13 can be several to several hundred. In the embodiment, several hundred sorting trolleys 13 are arranged in sequence along the transmission chain, when the transmission chain moves, the several hundred sorting trolleys 13 are driven to move, the sorting trolley 13 moving along the track 12 can perform a sorting action when it moves to the drop-off unit.

[0056] Figure 4 A structural schematic diagram of the sorting trolley 13 provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown in Figure 4 As shown in the figure, each sorting trolley 13 comprises a trolley body 130, a conveyor belt 132 and a friction wheel 133, the trolley body 130 is used to support the conveyor belt 132 and the friction wheel 133, the conveyor belt 132 is used to support the goods and convey the goods to the first drop-off port 115 or the second drop-off port 116, and the friction wheel 133 is used to drive the conveyor belt 132 to convey the goods to the first drop-off port 115 or the second drop-off port 116.

[0057] Specifically, the two ends of the trolley body 130 are fixedly connected with the transmission chains of the two chain transmission assemblies 113, and a first roller can be arranged at each end of the trolley body 130, the first roller is supported on the track 12, and when the transmission chain drives the trolley body 130 to move, the first roller can roll along the track 12.

[0058] The roller is arranged at two ends of the vehicle body 130 respectively, the conveying belt 132 is sleeved on the roller, and the roller is synchronously and passively rotated when the conveying belt 132 conveys the articles. The conveying belt 132 has different conveying directions, and the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132 is arranged at an angle with the extension direction of the track 12, and the size of the angle between the two is not limited, and in the embodiment, the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the track 12. The conveying belt 132 has a first conveying direction and a second conveying direction, when the conveying belt 132 conveys the articles along the first conveying direction, the conveying belt 132 can send the articles into the first drop opening 115, and when the conveying belt 132 conveys the articles along the second conveying direction, the conveying belt 132 can send the articles to the second drop opening 116, wherein the first conveying direction and the second conveying direction are opposite.

[0059] The friction wheel 133 is movably connected to the vehicle body 130 through the support 131, the support 131 can move relative to the vehicle body 130 along the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132, and the friction wheel 133 is rotatably arranged on the support 131, so that the friction wheel 133 can move along the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132 relative to the vehicle body 130 and also can rotate.

[0060] The matching relationship between the support 131 and the vehicle body 130 is not limited, and in the embodiment, the following schemes can be used but are not limited to: the vehicle body 130 is provided with a guide groove extending along the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132, and the support 131 is provided with a second roller rotatably arranged in the guide groove. When the support 131 moves relative to the vehicle body 130, the second roller can roll along the guide groove, so as to drive the friction wheel 133 to move relative to the vehicle body 130.

[0061] The friction wheel 133 is rotatably arranged on the support 131, the friction wheel 133 can rotate forward or reverse, and the friction wheel 133 can drive the conveying belt 132 to rotate when rotating, and the rotation direction of the friction wheel 133 determines the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132.

[0062] The friction wheel 133 moves with the support 131 relative to the vehicle body 130, and has a standby position and two conveying positions, the two conveying positions are defined as a first position and a second position respectively, and the standby position is located between the first position and the second position.

[0063] The friction wheel 133 is in driving connection with the conveying belt 132, and the driving mode between the two is not limited, and in the embodiment, the following schemes can be used but are not limited to:

[0064] The support 131 is provided with a driving wheel and two pressing wheels. The driving wheel is rotatably arranged on the support 131 through a first rotating shaft, and the pressing wheels are rotatably arranged on the support 131 through second rotating shafts. The driving wheel and the pressing wheels are parallel to each other. The driving wheel is located on one side of the conveying belt 132, and the two pressing wheels are located on the other side of the conveying belt 132. The two pressing wheels press the conveying belt 132 on the driving wheel. The friction wheel 133 is rotatably arranged on the support 131 through a third rotating shaft. The first rotating shaft and the third rotating shaft are connected through bevel gears. When the friction wheel 133 rotates in the forward direction, the conveying belt 132 drives the articles to move in the first conveying direction to the first drop port 115. When the friction wheel 133 rotates in the reverse direction, the conveying belt 132 drives the articles to move in the second conveying direction to the second drop port 116.

[0065] Figure 5 The structure diagram of the sorting trolley 13 and the driving mechanism 14 is provided for an embodiment of the present application. As shown in the figure, as the sorting trolley 13 moves, the friction wheel 133 is driven to rotate in the forward direction or the reverse direction by the driving mechanism 14. The driving mechanism 14 includes two friction surfaces, which can be defined as a first friction surface 140 and a second friction surface 147, respectively. Both of the two friction surfaces extend along the moving direction of the sorting trolley 13. Figure 5

[0066] Figure 6 The first matching state diagram of the friction wheel 133 and the driving mechanism 14 is provided for an embodiment of the present application, Figure 7 as shown in the figure. Specifically, please refer to Figure 6 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 The driving mechanism 14 includes a first flat plate 150 and a second flat plate 151. The first flat plate 150 and the second flat plate 151 are arranged in a spaced manner along the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132. The first friction surface 140 is arranged on the first flat plate 150, and the second friction surface 147 is arranged on the second flat plate 151. The first friction surface 140 and the second friction surface 147 are configured to be opposite or back to back. The first flat plate 150 and the second flat plate 151 form a standby channel 141 therebetween. Preferably, the first flat plate 150 and the second flat plate 151 can be detachably connected with the base plate 110. After wearing, they can be detached for easy replacement.

[0067] In this embodiment, the first friction surface 140 and the second friction surface 147 are arranged back to back. The first friction surface 140 is arranged on the side of the first flat plate 150 away from the second flat plate 151, and the second friction surface 147 is arranged on the side of the second flat plate 151 away from the first flat plate 150.

[0068] In other embodiments, the two friction surfaces can also be arranged opposite to each other, Figure 9 ​Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the first matching state of the friction wheel 133 and the driving mechanism 14 according to another embodiment of the present application, Figure 10 Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the second matching state of the friction wheel 133 and the driving mechanism 14 according to another embodiment of the present application. Figure 9 Figure 10 As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the first friction surface 140 is arranged on the side of the first plate 150 facing the second plate 151, and the second friction surface 147 is arranged on the side of the second plate 151 facing the first plate 150.

[0069] Optionally, the driving mechanism 14 further comprises two guide surfaces, which are arranged opposite to or away from each other along the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132 and extend along the moving direction of the sorting trolley 13. The two guide surfaces can be defined as a first guide surface 145 and a second guide surface 148. The two friction surfaces are located between the two guide surfaces, and the trolley body 130 is provided with two guide wheels 134 corresponding to the two guide surfaces, the positions of the two guide wheels 134 correspond to the positions of the two guide surfaces one by one, and each guide wheel 134 can rotate to rollingly engage with the corresponding guide surface. When the sorting trolley 13 moves along the track 12, the guide wheel 134 can roll on the corresponding guide surface.

[0070] In this embodiment, the "rollingly engage" means that the structure A can roll on the structure B, and the relative movement between the two structures has a rolling friction, or the two structures are engaged through a gear and a rack.

[0071] Through the rollingly engaged guide wheel 134 and the guide surface, when the driving mechanism 14 drives the friction wheel 133 to rotate, the sorting trolley 13 moves more stably and smoothly, and the position of the sorting trolley 13 along the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132 can be limited, so that the sorting trolley 13 can stably move along the track 12.

[0072] The two conveying positions of the friction wheel 133 correspond to the two friction surfaces one by one, i.e., the first position corresponds to the first friction surface 140, and the second position corresponds to the second friction surface 147. When the sorting trolley 13 moves, the friction wheel 133 located at the first position can rollingly engage with the first friction surface 140, and the friction wheel 133 located at the second position can rollingly engage with the second friction surface 147.

[0073] When the sorting trolley 13 moves, the rotation direction of the friction wheel 133 when rollingly engaging with the first friction surface 140 is opposite to the rotation direction of the friction wheel 133 when rollingly engaging with the second friction surface 147. When the rotation direction of the friction wheel 133 is opposite, the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132 is opposite. The position of the friction wheel 133 determines the rotation direction of the friction wheel 133 and the conveying direction of the conveying belt 132. Figure 6 ​As shown, when the friction wheel 133 is in the first position, as the sorting trolley 13 moves, the friction wheel 133 can roll along the first friction surface 140, and the first friction surface 140 is configured to make the friction wheel 133 rotate forward. The forward-rotating friction wheel 133 drives the conveyor belt 132 to convey the items to the first bag drop port 115 along the first conveying direction; please refer to Figure 8 As shown, when the friction wheel 133 is in the second position, as the sorting trolley 13 moves, the friction wheel 133 can roll along the second friction surface 147. The second friction surface 147 is configured to drive the friction wheel 133 to reverse. The reversed friction wheel 133 drives the conveyor belt 132 to convey items along the second conveying direction to the second bag drop port 116. When the friction wheel 133 is in the standby position, the friction wheel 133 is separated from the two friction surfaces at the same time. The friction wheel 133 remains stationary and passes through the standby channel 141. At this time, the conveyor belt 132 does not move and can carry the items along the track 12 along with the sorting trolley 13. It should be noted that the "forward rotation" and "reverse rotation" mentioned in this embodiment are relative. For example, forward rotation is clockwise rotation, while reverse rotation is counterclockwise rotation. Similarly, forward rotation is counterclockwise rotation, while reverse rotation is clockwise rotation.

[0074] The standby position is set between the first position and the second position, so that the standby channel 141 is located between the first friction surface 140 and the second friction surface 147, so that the driving mechanism 14 has a compact structure, which is conducive to the miniaturization design of the cross-belt sorter 10. In addition, since the friction wheel 133 has the shortest distance from the standby position to the first position or the second position when the sorting trolley 13 transports items to the bag drop port, the friction wheel 133 takes up a small space and is light in weight on the sorting trolley 13, which is conducive to the miniaturization and lightweight design of the sorting trolley 13.

[0075] like Figure 4 As shown, the sorting trolley 13 may further include an elastic mechanism 135, which is configured to cause the friction wheel 133 to have a tendency to return to the standby position. The provision of the elastic mechanism 135 ensures that when the sorting trolley 13 does not need to convey items to the bag drop port, the friction wheel 133 remains stably in the standby position. The friction wheel 133 stably moves along the standby channel 141 without contacting other structures (such as the first friction surface 140 or the second friction surface 147). This ensures that the items are always stably placed on the conveyor belt 132 before the sorting trolley 13 moves to the target bag drop port opposite the items carried by the sorting trolley 13.

[0076] Moreover, since the first friction surface 140 is arranged on the side of the first flat plate 150 away from the second flat plate 151, the second friction surface 147 is arranged on the side of the second flat plate 151 away from the first flat plate 150, and the standby channel 141 is located between the first flat plate 150 and the second flat plate 151, when the friction wheel 133 is in rolling cooperation with the first friction surface 140, the elastic mechanism 135 can press the friction wheel 133 on the first friction surface 140, so that the rolling friction between the friction wheel 133 and the first friction surface 140 is larger, and the slipping of the friction wheel 133 is avoided, so that the forward rotation of the friction wheel 133 is ensured, and then the driving of the conveying belt 132 to convey the articles is ensured; when the friction wheel 133 is in rolling cooperation with the second friction surface 147, the elastic mechanism 135 can press the friction wheel 133 on the second friction surface 147, so that the rolling friction between the friction wheel 133 and the second friction surface 147 is larger, and the slipping of the friction wheel 133 is avoided, so that the reverse rotation of the friction wheel 133 is ensured, and then the driving of the conveying belt 132 to convey the articles is ensured. Therefore, the arrangement of the elastic mechanism 135 also ensures that the articles on the sorting trolley 13 can be reliably sent to the drop port.

[0077] Specifically, the elastic mechanism 135 can include a first spring and a second spring, both of which are connected between the bracket 131 and the vehicle body 130, and the first spring and the second spring are located on both sides of the bracket 131, when the friction wheel 133 is located at the first position, the bracket 131 presses the first spring and stretches the second spring, the first spring and the second spring are deformed under stress, and together exert an elastic force on the bracket 131 to move to the standby position, so that the friction wheel 133 is pressed on the first friction surface 140 with a certain pressure; when the friction wheel 133 is located at the second position, the bracket 131 presses the second spring and stretches the first spring, the first spring and the second spring are deformed under stress, and together exert an elastic force on the bracket 131 to move to the standby position, so that the friction wheel 133 can be pressed on the second friction surface 147 with a certain pressure.

[0078] In addition, as shown in the figure, the driving mechanism 14 can also include two first guide surfaces 142, two second guide surfaces 143 and two limiting surfaces 144. Figure 6

[0079] The two first guide surfaces 142 are respectively connected with the starting ends of the two friction surfaces at a first included angle, and the range of the first included angle is 180°-270°; the two second guide surfaces 143 are respectively connected with the ending ends of the two friction surfaces at a second included angle, and the range of the second included angle is 180°-270°.

[0080] ​Specifically, one of the two first guide surfaces 142 is connected with the starting end of the first friction surface 140 at a first included angle, for guiding the friction wheel 133 in the first position to smoothly roll with the first friction surface 140; the other of the two first guide surfaces 142 is connected with the starting end of the second friction surface 147 at a first included angle, for guiding the friction wheel 133 in the second position to smoothly roll with the second friction surface 147.

[0081] Optionally, the two first guide surfaces 142 are symmetrically arranged about the standby channel 141, and specifically, in the embodiment, the driving mechanism 14 further comprises two first inclined plates 152, and the two first guide surfaces 142 are arranged on the two first inclined plates 152 respectively. The ends of the two first inclined plates 152 are connected with the starting ends of the first plate 150 and the second plate 151 at a first included angle respectively, the starting ends of the two first inclined plates 152 extend towards the standby channel 141, and the distance between the starting ends of the two first inclined plates 152 is greater than the outer diameter of the friction wheel 133, so that the friction wheel 133 in the standby position can pass between the starting ends of the two first inclined plates 152.

[0082] Specifically, one of the two second guide surfaces 143 is connected with the end of the first friction surface 140 at a second included angle, for guiding the friction wheel 133 rolling with the first friction surface 140 to move to the standby position; the other of the two second guide surfaces 143 is connected with the end of the second friction surface 147 at a second included angle, for guiding the friction wheel 133 rolling with the second friction surface 147 to move to the standby position.

[0083] The friction wheel 133 of the embodiment moves to the standby position under the guidance of the second guide surface 143 of a falling package unit when passing through the falling package unit, so as to facilitate the friction wheel 133 to enter the next falling package unit.

[0084] Specifically, the driving mechanism 14 further comprises two second inclined plates 153, and the two second guide surfaces 143 are arranged on the two second inclined plates 153 respectively. The starting ends of the two second inclined plates 153 are connected with the ends of the first plate 150 and the second plate 151 at a second included angle respectively, and the ends of the two second inclined plates 153 extend towards the standby channel 141 respectively, and the distance between the ends of the two second inclined plates 153 is greater than the outer diameter of the friction wheel 133, so that the friction wheel 133 in the standby position can pass between the ends of the two second inclined plates 153.

[0085] The two limiting surfaces 144 correspond to the two second guide surfaces 143 one by one, each limiting surface 144 is arranged opposite to the corresponding second guide surface 143, and a reset channel 154 is formed between the opposite limiting surface 144 and the second guide surface 143. The two limiting surfaces 144 and the two second guide surfaces 143 form two reset channels 154, and the two reset channels 154 are communicated with the standby channel 141.

[0086] When the sorting trolley 13 moves along the track 12, the friction wheel 133 in the conveying position is in rolling contact with one of the two friction surfaces after passing the first guide surface 142. When the friction wheel 133 reaches the tail of the friction surface, under the guidance of the second guide surface 143, the friction wheel 133 enters the standby channel 141 through the reset channel 154, so that the friction wheel 133 resets to the standby position, so that the friction wheel 133 is convenient for entering the next package falling unit. In the embodiment, the reset channel 154 can prevent the position of the friction wheel 133 from deviating when resetting to the standby position.

[0087] Optionally, in the above process, the elastic mechanism 135 always has a movement tendency of resetting the friction wheel 133 to the standby position, so that the elastic mechanism 135 can not only ensure that the friction wheel 133 can reliably rotate when rolling with the friction surface, but also ensure that the friction wheel 133 can reliably reset to the standby position after the driving conveyor belt 132 completes the conveying of the articles, and in the process of resetting the friction wheel 133 to the standby position, the friction wheel 133 is in rolling cooperation with the second guide surface 143, and the resistance when the sorting trolley 13 moves is also reduced.

[0088] As shown in Figure 6 The position of the friction wheel 133 is switched by the position switching mechanism 16, which is configured to drive the friction wheel 133 to move to one of the standby position and the two conveying positions (i.e. the first position and the second position) relative to the trolley body 130; so as to realize the rolling cooperation of the friction wheel 133 with the first friction surface 140, or the rolling cooperation of the friction wheel 133 with the second friction surface 147, or the friction wheel 133 keeps still, so that the sorting trolley 13 realizes the function of moving along the track 12 and conveying articles.

[0089] The position switching mechanism 16 is located upstream of the driving mechanism 14 in the moving direction of the sorting trolley 13.

[0090] The structure of the position switching mechanism 16 is not limited, and in the embodiment, the following scheme is provided: please refer to Figure 6As shown, the position switching mechanism 16 comprises a driving member and two moving members 160. The driving member can be an electric motor or an electromagnet, etc. The moving members 160 can adopt a plate structure, and the two moving members 160 are oppositely and spacedly arranged, and a transition passage 161 is formed between the two moving members 160. Each moving member 160 is movably arranged on the base plate 110. The driving member drives the two moving members 160 to move, so that the transition passage 161 has a first state, a standby state and a second state. When the transition passage 161 is in the standby state, the outlet of the transition passage 161 is opposite and communicated with the inlet of the standby passage 141. With the movement of the sorting trolley 13, the friction wheel 133 in the standby position passes through the transition passage 161 and the standby passage 141 in turn. When the sorting trolley 13 passes through the drop package unit, the conveying belt 132 of the sorting trolley 13 does not convey the articles to the drop package openings on both sides. When the transition passage 161 is in the first state, the transition passage 161 is communicated with the first friction surface 140. The friction wheel 133 can move to the first position along the transition passage 161, so that the friction wheel 133 can be rollingly matched with the first friction surface 140. When the transition passage 161 is in the second state, the transition passage 161 is communicated with the second friction surface 147. With the movement of the sorting trolley 13, the friction wheel 133 can move to the second position along the transition passage 161, so that the friction wheel 133 can be rollingly matched with the second friction surface 147.

[0091] In other embodiments provided by the present application, the position switching mechanism 16 comprises two electromagnets, and the two electromagnets are arranged upstream of the driving mechanism 14. The support 131 of the sorting trolley 13 is provided with an attracting member. When the sorting trolley 13 moves to the position switching mechanism 16, when the position switching mechanism 16 is in the first state, one of the two electromagnets works to attract the attracting member, so that the support 131 with the friction wheel 133 can move to the first position. When the position switching mechanism 16 is in the second state, the other electromagnet works to attract the attracting member, so that the support 131 with the friction wheel 133 can move to the second position. When the position switching mechanism 16 is in the standby state, the two electromagnets do not work, and the friction wheel 133 remains in the standby position.

[0092] In the present embodiment, the cross-belt sorting machine 10 further comprises a guide groove 146. The guide groove 146 is located upstream of the position switching mechanism 16 along the movement direction of the sorting trolley 13. The guide groove 146 extends along the movement direction of the sorting trolley 13. The inlet of the guide groove 146 is opposite and communicated with the outlet of the standby passage 141 of the upstream drop package unit. The outlet of the guide groove 146 is opposite and communicated with the inlet of the transition passage 161. The guide groove 146 can guide the friction wheel 133 to smoothly enter the transition passage 161.

[0093] The working mode of the cross-belt sorting machine 10 provided by the present embodiment is as follows:

[0094] The power mechanism 111 of the cross-belt sorter 10 is started to work, and the sorting trolley 13 moves along the track 12; the articles are placed on the conveying belts 132 of different sorting trolleys 13 respectively; the sorting trolley 13 reaches the upstream of the drop-off unit, and the following operations are performed during the movement of the sorting trolley 13:

[0095] The control system determines the articles on the sorting trolley 13: if the articles need to be conveyed to the first drop-off port 115 of the drop-off unit, the position switching mechanism 16 is controlled to be in the first state, the friction wheel 133 is moved to the first position, the friction wheel 133 is in rolling cooperation with the first friction surface 140, the elastic mechanism 135 presses the friction wheel 133 against the first friction surface 140, the friction wheel 133 rotates in the forward direction, and drives the conveying belt 132 to convey the articles on the conveying belt 132 to the first drop-off port 115 in the first conveying direction; if the articles need to be conveyed to the second drop-off port 116, the position switching mechanism 16 is controlled to be in the second state, the friction wheel 133 is moved to the second position, the friction wheel 133 is in rolling cooperation with the second friction surface 147, the elastic mechanism 135 presses the friction wheel 133 against the second friction surface 147, the friction wheel 133 rotates in the reverse direction, and drives the conveying belt 132 to convey the articles to the second drop-off port 116 in the second conveying direction; if the articles do not need to be conveyed to the first drop-off port 115 and the second drop-off port 116 of the drop-off unit, the position switching mechanism 16 is controlled to be in the standby state, the friction wheel 133 passes through the standby passage 141 to enter the next drop-off unit, and the above steps are repeated.

[0096] The above only describes the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A cross-belt sorting machine, comprising a frame, a track arranged on the frame, and a plurality of sorting carts capable of moving along the track, wherein a bag drop opening is provided on both sides of the track; characterized in that: The sorting trolley includes a vehicle body, a conveyor belt and a friction wheel provided on the vehicle body. The friction wheel is movably and rotatably provided on the vehicle body and is in transmission connection with the conveyor belt. The friction wheel is used to drive the conveyor belt to transport items to the bag drop port. The cross-belt sorter further comprises a driving mechanism and a position switching mechanism provided on the frame, wherein the driving mechanism comprises two friction surfaces extending along the moving direction of the sorting trolley, and when the sorting trolley moves, the position switching mechanism is configured to drive the friction wheel to move relative to the trolley body so as to roll with one of the two friction surfaces, wherein the rotation direction of the friction wheel when rolling with one of the two friction surfaces is opposite to the rotation direction of the friction wheel when rolling with the other of the two friction surfaces, and when the rotation direction of the friction wheel is opposite, the conveying direction of the conveyor belt is reversed; The two friction surfaces are arranged in a spaced relationship with each other, and a standby channel is formed between the two friction surfaces; the friction wheel has a standby position and two conveying positions relative to the vehicle body, and the two conveying positions correspond to the two friction surfaces one by one. The standby position is located between the two conveying positions. When the sorting vehicle moves, the friction wheel at the standby position passes through the standby channel, and the friction wheel at the conveying position rolls along the corresponding friction surface; The sorting trolley further includes an elastic mechanism configured to cause the friction wheel to have a tendency to return to the standby position.

2. The cross belt sorter according to claim 1, characterized in that: Along the moving direction of the sorting trolley, the position switching mechanism is located upstream of the driving mechanism; the position switching mechanism is configured to drive the friction wheel to move relative to the vehicle body to one of the standby position and the two conveying positions.

3. The cross belt sorter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism further includes two first guiding surfaces, which are respectively connected to the starting ends of the two friction surfaces at a first angle, and the range of the first angle is 180°-270°.

4. The cross belt sorter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism further includes two second guiding surfaces, which are respectively connected to the ends of the two friction surfaces at a second angle, and the range of the second angle is 180°-270°.

5. The cross belt sorter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving mechanism further includes two limiting surfaces, which correspond one to one with the two second guide surfaces. Each limiting surface is spaced relative to the corresponding second guide surface, and a reset channel is formed between the relative limiting surfaces and the second guide surfaces.

6. The cross belt sorter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A base plate is provided on the frame, and the position switching mechanism and the driving mechanism are both installed on the base plate.

7. The cross belt sorter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The driving mechanism, the position switching mechanism and the two bag dropping ports located on both sides of the track and opposite to each other along the conveying direction of the conveyor belt constitute a bag dropping unit. The cross-belt sorting machine includes multiple bag dropping units, and the multiple bag dropping units are arranged in sequence along the track.

8. The cross belt sorter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The sorting trolley further includes two guide wheels, which are rotatably arranged on the trolley body. The driving mechanism further includes two guide surfaces extending along the moving direction of the sorting trolley. The two guide surfaces are spaced apart relative to or opposite to each other, and the two friction surfaces are both located between the two guide surfaces. When the sorting trolley moves, the two guide wheels respectively roll with the two guide surfaces.

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