Automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty luggage baskets

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of automatic collection of luggage empty basket, and carries distribution system, comprising: empty basket collection system, empty basket pile carrying system, empty basket distribution system;Empty basket collection system is used to collect empty basket pile after each piece of luggage is extracted, and automatically collects empty basket pile;Empty basket pile carrying system is used to automatically carry empty basket pile to empty basket distribution system;Empty basket distribution system is used to automatically distribute empty basket pile to departure demand point and arrival demand point.The system can realize the automatic collection, carrying, distribution of empty basket, can greatly reduce the labor intensity, ensure that empty basket can be supplied in time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated transfer technology for empty baggage baskets at airports, and more specifically to an automated collection, handling and distribution system for empty baggage baskets. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous increase in the number and density of air travelers, and the rapid increase in the use of luggage baskets, the need for automated empty basket transfer is becoming increasingly urgent.

[0003] Generally, to ensure the stability and reliability of baggage during transport after entering the baggage handling system, and to prevent damage to baggage or equipment due to jamming during transport and sorting, soft, irregular, and unsuitable baggage is usually placed in baggage baskets before being put into the baggage handling system. Therefore, the two uses of empty baggage baskets are for loading departing baggage and loading arriving baggage. The path for departing baggage is as follows: the baggage baskets carry the baggage at the check-in counter, are transported through the baggage handling system to the chute or departure carousel, where staff load the baggage into baggage trolleys. The baggage baskets then wait in the chute or carousel for staff to retrieve and collect them. After being stacked, they are transported to the empty basket drop-off point and enter the empty basket recycling system to return to the point of demand. The route for arriving baggage is as follows: baggage baskets carry baggage at the arrival baggage unloading area, are transported through the baggage handling system to the arrival carousel, and after arriving passengers collect their baggage, the baggage baskets continue to be transported on the arrival carousel, waiting for staff to collect and recycle them. Empty baskets are stacked and then transported to the empty basket drop-off point, where they are piled into the empty basket recycling system until they are returned to the empty basket demand point.

[0004] The traditional method of manually collecting empty crates has the following problems: empty crates for luggage transportation need to be picked up, stacked, and transported to the empty crate drop-off point by staff. Usually, due to the limitations of civil engineering conditions, the distance between the empty crate drop-off point and the chute or turntable is far. Manually picking up, stacking, transporting, and dropping empty crates is labor-intensive and requires a large amount of human resources. In addition, it is easy for manual transfer of empty crates to be delayed, resulting in a lack of empty crates for luggage loading and delays in luggage transportation.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide an automated baggage basket collection, handling and distribution system that can reduce the labor intensity of staff, improve automation and ensure the supply of empty baskets at the check-in island is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides an automatic baggage empty basket collection, handling and distribution system. The system can realize the automatic collection, handling and distribution of empty baskets, realize the automatic return of empty baggage baskets to empty basket recycling system or empty basket unloading line at the port, and improve the degree of automation, reduce the labor intensity of staff and ensure the supply of empty baskets.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] An automated system for collecting, handling, and distributing empty luggage baskets includes: an empty basket collection system, an empty basket stacking and handling system, and an empty basket distribution system.

[0009] The empty basket collection system is used to automatically collect and stack the empty baskets of each piece of luggage after the luggage is picked up.

[0010] The empty crate stack handling system is used to automatically transport the empty crate stack to the empty crate distribution system;

[0011] The empty crate distribution system is used to automatically distribute the stacks of empty crates to departure and / or arrival points.

[0012] As can be seen from the above technical solution, compared with the prior art, the present invention discloses an automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty luggage baskets. This system can realize the automatic collection, handling and distribution of empty baskets, which can greatly reduce the labor intensity of personnel and ensure that empty baskets can be supplied in a timely manner.

[0013] Furthermore, the empty container collection system includes: a departure chute empty container collection system, and / or a departure carousel empty container collection system, and / or an arrival carousel empty container collection system;

[0014] The departure chute empty basket collection system includes:

[0015] A pallet sorting line having multiple tilting pallets for carrying crated and uncrammed luggage;

[0016] A departure chute is located on one side of the pallet sorting line. The high end of the departure chute corresponds to the position of the tipping pallet. After the tipping pallet is tipped over, either the crated baggage or the uncrammed baggage on it slides onto the high end of the departure chute. A detector is installed on the high end of the departure chute to detect the crated and uncrammed baggage. A partition is installed inside the departure chute to divide the internal space into a second section for accommodating the uncrammed baggage. The system includes a first chute cavity and a second chute cavity for accommodating the crated baggage. The partition plate is hinged at the end near the high end of the departure chute to a swing arm for moving the uncrammed baggage and the crated baggage, which are located at the high end of the departure chute, into the first and second chute cavities respectively, so as to achieve sorting of the crated baggage and the uncrammed baggage. The first chute cavity has a baggage retrieval station at its low end, and the second chute cavity has a crate collection station at its low end. The crate collection station has an opening and closing flip-over sliding plate.

[0017] Departure baggage trolley 1, located at the lower end of the departure chute, is used by staff to load the unpacked baggage 1 at the baggage retrieval station and the baggage on the packed baggage 1 at the baggage collection station onto the trolley and transport it to the aircraft cargo hold. The empty departing basket of the packed baggage 1 slides out of the baggage collection station via the opening and closing flip-over slide.

[0018] An empty crate stacking line, the beginning of which is connected to the opening and closing flipping slide, is used to support the departing empty crates that slide out of the opening and closing flipping slide and stack them into a stack of empty crates.

[0019] The departure roundabout empty basket collection system includes:

[0020] The departure carousel carries two types of baggage in baskets and two types of baggage without baskets. Staff members retrieve the two types of baggage without baskets and the baggage on the two types of baggage in baskets from the departure carousel and transfer them to the departure baggage trolley. The departure carousel is equipped with a detector for detecting whether the baggage is the two types of baggage in baskets, the empty basket of the two types of baggage in baskets, or the baggage without baskets.

[0021] The departure robotic arm is located on one side of the departure turntable and is used to stack the two empty departure baskets into a stack of two empty baskets.

[0022] The empty basket collection system at the port roundabout includes:

[0023] An arrival carousel carries three types of baggage in baskets and three types of baggage without baskets. Passengers retrieve the three types of baggage without baskets and the baggage on the baggage in baskets from the arrival carousel. The arrival carousel is equipped with a detector three for detecting whether the baggage is the baggage in baskets, the empty basket of the baggage in baskets, or the baggage without baskets.

[0024] The arrival robotic arm is located on one side of the arrival turntable and is used to stack the arriving empty crates into a three-tiered stack.

[0025] The empty basket stack handling system transports the first empty basket stack, the second empty basket stack, and the third empty basket stack to the empty basket distribution system.

[0026] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are as follows: The process of collecting empty crates in the departure chute is as follows: Uncrammed baggage and crated baggage are conveyed on a pallet sorting machine. When the tilting pallet reaches the departure chute, it tilts, tilting either uncrammed or crated baggage onto the high end of the departure chute. At this time, detectors monitor and judge whether the tilted baggage is uncrammed or crated. If it detects that the tilted baggage is uncrammed, the swing arm pushes it into the first chute cavity; if it detects that the tilted baggage is crated, the swing arm pushes it into the first chute cavity. The swing arm then pushes the crated baggage into the second chute cavity. After that, the uncrowned baggage slides down to the baggage retrieval station, where staff directly load the uncrowned baggage onto the departure baggage trolley. The crated baggage slides down to the crate collection station, where staff retrieve the baggage onto the departure baggage trolley. At this point, the opening and closing flip-up slide opens, and the empty crate of the crated baggage slides out of the second chute cavity and onto the empty crate stacking line. Then, the empty crate stacking line automatically stacks multiple empty crates into an empty crate stack, realizing the automatic empty crate stacking process in the departure chute collection scenario.

[0027] The process of collecting empty baskets in the departure carousel is as follows: Baggage 2 with baskets and baggage 2 without baskets are transported on the departure carousel. Staff members pick up the baggage 2 without baskets and baggage 2 with baskets and transfer it to the departure baggage trolley 2. Then, detector 2 monitors and judges baggage 2 without baskets (baggage not picked up by staff), baggage 2 with baskets (baggage not picked up by passengers), or empty baskets 2 (baggage picked up by staff). If baggage 2 without baskets or baggage 2 with baskets is detected, the departure robotic arm does not move. If empty basket 2 is detected, the departure robotic arm moves, grabs the empty basket 2 on the departure carousel and automatically stacks it into empty basket stack 2, realizing the automatic stacking process of empty baskets in the departure carousel collection scenario.

[0028] The process of collecting empty baskets in the arrival carousel is as follows: Baggage 3 with baskets and baggage 3 without baskets are transported on the arrival carousel. Passengers pick up the baggage 3 without baskets and baggage 3 with baskets. Then, detector 3 monitors and judges baggage 3 without baskets (baggage not picked up by passengers), baggage 3 with baskets (baggage not picked up by passengers in the empty arrival baskets), or empty arrival baskets (baggage picked up by passengers in the empty arrival baskets). If baggage 3 without baskets or baggage 3 with baskets is detected, the arrival robotic arm does not move. If an empty arrival basket is detected, the arrival robotic arm moves, grabs the empty arrival baskets on the arrival carousel and automatically stacks them into stack 3 of empty baskets, realizing the automatic stacking process of empty baskets in the arrival carousel collection scenario.

[0029] Therefore, the above system can automatically collect and stack empty baskets on the departure chute, departure carousel, and arrival carousel without manual stacking, and has a high degree of automation.

[0030] Furthermore, multiple retractable baffles arranged at intervals are installed on the bottom surface of the second chute cavity to prevent the basketed luggage from sliding down.

[0031] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are as follows: when there is baggage in a crate at the crate collection station, other baggage in crates are blocked by the retractable baffle and will not slide downwards, thus effectively avoiding the problem of baggage in crates colliding with each other and damaging the baggage crates; in addition, it will not cause multiple baggage in crates to gather at the crate collection station and block and affect the normal sliding out of the departing empty crates, thus ensuring that the departing empty crates slide out of the second chute cavity in sequence.

[0032] Furthermore, the empty crate stacking line includes:

[0033] An empty crate palletizing conveyor line, the beginning of which is connected to the opening and closing tilting slide plate, is used to support the departing empty crate that slides out from the opening and closing tilting slide plate;

[0034] An empty crate reversing device includes an electric push rod, a reversing motor, and a reversing turntable. The electric push rod is fixed at the beginning of the empty crate palletizing conveyor line. The telescopic end of the electric push rod is fixedly connected to the housing of the reversing motor. The driving end of the reversing motor is fixed with the reversing turntable for supporting the departing empty crates and reversing them together.

[0035] An empty crate stacking device is installed on the empty crate stacking conveyor line and located behind the empty crate reversing device, for stacking the departing empty crates into a stack of empty crates.

[0036] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are as follows: Because the front and rear ends of empty baggage baskets vary in size and height, an empty basket reversing device is needed to adjust the empty baggage baskets to a uniform direction for transportation in order to facilitate stacking. For example, all baskets should be transported with the larger end facing forward or the smaller end facing forward. Specifically, when a reversal is needed, the first departing empty basket moves to the reversing station. The electric push rod drives the reversing motor to rise, causing the reversing turntable to lift the first departing empty basket at the reversing station. Then, the reversing motor operates, driving the reversing turntable to rotate 180°, aligning the first departing empty basket with either the larger end or the smaller end facing forward. After reversing, the departing empty baskets are stacked on the empty basket stacking device. Therefore, this system can automatically reverse the direction of empty baggage baskets that need to be reversed, facilitating automatic stacking of empty baskets.

[0037] Furthermore, the departing carousel empty basket collection system also includes: an empty basket positioning device, which comprises:

[0038] A base plate 1, with an empty basket positioning area 1 at its top, and the departure robotic arm places the departure empty basket 2 on the empty basket positioning area 1.

[0039] A first fixing clamping plate, the bottom end of which is fixed to the top end of a first base plate;

[0040] A movable clamping plate is movably mounted on the top of the base plate. The movable clamping plate is fixedly connected to the driving end of the driving part 1 on the base plate and is used to drive the movable clamping plate to move in the direction of the fixed clamping plate to push the departing empty basket 2 located in the empty basket positioning area 1 onto the fixed clamping plate 1, thereby achieving the positioning of the shape and center of the departing empty basket 2. The departing robotic arm stacks the positioned departing empty basket 2 into the empty basket stack 2 in the palletizing area 1.

[0041] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are as follows: the departing robotic arm places the departing empty basket 2 on the empty basket positioning area 1, and the moving clamping plate 1 cooperates with the fixed clamping plate 1 to clamp and position the departing empty basket 2, thereby realizing the positioning of the shape and center of each departing empty basket 2, which facilitates the accurate stacking of multiple departing empty baskets 2.

[0042] Furthermore, the empty container collection system for the port turntable also includes: an empty container positioning device two, which includes:

[0043] The second base plate has an empty basket positioning area two on its top end, and the arriving robotic arm places the arriving empty basket on the empty basket positioning area two.

[0044] A second fixed clamping plate is fixed at its bottom end to the top end of the second base plate;

[0045] A second movable clamping plate is movably mounted on the top of the second base plate. The second movable clamping plate is fixedly connected to the driving end of the second driving unit on the second base plate. It is used to drive the second movable clamping plate to move towards the second fixed clamping plate, so as to push the empty crates located in the second empty crate positioning area onto the second fixed clamping plate, thereby achieving the positioning of the shape and center of the empty crates. The arrival robotic arm stacks the positioned empty crates into a stack of empty crates in the second palletizing area.

[0046] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are as follows: the arriving robotic arm places the arriving empty crates on the empty crate positioning area two, and the moving clamping plate two cooperates with the fixed clamping plate two to clamp and position the arriving empty crates, thereby realizing the positioning of the shape and center of each arriving empty crate, which facilitates the accurate stacking of multiple arriving empty crates.

[0047] Furthermore, the transport device in the empty basket stack transport system is a transport vehicle that can travel along a route. The transport vehicle carries the first empty basket stack, the second empty basket stack, and the third empty basket stack to the empty basket distribution system.

[0048] Furthermore, the first empty crate stack, the second empty crate stack, and the third empty crate stack are all arrival empty crate stacks and departure empty crate stacks. The empty crate distribution system includes a departure demand line and / or an arrival demand line. The transport vehicle transports the departure empty crate stack and the arrival empty crate stack to the beginning of the departure demand line and the beginning of the arrival demand line, respectively.

[0049] The departure demand line includes:

[0050] The departing empty crate stack conveyor line, wherein the transport vehicle transports the departing empty crate stack to the beginning of the departing empty crate stack conveyor line;

[0051] The departure empty crate recycling line has its starting end connected to the end of the departure empty crate stack conveyor line, and its end is connected to the check-in island.

[0052] The arrival demand lines include:

[0053] The empty crate destacking conveyor line is a transport vehicle that transports the stack of empty crates arriving at the port to the beginning of the empty crate destacking conveyor line. The empty crate destacking conveyor line is equipped with an empty crate stack destacking device, which is used to destacking the stack of empty crates arriving at the port into empty crates.

[0054] An arriving baggage unloading conveyor line, the beginning of which is connected to the end of the empty basket destacking conveyor line, the end of which is connected to the arriving carousel, and an empty basket request button is installed on the arriving baggage unloading conveyor line.

[0055] Arrival baggage trolleys are parked on one side of the arrival baggage unloading conveyor line. Arrival baggage is carried on the trolleys. Staff members place the arrival baggage on the arrival empty baskets or on the arrival baggage unloading conveyor line.

[0056] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are as follows: Self-propelled transport vehicles automatically transport stacks of arriving and departing empty crates to the empty crate depalletizing and departing empty crate stack conveyor lines, eliminating the need for manual handling, saving time and labor, and improving the system's empty crate handling efficiency. Furthermore, the arriving empty crate stacks are automatically split into arriving empty crates by the empty crate stack depalletizing device. Then, staff control the automatic transport of the arriving empty crates to the arriving baggage unloading conveyor line via an empty crate request button. When the arriving empty crates reach the arriving baggage trolley position, staff place the baggage from the arriving baggage trolley onto the arriving empty crates (i.e., crated baggage three), and place baggage that does not need to be crated onto the arriving baggage unloading conveyor line (i.e., uncrippled baggage three). Crate baggage three and uncrippled baggage three are then transported to the arrival carousel for passenger retrieval. Meanwhile, departing empty crate stacks are transported back to the check-in island via the departing empty crate stack conveyor line and the departing empty crate recycling line, awaiting passenger use.

[0057] Furthermore, the departure demand line also includes a hoist for transferring the stack of empty departure crates at the end of the departure empty crate stack conveyor line to the beginning of the departure empty crate recycling line.

[0058] The beneficial effects of adopting the above technical solution are: it can automatically transfer the stacks of empty containers from the departure empty container conveyor line to the departure empty container recycling line without manual transfer, and has a high degree of automation. Attached Figure Description

[0059] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0060] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an automatic luggage basket collection, handling and distribution system provided by the present invention.

[0061] Figure 2 A top view schematic diagram of the empty basket collection system for the departure chute.

[0062] Figure 3 A side view of the empty basket collection system for the departure chute.

[0063] Figure 4 A top view of the empty basket collection system for the departure roundabout.

[0064] Figure 5 A top-down structural diagram of the empty basket collection system for the arrival turntable and the arrival demand line.

[0065] Figure 6This is a side view of the demand line for arrivals at the port.

[0066] Figure 7 This is a top-down structural diagram of the departure demand line. Detailed Implementation

[0067] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0068] like Figures 1-7 As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present invention discloses an automatic luggage empty basket collection, handling and distribution system, including: an empty basket collection system, an empty basket stacking and handling system, and an empty basket distribution system;

[0069] The empty basket collection system is used to automatically collect and stack empty baskets from each baggage shipment after the baggage has been retrieved.

[0070] The empty crate stack handling system is used to automatically transport stacks of empty crates to the empty crate distribution system;

[0071] The empty crate distribution system is used to automatically distribute stacks of empty crates to departure and / or arrival points.

[0072] The empty container collection system includes: a departure chute empty container collection system 1, or / and a departure carousel empty container collection system 2, or / and an arrival carousel empty container collection system 4;

[0073] The departure chute empty basket collection system 1 includes:

[0074] The pallet sorting line 118 has multiple tilting pallets 101 for carrying crated luggage 102 and uncrammed luggage 103.

[0075] The departure chute 119 is located on one side of the pallet sorting line 118. The high end of the departure chute 119 corresponds to the tipping pallet 101, allowing crated baggage 102 or uncrippled baggage 103 to slide onto the high end of the departure chute 119 after the tipping pallet 101 is tipped. A detector 116 (which can be a visual recognition device from the prior art) is installed on the high end of the departure chute 119 to detect crated baggage 102 and uncrippled baggage 103. A partition 106 is installed inside the departure chute 119, dividing the internal space into sections for accommodating uncrippled baggage. The first chute cavity 105 of the first chute 103 and the second chute cavity 107 for accommodating crated baggage 102 are provided. The end of the partition 106 near the high end of the departure chute 119 is hinged with a swing arm 104 for moving uncrammed baggage 103 and crated baggage 102 located at the high end of the departure chute 119 into the first chute cavity 105 and the second chute cavity 107 respectively, so as to realize the sorting of crated baggage 102 and uncrammed baggage 103. The lower end of the first chute cavity 105 has a baggage retrieval station, and the lower end of the second chute cavity 107 has a crate collection station 109. The crate collection station 109 has an opening and closing flipping slide plate 111.

[0076] Departure baggage trolley 110 is located at the lower end of departure chute 119. It is used by staff to load unpacked baggage 103 from baggage retrieval station and baggage 102 from baggage collection station 109 onto the trolley and transport it to the aircraft cargo hold. The empty departure basket 112 of baggage 102 slides out of baggage collection station 109 via opening and closing flip-over slide plate 111.

[0077] Empty crate stacking line 113, the beginning of empty crate stacking line 113 is connected to opening and closing flipping slide 111, used to support the departing empty crates 112 that slide out of the opening and closing flipping slide 111, and stack them into empty crate stack 115.

[0078] The departure roundabout empty basket collection system 2 includes:

[0079] Departure carousel 201 carries baggage 210 in baskets and baggage 211 in empty baskets. Staff members retrieve baggage 211 in empty baskets and baggage 210 in baskets from departure carousel 201 and transfer it to departure baggage trolley 212. Departure carousel 201 is equipped with detector 209 (which may be a visual recognition device in the prior art) for detecting whether it is baggage 210 in baskets or empty baskets 206 in baskets or baggage 211 in empty baskets.

[0080] Departure robotic arm 207 is located on one side of departure turntable 201 and is used to stack empty departure baskets 206 into empty basket stack 208.

[0081] The empty basket collection system at the port roundabout includes:

[0082] Arrival carousel 401 carries crated baggage 3 402 and uncrammed baggage 3 403. Passengers retrieve uncrammed baggage 3 403 and crated baggage 3 402 from arrival carousel 401. Arrival carousel 401 is equipped with detector 3 410 for detecting whether it is crated baggage 3 402, or an empty crated baggage 3 402 or an uncrammed baggage 3 402.

[0083] The arrival robotic arm 405 is located on one side of the arrival turntable 401 and is used to stack the empty crates 404 into three empty crates stack 409.

[0084] The empty crate stack handling system transports empty crate stack 1 (115), empty crate stack 2 (208), and empty crate stack 3 (409) to the empty crate distribution system.

[0085] Multiple retractable baffles 108 (which can be driven by a cylinder) are installed at intervals on the bottom surface of the second chute cavity 107 to prevent the baggage 102 from sliding off.

[0086] Empty crate stacking line 113 includes:

[0087] The empty crate palletizing conveyor line is connected at the beginning to the opening and closing tilting slide plate 111, which is used to support the departing empty crates 112 that slide out of the opening and closing tilting slide plate 111.

[0088] The empty crate reversing device includes an electric push rod 117, a reversing motor 120, and a reversing turntable 121. The electric push rod 117 is fixed at the beginning of the empty crate palletizing conveyor line. The telescopic end of the electric push rod 117 is fixedly connected to the housing of the reversing motor 120. The drive end of the reversing motor 120 is fixed with a reversing turntable 121 for supporting the departing empty crates 112 and reversing them. A detector four (not shown, but can be a visual recognition device in the prior art) is set at the corresponding position of the empty crate reversing device on the empty crate palletizing conveyor line to detect whether the departing empty crates 112 need to be reversed.

[0089] Empty crate stacking device 114 (which may be a stacking device in the prior art) is installed on the empty crate stacking conveyor line and located behind the empty crate reversing device, and is used to stack departing empty crates 112 into empty crate stacks 115.

[0090] The departure turntable empty container collection system 2 also includes: an empty container positioning device 202, which includes:

[0091] The base plate 204 has an empty basket positioning area 1 on its top. The departure robotic arm 207 places the departure empty basket 206 on the empty basket positioning area 1.

[0092] Fixed clamping plate 205, the bottom end of fixed clamping plate 205 is fixed on the top end of base plate 204;

[0093] A movable clamping plate 203 is movably mounted on the top of a base plate 204. The movable clamping plate 203 is fixedly connected to the drive end of a drive unit 1 on the base plate 204. It is used to drive the movable clamping plate 203 to move towards a fixed clamping plate 205, so as to push the departing empty crate 206 located in the empty crate positioning area 1 onto the fixed clamping plate 205, thereby achieving the positioning of the shape and center of the departing empty crate 206. The departing robotic arm 207 stacks the positioned departing empty crate 206 into an empty crate stack 208 in the palletizing area 1.

[0094] The empty container collection system 4 at the port turntable also includes: an empty container positioning device 2 411, which includes:

[0095] Base plate 2 406, with empty basket positioning area 2 on the top of base plate 2 406, the arriving robotic arm 405 places the arriving empty basket 404 on empty basket positioning area 2;

[0096] Fixed clamping plate 2 407, the bottom end of fixed clamping plate 2 407 is fixed on the top end of base plate 2 406;

[0097] The second movable clamping plate 408 is movably mounted on the top of the second base plate 406. The second movable clamping plate 408 is fixedly connected to the drive end of the second drive unit on the second base plate 406. It is used to drive the second movable clamping plate 408 to move towards the second fixed clamping plate 407, so as to push the empty container 404 located in the second empty container positioning area onto the second fixed clamping plate 407, thereby achieving the positioning of the shape and center of the empty container 404. The arrival robotic arm 405 stacks the positioned empty container 404 into a stack of empty containers 409 in the second palletizing area.

[0098] The transport device in the empty crate stack transport system is a self-propelled transport vehicle 302 that can travel along the travel route 301. The transport vehicle 302 carries empty crate stacks 115, 208, and 409 to the empty crate distribution system. The transport vehicle has the functions of recognizing the surrounding environment, automatically avoiding obstacles, replanning routes, and grabbing and releasing empty crate stacks 115, 208, and 409. Alternatively, the system uses a robotic arm to transport empty crate stacks 115, 208, and 409 onto the transport vehicle, and then uses the robotic arm to transport empty crate stacks 115, 208, and 409 from the transport vehicle to the empty crate distribution system.

[0099] Empty crate stack 115, empty crate stack 208, and empty crate stack 3409 are all empty crate stacks 603 (arrival) and 502 (departure). The empty crate distribution system includes: departure demand line 5 and / or arrival demand line 6. The transport vehicle 302 transports the empty crate stack 502 (departure) and the empty crate stack 603 (arrival) to the beginning of departure demand line 5 and the beginning of arrival demand line 6, respectively.

[0100] Departure demand line 5 includes:

[0101] The empty container stack conveyor line 501 for departure is operated by a transport vehicle 302, which moves the empty container stack 502 to the beginning of the empty container stack conveyor line 501 for departure.

[0102] The starting end of the departing empty container recycling line 504 is connected to the end of the departing empty container stack conveyor line 501, and the end of the departing empty container recycling line 504 is connected to the check-in island 505.

[0103] Arrival demand line 6 includes:

[0104] The empty crate depalletizing conveyor line 602 is equipped with a transport vehicle 302 that transports the stack of empty crates 603 to the beginning of the empty crate depalletizing conveyor line 602. The empty crate depalletizing conveyor line 602 is equipped with an empty crate stack depalletizing device 601 (which can be a depalletizing device in the prior art) to depalletize the stack of empty crates 603 to be empty crates 404.

[0105] The baggage unloading conveyor 606 is connected at its beginning to the end of the empty crate destacking conveyor 602, and at its end to the arrival turntable 401. An empty crate request button 608 is installed on the baggage unloading conveyor 606.

[0106] Arrival baggage trolley 605 is parked on one side of arrival baggage unloading conveyor line 606. Arrival baggage 607 is carried on arrival baggage trolley 605. Staff will place arrival baggage 607 on arrival empty basket 404 or on arrival baggage unloading conveyor line 606.

[0107] The departure demand line 5 also includes a lift 503 for transferring the departure empty crate stack 502 at the end of the departure empty crate stack conveyor line 501 to the beginning of the departure empty crate recycling line 504.

[0108] The specific implementation process of this system is as follows:

[0109] (1) Process for collecting empty crates from the departure chute:

[0110] S1: Both crated baggage 102 and uncrammed baggage 103 are transported within the pallet sorting line 118 and, upon arrival at their destination, are tumbled into the departure chute 119.

[0111] S2: After being detected and identified by detector 1, baggage 102 and baggage 103 without being packed in a basket are determined by the control system to be baggage 102 without being packed in a basket and baggage 103 without being packed in a basket.

[0112] S3: According to the judgment result, the swing arm 104 receives the action command of the control system and diverts the crated baggage 102 to the second chute cavity 107, and the uncrammed baggage 103 to the first chute cavity 105.

[0113] S4: Unloaded baggage 103 slides down to the baggage retrieval station at the bottom of the first chute cavity 105, where staff directly retrieve and load the baggage onto the vehicle.

[0114] S5: If there is no other crated baggage 102 at the crate collection station 109, the crated baggage 102 will slide directly to the crate collection station 109. If there is another crated baggage 102 at the crate collection station 109, the crated baggage 102 will be blocked by the retractable baffle 108 and will not slide down.

[0115] S6: When baggage in basket 102 slides down to the collection station 109, the staff will retrieve the baggage from the basket and load it onto the vehicle.

[0116] S7: After the baggage is retrieved, the opening and closing flipping slide 111 at the bottom of the collection station 109 begins to rotate. After the slide reaches a certain angle, the departing empty container 112 slides down onto the empty container reversing device.

[0117] S8: The front and rear of the empty container 112 are of different sizes. After detection by detector 4, if the empty container 112 needs to be reversed, it will be rotated 180 degrees on the reversing device and then transported forward.

[0118] S9: Empty containers 112 departing from port enter the palletizing device 114 for palletizing. After the predetermined number of containers are palletized, they are transported downstream and remain on the empty container stack waiting area.

[0119] (2) Empty basket collection process at the departure roundabout:

[0120] S1: Both crated baggage 210 and uncrammed baggage 211 are fed into the departure carousel 201 for cyclical transport, and staff retrieve the baggage at the carousel.

[0121] S2: When the crated baggage 210 and uncrammed baggage 211 on the turntable are transported to the detector 209, it is determined whether the material is an empty crate 206 for departure. If it is an empty crate 206 for departure, the detector 209 transmits the empty crate information to the departure robotic arm 207.

[0122] S3: The departure robotic arm 204 grabs the departure empty container 206 on the turntable and transfers the departure empty container 206 to the empty container positioning device 202.

[0123] S4: The detector on the empty container positioning device 1 202 detects that there is a departing empty container 206. The movable clamping plate 1 203 on the empty container positioning device 1 202 starts to move, confining the departing empty container 206 between the movable clamping plate 1 203 and the fixed clamping plate 1 205. After the movable clamping plate 1 203 moves to the preset position, it is released and returns to the initial state to wait for the next empty container.

[0124] S5: The departing robotic arm 204 clamps the empty departing basket 206 for stacking.

[0125] (3) Process for collecting empty baskets at the port turntable:

[0126] S1: Both crated baggage 3 (402) and uncrammed baggage 3 (403) are fed into the arrival carousel 401 for cyclical transport, and passengers retrieve their baggage at the carousel.

[0127] S2: When the crated baggage 3 402 and uncrammed baggage 3 403 on the turntable are transported to the detector 3 410, it is determined whether the material is an empty arrival crate 404. If it is an empty arrival crate 404, the detector 3 410 transmits the empty crate information to the arrival robotic arm 405.

[0128] S3: The arriving robotic arm 405 grabs the arriving empty container 404 on the turntable and transfers the arriving empty container 404 to the empty container positioning device 411.

[0129] S4: The detector on the empty container positioning device 2 411 detects that an empty container 404 has arrived. The movable clamping plate 2 408 on the empty container positioning device 2 411 starts to move, confining the empty container 404 between the movable clamping plate 2 408 and the fixed clamping plate 2 407. After the movable clamping plate 2 408 moves to the preset position, it is released and returns to the initial state to wait for the next empty container.

[0130] S5: The arriving robotic arm 405 clamps the arriving empty crates 404 for palletizing.

[0131] (4) Automated empty basket handling process:

[0132] S1: The control system receives a detection signal from the empty basket stack one of the departing chute empty basket collection system, the empty basket stack two of the departing carousel empty basket collection system, or the empty basket stack three of the arriving carousel empty basket collection system.

[0133] S2: Select the automated guided vehicle 302 with the shortest distance to the stack of empty baskets based on the real-time operation status, and transmit the location information of the stack of empty baskets to the automated guided vehicle.

[0134] S3: The automated guided vehicle carries the stack of empty baskets and proceeds to the unloading point along the automated guided vehicle's travel path.

[0135] S4: After the automated guided vehicle arrives at the unloading point, it unloads the empty crates and stacks them onto the empty crate destacking conveyor line 602 or the departing empty crate stacking conveyor line 501.

[0136] S5: The automated guided vehicle is in standby mode, waiting for the next handling instruction from the control system.

[0137] (5) Empty container distribution process on the port conveyor line:

[0138] S1: The stack of empty crates 603 arriving at the port is conveyed downstream to the empty crate stack destacking device 601 on the empty crate destacking conveyor line 602, where the stack of empty crates 603 is broken into individual empty crates 404.

[0139] S2: The staff will park the arriving baggage trolley 605 next to the arriving baggage unloading conveyor line 606, press the empty basket request button 608, and the control system will transport the arriving empty basket 404 to the arriving baggage unloading conveyor line 606.

[0140] S3: When the empty arrival basket 404 is transported to the vicinity of the arrival baggage trolley 605, the staff put the arrival baggage 607 into the empty arrival basket 404, and the baggage basket loaded with baggage is transported downstream.

[0141] S4: When staff need a continuous supply of empty baskets, they can press the empty basket request button 608 repeatedly. The control system will then continuously transport empty baskets to the arrival baggage unloading line 606 according to the instruction information.

[0142] S5: When the luggage is unloaded or the empty basket is no longer needed, end the empty basket request on the empty basket request button 608.

[0143] (6) Empty basket recycling system process:

[0144] S1: The empty container stack 502 is transported downstream on the empty container stack conveyor line 501.

[0145] S2: The stack of empty containers 502 enters the elevator 503 and is lifted to the height of the empty container recycling line 504.

[0146] S3: The departing empty basket stack 502 is fed into the departing empty basket recycling line 504 until it returns to the check-in island 505. Passengers use the empty baskets to load their luggage when checking in.

[0147] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0148] 1. Compared with the traditional manual collection of empty baskets, the present invention uses an automated mode to eliminate the manual collection, transportation, and distribution of empty baskets, greatly reducing labor intensity. The present invention solves an important link in the automatic transfer of empty baskets throughout the entire process—collecting and returning empty baskets.

[0149] 2. This invention covers two main types of empty basket collection scenarios in existing Chinese airports (chute empty basket collection and carousel empty basket collection) and two types of empty basket usage scenarios (arrival carousel and check-in island). Airports can flexibly combine the collection and usage scenarios of empty baskets according to specific scenarios. When applying this invention, the airport's equipment layout / building conditions require minimal or no modification.

[0150] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since they correspond to the methods disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the method section.

[0151] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A system for automatically collecting, transporting and distributing empty luggage containers, characterized in that The invention relates to an empty basket collection system, an empty basket stack handling system, and an empty basket distribution system. The empty basket collection system is used to automatically collect and stack empty baskets after each piece of luggage is retrieved. The empty basket stack handling system is used to automatically transport the empty basket stack to the empty basket distribution system. The empty basket distribution system is used to automatically distribute the empty basket stack to the departure demand point and / or the arrival demand point. The empty basket collection system includes a departure chute empty basket collection system (1), or / and a departure carousel empty basket collection system (2), or / and an arrival carousel empty basket collection system (4). The departure chute empty basket collection system (1) includes: A tray sorting line (118) with a plurality of tipping trays (101) for carrying the basketed luggage (102) and the unbasketed luggage (103); A departure chute (119) located on one side of the tray sorting line (118), the high end side of the departure chute (119) corresponds to the position of the tipping tray (101), and is used for the basketed luggage (102) or the unbasketed luggage (103) on the tipping tray (101) to slide onto the high end side of the departure chute (119) after the tipping tray (101) is tipped over, the high end side of the departure chute (119) is provided with a detector (116) for detecting the basketed luggage (102) and the unbasketed luggage (103), and the inside of the departure chute (119) is provided with a partition (106) for separating the inside space of the departure chute (119) into a first chute cavity (105) for accommodating the unbasketed luggage (103) and a second chute cavity (107) for accommodating the basketed luggage (102), the end of the partition (106) near the high end side of the departure chute (119) is hinged with a swing arm (104) for pushing the unbasketed luggage (103) and the basketed luggage (102) on the high end side of the departure chute (119) into the first chute cavity (105) and the second chute cavity (107) respectively, so as to realize the sorting of the basketed luggage (102) and the unbasketed luggage (103), the low end side of the first chute cavity (105) is provided with a luggage retrieval station, the low end side of the second chute cavity (107) is provided with a basket collection station (109), and the basket collection station (109) is provided with an open-close type turnover slide plate (111); A departure luggage trailer (110) is located on the low end side of the departure chute (119), and is used for workers to load the luggage on the unbasketed luggage (103) on the luggage retrieval station and the basketed luggage (102) in the basket collection station (109) into the trailer and transport them to the aircraft cargo hold, and the departure empty basket (112) of the basketed luggage (102) slides out of the basket collection station (109) through the open-close type turnover slide plate (111). ​ An empty basket stacking line (113) is connected with the beginning end of the open-close type turnover slide plate (111), used for supporting the empty basket one (112) slid out by the open-close type turnover slide plate (111) and stacking into empty basket stack one (115); The airport carousel empty basket collection system (2) comprises: The airport carousel (201) carries the basketed luggage two (210) and the un-basketed luggage two (211), and the staff extracts the luggage on the un-basketed luggage two (211) and the basketed luggage two (210) onto the airport luggage trolley two (212) on the airport carousel (201), and the airport carousel (201) is provided with a detector two (209) for detecting whether it is the basketed luggage two (210) or the empty basket two (206) of the basketed luggage two (210) or the un-basketed luggage two (211); The airport mechanical arm (207) is located on one side of the airport carousel (201) and is used for stacking the empty basket two (206) into empty basket stack two (208); The arrival carousel empty basket collection system (4) comprises: The arrival carousel (401) carries the basketed luggage three (402) and the un-basketed luggage three (403), and the passenger extracts the luggage on the un-basketed luggage three (403) and the basketed luggage three (402) on the arrival carousel (401), and the arrival carousel (401) is provided with a detector three (410) for detecting whether it is the basketed luggage three (402) or the arrival empty basket (404) of the basketed luggage three (402) or the un-basketed luggage three (403); The arrival mechanical arm (405) is located on one side of the arrival carousel (401) and is used for stacking the arrival empty basket (404) into empty basket stack three (409); The empty basket stack conveying system conveys the empty basket stack one (115), the empty basket stack two (208), and the empty basket stack three (409) to the empty basket distribution system.

2. An automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty pallets according to claim 1, characterized in that, A plurality of retractable baffles (108) for stopping the basketed luggage one (102) from sliding are arranged on the bottom surface of the second chute cavity (107).

3. An automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty pallets according to claim 1, characterized in that, The empty basket stacking line (113) comprises: An empty basket stacking conveying line is connected with the beginning end of the open-close type turnover slide plate (111) and is used for supporting the empty basket one (112) slid out by the open-close type turnover slide plate (111); The empty basket reversing device comprises an electric push rod (117), a reversing motor (120), and a reversing turntable (121), the electric push rod (117) is fixed at the beginning end of the empty basket stacking conveying line, the telescopic end of the electric push rod (117) is fixedly connected with the shell of the reversing motor (120), and the driving end of the reversing motor (120) is fixed with the reversing turntable (121) for supporting the empty basket one (112) and reversing. An empty basket stacking device (114) is installed on the empty basket stacking conveying line and located at the rear side of the empty basket reversing device, for stacking the first empty basket (112) into the first empty basket stack (115).

4. An automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty pallets according to claim 1, characterized in that, The off-port carousel empty basket collecting system (2) further comprises an empty basket positioning device one (202), which comprises: a bottom plate one (204) having an empty basket positioning area one on the top end, and the off-port mechanical arm (207) places the second off-port empty basket (206) on the empty basket positioning area one; a fixed clamping plate one (205) fixed on the top end of the bottom plate one (204); a movable clamping plate one (203) movably arranged on the top end of the bottom plate one (204), and the movable clamping plate one (203) is fixedly connected with the driving end of the driving part one on the bottom plate one (204), for driving the movable clamping plate one (203) to move towards the fixed clamping plate one (205), so as to push the second off-port empty basket (206) on the empty basket positioning area one to the fixed clamping plate one (205), and realize the positioning of the shape and center of the second off-port empty basket (206), and the off-port mechanical arm (207) stacks the positioned second off-port empty basket (206) into the second empty basket stack (208) in the stacking area one.

5. An automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty pallets according to claim 1, characterized in that, The arrival carousel empty basket collecting system (4) further comprises an empty basket positioning device two (411), which comprises: a bottom plate two (406) having an empty basket positioning area two on the top end, and the arrival mechanical arm (405) places the arrival empty basket (404) on the empty basket positioning area two; a fixed clamping plate two (407) fixed on the top end of the bottom plate two (406); a movable clamping plate two (408) movably arranged on the top end of the bottom plate two (406), and the movable clamping plate two (408) is fixedly connected with the driving end of the driving part two on the bottom plate two (406), for driving the movable clamping plate two (408) to move towards the fixed clamping plate two (407), so as to push the arrival empty basket (404) on the empty basket positioning area two to the fixed clamping plate two (407), and realize the positioning of the shape and center of the arrival empty basket (404), and the arrival mechanical arm (405) stacks the positioned arrival empty basket (404) into the third empty basket stack (409) in the stacking area two.

6. An automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty pallets according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The carrying device in the empty basket stack carrying system is a carrying vehicle (302) that can walk along the running route (301), and the carrying vehicle (302) carries the first empty basket stack (115), the second empty basket stack (208), and the third empty basket stack (409) to the empty basket distribution system.

7. An automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty pallets according to claim 6, characterized in that, The empty basket stack one (115), the empty basket stack two (208), and the empty basket stack three (409) are all empty basket stacks to the port (603) and empty basket stacks from the port (502), and the empty basket distribution system comprises: a line of demand from the port (5) or / and a line of demand to the port (6), and the trolley (302) carries the empty basket stacks from the port (502) and the empty basket stacks to the port (603) to the beginning of the line of demand from the port (5) and the beginning of the line of demand to the port (6) respectively. The line of demand from the port (5) comprises: an empty basket stack conveying line from the port (501), and the trolley (302) carries the empty basket stacks from the port (502) to the beginning of the empty basket stack conveying line from the port (501); an empty basket stack recovery line from the port (504), and the beginning of the empty basket stack recovery line from the port (504) is connected with the end of the empty basket stack conveying line from the port (501), and the end of the empty basket stack recovery line from the port (504) is connected with the check-in island (505); The line of demand to the port (6) comprises: an empty basket unstacking conveying line (602), and the trolley (302) carries the empty basket stacks to the port (603) to the beginning of the empty basket unstacking conveying line (602), and the empty basket unstacking conveying line (602) is provided with an empty basket stack unstacking device (601) for unstacking the empty basket stacks to the port (603) on the empty basket unstacking conveying line (602) into the empty baskets to the port (404); a luggage unloading conveying line to the port (606), and the beginning of the luggage unloading conveying line to the port (606) is connected with the end of the empty basket unstacking conveying line (602), and the end of the luggage unloading conveying line to the port (606) is connected with the carousel to the port (401), and the luggage unloading conveying line to the port (606) is provided with an empty basket request button (608); a luggage trailer to the port (605), and the luggage trailer to the port (605) is parked on one side of the luggage unloading conveying line to the port (606), and the luggage trailer to the port (605) supports the luggage to the port (607), and the staff places the luggage to the port (607) on the empty baskets to the port (404) or on the luggage unloading conveying line to the port (606).

8. An automatic collection, handling and distribution system for empty pallets according to claim 7, characterized in that, The line of demand from the port (5) further comprises a hoist (503) for transferring the empty basket stacks from the port (502) on the end of the empty basket stack conveying line from the port (501) to the beginning of the empty basket stack recovery line from the port (504).

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