Sorting device and sorting method

Abstract

The invention discloses sorting equipment and a sorting method. The sorting equipment comprises a track (1), a sorting device (2) and a sorting device (3), the plurality of placing positions (11) are arranged along the track (1) and are respectively used for placing goods collecting containers (7) for containing goods; the moving device (3) is configured to move along the track (1); the detection device (4) is arranged on the moving device (3) so as to move along the track (1) along with the moving device (3); the detection device (4) comprises a full goods detection component (41) and / or an identification component (42), wherein the full goods detection component (41) is configured to detect whether goods in the placement positions (11) reach a preset height or not, and the identification component (42) is configured to identify labels on the goods collection containers (7) so as to bind information of the goods collection containers (7) with position information of the corresponding placement positions (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of logistics, and more particularly, to a sorting device and a sorting method. Background Art

[0002] In industries such as logistics and retail, sorting or distributing mechanisms are commonly used devices for classifying items. Generally, chutes are provided on a rack, and a collecting container, such as a bin, is placed at the outlet of the chute. To improve the operation experience and work efficiency, the prior art usually installs a full-load detection component at the chute position to detect whether the collecting container is full, so as to indicate the replacement of the collecting container; an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) automatic unbinding mechanism is provided on the shelf carrying the collecting container to realize the binding (binding of the information of the collecting container and the position information of the grid opening) and unbinding of the collecting container and the grid opening, or the collecting container is manually bound by manually scanning the number of the collecting container and the shelf code.

[0003] Sorting or distributing mechanisms often include multiple grid openings. If full-load detection components and box-binding mechanisms are provided at each grid opening, not only the cost is high, but also the installation and implementation workload is huge. And the method of manually determining whether the collecting container is full and scanning the code to bind the box not only has a poor user experience and low efficiency, but also has a high error rate. This is because manual operations are greatly affected by subjective factors, and the speed of manual operations is much lower than that of automated devices, making it difficult to meet the requirements of large-scale and high-efficiency logistics sorting. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a sorting device and a sorting method to improve the problem of high cost of sorting devices in the related art.

[0005] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a sorting device, which includes:

[0006] A track;

[0007] A plurality of placement positions arranged along the track and respectively used for placing collecting containers for holding goods;

[0008] A moving device configured to move along the track; and

[0009] A detection device provided on the moving device to move along the track with the moving device, the detection device including a full-load detection component configured to detect whether the goods in the placement position reach a predetermined height and / or an identification component configured to identify the label on the collecting container to bind the information of the collecting container and the position information of the corresponding placement position.

[0010] In some embodiments, a plurality of placement positions are arranged in rows and columns. A plurality of placement positions arranged along the track and at the same height form a row of placement positions. A plurality of placement positions located at the same position in the extending direction of the track and arranged in the vertical direction form a column of placement positions. The detection devices are a plurality of devices arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions in each column of placement positions.

[0011] In some embodiments, the full-load detection components are a plurality of components arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions in each column of placement positions; the identification components are a plurality of components arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions in each column of placement positions.

[0012] In some embodiments, the full-box detection device is configured to scan and detect a plurality of placement positions at the same height to respectively detect whether the goods in a plurality of goods collection containers arranged along the track reach a predetermined height.

[0013] In some embodiments,

[0014] The full-load detection component includes a single-point laser or a single-line laser; and / or

[0015] The identification component includes a camera or a barcode scanner.

[0016] In some embodiments, the mobile device includes:

[0017] A bracket configured to move along the track;

[0018] A load platform installed on the bracket and configured to place the goods to be dropped into the goods collection container. The load platform is configured to move in the vertical direction relative to the bracket.

[0019] In some embodiments, the sorting device further includes:

[0020] A positioning component configured to detect the position of the mobile device in the extending direction of the track;

[0021] A control system, respectively signal-connected to the position detection component and / or the full-load detection component, and configured to:

[0022] Obtain the information of the label of the goods collection container at the position where the mobile device is located, and is configured to bind the information of the goods collection container and the position information of the placement position where the goods collection container is located; and / or

[0023] Receive the information on whether the goods in the placement position where the mobile device is located reach a predetermined height, and is configured to send out the position information of the placement position where the goods collection container with the goods reaching the predetermined height is located, so that the operator can replace the goods collection container.

[0024] In some embodiments, the control system further includes being configured to:

[0025] In response to the goods in the placement position reaching a predetermined height or the order sorting corresponding to the goods collection container being completed, after controlling the mobile device to reach the position of the placement position where the goods reach the predetermined height or the goods collection container corresponding to the completed order sorting, control the identification component to perform a label identification action.

[0026] In some embodiments, there are multiple mobile devices, and some of the mobile devices are provided with detection devices.

[0027] In some embodiments, the sorting device includes a group of mobile devices. The group of mobile devices includes multiple mobile devices adjacent to each other in the extending direction of the track, and one or more of the multiple mobile devices are provided with detection devices.

[0028] In some embodiments, the mobile device at the forefront of the group of mobile devices along the moving direction of the mobile device is provided with a detection device.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a sorting method for the above sorting device, and the sorting method includes:

[0030] Binding the goods collection container and the placement position, including: controlling the mobile device to move to the positions of the placement position and the goods collection container to be bound, controlling the identification component to identify the label on the goods collection container to be bound, and associating the position of the placement position with the information of the label of the goods collection container, so as to facilitate sorting the goods into the corresponding goods collection container; and / or

[0031] Sorting the goods, including: obtaining the predetermined position of the placement position where the goods collection container corresponding to the goods to be placed is located, controlling the mobile device to move to the first position along the extending direction of the track of the predetermined position and controlling the full cargo detection component to detect whether the goods in multiple placement positions arranged along the track reach the predetermined height during the movement, and controlling the mobile device to place the goods after reaching the first position.

[0032] In some embodiments, placing the goods includes:

[0033] Obtaining whether the position of the goods is the second position in the vertical direction of the predetermined position;

[0034] In response to the position of the goods not being the second position, adjust the height of the goods, and after the position of the goods reaches the second position, place the goods into the goods collection container in the predetermined position; or in response to the position of the goods being the second position, place the goods into the goods collection container in the predetermined position.

[0035] In some embodiments, the sorting method further includes:

[0036] In response to the goods in the placement position reaching a predetermined height or the order sorting corresponding to the goods collection container being completed, after controlling the mobile device to reach the position of the placement position where the goods reach the predetermined height or the goods collection container corresponding to the completed order sorting, control the identification component to perform a label identification action.

[0037] Applying the technical solution of the present application, the full-load detection component for detecting whether the goods in the goods collection container are full and the identification component are installed on the mobile device moving along the track. The full-load detection component and the label identification component can sequentially detect whether the multiple goods collection containers arranged along the extension direction of the track are full and identify the labels on the goods collection containers, thereby reducing the number of detection devices, and thus reducing the complexity of the equipment and the cost of the equipment.

[0038] Through the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039] 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 use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 The structural schematic diagram of the sorting equipment showing some embodiments of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 2 The top view structural schematic diagram of the sorting equipment showing some embodiments of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 3 The three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the goods shelf and the mobile device of the sorting equipment showing some embodiments of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 4 The structural schematic diagram of the goods shelf and the mobile device of the sorting equipment showing some embodiments of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 5 The top view structural schematic diagram of the goods shelf and the mobile device of the sorting equipment showing some embodiments of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 6 The control system block diagram of the sorting equipment showing some embodiments of the present invention.

[0046] In the figure:

[0047] 1. Rail; 2. Shelf; 3. Mobile device; 31. Bracket; 32. Loading platform; 33. Bracket; 34. Conveyor belt; 4. Detection device; 41. Full-load detection component; 42. Identification component; 5. Supply platform; 6. Frame; 7. Collection container; 8. Positioning component; 9. Control system; 10. Chute. Detailed implementation manner

[0048] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and in no way constitutes a limitation on the present invention and its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0050] The mention of "embodiment" in this article means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The phrase appears in various places in the specification and does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. Those skilled in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0051] In the description of this application, it should be noted that unless otherwise stated, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more; the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", etc. is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. "Vertical" is not strictly vertical, but within the allowable error range. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but within the allowable error range.

[0052] The directional terms used in the following description are all the directions shown in the figures, and do not limit the specific structure of the present application. In the description of the present application, it should also be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "coupled" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0053] If not otherwise specified, the terms "comprising" and "including" mentioned in the present application mean open-ended, and can also be closed-ended. For example, the "comprising" and "including" may mean that other components not listed may also be included or contained, or only the listed components may be included or contained.

[0054] If not otherwise specified, in the present application, the term "or" is inclusive. For example, the phrase "A or B" means "A, B, or both A and B". More specifically, any of the following conditions satisfies the condition "A or B": A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist); A is false (or does not exist) while B is true (or exists); or both A and B are true (or exist).

[0055] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The schematic structural diagram of the sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The sorting device includes a frame 6, a track 1 installed on the frame 6, a shelf 2 arranged along the extension direction of the track 1 and on one side of the track 1, a supply table 5 arranged along the extension direction of the track 1 with the shelf 2, and a moving device 3 that moves along the track 1 to convey the goods (such as packages) provided by the supply table 5 into the corresponding goods collection container 7 on the shelf 2.

[0056] Each goods collection container 7 is provided with a label, which can be an identification code or an electronic tag. The information of the above identification code and electronic tag is unique and can accurately identify the specific goods collection container 7. The identification code can be a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code, and can be recognized by a camera shooting or a barcode scanner. The electronic tag can be recognized by near field communication technology (Near Field Communication, abbreviated as NFC) or radio frequency identification technology (Radio Frequency Identification, RFID).

[0057] The shelf 7 is provided with a plurality of placement positions 11, and each placement position 11 can place a goods collection container 7. See Figure 3, at one end of each placement position 11, a chute 10 is further provided for guiding the goods into the goods collection container 7. The control system of the sorting device has recorded the position information of each placement position 11. Before sorting the goods, it is necessary to bind the information of the label of the goods collection container 1 with the position information of the placement position 11 where the goods collection container 7 is located, that is, the control system obtains the position where each goods collection container 7 is located, so as to facilitate sorting the goods into the corresponding goods collection container 7.

[0058] During the sorting process, it is necessary to monitor whether the goods in the placement position 11 are higher than a predetermined height. The above-mentioned predetermined height can be the height indicating whether the goods in the goods collection container 7 are full, so as to prevent damage caused by goods overflow. It can also be the height indicating whether the goods can still move smoothly into the goods collection container 7 through the chute 10, so as to prevent the equipment from malfunctioning or damaging the goods due to the accumulation of goods in the chute 10 and resulting in abnormal delivery of goods.

[0059] On the rack 6, there are grid openings corresponding to the placement positions 11. Optionally, the grid openings are defined by the frame structure of the rack 6, and each grid opening is provided with a chute 10. In some other embodiments, the placement position 11 is a position fixed relative to the rack 6 recorded and calibrated by the control system for placing the corresponding goods collection container 7, without a physical structure limitation.

[0060] In some related technologies, each grid opening is respectively provided with a full-load detection component for detecting whether the goods collection container 7 is full and an identification component for identifying the label on the goods collection container 7, which will result in too high equipment costs.

[0061] To improve the above problems, this embodiment provides a sorting device, see Figures 1 to 4 , the sorting device includes a track 1, a shelf 2, a moving device 3 and a detection device 4. The shelf 2 is arranged on one side of the track 1. On the shelf 2, there are a plurality of placement positions 11 arranged along the track 1, and the placement positions 11 are configured to place the goods collection container 7 for holding goods. The moving device 3 is configured to move along the track 1; the detection device 4 is arranged on the moving device 3 to move along the track 1 with the moving device 3. The detection device 4 includes a full-load detection component 41 configured to detect whether the goods in the placement position 11 reach a predetermined height and / or an identification component 42 configured to identify the label on the goods collection container 7 to bind the information of the goods collection container 7 with the position information of the corresponding placement position 11.

[0062] In this embodiment, the full-load detection component 41 for detecting whether the goods in the goods collection container 7 are full and the identification component 42 are installed on the moving device 3 that moves along the track 1. The full-load detection component 41 and the identification component 42 can sequentially detect whether the plurality of goods collection containers 7 arranged along the extension direction of the track 3 are full and identify the labels on the goods collection containers 7, thereby reducing the number of detection devices 4, and thus reducing the complexity of the equipment and the cost of the equipment.

[0063] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 On the shelf 2, a plurality of placement positions 11 are arranged in rows and columns. A plurality of placement positions 11 arranged along the track 1 and at the same height form a row of placement positions 11. A plurality of placement positions 11 arranged at the same position in the extending direction of the track 1 and arranged vertically form a column of placement positions 11. The detection devices 4 are a plurality of devices arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions 11 in each column of placement positions 11. The plurality of detection devices 4 are arranged in sequence vertically to respectively detect whether the plurality of goods collection containers 7 in a column of placement positions 11 are full and simultaneously identify the labels of the plurality of goods collection containers 7 in a column of placement positions 11, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0064] In some embodiments, only one row of placement positions 11 arranged along the track 1 is provided on the shelf 2. In these embodiments, the mobile device 3 only needs to be provided with the detection device 4.

[0065] In some embodiments, the full-load detection components 41 are a plurality of components arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions 11 in each column of placement positions 11; the label recognition components 42 are a plurality of components arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions 11 in each column of placement positions 11. The plurality of full-load detection components 41 arranged vertically respectively detect whether the plurality of goods collection containers 7 in a column of placement positions 11 are full, and the plurality of recognition components 42 arranged in sequence vertically respectively identify the labels of the plurality of goods collection containers 7 in a column of placement positions 11, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0066] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 The height of the height detection component 41 corresponds to the chute 10. When the goods collection container is full, the goods will exceed the upper edge of the chute 10. If goods are continued to be placed in this placement position 11 at this time, the goods will not be able to enter the goods collection container 7 along the chute 10, and thus will fall.

[0067] In another embodiment, no chute 10 is provided at the placement position 11, then the height detection component 41 detects whether there are protruding goods above the goods collection container 7. The height of the recognition component 42 corresponds to the height of the label of the goods collection container, and is used to detect the label pre-pasted on the goods collection container. The label is a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code, and the information of the label is unique and can accurately calibrate a specific goods collection container.

[0068] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 The mobile device 3 includes a bracket 31 and a load platform 32. The bracket 31 is configured to move along the track 1; the load platform 32 is installed on the bracket 31 and is configured to place the goods to be placed into the goods collection container 7. The load platform 32 is configured to move vertically relative to the bracket 31 so as to place the goods into the goods collection containers 7 at different heights of the placement positions 11.

[0069] The mobile device of this embodiment further includes a lifting drive mechanism 33 for driving the loading platform 32 to move in the vertical direction and a drive motor for providing power to the lifting drive mechanism. In some embodiments, the lifting drive mechanism 33 can be a conveyor belt or a lead screw mechanism.

[0070] In some embodiments, the mobile device 3 further includes a conveyor belt 34 disposed on the loading platform 32 for conveying the goods on the loading platform 32 to the goods collection container 7. In some embodiments, the conveyor belt 34 is also provided with anti-slip ridges.

[0071] In this embodiment, the mobile device 3 is a sorting device for conveying the goods provided by the supply platform 5 to the corresponding goods collection container 7. The detection device 4 is disposed on the sorting device, and as a whole, it is beneficial to simplify the structure of the equipment and reduce the production cost.

[0072] In other embodiments, the mobile device 3 with the detection device 4 can also be independent of the sorting device and does not have a sorting function. The mobile device 3 is disposed on the track 1 and is specifically used to detect whether the goods collection container 7 is full and identify the label of the goods collection container. For example, a mobile device 3 with the detection device 4 is disposed between every two groups of sorting devices to detect whether the goods collection container 1 is full and identify the label. As long as the system scheduling is reasonable, this solution will not affect the overall sorting efficiency, and in the case of no collision risk with other sorting devices, the automatic patrol mechanism can also stop or reverse flexibly for relevant detection.

[0073] In some embodiments, the full-load detection component 41 can detect whether the goods collection container 7 in the corresponding placement position 11 is full by using a single-point laser to directly irradiate the placement position 11.

[0074] The full-box detection device 41 is configured to scan and detect a plurality of placement positions 11 at the same height to respectively detect whether the goods in the plurality of goods collection containers 7 arranged along the track 1 reach a predetermined height, such as a single-line laser.

[0075] In other embodiments, referring to Figure 5 , a single-line lidar is provided on each layer. The lidar can scan a plurality of placement positions 11 in a row of placement positions 11 at the same height. In this way, not only can one lidar understand the situation of a plurality of placement positions 11 before and after the mobile device 3 and provide placement position 11 information for other mobile devices 3 sorting goods, but also the cost of installing full-box detection sensors on each mobile device 3 can be reduced. Moreover, compared with the method of arranging sensors at intervals, the judgment of the placement position 11 is more accurate.

[0076] In some embodiments, the identification component 42 includes a camera or a barcode scanner. In some embodiments, the cameras on the mobile device 3 may be provided in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions 11 of a row of placement positions 11, or the number of cameras may be less than the number of placement positions 11 in a row of placement positions 11. For example, only one camera may be provided on the mobile device 3, and the field of view of the camera is configured to cover the codes of a plurality of placement positions 11 in one or more rows of placement positions 11. By combining the image segmentation technology with the position of the mobile device itself, the specific placement position 11 information can also be determined. Image segmentation is an image processing technology, which is used to process the images captured by the camera in this embodiment, and combine the position of the mobile device itself to determine the specific placement position 11 information and the label of the goods collection container 7.

[0077] See Figure 6 , the sorting device further includes a positioning component 8 and a control system 9. The positioning component 8 is configured to detect the position of the mobile device 3 in the extending direction of the track 1.

[0078] The control system 9 is respectively in signal connection with the position detection component 8 and the full-load detection component 41, and is configured to:

[0079] Obtain the label of the goods collection container 7 at the position where the mobile device 3 is located, and is configured to bind the information of the goods collection container 7 and the position information of the placement position 11 where the goods collection container 7 is located; and / or

[0080] Receive the information on whether the goods in the placement position 11 at the position where the mobile device 3 is located reach a predetermined height, and is configured to send out the position information of the placement position 11 where the goods collection container 7 with the goods reaching the predetermined height is located, so that the operator can replace the goods collection container 7.

[0081] When the sorting device switches from the initial state to the working state, all the goods collection containers 7 are in a state of not being bound to the placement positions 11. The mobile device 3 starts to run and identifies the identification codes of the goods collection containers one by one (either one mobile device completes the binding of the goods collection container 7 and the placement position 11 by circulating around the track, or multiple mobile devices 3 on the track 1 cooperate with each other, and each mobile device 3 is responsible for the binding of the goods collection container 7 and the placement position 11 in a section of the area). After all the goods collection containers 7 are identified and successfully bound to the placement positions 11, the sorting device can receive the goods to sort the goods to the corresponding goods collection containers.

[0082] During the process of the mobile device 3 sorting goods, the control system 9 obtains the data of the height detection component 41 in real time. At the same time, the position information of the mobile device 3 in the system is obtained by means of the positioning component 8 (such as an encoder, an auxiliary positioning mechanism, etc.). By combining the position information and the information fed back by the height detection component 41, it is judged whether the goods collection container at each placement position 11 is full. Once it is detected that the goods collection container 7 at a certain placement position 11 is full, the mobile device 3 will report to the control system 9, indicating the full placement position 11, which is convenient for the staff to replace the goods collection container 7 in time.

[0083] Under normal circumstances, when replacing the goods collection container 7 or entering the rechecking and packing process, the code value of the new goods collection container 7 corresponding to the position of the placement position 11 will be different from that of the original goods collection container 7. After replacing the goods collection container 7, the new goods collection container 7 needs to be bound to the placement position 11. If the identification component 42 works continuously (for example, the camera takes pictures continuously), and the identification of the identification code is carried out every time it reaches the position of a placement position 11, although the accuracy can be ensured, it will consume a large amount of computing power, increase the power consumption, and generate a large amount of data.

[0084] To improve the above problems, the control system 9 is further configured to: in response to the goods in the placement position 11 reaching a predetermined height or the order sorting corresponding to the goods collection container 7 being completed, after controlling the mobile device 3 to reach the position of the placement position 11 where the goods reach the predetermined height or the goods collection container 7 corresponding to the completed order sorting is located, control the identification component 42 to perform the identification code identification action.

[0085] When it is determined that the goods collection container 7 is full or the order corresponding to the goods collection container 7 has been sorted, the binding of the goods collection container 7 at the placement position 11 of this position and the placement position 11 is only enabled. Among them, whether the order has been sorted can be calculated and judged by the upper-level system, and whether the goods collection container 7 is full can be detected by means of the height detection component 41. After one of these two conditions is met, the identification of the identification code of the goods collection container 7 passing through this position and its binding to the placement position 11 are carried out.

[0086] The sorting equipment includes a plurality of mobile devices 3. If it is costly to set up the detection device 4 on each mobile device 3, in order to save costs, the detection device 4 can be set on some of the mobile devices 3, and the remaining mobile devices 3 are not provided with the detection device 4. Optionally, the mobile devices 3 with and without the detection device 4 are arranged at intervals along the track 1.

[0087] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the sorting equipment includes a mobile device group. The mobile device group includes a plurality of mobile devices 3 adjacent to each other in the extending direction of the track 1. The detection device 4 is provided on one or more of the plurality of mobile devices 3, and the remaining mobile devices 3 are not provided with the detection device 4.

[0088] In some embodiments, a detection device 4 is provided on the mobile device 3 at the forefront along the moving direction of the mobile device 3 in the group of mobile devices.

[0089] The mobile devices 3 are divided into multiple groups (four groups in this embodiment), and the mobile devices 3 in each group are connected in series and driven by the mobile device at the forefront. The corresponding detection device 4 is only provided on the mobile device 3 at the forefront. In the case of the spaced detection device 4, when reasonably set, it can not only ensure the accuracy of detection but also reduce the setting cost. In addition, in the case where each mobile device 3 (not forming a group of mobile devices) operates independently, a mobile device 3 with a detection device 4 can also be set at every certain number of mobile devices 3.

[0090] According to another aspect of the present invention, a sorting method for a sorting device is also provided. The sorting method includes binding the goods collection container 7 and the placement position 11 and sorting the goods.

[0091] Binding the goods collection container 7 and the placement position 11 includes: controlling the mobile device 3 to move to the positions of the placement position 11 and the goods collection container 7 to be bound, controlling the identification component 41 to identify the identification code on the goods collection container 7 to be bound, and associating the information of the position of the placement position 11 with the identification code of the goods collection container 7, so as to facilitate sorting the goods to the corresponding goods collection container 7.

[0092] When the sorting device switches from the initial state to the working state, all the goods collection containers 7 are in a state of not being bound to the placement position 11. The mobile device 3 starts to operate and identifies the labels of the goods collection containers one by one (either a mobile device completes the binding of the goods collection container 7 and the placement position 11 by circulating one circle on the track, or multiple mobile devices 3 on the track 1 cooperate with each other, and each mobile device 3 is responsible for binding the goods collection container 7 and the placement position 11 in a section of the area). After all the goods collection containers 7 are identified and successfully bound to the placement position 11, the sorting device can receive the goods to sort the goods to the corresponding goods collection containers.

[0093] Sorting the goods includes: obtaining the predetermined position of the placement position 11 where the goods collection container 7 corresponding to the goods to be placed is located, controlling the mobile device 3 to move to the first position along the extending direction of the track 1 at the predetermined position, and controlling the full-load detection component 41 to detect whether the goods in the multiple placement positions 11 arranged along the track 1 reach the predetermined height during the movement, and controlling the mobile device 3 to drop the goods after reaching the first position.

[0094] During the process of the mobile device 3 sorting goods, the control system 9 obtains the data of the height detection component 41 in real time. At the same time, the position information of the mobile device 3 in the system is obtained by means of the positioning component 8 (such as an encoder, an auxiliary positioning mechanism, etc.). By combining the position information and the information fed back by the height detection component 41, it is judged whether the goods collection container at each placement position 11 is full. Once it is detected that the goods collection container 7 at a certain placement position 11 is full, the mobile device 3 will report to the control system 9, indicating the full placement position 11, which is convenient for the staff to replace the goods collection container 7 in time.

[0095] In this embodiment, multiple placement positions 11 on the shelf 2 are arranged in rows and columns. Multiple placement positions 11 arranged along the track 1 and at the same height form a row of placement positions 11. Multiple placement positions 11 arranged at the same position in the extending direction of the track 1 and arranged vertically form a column of placement positions 11. Therefore, the predetermined position of the above-mentioned placement position 11 is composed of a first position in the extending direction of the track 1 and a second position in the vertical direction. The corresponding goods delivery includes:

[0096] Obtaining whether the position of the goods is the second position in the vertical direction of the predetermined position;

[0097] In response to the position of the goods not being the second position, the height of the goods is adjusted. After the position of the goods reaches the second position, the goods are delivered into the goods collection container 7 within the predetermined position; or in response to the position of the goods being the second position, the goods are delivered into the goods collection container 7 within the predetermined position.

[0098] The sorting method further includes:

[0099] In response to the goods in the placement position 11 reaching the predetermined height or the order sorting corresponding to the goods collection container 7 being completed, after controlling the mobile device 3 to reach the position of the placement position 11 where the goods reach the predetermined height or the goods collection container 7 corresponding to the completed order sorting is located, the control recognition component 42 performs a label recognition action.

[0100] When it is determined that the goods collection container 7 is full or the order corresponding to the goods collection container 7 has been sorted out, the binding of the goods collection container 7 at the placement position 11 of this position and the placement position 11 is only enabled. Among them, whether the order has been sorted out can be calculated and judged by the upper system, and whether the goods collection container 7 is full can be detected by means of the height detection component 41. After one of these two conditions is met, the label of the goods collection container 7 passing through this position is recognized and bound to the placement position 11.

[0101] This embodiment provides a novel bound goods collection container 7, a placement position 11, and a method for detecting whether the goods collection container 7 is full. In this embodiment, by changing the positions of the chute 10 and the goods collection container 7, which are set by the traditional full-load detection component and the label recognition component, to the mobile device 3, the detection and binding of the goods collection containers 7 at multiple placement positions 11 are realized by the movement of the mobile device 3, reducing the cost and workload of separately setting up detection and binding mechanisms at each placement position 11. At the same time, with the help of advanced sensors (full-load detection component 41), camera technology, and reasonable system scheduling, efficient and accurate full-box determination and automatic box binding functions are achieved.

[0102] The above are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sorting device, characterized in that, Comprising: A track (1); A plurality of placement positions (11), arranged along the track (1) and respectively used for placing the goods collection container (7); A moving device (3), configured to move along the track (1); And A detection device (4), arranged on the moving device (3) to move along the track (1) with the moving device (3), the detection device (4) includes a full-load detection component (41) configured to detect whether the goods in the placement position (11) reach a predetermined height and / or an identification component (42) configured to identify the label on the goods collection container (7) to bind the information of the goods collection container (7) and the position information of the corresponding placement position (11).

2. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, A plurality of the placement positions (11) are arranged in rows and columns. A plurality of placement positions (11) arranged along the track (1) and at the same height form a row of placement positions (11). A plurality of the placement positions (11) located at the same position in the extending direction of the track (1) and arranged in the vertical direction form a column of placement positions (11). The detection device (4) is a plurality of devices arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions (11) in each column of placement positions (11).

3. The sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The full-load detection component (41) is a plurality of components arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions (11) in each column of placement positions (11); the identification component (42) is a plurality of components arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of placement positions (11) in each column of placement positions (11).

4. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein, The full-box detection device (41) is configured to scan and detect a plurality of placement positions (11) at the same height to respectively detect whether the goods in the plurality of placement positions (11) arranged along the track (1) reach a predetermined height.

5. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein The full-load detection component (41) includes a single-point laser or a single-line laser; and / or The identification component (42) includes a camera or a barcode scanner.

6. The sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving device (3) includes: A bracket (31), configured to move along the track (1); A load platform (32), installed on the bracket (31) and configured to place the goods to be put into the goods collection container (7), the load platform (32) is configured to move in the vertical direction relative to the bracket (31).

7. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein Further comprising: A positioning component (8), configured to detect the position of the moving device (3) in the extending direction of the track (1); A control system (9), signal-connected to the position detection component (8) and / or the full-load detection component (41), and configured to: Obtain the information of the label of the goods collection container (7) at the position where the moving device (3) is located, and configure to bind the information of the goods collection container (7) and the position information of the placement position (11) where the goods collection container (7) is located; And / or Receive the information on whether the goods in the placement position (11) at the position where the moving device (3) is located reach a predetermined height, and configure to issue the position information of the placement position (11) where the goods collection container (7) with the goods reaching the predetermined height is located, so that the operator can replace the goods collection container (7).

8. The sorting device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The control system (9) further includes being configured to: In response to the goods in the placement position (11) reaching a predetermined height or the order sorting corresponding to the goods collection container (7) being completed, after controlling the mobile device (3) to reach the position of the placement position (11) where the goods reach the predetermined height or the goods collection container (7) corresponding to the completed order sorting, control the identification component (42) to perform a label identification action.

9. The sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that It includes a plurality of mobile devices (3), and some of the mobile devices (3) are provided with the detection device.

10. The sorting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, It includes a group of mobile devices, and the group of mobile devices includes a plurality of the mobile devices (3) adjacent to each other in the extending direction of the track (1), and the detection device (4) is provided on one or more of the plurality of mobile devices (3).

11. The sorting device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The detection device (4) is provided on the mobile device (3) at the forefront of the group of mobile devices along the moving direction of the mobile device (3).

12. A sorting method for the sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, It includes: Binding the goods collection container (7) and the placement position (11), including: controlling the mobile device (3) to move to the positions of the placement position (11) and the goods collection container (7) to be bound, controlling the identification component (41) to identify the label on the goods collection container (7) to be bound, and associating the position of the placement position (11) with the information of the label of the goods collection container (7), so as to facilitate sorting the goods into the corresponding goods collection container (7); and / or Sorting the goods, including: obtaining the predetermined position of the placement position (11) where the goods collection container (7) corresponding to the goods to be placed is located, controlling the mobile device (3) to move to the first position along the extending direction of the track (1) of the predetermined position, and controlling the full-load detection component (41) to detect whether the goods in the plurality of placement positions (11) arranged along the track (1) reach the predetermined height during the movement, and controlling the mobile device (3) to place the goods after reaching the first position.

13. The sorting method according to claim 12, wherein The placing of the goods includes: Obtaining whether the position of the goods is the second position in the vertical direction of the predetermined position; In response to the position of the goods not being the second position, adjusting the height of the goods, and after the position of the goods reaches the second position, placing the goods into the goods collection container (7) at the predetermined position; or in response to the position of the goods being the second position, placing the goods into the goods collection container (7) at the predetermined position.

14. The sorting method according to claim 12, wherein It further includes: In response to the goods in the placement position (11) reaching a predetermined height or the order sorting corresponding to the goods collection container (7) being completed, after controlling the mobile device (3) to reach the position of the placement position (11) where the goods reach the predetermined height or the goods collection container (7) corresponding to the completed order sorting, control the identification component (42) to perform a label identification action.

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