Tumbler sorting system and its sorting method

Abstract

This invention discloses a tray sorting system and its sorting method. The tray sorting system includes a tray sorting machine and a loading area and a sorting slot area located on the side of the tray sorting machine. The tray sorting machine is equipped with a straightening guide located downstream of the sorting slot area to switch the trays of the sorted tray sorting carts from an inclined state to a straightened state. An empty tray detection photoelectric sensor is also installed at the tray sorting machine, downstream of the straightening guide and upstream of the loading area. During operation, the tray sorting machine determines whether each passing tray sorting cart is empty based on the signal from the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor. This invention uses an empty tray detection photoelectric sensor to detect whether a tray sorting cart has a package, significantly reducing equipment costs and eliminating the need for complex model training processes, greatly reducing development costs and implementation difficulty, and facilitating widespread application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sorting, and in particular to a flip-top sorting system and sorting method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Tilting sorters are commonly used equipment in logistics sorting. They unload goods from pallets by tilting them left and right.

[0003] After unloading packages in the sorting area, the tray sorting trolley of the tray sorting machine will rotate with the sorting loop to the package feeding area, where it will be reloaded by the loading platform or the package feeding equipment. Therefore, before loading the package, it is necessary to accurately identify whether there are packages on the tray of each tray sorting trolley.

[0004] The existing methods only use grayscale meters for detection, such as the typical method with application publication number CN110871173A.

[0005] However, grayscale detection equipment is expensive, and grayscale instruments require deep learning to ensure detection accuracy, which results in a long research and development cycle and high costs, making it relatively difficult to implement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art and to provide a flip-top sorting system and sorting method thereof.

[0007] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0008] The tray sorting system includes a tray sorting machine and a packing area and a sorting area located on the side of the tray sorting machine. The tray sorting machine is equipped with a straightening guide located downstream of the sorting area to switch the trays of the sorted tray sorting carts from an inclined state to a straight state. An empty tray detection photoelectric sensor is also installed at the tray sorting machine, located downstream of the straightening guide and upstream of the packing area. During the operation of the tray sorting machine, the signal from the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor is used to determine whether each tray sorting cart passing by is empty.

[0009] Preferably, in the flip-top sorting system, the pallet includes a base plate and two baffles and two unloading plates connected to its four sides and cooperating with it to form an inverted frustum-shaped groove. The empty pallet detection photoelectric sensor includes a first photoelectric sensor and / or at least one distance sensor. The first photoelectric sensor is horizontally set, which is higher than the top of the pallet in the upright state and close to the top of the pallet. The distance sensor is spaced above the flip-top sorting trolley and measures distance downwards.

[0010] Preferably, in the flip-top sorting system, a package feeding device is provided at the package loading area to place packages onto the flip-top sorting trolley.

[0011] Preferably, in the flip-top sorting system, each flip-top sorting trolley includes a frame, on which two parallel vertical plates are provided, and on the two vertical plates are pallet assemblies that can be flipped relative to them. The vertical plates are provided with a switching control component for controlling the flipping of the pallet assemblies.

[0012] Preferably, in the flip-top sorting system, each of the two vertical plates is provided with a pair of symmetrical arc-shaped flip holes that curve from the outside to the inside of the vertical plates. The positions of the arc-shaped flip holes on the two vertical plates correspond one to one. The pallet assembly includes two flip shafts connected to the bottom of the pallet and perpendicular to the vertical plates. The two ends of each flip shaft are inserted into a pair of opposite arc-shaped flip holes.

[0013] Preferably, in the flip-top sorting system, the switching control component includes support components that are respectively matched with a flip axis. Both support components include a translation stop and a driver that drives them to translate in a direction perpendicular to the flip axis. When the flip axis is located at the top of the arc-shaped flip hole, the translation stop of the support component matched with the flip axis can be translated from the outside of the flip axis to below the flip axis so that the flip axis is rotatably restricted at the top of the arc-shaped flip hole.

[0014] Preferably, in the flip-top sorting system, horizontal baffles are respectively provided on the opposite sides of the two vertical plates, located below the arc-shaped flip-top hole. The horizontal baffles on one side are higher than the horizontal baffles on the other side and are close to each other. The horizontal baffles on the opposite sides of two adjacent flip-top sorting trolleys partially overlap.

[0015] Preferably, in the flip-top sorting system, a detection sensor is provided at the flip-top sorting machine located downstream of the upper packaging area, and the detection sensor is used to detect whether there are foreign objects on the horizontal shield.

[0016] According to the sorting method of the flip-top sorting system described above, when each of the flip-top sorting trolleys moves past the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor, it is determined whether the flip-top sorting trolley is empty based on the signal of the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor.

[0017] The packaging equipment in the upper packaging area places the packages onto the flip-top sorting carts that are identified as empty.

[0018] Preferably, the system will stop and alarm when the detection sensor detects a foreign object on the horizontal barrier.

[0019] The advantages of the technical solution of this invention are mainly reflected in:

[0020] This invention uses an empty tray detection photoelectric sensor to detect whether a tray-turning sorting cart has a package. This greatly reduces the equipment cost and eliminates the need for complex model training processes, significantly reducing the development cost and implementation difficulty of the equipment, making it easier to promote and apply.

[0021] The present invention uses a horizontally positioned first photoelectric sensor that can detect the vast majority of goods. For goods whose height is lower than the depth of the pallet, a distance measuring sensor can be used for detection, thereby effectively ensuring full coverage detection.

[0022] The tilting sorting trolley of the present invention has a simple structure and does not require a lifting mechanism to tilt the pallet, which greatly simplifies the structure of the tilting sorter and makes it easier to implement. Moreover, there is no impact on the pallet from the top during sorting, and the sorting action is gentler.

[0023] The present invention has a more reasonable shielding structure for the gaps between the flip-top sorting carts, which can effectively avoid the risk of damage caused by using bellows covers and reduce the difficulty of equipment maintenance.

[0024] This invention incorporates a detection sensor to detect foreign objects on a horizontal barrier, enabling timely detection and handling of abnormalities, thereby improving the safety of equipment operation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a top view of the tilting sorting system of the present invention. Only a portion of the tilting sorting trolley is shown in the figure.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tilting sorting cart of the present invention with one side vertical plate hidden;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a side view of the tilting sorting cart of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a top view of the tilting sorting cart of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the tray alignment state of the flip-top sorting trolley of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the tray of the tilting sorting trolley of the present invention tilting to the right for sorting;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the tray of the tilting sorting trolley of the present invention tilting to the left for sorting;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the tilting sorting trolley and the straightening guide of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 9This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention, which uses an empty disk detection photoelectric sensor to detect whether the tray-turning sorting cart is empty.

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention, which uses an empty tray detection photoelectric sensor and a detection sensor to detect whether the tray-turning sorting trolley is empty and whether there are foreign objects on the horizontal baffle between the tray-turning sorting trolleys. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The objectives, advantages, and features of this invention will be illustrated and explained through the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments. These embodiments are merely typical examples of applying the technical solutions of this invention, and all technical solutions formed by equivalent substitutions or equivalent transformations fall within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0036] In the description of the solution, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience and simplification of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0037] The flipping sorting system disclosed in this invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, it includes a tilting sorter 100 and a packing area 200 and a sorting area 300 disposed on the side of the tilting sorter 100. The tilting sorter 100 is provided with a straightening guide 120 located downstream of the sorting area 300 for switching the tray 101 of the tilting sorting trolley 110 after sorting from an inclined state to a straight state. An empty tray detection photoelectric sensor 400 is also provided at the tilting sorter 100, located downstream of the straightening guide 120 and upstream of the packing area 200. During the operation of the tilting sorter, the signal of the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor 400 is used to determine whether each tilting sorting trolley 110 passing by is empty.

[0038] As attached Figure 1 As shown, the tilting sorter 100 includes a track 130. The specific structure of the track 130 is known technology; it is a flat, closed track 130, and its specific shape can be a waist-shaped or rounded rectangle, or other feasible shapes. A tilting sorting trolley 110 is movably arranged on the track 130, forming a closed ring sorting line. The tilting sorting trolley 110 can be a known feasible structure.

[0039] As attached Figure 2 As shown, each of the tipping sorting carts 110 includes a frame 111, with wheels 112 on both sides of the frame. The number of wheels 112 on each side can be designed as needed, for example, 1-3, preferably 2, and located at both ends of each side of the frame. Each side of the frame is also provided with a guide wheel 113 located between the two wheels 112. The axis of the guide wheel 113 extends vertically and protrudes to the outside of the wheels 112.

[0040] Meanwhile, similar to existing technologies, the bottom of the frame can be provided with a secondary linear motor component 114 that cooperates with the primary component of the linear motor on the track to drive the tilting sorting trolley 110 to move. Of course, in other embodiments, the sorting loop can also be driven by known friction drive methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0041] As attached Figure 2 Appendix Figure 3 As shown, the frame 111 is provided with two parallel vertical plates 115, which are parallel to the axis of the traveling wheel 112. The two vertical plates 115 are provided with tray assemblies 116 that can be flipped relative to them. The vertical plates 115 are provided with a switching control assembly 117 for controlling the flipping of the tray assembly 116.

[0042] As attached Figure 2 As shown, each of the two vertical plates 115 is provided with a pair of symmetrical arc-shaped flip holes 118 that curve from the outer side to the inner side of the vertical plate 115. The upper end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118 is close to the upper end of the vertical plate 115, and the lower end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118 is close to the lower middle position of the vertical plate 115. The positions of the arc-shaped flip holes 118 on the two vertical plates 115 correspond one to one.

[0043] The pallet assembly 116 includes a pallet 101 and two flip shafts 102 connected to the bottom of the pallet 101 and perpendicular to the vertical plate 115. The two ends of each flip shaft 102 are inserted into a pair of opposite arc-shaped flip holes 118. When the two flip shafts 102 are at the upper end of the arc-shaped flip holes 118, the pallet assembly 116 is kept upright, and packages can be placed on the pallet assembly 116 for conveying. When one side of the flip shaft 102 slides down along its arc-shaped flip hole 118 and the other side of the flip shaft 102 remains at the upper end of its arc-shaped flip hole 118, the pallet assembly 116 tilts to achieve sorting.

[0044] As attached Figure 3As shown, each of the flipping shafts 102 is connected to the bottom of the tray 101 by a support rod 103 perpendicular to it. The support rods 103 connected to the two flipping shafts 102 are respectively close to one of the vertical plates 115, so that the two support rods 103 can cooperate with the vertical plates 115 to prevent the flipping shafts 102 from exiting from the arc-shaped flipping holes 118 on the two vertical plates 115.

[0045] As attached Figure 4 As shown, to prevent packages from falling off the pallet 101 during transport, the pallet 101 includes a base plate 10a and two baffles 10b and two unloading plates 10c that are connected to its four sides and cooperate with it to form inverted frustum-shaped grooves. Thus, when the pallet 101 is upright, that is, when the base plate 10a of the pallet 101 is horizontal, the baffles 10b and unloading plates 10c can restrict the packages to a certain extent. When the pallet assembly 116 is tilted for sorting, the packages can be unloaded from the two unloading plates 10c.

[0046] As attached Figure 2 Appendix Figure 3 As shown, the switching control component 117 includes support components 104 that are respectively matched with a flip shaft 102. Both support components 104 include a translation stop 105 and a driver 106 that drives them to translate in a direction perpendicular to the flip shaft 102. When the flip shaft 102 is located at the top of the arc-shaped flip hole 118, the translation stop 105 of the support component 104 matched with the flip shaft 102 can be translated from the outside of the flip shaft 102 to below the flip shaft 102 so that the flip shaft 102 is rotatably restricted at the top of the arc-shaped flip hole 118.

[0047] Specifically, a horizontal plate 119 is provided between the two vertical plates 115. The horizontal plate 119 is between symmetrical arc-shaped flip holes 118. The translation stops 105 of the two support components 104 are movably arranged on the slide rails 107 on the horizontal plate 119. The two drivers 106 are respectively fixed on the inner sidewalls of the two vertical plates 115. Of course, they can also be fixed on the horizontal plate 119. The drivers 106 are preferably electric cylinders, linear motors, or other feasible devices.

[0048] As attached Figure 5As shown, when the tray 101 is in the upright position, the two translation stops 105 are respectively supported below the two flip shafts 102 located at the upper end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118; when sorting to the right is required, the translation stops 105 of the right support assembly 104 are pulled away from below the right flip shaft 102, so that the flipping assembly rotates downward around the left flip shaft 102 under the action of its own weight and the weight of the package, thus tilting. At this time, the right flip shaft 102 slides from the upper end to the lower end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118 where it is located, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 6 As shown. When sorting needs to be done to the left, the translation stop 105 of the left support assembly 104 is pulled away from below the left flip shaft 102, so that the flip assembly rotates downward around the right flip shaft 102 under its own weight and the weight of the package, thus tilting. At this time, the left flip shaft 102 slides from the upper end to the lower end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118 where it is located, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 7 As shown.

[0049] As attached Figure 1 Appendix Figure 7 As shown, the tilted tilting assembly needs to be restored to the upright state by the straightening guide 120. There are two straightening guides 120, which are symmetrically arranged on the top of the track 130. The two straightening guides 120 cooperate with the unloading plate 10c of the pallet 101 to straighten the pallet 101. The straightening guide 120 is preferably a climbing round tube, which can be fixed on the track 130 by a bracket. The lower end of the climbing round tube is located upstream of the upper end, and the upper end of the climbing round tube bends downward after reaching the target height. When the pallet 101 is tilted, as the unloading plate 10c moves past the straightening guide 120, the straightening guide 120 supports the bottom of the unloading plate 10c. As the unloading plate 10c moves from the lower position of the straightening guide 120 to the upper position, the pallet assembly 116 gradually returns from the tilted state to the straightened state. At this time, the flip shaft 102, located at the lower end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118, returns to the upper end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118. Then, the translation stop 105 of the support assembly 104 corresponding to the flip shaft 102 moves again below the flip shaft 102 to limit the flip shaft 102 to the upper end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118. This time, both flip shafts 102 are restricted to the upper end of the arc-shaped flip hole 118, so that when the pallet 101 moves to the straightening guide 120, the pallet 101 can still maintain the straightened state.

[0050] As attached Figure 1As shown, the upper packaging area 200 is located on the side of the straight extension section of the sorting loop. The upper packaging area 200 is provided with a package feeding device 210 to place packages onto the flip-top sorting cart 110. The number of package feeding devices 210 can be set as needed, and each package feeding device 210 can be a known multi-segment package feeding platform, parallel robot, four-axis robot or six-axis robot driven suction cup assembly, etc. Its specific structure is known technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0051] As attached Figure 1 As shown, the sorting area 300 is also located on the side of the straight extension section of the sorting loop, and includes a row of parallel sorting areas 310. When the flip-top sorting trolley 110 moves to the sorting area 310 corresponding to the package, it tilts to unload the package, thereby sorting the package into its corresponding sorting area 310.

[0052] As attached Figure 1 As shown, a barcode reader 500 is also provided downstream of the upper packaging area 200 and upstream of the sorting area 300. The barcode reader 500 can read the barcode information on the package using known top scanning and / or side scanning methods to obtain the corresponding sorting compartment 310 for each package on the flip-top sorting cart 110. Furthermore, to avoid situations where sorting is impossible due to unread barcodes, the downstreammost sorting compartment 310 in the sorting area 300 can be designated as an abnormal sorting compartment 310. If a package on a flip-top sorting cart 110 does not find its corresponding sorting compartment 310 when passing the barcode reader 500, the sorting compartment 310 to which the package is to be sorted is configured as the abnormal sorting compartment 320.

[0053] As attached Figure 1 Appendix Figure 9 Appendix Figure 10 As shown, the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor 400 includes a first photoelectric sensor 410 and / or at least one distance sensor 420. The first photoelectric sensor 410 is horizontally arranged, which is higher than and close to the top of the tray in the upright state. The distance sensor 420 is spaced above the tray-turning sorting trolley 110 and measures distance downwards.

[0054] The first photoelectric sensor 410 can be a known through-beam sensor or a reflective photoelectric sensor combined with a reflector. The number of the first photoelectric sensor 410 can be only one, or there can be multiple sensors evenly distributed along the vertical direction. Of course, the first photoelectric sensor 410 can also be a grating or light curtain arranged along the vertical direction.

[0055] When the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor 400 only has the first photoelectric sensor 410, the package placed on the tray 101 needs to ensure that the height is greater than the depth of the tray 101.

[0056] The ranging sensor 420 can be a known laser ranging sensor or other feasible photoelectric ranging sensor. Furthermore, the number of ranging sensors 420 can be designed as needed. To ensure the reliability of the detection, multiple ranging sensors 420 can be provided, for example, three, and they are arranged at equal intervals along the length of the tray 101.

[0057] To ensure that the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor 400 can detect packages whose height is less than the depth of the tray 101, the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor 400 includes both the first photoelectric sensor 410 and the ranging sensor 420, and the ranging sensor 420 is located downstream of the first photoelectric sensor 410. In use, if a tray sorting trolley 110 passes the first photoelectric sensor 410 and it is determined that there is a package on it, that is, the tray sorting trolley 110 is not empty, then when the tray sorting trolley passes the ranging sensor, it is not necessary to determine whether the tray sorting trolley is empty again. Of course, it is also possible to determine whether the tray sorting trolley is empty again based on the signal from the ranging sensor. If a tilting sorting trolley 110 is determined to be empty when it moves past the first photoelectric sensor 410, and the bottom plate of the tray of the tilting sorting trolley 110 moves past the distance measuring sensor 420, the distance measuring sensor 420 further determines whether the tilting sorting trolley 110 is empty. That is, when there is a package on the tilting sorting trolley 110, the distance measured by at least one of the distance measuring sensors 420 to the top surface of the bottom plate 10a of the tilting sorting trolley 110 is greater than a set standard value, thus confirming that there is a package on the tilting sorting trolley 110. Conversely, if the distance measured by the distance measuring sensors 420 after the bottom plate of the tilting sorting trolley moves past is equal to the set standard value, then the tilting sorting trolley 110 is determined to be empty, that is, there is no package on the tilting sorting trolley 110. The position of the base plate of each of the tipping sorting carts can be determined to have moved to the distance sensor using known position tracking methods, which will not be elaborated here. Alternatively, other methods can be used to determine whether a tipping sorting cart is empty based on the signal from the distance sensor 420. For example, the signal change curve of a tipping sorting cart whose pallet completely passes the distance sensor can be compared with the signal change curve of an empty cart whose pallet completely passes the distance sensor to determine whether each tipping sorting cart is empty. That is, if the signal change curves of the tipping sorting carts whose pallets completely pass the distance sensor are consistent, the tipping sorting cart is determined to be empty; conversely, if the signal change curves differ significantly, the tipping sorting cart is determined not to be empty.

[0058] As attached Figure 10 As shown, to facilitate the connection between the tilting sorting carts 110, the frame is also equipped with rod end joint bearings 10d located on the outer side of the two vertical plates 115 and facing each other. The rod end joint bearings 10d on opposite sides of two adjacent tilting sorting carts 110 are connected by a connecting rod 10e. Since there will be a large gap between adjacent tilting sorting carts 110, the usual method is to install a bellows cover between adjacent tilting sorting carts 110 to cover the gap. However, at the turning position, the bellows cover is prone to uneven stretching, which can easily cause damage to the bellows cover. Therefore, in a preferred structure, a horizontal shielding plate 10f is provided on the opposite side of the two vertical plates 115 of each tilting sorting cart 110, located below the arc-shaped tilting hole 118. The horizontal shielding plate 10f on one side is higher than the horizontal shielding plate 10f on the other side and is close to each other. The horizontal shielding plates 10f on opposite sides of two adjacent tilting sorting carts 110 partially overlap. This not only effectively blocks the gaps, but also allows the two horizontal baffles 10f to move relative to each other without interference, avoiding uneven stretching at corners like an accordion cover.

[0059] Furthermore, during the packing process, there is a possibility that inaccurate packing may cause packages to fall onto the horizontal baffle 10f between the two tilting sorting trolleys 110. When the package moves to a turning position while on the horizontal baffle 10f, it may be squeezed by the tilting sorting trolley, posing a safety hazard to both the package and the trolley. Therefore, as shown in the attached... Figure 1 Appendix Figure 10 As shown, a detection sensor 600 is installed at the flip-top sorting machine 100, located downstream of the loading area 200. The detection sensor 600 is used to detect whether there are foreign objects on the horizontal baffle 10f. The detection sensor 600 can be a known through-beam sensor or self-reflective sensor combined with a reflector. Its installation height is slightly higher than the higher horizontal baffle 10f, so that after loading, the detection sensor 600 can detect whether there are foreign objects on the horizontal baffle 10f. The foreign objects can be packages or other items that have fallen onto the horizontal baffle 10f. When the detection sensor 600 detects a foreign object, it can trigger an alarm and stop the machine for manual handling.

[0060] Example 2

[0061] This embodiment discloses the sorting method of the above-mentioned flip-top sorting system. When each of the flip-top sorting carts 110 moves past the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor 400, it is determined whether the flip-top sorting cart 110 is empty based on the signal of the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor 400.

[0062] The package feeding device 210 in the upper packaging area 200 places the packages onto the flip-top sorting trolley 110, which is determined to be an empty trolley.

[0063] Furthermore, when the detection sensor 600 detects a foreign object on the horizontal baffle 10f, it will stop and trigger an alarm.

[0064] This invention has many other embodiments, and all technical solutions formed by equivalent transformation or equivalent transformation fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A tray sorting system, comprising a tray sorter and an upper packaging area and a sorting area disposed on the side of the tray sorter, wherein the tray sorter is provided with a straightening guide located downstream of the sorting area for switching the trays of the sorted tray sorting trolley from an inclined state to a straightened state, characterized in that: An empty tray detection photoelectric sensor is also installed at the tipping sorter, located downstream of the alignment guide and upstream of the upper packaging area. During the operation of the tipping sorter, the signal of the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor is used to determine whether each tipping sorter trolley passing by it is empty. Each of the aforementioned flip-top sorting carts includes a frame, on which two parallel vertical plates are provided, and on the two vertical plates are pallet assemblies that can be flipped relative to them. The vertical plates are provided with a switching control component for controlling the flipping of the pallet assemblies. Each of the two vertical plates is provided with a pair of symmetrical arc-shaped flip holes that curve from the outside to the inside of the vertical plates. The positions of the arc-shaped flip holes on the two vertical plates correspond one to one. The tray assembly includes two flip shafts that are perpendicular to the vertical plates and connected to the bottom of the tray. The two ends of each flip shaft are inserted into a pair of opposite arc-shaped flip holes. The switching control assembly includes support assemblies that are respectively matched with a flip axis. Both support assemblies include a translation stop and a driver that drives them to translate in a direction perpendicular to the flip axis. When the flip axis is located at the top of the arc-shaped flip hole, the translation stop of the support assembly matched with the flip axis can be translated from the outside of the flip axis to below the flip axis so that the flip axis is rotatably restricted at the top of the arc-shaped flip hole.

2. The flip-top sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pallet includes a base plate and two baffles connected to its four sides and forming an inverted frustum-shaped groove therewith, and two unloading plates. The empty pallet detection photoelectric sensor includes a first photoelectric sensor and / or at least one distance sensor. The first photoelectric sensor is horizontally set, which is higher than the top of the pallet in the upright state and close to the top of the pallet. The distance sensor is set at a gap above the flip-top sorting trolley and measures distance downwards.

3. The tray-turning sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The packaging area is equipped with a packaging feeding device to place packages onto the flip-top sorting trolley.

4. The flip-top sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two vertical plates are respectively provided with horizontal shielding plates located below the arc-shaped flip hole on opposite sides. The horizontal shielding plate on one side is higher than the horizontal shielding plate on the other side and is close to each other. The horizontal shielding plates on opposite sides of two adjacent flip-top sorting trolleys partially overlap.

5. The flip-top sorting system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The flip-top sorting machine is equipped with a detection sensor located downstream of the upper packaging area. The detection sensor is used to detect whether there are foreign objects on the horizontal baffle.

6. The sorting method of the flip-top sorting system according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that: When each of the tray-turning sorting trolleys moves past the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor, it is determined whether the tray-turning sorting trolley is empty based on the signal from the empty tray detection photoelectric sensor. The packaging equipment in the upper packaging area places the packages onto the flip-top sorting carts that are identified as empty.

7. The sorting method of the flip-top sorting system according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the detection sensor detects a foreign object on the horizontal barrier, the machine will stop and an alarm will sound.

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