Queuing sorting machine capable of automatically separating articles

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of logistics conveying, in particular to a queuing sorting machine capable of automatically separating articles. According to the technical scheme, the sorting device comprises a main body frame and a main conveying belt arranged on the main body frame in a transmission mode, sorting cars are arranged on the main conveying belt at equal intervals, each sorting car comprises a car frame and an auxiliary conveying belt arranged on the car frame in a transmission mode, and the transmission direction of the auxiliary conveying belts and the transmission direction of the main conveying belt are perpendicular to each other and distributed in a crossed mode; a movable plate capable of rotating relative to the frame is arranged on the sorting trolley, the movable plate is matched with the driving mechanism through a touch mechanism arranged on the sorting trolley, when the sorting trolley moves to a preset position, the touch mechanism is triggered when making contact with the driving mechanism, the movable plate is driven to change positions, and after the touch mechanism is separated from the driving mechanism, the movable plate is reset. Through cooperation of the follow-up sorting vehicle and the pure mechanical triggering mechanism, automatic separation, stable queuing and reliable blocking of objects can be achieved without complex control in the continuous conveying process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of logistics and transportation technology, and in particular to an automatic queuing and sorting machine for separating items. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing demand for logistics sorting, warehousing and transportation, and production line item flow, queuing sorting equipment is widely used for the directional transport and orderly separation of items. Existing queuing sorting machines typically use a single conveyor belt in conjunction with baffles, forks, or pushing mechanisms to achieve the temporary storage, diversion, or release of items.

[0003] However, the existing technology still has the following shortcomings:

[0004] Most sorting equipment relies on fixed baffles or a single push structure. After items enter the sorting position, they need to wait for the overall mechanism to complete its operation. This makes it difficult to achieve item-by-item, synchronous sorting during continuous conveying, which affects the overall conveying efficiency.

[0005] Some existing equipment uses sensors and electronic actuators to open and close baffles or release items. This results in complex structures, high maintenance costs, and insufficient reliability in dusty or humid conditions. During the queuing and conveying of items, the lack of reliable lateral limiting and release structures makes it easy for items to shift, stack, or become misaligned, affecting subsequent sorting or loading processes.

[0006] To address this problem, we propose an automated item sorting and queuing machine. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems existing in the background art by proposing an automatic item separation queuing and sorting machine.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automatic sorting machine for separating items, comprising a main frame and a main conveyor belt with transmission on the main frame, wherein sorting carts are equidistantly arranged along the transmission direction of the main conveyor belt and move synchronously with the main conveyor belt, each sorting cart comprising a frame, wherein a secondary conveyor belt is driven on the frame, and the transmission direction of the secondary conveyor belt is perpendicular to the transmission direction of the main conveyor belt and is distributed in a crisscross pattern.

[0009] A fixed drive mechanism is provided on the main frame, and a movable plate that can rotate relative to the frame is provided on the sorting cart. The movable plate cooperates with the drive mechanism through a touch mechanism provided on the sorting cart.

[0010] When the sorting vehicle moves to the predetermined position with the main conveyor belt, the triggering mechanism is triggered when it comes into contact with the driving mechanism, thereby driving the movable plate to switch from a vertical blocking state to a horizontal yielding state. After disengaging from the driving mechanism, the triggering mechanism drives the movable plate back to the vertical blocking state under the elastic reset action.

[0011] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes a frame fixedly mounted on the main frame and a trigger rod fixedly mounted on the frame, the trigger rod being located on the running path of the sorting vehicle.

[0012] Preferably, the triggering mechanism includes a middle tube disposed within the frame and a fixed block fixedly disposed within the middle tube, wherein a square slide rod is slidably disposed on the fixed block.

[0013] Preferably, a rack is fixedly mounted on the square slide bar, and a shaft is rotatably mounted on the frame. One end of the shaft is fixedly mounted with a gear that meshes with the rack, and the other end is fixedly connected to the movable plate.

[0014] Preferably, an actuating block is fixedly provided at one end of the square slide bar, and an inner spring is provided between the actuating block and the fixed block. The inner spring is used to force the actuating block to pop outward of the frame.

[0015] Preferably, a stop block is fixedly provided inside the middle cylinder, and the stop block is used to limit the sliding stroke of the rack.

[0016] Preferably, the movable plate is in a vertical blocking state when not driven by the driving mechanism to form a lateral obstruction to the items, and is driven to a horizontal yielding state when driven by the driving mechanism to allow the items to enter the sorting vehicle.

[0017] Preferably, a sliding rail extending along the running direction of the main conveyor belt is fixedly provided on the main frame, and a sliding contact head that slides in cooperation with the sliding rail is provided on the sorting vehicle.

[0018] Preferably, the sliding contact includes an outer cylinder fixedly mounted on the sorting vehicle, an inner rod slidably mounted on the outer cylinder, and a lower spring disposed between the outer cylinder and the inner rod.

[0019] Preferably, the lower spring is used to maintain continuous contact between the sliding contact head and the sliding contact rail.

[0020] When the main conveyor belt carrying the empty sorting cart transports it to the designated sorting station, the trigger block on the sorting cart will come into contact with and collide with the fixed trigger rod. Under the continuous forward thrust, the trigger block is squeezed inward, causing the square slide rod and rack to slide into the frame against the elastic force of the inner spring.

[0021] The rack drives the meshing gear to rotate, which in turn drives the shaft and movable plate to rotate, from a vertical blocking state to a horizontal yielding state. At this time, the side of the sorting cart opens, and the items to be sorted outside can be pushed or slid into the carrying surface of the sorting cart, i.e., the secondary conveyor belt.

[0022] As the sorting vehicle continues to move forward, the trigger block disengages from the trigger rod, releasing the elastic force of the inner spring. This pushes the trigger block and rack to reset outwards. The reverse movement of the rack drives the shaft and movable plate to rotate through the gear, restoring them to the vertical blocking state. This securely confines the newly loaded items within the sorting vehicle, completing one automatic queuing loading cycle. The stop block ensures that the end point of the rack's reset stroke is consistent, thus ensuring that the movable plate accurately returns to the vertical position each time.

[0023] To ensure the continuous operation of electrical components such as the auxiliary conveyor belt on the sorting vehicle, a long sliding rail is fixedly installed on the main frame along the running direction of the main conveyor belt. Each sorting vehicle frame is equipped with a sliding contact head, which includes a lower spring fixed inside the outer cylinder. The lower spring pushes an extendable and sliding inner rod upward, so that the brush at the top of the inner rod always maintains sliding contact with the upper sliding rail with a certain pressure, thereby realizing uninterrupted power transmission during movement.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0025] This invention achieves continuous and stable queuing and separation by equidistantly setting follow-up sorting vehicles on the main conveyor belt and setting secondary conveyor belts on the sorting vehicles in a cross arrangement with the main conveyor belt. This allows items to enter the sorting vehicles one by one during the continuous operation of the main conveyor belt.

[0026] The drive mechanism, which is fixed on the main frame, works in conjunction with the trigger mechanism on the sorting vehicle to automatically trigger the movement of the movable plate when the sorting vehicle moves to the predetermined position. The sorting sequence is determined by the mechanical position relationship, without the need for an additional control unit. The operation is reliable and highly consistent.

[0027] By using a purely mechanical linkage triggering mechanism in conjunction with a fixed drive mechanism, the movable plate automatically switches from a blocking state to a yielding state when the sorting vehicle moves to the predetermined position, allowing items to slide in. After leaving the predetermined position, the movable plate automatically returns to the blocking state under the elastic reset action. This process can achieve automatic queuing and loading of items and physical separation and blocking during transportation without relying on sensors or electronic control signals.

[0028] The switching and resetting of the movable plate is accomplished by a touch mechanism and an elastic reset structure. After disengaging from the drive mechanism, it automatically returns to the blocking state, reducing structural complexity and improving the stability and durability of the equipment under complex working conditions.

[0029] The rack, gear and stop structure in the trigger mechanism clearly limits the rotation angle and stroke of the movable plate, avoiding overtravel or malfunction, and ensuring smooth and controllable sorting operation.

[0030] By setting up a sliding contact structure between the sliding rail and the sliding contact head, stable power can be provided to the electrical components of the auxiliary conveyor belt on the sorting vehicle during continuous movement, which is beneficial for long-term continuous operation.

[0031] The sorting carts are set up as independent follow-up units on the main conveyor belt. Each sorting cart has the same structure, which facilitates assembly, maintenance and replacement, and reduces the overall maintenance cost of the equipment.

[0032] In summary, this device, without introducing electronic control components, achieves automatic separation and orderly queuing of items during continuous transport through a reasonable mechanical structure design. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the sorting vehicle structure of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism structure of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the trigger mechanism structure of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sliding contact structure of the present invention.

[0038] Figure label:

[0039] 1. Main frame; 2. Main conveyor belt; 3. Sorting cart; 301. Car frame; 302. Secondary conveyor belt; 4. Drive mechanism; 401. Frame; 402. Actuating rod; 5. Actuating mechanism; 501. Middle cylinder; 502. Actuating block; 503. Inner spring; 504. Fixing block; 505. Square slide bar; 506. Rack; 507. Shaft; 508. Stop block; 6. Movable plate; 7. Sliding rail; 8. Sliding contact head; 801. Outer cylinder; 802. Inner rod; 803. Lower spring. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] Example 1

[0042] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the present invention proposes an automatic item separation queuing and sorting machine, which includes a main frame 1 and a main conveyor belt 2 driven on the main frame 1. The main frame 1 serves as the support frame for the entire device, and the main conveyor belt 2 is driven on the main frame 1 to form a continuous circular conveying loop, providing forward power for all sorting vehicles 3 carried on it.

[0043] Each sorting vehicle 3 is fixedly mounted on the main conveyor belt 2 and moves synchronously with it. The core of the sorting vehicle 3 is the frame 301. On the frame 301, a secondary conveyor belt 302 is driven. The key point is that the drive direction of the secondary conveyor belt 302 is perpendicular to the drive direction of the main conveyor belt 2 and is distributed in a cross pattern. This design allows the secondary conveyor belt 302 to move items laterally.

[0044] On the side of the frame 301, there is a rotatable movable plate 6. Under normal conditions, that is, when there is no external force, the movable plate 6 remains vertical under the action of the restoring force, like a side rail, forming a lateral obstruction for the items on the carrying surface of the sorting vehicle 3. The rotation of the movable plate 6 is controlled by a set of purely mechanical triggering mechanism 5.

[0045] The actuation mechanism 5 is installed inside the frame 301. It includes a middle cylinder 501 fixed to the frame 301. A fixing block 504 is fixed inside the middle cylinder 501. A square slide rod 505 passes through the fixing block 504 and can slide relative to it. An actuation block 502 is fixedly connected to one end of the square slide rod 505 facing the outside of the frame 301, and a rack 506 is fixedly provided at the other end facing the inside.

[0046] An inner spring 503 is fitted on the square slide bar 505 between the actuating block 502 and the fixed block 504. The inner spring 503 is always in a compressed or stored state, and its elastic force forces the actuating block 502 to tend to pop outward of the frame 301. On the sliding path of the rack 506, a stop block 508 is also fixed inside the middle cylinder 501 to limit the extreme position of the rack 506 sliding.

[0047] The rack 506 meshes with a gear, which is fixedly mounted on the end of a shaft 507 that is rotatably supported on the frame 301. The other end of the shaft 507 extends out of the frame 301 and is fixedly connected to the aforementioned movable plate 6. Therefore, the linear motion of the rack 506 can be converted into the rotational motion of the shaft 507 and the movable plate 6 through gear meshing.

[0048] The drive mechanism 4 is fixedly mounted on the main frame 1 and located at the predetermined workstation where the sorting vehicle 3 needs to receive items. It mainly includes a frame 401 fixed on the main frame 1 and an actuating rod 402 fixed on the frame 401. The actuating rod 402 is precisely positioned on the side of the running path of the sorting vehicle 3 so that it can contact the actuating block 502 on the sorting vehicle 3 that has run to this location.

[0049] Working principle:

[0050] When the main conveyor belt 2 carrying the empty sorting vehicle 3 transports it to the designated sorting station, the trigger block 502 on the sorting vehicle 3 will come into contact with and collide with the fixed trigger rod 402. Under the continuous forward thrust, the trigger block 502 is squeezed inward, causing the square slide rod 505 and the rack 506 to overcome the elastic force of the inner spring 503 and slide into the frame 301.

[0051] The rack 506 drives the gear meshing with it to rotate, which in turn drives the shaft 507 and the movable plate 6 to rotate, from the vertical blocking state to the horizontal yielding state. At this time, the side of the sorting car 3 opens, and the items to be sorted outside can be pushed or slid into the carrying surface of the sorting car 3, i.e., the secondary conveyor belt 302.

[0052] As the sorting vehicle 3 continues to move forward, after the trigger block 502 disengages from the trigger rod 402, the elastic force of the inner spring 503 is released, pushing the trigger block 502 and the rack 506 to reset outward. The reverse movement of the rack 506 drives the shaft rod 507 and the movable plate 6 to rotate through the gear, returning to the vertical blocking state, thus securely confining the newly loaded items within the sorting vehicle 3 and completing one automatic queuing loading cycle. The stop block 508 ensures that the endpoint of the rack 506's reset stroke is consistent, thereby ensuring that the movable plate 6 can accurately return to the vertical position each time.

[0053] To ensure the continuous operation of electrical components such as the auxiliary conveyor belt 302 on the sorting vehicle 3, a long sliding rail 7 is fixedly installed on the main frame 1 along the running direction of the main conveyor belt 2. Each sorting vehicle 3 has a sliding contact 8 installed on its frame 301. The sliding contact 8 includes a lower spring 803 fixed inside the outer cylinder 801. The lower spring 803 pushes an extendable and sliding inner rod 802 upward, so that the brush at the top of the inner rod 802 always maintains sliding contact with the upper sliding rail 7 with a certain pressure, thereby realizing uninterrupted power transmission during movement.

[0054] The above specific embodiments are merely several preferred embodiments of the present invention. Based on the technical solutions of the present invention and the relevant teachings of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various alternative improvements and combinations to the above specific embodiments.

[0055] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within the present invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A queuing sorter for automatically separating items, comprising a main frame (1) and a main conveyor (2) arranged in motion on the main frame (1), characterized in that: The main conveying belt (2) is provided with sorting trolleys (3) which move synchronously with the main conveying belt (2) at equal intervals along the driving direction of the main conveying belt (2), each sorting trolley (3) comprises a trolley frame (301), and a sub-conveying belt (302) is drivenly arranged on the trolley frame (301), and the driving direction of the sub-conveying belt (302) is perpendicular to the driving direction of the main conveying belt (2) and is cross-distributed; The main body frame (1) is provided with a fixed driving mechanism (4), the sorting trolley (3) is provided with a movable plate (6) which can rotate relative to the trolley frame (301), and the movable plate (6) is matched with the driving mechanism (4) through a triggering mechanism (5) arranged on the sorting trolley (3); When the sorting trolley (3) moves to a predetermined position along with the main conveying belt (2), the triggering mechanism (5) is triggered when it is in contact with the driving mechanism (4), so that the movable plate (6) is switched from a vertical blocking state to a horizontal giving position state, and after being separated from the driving mechanism (4), the triggering mechanism (5) drives the movable plate (6) to return to the vertical blocking state under the elastic resetting action.

2. A queue sorter for automatically separating items as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The driving mechanism (4) comprises a side frame (401) fixedly arranged on the main body frame (1) and a triggering rod (402) fixedly arranged on the side frame (401), and the triggering rod (402) is located on the running path of the sorting trolley (3).

3. A queue sorter for automatically separating items as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The triggering mechanism (5) comprises a middle cylinder (501) arranged in the trolley frame (301) and a fixed block (504) fixedly arranged in the middle cylinder (501), and a square slide rod (505) is slidingly arranged on the fixed block (504).

4. A queue sorter for automatically singulating articles according to claim 3, wherein: A rack (506) is fixedly arranged on the square slide rod (505), an axle rod (507) is rotatably arranged on the trolley frame (301), one end of the axle rod (507) is fixedly provided with a gear engaged with the rack (506), and the other end is fixedly connected with the movable plate (6).

5. A queue sorter for automatically singulating articles according to claim 4, wherein: One end of the square slide rod (505) is fixedly provided with a triggering block (502), an inner spring (503) is arranged between the triggering block (502) and the fixed block (504), and the inner spring (503) is used for forcing the triggering block (502) to pop out to the outside of the trolley frame (301).

6. A queue sorter for automatically singulating articles according to claim 5, wherein: A stop block (508) is fixedly arranged in the middle cylinder (501), and the stop block (508) is used for limiting the sliding stroke of the rack (506).

7. A queue sorter for automatically singulating articles according to claim 1, wherein: The movable plate (6) is in a vertical blocking state when it is not acted on by the driving mechanism (4) to form lateral blocking to the articles, and is driven to a horizontal giving position state when it is acted on by the driving mechanism (4) to allow the articles to enter the sorting trolley (3).

8. The queuing sorter of claim 1, wherein: A slide rail (7) extending along the running direction of the main conveying belt (2) is fixedly arranged on the main body frame (1), and a slide head (8) slidingly matched with the slide rail (7) is arranged on the sorting trolley (3).

9. A queue sorter for automatically singulating articles according to claim 8, wherein: The slide head (8) comprises an outer cylinder (801) fixedly arranged on the sorting trolley (3), an inner rod (802) slidingly arranged on the outer cylinder (801), and a lower spring (803) arranged between the outer cylinder (801) and the inner rod (802).

10. A queue sorter for automatically singulating items according to claim 9, wherein: The lower spring (803) is used to maintain the continuous contact of the sliding contact head (8) with the sliding contact rail (7).

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