Transporting containers for conveying installations, in particular airport baggage conveying installations, with items of different sizes

Abstract

In order to increase the capacity of the transport container conveying installation (2), the sorting process and the size of the piece goods (14) arriving at the loading station (4) are ascertained. If two or more piece goods (14) having a uniform sorting process and matching size are found, these piece goods are jointly loaded onto a transport container (6) and processed according to the uniform sorting process and unloaded at the sorting destination. Otherwise, the piece goods (14) are individually loaded onto a respectively own transport container (6).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of conveying systems for transporting goods in containers, particularly airport baggage conveying systems. Background Technology

[0002] In multiple airport baggage handling facilities, baggage items are transferred in (transport) containers (pallets). The baggage items are transported to loading stations and there loaded individually into containers, which are then transported, sorted, stored, and subjected to similar procedures within the facility until they are unloaded onto an unloading point determined by information about the baggage item, typically a belt associated with the aircraft (=sorting target). Because each baggage item has an individual sorting process and an individual sorting target, only one baggage item is loaded onto a container at a time. The throughput of the baggage handling facility directly corresponds to the throughput of the containers. Therefore, the required capacity must be provided in a container system designed with sufficient dimensions for the corresponding application.

[0003] The dimensions of baggage handling facilities and containers are designed based on planning data. If the performance of more than one unit (e.g., transportation, sorting, storage) is required, multiple parallel process units are planned accordingly. Furthermore, redundant lines are planned based on customer requirements. If the number of process units must be increased, additional connections between these process units must be implemented with corresponding costs.

[0004] Because increasing capacity after an event is difficult due to the limited space available in existing baggage handling facilities, sizing is designed during the planning phase. If an airport grows and facilities must be expanded, large-scale modifications and expansions are usually required due to the increased space demands. The same issues arise with AGV systems and other conveyor systems that transport items in containers. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a solution that can increase the capacity of existing and future transport container delivery facilities without additional space requirements.

[0006] The objective is achieved through the solution described in this invention.

[0007] The solution according to the invention is characterized by a method for loading transport containers for conveying facilities, particularly airport baggage conveying facilities, with parcels of different sizes at a loading station, wherein each parcel has its own sorting process and the internal dimensions of the transport container are known. The method comprises the following steps: determining the sorting process and dimensions of a first parcel; determining the sorting process and dimensions of another parcel; comparing the determined sorting processes and / or dimensions; when the determined sorting processes of at least two parcels, particularly those subsequently arriving at the same loading station, are consistent and the determined dimensions of these parcels allow them to be commonly accommodated by the transport container, loading the two parcels into the transport container and transporting the transport container according to the consistent, common sorting process; otherwise, performing the preceding method steps for another parcel; when no two parcels with consistent sorting processes that can be commonly accommodated by a single transport container are found, loading each parcel individually into its own transport container; transporting the loaded transport container to its sorting destination determined by the parcel's sorting process; and unloading one or more parcels from the transport container. Unless otherwise specified, each last inspected shipment (or multiple last inspected shipments) shall be retained separately for comparison.

[0008] Therefore, the following additional advantages can be derived:

[0009] i) The solution according to the invention is particularly well suited to retrofitting existing conveyor facilities because the necessary components are already available or can be easily added, and—depending on the implementation—no additional space is required or only very little additional space is required.

[0010] ii) The number of transport containers required can be reduced by the solution according to the invention.

[0011] iii) The solution according to the invention allows the use of larger transport containers so that larger shipments can be accommodated, wherein the capacity loss associated with larger transport containers is compensated.

[0012] If the method according to the invention is performed on shipments that are not directly following one another, the conveying facility includes a storage area in the loading station area as a temporary hold for shipments whose sorting process and dimensions have been checked but have not yet been loaded onto transport containers, for co-loading with at least one other shipment. It is also implied that smaller shipments can be loaded into transport containers and the loaded transport containers can be retained in the storage area for potential further loading.

[0013] If, during comparison, two shipments are unsuitable for a common transport container due to their size or identified sorting process, the comparison can be interrupted and the method continued for the other shipment. Whether the size comparison or the sorting process is performed first is irrelevant here.

[0014] Preferably, the method according to the invention is executed automatically. The method according to the invention can also be performed on a consistent sub-sorting process; however, an additional unloading function is required subsequently. Unloading is performed at the sorting target determined by the sorting process, or at a suitable location prior to the sorting if the items need to be retrieved in advance. It is proposed that all items loaded in the transport container be unloaded at the sorting target. If the transport container is loaded with only one item, then only that one item is unloaded. If the transport container is loaded with two or more items, then all two or more items are unloaded at the sorting target.

[0015] The solution according to the invention can be further improved by different design schemes, each of which is advantageous in itself and can be arbitrarily combined with each other unless otherwise stated. The design schemes and their associated advantages are examined below.

[0016] Preferably, the cargo can be oriented about its respective horizontal and / or vertical axis before and / or during loading of the transport container, so as to optimize the loading of the transport container in terms of its space utilization. For this purpose, the conveying facility preferably includes orientation units included in the loading station for orienting the cargo about its respective horizontal and / or vertical axis before and / or during loading of the transport container, so as to optimize the loading of the transport container in terms of its space utilization. The optimization of the cargo orientation occurs before or in connection with loading. Without orientation, the cargo may be positioned such that loading is completely infeasible because the cargo does not fit onto the transport container at all in the current orientation.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, it is also proposed to determine and compare the weights of packages with determined sorting processes and dimensions, and to load more than one package into a transport container only if the common weight of the packages does not exceed a predetermined weight. For this purpose, a detection unit included in the conveying facility can be configured to determine the weight of the packages, and a back-end system can be configured to compare the determined weights of packages with determined sorting processes and dimensions, and to prompt the use of more than one package into a transport container only if the common weight of the packages does not exceed a predetermined weight. The weight can be determined by weighing at the detection unit itself or based on the weight determined and stored upon introduction into the conveying facility.

[0018] The dimensions of a shipment can be determined using optical methods, especially cameras, lasers, or gratings.

[0019] Preferably, comparisons between shipments can be performed such that shipments are incorporated from method step c) to perform the method according to the invention, only for a predetermined number of shipments arriving successively and / or within a specific time period at one or more loading stations. If no other suitable shipments for co-loading are found up to that point, the shipments are individually loaded onto transport containers according to method step e). Therefore, costly management is avoided and very little additional waiting space is required for shipments that have been detected but not yet compared and loaded onto transport containers.

[0020] According to one embodiment, smaller shipments whose identified dimensions are below a predetermined value can be temporarily stored and included for comparison. These smaller shipments are stored until transport to the sorting target or the execution of the sorting process (e.g., in time) becomes urgent and / or for a predetermined number of shipments (14) arriving successively and / or within a specific time period at one or more loading stations (4) and / or as long as sufficient storage space exists. After storage, these stored shipments are transported toward the loading station for co-loading. For this purpose, the transport facility may include storage units in the loading area of ​​the loading station for temporarily storing smaller shipments whose identified dimensions are below a predetermined value before loading transport containers.

[0021] Preferably, the unloading of one shipment or at least two or more shipments from their or a common transport container can be carried out at the sorting target of the shipment or shipments or at other locations as needed for the shipments.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the method can be performed on shipments arriving at two or more loading stations. Sequential loading can be performed, i.e., transporting a container already loaded with one shipment from one loading station to the next, or, conversely, transporting a shipment from one loading station to another, where two shipments are loaded onto a common transport container.

[0023] Preferably, the sorting process and dimensions of at least one item can also be determined. The determined sorting process and / or dimensions of all detected items can be compared. If the determined sorting processes of three or more items are consistent and the determined dimensions of the three or more items are such that the three or more items can be commonly accommodated in a transport container, then these items can be loaded into a common transport container and the common transport container can be transported according to the consistent sorting process. Otherwise, the method according to the invention can continue.

[0024] The apparatus according to the invention relates to a conveying facility, particularly an airport baggage conveying facility, for placing parcels of different sizes into transport containers according to their sorting process, including mechanisms for performing the method according to the invention.

[0025] For this purpose, the conveying facility includes: a transport container with known internal dimensions; a detection unit for detecting the sorting process and dimensions of the shipments; a back-end system for automatically comparing at least two shipments, especially those subsequently arriving at the same loading station, and for checking whether the determined dimensions of these shipments are such that the shipments can be jointly contained in a single transport container; a loading station for automatically loading one of the transport containers with one or at least two shipments; and an unloading function for unloading the shipments from the transport container. The conveying facility includes conveyor segments for transporting the transport containers to their sorting destination, or selectable conveyor paths, such as those not connected to the floor.

[0026] The loading station is preferably configured to load two or more pieces of cargo onto transport containers.

[0027] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the following description.

[0028] The sorting process should be understood as the entire setup process of a piece of cargo within a transport facility. In the case of air baggage, this process is determined not only by the flight (which determines the sorting target) but also by the point in time when the baggage is introduced into the baggage transport facility: for example, if the baggage is temporarily stored in advance baggage storage during check-in the previous night, and then transported directly towards the sorting target when introduced into the baggage transport facility at the present moment. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail, for example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein are shown:

[0030] Figure 1 The transmission facility according to the present invention is shown;

[0031] Figures 2 to 5 The transmission facility is shown with different temporary register implementations. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments described in detail below relate to an airport baggage handling facility 2. However, the invention is not limited to baggage handling facility 2, but can be applied to any type of conveying system 2 for transporting parcels 14 in transport containers 6, such as AGV conveying systems. The aim is to find two or more parcels 14 that have a common sorting process, the parcels being designed to be small enough to fit into transport containers 6, and to transport the two or more parcels 14 together in a common transport container 6.

[0033] Figure 1 A portion of baggage conveyor facility 2 is shown. Baggage items 14, 14' are transported toward loading station 4 on conveyor section 8a, and the size of baggage items 14, 14' and their sorting process are detected or determined by detection unit 12, including, for example, cameras, light grids and / or gratings. The sorting process can be determined by reading baggage tags or other information carriers using known methods, and in any case by utilizing any possible additional BSM database.

[0034] Baggage pieces 14 and 14' have different sizes. The normal transport container 6 is designed to be large enough to accommodate and transport multiple baggage pieces 14' that are not fully utilized and have the same sorting process (sorting target, e.g., the same aircraft along with the same baggage category). Smaller baggage pieces 14' are loaded onto the transport container 6 together in the sense that they are matched together in the same sorting process. Loading of the transport container 6 occurs at loading station 4. This loading station 4 can be implemented in various ways and methods without requiring creative work for those skilled in the art, therefore a more precise description is omitted.

[0035] First, the dimensions of baggage items 14 and 14' arriving at the loading station on conveyor segment 8a, typically a belt conveyor system, are determined. Sorting information for baggage items 14 and 14' is determined to inform the sorting process at baggage conveying facility 2 (advance baggage storage, direct transport to the sorting target, ...). Baggage items 14' that can share transport container 6 and be loaded into it are identified. For this purpose, not only must the sorting process be consistent, but the dimensions of baggage items 14' must also be small enough that they can be shared by transport container 6. Therefore, it is not crucial for the method to first compare the detected sorting processes or detected dimensions of the two baggage items 14—the comparison can be interrupted if it does not allow for shared loading into transport container 6.

[0036] Optionally, baggage items 14'' may be oriented (rotated about a horizontal and / or vertical axis) before or during loading to achieve optimal space utilization of the transport container 6, allowing potentially more than two baggage items 14'' to be accommodated by the transport container 6. Adjusting the orientation of baggage items 14 increases the likelihood of co-loading with other baggage items 14. Baggage items arriving at loading station 4 in the longitudinal direction can be loaded with a specific orientation, typically laterally rotated, and with a higher probability of matching into the transport container 6. Rotation about all other axes, in addition to rotation in the vertical direction, can also be implemented.

[0037] A typical loading station 4 loads transport containers 6 from above, although lateral loading may also be considered. Unloading is also performed from below, but normally from above or from the side.

[0038] According to one embodiment, two pairs of baggage items 14, corresponding to a transport container 6, are sequentially loaded from a belt conveyor 8 onto a common transport container 6. The transport container 6 moves synchronously with the delivery of the belt conveyor 8. The baggage items 14' are loaded into different areas of the transport container 6 through suitable synchronization. There is no time loss through synchronized loading—loading with two baggage items 14' takes the same amount of time as loading with one item.

[0039] The loaded, shared transport container 6, along with baggage pieces 14', is processed according to the established sorting process and conveyed toward the sorting target, where the transport container 6 is unloaded. The shared transport container 6 is conveyed, stored, and transported via the conveyor facility 2 in the same manner as the transport container 6 loaded with only one baggage piece 4, and unloaded at the sorting target determined by the sorting process. At the sorting target determined by the piece loading, all pieces 14, 14' (one piece 14 in the case of individual loading, two or more pieces 14' in the case of shared loading) of the transport container 6 are unloaded. In some cases, baggage pieces 14' must have been separated beforehand, for example, because a passenger needs to retrieve medication from their suitcase 4. For this purpose, the shared transport container 6 is partially or completely unloaded along the conveyor facility 2 at suitable locations. Needless to say, baggage pieces 14' that do not need to be retrieved are then conveyed back to the sorting process. The unloading of the (individual and shared) transport container 6 is carried out according to corresponding known unloading methods in the prior art.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the size and orientation of the luggage item 14 are determined using optical methods. This could be a simple grating or light grid; however, a camera could also be used as the detection unit 12.

[0041] According to one embodiment, to prevent overloading of the transport container 6, the weight of baggage piece 14' is determined by means of a scale or by means of data from a previously read baggage tag. If the capacity of the container system is not limited by the combined weight of the baggage, weight comparison can be omitted.

[0042] In the simplest case, pack 14 pieces of luggage. k Only with shipment 14 transported directly before it on transport segment 8a. k-1 Or shipment 14 directly after it k+1 Compare( Figure 2 ). Luggage 14 k Therefore, a short wait is necessary. If the following luggage item is 14... k+1 (or luggage 14) k Due to its size, it does not allow for the use of a common transport container (6), therefore, baggage item 14... k+1Traditionally, each item is individually loaded onto its own transport container 6 and processed according to the sorting process. If baggage item 14... k 14 k+1 If these luggage items 14 are physically matched together on transport container 6 and have the same sorting process, then... k 14 k+1 They are automatically loaded onto transport container 6 at loading station 4.

[0043] Preferably, the method according to one embodiment is not only applicable to luggage items 14 that move directly in sequence and / or side by side. k-1 14 k-2 14 k 14 k+1 14 k+2 ( Figure 1 Some of the baggage items 14' are detected. For this purpose, these detected items 14 are collected in a temporary storage unit 10, which serves as a short-term storage unit. For each additional item 14, the sorting process and size are detected and compared with the items 14 stored in the temporary storage unit 10.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the shipments 14 arriving at different loading stations 4 are also compared with each other. Both embodiments increase the opportunity for multiple shipments 14' to share the transport container 6. For loading, one shipment 14' must be transported to another loading station 4, where the other shipments 14' wait, and then the transport container 6 is loaded at that loading station with both shipments 14'. Alternatively, the transport container 6 can be loaded with shipments 14' at one loading station 4 and then transported to another loading station 4 where it is subsequently loaded with a second shipment 14'.

[0045] In both embodiments, the temporarily stored baggage items 14' are stored in the temporary storage unit 10 only for a certain period of time and / or for a predetermined number of baggage items 14 arriving sequentially before being individually loaded onto the transport container. It goes without saying that once the sorting process becomes time-sensitive, the baggage items 14 must be removed directly from the temporary storage unit 10 and conveyed to the established sorting process. As long as the baggage items 14 are in the temporary storage unit 10, they are considered for comparison in order to find items 14' suitable for loading the transport container 6 with more than one item 14'.

[0046] In order to avoid overusing the capacity of the temporary storage 10, according to one embodiment, temporary storage is only performed when the size of the detected item 14' is lower than a predetermined value, thereby finding another item 14' with a matching size and consistent sorting process suitable for co-loading with a high probability.

[0047] Figure 3 , 4Figures 5 and 6 exemplarily, and not definitively, show possible implementations of temporary register 10. Figure 3 A side view shows a temporary storage unit 10 resembling an elevator, where the "car" has a bottom with a conveyor belt 8'. When luggage 14 should not be stored, it is simply conveyed through the car via the conveyor belt 8'. When it should be stored, luggage 14 is simply moved up or down and the empty elevator car is positioned at the height of the remaining conveyor path.

[0048] Alternatively, shipment 14' may be temporarily stored in transport container 6, and transport container 6 loaded with shipment 14' may then be temporarily stored in staging tank 10. When another shipment 14' with a consistent sorting process and matching quality is found, then the other shipment is additionally loaded into the already loaded transport container 6.

[0049] Figure 4 One embodiment is shown, in which a transmission segment 8 with a metering device as a temporary storage is used. And... Figure 5 The diagram shows a transmission segment 8 branching into small sub-segments 8', where sub-segments 8' can be used as registers 10. EP2041005 discloses a turret-type register 10, which is also very well suited to the method according to the invention.

[0050] Interference with loading transport containers 6 with more than one baggage piece 14' is almost entirely localized to the area of ​​loading station 4 and adjacent areas. The increased capacity, however, is downstream and manifests across the entire transport facility 2. Even if only a small portion of the transport containers 6 can be loaded with multiple baggage pieces 14', the overall capacity of the transport facility 2 is correspondingly increased. If 20% of the baggage pieces 14 to be transported can be loaded into transport containers 6 in twos, then only 90% of the transport containers 6 and only 90% of the (pre-loaded) baggage storage are required. The system-wide capacity increase of the transport container transport facility is achieved through a purely localized change in restrictions at the loading station.

Claims

1. A method for loading transport containers (6) of a conveying facility (2) at a loading station (4) with packages (14, 14') of different sizes, wherein each package (14) has its own sorting process and the internal dimensions of the transport container (6) are known, the method being characterized by having the following method steps: a) Determine the sorting process and dimensions of the first item (14); b) Determine the sorting process and dimensions of the other item (14); c) Compare the identified sorting process and / or dimensions; d) When the identified sorting processes of at least two shipments (14') are consistent and the identified dimensions of these shipments (14') are such that the shipments can be jointly contained in a transport container (6), load the transport container (6) with the two shipments (14') and transport the transport container (6) according to the consistent sorting process; otherwise, perform method steps b), c) and d) for another shipment (14). e) When no two shipments (14) with consistent sorting processes are found that can be contained in a single transport container (6), these shipments (14) are individually loaded into their own transport containers (6). f) Transport the loaded transport container (6) to its sorting destination as determined by the sorting process of the shipment (14); g) Unload one piece of cargo (14) or at least two pieces of cargo (14') from the transport container (6). The method includes the following steps: Until the execution of method step f) becomes urgent and / or for a predetermined number of shipments (14) arriving at one or more loading stations (4) in succession and / or within a specific time period and / or as long as there is sufficient temporary storage space, smaller shipments (14) with dimensions below the predetermined quantity are temporarily stored, and these temporarily stored shipments (14) are incorporated into the execution of the method from method step d).

2. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The conveying facility (2) is an airport baggage conveying facility (2).

3. The method according to claim 1, Its features are, The at least two pieces of cargo (14') then arrived at the same loading station (4).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the following method steps: Before and / or during loading the transport container (6), the cargo (14) is oriented about its respective horizontal and / or vertical axis so that the transport container (6) is loaded in a manner that optimizes its space utilization.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, Determine and compare the weights of the shipments (14) with the determined sorting process and dimensions, and load more than one shipment (14) into the transport container (6) only if the total weight of these shipments (14) does not exceed the predetermined weight.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The dimensions of the item (14) are determined by means of optical methods.

7. The method according to claim 6, Its features are, The dimensions of the item (14) are determined by means of a camera, laser or grating.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, Comparison of shipments (14) between each other is performed only for a pre-specified number of shipments arriving at one or more loading stations (4) in succession and / or within a specific time period.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, At the sorting target location where the item (14) is set or at another location where the item (14) needs to be retrieved, unload one item (14) or multiple items (14') according to step g) of method 1.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Its features are, The method is performed for shipments (14) arriving at two or more loading stations (4).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the following method steps: - Determine the sorting process and dimensions of at least one item (14); - Compare the identified sorting process and / or dimensions; When the identified sorting process of three or more shipments (14) is consistent and the identified dimensions of the three or more shipments (14) are such that the three or more shipments (14) can be commonly accommodated by a transport container (6), the shipments (14) are loaded into the common transport container (6) at the loading station (4) and the common transport container (6) is transported according to the consistent sorting process. - Otherwise, continue with the method steps described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A conveying facility (2) for placing packages (14) of different sizes into transport containers (6) according to their sorting process, comprising a mechanism for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The transmission facility (2) according to claim 12. Its features are, The conveying facility (2) is an airport baggage conveying facility (2).

14. The transmission facility (2) according to claim 12 or 13, comprising: - Transport container with known internal dimensions (6); - Detection unit (12) for detecting the sorting process and size of the goods (14); - A background system for automatically comparing the identified sorting processes of at least two shipments (14) and for checking whether the identified dimensions of these shipments (14) are such that the shipments can be accommodated together by a transport container (6); - Loading station (4) for automatically loading one of the transport containers (6) with one or at least two pieces of cargo (14); - An unloading function for unloading the cargo (14) from the transport container (6).

15. The transmission facility (2) according to claim 14. Its features are, The at least two pieces of cargo (14) then arrived at the same loading station (4).

16. The transmission facility (2) according to claim 14, further comprising: The orientation unit included in the loading station (4) is used to orient the cargo (14) about its respective horizontal and / or vertical axis before and / or during loading of the transport container (6), so that the transport container (6) is loaded in a manner optimized in terms of its space utilization.

17. The transmission facility (2) according to claim 14. Its features are, The detection unit (12) is configured to determine the weight of the shipment (14), and the back-end system is configured to compare the determined weight of the shipment (14) with the determined sorting process and size, and to prompt the use of more than one shipment (14) to load the transport container (6) only if the common weight of these shipments (14) is not higher than a predetermined weight.

18. The transmission facility (2) according to claim 14, further comprising: A temporary storage device is used to temporarily store smaller shipments (14) whose dimensions are less than a pre-defined quantity before loading the transport container (6).

19. The transmission facility (2) according to claim 14. Its features are, The loading station (4) is configured to load two or more pieces of cargo (14) onto the transport container (6).

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