Buffer system and buffer control method

By designing a multi-directional conveyor belt and intelligent control buffering system in the airport luggage buffering device, the problem of improper suitcase buffering in the ring conveyor belt environment is solved, and efficient and reliable suitcase buffering effect is achieved.

CN119953837APending Publication Date: 2025-05-09SUZHOU JIULY INTELLIGENT TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202510304508.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-03-14
Publication Date
2025-05-09

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing airport luggage buffering device is difficult to effectively buffer the luggage in an annular conveyor belt environment, causing the luggage to jam the buffering device.

Method used

A buffering system is designed, including a conveyor belt and buffering member arranged in different directions, and the object movement direction and distance difference are judged by the detection unit and the control unit, and the action of the buffering member is controlled to avoid interference and jamming.

Benefits of technology

It effectively avoids trunk damage and buffer device jamming, and improves the reliability and efficiency of the buffer system.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of buffering, in particular to a buffering system and a buffering control method.The buffering system comprises a first conveying belt, a second conveying belt and a third conveying belt which are arranged in the first direction, the second direction and the third direction respectively, and a buffering piece arranged on the extension line of the first direction; included angles exist between the first direction and the second direction and between the second direction and the third direction; the buffer part is used for abutting against an object only moving in the second direction and changing the object to move in the third direction; or when the objects in the first direction and the second direction move towards the buffering piece at the same time, the buffering piece acts or is static in the direction opposite to the second direction according to the difference value of the distances between the objects in the first direction and the buffering piece and between the objects in the second direction and the buffering piece. The object is buffered through the buffering system, so that the object is prevented from being damaged, and meanwhile, the buffering piece can be prevented from interfering with the object moving in the first direction.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of buffer technology, in particular to a buffer system and a buffer control method. Background Art

[0002] The buffer device is used to buffer objects transported by the conveyor belt, and can be used for luggage transfer or various objects at the airport. The buffer device used in the airport is placed on the conveyor belt at the baggage claim area of ​​the airport. The specific location is set at the luggage exit and the position of the conveyor belt corresponding to the luggage exit. When objects transported by the conveyor belt, such as suitcases, enter the conveyor belt, there will be a certain impact force, so it is necessary to buffer the suitcases entering the conveyor belt from the luggage exit to prevent the suitcases from rushing out of the conveyor belt or being damaged by impact. The arrangement of the buffer device also needs to take into account an influencing factor, that is, the conveyor belt of the airport is circular, and the suitcases move with the conveyor belt. Sometimes passengers cannot find their suitcases or miss their suitcases, causing the suitcases that should have been taken out to come to the position of the conveyor belt corresponding to the luggage exit again with the movement of the conveyor belt, while the exit is still releasing the suitcases. If the suitcases coming out of the exit are simply and roughly buffered, it may cause the buffer device to be stuck in the buffering process. The suitcases that have rotated a circle will get stuck in the buffer device. Summary of the invention

[0003] Some simplifications or omissions may be made in this section and the abstract and title of the present application to avoid obscuring the purpose of this section, the abstract and the title of the invention, and such simplifications or omissions shall not be used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0004] To address the deficiencies in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a buffer system.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: a buffer system, comprising a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt and a third conveyor belt respectively arranged along a first direction, a second direction and a third direction, and a buffer member arranged on an extension line of the first direction; there are angles between the first direction and the second direction, and between the second direction and the third direction; the buffer member is used to resist an object moving only along the second direction and change the object to move along the third direction; or when there are objects in the first direction and the second direction at the same time moving in a direction close to the buffer member, the buffer member moves or remains stationary in the opposite direction of the second direction according to the difference in distance between the objects in the first direction and the second direction and the buffer member respectively.

[0006] As a preferred solution of the buffer system of the present invention, it also includes: a driving unit, which is transmission-connected to the buffer; a first detection unit, which is arranged on a path where the object moves along the first direction, and is used to determine whether there is an object in the first direction; a second detection unit, which is arranged on a path where the object moves along the second direction, and is used to determine whether there is an object in the second direction; a control unit, which is electrically connected to the first detection unit, the second detection unit and the driving unit; the control unit determines the difference in distance between the objects in the first direction and the second direction and the buffer respectively through the first detection unit and the second detection unit, so as to control the driving unit to be turned on or off.

[0007] As a preferred solution of the buffer system of the present invention, it also includes: a connecting member, which is provided with at least one, the connecting member is fixedly connected to the buffer member, and the connecting member is drivingly connected to the output shaft of the driving unit; the driving unit drives the buffer member to move toward or away from the object moving along the first direction through the connecting member.

[0008] As a preferred solution of the buffer system described in the present invention, it also includes: a resistance member, which is coaxially arranged with any one of the connecting members; an angle limiting member, and the resistance member rotates relative to the angle limiting member; when the resistance member rotates clockwise or counterclockwise by a predetermined angle, the resistance member limits the resistance member from continuing to rotate in the same direction by interfering with the angle limiting member.

[0009] In order to solve the deficiencies of the prior art, another object of the present invention is to provide a buffering method.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: a buffering method, comprising, determining whether there are objects moving in a first direction and a second direction; if so, determining whether there are objects moving in the first direction and the second direction at the same time; if so, determining whether the object in the first direction passes through the buffer system before the object in the second direction; if so, determining whether the object in the second direction can reach the buffer system during the gap when the next continuous object in the first direction reaches the buffer system; if so, the buffer system performs a buffering action.

[0011] As a preferred solution of the buffering method described in the present invention, it is determined whether there is object movement in the first direction and the second direction at the same time; if not, it is determined again whether there is object movement in the first direction and the second direction; if there is object movement in the first direction, the buffer system does not perform buffering action; if there is object movement in the second direction, the buffer system performs buffering action.

[0012] As a preferred solution of the buffering method of the present invention, it is determined whether the object in the first direction passes through the buffering system before the object in the second direction; if not, the buffering system does not perform the buffering action.

[0013] As a preferred solution of the buffering method described in the present invention, it is determined whether the object in the second direction can reach the buffering system during the gap when the next continuous object in the first direction reaches the buffering system; if not, the buffering system does not perform the buffering action.

[0014] As a preferred solution of the buffering method described in the present invention, when the buffer is extended, it is determined whether the buffer triggers the positive limit unit; if so, the positive limit unit performs a return to zero action and sets the current position to zero; the return to zero action is completed.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the buffering method described in the present invention, it comprises: judging whether the time of each extension and retraction is greater than the normal value; if so, the buffering system stops; judging whether the impact force of the object on the buffering system is greater than the maximum load of the buffering system; if so, the buffering system stops; judging whether the extension stroke of the buffer component is greater than the maximum stroke of the buffer component; if so, the buffering system stops.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: objects are buffered by the buffer system to avoid damage to the objects; the movement or stillness of the buffer is determined by judging the distances between the objects in the first direction and the second direction and the buffer respectively, thereby avoiding interference between the buffer and the objects moving in the first direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without paying creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of an object in the second direction of the buffer system of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the buffer system of the present invention with objects in both the first direction and the second direction.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing that the angle between the first direction and the second direction of the buffer system of the present invention is an acute angle.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a distribution diagram of the first detection unit of the buffer system of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the idle period when the next continuous object in the first direction of the buffer system of the present invention arrives at the buffer system.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the buffer system of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the cooperation between the abutment member and the angle limiting member of the buffer system of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a judgment flow chart of the buffering method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention, but the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art may make similar generalizations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0028] Secondly, the term "one embodiment" or "embodiment" as used herein refers to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic that may be included in at least one implementation of the present invention. The term "in one embodiment" that appears in different places in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it refer to a separate or selective embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 This embodiment is the first embodiment of the invention, and includes a first conveyor belt 101, a second conveyor belt 102, a third conveyor belt 103 and a buffer member 200.

[0031] Specifically, the first conveyor belt 101, the second conveyor belt 102 and the third conveyor belt 103 are arranged along the first direction, the second direction and the third direction respectively. The first conveyor belt 101 and the third conveyor belt 103 of this embodiment are connected end to end and arranged in the same plane, and the second conveyor belt 102 is arranged in the same plane as the first conveyor belt 101, and the first conveyor belt 101 and the second conveyor belt 102 are arranged vertically, that is, the angle between the first direction and the second direction is 90°, and the angle between the second direction and the third direction is also 90°. The second conveyor belt 102 acts as an exit, and the suitcase transported by the second conveyor belt 101 falls onto the third conveyor belt 103. The third conveyor belt 103 moves with the suitcase and may reach the first conveyor belt 101 after moving one circle.

[0032] Preferably, the buffer 200 is arranged on the outside of the first conveyor belt 101 and the third conveyor belt 103, and the buffer 200 is located on the extension line of the second direction. When the buffer 200 moves along the second direction through the second conveyor belt 102, the buffer 200 moves in the opposite direction of the second direction to resist the suitcase in the second direction. At this time, the suitcase is resisted by the buffer 200 and changes its movement from the second direction to the third direction.

[0033] Furthermore, when a passenger fails to take out his or her own suitcase in time, causing the suitcase to move around and reach the position of the first conveyor belt 101, there will be a situation where the suitcase moves toward the buffer 200 in both the first direction and the second direction, and the buffer 200 moves in the opposite direction of the second direction or remains stationary according to the difference in distance between the suitcase in the first direction and the second direction and the buffer 200, thereby preventing the suitcase in the first direction from colliding with the buffer 200 and causing the buffer 200 to get stuck.

[0034] Example 2

[0035] Reference Figure 3 This embodiment is the second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, except that the angles between the first conveyor belt 101 and the second conveyor belt 102, and between the second conveyor belt 102 and the third conveyor belt 103 in this embodiment are not 90°, but acute angles. The buffer 200 is still arranged on the extension line of the second direction of the second conveyor belt 102. When the suitcase on the second conveyor belt 102 moves along the second direction to the third conveyor belt 103, the buffer 200 can also buffer the suitcase.

[0036] Example 3

[0037] Reference Figure 1 to Figure 7 This embodiment is the third embodiment of the invention, and this embodiment is based on embodiment 1 or embodiment 2.

[0038] Specifically, the first detection unit 300 is arranged on the first conveyor belt 101. The first detection unit 300 is a photoelectric sensor. The detection range of the first detection unit 300 can cover a partial area of ​​the upper surface of the first conveyor belt 101. When the suitcase moves along the first direction, the first detection unit 300 identifies the suitcase, that is, it is used to determine whether there is a suitcase in the first direction. If the first detection unit 300 detects that there is a suitcase in the first direction, the distance between the suitcase in the first direction and the buffer 200 is collected at the same time.

[0039] The second detection unit 400 is also a photoelectric sensor. The detection range of the second detection unit 400 can cover a part of the upper surface area of ​​the second conveyor belt 102. When the luggage moves along the second direction, the second detection unit 400 identifies the luggage, that is, determines whether there is a luggage in the second direction. If the second detection unit 400 detects that there is a luggage in the second direction, the number of luggage in the second direction, the distance between the luggage and the buffer 200, and the distance between the two luggage closest to the buffer 200 are confirmed.

[0040] The control unit 500 is electrically connected to the first detection unit 300 , the second detection unit 400 and the driving unit 104 . The control unit 500 determines the distances between the objects in the first direction and the second direction and the buffer 200 respectively through the first detection unit 300 and the second detection unit 400 , and controls the switch of the driving unit 104 .

[0041] Preferably, at least one connecting member 600 is provided, and in this embodiment, two connecting members 600 are provided, and both connecting members 600 are fixedly connected to the buffer 200, wherein the connecting member 600 includes a connecting rod 601 and an arc rod 602, one end of the arc rod 602 is fixedly connected to the buffer 200, and the other end is fixedly connected to the connecting rod 601, and the connecting rod 601 of one of the connecting members 600 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the driving unit 104; the driving unit 104 of this embodiment is a motor, and the driving unit 104 drives the buffer 200 to move toward or away from an object moving along a first direction through the connecting member 600. When the output shaft of the driving unit 104 does work, the buffer 200 is driven to rotate around the axis of the connecting rod 601 through the connecting rod 601 and the arc rod 602. In this process, the buffer 200 can complete the movement toward or away from the object moving along the first direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the resistance member 700 is coaxially arranged with the connecting rod 601 of one of the connecting members 600; and two angle limit members 800 are provided, a limiting space is formed between the two angle limit members 800, and the resistance member 700 is located in the limiting space, and the resistance member 700 rotates relative to the angle limit member 800; when the resistance member 700 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise until it conflicts with the angle limit member 800, it rotates to a predetermined angle, at this time, the resistance member 700 limits the resistance member 700 from continuing to rotate in the same direction through the conflict with the angle limit member 800, so as to limit the rotation angle of the connecting rod 601 of the connecting member 600, thereby limiting the travel of the buffer member 200 in the direction close to the object moving along the first direction.

[0043] Example 4

[0044] Reference Figure 8 , this embodiment provides a buffer control method.

[0045] S100: Determine whether there is an object moving in the first direction and the second direction;

[0046] S101: If there is no object moving in the first direction and the second direction, the buffer system does not perform a buffering action, and the buffer system is in an initial static state;

[0047] S200: If there is an object moving in the first direction and the second direction, it is necessary to determine whether there is an object moving in the first direction and the second direction at the same time;

[0048] S201: If there is no object moving in the first direction and the second direction at the same time, it is determined again whether there is an object moving in the first direction and the second direction; if there is an object moving in the first direction, the buffer system does not perform a buffering action; if there is an object moving in the second direction, the buffer system performs a buffering action;

[0049] S202: When the buffer 200 is extended, it is determined whether the buffer 200 triggers the positive limit unit; if so, the positive limit unit performs a zero return action to set the current position to zero; the zero return action is completed to ensure the position accuracy during operation;

[0050] S300: If there are objects moving in the first direction and the second direction at the same time, determining whether the object in the first direction passes through the buffer system before the object in the second direction;

[0051] S301: If the object in the first direction does not pass through the buffer system before the object in the second direction, the buffer system does not perform a buffering action;

[0052] S400: If the object in the first direction passes through the buffer system before the object in the second direction, determine whether the object in the second direction can reach the buffer system during the gap when the next object in the first direction reaches the buffer system;

[0053] S500: If the object in the second direction can reach the buffer system during the gap between the next object in the first direction reaching the buffer system, the buffer system performs a buffering action;

[0054] S501: If not, the buffer system does not perform the buffer action, thereby preventing the buffer system from interfering with the next object in the first direction and causing it to get stuck;

[0055] S600: judging whether the time for each extension and retraction of the buffer member 200 is greater than a normal value; if it is greater than the normal value, the buffer system stops operating;

[0056] By judging whether the impact force of the object on the buffer system is greater than the maximum load of the buffer system; if so, the buffer system stops working;

[0057] By judging whether the extension stroke of the buffer is greater than the maximum stroke of the buffer; if so, the buffer system stops working; through the three testing methods of S600, abnormal conditions can be discovered in time, reported in time and repaired in time.

[0058] Based on the above, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0059] 1. By setting a zero return action for the buffer 200, since the position of the motor will have a small deviation when it is working, this deviation will become very large after a long period of accumulation. Therefore, the motor must be returned to zero every time it is turned on to ensure the position accuracy during work;

[0060] 2. By determining whether the object in the second direction can reach the buffer system during the time when the next continuous object in the first direction reaches the buffer system, if not, the buffer system does not perform the buffering action; thereby avoiding interference between the buffer system and the next continuous object in the first direction, resulting in jamming.

[0061] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, which should all be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A buffer system, characterized in that: include, A first conveyor belt (101), a second conveyor belt (102) and a third conveyor belt (103) are respectively arranged along a first direction, a second direction and a third direction, and a buffer member (200) is arranged on an extension line of the first direction; an angle exists between the first direction and the second direction, and between the second direction and the third direction; The buffer (200) is used to resist an object moving only in the second direction and redirect the object to move in the third direction; Alternatively, when there are objects in both the first direction and the second direction moving toward the buffer (200), the buffer (200) moves or remains stationary in the opposite direction of the second direction according to the difference in distance between the objects in the first direction and the second direction and the buffer (200), respectively.

2. The buffer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes, A driving unit (104) which is in transmission connection with the buffer (200); A first detection unit (300), which is arranged on a path where an object moves along a first direction, and is used to determine whether there is an object in the first direction; A second detection unit (400); It is arranged on the path of the object moving along the second direction, and is used to determine whether there is an object in the second direction; A control unit (500) electrically connected to the first detection unit (300), the second detection unit (400) and the driving unit (104); The control unit (500) determines the difference in distance between the object in the first direction and the object in the second direction and the buffer (200) respectively through the first detection unit (300) and the second detection unit (400) to control the on or off of the driving unit (104).

3. The buffer system according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also includes, A connecting member (600), at least one of which is provided, wherein the connecting member (600) is fixedly connected to the buffer member (200), and the connecting member (600) is drivingly connected to an output shaft of the driving unit (104); The driving unit (104) drives the buffer member (200) to move in a direction approaching or away from an object moving along a first direction via the connecting member (600).

4. The buffer system according to claim 3, characterized in that: Also includes, A resisting member (700) is coaxially arranged with any one of the connecting members (600); An angle limiting member (800), wherein the resisting member (700) is relatively rotatable relative to the angle limiting member (800); When the resisting member (700) rotates clockwise or counterclockwise by a predetermined angle, the resisting member (700) is restricted from continuing to rotate in the same direction by the resisting member (700) interfering with the angle limiting member (800).

5. A buffer control method, characterized in that: include, Determine whether there is an object moving in the first direction and the second direction; If so, determining whether there is an object moving in the first direction and the second direction simultaneously; If so, determining whether the object in the first direction passes through the buffer system before the object in the second direction; If so, determining whether the object in the second direction can reach the buffer system during the gap when the next consecutive object in the first direction reaches the buffer system; If so, the buffer system performs a buffering action.

6. The buffer control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: Determine whether an object moves in the first direction and the second direction simultaneously; If not, determining again whether there is an object moving in the first direction and the second direction; If the object moves in the first direction, the buffer system does not perform a buffering action; if the object moves in the second direction, the buffer system performs a buffering action.

7. The buffer control method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: It is determined whether the object in the first direction passes through the buffer system before the object in the second direction; if not, the buffer system does not perform a buffering action.

8. The buffer control method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: It is determined whether the object in the second direction can reach the buffer system during the idle period when the next continuous object in the first direction reaches the buffer system; if not, the buffer system does not perform the buffering action.

9. The buffer control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the buffer member (200) is extended, determining whether the buffer member (200) triggers a positive limit unit; If yes, the positive limit unit performs a return to zero action and sets the current position to zero; Complete the zero return action.

10. The buffer control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: By judging whether the time for each extension and retraction of the buffer member (200) is greater than a normal value; if so, the buffer system stops operating; By judging whether the impact force of the object on the buffer system is greater than the maximum load of the buffer system; if so, the buffer system stops operating; By judging whether the extension stroke of the buffer component (200) is greater than the maximum stroke of the buffer component (200); if so, the buffer system stops operating.