Cross-belt sorting machine

Abstract

A cross-belt sorter (1) adapted to sort objects (9) to one of a plurality of discharge stations (14); the cross-belt sorting machine (1) comprises a plurality of cross-belt vehicles (11); the cross belt vehicle (11) can move on a circumferentially closed conveying track (13) in the conveying direction (R); the cross belt vehicle (11) comprises a cross belt (12); wherein the crossing belt (12) provides a conveying surface for supporting an object (9) to be conveyed; the cross-belt (12) can be moved relative to the cross-belt vehicle (11) in a transverse direction (Q) transverse to the conveying direction (R); the cross-belt sorter (1) is adapted to selectively transfer the objects (9) from the transport vehicle (11) to one of a plurality of discharge stations (14) by selectively driving the cross-belt (12) in a transverse direction (Q); wherein, in order to drive the cross-belt (12), the cross-belt vehicle (11) has a drive wheel (15) adapted to selectively engage with the friction lever (2); the friction rod is fixedly located at a rail (13); the cross-belt sorter (1) comprises actuating means (3) adapted to selectively transfer said friction lever (2) between a drive position and a disengaged position, the actuating means (3) having an actuator (31); wherein the actuating device (3) has a connector (33); wherein the actuator (31) is adapted to convert the connector (33) into an active state, in which the connector (33) pushes the friction lever (2) into the drive position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cross-belt sorting machine.

[0002] A general cross-belt sorting machine is shown in US 6,273,268 B1 (refer to this document in this paragraph). The cross-belt sorting machine includes a plurality of cross-belt carts which are movable in a conveying direction on a circumferentially closed conveying track. The cross-belts on the cross-belt carts provide a conveying surface for supporting objects to be conveyed. The cross-belts are movable relative to the cross-belt carts in a transverse direction to the conveying direction. In order to drive the cross-belts, the cross-belt carts have drive wheels adapted to be selectively engaged by friction bars. Here, the movement of the cross-belts is achieved by means of friction bars mounted at fixed positions on the travel path, which friction bars can be transferred between a drive position and a disengaged position. A return spring ( Figure 4 , reference numeral 40) acts on the friction bar, placing it in the disengaged position (column 3, lines 61-67; column 6, lines 2-6; claim 9). In the drive position, the friction bar contacts the drive wheel on the cross-belt car, resulting in a drive movement of the drive wheel. The drive wheel is connected to the cross-belt, resulting in a drive operation of the cross-belt. The friction bar is actuated to the drive position by an electric or pneumatic actuator overcoming the spring force. Similar cross-belt sorters are shown in DE 20 2012 004 830 U1 and CN 207 061 145U.

[0003] DE 10 2016 104 943 A1 shows another sorting machine of the above type. Here, a special belt drive is provided for transmitting the driving force from the drive wheel to the cross belt.

[0004] In a practical implementation (https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=wSoPBGlRIas; 2:34–2:38), pneumatic actuators are used for this purpose, as they offer a number of advantages. 1) After actuation to the drive position, the pneumatic cylinder remains closed. No energy is required to hold the actuator as well as the friction strip in the drive position. 2) When the drive wheel comes into contact with the friction strip, shock loads occur between the drive wheel and the friction strip, which are absorbed by the bearings of the actuator and the drive wheel. The pneumatic pressure in the cylinder acts as a shock absorber and reduces the impact of pressure peaks acting on the actuator, the drive wheel and the bearings. Even cheap pneumatic cylinders are robust enough to absorb these pressure peaks without problems.

[0005] However, there is a particular need to operate a cross-belt sorter without the need to provide any pneumatic infrastructure, and it is therefore an object of the present invention in particular to provide a cross-belt sorter that operates without pneumatic actuators, thereby retaining the advantages of pneumatic actuators.

[0006] The invention comprises a cross-belt sorter and a method according to the main claim; embodiments are subject of the subclaims and the description.

[0007] The invention proposes a connector between an actuator and a friction rod. The actuator is arranged to switch the connector into an active state. The actuator then remains in the active state, whereby the actuator is not responsible for keeping the connector in the active state. This allows for greater freedom in the design and selection of the actuator, since the actuator does not bear any operating forces during the transfer of the object.

[0008] In particular, the present invention also proposes to replace the commonly widely used pneumatic actuators with electromagnetic actuators. Therefore, the connector provides the advantages previously provided by pneumatic mechanisms.

[0009] As a result, in particular, any loads arising from the interaction between the drive wheel and the friction lever are decoupled, thereby extending the service life. In particular, the electromagnetic actuator also does not need to actively provide a holding force to hold the friction lever in the drive position.

[0010] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein:

[0011] Figure 1 shows a top view of a cross belt sorter;

[0012] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 The line II-II in Figure 1 Cross-belt cart of a cross-belt sorter.

[0013] Figures 3 to 7 The first embodiment is shown in a top view in different situations during the sorting process. Figure 1 Actuating device 3 of the cross belt sorter;

[0014] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The second embodiment is shown in a top view and a side view in different situations during the sorting process. Figure 1 Actuating device 3 of a cross-belt sorter.

[0015] Figure 1 A cross-belt sorter 1 is shown. The cross-belt sorter 1 comprises a plurality of cross-belt cars 11 which travel circumferentially along a closed track 13 in a conveying direction R. A cross-belt 12 is arranged on top of each car 11. The top surface of the cross-belt 12 provides a conveying surface for supporting the objects 9 to be conveyed.

[0016] A plurality of unloading stations 14 are provided at which objects 9 can be selectively removed from the cross-belt car 11 and conveyed to unloading stations 14 arranged laterally of the cross-belt car 11. For this purpose, the cross-belt 12 is arranged to move on the cross-belt car 11 in a direction Q transverse to the conveying direction R.

[0017] Figure 2 The mechanism for driving the cross belt 12 is shown. Figure 1 ) is provided with a plurality of friction rods 2 which can be transferred between a driving position and a disengaging position.

[0018] In the driving position, the friction bar 2 is in frictional contact with the drive wheel 15 on the cross belt car 11. Now, due to the relative movement of the drive wheel 15 along the conveying direction R, the friction bar 2 causes the drive wheel 15 to rotate.

[0019] The drive wheel 15 is connected to the cross-belt 12 by a drive connection 16 (shown only schematically) so that rotation of the drive wheel 15 causes a driving movement of the cross-belt 12 in a transverse direction Q on top of the vehicle 11.

[0020] In the disengaged position, the friction bar 2 is not in frictional contact with the drive wheel 15. No driving force is provided to the cross belt 12, so the object 9 maintains its position on top of the cross belt car 11.

[0021] An actuating device 3 is provided to transfer the friction lever 2 between a drive position and a disengaged position.

[0022] Figures 3 to 7 The actuating device 3 , the friction lever 2 and the drive wheel 15 are shown separately in a top view in different cases.

[0023] The actuating device 3 comprises an electromagnetic actuator 31. In this example, the electromagnetic actuator 31 is an electromagnetic solenoid. Alternatively, the electromagnetic actuator 31 can also be a combined rotary drive motor having a transmission device for converting the rotary motion of the drive motor into linear motion.

[0024] The actuating device 3 includes a connector 33 that connects the electromagnetic actuator 31 to the friction rod 2. In the present embodiment, the connector 33 is a knee lever having two lever arms 33a, 33b that are pivotally connected to each other via a knee joint 33c. The electromagnetic actuator 31 moves the connector 33 between an active state and a passive state.

[0025] At the opposite end of the knee joint 33c, the first lever arm 33a is connected to the friction rod 2. The lateral movement of the first lever arm 33a causes the friction rod 2 to shift between the driving position and the disengaged position. The movement of the first lever arm 33a in a direction away from the knee joint 33c shifts the friction rod 2 from the disengaged position to the driving position. The movement of the first lever arm 33a in a direction toward the knee joint 33c shifts the friction rod 2 from the driving position to the disengaged position.

[0026] At the opposite end of the knee joint 33c, the second lever arm 33b is movably supported by a pressure spring 34. The pressure spring 34 is adapted to urge the second lever arm 33b in the direction of the knee joint 33c and in the direction of the first lever arm 33a.

[0027] Figure 3 The figure shows the actuating device 3 in a passive state and the friction lever 2 in a disengaged position. The electromagnetic actuator 31 (here a linear actuator) is connected to the connector 33 via the actuator lever 32 and pulls the knee joint 33c to a position where the knee angle (the angle between the first lever arm 33a and the second lever arm 33b) is relatively small. Therefore, the friction lever 2 is also pulled to the disengaged position by the connector 33. Figure 3 It is obvious from the dotted auxiliary line in FIG. 3 that when the cross belt vehicle passes the friction rod 2, the friction rod 2 does not make frictional contact with the driving wheel 15 of the cross belt vehicle. The pressure spring 34 is in a released state.

[0028] Figure 4 The electromagnetic actuator 31 is shown pushing the knee joint 33c to a position where the knee angle (the angle between the first lever arm 33a and the second lever arm 33b) is relatively large with a first force FA. Now, the connector 33 is in the active state and pushes the friction lever 2 to the driving position.

[0029] During the transition from the passive state to the active state, the knee joint 33c passes through a dead point 33dn (the angle between the first lever arm 33a and the second lever arm 33b is 180°). When the knee joint 33c is at the dead point 33d, the first lever arm 33a and the second lever arm 33b are arranged at an orientation of 180°. After passing the dead point 33d, the knee joint 33c faces a stopper 35, which limits further movement of the knee joint 33c away from the dead point 33d. Figure 4 In the case shown, the knee joint 33 c does not need to contact the stop 35 .

[0030] exist Figure 4In FIG. 1 , it is clear that the friction bar 2 is in the driving position before the drive wheel 15 passes the friction bar 2. The friction bar 2 protrudes into the drive wheel guide 15g of the drive wheel 15, thereby waiting for the approaching drive wheel 15. In order to align the friction bar 2 with the drive wheel 15 correctly, the friction bar 2 has an upstream ramp 21, where the friction bar 2 initially contacts the drive wheel 15. The upstream ramp 21 is followed by the main part 22 of the friction bar 2.

[0031] after( Figure 5 ), the drive wheel 15 strikes the friction lever 2 (depicted by a lightning symbol). The friction lever 2 is now suddenly loaded by the drive wheel 15 in the direction of the disengaged position (see arrow P). Using the first lever arm 33a, the entire knee lever 33 with the second lever arm 33b and the knee joint 33c is moved in a direction away from the drive wheel guide 15g.

[0032] It is obvious from the figure that this situation does not cause the connector 33 to move from the active state to the passive state. On the contrary, this situation may cause the active state of the connector 33 to solidify.

[0033] Thus, the stop 35 prevents a significant change in the knee angle. Finally, the sudden loading of the friction lever 2 is absorbed by the compression spring 34, which is tensioned. The compression spring 34 now maintains the actuation force FS that presses the friction lever 2 into the drive position and thus frictionally engages with the drive wheel 15.

[0034] Therefore, the electromagnetic actuator 31 does not provide any force to keep the connector 33 in the active state. As a further consequence, no energy supply is required to keep the friction lever 2 in the drive position.

[0035] from Figure 5 The situation shown starts, and in the further process, the drive wheel 15 rolls along the friction rod 2, thereby driving the connecting piece 16 (see Figure 2 ) to drive the cross belt 12.

[0036] In this example, the electromagnetic actuator 31 is used to convert the connector 33 into an active state, in which the pressure spring 34 (not the actuator 33) maintains the actuation force FS acting on the friction rod 2, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown. In the active state, the connector 33 is in a self-locking position. The electromagnetic actuator 31 is decoupled from any load caused by a sudden push of the friction rod 2. The electromagnetic actuator 31 is only slightly tilted, which can be absorbed by the pivotable support 36. Instead of the support 36 being pivotable, the actuator lever 32 may include a hinge (not shown).

[0037] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, the driving wheel 15 has left the friction rod 2, so that the friction rod 2 can be Figure 4Move slightly further into the drive position as shown. In the next step ( Figure 7 ), the electromagnetic actuator 31 pulls the knee lever 33 back with the second force FB. Figure 3 The method can now be repeated.

[0038] It should also be noted that other areas of the knee lever 33 than the knee joint may abut at the stop 35, for example, an explicit counter-stop may be provided on either of the two lever arms 33a, 33b.

[0039] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Another embodiment of the actuating device 3 is shown. Here, the electromagnetic actuator 31 is an electric motor with a rotating drive shaft 37 .

[0040] Instead of a knee joint 33c, the connector 33 comprises an eccentric disc 33e. A first lever arm 33a is connected at a radial distance from the rotation axis A of the eccentric disc 33e.

[0041] Figure 8 The connector 33 is shown in a passive state and the friction lever 2 is in a disengaged position.

[0042] In order to transfer the connector 33 in the active state, the motor 31 rotates the eccentric disc 33e to the position as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 Here, the abutment portion 33f of the eccentric disk 33e can engage with the rotation stopper 35 to prevent further movement of the eccentric disk 33e.

[0043] The eccentric disc 33e is supported in the radial direction by bearings (not shown) of sufficient size to absorb the radial forces acting during operation.

[0044] The pressure spring 34 is arranged anywhere in the force path between the stopper 35 and the friction rod 2. In the embodiment shown, the pressure spring 34 is located between the first lever arm 33a and the eccentric disc 33e. In another embodiment, the pressure spring 34 is arranged between the first lever arm 33a and the friction rod 2. In yet another embodiment, the pressure spring 34 is arranged between the abutment 33f and the stopper 35.

[0045] The operating modes correspond broadly to Figures 3 to 7 Similarly, in the embodiment where the friction bar 2 is suddenly loaded by the driving wheel 15 in the direction of the disengaged position, the first lever arm 33a moves in a direction away from the driving wheel guide 15g and pushes the abutment 33f against the stopper 35, so that the connector 33 is maintained in the active state. The motor 31 is passive and does not provide force.

[0046] Reference Symbols List

[0047] 1 Cross belt sorter

[0048] 2 Friction rods

[0049] 3 Actuator

[0050] 9 Objects to be transported

[0051] 11 Cross belt car

[0052] 12 Cross straps

[0053] 13 Track

[0054] 14 Unloading station

[0055] 15 Drive wheel

[0056] 15g Drive wheel guide

[0057] 16 Drive connector

[0058] 21 Upstream ramp

[0059] 22 Main Parts

[0060] 31 Electromagnetic actuator / motor

[0061] 32 Actuator lever

[0062] 33 Connector / Knee Lever

[0063] 33a First lever arm

[0064] 33b Second lever arm

[0065] 33c Knee

[0066] 33d dead center

[0067] 33e Eccentric disc

[0068] 33f Abutment portion

[0069] 34 Compression spring

[0070] 35 Stopper

[0071] 36 Pivotable support

[0072] ARotation axis

[0073] FS Actuation Force

[0074] FA first force

[0075] FB Second Force

[0076] Q Horizontal direction

[0077] R Conveying direction.

Claims

1. A cross-belt sorter (1) adapted to sort objects (9) to one of a plurality of discharge stations (14); The cross-belt sorting machine (1) comprises a plurality of cross-belt vehicles (11); The cross belt vehicle (11) is capable of moving along a conveying direction (R) on a circumferentially closed conveying track (13); The cross-belt vehicle (11) comprises a cross-belt (12); in, The cross belt (12) provides a conveying surface for supporting the object to be conveyed; The cross belt (12) is movable relative to the cross belt vehicle (11) in a transverse direction (Q) transverse to the conveying direction (R); The cross-belt sorter (1) is adapted to selectively transfer the objects (9) from the transport vehicle (11) to one of the plurality of discharge stations (14) by selectively driving the cross-belt (12) in the transverse direction (Q); wherein, in order to drive the cross-belt (12), the cross-belt vehicle (11) has a driving wheel (15) adapted to selectively engage with the friction rod (2); The friction rod is fixedly located on the track (13); The cross-belt sorter (1) comprises an actuating device (3) adapted to selectively transfer the friction bar (2) between a drive position and a disengaged position; The actuating device (3) has an actuator (31), in particular an electromagnetic one; It is characterized in that The actuating device (3) has a connector (33); wherein the actuator (31) is adapted to convert the connector (33) into an active state, Wherein, in the active state, the connector (33) pushes the friction rod (2) to the driving position.

2. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized by. The actuator (31) is adapted to convert the connector (33) into the passive state, in which the connector (33) does not push the friction rod (2) to the drive position.

3. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A pressure spring (34) is adapted to provide an actuating force (FS) to the connector (33) when the connector (33) is in the active state so as to push the friction lever (2) to the driving position.

4. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that In the active state, the connector (33) is in a self-locking position for maintaining the active state.

5. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The actuation device (3) is adapted to maintain the connector (33) in the active state without requiring a force to be provided by the actuator (31).

6. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that In the driving position, the driving wheel (15) passing through the friction rod (2) contacts the friction rod (2), and In the disengaged position, the drive wheel (15) passing the friction rod (2) does not contact the friction rod (2).

7. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that A stopper (35), The stopper (35) is adapted to keep the connector (33) in the active state when the connector (33) is pushed by the friction rod (2) in a direction away from the friction rod (2).

8. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, in, The stopper (35) is separate from the actuator (31).

9. A method of operating a cross-belt sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: By providing a first force (FA) by the actuator (31), the friction lever (2) is transferred to the driving position, thereby switching the connector (33) to the active state, Thereafter, the connector (33) is held in the active state without providing a holding force by the actuator (31).

10. The method according to the preceding claim, By providing a second force (FB) by the actuator (31), the friction lever (2) is moved out of the driving position, thereby converting the connector (33) into an inactive state, wherein: The second force (FB) is in opposite direction to the first force (FA).

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