Automatic book sorting device and using method

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic book sorting device and a using method, and relates to the field of book management. The automatic book sorting device comprises a sorting unit, a feeding mechanism and a plurality of discharging mechanisms. According to the automatic book sorting device and the using method, the sorting unit comprises two functional parts including the material distributing disc and the size sorting feeder, the continuously-fed books are guided into the size classification bin through the size sorting feeder, the books of different sizes are blocked through the step-shaped check blocks, and therefore the books of different sizes can be sorted. The method comprises the following steps: blocking books, pushing the blocked books into a target material distribution disc, identifying RFID tags of the books through an RFID reader in the material distribution disc, matching corresponding discharging channels according to the tags, stopping when the books move to the target discharging channels in the rotating process of the material distribution disc, and then discharging, so that the books are classified in size and then classified, and the sorting efficiency is improved. The whole equipment is in a vertical sorting mode, occupies a small space, completes classification at a time and is more convenient to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of book management, and in particular to an automated book sorting device and a usage method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In libraries or book warehouses, vertical bookshelves are usually used for book classification. In the early stage of classification, the basic principle is to classify books according to their categories, and store books of different categories on different vertical bookshelves, so that they can be quickly searched according to categories when retrieving.

[0003] Currently, in order to facilitate classification and search in the market, different RFID tags are usually set for books, and the books are quickly identified through the RFID tags, so as to simplify the classification work and reduce the error rate at the same time. Currently, the common classification methods include two categories. One category is to scan books by managers operating handheld RFID scanners. This method is inefficient and only applicable to small book storage places. The other method is to install RFID readers on the conveyor belt, automatically input books through the conveyor belt, then use the RFID readers to identify the books, and then set up multiple sorting conveyor belts according to the book categories, and push books of different categories onto different conveyor belts through components such as cylinders to complete the classification.

[0004] However, the above solutions have two obvious disadvantages. First, when there are many book categories, a large number of sorting conveyor belts need to be arranged, resulting in a large overall floor space occupation. For many book storage places, the layout requirements cannot be met, and only a small number of sorting conveyor belts can be designed for simple large-category sorting, and then each large category needs to be sorted one by one again, which is troublesome to operate. Second, since books are stored in vertical bookshelves and there are size differences among books of the same category, when books of different sizes are placed on the vertical bookshelves, in order to facilitate search, books within the same size range need to be classified. Otherwise, it is easy for larger books to block smaller books, affecting subsequent search. And this process requires manual screening by managers, which has certain drawbacks. Therefore, an automated book sorting device and a usage method are provided specifically to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Aiming at the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides an automated book sorting device and a usage method thereof, which solve the problems that the existing book sorting devices have a large floor area, a troublesome sorting process, and cannot perform secondary sorting according to size, resulting in the need for manual sorting according to size when placing books subsequently, and the operation is troublesome.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention is realized through the following technical solutions: An automated book sorting device, comprising:

[0007] The sorting unit includes a plurality of vertically stacked material distribution trays and a size sorting feeder disposed in the middle of the plurality of material distribution trays. The size sorting feeder is used to push books of different sizes into different material distribution trays;

[0008] The feeding mechanism is disposed on one side of the top end of the size sorting feeder; and is used to sequentially push books into the size sorting feeder;

[0009] A plurality of discharging mechanisms are distributed in an annular array outside the plurality of material distribution trays and are used for discharging books of different categories in each group of material distribution trays.

[0010] Preferably, the sorting unit further includes:

[0011] A support base, which is connected to the lowermost material distribution tray by a bearing, and the bottom end of the size sorting feeder is fixedly installed on the support base;

[0012] A fixed base, which is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the support base;

[0013] A servo motor, which is fixedly installed at the bottom of the fixed base;

[0014] A driving gear, which is fixedly installed at the output end of the servo motor;

[0015] A transmission gear ring, which is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the material distribution tray and meshes with the driving gear;

[0016] The plurality of layers of material distribution trays are fixedly connected to each other and are synchronously driven by the transmission gear ring.

[0017] Preferably, the material distribution tray includes:

[0018] An annular rotating seat;

[0019] A plurality of sorting bins, which are opened in the annular rotating seat in an annular array, and the inner bottom of the sorting bin slopes downward on the side facing outward, and the discharging mechanism is arranged at the outer end of the sorting bin;

[0020] A material blocking electric cylinder, which is fixedly arranged in the side wall of the annular rotating seat and its output end extends into the sorting bin for blocking the outer end opening of the sorting bin;

[0021] A feeding chamber, which is opened in the middle of the annular rotating seat, and the size sorting feeder is arranged in the feeding chamber;

[0022] An RFID reader, which is fixedly embedded in the inner side wall of the sorting bin.

[0023] Preferably, the size sorting feeder includes:

[0024] A fixed bracket, which is arranged in the feeding chamber;

[0025] A size classification bin, which is fixedly arranged on one side of the fixed bracket;

[0026] A circulating conveyor belt, which is installed in the fixed bracket, and the feeding mechanism is located on one side of its top;

[0027] A plurality of transfer seats, which are equidistantly distributed on the outer wall of the circulating conveyor belt;

[0028] A top feeding cylinder, which is arranged inside the fixed bracket, and the top feeding cylinder is used to push the books in the transfer seat along the size classification bin to the sorting position.

[0029] Preferably, transmission rollers are rotatably arranged at the four corners inside the fixed bracket, the circulating conveyor belt is installed on the plurality of transmission rollers, a driving motor is fixedly arranged on the outer wall of the fixed bracket, and the output end of the driving motor is fixedly assembled with a group of transmission rollers;

[0030] Support frames are fixedly arranged on both sides of the outer wall of the fixed bracket, an anti-tilting frame is fixedly installed on the outside of the support frame, connecting plates are fixedly arranged at both ends of the support frame, and the connecting plates and the bottom ends of the anti-tilting frame are fixedly installed with the support seats;

[0031] A power cylinder is fixedly installed at the inner bottom of the fixed bracket, a multi-way solenoid valve is installed between the output end of the power cylinder and the plurality of top feeding cylinders, a support bar for supporting the top feeding cylinders is fixedly arranged inside the fixed bracket, and through grooves for the output shafts of the top feeding cylinders to penetrate are formed in both the circulating conveyor belt and the transfer seat.

[0032] Preferably, the front side and the top of the transfer seat are open, an inclined feeding port is arranged on the front side of the transfer seat, clamping plates are movably arranged on both sides inside the transfer seat, clamping springs are arranged between the clamping plates and the inner wall of the transfer seat, and an anchor nail is fixedly arranged at the top end of the back of the transfer seat, and the anchor nail is fixed on the circulating conveyor belt.

[0033] Preferably, a plurality of stoppers are vertically arranged inside the size classification bin, the plurality of stoppers are distributed in a stepped shape for blocking books of different sizes, a feeding channel is separated and formed between the plurality of stoppers, an infrared sensor is fixedly arranged on the inner side wall of the feeding channel, and a plurality of top feeding holes respectively facing different feeding channels are formed in the back of the size classification bin.

[0034] Preferably, the feeding mechanism includes;

[0035] A feeding rack;

[0036] A feeding conveyor belt, which is installed in the feeding rack;

[0037] Partition inserting plates, which are equidistantly and fixedly arranged on the outer wall of the feeding conveyor belt;

[0038] The feeding port is opened on one side of the end of the feeding rack;

[0039] The position sensor is fixedly arranged below the feeding port and is used to detect the position of the transfer seat;

[0040] The loading cylinder is fixedly arranged on the other side of the end of the feeding rack and is used to push the books out from the feeding port.

[0041] Preferably, the blanking mechanism includes a blanking channel and a receiving container arranged at the bottom end of the blanking channel;

[0042] The blanking channel is integrally formed by sequentially connecting an arc-shaped blanking section, a torsion section, and an inclined discharging section. Through the blanking channel, the books are laid flat into the receiving container during the blanking process from a vertical position.

[0043] Preferably, a method for using an automatic book sorting device includes the following steps:

[0044] Step 1: The position sensor identifies that the transfer seat is in place, and positions and loads the books through the loading cylinder, and pushes the books into the transfer seat;

[0045] Step 2: The transfer seat moves downward with the books. When the movement of the books is blocked by a certain stop block, the books block the infrared sensor in the feeding channel. At this time, the ejecting cylinder opposite to the feeding channel starts, and pushes the books along the feeding channel to the corresponding sorting tray to complete the sorting of the book sizes;

[0046] Step 3: The RFID reader in the sorting tray identifies the RFID tag of the book, and matches the corresponding blanking channel of the book category through the RFID tag;

[0047] Step 4: When the sorting tray rotates to the corresponding blanking channel, the output shaft of the blocking electric cylinder contracts, and the books automatically slide into the corresponding blanking channel to complete the sorting of different sizes of book categories.

[0048] The present invention discloses an automatic book sorting device and a using method thereof, and the beneficial effects thereof are as follows:

[0049] 1. The automated book sorting device designs a sorting unit, which includes two functional components: a material distribution tray and a size sorting feeder. The size sorting feeder guides the continuously fed books into the size classification bin, uses stepped stoppers to block books of different sizes, and then pushes the blocked books into the target material distribution tray. Then, the RFID reader in the material distribution tray identifies the RFID tags of the books and matches the corresponding discharging channels according to the tags. During the rotation of the material distribution tray, when the book moves to the target discharging channel, it stops and then discharges, thus realizing the size classification of books first and then the category classification. The whole device is vertically sorted, occupying a small area and completing the classification at one time, which is more convenient to use.

[0050] 2. The automated book sorting device designs a discharging mechanism, which includes a discharging channel and a receiving container. The books slide outwards along the sorting bin and enter the inside of the discharging channel. Then, the books slide down through the arc-shaped discharging section. When passing through the twisting section and reaching the inclined discharging section, the books change from a vertical state to a reclined state and finally slide out from the end of the inclined discharging section, falling obliquely into the receiving container and lying flat on the inner bottom of the receiving container under the action of gravity, realizing the automatic stacking of books and facilitating handling.

[0051] 3. The usage method of the automated book sorting device is executed by designing a supporting control system, which mainly includes a feeding module, a size sorting module, a category sorting module, and a core control unit for coordinating and controlling the above modules. The continuous automatic feeding of books is realized through the feeding module. After the books enter the size classification bin through the size sorting module, they are automatically classified according to size and automatically fed into the material distribution tray. Through the category sorting module, the books in each layer of the material distribution tray can be automatically positioned and discharged using RFID identification technology, so as to realize the full automation of the whole device during the feeding, size sorting, and category sorting processes, with high efficiency and accuracy, effectively reducing the labor intensity of management personnel and the sorting difficulty. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall outer surface structure of the book sorting device of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the outer surface structure of the sorting unit of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 3 Internal structural cross-sectional view of the material distribution tray of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the sorting unit of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding mechanism of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the outer surface structure of the size sorting loader of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 7 Internal structural schematic diagram of the size sorting loader of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 8 Internal structural schematic diagram of the transfer seat of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 9 Internal structural schematic diagram of the size classification bin of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the structure of the blanking channel of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 11 Flow chart of the usage method of the book sorting device of the present invention.

[0064] In the figure: 1. Sorting unit; 11. Support seat; 12. Material distribution tray; 13. Size sorting loader; 14. Fixed seat; 15. Servo motor; 16. Driving gear; 17. Transmission gear ring;

[0065] 121. Ring-shaped rotating seat; 122. Sorting bin; 123. Blocking electric cylinder; 124. Loading chamber; 125. RFID reader;

[0066] 131. Fixed bracket; 132. Size classification bin; 133. Support frame; 134. Anti-tilting frame; 135. Connecting plate; 136. Circulating conveyor belt; 137. Transfer seat; 138. Driving roller; 139. Driving motor; 1310. Through groove; 1311. Top material cylinder; 1312. Support bar; 1313. Power cylinder; 1314. Multi-way solenoid valve;

[0067] 1322. Block; 1323. Loading channel; 1324. Infrared sensor; 1325. Top material hole;

[0068] 1372. Inclined loading port; 1373. Clamping plate; 1374. Clamping spring; 1375. Anchor nail;

[0069] 2. Feeding mechanism; 21. Feeding rack; 22. Feeding conveyor belt; 23. Partition board; 24. Feeding port; 25. Loading cylinder; 26. Position sensor;

[0070] 3. Discharging mechanism; 31. Discharging channel; 311. Arc-shaped discharging section; 312. Twisting section; 313. Inclined discharging section; 32. Receiving container. Specific embodiments

[0071] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described clearly and completely. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0072] By providing an automated book sorting device and a usage method thereof in the embodiments of the present application, the problems existing in the existing book sorting devices are solved, including large floor area, troublesome sorting process, and inability to perform secondary sorting according to size, resulting in the need for manual sorting according to size when placing books subsequently, which is troublesome to operate.

[0073] To better understand the above technical solutions, the above technical solutions will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of the specification and specific embodiments.

[0074] Embodiment 1

[0075] Referring to the appendix Figures 1-10 , this embodiment discloses an automated book sorting device, including a sorting unit 1, a feeding mechanism 2 and multiple groups of discharging mechanisms 3. The sorting unit 1 includes multiple layers of vertically stacked sorting trays 12 and a size sorting loader 13 arranged in the middle of multiple sorting trays 12. The size sorting loader 13 is used to push books of different sizes into different sorting trays 12; the feeding mechanism 2 is arranged on one side of the top of the size sorting loader 13 and is used to push books into the size sorting loader 13 in sequence; multiple groups of discharging mechanisms 3 are distributed in an annular array outside multiple groups of sorting trays 12 and are used to discharge different categories of books in each group of sorting trays 12.

[0076] The sorting unit 1 further includes a support base 11, a fixed base 14, a servo motor 15, a driving gear 16 and a transmission gear ring 17. The support base 11 is connected to the bottommost material distribution plate 12 by bearings, and the bottom end of the size sorting loader 13 is fixedly installed with the support base 11. The fixed base 14 is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the support base 11. The servo motor 15 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the fixed base 14. The driving gear 16 is fixedly installed at the output end of the servo motor 15. The transmission gear ring 17 is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the material distribution plate 12 and meshes with the driving gear 16. The multi-layer material distribution plates 12 are fixedly connected to each other and are synchronously driven through the transmission gear ring 17.

[0077] The material distribution plate 12 includes an annular rotating base 121, a plurality of sorting bins 122, a baffle electric cylinder 123, a feeding chamber 124 and an RFID reader 125. A plurality of sorting bins 122 are arranged in an annular array in the annular rotating base 121, and the inner bottom of the sorting bin 122 slopes downward on the side facing outward. The blanking mechanism 3 is arranged at the outer end of the sorting bin 122. The baffle electric cylinder 123 is fixedly arranged in the side wall of the annular rotating base 121, and its output end extends into the sorting bin 122 to block the outer end opening of the sorting bin 122. The feeding chamber 124 is opened in the middle of the annular rotating base 121, and the size sorting loader 13 is arranged in the feeding chamber 124. The RFID reader 125 is fixedly embedded in the inner side wall of the sorting bin 122. In actual application, the inner wall of the sorting bin 122 can also be installed with driving parts, such as conveyor belts, push rods and vibrating motors, etc., so as to assist the books to move quickly when sliding down along the inclined bottom surface of the sorting bin 122, shorten the blanking time and improve the speed, but it will correspondingly increase the equipment cost, and it can be selected to install according to the actual sorting volume of the actual sorting place.

[0078] The size sorting loader 13 includes a fixed bracket 131, a size classification bin 132, a circulating conveyor belt 136, a plurality of transfer seats 137 and a top material cylinder 1311. The fixed bracket 131 is arranged in the feeding chamber 124. The size classification bin 132 is fixedly arranged on one side of the fixed bracket 131. The circulating conveyor belt 136 is installed in the fixed bracket 131, and the feeding mechanism 2 is located on one side of its top end. A plurality of transfer seats 137 are equidistantly distributed on the outer wall of the circulating conveyor belt 136. The top material cylinder 1311 is arranged inside the fixed bracket 131, and the top material cylinder 1311 is used to push the books in the transfer seat 137 along the size classification bin 132 into the sorting bin 122.

[0079] Drive rollers 138 are rotatably arranged at the four corners inside the fixed bracket 131. The circulating conveyor belt 136 is installed on the plurality of drive rollers 138. A drive motor 139 is fixedly arranged on the outer wall of the fixed bracket 131, and the output end of the drive motor 139 is fixedly assembled with a set of drive rollers 138.

[0080] On both sides of the outer wall of the fixed support 131, support frames 133 are fixedly arranged. An anti-tilting frame 134 is fixedly installed on the outside of the support frames 133. Connecting plates 135 are fixedly arranged at both ends of the support frames 133. The connecting plates 135 and the bottom ends of the anti-tilting frames 134 are both fixedly installed on the support base 11;

[0081] A power cylinder 1313 is fixedly installed at the inner bottom of the fixed support 131. A multi-way solenoid valve 1314 is installed between the output end of the power cylinder 1313 and a plurality of ejector cylinders 1311. A support bar 1312 for supporting the ejector cylinders 1311 is fixedly arranged inside the fixed support 131. Through slots 1310 for the output shafts of the ejector cylinders 1311 to penetrate are respectively formed in the circulating conveyor belt 136 and the transfer seat 137.

[0082] The front side and the top of the transfer seat 137 are open. An inclined feeding port 1372 is arranged on the front side of the transfer seat 137. Clamping plates 1373 are movably arranged on both sides inside the transfer seat 137. Clamping springs 1374 are arranged between the clamping plates 1373 and the inner wall of the transfer seat 137. An anchor nail 1375 is fixedly arranged at the top end of the back of the transfer seat 137. The anchor nail 1375 is fixed on the circulating conveyor belt 136.

[0083] A plurality of stoppers 1322 are vertically arranged inside the size classification bin 132. The plurality of stoppers 1322 are distributed in a stepped manner for blocking books of different sizes. Feeding channels 1323 are separated and formed between the plurality of stoppers 1322. Infrared sensors 1324 are fixedly arranged on the inner side walls of the feeding channels 1323. A plurality of ejector holes 1325 respectively facing different feeding channels 1323 are formed on the back of the size classification bin 132.

[0084] The feeding mechanism 2 includes a feeding frame 21, a feeding conveyor belt 22, a partition insertion plate 23, a feeding port 24, a feeding cylinder 25 and a position sensor 26. The feeding conveyor belt 22 is installed in the feeding frame 21; the partition insertion plates 23 are fixedly arranged at equal intervals on the outer wall of the feeding conveyor belt 22; the feeding port 24 is formed on one side of the end of the feeding frame 21; the position sensor 26 is fixedly arranged below the feeding port 24 for detecting the position of the transfer seat 137, and the feeding cylinder 25 is fixedly arranged on the other side of the end of the feeding frame 21 for ejecting books from the feeding port 24.

[0085] The discharging mechanism 3 includes a discharging channel 31 and a receiving container 32 arranged at the bottom end of the discharging channel 31. The discharging channel 31 is integrally formed by sequentially connecting an arc-shaped discharging section 311, a torsion section 312 and an inclined discharging section 313. Through the discharging channel 31, the books are discharged and enter the receiving container 32 in a lying state from a standing state.

[0086] Working principle: When the device is in use, books are inserted into the partition inserts 23 on the feeding conveyor belt 22 in sequence. The feeding conveyor belt 22 carries the books and moves them towards the feeding port 24. At the same time, the circulating conveyor belt 136 is started. When a group of transfer seats 137 move to the position directly opposite the feeding port 24, the circulating conveyor belt 136 stops. At this time, the output shaft of the feeding cylinder 25 extends and retracts quickly, and the book is pushed into the transfer seat 137.

[0087] Then the circulating conveyor belt 136 continues to move, driving the book into the size classification bin 132. When the bottom of the book abuts against a group of stoppers 1322, at this time the book blocks the infrared sensor 1324, and the circulating conveyor belt 136 stops. At this time, the book is in the feeding channel 1323 corresponding to its size. At this time, the valve of the multi-way solenoid valve 1314 corresponding to this feeding channel 1323 is opened, and the power cylinder 1313 is started, so as to inject compressed air into the corresponding ejector cylinder 1311, so that the ejector cylinder 1311 pushes the book out of the transfer seat 137 along the feeding channel 1323 and into the corresponding sorting tray 12 inside, completing size sorting. Then the circulating conveyor belt 136 is started to realize continuous feeding of books and size sorting, and books of different sizes are sorted into the corresponding sorting trays 12 through multiple feeding channels 1323.

[0088] When the book enters the sorting bin 122 in the sorting tray 12, the RFID reader 125 inside it identifies the RFID tag of the book, thereby determining the category of the book and corresponding discharging channel 31 according to the category.

[0089] Then the servo motor 15 is started, driving the driving gear 16 to rotate. The driving gear 16 meshes with the transmission gear ring 17, driving multiple sorting trays 12 to rotate synchronously. When the book rotates to the target discharging channel 31, the output end of the blocking electric cylinder 123 contracts. At this time, the book slides outwards along the sorting bin 122 and enters the discharging channel 31 inside. Then the book slides down through the arc-shaped discharging section 311. When it reaches the inclined discharging section 313 after passing through the twisting section 312, the book changes from a vertical state to a reclined state, and finally slides out from the end of the inclined discharging section 313, falling obliquely into the receiving container 32 and lying flat on the inner bottom of the receiving container 32 under the action of gravity.

[0090] In the above process, through unified feeding of books, then using the size sorting feeder 13, the books are conveyed into different sorting trays 12 according to different size ranges. Then, by rotating the sorting trays 12, books of the same size but different categories are sorted and discharged. Finally, sorting of books according to different categories and different sizes is completed. The whole is a vertical sorting, occupying a small site, and completing classification at one time, which is more convenient to use.

[0091] Embodiment 2

[0092] Referring to the attached Figures 1-11 , this embodiment discloses a method for using an automatic book sorting device, including the following steps:

[0093] Step 1: The position sensor 26 recognizes that the transfer seat 137 is in place, positions and feeds the books through the feeding cylinder 25, and pushes the books into the transfer seat 137;

[0094] Step 2: The transfer seat 137 moves downward with the books. When the movement of the books is blocked by a certain stopper 1322, the books block the infrared sensor 1324 in the feeding channel 1323. At this time, the ejector cylinder 1311 opposite to the feeding channel 1323 is activated, and the books are pushed along the feeding channel 1323 to the corresponding sorting tray 12 to complete the sorting of book sizes;

[0095] Step 3: The RFID reader 125 in the sorting tray 12 identifies the RFID tag of the book and matches the discharging channel 31 corresponding to the book category through the RFID tag;

[0096] Step 4: When the sorting tray 12 rotates to the corresponding discharging channel 31, the output shaft of the material blocking electric cylinder 123 contracts, and the books automatically slide into the corresponding discharging channel 31 to complete the sorting of different sizes of book categories.

[0097] Working principle; in this method, a supporting control system is required to execute the method, which mainly includes a feeding module, a size sorting module, a category sorting module, and a core control unit for coordinately controlling the above modules;

[0098] In the feeding module, by coordinately controlling the drive motor 139, the feeding conveyor belt 22, the feeding cylinder 25, and the position sensor 26, the position sensor 26 is the execution signal input unit. When it detects that the transfer seat 137 is in place, it gives an in-place signal. At this time, the feeding module controls the drive motor 139 to stop, so that the transfer seat 137 stops moving. At the same time, the feeding module controls the output end of the feeding cylinder 25 to quickly extend and retract, thereby completing the feeding action. Each time the feeding cylinder 25 completes a pushing operation, the feeding conveyor belt 22 moves a distance of a partition board 23, so as to realize automatic feeding and automatic loading;

[0099] In the size sorting module, through the coordinated control of the drive motor 139, infrared sensor 1324, power cylinder 1313, multi-way solenoid valve 1314 and ejector cylinder 1311, the infrared sensor 1324 serves as the execution signal input unit. Since multiple stoppers 1322 are arranged in a stepped manner, when the book moves down following the transfer seat 137 and is blocked by the stopper 1322 during the movement, the book blocks the infrared sensor 1324 at this position. At this time, the infrared sensor 1324 detects the book and gives an in-place signal. At this time, the drive motor 139 stops, causing the transfer seat 137 to stop moving. At the same time, the size sorting module controls the multi-way solenoid valve 1314 to open the valve at this position, and the power cylinder 1313 starts, causing the output shaft of the ejector cylinder 1311 to extend outwards, and pushing the book from the transfer seat 137 into the corresponding distribution tray 12 along the feeding channel 1323 to complete the size sorting.

[0100] In the category sorting module, through the coordinated control of the RFID reader 125, the material blocking electric cylinder 123 and the servo motor 15, the RFID reader 125 serves as the execution signal input unit. By identifying the RFID tag on the book through the RFID reader 125, the book is matched with the corresponding discharging channel 31. At this time, the servo motor 15 drives the entire distribution tray 12 to rotate. When the book moves to the target discharging channel 31, the servo motor 15 stops. At this time, the output shaft of the material blocking electric cylinder 123 contracts, and the book automatically slides into the discharging channel 31 to complete the category sorting.

[0101] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art of this industry should understand that the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments. What is described in the above embodiments and the specification only illustrates the principles of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention will have various changes and improvements, and these changes and improvements all fall within the scope of the present invention claimed. The scope of protection claimed by the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automated book sorting device, characterized in that, It includes a sorting unit (1), a feeding mechanism (2) and multiple groups of blanking mechanisms (3). The sorting unit (1) includes multiple layers of vertically stacked material distribution trays (12) and a size sorting feeder (13) arranged in the middle of multiple material distribution trays (12). The size sorting feeder (13) is used to push books of different sizes into different material distribution trays (12); the feeding mechanism (2) is arranged on one side of the top of the size sorting feeder (13) and is used to push books into the size sorting feeder (13) in sequence; the multiple groups of blanking mechanisms (3) are distributed in an annular array outside multiple groups of the material distribution trays (12) and are used for blanking different categories of books in each group of material distribution trays (12).

2. The automated book sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sorting unit (1) further includes a support base (11), a fixed base (14), a servo motor (15), a driving gear (16) and a transmission gear ring (17); the support base (11) is connected to the bottommost material distribution tray (12) by bearings, and the bottom end of the size sorting feeder (13) is fixedly installed on the support base (11). The fixed base (14) is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the support base (11), the servo motor (15) is fixedly installed at the bottom of the fixed base (14), and the driving gear (16) is fixedly installed at the output end of the servo motor (15); the transmission gear ring (17) is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the material distribution tray (12) and meshes with the driving gear (16); multiple layers of the material distribution trays (12) are fixedly connected to each other and are synchronously driven by the transmission gear ring (17).

3. An automated book sorting device according to claim 2, wherein: The material distribution tray (12) includes: An annular rotating seat (121); Multiple sorting bins (122) are arranged in the annular rotating seat (121) in an annular array. The inner bottom of the sorting bin (122) slopes downward on the outer side, and the blanking mechanism (3) is arranged at the outer end of the sorting bin (122); A material blocking electric cylinder (123) is fixedly arranged in the side wall of the annular rotating seat (121), and its output end extends into the sorting bin (122) and is used to block the outer end opening of the sorting bin (122); A feeding chamber (124) is opened in the middle of the annular rotating seat (121), and the size sorting feeder (13) is arranged in the feeding chamber (124); An RFID reader (125) is fixedly embedded in the inner side wall of the sorting bin (122).

4. An automated book sorting device according to claim 3, wherein: The size sorting feeder (13) includes: A fixed bracket (131) is arranged in the feeding chamber (124); A size classification bin (132) is fixedly arranged on one side of the fixed bracket (131); A circulating conveyor belt (136) is installed in the fixed bracket (131), and the feeding mechanism (2) is located on one side of its top; Multiple transfer seats (137) are equidistantly distributed on the outer wall of the circulating conveyor belt (136); A top material cylinder (1311) is arranged inside the fixed bracket (131), and the top material cylinder (1311) is used to push the books in the transfer seat (137) along the size classification bin (132) into the sorting bin (122).

5. An automated book sorting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: At the four corners inside the fixed support bracket (131), transmission rollers (138) are rotatably arranged. The circulating conveyor belt (136) is installed on multiple transmission rollers (138). On the outer wall of the fixed support bracket (131), a driving motor (139) is fixedly arranged, and the output end of the driving motor (139) is fixedly assembled with a group of transmission rollers (138). On both sides of the outer wall of the fixed support bracket (131), support frames (133) are fixedly arranged. On the outside of the support frames (133), anti-tilting frames (134) are fixedly installed. At both ends of the support frames (133), connecting plates (135) are fixedly arranged. The connecting plates (135) and the bottom ends of the anti-tilting frames (134) are both fixedly installed on the support base (11). At the inner bottom of the fixed support bracket (131), a power cylinder (1313) is fixedly installed. A multi-way solenoid valve (1314) is installed between the output end of the power cylinder (1313) and multiple ejector cylinders (1311). Inside the fixed support bracket (131), a support bar (1312) for supporting the ejector cylinders (1311) is fixedly arranged. Through grooves (1310) for the output shafts of the ejector cylinders (1311) to penetrate are formed in both the circulating conveyor belt (136) and the transfer seat (137).

6. An automated book sorting device according to claim 4, wherein: The front side and the top of the transfer seat (137) are open. An inclined loading port (1372) is arranged on the front side of the transfer seat (137). On both sides inside the transfer seat (137), clamping plates (1373) are movably arranged. A clamping spring (1374) is arranged between the clamping plates (1373) and the inner wall of the transfer seat (137). At the top end of the back of the transfer seat (137), an anchor nail (1375) is fixedly arranged, and the anchor nail (1375) is fixed on the circulating conveyor belt (136).

7. An automated book sorting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Inside the size classification bin (132), multiple blocking blocks (1322) are vertically arranged. The multiple blocking blocks (1322) are distributed in a stepped manner for blocking books of different sizes. Between the multiple blocking blocks (1322), loading channels (1323) are separated and formed. Infrared sensors (1324) are fixedly arranged on the inner side walls of the loading channels (1323). On the back of the size classification bin (132), multiple ejector holes (1325) respectively facing different loading channels (1323) are formed.

8. An automated book sorting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The feeding mechanism (2) includes; A feeding frame (21); A feeding conveyor belt (22), which is installed in the feeding frame (21); Partition inserting plates (23), which are equidistantly and fixedly arranged on the outer wall of the feeding conveyor belt (22); A feeding port (24), which is formed on one side of the end of the feeding frame (21); A position sensor (26), which is fixedly arranged below the feeding port (24) for detecting the position of the transfer seat (137); A loading cylinder (25), which is fixedly arranged on the other side of the end of the feeding frame (21) for ejecting books from the feeding port (24).

9. The automated book sorting device according to claim 3, wherein: The discharging mechanism (3) includes a discharging channel (31) and a receiving container (32) arranged at the bottom end of the discharging channel (31); The blanking channel (31) is integrally formed by sequentially connecting an arc-shaped blanking section (311), a twisting section (312), and an inclined discharging section (313). Through the blanking channel (31), the blanking process of the books is changed from being upright to lying flat and entering the receiving container (32).

10. A method for using an automated book sorting device according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: Step 1: The position sensor (26) identifies that the transfer seat (137) is in place, and positions and feeds the books through the feeding cylinder (25), pushing the books into the transfer seat (137). Step 2: The transfer seat (137) moves downward with the books. When the movement of the books is blocked by a certain stop block (1322), the books block the infrared sensor (1324) in the feeding channel (1323). At this time, the ejector cylinder (1311) opposite to the feeding channel (1323) is activated, and the books are pushed along the feeding channel (1323) into the corresponding sorting tray (12) to complete the sorting of the book sizes. Step 3: The RFID reader (125) in the sorting tray (12) identifies the RFID tags of the books and matches the corresponding blanking channel (31) of the book categories through the RFID tags. Step 4: When the sorting tray (12) rotates to the corresponding blanking channel (31), the output shaft of the blocking electric cylinder (123) contracts, and the books automatically slide into the corresponding blanking channel (31) to complete the sorting of different sizes of book categories.

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