Reflux device and control method

Abstract

The application discloses a backflow device and a control method, and relates to the technical field of security and protection. The device comprises a rack, a first bearing part provided on the rack, a first bearing surface of the first bearing part for providing a bearing tray, a swing arm provided on the rack, a rotating end and a free swing end of the swing arm, the free swing end providing a second bearing surface of the bearing tray at a first swing angle, the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface not overlapping, and the second bearing surface being lower than the first bearing surface in height at a second swing angle. The application can realize automatic backflow operation of the tray, and the staff does not need to manually carry the tray. The whole device has simple structure, ingenious design, low manufacturing cost, and can quickly transmit the upper empty tray to the lower conveying line, thereby realizing efficient recycling of the tray.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of security equipment technology, and in particular to a return flow device and control method. Background Technology

[0002] In the current security check system, such as the security checkpoint, staff members are usually assigned to open and inspect luggage. In addition to helping passengers carry their luggage, they are also required to organize the luggage trays after passengers have finished using them and then move them back to their original positions for subsequent passengers to use.

[0003] During peak security checkpoint periods, staff need to frequently move luggage trays, which is physically demanding and relatively inefficient. Currently, major airports in China are equipped with conveyor systems for transporting empty luggage trays. However, existing conveyor systems often employ spiral conveyor structures, drop-down conveyor structures, or swing-arm conveyor structures, which are complex in structure and involve multiple sets of equipment that are difficult to drive and control synchronously, resulting in high failure rates or low transmission efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention addresses the problem of low efficiency in the return transport of luggage trays in existing security checkpoints by providing a return device and control method.

[0005] The technical solution proposed by this invention to address the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a reflux device suitable for one or more trays, comprising:

[0007] frame;

[0008] A first support member disposed on the frame, the first support member providing a first support surface for the support tray;

[0009] A swing arm mounted on the frame includes a rotating end and a free swing end. When the swing arm is at a first swing angle, the free swing end provides a second bearing surface for the bearing tray. The first bearing surface and the second bearing surface do not coincide.

[0010] When the swing arm is at the second swing angle, the second bearing surface is positioned lower in height than the first bearing surface.

[0011] Preferably, when the swing arm is at the first swing angle, the second bearing surface is positioned higher in height than the first bearing surface.

[0012] Preferably, the first bearing member includes a first roller, and the wheel surface of the first roller is the first bearing surface.

[0013] Preferably, the free swing end is provided with a second roller, the second roller is in contact with the bottom of the tray, and the wheel surface of the second roller is the second bearing surface.

[0014] Preferably, a third support member is provided on the frame, and the height of the third support member satisfies the following requirements:

[0015] At the second swing angle, the free swing end, the third support member, and the first support member are coplanar, and the third support member is located between the free swing end and the first support member.

[0016] Preferably, the third bearing member includes a third roller, and the wheel surface of the third roller is the third bearing surface.

[0017] Preferably, the frame is further provided with an input guide wheel, the first support member is located on the side away from the input guide wheel, and when the swing arm is at the first swing angle, the free swing end is located between the input guide wheel and the first support member.

[0018] Preferably, the frame is further provided with a crash wheel, the crash wheel is located on the side of the machine body away from the input guide wheel, and the first bearing member is located between the input guide wheel and the crash wheel;

[0019] The frame is also provided with a baffle assembly, including two side baffles extending along the input guide wheel toward the anti-collision wheel and an anti-collision baffle disposed between the two side baffles, the anti-collision baffle being located on the side of the anti-collision wheel away from the first bearing member.

[0020] Preferably, the recirculation device further includes a drive motor for driving the swing arm to swing.

[0021] Secondly, the present invention provides a control method applied to the above-mentioned reflux device, the method comprising:

[0022] The first optical sensor is used to detect whether the reflux device is placed in the tray;

[0023] If the tray is detected, a second optical sensor is used to detect whether the tray is in contact with the anti-collision baffle.

[0024] If the pallet is detected to be in contact with the anti-collision baffle, and the first optical sensor does not detect the pallet, the position of the swing arm is determined by the first proximity switch.

[0025] If the first proximity switch senses the swing arm, it determines that the swing arm is at the first swing angle, and starts the drive motor to drive the swing arm to swing.

[0026] The position of the swing arm is determined using a second proximity switch;

[0027] If the second proximity switch senses the swing arm, it determines that the swing arm is at the second swing angle and controls the drive motor to stop driving the swing arm to swing.

[0028] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0029] The reflux device provided by this invention utilizes the swing of the swing arm to create a height difference switching relative to the first carrier, which can carry and reflux the luggage tray. It supports the automatic reflux operation of luggage trays, eliminating the need for manual handling of luggage trays. The entire device has a simple and ingenious structure, low manufacturing cost, requires only one drive motor, has good synchronization, and a low failure rate. It can quickly transfer empty luggage trays on the upper layer to the lower layer of the conveyor, achieving efficient recycling of luggage trays. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the principle structure of the swing arm of the reflux device provided by the present invention at the first swing angle.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the principle structure of the swing arm of the reflux device provided by the present invention at the second swing angle.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a first three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the reflux device provided by the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the reflux device provided by the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the drive motor and the swing arm provided by the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the control method for the reflux device provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] See Figures 1 to 5This invention discloses the structure of the return device provided in one embodiment. The return device 1 is mainly used in security inspection systems, such as airport security checkpoints. It can be installed at the end of the baggage security checkpoint, quickly returning empty baggage trays 2 to their original position by rapidly conveying them in the opposite direction. It is understood that the return device 1 can also be used in conjunction with a conveyor belt to transport the baggage trays 2, thereby returning the baggage trays 2 transported from the beginning to the end of the baggage security checkpoint: transporting the baggage trays 2 from the end of the baggage security checkpoint back to the beginning of the baggage security checkpoint.

[0039] The reflux device 1 provided in this embodiment may include a frame 11, on which a first support member 12 and a swing arm 13 are provided. The first support member 12 is used to provide a first support surface for carrying the luggage tray 2. The first support surface is used to contact the bottom of the luggage tray 2 and provide at least one support point or support surface.

[0040] The swing arm 13 includes a rotating end 131 and a free swinging end 132. Specifically, the rotating end 131 is rotatably mounted on the frame 11 via a rotating shaft, which can be driven by a power device to drive the swing arm 13 to swing. Here, the rotating shaft can be mounted on the frame 11 via bearings.

[0041] In this embodiment, the swing arm 13 at the first swing angle (corresponding to...) Figure 1 When the first and second bearing surfaces are in the same state (in the state structure), the free swing end 132 is used to provide a second bearing surface for carrying the luggage tray 2. The second bearing surface is used to contact the bottom of the luggage tray 2 and provide at least one support point or support surface. The first bearing surface and the second bearing surface do not coincide. Therefore, at the first swing angle, the free swing end 132 of the swing arm 13 and the first bearing member 12 jointly carry the luggage tray 2.

[0042] In this embodiment, the swing arm 13 at the second swing angle (corresponding to...) Figure 2 When the free swing end 132 is in the state structure, the second bearing surface of the free swing end 132 is lower in height than the first bearing surface, causing the luggage tray 2, which is supported by the free swing end 132 and the first bearing member 12, to tilt. Therefore, the luggage tray 2 can slide out automatically under the action of gravity.

[0043] It is understandable that the swing arm 13 is only allowed to swing clockwise or counterclockwise within a limited angle range. By changing the angle, the transformation between the first swing angle and the second swing angle and the corresponding state structure can be achieved.

[0044] Here, the first support member 12 may be, but is not limited to, a roller structure, including a first roller whose wheel surface is the aforementioned first support surface, i.e., used to contact the bottom of the luggage tray 2 and provide support. Similarly, a second roller is provided at the free swing end 132, whose wheel surface is the aforementioned second support surface, used to contact the bottom of the luggage tray 2 and provide support.

[0045] In this embodiment, a third support member 14 is further provided on the frame 11. The height of the third support member 14 satisfies the following conditions: when the swing arm 13 is at the second swing angle, the free swing end 132, the third support member 14 and the first support member 12 are coplanar, and the third support member 14 is located between the free swing end 132 and the first support member 12. Here, the provision of the third support member 14 can reduce the probability of the luggage tray 2 tipping over due to the lack of support points on the tray body during the tilting and downward movement.

[0046] Similar to the first support member 12, the third support member 14 can also be, but is not limited to, a roller structure, including a third roller. The surface of the third roller is the aforementioned third support surface, which is used to contact the bottom of the luggage tray 2 and provide support. This support is only provided when the swing arm 13 is at the second swing angle.

[0047] In this embodiment, an input guide wheel 15 may also be provided on the frame 11. An empty luggage tray 2 can be moved into the frame via the input guide wheel 15, so that the empty luggage tray 2 is placed on the working surface jointly supported by the free swing end 132 of the swing arm 13 at the first swing angle and the first support member 12. The first support member 12 is located on the side away from the input guide wheel 15. When the swing arm 13 is at the first swing angle, the free swing end 132 is located between the input guide wheel 15 and the first support member 12. Correspondingly, when the swing arm 13 is at the second swing angle, the luggage tray 2 tilts and moves in the opposite direction to the input guide wheel 15, thereby completing the rapid return operation of the luggage tray 2.

[0048] Here, at the first swing angle, the height of the input guide wheel 15, the height of the free swing end 132, and the height of the first support member 12 decrease sequentially, meaning the second support surface is higher in height than the first support surface. In some modified embodiments of the present invention, at the first swing angle, the height of the free swing end 132 of the swing arm 13 can be equal to the height of the first support member 12, while the input guide wheel 15 can be slightly lower than the heights of the free swing end 132 and the first support member 12.

[0049] To prevent the luggage tray 2 from being moved too deep, the frame 11 is also equipped with anti-collision wheels 16. The anti-collision wheels 16 are located on the side of the body end away from the input guide wheel 15, and the first support member 14 is located between the input guide wheel 15 and the anti-collision wheels 16.

[0050] Furthermore, a baffle assembly is also provided on the frame 11. The baffle assembly includes two side baffles 18 extending along the input guide wheel 15 towards the anti-collision wheel 16, and an anti-collision baffle 19 disposed between the two side baffles 18. The anti-collision baffle 19 is located on the side of the anti-collision wheel 16 away from the first support member 12. Here, the anti-collision baffle 19 is provided to prevent the luggage tray 2 passing through the anti-collision wheel 16 from falling outside the body of the return device 1 and from being dropped. The two side baffles 18 can prevent other objects from falling outside the body or biological objects from entering, causing damage to the body or safety accidents.

[0051] The reflux device 1 provided by the present invention, during operation, combines with Figure 1 and Figure 2 :

[0052] The drive motor 17 drives the swing arm 13 to swing clockwise. When the swing arm 13 swings to the first swing angle, the free swing end 132 and the first support member 12 can support the luggage tray 2. At this time, the luggage tray 2 can be placed on the free swing end 132 and the first support member 12 by the guidance and input of the input guide wheel 15 or manually. Subsequently, the drive motor 17 drives the swing arm 13 to swing counterclockwise. When the swing arm 13 swings to the second swing angle, the luggage tray 2 tilts, and the free swing end 132, the second support member 14 and the first support member 12 can support the luggage tray 2. Under the action of gravity, the luggage tray 2 automatically moves down along the tilt direction.

[0053] The return device 1 provided by the present invention utilizes the swing arm 13 to form a height difference switching relative to the first carrier 12, which can carry and return the luggage tray 2, and support the automatic return operation of the luggage tray 2. There is no need for staff to manually carry the luggage tray 2. The whole device has a simple structure and ingenious design, low manufacturing cost, only one set of drive motor, good synchronization, low failure rate, and can quickly transfer the empty luggage tray 2 on the upper layer to the lower layer conveyor (such as a conveyor belt device), realize efficient recycling of luggage trays, and shorten the time required for the return process.

[0054] Here, the frame 11 may include multiple columns and multiple mounting beams mounted on the columns, and all the aforementioned components, units and structures are mounted on the mounting beams. It is understood that the mounting beams may be simplified or varied as needed, and their number and shape are not limited here, but they should not obstruct the swinging movement of the swing arm 13 and the movement of the luggage tray 2 in and out.

[0055] In this embodiment, the drive motor 17 can indirectly drive the swing arm 13 to swing via gear transmission, or it can directly drive the swing arm 13 to swing via the aforementioned rotating shaft.

[0056] It is understood that in this embodiment, the first support member 12, the free swing end 132 and the second support member 14 all adopt a roller structure to provide rolling friction that contacts and acts on the bottom of the luggage tray 2. In other embodiments, the roller structure can also be replaced by a sliding plate to provide sliding friction that contacts and acts on the bottom of the luggage tray 2, which is not limited here.

[0057] It is understood that the return device 1 may also include one or more sensors, such as a first optical sensor for sensing whether the luggage tray is placed, and a second optical sensor for sensing whether the luggage tray is in contact with the anti-collision baffle 19. Here, the sensing signals output by the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor can be used to determine whether the luggage tray is placed or stopped. For example, a first proximity switch for sensing the swing arm 13 swinging to a first swing angle, and a second proximity switch for sensing the swing arm 13 swinging to a second swing angle.

[0058] The present invention also provides a control method for the above-mentioned return device, which can control the return device to perform the return operation of the luggage tray. See also Figure 6 The control method for the reflux device may include the following steps:

[0059] S101: A first optical sensor is used to detect whether the return device has been placed in the luggage tray. The first optical sensor can be an infrared optical sensor, which includes an infrared light generator, an infrared light receiver, and a reflector. The infrared light generator emits infrared light towards the reflector, which reflects the light, and the reflected infrared light is received by the infrared light receiver. Here, when the infrared light emitted by the infrared light generator is blocked by the luggage tray, the infrared light receiver cannot receive the infrared light reflected by the reflector, thus generating a blocking detection signal, thereby determining that the luggage tray has been placed in the return device.

[0060] S102: If the luggage tray is detected, a second optical sensor is used to detect whether the luggage tray is in contact with the anti-collision baffle. In this step, based on the detection that the luggage tray has been placed into the return device, the position of the luggage tray is further determined, and therefore a second optical sensor is used to detect the position of the luggage tray.

[0061] Here, the second light sensor can also be an infrared light sensor, and the principle is the same. When the infrared light emitted by the infrared light generator is blocked by the luggage tray, the infrared light receiver cannot receive the infrared light reflected by the reflector, thus generating an obstruction sensing signal, thereby determining that the luggage tray is in contact with the anti-collision baffle.

[0062] S103: If the luggage tray is detected to be in contact with the anti-collision baffle, and the first optical sensor does not detect the luggage tray, the position of the swing arm is determined using the first proximity switch. In this step, based on the detection of the luggage tray contacting the anti-collision baffle, it is further determined whether the luggage tray has moved away from the sensing position of the first optical sensor. That is, when the infrared light emitted by the infrared light generator of the first optical sensor is not blocked by the luggage tray, the infrared light receiver can receive the infrared light reflected by the reflector, thus generating an unblocked sensing signal, thereby determining that the luggage tray has entered a relatively stable position and reached a stopped state.

[0063] The first proximity switch is used to sense whether the swing arm has rotated to the first swing angle position. The proximity switch can be a mechanical proximity switch, that is, a sensing signal is generated by a limiting piece contacting a mechanical switch to form a limit. Of course, the proximity switch can also be a photoelectric proximity switch, a Hall effect proximity switch, etc.

[0064] S104: If the first proximity switch senses the swing arm, it determines that the swing arm is at the first swing angle, and starts the drive motor to drive the swing arm to swing. It is understood that when the swing arm is at the first swing angle, the free swing end of the swing arm can provide support to the bottom of the luggage tray, so as to work together with the first load-bearing member to stabilize the luggage tray.

[0065] It is understandable that if the first proximity switch does not sense the swing arm, it can be determined that the swing arm has not rotated to the correct position. In this case, the drive motor can also be started to drive the swing arm to swing to the first swing angle.

[0066] S105: The position of the swing arm is determined by the second proximity switch. Similar to the first proximity switch, the second proximity switch is used to sense whether the swing arm has rotated to the second swing angle position.

[0067] S106: If the second proximity switch senses the swing arm, it determines that the swing arm is at the second swing angle, and controls the drive motor to stop driving the swing arm to swing.

[0068] The control method of the recirculation device can use a simple optical sensor to determine the position of the luggage tray and a simple proximity switch to determine the swing angle of the swing arm, so as to achieve precise motion control of the recirculation device during the recirculation operation, which helps to achieve synchronous drive control and has a relatively low control failure rate.

[0069] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reflux device suitable for one or more trays, characterized in that, include: frame; A first support member disposed on the frame, the first support member providing a first support surface for the support tray; A swing arm mounted on the frame includes a rotating end and a free swing end. The swing arm is driven to swing by a drive motor. When the swing arm is at a first swing angle, the free swing end provides a second bearing surface for the bearing tray. The first bearing surface and the second bearing surface do not coincide. When the swing arm is at the second swing angle, the second bearing surface is lower in height than the first bearing surface. The frame is also equipped with an input guide wheel. The first support member is located on the side away from the input guide wheel. When the swing arm is at the first swing angle, the free swing end is located between the input guide wheel and the first support member. When the swing arm is at the first swing angle, the height of the input guide wheel, the height of the free swing end, and the height of the first support surface of the first support member decrease sequentially. When the swing arm is at the first swing angle, the second support surface is higher in height than the first support surface. A third support member is provided on the frame. The height of the third support member satisfies the following conditions: when the swing arm is at the second swing angle, the free swing end, the third support member, and the first support member are coplanar, and the third support member is located between the free swing end and the first support member. The third support member includes a third roller, and the wheel surface of the third roller is the third support surface.

2. The reflux device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first bearing member includes a first roller, and the wheel surface of the first roller is the first bearing surface.

3. The reflux device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The free swing end is provided with a second roller, which contacts the bottom of the tray, and the wheel surface of the second roller is the second bearing surface.

4. The reflux device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame is also equipped with anti-collision wheels, which are located on the side of the machine body away from the input guide wheel. The first bearing member is located between the input guide wheel and the anti-collision wheel. The frame is also provided with a baffle assembly, including two side baffles extending along the input guide wheel toward the anti-collision wheel and an anti-collision baffle disposed between the two side baffles, the anti-collision baffle being located on the side of the anti-collision wheel away from the first bearing member.

5. A control method applied to the reflux device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The method includes: The first optical sensor is used to detect whether the reflux device is placed in the tray; If the tray is detected, a second optical sensor is used to detect whether the tray is in contact with the anti-collision baffle. If the pallet is detected to be in contact with the anti-collision baffle, and the first optical sensor does not detect the pallet, the position of the swing arm is determined by the first proximity switch. If the first proximity switch senses the swing arm, it determines that the swing arm is at the first swing angle, and starts the drive motor to drive the swing arm to swing. The position of the swing arm is determined using a second proximity switch; If the second proximity switch senses the swing arm, it determines that the swing arm is at the second swing angle and controls the drive motor to stop driving the swing arm to swing.

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