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 cart (11) to one of a plurality of discharge stations (14) by selectively driving the cross-belt (12) in a transverse direction (Q) when triggered; wherein, in order to drive the cross-belt (12), the cross-belt vehicle (11) has a drive wheel (42) adapted to engage with a friction lever (41); the friction rod (41) is fixedly positioned along the track (13); characterised in that the cross-belt sorter (1) is adapted to vary, within the range of the friction lever (41), the triggering position in which the transfer of the object (9) is triggered.

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 that 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 in a transverse direction transverse to the conveying direction relative to the cross-belt carts. 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 a friction bar mounted at a fixed position on the travel path, which friction bar can be switched between a drive position and a disengaged position. A return spring ( Figure 5 , reference numeral 40) acts on the friction bar to bring it into the disengaged position (col. 3, lines 61-67; col. 6, lines 2-6; claim 9). In the drive position, the friction bar contacts the drive wheel on the cross-belt vehicle, 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.

[0003] US2009 / 0057100A1 discloses a cross-belt sorting machine, in which a drive wheel is always in contact with a fixed friction bar. A switchable clutch is provided on the cross-belt cart. The clutch can be selectively switched between an open state and a closed state. In the closed state, the clutch provides a drive connection between the drive wheel and the cross-belt in order to selectively sort the objects to be conveyed to one of the discharge stations. In the open state, the drive connection is interrupted, so that the objects remain on the cart.

[0004] In the sorting machine according to US2009 / 0057100A1, the clutch is designed as a magnetic clutch and a fixed electromagnet is arranged along the track to activate the clutch. The energy for operating the clutch is transferred magnetically over a certain distance between the fixed electromagnet and the magnetic clutch, which requires a large magnetic device. During normal operation of the sorting machine, the position of the fixed electromagnet does not change.

[0005] JP H06-191635A discloses a cross-belt sorter with a slightly different activation mechanism. Here, a clutch is provided on the cross-belt car, which selectively provides a drive connection between the drive wheel and the cross-belt. A plurality of electromagnets are provided along the track to provide power to switch the clutch from an open state to a closed state.

[0006] US 10,377,576 B2 discloses a facility for sorting objects by ejecting them into a receiving device. During ejection, the objects describe real paths that may belong to a predetermined set of potential paths that are considered incorrect. In order to eject the objects onto the correct path, operating parameters can be modified. The operating parameters to be modified are: the ejection speed of at least one object relative to the receiving device; the time for triggering the ejection of at least one object, the time lapse between the triggering time and a time reference, or the movement speed of at least one support relative to the receiving device.

[0007] US 6,820,561 B2 discloses a cross-belt sorter having an electric motor for activating the cross-belt.

[0008] Typically, cross-belt sorters use frictional contact between the cross-belt and the objects to accelerate the objects in the lateral direction. Delay effects are to be considered. These delay effects depend on the size, weight and surface of the conveyed objects. In contrast to cross-belt sorters, some sorters use pusher shoes to actively push the objects in the lateral direction, see for example US10640302B2 Figure 1 The pusher shoe in 16. Due to the positive push contact, this shoe sorter has no delay effect.

[0009] All of the above cross-belt sorters require a discrete device to activate the movement of the cross-belt, which is fixedly positioned along the conveyor track. The fixed device is constructed somewhat like a hard programming of the conveyor function, thus preventing any dynamic and / or fine adjustment of the sorter behavior.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved sorting machine, in particular with regard to adjustability.

[0011] The invention comprises a cross-belt sorter and a method according to the main claim; embodiments are the subject of the subclaims and the description.

[0012] In the cross-belt sorter of the invention, the objects to be conveyed are accelerated in the transverse direction, in particular, only by the frictional contact between the cross-belt and the objects. Therefore, no shoe is provided which actively pushes the objects in the transverse direction.

[0013] In particular, the rearward position is a position along the track that the vehicle passes at an earlier point in time than the forward position; in other words: the forward position is downstream of the rearward position.

[0014] In particular, during normal operation the position of the fixed component does not change; during installation and maintenance the position may be adjusted.

[0015] In the cross belt sorter of the present invention, the driving wheel contacts the friction bar depending on whether the cross belt is to be driven. The clutch selectively connects the driving wheel with the cross belt, thereby starting to drive the cross belt.

[0016] In particular, the object is selectively accelerated in a lateral direction by frictional engagement between the cross-belts and the object.

[0017] The advantage of the cross belt sorter of the invention is that the operating characteristics can be optimized during operation. Compared with the prior art, the activation position can be modified to adapt the cross belt sorter to various frameworks or changing requirements without having to reposition the overall position of the friction bar at all.

[0018] In particular, the power for closing the clutch is also provided by the drive wheel in contact with the friction rod. Therefore, no other device for transmitting large amounts of energy is required. In order to activate the clutch, only a small amount of information energy needs to be transferred to the vehicle.

[0019] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 shows a top view of a cross belt sorter;

[0021] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 The line II-II in Figure 1 Cross-belt cart of a cross-belt sorter.

[0022] Figure 3 Schematically showing the components of the cross belt sorter of the present invention in a first embodiment;

[0023] Figure 4 Schematically showing the components of the cross-belt sorter of the present invention in a second embodiment;

[0024] Figure 5 Schematically showing the components of the cross-belt sorter of the present invention in a third embodiment;

[0025] Figure 6 A graph showing the relationship between vehicle speed and trigger position in the cross-belt sorter of the present invention.

[0026] 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.

[0027] A plurality of discharge stations 14 are provided at which objects 9 can be selectively removed from the cross-belt car 11 and conveyed to discharge stations 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. The central controller 2 controls the operation of the different actuators in the cross-belt sorter 1.

[0028] Figure 2 A mechanism for driving the cross belt 12 is shown. A cross belt drive 4 is provided to provide driving force to the cross belt 12. A fixed friction bar 41 is provided along the track 13, which is continuously in the driving position at least during normal operation. In particular, the friction bar 41 is fixed and cannot be switched in the disengaged position.

[0029] The drive connection 4 has a drive wheel 42 arranged on the cross belt vehicle 11. When the drive wheel 42 passes the friction rod 41, the friction rod 41 is in frictional contact with the drive wheel 42. Due to the relative movement of the drive wheel 42 in the conveying direction R, the friction rod 41 causes the drive wheel 42 to rotate.

[0030] In the drive connection 4, between the drive wheel 42 and the cross belt 12, a switchable clutch 43 is provided. The clutch 43 is adapted to selectively enable and prevent the transmission of driving force from the drive wheel 42 to the cross belt 12.

[0031] Finally, the cross belt 12 is driven by a driven roller 44 attached to a clutch 43. In the closed state of the clutch 43, the driving force can be transmitted between the friction rod 41 and the driven roller 44 to drive the cross belt 12. In the open state of the clutch 43, the driving force cannot be transmitted between the friction rod 41 and the driven roller 44, so the cross belt 12 is not driven.

[0032] The clutch 43 is actuated by the clutch actuator 5 .

[0033] Figure 3 The cross-belt sorting machine of the present invention schematically shows a mechanism for activating the cross-belt, wherein the components of the cross-belt drive 4 mainly correspond to Figure 2 Parts shown.

[0034] Reference symbol B here shows the system boundary between the components shown which are located on the cross-belt car 11 and the components which are fixedly positioned along the track 13 .

[0035] Likewise, in Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the clutch 43 is arranged between the driven roller 44 driving the cross belt 12 and the driving wheel 42 interacting with the friction rod 41. The clutch actuator 5 includes an actuating member 52. The actuating member 52 can selectively provide an actuating force A to the clutch 43, which converts the clutch 43 from an open state to a closed state.

[0036] As an example, the actuating member 52 is a ball ramp actuator 52 having two ramps 521 and at least one ball 522 located between the ramps 521. The ramps 521 have a gradually increasing inclination in the circumferential direction. Here, the relative rotational movement r between the ramps 521 results in the generation of an axial actuating force A. In principle, the clutch 43 and the actuating member 52 can be a combined ball ramp loaded friction plate combination, as shown in EP 0 793 033B1.

[0037] The actuating member 52 is driven by the accumulator 51. Here, the accumulator 51 may comprise a torsion spring. On the input side, the accumulator 51 is connected to the drive wheel 42. The rotation of the drive wheel 42 results in the tensioning of the accumulator 51. Reference numeral 51r depicts the accumulator 51 in a released state; reference numeral 51t depicts the accumulator 51 in a tensioned state. The drive wheel 42 may be the same as the drive wheel 42 described above, or it may be a separate drive wheel 42, also cooperating with the friction rod 41.

[0038] Devices for winding tension springs are well known in the art and are widely used, for example, in the field of toys, such as described in US 3 981 098 A. Such winding mechanisms also include safety devices to prevent over-tensioning of the spring.

[0039] The accumulator 51 is held in a tensioned state and can be selectively released by a release device 53. In an exemplary embodiment, the release device 53 has a pawl 531 engaged with a ratchet 532. The ratchet 532 can be rotationally fixed with the torsion spring 51. In the engaged position, the pawl 531 engages with the ratchet 532, thereby preventing the torsion spring 51 from transitioning from a tensioned state to a released state. There are many other possible mechanisms. The return spring 534 pushes the pawl 531 to the engaged position.

[0040] The release device 53 is adapted to shift the pawl 531 from the engaged position to the released position. In the released position, the pawl 531 does not hold the force accumulator 51 in the tensioned state. In order to shift the pawl 531 to the released state, the release device 53 includes a release actuator 533 (e.g., Figure 3 As shown, the actuator may be disposed away from other components of the release device 53).

[0041] In an example, the release actuator 533 is a mechanical actuator. As another example, the displacement of the lever arm ( Figure 3 The arrow P2 in FIG. 5 may cause the pawl 531 to move in the disengaged position ( Figure 3 arrow P3).

[0042] The release actuator 533 is triggered by a trigger 6. The trigger 6 has a first trigger portion 61 which moves along a track (at Figure 3 The first trigger portion 61 can be in a non-trigger state ( Figure 3 The solid line in the figure) and the trigger state ( Figure 3 The trigger 6 has a second trigger part 62. The second trigger part 62 is located on the cross belt vehicle 11 (at Figure 3 , located on the left side of the system boundary B), and moves relative to the first trigger part 61 (see arrow P0).

[0043] When the second trigger part 62 passes the first trigger part 61, if the first trigger part 62 is in the triggered state, the trigger 6 will trigger the release actuator 533 to switch the pawl 531 to the released position. This causes the accumulator 51 to be released from the tensioned state to the released state. Now, the accumulator 51 provides energy to the actuating member 52 to close the clutch 43. Once the clutch 43 is closed, the driven roller 44 drives the cross belt 12, and the object 9 will be sorted out.

[0044] In order to support the triggering of sorting operations of a plurality of unloading stations, the trigger 6 comprises a plurality of first trigger parts 61 which are positioned along the track 13 in spatial relation to the unloading stations. Figure 3 Only one of them is shown in FIG.

[0045] The first trigger portion 61 can adopt only one of two states, namely, a triggered state and a non-triggered state.

[0046] As can be clearly seen from the figure, the power required for operating the release device 53 is much less than the power required for operating the actuating member (provided here by the tensioned accumulator 51). Therefore, the energy that needs to be transmitted to the cross-belt vehicle 12 by the trigger device is very low and can be transmitted mechanically by the trigger 6.

[0047] Apart from Figure 3 In addition to the first trigger part 61 shown, a plurality of other first trigger parts 61 are also provided along the track 13 to enable the clutch actuator to be triggered at different positions. In particular, a separate first trigger part 61 is provided at the track 13 in front of each unloading station 14.

[0048] Figure 3 The mechanical triggering scheme can transmit the triggering energy and the triggering information at discrete positions. Therefore, the position of the car where the clutch actuator 52 is actuating the clutch to start the sorting process is hard-coded by the position of the fixed trigger.

[0049] Figure 4 Shown based on Figure 3 An improved embodiment of the trigger 6, which can be applied to Figure 3 In the arrangement shown. Figure 3 Additionally, a plurality of first fixed trigger portions 61a-c are shown.

[0050] Each trigger part 61 has a first trigger ramp 611 that can selectively project into the travel path T of the second trigger part 62. The first trigger part 61a is in a non-triggered state, so the corresponding first trigger ramp 611 does not project into the path T.

[0051] The other first trigger portion 61 b ​​, 61 c is in a triggered state, so the corresponding first trigger ramp 611 protrudes into the path T.

[0052] and Figure 3 In different embodiments, the triggering states of the first trigger parts 61a-c can have different quantitative forms. In the current exemplary case, the first trigger part 61b moves farther outward than the other first trigger part 61c, for example, about 5mm.

[0053] This results in a modification of the position along the track 13 at which the triggering is actually performed. Y0 defines the first possible triggering position of each first trigger part 61a-c. If the ramp is fully extended, the second trigger part 62 will interact with the first trigger part 61 in the forwardmost position Y0, so that for a single first trigger part 61, the sorting operation will start as early as possible.

[0054] For the other first trigger portion 61b, triggering will occur at position Yb (where the first trigger ramp 611 intersects the path T), which is a distance dY after the foremost trigger position Y0. The distance dY constitutes a variable trigger displacement that can be selectively modified.

[0055] For the other first second trigger portion 61c, triggering will occur at position Yc, which is located at the trigger displacement dY.

[0056] By comparing the first triggers 61c and 61b, it can be seen that the trigger displacement dY can be selectively modified by modifying the "movement out" range of the first trigger ramp 611, which is executed by the first trigger part actuator 612 of the first trigger part 61 and controlled by any controller (such as the central controller 2).

[0057] Therefore, even if the trigger 6 has the first trigger portions 61 located at discrete positions, the trigger position associated with each first trigger portion 61 can be flexibly and steplessly adjusted.

[0058] Various actuators can be used instead of Figure 4For example, the electromagnetic sub-actuator can be replaced by a pneumatic sub-actuator.

[0059] Figure 5 Shows Figure 3 and Figure 4 Alternatives to the illustrated mechanisms. Except for the following description of deviations, the above description also applies to the present embodiment.

[0060] replace Figure 3 The (mechanical) trigger 6, the first / fixed trigger part 61 and the second / movable trigger part 62 interact with each other without contact. As an example, each trigger part 61, 62 is designed as an NFC (near field communication) device. When the second trigger part 62 passes the first trigger part 61, the trigger signal is provided to the release device 53, in particular the release actuator 533 of the release device 53, via NFC, thereby triggering the release device 53 to enable the accumulator 51 to be released from the tensioned state to the released state, as described above.

[0061] NFC technology is only a suitable example of the invention that can be transferred in a contactless manner.

[0062] a) information required to trigger the release device 53;

[0063] b) The energy (power transmission) required for the release device 53 to actuate the release action.

[0064] The required power transfer may be around 10W, which can be transferred via NFC or similar near field communication technologies. As an alternative to NFC, the contactless trigger parts can interact according to the Qi standard, which also allows the transfer of sufficient energy and information to actuate the release device. In addition, the trigger device can use separate technologies to transfer information and energy, such as inductive technology for energy transfer and optical data transfer for information transfer.

[0065] and Figure 4 Similarly, a plurality of first trigger portions 61 are located at discrete positions along the track 13 ( Figure 5 Only one of them is shown).

[0066] Once the second trigger portion 62 passes the first trigger portion 61, the trigger can send a trigger signal ts to the clutch actuator 5, and the trigger occurs at the frontmost trigger position Y0, similar to Figure 4 .

[0067] In order to achieve Figure 4Similarly, the trigger displacement dY, the trigger 6 includes a trigger timer 63. In particular, the trigger timer 63 delays the trigger signal ts so that the trigger signal ts will arrive at the clutch actuator 5 with a certain delay so that the cross-belt vehicle 11 has traveled the trigger displacement dY. The delay amount can be part of the information content provided by the control unit and wirelessly transmitted between the first trigger and the second trigger parts 61, 62.

[0068] In the example, the trigger timer 63 has a time controller 632, which calculates the time delay and provides the trigger signal ts with a specific time delay. When the second trigger part 62 can no longer provide energy (this may happen when the second trigger part 62 is no longer in contact with the first trigger part 61), an energy storage 631 can be provided, which in particular provides electrical energy for the trigger timer 63. The energy storage 631 can be a small electrochemical battery or a capacitor. The energy storage 631 can be part of the timer 63.

[0069] Figure 3 The components in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are merely exemplary. Therefore, any other accumulator can be used, in particular an air spring, a linear spring or any other type of accumulator.

[0070] In any case, it is advantageous if the force for charging the force accumulator 51 is generated mechanically by the relative movement between the cross-belt car 11 and the fixed friction rod 41, rather than being provided electrically by means of an electrical sliding contact.

[0071] Figure 6 Here, "v" defines the travel speed of the cross-belt vehicle 11 along the track 13 (see Figure 1 ).

[0072] In the use of the sorting machine of the present invention, the travel speed v of the sorting vehicle can be adjusted. The travel speed v is linearly related to the maximum number of objects 9 that can be sorted per hour. For example, at a travel speed of 2.0 m / s, a maximum of 4000 objects 9 can be sorted per hour ("o / h"); therefore, at a travel speed v of 1.0 m / s, a maximum of 2000o / h can be sorted.

[0073] The cross belt sorter 1 is adapted to be driven under different capacity conditions. During the Christmas trade period, for example, the use of the sorter requires sorting 6000 objects per hour, so the cross belt car 11 needs to run at a travel speed v of 3m / s. In the summer recession, the use only requires sorting 2000 objects per hour, so the cross belt car 11 needs to run at a travel speed v of 1m / s.

[0074] Therefore, before modifying the travel speed v, in a determination step, the number of objects to be processed by the sorter can be determined. Said determination can be done by obtaining the corresponding input value received from the monitoring device. In an alternative, the determination can be done automatically by the sorter control itself. Therefore, the sorter can observe the occupancy status of the sorter carriages. In the case where only 60% of the sorter carriages are occupied, the number of objects detected is only 60% of the full processing capacity at the current speed. Therefore, a reduced speed can be determined, which still ensures sufficient processing of all objects to be processed, thereby saving energy costs and protecting wearing parts.

[0075] In order to correctly sort the objects 9 into the unloading station 14, the starting point for accelerating the objects depends on the travel speed of the cross belt car 11. In order to reach the correct unloading station 14, at high car travel speeds, objects 9 need to be accelerated earlier than at low car travel speeds.

[0076] Therefore, in order to properly sort the object 9 at a travel speed v of 1.0 m / s, the exemplary trigger displacement dY should be set to 1.2 m, while at a travel speed v of 3.0 m / s, the exemplary trigger displacement dY should be set to 0.2 m. In other words: at a travel speed v of 3.0 m / s, the clutch 43 will be closed at a position 1.0 m earlier than the position closed at a travel speed v of 1.0 m / s.

[0077] Reference numerals list

[0078] 1 Cross belt sorter

[0079] 2 Central Controller

[0080] 4 Cross-belt drive / drive connection

[0081] 5 Clutch actuator

[0082] 6 Triggers

[0083] 8 Fixed Car Drive

[0084] 81 Fixed drive motor

[0085] 82 traction device / traction belt

[0086] 9 Objects to be transported

[0087] 11 Cross belt car

[0088] 12 Cross Belts

[0089] 13 tracks

[0090] 14 Unloading station

[0091] 41 Friction rod

[0092] 42 driving wheel

[0093] 43 Clutch (open state / closed state)

[0094] 44 driven roller

[0095] 51 Accumulator / torsion spring (released state / tensioned state)

[0096] 51r Accumulator in released state / released spring

[0097] 51t accumulator in tension / tensioned spring

[0098] 52 Actuating member / ball ramp actuator

[0099] 521 Ramp

[0100] 522 Ball

[0101] 53 Release device

[0102] 531 pawl (engaged position / released position)

[0103] 532 ratchet

[0104] 533 Release actuator

[0105] 534 return spring

[0106] 61a, b, c first / fixed trigger part

[0107] 611 First Trigger Ramp

[0108] 612 first trigger part actuator

[0109] 62 Second / Move Trigger Section

[0110] 63 Timer

[0111] 631 Energy Storage Device

[0112] 632 Time Controller

[0113] R Conveying direction

[0114] Q Horizontal direction

[0115] A Actuation force

[0116] r Rotational motion

[0117] B. System Boundary

[0118] T The travel path of the first trigger part

[0119] Ya, Yb, Yc trigger position

[0120] Y0 front trigger position

[0121] Dy Trigger Displacement

[0122] v Cross-belt vehicle travel speed

[0123] ts trigger signal.

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); In particular, the cross-belt vehicle is driven by a fixed vehicle drive (8), which in particular comprises a fixed drive motor and a traction device (82), Each of the cross-belt vehicles (11) comprises a cross-belt (12); in, The cross belt (12) provides a conveying surface for supporting the object (9) 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) when triggered; wherein, in order to drive the cross-belt (12), the cross-belt vehicle (11) has a driving wheel (42) adapted to engage with a friction rod (41); The friction rod (41) is fixedly positioned along the track (13); It is characterized in that The cross-belt sorter (1) is adapted to change the trigger position for triggering the transfer of the object (9) within the range of the friction bar (41).

2. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that Within the range of the friction rod (41), the trigger position (Y0, Ya, Yb, Yc) can be displaced in a direction along the track (13).

3. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that a clutch (43) capable of switching between an open state and a closed state; The clutch (43) is located on the cross-belt vehicle (11), The clutch (43) is adapted to selectively close, in particular open, the drive connection (4), wherein the drive connection (4) transmits a driving force to the cross belt (12) to drive the cross belt (12) in the transverse direction (Q).

4. The cross-belt sorter (1) according to claim 3, It is characterized in that A clutch actuator (5) is provided on the cross belt vehicle (11); The clutch actuator (5) is adapted to selectively switch the clutch (43) into the closed state.

5. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that The clutch actuator (5) comprises a mechanical accumulator (51) located on the cross-belt vehicle (11), The mechanical accumulator (51) is suitable for storing mechanical power on the cross-belt vehicle (11), The clutch actuator (5) is adapted to switch the clutch (43) to the closed state using the mechanical power stored in the accumulator (51).

6. The cross-belt sorter (1) according to claim 4 or 5, It is characterized in that The power for operating the clutch actuator (5), in particular the power for switching the clutch (43) to the closed state, is mechanically provided to the cross-belt vehicle (11).

7. A cross belt sorter (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, It is characterized in that The power for operating the clutch actuator (5), in particular the power for switching the clutch to the closed state, is provided by a drive wheel (42) engaged with a fixed friction rod (41).

8. A cross belt sorter (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, It is characterized in that The clutch actuator (5) comprises a release device (53) adapted to initiate a transition of the clutch (43) to the closed state.

9. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that The release device (53) is suitable for releasing the power stored in the accumulator (51) located on the cross belt vehicle (11), The clutch actuator (5) uses the power to switch the clutch (43) to the closed state.

10. The cross belt sorter (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, It is characterized in that Trigger (6), The trigger (6) has a first trigger portion (61) fixedly positioned along the track (13); The trigger (6) has a second trigger part (62) located on the cross belt vehicle (11), The first trigger part (61) and the second trigger part (62) are adapted to interact with each other, wherein, based on the interaction between the first trigger part (61) and the second trigger part (62), the clutch actuator (5) is triggered to switch the clutch (43) to the closed state, In particular, the trigger (6) is adapted to provide a trigger signal (ts) to the clutch actuator (5), In particular, upon receiving the trigger signal (ts), the clutch actuator (5) switches the clutch (43) to the closed state.

11. A cross-belt sorter (1) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that Timer (63), The timer (63) is adapted to selectively control the timing of the trigger signal (ts) so that, starting from the foremost trigger position, the triggering of the clutch actuator (5) can be selectively performed by a trigger position (Ya, Yb, Yc) located further back along the track (13).

12. A method of operating a cross-belt sorter (1), The cross-belt sorting machine (1) comprises a plurality of cross-belt vehicles (11); The cross belt vehicle (11) moves along a conveying direction (R) at a travel speed (v) on a circumferentially closed conveying track (13); Each of the cross-belt vehicles (11) comprises a cross-belt (12); in, The cross belt (12) provides a conveying surface for supporting the object (9) to be conveyed; The cross-belt (12) is selectively movable relative to the cross-belt vehicle (11) in a transverse direction (Q) transverse to the conveying direction (R); The cross-belt sorter (1) selectively transfers the object (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); When the cross belt vehicle (11) passes through the trigger position (Y0, Ya, Yb, Yc) along the track (13), the cross belt (12) starts to be driven. The method comprises the following steps: changing the travel speed (v) of the cross belt vehicle (11), The trigger positions (Y0, Ya, Yb, Yc) are adjusted according to the changed travel speed (v).

13. The method according to the preceding claim, It is characterized by the following steps: determining the number of objects to be processed by the cross-belt sorter (1) within a predetermined time period; Therein, the step of changing the travel speed (v) is based on the determined quantity.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The trigger position (Y0, Ya, Yb, Yc) - in case of a reduction in the travel speed (v), a displacement to a more forward position along the track, - shifting to a further rearward position along the track in case the travel speed (v) increases.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, in, In order to drive the cross-belt (12), the cross-belt vehicle (11) has a drive wheel (42) which is at least temporarily engaged with a fixed friction bar (41).

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, in, A clutch (43) is provided on the cross belt vehicle (12), wherein the clutch (43) selectively closes and / or opens the driving connection (4) between the friction rod (41) and the cross belt (12) and the driving wheel (42), In particular, the power for opening and / or closing is provided via the drive wheel (42).

17. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, for operating a cross-belt sorter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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