Parts supply control method for sorting non-standard parts

Abstract

The feeding control method for sorting non-standard parts described in the present invention can continuously and orderly load NC parts before they are loaded onto the sorting machine, thereby achieving the design goals of improving feeding efficiency and accuracy, preventing errors in tracking information on the waybill, and preventing subsequent missorting problems. Multiple groups of feeding devices arranged in parallel are provided vertically above the sorting machine, each group of feeding mechanisms including at least two vertically stacked, independently operated feeding mechanisms; the feeding mechanisms have a vertically arranged inlet and an outlet connected to a flip assembly, the flip assembly being used to close or open the outlet of the feeding mechanism, and a detection component for detecting the presence of a package is provided at the bottom of the feeding mechanism; the non-standard part packages manually picked out are placed into the feeding mechanism located at the vertical top layer, and the packages that meet the sorting conditions fall from the "upper" feeding mechanism into the "lower" feeding mechanism, and are finally fed one by one to the sorting machine, completing the single-piece feeding process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a part supply control method for sorting non-standard parts, belonging to the technical field of logistics sorting. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of the domestic economy, more and more information technology and automation equipment have been widely used in the fields of industrial production and logistics transportation.

[0003] In current express delivery and e-commerce logistics, the outer packaging of cargo parcels is becoming increasingly diverse, including various types with unique characteristics that hinder automated sorting efficiency. These include asymmetric or irregular shapes, such as spherical and cylindrical shapes, which are prone to rolling and slipping. These irregular-shaped items are collectively referred to in the industry as NC (non-standard) parts. Because NC parcels cannot be automatically sorted, identified, and inducted using existing induction platforms, the typical solution is to deploy a large number of on-site operators to perform the sorting manually.

[0004] NC pieces generally account for about 5% of the total number of packages. However, with the rapid development of the express delivery and e-commerce logistics industries, the daily express delivery volume has already exceeded 100 million pieces. The above-mentioned existing technical solutions not only occupy a large amount of human resources, but also have low operating efficiency and are prone to sorting errors, which restricts the promotion of automation technology.

[0005] In view of this, this patent application is hereby filed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The supply control method for sorting non-standard parts described in the present invention aims to solve the problems existing in the above-mentioned prior art and propose a control process for completing the automatic supply of NC parts, so that the NC parts can be loaded continuously and orderly before being loaded onto the sorting machine, thereby achieving the design purpose of improving supply efficiency and accuracy, preventing errors in tracking of delivery note information and causing subsequent sorting errors.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned design objectives, the feeding control method for sorting non-standard parts described in the present application is to set up multiple groups of parallel-arranged feeding devices vertically above the sorting machine, and each group of feeding mechanisms includes at least two vertically stacked and independently operated feeding mechanisms; the feeding mechanism has an inlet arranged vertically and an outlet connected to a flip component, and the flip component is used to close or open the outlet of the feeding mechanism. A detection component for detecting whether there is a package is provided at the bottom of the feeding mechanism; the non-standard package picked out by humans is placed in the feeding mechanism located at the vertical top layer, and the package that meets the sorting conditions falls from the "upper" feeding mechanism to the "lower" feeding mechanism, and is finally fed to the sorting machine one by one to complete the single-piece feeding process; the barcode information obtained by scanning is sent to the sorting machine by the WCS system.

[0008] Furthermore, the detection component is preferably a mirror-reflective photoelectric, a through-beam photoelectric or a grating. When the package is introduced into the feeding mechanism, the detection component is triggered, and the detection component generates a detection signal and feeds it back to the WCS system.

[0009] Furthermore, the supply control method for sorting non-standard parts includes the following steps:

[0010] 1) Scan the QR code to submit the item

[0011] 1.1) At the manual barcode scanning station, the barcode information on the packages is scanned one by one by a human. The scanned packages are placed in the "upper" feeding mechanism of any of the multiple feeding devices;

[0012] 1.2) The WCS system reads the current status of the flip assembly to determine whether the outlet of the "upper" feeding mechanism is in a closed state;

[0013] If not, the parcel information temporarily stored in the "upper" feeding mechanism will be cleared, an alarm will be issued, and manual intervention will be required;

[0014] If yes, the WCS system reads the signal fed back by the detection components;

[0015] 1.3) The WCS system determines whether there are still unprocessed packages in the "upper" infeed mechanism;

[0016] If yes, clear the parcel information currently stored in the "upper" feeding mechanism, issue an alarm, and ask for manual intervention;

[0017] If not, the barcode information of the package placed in the "upper" feeding mechanism is saved;

[0018] 2) Sorting and loading

[0019] 2.1) The WCS system reads the current status of the flip assembly of the "lower" feeding mechanism of any of the multiple feeding devices to determine whether the discharge port of the "lower" feeding mechanism is in a closed state;

[0020] If yes, then further read the signal fed back by the detection component;

[0021] 2.2) The WCS system determines whether there are still unprocessed packages in the "downward" infeed mechanism;

[0022] If not, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component of the "upper" infeed mechanism of the infeed device. The flip component opens the outlet of the "upper" infeed mechanism, and the package falls from the "upper" infeed mechanism to the "lower" infeed mechanism.

[0023] 2.3) The WCS system reads the signal fed back by the detection components again to determine whether there is a package in the feeding mechanism “below”;

[0024] If yes, the WCS system sends a control instruction to the flip component of the "upper" feeding mechanism of the feeding device of this group, and the flip component closes the outlet of the "upper" feeding mechanism;

[0025] 2.4) The WCS system determines whether the sorter below the feeding device has an empty vehicle arriving at the loading position;

[0026] If yes, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component of the "down" infeed mechanism. The flip component opens the outfeed port of the "down" infeed mechanism, and the package falls from the "down" infeed mechanism into the sorting cart.

[0027] After a delay, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component of the "downward" feeding mechanism, and the flip component closes the outlet of the "downward" feeding mechanism;

[0028] Finally, the barcode information of the parcel loaded onto the sorting cart is sent to the sorting machine by the WCS system to complete the subsequent feeding process.

[0029] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned scanning and feeding step, the means of manual intervention is to clear all the packages in the "upper" feeding mechanism and / or the "lower" feeding mechanism, and return the packages to the manual scanning station.

[0030] The sorting machine used above is preferably a flip-plate sorting machine, a bag-drop sorting machine or a cross-belt sorting machine.

[0031] In summary, the advantage of the supply control method for non-standard parts sorting in this application is that it realizes automatic management and control of NC parts loading onto the sorting machine without manual intervention and reconfirmation. NC parts can be imported into the sorting machine in an orderly manner, which can improve the accuracy of tracking of delivery note information, help improve sorting efficiency, and significantly reduce the labor cost and labor intensity of on-site operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism;

[0033] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a sorting and loading device using the feeding control method described in this application;

[0034] Figure 3 Yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the feeding process of the device shown;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a flow chart of the supply control method for sorting non-standard parts described in this application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0037] Example 1, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the feeding control method for non-standard parts sorting described in this application is applied, and multiple groups of feeding devices arranged in parallel are provided vertically above the sorting machine 100, and each group of feeding mechanisms includes two vertically stacked and independently operated feeding mechanisms 1;

[0038] The feeding mechanism 1 has a vertically arranged feeding port and a feeding port connected to a flip assembly 2. The flip assembly 2 is used to close or open the feeding mechanism 1 feeding port.

[0039] A detection element 3 is provided at the bottom of the infeed mechanism 1 to detect the presence of a package. The detection element 3 can preferably be a mirror-reflective photoelectric device, a through-beam photoelectric device, a grating, or other detection device. When a package is introduced into the infeed mechanism 1, the detection element 3 is triggered, generating a detection signal that is fed back to the WCS system.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the non-standard parcels picked out manually are placed in the feeding mechanism 1 at the top vertical layer. After meeting the sorting conditions described in the following control method, the parcels fall from the top feeding mechanism to the bottom feeding mechanism, and are finally fed one by one to the sorting machine 100 below, completing the single-piece feeding process.

[0041] The sorting machine 100 used above is preferably a flip-plate sorting machine, a bag-drop sorting machine or a cross-belt sorting machine.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the supply control method for sorting non-standard parts described in this application includes the following steps:

[0043] 1) Scan the QR code to submit the item

[0044] 1.1) At the manual barcode scanning station, the barcode information on the packages is scanned one by one by a human. The scanned packages are placed in the "upper" feeding mechanism 1 of any of the multiple feeding devices;

[0045] 1.2) The WCS system reads the current status of the flip assembly 2 to determine whether the outlet of the "upper" feeding mechanism 1 is in a closed state;

[0046] If not, the parcel information temporarily stored in the "upper" feeding mechanism 1 is cleared, an alarm is issued, and manual intervention is required. The manual intervention method is to clear all the parcels in the "upper" feeding mechanism and the "lower" feeding mechanism, and return the parcel to the manual scanning station;

[0047] If yes, the WCS system reads the signal fed back by the detection component 3;

[0048] 1.3) The WCS system determines whether there are still unprocessed packages in the "upper" infeed mechanism 1;

[0049] If so, the parcel information temporarily stored in the "upper" feeding mechanism 1 is cleared, an alarm is issued, and manual intervention is required. The manual intervention is to clear all the parcels in the "upper" feeding mechanism and return the parcels to the manual scanning station.

[0050] If not, the barcode information of the package placed in the "upper" feeding mechanism 1 is saved;

[0051] 2) Sorting and loading

[0052] 2.1) The WCS system reads the current status of the flip assembly 2 of the "lower" feeding mechanism 1 of any of the multiple feeding devices to determine whether the discharge port of the "lower" feeding mechanism 1 is in a closed state;

[0053] If yes, then further read the signal fed back by the detection component 3;

[0054] 2.2) The WCS system determines whether there are still unprocessed packages in the "lower" infeed mechanism 1;

[0055] If not, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component 2 of the "upper" feeding mechanism 1 of the feeding device group. The flip component 2 opens the outlet of the "upper" feeding mechanism 1, and the package falls from the "upper" feeding mechanism to the "lower" feeding mechanism;

[0056] 2.3) The WCS system reads the signal fed back by the detection component 3 again to determine whether there is a package in the "downward" feeding mechanism 1;

[0057] If yes, the WCS system sends a control instruction to the flip component 2 of the "upper" feeding mechanism 1 of the feeding device of the group, and the flip component 2 closes the outlet of the "upper" feeding mechanism 1;

[0058] 2.4) The WCS system determines whether an empty vehicle has arrived at the loading position of the sorter 100 below the infeed device of the group;

[0059] If yes, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component 2 of the "downward" feeding mechanism 1. The flip component 2 opens the outlet of the "downward" feeding mechanism 1, and the package falls from the "downward" feeding mechanism into the sorting trolley.

[0060] After a delay, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component 2 of the "downward" feeding mechanism 1, and the flip component 2 closes the outlet of the "downward" feeding mechanism 1;

[0061] Finally, the barcode information of the parcel loaded onto the sorting cart is sent to the sorting machine 100 by the WCS system to complete the subsequent feeding process.

[0062] As described above, similar technical solutions can be derived from the solutions presented in the drawings and description. Any modifications, equivalent variations, and modifications to the shapes, sizes, connection methods, and mounting structures of the components described above, as well as minor adjustments to the positions and structures of the components, made in accordance with the technical essence of the present invention, without departing from the structural content of the present invention, shall remain within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the supply of non-standard parts, characterized by: Set vertically above the sorting machine Multiple groups of feeding devices arranged in parallel, each group of feeding mechanisms includes at least two vertically stacked and independently operated feeding mechanisms; The feeding mechanism has a vertically arranged inlet and an outlet connected to a flip assembly. The flip assembly is used to close or open the outlet of the feeding mechanism. A detection component is provided at the bottom of the feeding mechanism to detect whether there is a package. Non-standard parcels picked out manually are placed in the infeed mechanism on the top vertical floor. Parcels that meet the sorting criteria fall from the "upper" infeed mechanism to the "lower" infeed mechanism and are eventually fed one by one to the sorter, completing the single-piece feeding process. The scanned barcode information is sent to the sorter by the WCS system. The following steps are included: 1) Scan the QR code to submit the item 1.1) At the manual barcode scanning station, the barcode information on the packages is scanned one by one by a human. The scanned packages are placed in the "upper" feeding mechanism of any of the multiple feeding devices; 1.2) The WCS system reads the current status of the flip assembly to determine whether the outlet of the "upper" feeding mechanism is in a closed state; If not, the parcel information temporarily stored in the "upper" feeding mechanism will be cleared, an alarm will be issued, and manual intervention will be required; If yes, the WCS system reads the signal fed back by the detection components; 1.3) The WCS system determines whether there are still unprocessed packages in the "upper" infeed mechanism; If yes, clear the parcel information currently stored in the "upper" feeding mechanism, issue an alarm, and ask for manual intervention; If not, the barcode information of the package placed in the "upper" feeding mechanism is saved; 2) Sorting and loading 2.1) The WCS system reads the current status of the flip assembly of the "lower" feeding mechanism of any of the multiple feeding devices to determine whether the discharge port of the "lower" feeding mechanism is in a closed state; If yes, then further read the signal fed back by the detection component; 2.2) The WCS system determines whether there are still unprocessed packages in the "downward" infeed mechanism; If not, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component of the "upper" infeed mechanism of the infeed device. The flip component opens the outlet of the "upper" infeed mechanism, and the package falls from the "upper" infeed mechanism to the "lower" infeed mechanism. 2.3) The WCS system reads the signal fed back by the detection components again to determine whether there is a package in the "downward" feeding mechanism; If yes, the WCS system sends a control instruction to the flip component of the "upper" feeding mechanism of the feeding device of this group, and the flip component closes the outlet of the "upper" feeding mechanism; 2.4) The WCS system determines whether the sorter below the feeding device of this group has an empty car arriving at the loading position; If yes, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component of the "down" infeed mechanism. The flip component opens the outfeed port of the "down" infeed mechanism, and the package falls from the "down" infeed mechanism into the sorting cart. After a delay, the WCS system sends a control command to the flip component of the "downward" feeding mechanism, and the flip component closes the outlet of the "downward" feeding mechanism; Finally, the barcode information of the parcel loaded onto the sorting cart is sent to the sorting machine by the WCS system to complete the subsequent feeding process.

2. The method for controlling the supply of non-standard parts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection component is preferably a mirror-reflective photoelectric, a through-beam photoelectric or a grating. When the package is introduced into the feeding mechanism, the detection component is triggered, and the detection component generates a detection signal and feeds it back to the WCS system.

3. The method for controlling the supply of non-standard parts according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the scanning and feeding step, the means of manual intervention is to clear all the packages in the "upper" feeding mechanism and / or the "lower" feeding mechanism, and return the packages to the manual scanning station.

4. The part supply control method for sorting non-standard parts according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sorting machine is preferably a flip-plate sorting machine, a bag-drop sorting machine or a cross-belt sorting machine.

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