Tipping device and method for tipping parcels

Abstract

The invention relates to a tipping device (1) for a conveyor system, in particular a conveyor system of a picking plant, having a conveyor inlet (13) and a conveyor outlet (16), to which parcels (P) can be conveyed from the conveyor inlet (13) and can be tipping between the conveyor inlet (13) and the conveyor outlet (16). According to the invention, the tipping device (1) has an inlet (E) and at least one outlet (A), a first limb (2) and a second limb (3) are provided, the first limb (2) is connected to the inlet (E) and to the outlet (A), the second limb (3) is connected to the outlet (A), and the limbs (2, 3) have a conveying drive (4, 5) and a tipping drive (8, 9), the conveying drives (4, 5) can be actuated independently of one another and by means of the conveying drives (4, 5), and the tipping drive (8, 9) is driven by the tipping drive (8, 9). One or more parcels (P) can be conveyed in a conveying direction (F), the tipping drives (8, 9) can be actuated independently of one another, and by means of the tipping drives (8, 9) the limbs (2, 3) can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis (12), the at least one pivot axis (15) being preferably oriented substantially parallel to the conveying direction (F), the tilting drive (8, 9) is arranged such that the parcel (P) conveyed to the tilting device (1) via the inlet (E) can be output by the first conveying drive (4) of the first limb (2) via the outlet (A) without changing the orientation depending on the orientation of the parcel, or can be tipped from the first limb (2) to the second limb (3) by actuation of the tilting drive (8, 9), after which the parcel (P) is conveyed to the tilting device (1) via the inlet (E). The parcel (P) with the changed orientation can be discharged by a second conveying drive (5) of the second limb (3) in the conveying direction (F) via an outlet (A). The invention further relates to a method for tipping over one or more parcels (P).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tipping device for a conveying system, particularly a picking facility, the conveying system including a conveying inlet and a conveying outlet, wherein packages can be conveyed from the conveying inlet to the conveying outlet and can be tipped between the conveying inlet and the conveying outlet.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for tipping one or more packages, particularly a method for tipping one or more packages in a conveying system, wherein the orientation of the packages is determined and the packages are conveyed via an inlet to a tipping device. Background Technology

[0003] As is known from WO 2018 / 153717 A2, in the case of a conveyor system for picking parcels, a directional section may be provided, on which parcels are oriented via actuators and / or manipulators to achieve the highest possible packaging density during picking.

[0004] Furthermore, as is known from existing technology, in conveyor systems, tipping devices can also be used to orient packages so that they can be picked at high packaging density. This type of tipping device is known, for example, from US 2022 / 0112037 A1. In this case, the package is transported to the tipping device and reoriented according to its orientation. However, the tipping device not only needs to determine the orientation and size of the package but also needs to separate the package to be oriented. Typically, both separating the package to be oriented and transporting the package to the tipping device are performed by a robotic arm. The robotic arm places the package to be oriented on the area of ​​the tipping device before the tipping device tipps the package and reorients it accordingly. The output of the oriented package can be done directly by the tipping device or by the robotic arm. Therefore, in conveyor systems with this type of tipping device, the following disadvantages arise: the device must be designed in a sophisticated manner to be able to tip the package according to its orientation. Additionally, using this type of tipping device leads to high time costs and therefore low efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to specify the type of tipping device initially named, by which packages can be transported and tipped in an efficient manner according to their orientation.

[0006] Furthermore, the purpose of this invention is to specify a method for naming the type initially, using which packages can be picked easily and efficiently in a space-saving manner.

[0007] According to the invention, the first object is achieved in that, in the case of a tipping device of the type named at the outset, a tipping device is provided which comprises an inlet and at least one outlet, wherein a first limb and a second limb are provided, the first limb is connected to the inlet and to the outlet, the second limb is connected to the outlet, and the limbs comprise a conveying drive and a tipping drive, the conveying drive can be actuated independently of one another, with the conveying drive one or more packages can be conveyed in a conveying direction, the tipping drive can be actuated independently of one another, via the tipping drive the limbs can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis, wherein the at least one pivot axis is preferably oriented substantially parallel to the conveying direction, so that a package conveyed via the inlet onto the tipping device can be output via the outlet by the first conveying drive of the first limb with unaltered orientation, or can be tipped from the first limb onto the second limb by actuation of the tipping drive, after which the package with altered orientation can be output in the conveying direction via the outlet by the second conveying drive of the second limb. As a result, packages can be conveyed via the inlet into the tipping device irrespective of their orientation. Since only the first limb is connected to the inlet, the package is received by said limb during or after being conveyed into the tipping device, wherein the package preferably rests with a first surface on the first conveying drive. Depending on the orientation of the package, said package can be conveyed in the conveying direction to the outlet by actuation of the first conveying drive, or can be tipped by pivoting of the two limbs. Whether it is the second limb that is first pivoted and then the first limb, or whether the two limbs are jointly pivoted about the pivot axis, is irrelevant. After tipping, the package rests with altered orientation, that is to say preferably with a second surface, on the second limb and can be output in the conveying direction via the outlet by the second conveying drive. Here, a conveying device is understood to be any device with which a package resting on a limb can be conveyed in the conveying direction.

[0008] For tipping the package, the two limbs are mounted on at least one pivot axis, wherein a separate pivot axis can be provided for each of the two limbs.

[0009] During the input of the package, possibly by actuation of the first conveying drive, and during the output of the package, by actuation of the first conveying drive and / or the second conveying drive, a conveying direction which is preferably horizontal is brought about. According to the pivoting movement of the limbs, it is also conceivable that both limbs are aligned horizontally to the conveying direction during the output of the package in the conveying direction, so that a new package can already be received by the first limb. This makes the efficiency of the tipping device particularly high.

[0010] It is expedient if the first and second limbs have a length and a width of 0.3 m to 4 m in a top view. Usually, the length and the width are at right angles to each other, so that they enclose a plane. Preferably, the first and second limbs have the same length, whereby the tipping device can be used in a particularly versatile manner, in particular in the most diverse conveying systems. Usually, the limbs are embodied with equal width, but in individual cases they can also be embodied with different widths. Usually, the packages can be conveyed along the longitudinal axis of the limbs via a conveying drive, so that the longitudinal axis and the conveying direction thus preferably coincide.

[0011] The two limbs can comprise a border at the end (preferably embodied as a plate) in order to prevent the packages from falling off the limbs.

[0012] It is preferably provided that the first and / or second conveying drive is embodied as a roller conveyor and / or a belt conveyor, in particular a belt conveyor with a modular belt. The packages can thus be conveyed into the tipping device and output from the tipping device in an equally simple, fast and gentle manner. In the case of an embodiment as a roller conveyor, it can be advantageous if only a part of the rollers are designed in such a way that they can be driven and the remaining rollers are passive.

[0013] Although a separate pivot axis can be provided for each of the two limbs in order to be able to pivot the two limbs independently of each other and to achieve the tipping of the packages, it is still preferable if the first and second limbs are arranged on a common horizontal pivot axis. This is also the tipping device which results in not only a particularly simple construction, but also a particularly low amount of maintenance. In a top view of the tipping device, the pivot axis is preferably arranged between the two limbs and extends in the horizontal direction along its longitudinal axis. Thus, the pivot axis is preferably parallel to the conveying device.

[0014] For the purpose of actuating the conveying drive, each of the limbs preferably comprises at least one electric motor with a gear mechanism and a connecting device, in particular a gear motor with a belt drive. This results in conveying drives with which the packages can be conveyed particularly quickly and efficiently along the conveying direction. During actuation of the conveying drive, the electric motor drives the connecting device via the gear mechanism, so that the packages arranged on the limbs can be conveyed, in particular to the outlet of the tipping device.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to provide that the conveying drive is embodied as an electric roller and comprises a belt and / or a modular belt.

[0016] Suitably, the tipping drive is embodied as an electric motor with a gear mechanism, in particular a servo motor with a crankshaft gear. As a result, the limbs can be pivoted in a simple and at the same time precise manner. Here, each electric motor is typically connected to one of the two limbs via the gear mechanism. Between the gear mechanism and the limbs, a set of bars can also be provided in order to be able to arrange and fasten the electric motor and the gear mechanism such that they are spaced apart from the limbs. Preferably, each of the limbs can also be provided with a support structure which is connected to the tipping drive via the set of bars, and the conveying drive and the boundary are arranged on the support structure.

[0017] In a preferred form of the tipping device, the first limb and the second limb can be arranged at right angles to one another in order to enable a particularly stable and efficient tipping of the package.

[0018] The tipping device according to the application is preferably used in a conveying system, in particular a conveying system of a picking facility, which has a device for determining the orientation of the package, in particular a camera or a laser sensor, a conveying inlet for conveying the package into the inlet of the tipping device via which the package can be tipped, and a conveying outlet for outputting the package from the outlet of the tipping device. This makes it possible to distinguish between packages whose orientation should be changed on the conveying section, for example in order to achieve a beneficial picking with a high packing density, and packages whose orientation does not need to be changed, so that the packages can be conveyed through the tipping device without change or the orientation of the packages can be changed in the tipping device, depending on the necessary change of orientation. In addition to a high packing density, a preferred packing layout can also be achieved by such a change of orientation of the packages.

[0019] Typically, all packages are conveyed from the conveying inlet of the conveying system to the inlet of the tipping device, so that a separate transport of the packages to be oriented can be dispensed with. Therefore, the distinction of the packages to be oriented and the packages not to be oriented from the conveying inlet to the conveying outlet in the conveying system plays only a minor role, at least with regard to the conveying distance and the conveying time of the packages. The packages are fed into the conveying system from a source via the conveying inlet. The conveying of the packages from the conveying inlet to the inlet of the tipping device typically takes place via a first roller conveyor. Suitably, the device is arranged along the first roller conveyor or on or in the tipping device. In order to output the packages not to be oriented and the packages with a changed orientation, a second roller conveyor is arranged between the outlet of the tipping device and the conveying outlet. In addition thereto, the first roller conveyor and the second roller conveyor can also be embodied as belt conveyors at least in some regions.

[0020] If the package is a package to be oriented, the package is tipped by pivoting of the two limbs of the tipping device. The package then rests on the second limb of the tipping device and is conveyed to the outlet by a second conveying drive. The package is subsequently output via the conveying outlet by a second roller conveyor. Generally, the dimensions, in particular the width, of the first roller conveyor and the second roller conveyor differ at least in some regions. This can generally be attributed to the fact that the second roller conveyor can be embodied with a greater width in the region of the outlet of the tipping device in order to be able to accept the packages from both limbs. Alternatively, the packages with changed orientation can be output from the outlet of the second limb to the conveying outlet via a separate roller conveyor, wherein the second roller conveyor and the separate roller conveyor can remain parallel and / or together at least in some regions.

[0021] If the package is a package not to be oriented, the package is conveyed directly from the first limb to the outlet by actuation of the first conveying drive and is then conveyed to the conveying outlet by the second roller conveyor. The first limb can thus be used again to tip packages to be oriented particularly quickly.

[0022] According to the application, the object relating to the method is achieved by a method of the type named at the outset, in which a package is first received by a first limb of a tipping device, wherein depending on the orientation, the package is output via the outlet along the conveying direction by a first conveying drive of the first limb or is tipped by the tipping device, wherein for tipping the package, the first limb and a second limb of the tipping device are pivoted about a pivoting axis, which is preferably substantially parallel to the conveying direction, so that a package to be oriented is received by the second limb and is output via the outlet along the conveying direction by a second conveying drive of the second limb.

[0023] Generally, the method is implemented using a device according to the application. The conveying efficiency of the packages is thus particularly high. Suitably, all packages are thereby tipped by the tipping device and depending on the orientation, wherein packages not to be oriented can be output by the first limb in a simple and quick manner. For this purpose, the first limb is provided with a first conveying drive, in actuation of which a package conveyed in from the inlet can be output via the outlet. Pivoting of the limbs is not necessary to do so.

[0024] However, if the package is a package to be oriented and is to be tipped, pivoting of the two limbs of the tipping device is necessary. The package is thereby conveyed into the tipping device via the inlet and is received by the first limb and by the second limb before the package is tipped by pivoting of the two limbs about a pivoting axis, which is preferably parallel to the conveying direction. The package with changed orientation is then output via the outlet by actuation of the second conveying drive.

[0025] Preferably, the package is received in the starting position by the first limb and, for the purpose of tipping the package, both limbs are jointly pivoted from the starting position to the end position. This results in a particularly high efficiency of tipping of the package.

[0026] Since both limbs can be pivoted independently, both the starting position and the end position can be freely defined to the greatest possible extent and can thus easily be adapted to the size of the package or the field of application. Suitably, the first limb is arranged in the starting position such that a substantially horizontal conveying direction results, whereby the package can be received in a particularly simple manner. Likewise, a horizontal conveying direction can result from the end position of the second limb, whereby the output of the package with changed orientation is simplified.

[0027] Generally, the angle between the first limb and the second limb remains unchanged during the pivoting from the starting position to the end position, wherein the angle in the starting position is preferably 90 ° . However, since both limbs can be pivoted independently, it is also possible that the pivoting of both limbs is started jointly, but that the first limb has already reached the end position after a pivoting movement of less than 90 ° .

[0028] In principle, it would also be possible that both limbs are jointly pivoted back to the starting position.

[0029] However, it has proven to be effective if the first limb is first pivoted from the end position back to the starting position and then the second limb is pivoted from the end position back to the starting position. In this way, the first limb can reach the starting position more quickly and a new package can be received. This type of pivoting back of the limbs is particularly advantageous if the angle between the two limbs in the end position is greater than 90 ° , that is to say, the first limb is pivoted from the starting position by less than 90 ° degrees to the end position.

[0030] This results in an improved efficiency of the method, in particular if the first limb is pivoted back to the starting position even before the package with changed orientation is output. Thus, at the same time, while the second conveying drive is being actuated in order to output the package with changed orientation from the tipping device via the outlet along the conveying direction, the first limb can receive at least one new package in the starting position and output this package via the first conveying drive. Preferably, the second limb is pivoted back to the starting position immediately after the package is output. As soon as the limbs have reached the starting position, the next package can already be tipped, provided that a package to be oriented is received from the first conveying drive at the same time.

[0031] Advantageously, the second limb is pivoted from the starting position by 90 °to the end position. Thus, not only is the package which is to be oriented and has already been received by the first limb deposited particularly quickly on the second limb and can be tipped over particularly gently, the package can also be output particularly quickly by the second conveying drive.

[0032] Preferably, the first limb is pivoted from the start position by less than 90 ° but more than 45 ° to the end position. The first limb can thus be pivoted particularly quickly back to the start position in order to receive at least one new package. If the first limb is pivoted more than 45 ° in order to be able to safely tip over all packages irrespective of their center of gravity.

[0033] Generally, the package with the changed orientation is output on the end position by the second conveying drive. This offers the advantage that the first limb can already be pivoted back to the start position at the same time, thereby resulting in a particularly high efficiency of the method.

[0034] Preferably, the first limb and the second limb are pivoted independently of one another about the same pivot axis. This makes it possible to realize the precise pivoting of the two limbs in a simple manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] Further features, advantages and effects of the present application result from the exemplary embodiments described below. In the drawings referred to thereby: Figure 1 a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a tipping device is shown; Figure 2 a top view of a tipping device from Figure 1 is shown, in which the limbs are pivoted; Figure 3 a front view of a tipping device from Figure 1 is shown, in which the limbs are pivoted differently; Figure 4 a perspective view of a tipping device in a conveying system is shown; Figure 5 a perspective view of a tipping device from Figure 3 in the start position is shown; Figure 6 a perspective view of a tipping device from Figure 3 during pivoting to the end position is shown; Figure 7 a perspective view of a tipping device from Figure 3 in the end position is shown; Figure 8 a perspective view of a tipping device from Figure 3 during pivoting to the start position is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the tilting device 1 illustrated in the figure includes two limbs 2 and 3, depicted in the front view along the transport direction F. The two limbs 2 and 3 shown each include transport drivers 4 and 5 for transporting the package P, which are implemented as roller conveyors in this exemplary embodiment. For actuation of the transport drivers 4 and 5, each includes a motor with a gear mechanism, particularly a geared motor 6 and 7 with a belt drive. Additionally, the two limbs 2 and 3 are respectively connected to tilting drivers 8 and 9 (in this case, tilting drivers 8 and 9 are implemented as servo motors with crankshaft gears, and each is connected to one of the limbs 2 and 3 via a set of rods), whereby the limbs 2 and 3 can be pivoted independently of each other. Furthermore, the two limbs 2 and 3 each include boundaries 10 and 11, implemented as plates, at their outer ends, through which the package P is prevented from falling off the limbs 2 and 3.

[0037] from Figure 2 Top view (in) Figure 2 In the middle, the positions of limbs 2 and 3 are different from those from... Figure 1 As can be seen from the positions of the limbs, the limbs 2 and 3 of the tilting device 1 shown have different widths W, but equal lengths L, wherein the second limb 3 is implemented with a smaller width W than the first limb 2. In this illustration, the inlet E (through which package P can be conveyed to the first limb 2) and the outlet A (through which package P can be output by actuation of conveying drives 4 and 5) are indicated by dashed lines. Additionally, the conveying direction F is illustrated as an arrow, which in a particular exemplary embodiment forms a straight horizontal connection between the inlet E and the outlet A. Furthermore, the theoretical pivot axis, centered through the pivot axis 12 and parallel to the conveying direction F, is drawn as a dashed line.

[0038] In addition, from Figure 2 Top view, with from Figure 1 From the front view assembly, it becomes particularly clear that, in order to receive package P, the first limb 2 is arranged parallel to the substantially horizontal conveying direction F. Package P is thus conveyed along the conveying direction F via inlet E into the tipping device 1, where inlet E is connected to the first limb 2 so that package P can be received by the first limb 2 and, at said position, by the first conveying drive 4. If package P is a package that will not be oriented, the first conveying drive 4 is actuated, and package P is conveyed directly along the conveying direction F to outlet A of the tipping device 1, outlet A being similarly connected to the first limb 2 of the tipping device 1. Thus, package P is conveyed along the conveying direction F and passes through the tipping device 1 without being tipped.

[0039] In contrast, the package P to be oriented is received by the first limb 2 and tipped over by the pivoting of the two limbs 2, 3 about the horizontal pivot axis 12. This is achieved by a corresponding actuation of the tipping drives 8, 9. Due to the shaping of the package P, the package P is tipped over from the first surface onto the adjacent second surface.

[0040] For the purpose of tipping over the package P, Figure 1 The starting position shown in Fig. 1 has proven to be effective, in which the two limbs 2, 3 are positioned at right angles to one another. In addition, the two limbs 2, 3 are preferably pivoted about a common horizontal pivot axis 12, from Figure 2 It can be seen that the horizontal pivot axis 12 is arranged between the two limbs 2, 3. The preferred sequence of the tipping over using the tipping device 1 of the exemplary embodiment is shown in Figure 3 -a to Figure 3 -f and explained in more detail below.

[0041] In Figure 3 -a to Figure 3 -f, the different phases of the tipping over are shown with the aid of the exemplary embodiment of the tipping device 1 from Figure 1 . Figure 3 -a shows the starting position of the tipping device 1 previously illustrated in Fig. 1, in which the first limb 2 and the second limb 3 are positioned at right angles to one another, the package P has been conveyed along the conveying direction F from the inlet E into the tipping device 1 and has been received by the first limb 2 and the conveying drive 4. Due to the angle of the two limbs 2, 3 to one another and the shaping of the package P, the package P rests with a first surface on the first conveying drive 4 and at the same time has already rested with a second surface against the second limb 3 and the conveying drive 5. However, the surface contact with the limbs 2, 3 and the conveying drives 4, 5 can also not be necessary depending on the shaping of the package P. In Figure 3 -b, a first intermediate position is shown, in which, for the purpose of tipping over the package P, the two limbs 2, 3 are first pivoted jointly and deflected by 45 ° degrees from the starting position by actuation of the tipping drives 8, 9. Both surfaces of the package P thereby rest on the conveying drives 4, 5 of the two limbs 2, 3. By further joint pivoting of the limbs 2, the end position shown in Figure 3 -c is reached. In the end position, the second limb 3 is arranged horizontally, whereby the package P is received by the second limb 3 via its second surface in a changed orientation and is output in the conveying direction F by actuation of the second conveying drive 5. Thus, not only the first limb 2 is connected to the outlet A, but also the second limb 3 is connected to the outlet A. This output takes place during the tipping phase shown in Figure 3 -c to Figure 3 -e, in which, in the end position shown in Figure 3 -f, the package P is output from the tipping device 1 via the outlet A.Figure 3 - c and Figure 3 - d, the first limb 2 has been pivoted back to the starting position independently of the second limb 3. Said pivoting back can be identified particularly clearly in Figure 3 - d, in which Figure 3 - d, the first limb 2 has been deflected by 45 ° .

[0042] In Figure 3 - e, the first limb 2 has completely reached the starting position and is arranged horizontally, so that it can already receive a new package P and, if it is a package which is not to be oriented, can be output directly via the outlet A in the conveying direction F by actuation of the first conveying drive 4. If it is a package P which is to be oriented, however, the package P is received only by the first limb 2 and the conveying drive 4. The dimensions of the limbs 2, 3 and the orientation of the pivot axis 12 are particularly easily identified in this phase of the tipping, in Figure 2 , too.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3 - f, after the second conveying drive 5 has been actuated and the package P has been output with the changed orientation, the second limb 3 is also pivoted back to the starting position. In this illustration, the second limb 3 has been pivoted back to half the starting position, which corresponds to a deflection of 45 ° from the horizontal end position of the second limb 3. In Figure 3 - a, it can be seen that as soon as the second limb 3 reaches the starting position, the package P received by the first limb 2 and the conveying drive 4 can be tipped. From Figure 3 - a to Figure 3 - f, the tipping phase then runs through again in order to be able to tip a new package P, too.

[0044] Figure 4 A perspective view of the tipping device 1 integrated into a conveying system is illustrated. The packages P, which are depicted as beverage packages, are thus conveyed via a first roller conveyor 14 from a conveying inlet 13 to an inlet E of the tipping device 1. The tipping device 1 is embodied substantially analogously to the exemplary embodiment of the tipping device 1 from Figure 1 .

[0045] In general, the orientation of the packages P on the first roller conveyor 14 is already known or determined using a device with optical sensors, in particular camera or laser sensors, arranged along the first roller conveyor 14. Alternatively, the device can also be arranged on the tipping device 1.

[0046] The packages P to be oriented, which are fed via the inlet E into the tipping device 1 and received by the first limb 2 and the conveying drive 4, are tipped as described previously and are output via the outlet A of the tipping device 1 by actuation of the second conveying drive 5. The packages P with the changed orientation are thus received by the second roller conveyor 15 and conveyed by the conveyor to the conveying outlet 16. Analogous to the boundaries 10, 11 of the two limbs 2, 3, the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 15 of the conveying system also comprise stop elements, by means of which the orientation of the packages P conveyed along the conveying direction F can be kept as constant as possible and the packages P can be prevented from falling from the roller conveyors 14, 15. Furthermore, the second roller conveyor 15 has a greater width than the first roller conveyor 14 in order to be able to receive all packages P from the outlet A of the tipping device 1, that is to say both the packages P with the changed orientation output by the second limb 3 and the packages P which are not oriented and output by the first limb 2.

[0047] As a result of the tipping of the packages P to be oriented and the packages P not to be oriented which are output directly from the tipping device 1, it is ensured that all packages P are oriented appropriately in order to be able to achieve a preferred packing layout and a particularly high packing density during the picking of the packages P.

[0048] In Figure 5 , the tipping device 1 integrated into the conveying system is illustrated from the perspective of the outlet A. The limbs 2, 3 of the tipping device 1 are thus arranged in the starting position described previously and their dimensions are readily identifiable. Furthermore, on the first roller conveyor 14, packages P are visible which are conveyed from the conveying inlet 13 to the inlet E of the tipping device 1 and rest against the stop elements. The first roller conveyor 14 seamlessly transitions into the first limb 2 of the tipping device 1 so that the packages P can be particularly easily received by the first limb 2.

[0049] Figure 6 The tipping device 1 integrated into the conveying system is shown from the same perspective. In contrast to Figure 5 , the limbs 2, 3 are jointly pivoted approximately 45 ° to the starting position so that the packages P conveyed along the conveying direction F are substantially Figure 3 The tipping phase illustrated in -b is depicted here. Here, the gear motors 6, 7, in particular their belt drives, and the conveying drives 4, 5 are identifiable. Likewise, the outlet A of the tipping device 1 and a portion of the second roller conveyor 15 can be identified, via which the packages P with the changed orientation can be output from the tipping device 1 and conveyed to the conveying outlet 16.

[0050] In Figure 7In the middle, the tipping device 1 is shown in the end position with the same perspective. The package P with the changed orientation has thus been received by the second limb 3 and the conveying drive 5, but is still resting against the first limb 2 and the conveying drive 4. The illustrated end position corresponds to Figure 3 the end position of the tipping device 1 shown in c. The tipping operation has thus been completed, and the package P with the changed orientation can be output via the outlet A by actuation of the second conveying drive 5. The package P with the changed orientation is then conveyed to the conveying outlet 16 by the second roller conveyor 15. A new package P has been conveyed to the inlet E on the first roller conveyor 14.

[0051] In Figure 8 the middle, the tipping device 1 is shown in the same perspective, wherein the first limb 2 has been pivoted completely back to the starting position. In the illustrated tipping device 1, the second limb 3 is also pivoted back to the starting position, as Figure 3 -a to Figure 3 f. First, the first limb 2 is pivoted back to the starting position, and only after the package P with the changed orientation has been output, the second limb 3 is also pivoted back to the starting position. Here, the pivot axis 12 on which the limbs 2, 3 are arranged can be recognized. In this particular case, the pivoting back of the second limb 3 has not yet been completed; rather, said limb 3 is pivoted outwardly 45 ° from the end position. This corresponds to the arrangement of the limbs 2, 3 shown in Figure 3 f to the greatest possible extent.

[0052] The package P with the changed orientation has been output via the outlet A of the tipping device 1 by actuation of the second conveying drive 5 and is conveyed on the second roller conveyor 15 in the direction of the conveying outlet 16. In the case of a package P that is not to be oriented, which is conveyed via the first roller conveyor 14 into the inlet E of the tipping device 1 and to the first limb 2, said package P can still be output via the outlet A of the tipping device 1 by actuation of the first conveying drive 4 before the second limb 3 reaches the starting position. It will thus also be possible for said package P that is not to be oriented to be conveyed directly to the second roller conveyor 15 and onward to the conveying outlet 16.

[0053] By means of the tipping device 1 according to the application, a package P can be tipped about an axis that is oriented horizontally and substantially parallel to the conveying direction F depending on the orientation of said package P, so that a particularly high packing density is achieved during the picking of the packages P.

Claims

1. A tipping device (1) for a conveying system, particularly a picking facility, the conveying system comprising a conveying inlet (13) and a conveying outlet (16), wherein a package (P) can be conveyed from the conveying inlet (13) to the conveying outlet (16) and can be tipped between the conveying inlet (13) and the conveying outlet (16), characterized in that The tilting device (1) includes an inlet (E) and at least one outlet (A), wherein a first limb (2) and a second limb (3) are provided, the first limb (2) being connected to the inlet (E) and the outlet (A), and the second limb (3) being connected to the outlet (A). The limbs (2, 3) include conveying actuators (4, 5) and tilting actuators (8, 9). The conveying actuators (4, 5) can be actuated independently of each other, allowing one or more packages (P) to be conveyed along the conveying direction (F). The tilting actuators (8, 9) can be actuated independently of each other, allowing the limbs (2, 3) to be tilted around the inlet (E) and outlet (A) via the tilting actuators (8, 9). One less pivot (12) is pivoted, wherein the at least one pivot (12) is preferably oriented substantially parallel to the conveying direction (F) so that a package (P) conveyed to the tipping device (1) via the inlet (E) can be output via the outlet (A) by the first conveying driver (4) of the first limb (2) without changing the orientation of the package (P), or can be tipped from the first limb (2) to the second limb (3) by the actuation of the tipping driver (8, 9), thereafter the package (P) with the changed orientation can be output via the outlet (A) along the conveying direction (F) by the second conveying driver (5) of the second limb (3).

2. The tilting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that... The pivot shaft (12) is oriented substantially parallel to the transport direction (F).

3. The tilting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... The first conveyor drive (4) and / or the second conveyor drive (5) are implemented as roller conveyors and / or belt conveyors, particularly belt conveyors with modular belts.

4. The tilting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that... The first limb (2) and the second limb (3) are arranged on a common horizontal pivot axis (12).

5. The tilting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that... For the purpose of actuating the conveyor drive (4, 5), each of the limbs (2, 3) includes at least one motor with a gear mechanism and connecting device, particularly a geared motor (6, 7) with a belt drive, driven roller and / or modular belt.

6. The tilting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that... The tilting actuator (8, 9) is implemented as a motor with a gear mechanism, particularly a servo motor with a crankshaft gear.

7. The tilting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that... The first limb (2) and the second limb (3) can be arranged at right angles to each other.

8. A conveying system, particularly a conveying system for a picking facility, the conveying system comprising: equipment for determining the orientation of a package (P), particularly a camera or laser sensor; a conveying inlet (13) for conveying the package (P) into an inlet (E) of a tipping device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, via which the package (P) may be tipped; and a conveying outlet (16) for outputting the package (P) from an outlet (A) of the tipping device (1).

9. The conveying system according to claim 8, characterized in that... The conveying system includes a tilting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the conveying outlet (13) is connected to the inlet (E), and wherein the conveying outlet (16) is connected to the outlet (A).

10. A method for tipping one or more packages (P), particularly in a conveying system, and especially in a method for tipping one or more packages (P) using a tipping device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the orientation of the packages (P) is determined and the packages (P) are conveyed to the tipping device (1) via an inlet (E), characterized in that... The package (P) is first received by the first limb (2) of the tilting device (1), wherein, depending on the orientation, the package (P) is output via the outlet (A) along the conveying direction (F) by the first conveying driver (4) of the first limb (2), or is tilted by the tilting device (1), wherein, in order to tilt the package (P), the first limb (2) and the second limb (3) of the tilting device (1) are pivoted about a pivot axis (12) preferably substantially parallel to the conveying direction (F), such that the package (P) to be oriented is received by the second limb (3) and output via the outlet (A) along the conveying direction (F) by the second conveying driver (5) of the second limb (3).

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that... The package (P) is received by the first limb (2) at the starting position, and the two limbs (2, 3) are jointly pivoted from the starting position to the ending position for the purpose of tipping the package (P).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that... The first limb (2) is first pivoted back to the starting position from the end position, and then the second limb (3) is pivoted back to the starting position from the end position.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that... Even before the package (P) with its altered orientation is output, the first limb (2) is pivoted back to the starting position.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that... The second limb (3) is pivoted 90 degrees from the starting position. ° To the stated endpoint position.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that... The first limb (2) is pivoted less than 90 degrees from the starting position. ° But greater than 45 ° To the stated endpoint position.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that... The package (P) with its orientation changed is output by the second delivery driver (5) at the end position.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that... The first limb (2) and the second limb (3) are pivoted independently of each other about the same pivot axis (12).

Images