Method for redistributing parcels in sorting station

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for redistributing parcels (2) in a sorting station (1), in which the parcels (2) are sequentially transferred to a scanning device (7) according to at least one transport sequence (4) and sequentially scanned according to at least one transport sequence (4) in order to record at least one dimension quantity and at least one sorting parameter, wherein the scanned parcels (2) are sorted in accordance with at least one sorting parameter, are divided into at least two parcel (2) sorting sequences (10) in parallel, are sequentially loaded into different transport units (12) by at least one robot (11) in accordance with the sorting sequences (10), and are transported away from the sorting station (1) by the transport units (12), wherein the control device (6) determines at least two parallel optimized theoretical sorting sequences (10), in which only individual parcels (2) are removed from the transport sequence (4) and / or the sorting sequence (10), and in order to form the optimized sorting sequence (10) determined by the control device (8), the transport sequence (4) and / or the sorting sequence (10) is re-introduced in another position, and wherein the parcels (2) are loaded into the transport unit (12) by the at least one robot according to the optimized sorting sequence (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for redistributing packages in a sorting station. Background Art

[0002] There are various known methods for redistributing parcels in a sorting station. In principle, in many of these methods, the parcels are brought into the sorting station in bundles in transport units, which can be truck beds or trailers, for example. These transport units are then unloaded and transferred one by one to a conveyor belt. The parcels can then be scanned, wherein the sorting parameters based on which the parcels were sorted are recorded. Depending on the sorting parameters, the parcels are then distributed to different transport units, which then transport the parcels away from the sorting station. In many cases, these transport units are different from the transport units unloaded at the sorting station and are roller containers, cages, pallets, walled pallets or unit load devices (ULD). Unit load devices are pallets and containers for loading aircraft and are therefore adapted to the dimensions of the aircraft fuselage.

[0003] After scanning, the parcels can be temporarily stored in an intermediate storage device, such as a rack warehouse or similar warehouse, until the parcels are transported further. The parcels can then be removed from the intermediate storage device in a specific or arbitrary order. However, in order to achieve high efficiency and to shorten the residence time of the parcels in the sorting station, it is usually not necessary to store the parcels intermediately. The parcels are transferred from the point where they are unloaded from the transport unit to the point where they are loaded into other transport units by means of conveyor belts or similar devices and are sorted in the process. For example, it is conceivable that some parcels are moved from one conveyor belt to another conveyor belt or into a chute in order to sort the parcels. If necessary, there are also transport sequences in which the parcels are transported, scanned and fed into the sorting device. After sorting, the parcels form at least two sorting sequences. Each sorting sequence usually contains parcels with different sorting parameters. Each sorting sequence is fed into different transport units, into which the parcels are placed by robots as required.

[0004] In order to make efficient use of the available space in the transport unit, the dimensions of the parcels are also recorded in some cases. The loading algorithm can then specify the stacking position of specific parcels in the transport unit in order to reduce the waste of space. As an aid, sensors can also monitor the current loading of the transport unit. If the parcels are temporarily stored at the sorting station, they can be removed from the intermediate storage device in an order in which they can be stacked in a space-saving manner.

[0005] The use of robots to load sorted parcels into transport units at sorting stations is not as efficient as it could be, despite technical aids. In many cases, manual loading is faster and more accurate. However, manual loading cannot be automated. In other cases, despite the considerable technical effort put into the loading process, a lot of space is still wasted in the transport unit. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to design and further develop a method of the type mentioned at the outset and described in detail above in order to further increase the efficiency of the sorting station at reasonable cost.

[0007] According to claim 1, this object is achieved by a method for redistributing parcels in a sorting station,

[0008] - in the method, the parcels are supplied to a sorting station in bundles in individual transport units, unloaded in the sorting station and transported sequentially to a scanning device in at least one transport sequence,

[0009] In the method, the packages of at least one transport sequence are scanned sequentially according to the at least one transport sequence in order to respectively record at least one dimension.

[0010] and at least one sorting parameter,

[0011] - in the method, the scanned parcels in the at least one transport sequence are sorted in a sorting device according to at least one sorting parameter into at least two parallel sorting sequences of parcels,

[0012] - In the method, at least one robot sequentially loads the parcels of the parallel sorting sequence into different transport units according to the sorting sequence, and transports them away from the sorting station by the transport units,

[0013] - in the method, the control device determines at least two parallel theoretical sorting sequences as a function of at least one transport sequence and at least one sorting parameter of the parcels of at least one transport sequence,

[0014] - in the method, an optimized sorting sequence to be loaded successively into the transport unit in a more space-saving manner is determined according to a theoretical sorting sequence, according to at least one dimension of the parcels of the theoretical sorting sequence and according to a loading algorithm,

[0015] - in the method, only individual packages are removed from the transport sequence and / or the sorting sequence and are put back into the transport sequence and / or the sorting sequence at another location in order to form an optimized sorting sequence determined by the control device,

[0016] In the method, the packages are loaded into transport units by at least one robot according to an optimized sorting sequence.

[0017] According to the method, during the distribution of the parcels between unloading the parcels from the transport unit and sorting them in the sorting device, the parcels are transported in sequence in the form of a transport sequence, from which at least two sorting sequences are generated after the parcels are sorted in the sorting device. Each sorting sequence is provided for loading into different transport units by the robot in a corresponding sequence. In order to avoid the associated logic and equipment costs, the parcels are not stored intermediately. However, individual parcels are removed from the transport sequence or at least one sorting sequence in order to put them back into the transport sequence or at least one sorting sequence at another position (usually but not necessarily a later position), thereby changing the transport sequence or at least one sorting sequence so that the robot can load the parcels into the transport unit in a space-saving manner in the changed sequence. In this way, preferably not only a parcel sequence that is loaded more space-savingly than the unchanged parcel sequence is fed to the robot, but also the control device specifies the position for placing each corresponding parcel in the transport unit, so that the parcels can be packed as tightly as possible in the transport unit. In this way, the efficiency of the sorting station and the method for redistributing parcels in the sorting station can be improved without excessive costs.

[0018] The parcels are delivered to the sorting station in bundles in individual transport units, which can be, for example, truck beds or trailers. The parcels are usually stacked together therein to form bundles of parcels, in which the parcels are not in any particular order. The transport units are then unloaded at the sorting station, with a plurality of transport units being unloaded successively. However, this does not exclude the possibility of unloading individual transport units in parallel with each other. During the unloading process, the parcels are separated and conveyed sequentially through a scanning device, for example by at least one conveyor belt, in accordance with at least one transport sequence. The parcels transported to the scanning device in at least one transport device are scanned, and at least one dimension and a sorting parameter of the parcels are respectively recorded.

[0019] The parcels are then sorted according to the at least one sorting parameter. For example, the sorting parameter may contain information about the destination to which the respective parcel is to be transported, such as a postal code or the like. During the sorting process, parcels having the same sorting parameter are not necessarily grouped together. Parcels having sorting parameters within a predetermined value range (such as a postal code range) may also be grouped together. By sorting the parcels in the sorting device, the transport sequence of the parcels is divided into at least two separate parcel sorting sequences. Depending on the number of criteria used for sorting, more or fewer separate sorting sequences may be generated during the sorting process.

[0020] Parcels from different sorting sequences are loaded into different transport units without being mixed together again. The parcels of each sorting sequence are loaded sequentially according to their respective sequence. The robot thus loads the parcels one after the other in the order in which they are transported past the robot in the sorting sequence. It is particularly advantageous, but not absolutely necessary, if the parcels of each sorting sequence are loaded into separate transport units by a separate robot. The loaded transport units are transported away from the sorting station. If there are still other unloaded parcels in the sorting sequence, the remaining parcels are loaded for the next transport unit, and so on.

[0021] The method for redistributing the parcels in the sorting station is controlled by the control device, which is provided with the information collected by the scanning device. As a result, the control device knows, for each parcel in the transport sequence of the scanned parcels, the arrangement of the parcel in the transport sequence of the parcels. It also knows which parcels are arranged before and after a specific parcel in the transport direction. In addition, the control device knows at least one dimension and at least one sorting parameter for each parcel. Using these data, the control device determines the theoretical sorting sequence that will occur after the parcels have been sorted by the sorting device. If the order of the parcels has not been changed after scanning and before sorting, the theoretical sorting sequence should be consistent with the actual sorting sequence.

[0022] The control device uses the theoretical sorting sequence, the relevant package size quantities and the loading algorithm to determine a modified sorting sequence, which can be loaded into the transport unit in a more space-saving manner in sequence compared to the unmodified sorting sequence. The modified sorting sequence is therefore an optimized sorting sequence, which is optimized for space-saving loading. The optimized sorting sequence is not necessarily absolutely optimal, but is only an improvement on the unmodified sorting sequence. The term optimized is generally preferably understood in a very broad sense here.

[0023] For example, it is conceivable that two very large parcels follow each other in the theoretical sorting sequence and that, after the two parcels have been loaded successively, there is still considerable free space in the transport unit. In this case, it may be sensible to move one of the parcels further back in the sorting sequence. This makes it possible to arrange more small parcels in the gaps of the transport unit after the first large parcel before loading the other large parcel. Whether the parcels can be loaded in a space-saving manner depends on the previously loaded parcels and the resulting current loading situation, which the control device can at least approximately calculate in advance. It is also conceivable not to load the large parcel into the almost full transport unit anymore, but to load it first into the still unloaded transport unit. In this way, the large parcel can be moved back accordingly in the optimized sorting sequence.

[0024] According to the method of the invention, there are several options for optimizing the sorting sequence. What these options have in common is that a specific package is taken out of the package sequence and then put back into the package sequence at another location, thus changing the package sequence without temporarily storing all packages in an intermediate storage device. Therefore, only individual packages are taken out from a series of packages, not, for example, all packages. Since the control device can already infer the theoretical sorting sequence from the transport sequence after scanning the package, individual packages can be taken out from the corresponding sequence, i.e. the transport sequence and / or the sorting sequence, before and / or after sorting. Then, no matter which sequence the package is taken out from, it can be put into the transport sequence or the sorting sequence in principle. However, for simplicity, the package taken out from the transport direction is preferably put back into the transport sequence again, and the package taken out from the sorting sequence is preferably put back into the sorting sequence at another location.

[0025] In principle, it is advantageous to remove a parcel from the sequence and to briefly stop at the removal location until the removed parcel is passed by a parcel after which it is to be reinserted into the sequence. In this case, it is not necessary to transport the removed parcel significantly before reinserting it. However, it is also possible to transport the removed parcel against or in the direction of its transport before reinserting it into the sequence. In this way, it is possible to quickly move a parcel to a significantly later position in the sequence or to a more advanced position in the sequence, thereby greatly increasing the flexibility and efficiency of the method.

[0026] If the transport sequence of the packages is changed to an optimized transport sequence, the control device preferably already takes into account the fact that the optimized transport device will subsequently perform sorting and according to which criteria the sorting is performed when determining the optimized transport sequence. In this way, it is determined which specific optimized sorting sequences will be obtained after the optimized transport sequence is sorted. Ultimately, no matter at which position the sequence of the packages is changed and optimized, an optimized and not just random sorting sequence of the packages is provided before the at least one loading robot. In this way, the at least one robot loads the packages into the transport unit according to the optimized sorting sequence.

[0027] In principle, a package can be understood to mean different types of piece goods. However, it can also refer to specific types of piece goods, such as goods packed in a packaging. Thus, a package can include at least one secondary packaging made of paper, cardboard, fabric or plastic and can be, for example, a wrapper, a box and a container, but also a non-dimensionally stable bundle such as a bag or sack. The goods packed in the package can themselves be individual piece goods, bulk goods, liquids or pasty materials.

[0028] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the method, the parcels are scanned according to at least one temporary transport sequence. This is a temporary transport sequence because, before the transport sequence is sorted, the transport sequence is changed in order to save space during loading. For this purpose, some parcels, i.e. only individual parcels, are taken out of the transport sequence and put back into the transport sequence at another position. In this way, an optimized transport sequence determined by the control device is generated under the provisions of the control device. Then, the parcels in the optimized transport sequence are sorted into at least two, preferably optimized sorting sequences using at least one sorting parameter in the sorting device. Then, at least one robot can be used to load the parcels into the transport unit in a very space-saving manner according to the respective optimized sorting sequence. The parcels in the appropriate order are fed to the robot, which can place the parcels in sequence in the respective appropriate positions in the transport unit. The corresponding positions can be assigned to the robot by the control device respectively. Depending on the loading situation and the parcels, the parcels can be placed adjacently and / or stacked in the transport unit.

[0029] Alternatively, at least one sorting parameter can also be used to sort the parcels in the transport sequence into at least two temporary sorting sequences in the sorting device in at least one temporary transport sequence, in particular in a temporary transport sequence for scanning the parcels. After the parcels have been sorted into two separate temporary sorting sequences, individual parcels, but not all of them, are taken out and put back into the sorting sequence at another location. In this way, optimized sorting devices determined by the control device are formed, which can be easily loaded into the transport unit by at least one robot in a space-saving manner. Therefore, these are all temporary sorting sequences, because before loading the parcels, these sorting sequences have been converted from temporary sorting sequences to optimized sorting sequences. Even with an optimized sorting sequence, it is not necessarily the absolute optimum in terms of space saving. However, the robot can load the optimized sorting sequence into the transport unit in a more space-saving manner than the temporary sorting sequence. In any case, this applies after the control device has calculated according to a loading algorithm or a similar algorithm.

[0030] It is also conceivable to change the transport sequence of parcels and then additionally change at least one sorting sequence therein after sorting. However, in many cases, this is not preferred because additional work is required.

[0031] In order to be able to optimize the sorting sequence in a suitable manner without having to rely exclusively on calculations of the control device, it is advantageous to monitor the current loading state of at least one transport unit for loading the parcels during loading of the parcels by means of at least one sensor, in particular an optical sensor. In this way, the sorting sequence can always be optimized based on the actual loading state of the transport unit and not only on the calculated loading state. It is irrelevant whether the transport sequence and / or at least one sorting sequence is changed for this purpose.

[0032] In principle, it is very useful to scan at least one dimension parameter using a six-sided scanner, a volume scanner and / or a line scanner, in particular an RGB line scanner. A six-sided scanner scans the parcel from all six spatial directions and can therefore record the actual dimension very accurately. The more precisely the dimensions are known, the more effectively the sorting sequence can be optimized. Corresponding scanners of the aforementioned type are in principle known from similar applications.

[0033] The six-sided scanner preferably captures images of all six sides of the package separately and then analyzes the pixels of the image. For example, the pixels belonging to a package can be counted and the size of the package can be determined from this. Especially if the ratio between the number of pixels and the size has been calibrated before. In a simpler case, a line scanner can also be used, through which the parcel is transported. The line scanner scans one side of the parcel, for example from above, and captures the image line by line. The pixels of each line can then be plotted one after the other, depending on the time or number of lines, so that an image consisting of a large number of individual lines is obtained, and finally a pixel area is obtained that is related to the size of the parcel. After a corresponding calibration, the pixel area can be assigned to the size of the parcel from the corresponding viewing direction. In this case, an RGB scanner is particularly preferred, where RGB refers to the color space consisting of the three colors red, green and blue, i.e. the three primary colors of light. In simple terms, a line scanner records the three colors red, green and blue. Compared to a line scanner, a six-sided scanner can determine the volume or three-dimensional shape of the parcel. Alternatively or in addition, a so-called volume scanner, which usually uses a laser, can also be used if necessary. The volume scanner can also be designed as a line scanner, and the parcel is then transported through the line scanner. The advantage of this scanner is that the three-dimensional shape of the parcel can be inferred from the laser point cloud captured by the corresponding detector. Typically, the sides of the packages on the conveyor belt are not scanned, but this is usually acceptable. In most cases, the packages are lasered from one side, in particular at least substantially from above.

[0034] When using a six-sided scanner, a volume scanner, a line scanner, in particular an RGB line scanner and / or other suitable scanning devices, preferably at least two, in particular at least three, dimensional parameters of each parcel are scanned. These dimensional parameters can be the height, width and / or length of the parcel. In some cases, it is preferred to also specifically record the maximum height, maximum width and / or maximum length of the parcel. If the dimensions of multiple dimensions are known, the control device can calculate the actual space-saving loading more reliably. In this way, the sorting sequence of the parcels for loading into the transport unit can be better optimized, especially in the case of parcels with very different dimensions.

[0035] In addition to scanning the dimensional quantity in the form of pure dimensions, the shape and / or surface of the package can alternatively or additionally be scanned. This is particularly useful if the package is not rectangular or not always rectangular, or is very thin or very flexible. For non-rectangular packages, it is more space-saving to arrange them in a different relative manner than rectangular packages of approximately the same size. If the control device knows the shape and / or surface of the package, the control device can use the scanned shape and / or surface of the package to determine whether the shape of the package is at least one predetermined special shape. The control device can specify the handling method for special shapes based purely on criteria other than dimensional quantities and sorting parameters. Preferably, the surface is scanned by capturing an image of at least one surface. For example, at least one image of a six-sided scanner or at least one image of a surface composed line by line by a line scanner can be used here. The surface can then be evaluated based on color gradients or gray value distributions, etc.

[0036] For example, it can be specified that certain special shapes are to be removed from the parcel sequence. These parcels of special shapes can be removed from the transport sequence, in particular the temporary transport sequence and / or the sorting sequence, in particular the temporary sorting sequence. Removal after the sorting device requires a longer transport in the sorting station. However, the parcels of special shapes have been sorted according to at least one sorting parameter, which can be very helpful for further processing of the parcels. Parcels with special shapes can be loaded into different transport units than parcels without at least one special shape. These transport units can be separate transport units that are only set up for loading parcels with special shapes. Alternatively or additionally, these special shapes can also be set for manual loading. In this way, the work of loading into the transport unit is not done by the robot. In this case, the special shape refers, for example, to a shape that the robot cannot carry or load, or a shape that is difficult to carry or load. Therefore, at least one robot present will not be blocked by these parcels with special shapes. Parcels with special shapes will not even reach the robot, but will be loaded manually at other locations.

[0037] In principle, parcels with special shapes can be loaded into a transport unit together with parcels without special shapes. However, in the case of certain special shapes, it may be advantageous to load only the parcels with special shapes into a separate transport unit, which means that only the parcels without special shapes can, but do not necessarily, be loaded into other transport units. For example, it may also be provided that parcels with a certain special shape are loaded into a transport unit in a certain orientation. It is also conceivable that individual parcels with special shapes can be loaded next to other parcels with special shapes in a predetermined orientation in a particularly space-saving manner.

[0038] By scanning the shape and / or surface of the parcel, for example, very thin parcels, such as parcels with a height between 0.3 cm and 1 cm, can be identified. For example, such parcels are more likely to be envelopes than parcels, which should preferably be loaded into the upper area of ​​the transport unit if necessary. This may have an impact on the preferred sorting sequence. If necessary, it is also possible to deduce whether the parcel is hard or soft by scanning the shape of the side of the parcel. For example, parcels without straight edges and / or without sharp corners can be regarded as bags or sacks. If they are bags or sacks, they can also be preferably loaded on the top of the transport unit to prevent damage to the parcel. If many light reflections are identified as local light and dark contrasts when scanning the surface, it can also be concluded that the parcel is a bag, sack or paper parcel. Since such parcels are also quite sensitive to mechanical shocks, it is also advantageous to load these packages on the top of the transport unit. In addition, it is preferred to sort the above-mentioned more fragile parcels in a separate sorting sequence so that they are sorted separately from other types of parcels and placed in separate transport units. Extremely thin and / or flexible parcels can also be identified by "machine learning", in which the scanner is trained by actual parcels so that it automatically recognizes similar parcels. This makes it possible, for example, to automatically and very reliably differentiate between bags, packages and envelopes and then handle them in a different, preferred manner or load them separately into other transport units.

[0039] If the control device knows the shape and / or surface of the package or the type of package, the control device can determine whether the robot can handle the respective package. To this end, the control device can compare the shape and / or surface of the package with shapes stored in the control device as being handleable by at least one robot. If the shape and / or surface of the package may not be handleable by the robot, the package can be sorted out, for example, for loading by a human or the like.

[0040] In order to minimize the waste of space in the transport unit, the control device preferably generates an electronic 3D model of the parcel based on the scanned parcel shape and / or surface. This is particularly necessary if the shape of the parcels varies greatly in many cases and is not a cuboid or similar shape. The control device can then also use the electronic 3D model of the parcels to determine a space-saving, optimized sorting sequence to be loaded into the transport unit one after another. The loading algorithm can then take into account the respective three-dimensional shape very closely and accurately to determine the optimized sorting sequence.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the control device can also use the scanned shape and / or surface of the package to infer the category of the package, which category of items has been previously defined accordingly based on the shape and / or surface. The shape and / or surface of the package can usually be used to determine the type and characteristics of the package. For example, bags, envelopes and bags usually have a characteristic shape and / or surface, which is also characterized by being very soft, which may affect where and with which other packages these packages can be conveniently loaded into the transport unit. If the weight of the package is also determined, for example, when the package is scanned, just before or immediately after the scanning, the recognition of specific types of items can be further improved. It can also be provided that specific categories of items are placed at the top of the transport unit, or are manually loaded into separate transport units, so that these packages will not be damaged by the weight of other packages. If necessary, the control device can also determine a space-saving, optimized sorting sequence to be loaded into the transport unit in sequence based on the category of the package.

[0042] The weight of certain packages, preferably of each package, can be recorded independently of the determination of the shape and / or surface or in addition thereto. This makes it possible, for example, to draw conclusions about the type of package or to avoid loading particularly heavy packages at the very top of the transport unit or on top of light, small packages, so that the packages below are not crushed or otherwise damaged. Thus, the control device can also use the weight of the packages to determine a space-saving, optimized sorting sequence to be loaded into the transport unit one after the other.

[0043] If at least the dimensional quantities and / or sorting parameters of individual packages have been transmitted to the control device before the transport unit is unloaded, the control device can already start to thoroughly calculate different loading situations so that the optimized sorting sequence of the corresponding packages that still need to be sorted can be determined as quickly as possible, which can only be done after the actual, temporary transport sequence of the unloaded packages is known, and at least one dimensional quantity and at least one sorting parameter can be assigned to each package. For example, before the unloading of the package, the dimensional quantities and sorting parameters related to the package are already known. If the package has been scanned during or before loading. Then, for example, preferably before the package is transported in the transport unit, the control device already knows which packages will be transported with the transport unit. If the dimensional quantities and / or sorting parameters of at least individual packages transmitted before scanning are compared with the dimensional quantities and / or sorting parameters of at least individual packages after scanning, it is particularly beneficial to determine a fast and as optimized as possible package sorting sequence. In this way, in principle, the packages known in advance can be re-identified, and it can be guessed which packages will be unloaded in what order. The temporary transport sequence of the unloaded packages can be speculatively composed accordingly.

[0044] In some cases, it may be advantageous if the control device has already determined an optimized sorting sequence for at least individual parcels using the transmitted dimension quantities and / or sorting parameters of at least individual parcels, in particular before at least individual parcels are unloaded. It may be considered whether this can be further optimized and / or how this optimized sorting sequence can be generated as simply and quickly as possible. The control device can then determine the optimized parcel sorting sequence after scanning the parcels, taking into account the optimized sorting sequence theoretically determined using the transmitted dimension quantities and / or sorting parameters before scanning the parcels.

[0045] The advantages of the method can be used in a particularly practical manner if the parcels are unloaded from a transport unit in the form of a commercial vehicle body, preferably a box body, in particular a truck, trailer or semitrailer. Alternatively or additionally, parcels can also be unloaded from a transport unit in the form of a non-self-propelled low-floor vehicle, in particular a trolley, a wagon or a unit load device (ULD). In a corresponding method, many large parcels are distributed in a short time, so that optimizing the space in the transport unit is both desirable and difficult.

[0046] Alternatively or additionally, for the same reasons, the parcels are preferably loaded into non-self-propelled low-floor vehicles, in particular in the form of trolleys, waffle boxes or unit load devices (ULDs). ULDs are pallets and containers used to load aircraft and therefore match the dimensions of the aircraft fuselage.

[0047] With regard to the parcels, the method is suitable if the parcels are secondary packaged piece goods, in particular piece goods which are secondary packaged with cartons respectively. The method is particularly useful if the piece goods are packages, bags, envelopes and / or bags. These parcels need to be sorted and distributed in a sorting device in large quantities and with short residence times. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] The invention will be described in more detail below with the aid of the accompanying drawings which show only one embodiment.

[0049] Figure 1 A top view from above showing a sorting station redistributing parcels according to the invention, and

[0050] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 Side view of a sorting station robot loading parcels for an optimized sorting sequence. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Figure 1A sorting station 1 for redistributing parcels 2 is shown. The parcels 2 may be piece goods, packages, envelopes, bags and / or sacks. The parcels 2 are transported to the sorting station 1 by a transport unit 3 in the form of a commercial vehicle, in particular a truck, trailer and / or semitrailer, wherein the parcels 2 are located in the cargo box of the commercial vehicle. After arriving at the sorting station 1, the parcels 2 are unloaded and separated there. In the method shown in the figure, which is also preferred, a single transport sequence 4 of the parcels 2 is generated from the unloaded parcels 2. The transport sequence 4 is transported by at least one conveyor belt 5, in particular at least substantially continuously, through the sorting station 1 to the sorting device 6. If necessary, a plurality of transport sequences 4 can also be generated, which can then be processed in parallel in the sorting station 1.

[0052] The transport sequence 4 of the parcels 2 is fed into a scanning device 7, where the sorting parameters of each parcel 2, in particular the postal code and the size, are recorded. The weight of the parcel 2 is also recorded. However, this is optional. Whether the weight needs to be recorded depends on the type of parcel 2 and how the parcels 2 differ in weight. In the preferred method shown, the parcels 2 are transported through a six-sided scanner of the scanning device 7, where the parcels 2 are scanned from all six sides. Target information such as the postal code is read out here, which is a relevant sorting parameter for the subsequent sorting of the parcels 2. The dimensions such as length, height and width, as well as the shape of the parcel 2, are also recorded. In addition, if appropriate, the weight of the parcel 2 is also determined when it passes through the scanning device 7.

[0053] The sequence of the parcels 2, the sorting parameters assigned to the parcels 2, the size, shape and weight are transmitted to the control device 8. The parcels 2 are conveyed from the scanning device 7 to the sorting device 6, where the parcels 2 are distributed to different conveyor belts 9 according to the sorting parameters. This is controlled by the control device 8 according to the transport sequence 4 of the parcels 2 and the sorting parameters assigned to the parcels 2. To sort the parcels 2, the parcels 2 can first be transferred to a seesaw according to the transport sequence 4, which transports the parcels 2 over other conveyor belts 9 and tilts the parcels 2 to the conveyor belt 9 assigned to the sorting parameters according to the sorting parameters. Alternatively, the parcels 2 can also be actively moved from the sorting device 6 to the conveyor belt 9 assigned to the sorting parameters. Other types of sorting are also possible and known. On the conveyor belt 9 connected to the sorting device 6, a sorting sequence 10 of the parcels 2 is formed, which is derived from the transport sequence 4 of the parcels 2 upstream of the sorting device 6 and the allocation of sorting parameters to the parcels 2 in the transport sequence 4.

[0054] like Figure 2As shown, the sorting sequence 10 of packages 2 is loaded by a robot 11 in their order into a transport unit 12 in the form of a trolley, which can then be loaded into the cargo box of a commercial vehicle such as a truck, trailer or semitrailer. The control device 8 instructs the robot 11 to place the packages 2 in the transport unit 12 in order to fully utilize the loading capacity of the transport unit 12. The schematic diagram of the gap in the transport unit 12 for placing the next package 2 is represented by a dotted line. The unused space between the packages 2 in the transport unit 12 should be avoided or reduced as much as possible. The transport units 12 are each equipped with a sensor 13, in particular an optical sensor, for recording the current loading situation and transmitting it to the control device 8. If necessary, the sensor 13 can also only transmit an image (Aufnahmen) of the transport unit 12, and the control device 8 then determines the current loading situation from the image.

[0055] To this end, not only are the packages 2 loaded successively into the appropriate positions in the transport unit 12, but the order of the packages 2 is also influenced so that, taking into account the packages 2 already loaded, i.e., depending on the respective loading situation, the subsequent packages 2 are selected as far as possible in such a way that a space-saving loading is achieved for each package 2. Whether a package 2 can be loaded in a space-saving manner depends not only on the package 2 itself, but also on the space in the transport unit 12 that is available for loading the package 2 in each case. In certain loading situations, a package 2 can be loaded with an exact fit. In other loading situations, however, the loading of the same package 2 may leave a large amount of space in the transport unit 12 unused.

[0056] Thus, the sorting sequence 10 of the parcels 2 is changed so that the parcels 2 in the sorting sequence 10 can be loaded in a more space-saving manner than if the sorting sequence 10 were not changed. The deliberately changed sorting sequence 10 is also referred to as an optimized sorting sequence 10. There are various ways of changing the sorting sequence 10. It would be best if an absolute optimization of the sorting sequence 10 could be achieved. However, this is not necessary and in many cases difficult to achieve at reasonable cost.

[0057] The sorting sequence 10 can be changed by removing individual packages 2 from the temporary sorting sequence 10 obtained here after sorting the packages 2, and then re-inserting them into the sorting sequence 10 at another position. For this purpose, the illustrated and preferred sorting station 1 is also provided with a receiving position 14 for temporarily receiving the packages 2 beside the sorting sequence 10 transported to the robot 11 on the conveyor belt 9. Specific packages 2 can be moved to the receiving position 14 and thus removed from the temporary sorting sequence 10. These packages 2 can be placed back into the gap of the sorting sequence 10 from the receiving position 14, thereby forming an optimized sorting sequence 10. Corresponding slides can be provided for removing and inserting packages 2, which are not shown but are known. The removal and insertion of packages 2, such as the manipulation of corresponding slides, are controlled by the control device 8.

[0058] An alternative or additional setting is that the parcel 2 has been removed from the temporary transport sequence 4 and is put back into the transport sequence 4 at another position to form an optimized transport sequence 4 and thus an optimized sorting device 10. As described above in conjunction with the sorting sequence 10, it is possible to remove from the receiving position 14, and the removed parcel 2 will remain in the receiving position 14 until it is put back into the gap of the transport sequence 4. This removal and insertion is also controlled by the control device 8. The control device 8 knows according to which sorting parameters the parcel 2 is sorted and which sorting parameters the parcel 2 has. This means that changing the transport sequence 4 can have a targeted effect on the optimization of the sorting sequence 10.

[0059] It is not shown in the figure but it is conceivable that the taken-out parcel 2 does not stay at the position where it was taken out from the transport sequence 4 and / or the sorting sequence 10 until the parcel 2 is put back into the corresponding transport sequence 4 and / or the sorting sequence 10. The parcel 2 can also be moved along or against the corresponding conveying direction of the parcel 2 that has not been taken out, so as to put the parcel 2 further forward in the transport sequence 4 and / or the sorting sequence 10 or further backward in a short time.

[0060] Based on the information transmitted by the scanning device 7, the control device 8 determines a modified sorting sequence 10 according to a predetermined loading algorithm, which is considered to be optimal for loading into the transport unit 12. At the same time, the control device 8 also specifies which packages 2 must be removed at which position and which removed packages 2 must be replaced at which position in order to generate a modified optimized sorting sequence 10. The predetermined optimized sorting sequence 10 that the control device 8 evaluates as favorable is then generated by corresponding removal and insertion of individual packages 2.

[0061] Here, the control device 8 can first generate a 3D model of the corresponding scanned package 2 in order to subsequently determine the exact space requirement of the package 2 in the loading algorithm. This is particularly advantageous for packages 2 with irregular shapes. The shape of the package 2 that can be recorded by the scanning device 7 and / or determined by the control device 8 can lead to conclusions about the specific item category of the package 2. In addition to the size, these item categories can also additionally influence the loading position of the package 2 in the transport unit 12 and the arrangement position of the package 2 in the sorting sequence 10 for this purpose. The item type can also influence the sorting of the package 2 in the sorting device 6. For example, specific item types can be sorted into separate sorting sequences 10, even if they have the same sorting parameters. Then, specific item types, such as particularly fragile packages 2, can be manually loaded into separate transport units 12 if necessary.

[0062] The control device 8 can also classify certain parcels 2 into certain special shapes according to the size of the parcels 2 and prescribe special treatment for the special shapes of the parcels 2. Special shapes can be sorted into a separate sorting sequence 10, even if they have the same sorting parameters as parcels 2 that are not classified as special shapes. In this way, parcels 2 with certain special shapes can be loaded together into a common transport unit 12 more conveniently and space-savingly, while parcels 2 without special shapes can themselves be loaded together into the transport unit 12. However, special shapes may also result in the parcels 2 being loaded in a specific orientation and / or at a specific position in the transport unit 12. Even in this case, the sorting sequence 10 must be changed accordingly when necessary to achieve such loading.

[0063] When specifying the optimized sorting sequence 10, the control device 8 can also take the weight of the parcels 2 into account. This can be done, for example, if particularly heavy but at the same time relatively small parcels 2 are to be loaded at the bottom of the transport unit 12. These parcels 2 must therefore be arranged in the sorting sequence 10 in such a way that they are in line for loading when the transport unit 12 is still quite empty. However, the control device 8 can also provide that particularly heavy parcels 2 are sorted out at a different position in the sorting device 6 than less heavy parcels 2 with the same sorting parameters. These parcels can then be loaded individually into individual transport units 12 without damaging the lighter parcels 2 loaded into other transport units 12. However, the heavy parcels 2 to be loaded individually can also themselves be arranged in the optimized sorting sequence 10 according to their size using the measures already described above.

[0064] It is also conceivable that the parcels 2 in the container of the commercial vehicle 15 to be unloaded at the sorting station 1 have already been scanned before being loaded into the container. In this case, their size, weight, shape and / or sorting parameters are known. In addition, the approximate position at which the parcels 2 are loaded into the container can also be known, so that the time when the parcels 2 are unloaded again at the sorting station 1 can be estimated. This information can be transmitted to the control device 8 before the respective parcel 2 is unloaded. This information can be sent directly from the loading location, an intermediate server or a central unit 16. The respective commercial vehicle 15 can then also inform the control device 8 of its estimated time of arrival at the sorting station 1, for example en route. If necessary, the commercial vehicle 15 can also transmit information about the loaded parcels 2.

[0065] If the control device 8 receives information about the parcels 2 to be sorted, the control device 8 can use a predetermined loading algorithm to estimate which optimized sorting sequences 10 can ensure high space utilization and easy availability in the transport unit 12. After scanning the parcels 2 in the scanning device 7, the estimated value about the sequence of the parcels 2 can be compared with the actual transport sequence 4. The calculation of the optimized sorting sequence 10 can then be further adjusted.

[0066] Description of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1 Sorting station

[0068] 2 Packages

[0069] 3 Transport units

[0070] 4 Transport sequence

[0071] 5. Conveyor Belt

[0072] 6 Sorting device

[0073] 7 Scanning device

[0074] 8 Control device

[0075] 9. Conveyor Belt

[0076] 10 Sorting sequence

[0077] 11 Robot

[0078] 12 Transport Units

[0079] 13 Sensors

[0080] 14 seats

[0081] 15 Commercial vehicles

[0082] 16 Central Unit

Claims

1. A method for redistributing packages (2) in a sorting station (1), - in the method, the packages (2) are supplied in bundles in individual transport units (3) to a sorting station (1), unloaded in the sorting station (1) and transported sequentially in at least one transport sequence (4) to a scanning device (7), - in the method, the parcels (2) of at least one transport sequence (4) are scanned sequentially according to at least one transport sequence (4) to record at least one dimensional quantity and at least one sorting parameter, respectively, - in the method, the scanned packages (2) in at least one transport sequence (4) are sorted in a sorting device (6) according to at least one sorting parameter into at least two parallel sorting sequences (10) of packages (2), - In the method, at least one robot (11) loads the packages (2) of the parallel sorting sequence (10) into different transport units (12) in sequence according to the sorting sequence (10), and the packages (2) are transported away from the sorting station (1) by the transport units (12), - in the method, the control device (6) determines at least two parallel theoretical sorting sequences (10) as a function of the at least one transport sequence (4) and at least one sorting parameter of the parcels (2) of the at least one transport sequence (4), - in the method, an optimized sorting sequence (10) to be loaded sequentially into the transport unit (12) in a more space-saving manner is determined based on a theoretical sorting sequence (10), based on at least one dimension of the packages (2) according to the theoretical sorting sequence (10), and based on a loading algorithm, - in the method, only individual packages (2) are removed from the transport sequence (4) and / or the sorting sequence (10) and are reinserted into the transport sequence (4) and / or the sorting sequence (10) at a different position in order to form an optimized sorting sequence (10) determined by the control device (8), and In the method, at least one robot loads the packages (2) into the transport unit (12) according to an optimized sorting sequence (10).

2. The method according to claim 1, - in the method, a package (2) is scanned in at least one temporary transport sequence (4), - in the method, only individual packages (2) are removed from the transport sequence (4) and put back in to form an optimized transport sequence (4) determined by the control device (8), and In the method, the packages (2) in the optimized transport sequence (4) are sorted in a sorting device (6) according to at least one sorting parameter into at least two, preferably optimized, sorting sequences (10).

3. The method according to claim 1, -in, The packages (2) of the transport sequence (4) are sorted in at least one temporary transport sequence (4) in a sorting device (6) into at least two temporary sorting sequences (10) according to at least one sorting parameter, and -in, Only individual packages (2) are removed from the temporary sorting sequence (10) and placed back into the sorting sequence (10) at another position to form an optimized sorting sequence (4) determined by the control device (8).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, - wherein the loading state of at least one transport unit (12) for loading the packages (2) is monitored during the loading of the packages (2) by means of at least one, in particular optical, sensor (13), and - wherein the control device (8) determines an optimized sorting sequence (10) based on the loading state of at least one transport unit (12) recorded by at least one sensor (13).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, - wherein at least one dimensional parameter of the package (2) is scanned by a six-sided scanner, a line scanner, in particular an RGB line scanner, and / or a volume scanner.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, - wherein at least two, in particular at least three, dimensional parameters of each package (2) are scanned, and / or -in, Each package (2) is scanned for height, in particular maximum height, length, in particular maximum length, and width, in particular maximum width.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the shape and / or the surface of the package (2) is scanned, preferably using a six-sided scanner, a line scanner, in particular an RGB line scanner, and / or a volume scanner, and - wherein, preferably, the control device (8) determines based on the scanned shape and / or surface of the package (2) whether the shape is at least one predetermined special shape of the package (2).

8. The method according to claim 7, -in, The package (2) having a predetermined special shape is taken out from a transport sequence (4), in particular a temporary transport sequence, and / or from a sorting sequence (10), in particular a temporary sorting sequence, and - Among them, preferably The removed packages (2) having a special shape are preferably loaded manually into at least one, in particular a separate, transport unit (12).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, - wherein the control device (8) generates an electronic 3D model of the package (2) from the scanned shape and / or surface of the package (2), and -in, The control device (8) also determines, based on the electronic 3D model of the packages (2), an optimized sorting sequence (10) that is space-saving and to be loaded sequentially into the transport units (12).

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, - wherein the control device (8) infers the type of article of the package (2) from the scanned shape and / or surface of the package (2), and -in, The control device (8) also determines a space-saving, optimized sorting sequence (10) to be loaded sequentially into the transport unit (12) based on the category of the articles of the packages (2).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, - wherein the weight of a particular package (2), preferably the weight of each package (2), is recorded, and - wherein the control device (8) also determines a space-saving, optimized sorting sequence (10) to be loaded sequentially into the transport unit (12) based on the weight of the packages (2).

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, - wherein at least the dimensions and / or sorting parameters of individual packages (2) are transmitted to the control device (8) before the transport unit (12) is unloaded, and - wherein preferably, the transmitted dimensional quantity and / or sorting parameters of at least an individual parcel (2) are compared with the scanned dimensional quantity and / or sorting parameters of at least an individual parcel (2).

13. The method according to claim 12, - wherein, in particular before unloading at least the individual packages (2), the control device (8) determines an optimized sorting sequence (10) for at least the individual packages (2) based on the conveyed dimensional quantities and / or sorting parameters of at least the individual packages (2), and -in, Preferably, after scanning the packages (2), the control device (8) determines an optimized sorting sequence (10) for the packages (2), taking into account the optimized sorting sequence (10) theoretically determined before scanning the packages (2) based on the conveyed size quantities and / or sorting parameters.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, - wherein the parcel (2) is unloaded from a transport unit (12) in the form of a commercial vehicle body, preferably a box body, of a truck, trailer or semitrailer, and / or from a transport unit (12) in the form of a non-self-propelled low-floor vehicle, in particular a trolley, a wagon box or a ULD, and / or -in, The parcels (2) are loaded into a non-self-propelled low-floor vehicle, in particular in the form of a trolley, a wagon box or a ULD.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein secondary packaged packages (2), in particular packages secondary packaged with cardboard boxes, are used as packages (2), and - wherein the package is preferably a wrap.

Images