System for sorting products, method for sorting products and computer program product

Abstract

A system (1) for sorting products comprises: - a conveyor (11) comprising successive carriers (113) extending parallel to each other, the carriers being associated with pusher bodies (114), electric motors (117) being used to move the pusher bodies along the carriers in a sorting direction; - a central control server (12) arranged to transmit destination data relating to a sorting location; - a plurality of controllers (13) in communication with the central control server and movable in a transport direction, each controller controlling two or more electric motors according to the destination data received from the central control server; - a fixed access point, AP (14), in communication with the server; and - a pair of fixed radiating cables (15, 16) connected to the AP, one radiating cable extending in the transport direction and the other radiating cable extending against the transport direction, the radiating cables being arranged to communicate with the controllers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system for sorting products, comprising a conveyor capable of moving along a transport direction on a path, along which multiple sorting positions are arranged. The conveyor includes a plurality of elongated carriers positioned sequentially and extending parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. These carriers are configured to carry products to be sorted, and all or a group of the carriers are associated with ejectors to form carrier-ejector assemblies. Each carrier-ejector assembly is provided with an ejector displacement device, which includes an electric motor for moving the ejector along the carrier in a sorting direction transverse to the transport direction, thereby pushing the products carried by the carriers away from the carriers. Background Technology

[0002] This type of system is described in PCT patent application PCT / NL2019 / 050488. This particular patent application focuses on the concept that the system includes a distance determining device configured to determine a distance parameter relating to a distance, or at least a distance segment, between an ejector in a combination having a carrier carrying products to be sorted and the products to be sorted carried by the carrier, as observed in the sorting direction, and to transmit this distance parameter to an onboard control system, wherein the onboard control system is configured to control the onboard drive unit of the combination based on the distance data.

[0003] The aforementioned system suffers from the drawback of leaving the communication topology in the middle. The central server provides data to controllers associated with the assembly, but no efficient topology is described to achieve this specific aspect. The present invention aims to provide a system for sorting products with an efficient communication topology for exchanging data between a central control server and multiple controllers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, a system for sorting products is provided, the system comprising:

[0005] - A conveyor capable of moving along a path in the transport direction, with multiple sorting positions along the path, the conveyor comprising a plurality of elongated carriers positioned sequentially and extending parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the carriers being configured to carry products to be sorted, all carriers or a group of carriers being associated with an ejector to form a carrier ejector assembly;

[0006] Each carrier ejector assembly is equipped with an ejector displacement device, which includes an electric motor for moving the ejector along the carrier in a sorting direction transverse to the transport direction, so as to push the product carried by the carrier away from the carrier.

[0007] - A central control server, configured to send destination data related to the sorting location where the products to be sorted will be pushed off the carrier;

[0008] - Multiple controllers arranged to communicate with a central control server and capable of moving in the transmission direction together with a carrier or a group of carriers, each controller being arranged to control two or more electric motors of the push-body displacement device according to destination data received from the central control server.

[0009] - At least one fixed access point, or AP, is configured to communicate with the central control server; and

[0010] - A pair of fixed radiating cables connected to the AP, one of which extends in the transmission direction relative to the AP, and the other of which extends in the opposite direction relative to the AP. The pair of radiating cables is arranged for communication with the plurality of controllers.

[0011] According to the invention, the conveyor can be, for example, of a loop type, thus forming a closed loop, wherein the upper loop portion defines a path along which sorting positions are provided and products are transported, while the lower loop portion serves as a return path. The conveyor can be, for example, a conveyor belt, or in principle, any other type of conveyor.

[0012] For example, a conveyor can be driven by a conveyor shifting device, as is well known in the field of conveyors.

[0013] Products to be sorted can be pushed onto or placed on top of elongated carriers. Viewed along the conveyor's transport direction, the elongated carriers are sized such that products span at least two successively positioned elongated carriers. Thus, at least two pushers are controlled together to push the product away from the respective elongated carrier.

[0014] All elongated carriers or a group of elongated carriers are equipped with ejectors. The ejectors are movable relative to the carriers in a sorting direction. The sorting direction is transverse to the transport direction. Each carrier ejector assembly is equipped with an electric motor, such as a direct current (DC) motor, for moving the ejector along the carrier in the sorting direction. In operation, the ejector is pushed against the product to be sorted, causing the product to be sorted to be pushed from its corresponding elongated carrier.

[0015] The operation of the electric motor of the ejector displacement device, and the movement of the ejector thereby, is controlled by a controller. The controller is capable of moving along the transport direction with a carrier or a group of carriers. In other words, the controller is movable relative to a "fixed world," such as a building with a sorting system installed. Commands for operating the electric motor of the ejector displacement device, corresponding to destination data, are received from a central control server that communicates with the controller.

[0016] In contrast to a mobile controller, a central control server is, for example, fixed. In a typical implementation, the server may be located near the sorting system, but in another typical implementation, the server may alternatively be "in the cloud"; the server is located away from the building where the sorting system is installed.

[0017] To enable communication between the mobile controllers and the central control server during sorting system operation, a hierarchical communication architecture is provided. The top layer of this architecture, the "master controller," is the central control server. The bottom layer, the "operator," is the controller. Fixed access points (APs) and a pair of fixed radiating cables are arranged between the central control server and the controllers. As previously described, part of the communication architecture is fixed, while another part is mobile.

[0018] Fixed access points (APs) positioned stationary relative to this "fixed world" are arranged to communicate with a central control server. Similarly stationary radial cables are connected to the APs. Controllers, movable relative to this "fixed world," move along with the conveyor. Destination data transmitted from the central control server is first sent to the APs and then transmitted from the APs along the radial cables. The cables transmit and receive signals along their length, acting as slender antennas. Thus, destination data can be picked up by the controllers as they move along the radial cables, specifically through the antennas associated with the controllers.

[0019] In this way, for example, a fixed radiating cable for a leaky coaxial cable can enable communication initiated by a central control server to move from a static, fixed environment (“fixed world”) to a mobile environment.

[0020] The inventors have discovered that by providing a pair of radial cables connected to the AP, wherein, in particular, one of the radial cables in the pair extends relative to the AP in the opposite direction of the conveyor's transmission, while the other radial cable in the pair extends relative to the AP in the direction of the conveyor's transmission, thus the cables extend in two opposite directions, a robust, reliable and efficient communication architecture can be obtained with a minimum number of components.

[0021] At least one end of each radiating cable is connected to the access point (AP). The free end is connected to a termination impedance. The AP can be connected to both sides of the cable, or two cables can be connected to one side of the AP. More specifically, in some implementations, a single AP may be sufficient to cover communication over a path length of up to 250 or 300 meters.

[0022] Because one of the radial cables in the pair extends in the opposite direction of transmission relative to the AP, and the other radial cable in the pair extends in the direction of transmission relative to the AP, the AP can be positioned away from both the beginning and end of the transmission path when viewed along the conveyor's transmission path. In some embodiments, the AP can be positioned at or near the center of the path (center being relative to the beginning and end of the path), but the AP is certainly not required to be positioned in the middle of the path, even if that might be desirable.

[0023] The inventors have discovered that the above communication architecture has several advantages.

[0024] First, both radiating cables are connected to the same AP and extend in different directions, resulting in relatively long path lengths for the controller and conveyor to receive the same signal. Therefore, long path lengths can be achieved without roaming, which, as those skilled in the art know, is defined as a change in the communication path from one communication source (such as the first AP) to another communication path between the same controller and a different source (such as the second AP). Preferably, when the path is shorter than about 300m, or about 250m, or about 200m, roaming can be completely avoided because the same signal transmitted by the radiating cables can be picked up over the entire length of the path.

[0025] Secondly, utilizing the communication architecture described herein, an efficient architecture can be achieved using only a single AP over relatively long path lengths. In the implementation described below, using two APs is actually superior to using one AP, but the system can also function correctly using one AP. Using only one (or two) APs represents a significant reduction compared to known communication architectures.

[0026] Third, when there are fewer access points (APs), there is less cabling from the central location (such as the central control server) to the different APs, which again reduces the complexity of the architecture.

[0027] Fourth, since the central control server and controllers are no longer physically connected by cables but communicate via radial cables, much wiring can be omitted, especially in the parts of the conveyor that move relative to the "fixed world".

[0028] In this way, the goal was achieved.

[0029] The system disclosed herein, and more specifically the communication architecture used in the system, can utilize different kinds of communication technologies, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and 5G.

[0030] Preferably, because WLAN can support the bit rate required by the system, WLAN is a communication technology used in communication technology. As mentioned above, the system may include multiple controllers, and each of these controllers may need to communicate with a central control server. The total number of data packets exchanged between the central control server and the multiple controllers may increase. The inventors have discovered that WLAN can support this type of communication.

[0031] In one example, each of the plurality of movable controllers is arranged to control up to 32 ejector displacement devices. For example, each controller may be arranged to control 8 to 32 of the ejector displacement devices, such as 8 to 16 ejector displacement devices.

[0032] In principle, from a control perspective, there is virtually no upper limit to the number of ejector shifters a single controller can control, and from the perspective of minimizing the number of components, the more ejector shifters controlled by one controller, the better. However, when the controller fails for any reason, all ejector shifters controlled by that controller become uncontrollable, making it impossible to sort products on the elongated carriers of the conveyor associated with these ejector shifters. From this perspective, the number of ejector shifters controlled by one controller should be kept moderate. Actual testing shows that losing control of up to 32 carriers simultaneously is acceptable without significantly impacting system efficiency.

[0033] In another example, when measured along the transmission direction of the conveyor, the total length of the pair of radial cables exceeds 100 meters and is preferably less than 300 meters.

[0034] When the radiating cable "leaks" a signal (which will be received by the mobile controller), the signal strength decreases with increasing length. As the radiating cable becomes longer, the signal power from the AP to the radiating cable should become increasingly higher to ensure a sufficiently strong signal at the cable end. In practice, it has been found that a maximum length of approximately 150 meters, or preferably approximately 125 meters, for each cable is optimal. Since the cables in the pair extend in opposite directions, this results in a maximum total length of approximately 300 meters, preferably approximately 250 meters, for each pair.

[0035] In another example, the system includes a second pair of fixed radiating cables connected to another second AP, such that the system includes at least two pairs of fixed radiating cables and at least two APs. In this example, the pairs of cables may be arranged sequentially, either partially overlapping or directly aligned one after the other, and the path length may be at least 200 meters.

[0036] In another example, the length of the radiating cable extending along the transmission direction relative to the AP is between 50% and 200%, preferably between 70% and 150%, and more preferably between 90% and 110% of the length of the radiating cable extending against the transmission direction relative to the AP.

[0037] The radiating cable extending in the opposite direction of transmission preferably has approximately the same length as the radiating cable extending in the direction of transmission. However, it is also possible in principle, for example, for one cable to be three times or twice as long as the other cable. Preferably, the outer end of one cable extends to the beginning of the path, while the outer end of the other cable extends to the end of the path, and the AP is arranged between these ends.

[0038] In another example, the system further includes a second pair of fixed radiating cables arranged to communicate with the AP. The second pair of radiating cables is arranged parallel to the first pair of fixed radiating cables, with one radiating cable of the second pair extending in the transmission direction relative to the AP, and the other radiating cable of the second pair extending in the opposite transmission direction relative to the AP. The second pair of radiating cables is arranged to communicate with the plurality of movable controllers.

[0039] This example involves two pairs of fixed cables arranged parallel to each other, i.e., adjacent to each other when viewed from above. Both pairs can be connected to the same access point (AP), but (as described below) these two pairs can also be connected to two different APs. The presence of two pairs of radial cables advantageously provides a redundant system, where a fault in one cable will not cause a system failure, as the function of the faulty cable can be replaced by the redundant cable. This results in a significant reduction in overall system downtime.

[0040] In another example, the system also includes a second fixed access point (AP) arranged to communicate with the central control server and connected to the first pair of fixed radiating cables.

[0041] This approach provides a redundant system where a failure in one access point (AP) does not cause a system failure, as the function of the failed AP can be replaced by a redundant AP. This results in a significant reduction in overall system downtime.

[0042] In yet another example, the system includes two pairs of radiating cables and two access points (APs) (as described above). The two pairs of radiating cables are arranged parallel to each other (as described above), and each radiating cable is connected to a specific AP. This provides optimal redundancy and also allows for sending multiple inputs and receiving multiple outputs.

[0043] When two access points (APs) are present, preferably, the communication frequency band of the first AP is different from the communication frequency of the second AP. When a radiating cable is connected to more than one AP, preferably, the two different frequency bands have non-overlapping frequency ranges to avoid interference.

[0044] Preferably, each frequency band is within the 5 GHz band, particularly between 5.1 GHz and 5.8 GHz. Advantageously, this bandwidth is currently relatively underdeveloped, so when using this frequency band, interference with other signals (i.e., "noise") will also be relatively small.

[0045] As described above, preferably, the length of the radiant cable is at most 150 meters.

[0046] In another example, each of one or more controllers is arranged to control the ejector body displacement device based on sorting parameters, wherein the sorting parameters are any of the following:

[0047] - The discharge angle of the discharge device connected to the system, i.e., the angle between the transmission direction and the discharge direction;

[0048] - Width of the discharge device;

[0049] - Location of the discharge device;

[0050] - The expected speed of the products to be sorted on the discharge device.

[0051] Here, each of the plurality of controllers can be arranged to determine the sorting configuration of the corresponding ejector based on any sorting parameter, wherein the sorting configuration is related to the position of the ejector relative to its corresponding elongated carrier.

[0052] The inventors have discovered that it is beneficial to consider sorting parameters in order to determine an effective way to push a particular product away from the corresponding elongated body.

[0053] Sorting parameters are related to the system's own parameters, such as the discharge angle, discharge width, discharge position, and / or the expected speed of the product to be sorted on the discharge device. These types of parameters can be considered when sorting specific products, i.e., when pushing specific products away from corresponding elongated bodies.

[0054] For example, the controller can take into account the expected speed of the products to be sorted on the discharge device to determine the exit speed of the corresponding ejector. In other words, it would be beneficial if the exit speed of the corresponding ejector were adjusted to match the expected speed of the products to be sorted.

[0055] In one example, each controller is configured to:

[0056] -The ejector body shifting device controls the corresponding ejector body to the initial position, so that the corresponding ejector body abuts or approaches the product to be sorted;

[0057] - By controlling the ejector displacement device, the corresponding ejector starts from the initial position and follows the sorting configuration to sort the products to be sorted at the sorting position.

[0058] It has been found that controlling the ejector to its initial position is beneficial, and in the second step, the products are sorted in a manner that ensures the corresponding ejector follows a defined or predetermined sorting configuration. The sorting configuration can be determined by the controller based on sorting parameters, or it can be predetermined by, for example, the system operator. This allows for efficient product sorting, where the risk of any errors is reduced.

[0059] A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for sorting products to be sorted using the system described above, wherein the method includes the following steps:

[0060] - One of the controllers receives destination data from the central control server via at least one fixed AP and a fixed radiating cable, which is associated with the sorting location from which the product to be sorted will be pushed away from the carrier;

[0061] – One of the controllers controls any of the ejector displacement devices at the sorting location by driving the corresponding electric motor based on the received destination data.

[0062] It should be noted that the advantages and limitations disclosed in the embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention also correspond to the embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention, namely, the method for sorting products to be sorted.

[0063] In one example, the receiving steps include:

[0064] - Receive at least one sorting parameter, wherein the sorting parameter is any one of the following:

[0065] - The discharge angle of the discharge device connected to the system, i.e., the angle between the transmission direction and the discharge direction;

[0066] - Width of the discharge device;

[0067] - Location of the discharge device;

[0068] - The expected speed of the products to be sorted on the discharge device;

[0069] Furthermore, the control steps are based on any of the sorting parameters.

[0070] A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to perform the method described above. Attached Figure Description

[0071] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings, based on a description of several possible embodiments thereof, in which the same parts and features are indicated by the same reference numerals:

[0072] Figure 1 A side view of a system for sorting products according to this disclosure is shown schematically;

[0073] Figure 2 A system for sorting products according to this disclosure is schematically shown in a top view;

[0074] Figure 3 A side view schematically illustrates a carrier ejector assembly that forms part of a system for sorting products according to this disclosure;

[0075] Figure 4 The schematic illustration shows a high-level design as part of a communication architecture provided as part of a system for sorting products according to this disclosure; and

[0076] Figure 5 The schematic illustration shows a high-level design of another part of the communication architecture provided as part of a system for sorting products according to this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0077] Figure 1 A highly schematic overview of system 1 for sorting products is shown in a side view, but Figure 1The product is not shown. System 1 includes a conveyor 11, which is a loop conveyor. Conveyor 11 is driven here by two conveyor shifting devices 124, but one of them may be a guide device, and in practice only the other drives conveyor 11. In practice, typically, the conveyor shifting device will only be present on the downstream side of the conveyor, near the end of the transport path. Conveyor 1 is driven along the transport direction T. In the figure, the length of conveyor 11 appears relatively small (at least compared to its height), but those skilled in the art will understand that, in practice, the length is in principle unlimited and can be, for example, several hundred meters, such as more than 100 meters, such as 200 meters, 250 meters, 300 meters or longer. Conveyor 11 has an upper loop section 122 that moves in operation along the transport direction T from the start point 120 of the path of conveyor 11 to the end point 121 of the path of conveyor 11 and carries the product. The conveyor 11 also has a return loop section 123 that moves from the end point 121 of the path back to the beginning point 120 of the path in the opposite direction of the transport T.

[0078] In the figure, the path is shown as a straight path, but those skilled in the art will understand that the path may alternatively have various twists, turns, curves, and other non-linear components. The conveyor 11 shown herein has two conveyor shifting devices 124, but those skilled in the art will understand that, particularly when the conveyor 11 is relatively long, more conveyor shifting devices 124 may be provided, and, for example, the conveyor 11 may include several loop sections.

[0079] A feeding device 119 is provided near the starting point 120 of the path. Several discharge and sorting locations are provided along the path, which will be described in more detail below.

[0080] Figure 1 The diagram further illustrates multiple carrier-pushing assembly 115s; although only one is labeled, a large number of such assemblies 115 can be identified. The assemblies 115, visible only from the side in this view, extend in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction T and are arranged sequentially, with different assemblies 115 extending parallel to each other. As discussed in more detail below, an assembly 115 includes a carrier 113 (hereinafter referred to as a slat) and a pushing body 114 (hereinafter referred to as a boot), wherein the product is carried on the carrier 113, and the product can be pushed off the slat by the pushing body 14.

[0081] Further along this path are access point (AP) 14, a radiating cable 15 extending relative to AP 14 in the transmission direction T, and a radiating cable 16 extending relative to AP 14 in the opposite direction to the transmission direction T. The functions of these radiating cables 15, 16, and AP 14 will be discussed below.

[0082] Go to Figure 2 The diagram shows a top view of system 1, showing only the upper loop of conveyor 11. Again, the feed device 119 is visible near the start of the path defined by conveyor 11. Product P from feed device 119 is placed on conveyor 11. Now more preferably visible, conveyor 11 comprises multiple slats 113, of which only one slat is identified, but a large number of slats are present, such as... Figure 1 As demonstrated. These slats 113 are positioned one after another and extend parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction T. As shown, the slats 113 carry products P of all sizes and shapes. Typically, but not necessarily, a product P is carried by several slats 113. It is also well visible that each slat 113 is associated with a boot piece 114. Refer to the above. Figure 1 As illustrated, the boot 114 and the slat 113 form a carrier ejection assembly 115, hereinafter simply referred to as the assembly. As can be seen from the figures, the position of the boot 114 on the slat 113 is not static; rather, the boot 114 can move relative to the slat 113, particularly in the sorting direction indicated by S, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Here, the sorting direction S is perpendicular to the transport direction T and generally transverse to the transport direction T, but is not required to be perpendicular.

[0083] Two sorting locations 111 and 112 are shown along the path. At sorting locations 111 and 112, a discharge device 118 is provided, which can collect product P in a manner known in the art. As described in more detail below, a central control server controls the operation of shoe 114 such that product P is pushed off conveyor 11 at the “correct” or “desired” sorting locations 111 and 112.

[0084] More specifically, the operation of the boot 114 can be based on so-called sorting parameters, which can be any of the following: the discharge angle α of the discharge device 118 (i.e., the angle between the sorting transport direction T and the discharge direction D) and / or the width of the discharge device 118 and / or the sorting positions 111, 112 of the discharge device 118 and / or the expected speed of the product to be sorted on the discharge device 118.

[0085] Specifically, one or more controllers may be provided as part of the system (described below), each controller being arranged to determine a sorting profile for the corresponding boot 114, which is controlled by the controller based on any of the sorting parameters described above, wherein the sorting profile is in particular related to the position of the boot 114 relative to the corresponding slat 113 in its assembly 115.

[0086] A particular advantage of the proposed system is that each boot 114 can be controlled separately, individually, and independently, allowing the sorting process to be customized for each individual product.

[0087] Now go to Figure 3 This illustrates one of several ways in which the boot 114 can move relative to the slats 113. It should be noted that, in addition to the specific embodiments shown herein, many other methods, not shown, for moving the boot 114 relative to the slats 113 are known to those skilled in the art, and this disclosure is by no means limited to the specific method of operating the boot 14. Examples of such methods, not shown, include belt drives and direct drive by a servo motor disposed in or on the boot 114.

[0088] then, Figure 3 A combination 115 is shown of a slat 113 and a boot 114 capable of moving relative to the slat 113 in two opposite sorting directions S. For this movement, the combination 115 has an ejector displacement device 116—in this particular example, a spindle drive—located on the underside of the slat 112. The spindle drive 116 includes a threaded spindle 126 and a nut 127 surrounding and engaging the threaded spindle 126. The nut 127 is connected to the ejector boot 114 on the underside of the boot. The ejector displacement device 116 also includes a servo motor 117, which is an electric motor, rigidly connected to one end of the slat 113 via a right-angle drive 125 and coupled to one end of the threaded spindle 126.

[0089] At the other end, a threaded mandrel 126 is rotatably mounted in a bearing housing 128, which is rigidly connected to the slat 113. Excitation by an electric motor 117 causes the threaded mandrel 126 to rotate about an unnumbered centerline in one of two directions indicated by a rotating double-headed arrow. The nut 127 thus moves in the sorting direction S. Due to the connection between the nut 127 and the ejector shoe 114, the shoe 114 will also move in one of two opposing sorting directions 4, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slat 113.

[0090] The servo motor 117 may be powered, for example, by a battery, which is not shown here. Charging of such a battery may be, for example, inductive and therefore non-contact, or by means of sliding contact.

[0091] Now go to Figure 4 The basic principle of the invention is illustrated schematically. Although the basic principle of the invention is defined in claim 1, Figure 4 A more advantageous implementation is shown, which includes more features than claimed in the claims. Figure 4The diagram shows two access points 14 and 19, each of which is connected on both sides to two radial cables 15, 16, 17, and 18 via assembly 20, hereinafter referred to as leaky coaxial cables 15, 16, 17, and 18. Figure 4 As not shown, leaky coaxial cables 15, 16, 17, and 18 will, in practice, be arranged parallel to the conveyor (indicated by the general designation T, indicating the conveyor's direction of travel). Leaky coaxial cables 15, 16, 17, and 18 are arranged in pairs. The first pair is formed by the upper leaky coaxial cables 17 and 18, while the second pair is formed by the lower leaky coaxial cables 15 and 16. These pairs are arranged parallel to each other. Each pair has one leaky coaxial cable 15 or 17 extending relative to AP 14 and 19 in the direction of travel T, and another leaky coaxial cable 16 or 18 extending relative to AP 14 and 19 in the opposite direction of travel T.

[0092] The total length of a leaky coaxial cable 15, 16, 17, 18 (measured from its connection to assembly 20 to its opposite ends) can be up to 150 meters, for example, up to approximately 125 meters. The total length of a pair of leaky coaxial cables, measured from the outer end of cables 16, 18 extending in the opposite direction of transmission T away from assembly 20 to the outer end of cables 15, 17 extending in the direction of transmission T away from assembly 20, can be up to 300 meters, and can be, for example, longer than 100 meters.

[0093] The lengths of the leaky coaxial cables 15 and 17 extending in the transmission direction T can be approximately equal to the lengths of the leaky coaxial cables 16 and 18 extending in the opposite direction. Alternatively, one cable can be three times the length of the other cable, for example, twice the length.

[0094] The communication frequency band of the first AP 14 may be different from the communication frequency band of the second AP 19.

[0095] Now go to Figure 5 Multiple slats 113 are shown again (although only two are labeled). Each or some of the slats 113 are associated with a boot 114, of which only two are shown again in this figure. As illustrated, the slats 113 form a conveyor and move in the transport direction T. As illustrated, the boot 114 can move relative to the slats 113 in a sorting direction S transverse to the transport direction T. Products are transported on the conveyor, but... Figure 5 There are no products in China.

[0096] The central control server 12 is schematically shown at the bottom of the figure, but it is not necessarily located in the same room or building as the conveyor. The central control server 12 is the “master” of the communication architecture, the element that ultimately determines how the shoe 114 should operate by transmitting destination data, which is related to the sorting position from which the product to be sorted will be pushed away from its carrier 113. The central control server 12 is communicatively connected to a first AP 14 and a second AP 19. Each of APs 14 and 19 is connected to a pair of leaky coaxial cables 15, 16, 17, and 18. The first AP 14 is connected to the first pair of leaky coaxial cables 15 and 16 via assembly 20, and the second AP 19 is connected to the second pair of leaky coaxial cables 17 and 18 via assembly 20. In each pair, one leaky coaxial cable 15 and 17 extends in the transmission direction T, and one leaky coaxial cable 16 and 18 extends in the opposite direction to the transmission direction T.

[0097] Although AP 14, 19 and leaky coaxial cables 15, 16, 17, 18 are stationary relative to the "fixed world," components associated with the conveyor (including assembly 115, shoe 114, slat 113, electric motor 117, controller 13, and controller antenna 131) move relative to this fixed world. Leaky coaxial cables 15, 16, 17, 18 provide communication between the fixed world and these moving components by communicating with controller 13, for example, with the antenna 131 of controller 13. For example, the antenna may be a built-in antenna.

[0098] The controller 13, arranged in this manner, communicates with the central control server 12, acquires destination data transmitted by the central control server, and controls the operation of two or more electric motors 117 associated with the shoe 114 in response to the destination data.

[0099] As can be seen in the figure, each controller 13 controls multiple electric motors, for example, up to 32 electric motors. Advantageously, a group of electric motors 117 controlled by one controller 13 are daisy-chained together.

[0100] As those skilled in the art will understand, in this manner, each controller 13 is arranged to:

[0101] -The boot 114 is controlled to its initial position via the ejector displacement device and its associated electric motor, such that the corresponding boot abuts against or approaches the product to be sorted; and

[0102] - By controlling the ejector body displacement device, especially its electric motor 117, the corresponding shoe is made to follow the established sorting configuration from the initial position, and the products to be sorted are sorted at the sorting position.

[0103] The controller 13 may include, for example, a microprocessor or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The controller 13 is configured to receive at least data (e.g., data directly from a central control server) relating to sorting positions 111, 112 from which the products to be sorted should be ejected from the associated slats 113, and to the position of combination 115 as observed at least in the transport direction T of the sorting path, and to control the associated servo motor 117.

[0104] The controller 13 may also be configured with ROM and / or RAM memory for storing data related to the sorting positions described above and for determining the longitudinal position of the boot relative to the associated slats.

[0105] As for power transmission, the power guide rail can be mounted on one of the side frames of the sorting machine. The collector can be mounted on the moving carrier and connected to the power pickup unit fixed on the carrier.

[0106] List of reference numerals

[0107] 1. System for sorting products

[0108] 11 Conveyors

[0109] 111 sorting location

[0110] 112 sorting location

[0111] 113 bearing

[0112] 114 launched the body

[0113] 115 Bearing Launching Body Assembly

[0114] 116 Launching Body Displacement Device

[0115] 117 electric motor

[0116] 118 discharge device

[0117] 119 Feeding Device

[0118] The starting point of Route 120

[0119] The end point of route 121

[0120] 122 Upper Ring Road

[0121] 123 Return to Loop

[0122] 124 Conveyor Shifting Device

[0123] 125 Conveyor Push-out Body Transfer Device

[0124] 126 threaded mandrel

[0125] 127 nuts

[0126] 128 bearing body

[0127] 12 Central Control Servers

[0128] 13 controllers

[0129] 131 antenna

[0130] 14 access points

[0131] 15 Radiation Cable

[0132] 16 Radiant Cable

[0133] 17 Radiation Cable

[0134] 18 radiant cables

[0135] 19 access points

[0136] 20 assemblies

[0137] α Angle between the discharge direction and the conveying direction

[0138] D Discharge direction

[0139] Product P

[0140] S sorting direction

[0141] T transmission direction

[0142] W is the output width.

Claims

1. A system (1) for sorting products (P), comprising: - A conveyor (11) capable of moving along a path in a transport direction (T), along which a plurality of sorting positions (111, 112) are provided, the conveyor (11) comprising a plurality of elongated carriers (113) positioned sequentially and extending parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (T), the carriers (113) being configured to carry products (P) to be sorted, all or a group of carriers (113) being associated with an ejector (114) to form a carrier-ejector assembly (115). Each carrier ejector assembly (115) is provided with an ejector displacement device (116), which includes an electric motor (117) for moving the ejector (114) along the carrier (113) in a sorting direction (S) transverse to the transport direction (T) in order to push the product (P) carried by the carrier (13) away from the carrier (112). - A central control server (12) configured to transmit destination data relating to sorting locations (111, 112) from which the product (P) to be sorted will be pushed away from the carrier (113). - A plurality of controllers (13) arranged to communicate with the central control server (12) and to move together with the carrier (113) or a group of carriers (113) in the transmission direction (T), each of the controllers (13) being arranged to control two or more electric motors (117) of the ejector displacement device (116) according to destination data received from the central control server (12). - At least one first fixed access point (14), i.e., AP (14), is arranged to communicate with the central control server (12), and - A first pair of fixed radiating cables (15, 16) are connected to the AP (14), one of the radiating cables (15) extending relative to the AP (14) in the transmission direction (T), and the other radiating cable (16) extending relative to the AP (14) against the transmission direction (T). The first pair of fixed radiating cables (15, 16) are arranged for communication with the plurality of controllers (13). It also includes a second pair of fixed radiating cables (17, 18) arranged to communicate with the AP (14), the second pair of fixed radiating cables (17, 18) being arranged parallel to the first pair of fixed radiating cables (15, 16), one of the radiating cables (17) of the second pair of fixed radiating cables extending relative to the AP (14) along the transmission direction (T), and the other radiating cable (18) of the second pair of fixed radiating cables extending relative to the AP (14) against the transmission direction (T), the second pair of fixed radiating cables being arranged to communicate with the controller (13).

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of controllers (13) is arranged to control up to 32 ejector displacement devices (116).

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the plurality of controllers (13) is arranged to control 8 to 32 ejector body shifting devices (116).

4. The system according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the plurality of controllers (13) is arranged to control 8 to 16 ejector body shifting devices (116).

5. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The total length of the first pair of fixed radiating cables (15, 16) exceeds 100 meters when measured along the transmission direction (T) of the conveyor (11).

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The total length of the first pair of fixed radiating cables (15, 16) is less than 300 meters when measured along the transmission direction (T) of the conveyor (11).

7. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The length of the radiant cable (15) extending relative to the AP (14) along the transmission direction (T) is between 50% and 200% of the length of the radiant cable (16) extending relative to the AP (14) against the transmission direction (T).

8. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The length of the radiant cable (15) extending relative to the AP (14) along the transmission direction (T) is between 70% and 150% of the length of the radiant cable (16) extending relative to the AP (14) against the transmission direction (T).

9. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The length of the radiant cable (15) extending relative to the AP (14) along the transmission direction (T) is between 90% and 110% of the length of the radiant cable (16) extending relative to the AP (14) against the transmission direction (T).

10. The system according to any one of claims 1-4 further includes a second fixed access point (19), i.e., AP (19), which is arranged to communicate with the central control server (12) and connected to the first pair of fixed radiating cables (15, 16) and the second pair of fixed radiating cables (17, 18), or connected to the second pair of fixed radiating cables (17, 18).

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The communication frequency band on the first fixed access point (14) is different from the communication frequency band on the second fixed access point (19).

12. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The length of the radiant cables (15, 16, 17, 18) is up to 150 meters.

13. The system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, Each of the one or more controllers (13) is arranged to control the ejector body displacement device (116) based on sorting parameters, wherein the sorting parameters are any of the following: - The discharge angle (α) of the discharge device (118) connected to the system (1), that is, the angle between the transmission direction (T) and the discharge direction (D); - Width (W) of the discharge device (118); - The position of the discharge device (118) (111, 112); - The expected speed of the product to be sorted (P) on the discharge device (118).

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein, Each of the controllers (13) is arranged to determine a sorting configuration for the corresponding ejector (114) based on any of the sorting parameters, wherein the sorting configuration is related to the position of the ejector (114) relative to its corresponding elongated carrier (113).

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein, Each of the controllers (13) is arranged for: - The corresponding push body (114) is controlled to the initial position via the push body shifting device (116), so that the corresponding push body (14) abuts against or approaches the product to be sorted (P). - By controlling the ejector displacement device (116), the corresponding ejector (114) follows the sorting configuration from the initial position to sort the product (P) at the sorting position (111, 112).

16. A method for sorting products (P) to be sorted, comprising using the system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The method includes the following steps: - One of the controllers (13) receives destination data from the central control server (12) via at least one of the fixed access points (14, 19) and fixed radiating cables (15, 16, 17, 18) related to the sorting location (111, 112) from which the product to be sorted (P) will be pushed away from the conveyor (11); - One of the controllers (13) controls any of the ejector displacement devices (116) at the sorting positions (111, 112) by driving the corresponding electric motor (117) according to the received destination data.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The receiving step includes: - Receive at least one sorting parameter, wherein the sorting parameter is any one of the following: - The discharge angle (α) of the discharge device (118) connected to the system (1), that is, the angle between the transmission direction (T) and the discharge direction (D); - Width (W) of the discharge device (118); - The position of the discharge device (118) (111, 112); - The expected speed of the product to be sorted (P) on the discharge device (118); Furthermore, the control steps are based on any of the sorting parameters.

18. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a controller (13), cause the controller (13) to perform the method according to claim 16 or 17.

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