Roller conveying device
By using software grouping methods in the controller and grouping module, the problem of inflexible adjustment of the number of rollers in roller sorting equipment is solved, and efficient item diversion and sorting of roller conveyor devices are realized.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411474497.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
In existing roller sorting equipment, the number of rollers that can be synchronously deflected cannot be flexibly adjusted according to actual needs, which lacks flexibility.
By employing a controller and grouping module, the synchronous deflection of the roller group is controlled through software grouping, enabling flexible grouping and driving of the rollers.
It enables flexible adjustment of the number of rollers, improving the efficiency and flexibility of item diversion and adapting to the conveying needs of items of different sizes and shapes.
Smart Images
Figure CN121894340A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of logistics sorting equipment technology, and in particular to a roller conveyor device. Background Technology
[0002] Currently, most logistics companies use roller sorting equipment for the diversion and sorting of goods. Roller sorting equipment typically consists of several rollers connected together by linkages. During transport, a motor drives the linkages to swing, causing the connected rollers to deflect synchronously, thus changing the direction of transport and achieving automatic diversion and sorting of goods.
[0003] In the roller sorting equipment with the above structure, since the rollers are mechanically connected together to deflect synchronously, the number of synchronously deflecting rollers cannot be adjusted according to actual usage needs, which lacks flexibility. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a roller conveying device that can flexibly adjust the number of synchronously deflected rollers as needed.
[0005] This application provides a roller conveying device, including a plurality of rollers and a controller for controlling the operation of the plurality of rollers. Each roller includes a rim and a first motor for driving the rim to deflect around a first axis. The controller includes a grouping module for grouping the plurality of rollers into multiple roller groups, each roller group including multiple rollers. The control terminal of the first motor of each roller is electrically connected to the controller, and the rims of the multiple rollers in each roller group deflect synchronously around the first axis under the action of the controller.
[0006] In the roller conveying device of this application, the rim of each roller can be driven individually, and the grouping module of the controller can flexibly group the rollers as needed and send the same drive signal to the drive motors of each roller in the same roller group, thereby making each roller in the group deflect synchronously. Compared with the synchronous deflection of multiple rollers achieved by hardware connection in the prior art, the software grouping method of this application is more flexible and convenient. Attached Figure Description
[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the roller conveying device of this application.
[0008] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view of the roller conveyor shown.
[0009] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an item being conveyed on the roller conveyor device described in this application.
[0010] Figure 4 This is a circuit diagram of the roller conveyor device of this application.
[0011] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single roller in the roller conveying device of this application.
[0012] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The roller shown is a cross-sectional view. Detailed Implementation
[0013] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more complete description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of this application are exemplarily shown in the drawings to provide a more accurate and thorough understanding of the technical solutions disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that this application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described below.
[0014] In the accompanying drawings of this application, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this application. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0015] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this application involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, if "and / or" or "and / or" appears throughout the text, its meaning includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously.
[0016] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.
[0017] This application provides a roller conveyor device, preferably used in the logistics industry for sorting goods. Figure 1-4The illustration shows a specific embodiment of the roller conveyor device of this application. The roller conveyor device 100 includes a plurality of rollers 20 and a controller 30. The rollers 20 can rotate to push items forward, and can also deflect left or right to change the direction of the items. The controller 30 is used to control the operation of the rollers 20, that is, to control the rotation and deflection of the rollers 20, thereby pushing the items towards the target position and realizing automatic diversion of items.
[0018] The plurality of rollers 20 are arranged in a close array, such as an M*N array, where M is the number of rows and N is the number of columns. In one embodiment, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the plurality of rollers 20 can be an 8*12 array, that is, an array with 8 rows M and 12 columns N, which is generally elongated, and its length direction is usually the direction of item conveying. In other embodiments, the plurality of rollers 20 can also form a square array, in which case the number of rows M and the number of columns N can be the same, such as an 8*8 array. In practical applications, the number of rollers 20, the array pattern, the number of rows and columns of the array in the roller conveying device 100 of this application can be adjusted as needed, as long as the needs of item conveying are met, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.
[0019] Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the rollers 20 located in the odd-numbered rows of the array (e.g., R1, R3, R5…) are aligned with each other across the width of the array; the rollers 20 located in the even-numbered rows of the array (e.g., R2, R4, R6…) are aligned with each other across the width of the array; and the rollers 20 located in the odd-numbered rows (e.g., R1, R3, R5…) and the rollers 20 located in the even-numbered rows (e.g., R2, R4, R6…) are staggered across the width of the array. Thus, in any two adjacent rows of rollers 20, the three adjacent rollers 20 are arranged in a triangular configuration, preferably an equilateral triangle. For example, the third roller 20 in the second row and the third and fourth rollers 20 in the third row are arranged in an equilateral triangle, and so on.
[0020] In this embodiment, the roller conveying device 100 staggers the arrangement of its rows of rollers 20, making the overall distribution of the rollers 20 denser. During conveying, even small items can interact with multiple rollers 20 simultaneously. For example... Figure 3As shown, a small item W1 can interact with three rollers 20 in two rows simultaneously; a large item W2 can interact with five rollers 20 in three rows simultaneously; and a large item W2' can also interact with five rollers 20 in three rows simultaneously when deflected at a certain angle. It should be understood that the more rollers 20 an item interacts with simultaneously, the greater the overall force it experiences and the more evenly the force is distributed. This allows it to be propelled quickly towards the target position, improving the efficiency of item diversion.
[0021] like Figure 4 As shown, the controller 30 includes a grouping module 32 for grouping the plurality of rollers 20 into multiple roller groups, each roller group including multiple rollers 20. Preferably, the controller 30 further includes a storage module 34 for storing the IDs of the plurality of rollers 20 and the IDs of the multiple roller groups. The IDs of the plurality of rollers 20 are all different, and the controller 30 can identify the corresponding roller 20 according to its ID; the IDs of the plurality of roller groups are all different, and the controller 30 can send a control signal to the corresponding roller group according to its ID. All rollers 20 in the roller group receive the same control signal and synchronously rotate and / or deflect under the action of the signal, realizing the group control of the rollers 20.
[0022] In one embodiment, the ID of each roller 20 can be determined by its row and column number in the array. Taking the above-mentioned 8*12 roller 20 array as an example: the ID of the roller 20 in the first row and first column is 0101, the ID of the roller 20 in the first row and second column is 0102, ..., the ID of the roller 20 in the first row and fifth column is 0105, ..., the ID of the roller 20 in the first row and twelfth column is 0112; the ID of the roller 20 in the second row and first column is 0201, ..., the ID of the roller 20 in the second row and sixth column is 0206, ..., the ID of the roller 20 in the second row and twelfth column is 0212; ...; the ID of the roller 20 in the eighth row and first column is 0801, the ID of the roller 20 in the eighth row and second column is 0802, ..., the ID of the roller 20 in the eighth row and tenth column is 0810, ..., the ID of the roller 20 in the eighth row and twelfth column is 0812.
[0023] In one embodiment, the grouping module 32 can group the rollers 20 by row. For example, the rollers 20 in the first row, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs of 0101 to 0112, can be grouped into the first group (G1); the rollers 20 in the second row, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs of 0201 to 0212, can be grouped into the second group (G2); ...; the rollers 20 in the eighth row, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs of 0801 to 0812, can be grouped into the eighth group (G8). Alternatively, the grouping module 32 can group the rollers 20 by column. For example, the rollers 20 in the first column, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0101 to 0801, can be grouped into the first group (G01); the rollers 20 in the second column, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0102 to 0802, can be grouped into the second group (G02); ...; the rollers 20 in the twelfth column, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0112 to 0812, can be grouped into the twelfth group (G12).
[0024] In one embodiment, the grouping module 32 can also group multiple rows / columns of rollers 20 into a group, such as grouping the rollers 20 in rows 1-2, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0101-0112 and 0201-0212 into a group; grouping the rollers 20 in rows 3-4, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0301-0312 and 0401-0412 into a group; ...; grouping the rollers 20 in rows 7-8, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0701-0712 and 0801-0812 into a group. Alternatively, the grouping module 32 can group the rollers 20 in columns 1-3, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0101-0801, 0102-0802, and 0103-0803, into one group; group the rollers 20 in columns 4-6, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0104-0804, 0105-0805, and 0106-0806, into one group; ...; and group the rollers 20 in columns 10-12, i.e., the rollers 20 with IDs 0110-0810, 0111-0811, and 0112-0812, into one group.
[0025] In one embodiment, the grouping module 32 may not group by row / column. The number of rollers 20 in each group may be the same or different; the rollers 20 in each group may be in the same row / column or in different rows / columns. For example, four rollers 20 with IDs 0101 to 0104 in the same row can be grouped together; and / or, five rollers 20 with IDs 0302 to 0702 in the same column can be grouped together; and / or, three rollers 20 with IDs 0304, 0305, and 0404 in two adjacent rows can be grouped together; and / or, seven rollers 20 with IDs 0108, 0109, 0207, 0208, 0209, 0308, and 0309 in three adjacent rows can be grouped together, etc. The grouping module 32 can flexibly change the grouping method according to actual application needs, which will not be listed here.
[0026] When the roller conveyor device 100 of this application is in use, the controller 30 can plan the specific forward route of the item to be conveyed according to its target position, and then group and control the operation of each roller group according to the forward route. For example, for a section of the forward route that requires straight-line movement, the controller 30 generates a corresponding control signal S1 to sequentially start each roller group corresponding to that section, causing all rollers 20 of that roller group to rotate and push the item forward in a straight line; when the item moves to a section of the forward route that requires a change of direction, the controller 30 generates a control signal S2 to sequentially start each roller group corresponding to that section, causing all rollers 20 of that roller group to rotate and deflect simultaneously, causing the item to deflect in the opposite direction and continue moving forward in the deflected direction until it reaches its target position.
[0027] In use, the roller conveying device 100 of this application can handle different items with different sizes and / or shapes. The controller 30 can group the rollers 20 differently according to the different sizes and / or shapes of the items to be conveyed. Different items may have different target positions to be conveyed, and the controller 30 can also group the rollers 20 differently according to the different target positions of the items to be conveyed. This application uses the grouping module 32 of the controller 30 to group the rollers 20 and sends the same control signal to all rollers 20 in the same group, achieving group control of the rollers 20. Compared with the synchronous deflection of multiple rollers 20 achieved through hardware connection in the prior art, the software grouping method of this application is more flexible and convenient.
[0028] It should be noted that the controller 30 can send different control signals to different roller groups, or it can send the same control signal to different roller groups. In some embodiments, a sensor is provided on the roller 20 to sense whether there is an object on the roller 20 and feed the sensing result back to the controller 30. The controller 30 then determines the location of the object and its target delivery location, and plans the object's route in real time to ensure it reaches the target location. In some embodiments, such as... Figure 3 As shown, one side of the roller array 20 can be used as the input port of the item, and multiple input ports of the item can be set on the other sides (including one or more sides) of the roller array 20. The target position of each item is matched with one of the output ports.
[0029] In one specific embodiment, such as Figure 5 , Figure 6As shown, each roller 20 includes a rim 22, a first motor 24 that drives the rim 22 to deflect around a first axis X1, and a second motor 26 that drives the rim 22 to rotate around a second axis X2. The controller 30 is connected to the control terminals of the first motor 24 and the second motor 26, and is used to control the start, stop, speed, and direction of the first motor 24 and the second motor 26.
[0030] The second motor 26 is preferably an external rotor motor, and the wheel rim 22 is fitted onto the rotor of the second motor 26. When the second motor 26 is started, the wheel rim 22 rotates around the second axis X2 along with the second motor 26, and the direction of the item's forward movement is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second axis X2. In this embodiment, the second motor 26 is rotatably mounted in a bracket 28, preferably with an opening at the top of the bracket 28, through which the wheel rim 22 extends at least partially beyond the bracket 28. During transport, the item is driven forward by rolling friction with the wheel rim 22.
[0031] The first motor 24 is preferably an external rotor motor, which is connected to the bracket 28 via a drive shaft 28, driving the bracket 28 and the second motor 26 mounted on the bracket 28 to rotate together around a first axis X1. The first axis X1 typically extends vertically and is perpendicular to the second axis X2. When the wheel rim 22 rotates around the first axis X1, its axis of rotation, i.e., the second axis X2, deflects at a certain angle relative to the length and / or width of the roller array 20, thereby changing the direction of movement of the items and realizing automatic diversion of the items.
[0032] In one embodiment, the support 28 is constructed as a hexagonal columnar structure, and the sides of the supports 28 of adjacent rollers 20 can be spliced face to face to form a structure similar to the surface of a soccer ball (see...). Figure 2 This design eliminates the gaps between the supports 28 of each roller 20, maximizing space utilization. This not only allows for a denser arrangement of the rollers 20, facilitating rapid transport of items, but also enables each roller 20 to be positioned relative to the others, simplifying assembly. It should be understood that the supports 28 can also be of other shapes, and gaps can exist between the supports 28; this application does not impose any limitations on this.
[0033] It should be noted that the above embodiments only illustrate preferred embodiments of this application, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting this application. It should be pointed out that those skilled in the art can make several modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, such as combining different features in various embodiments, and these should all fall within the protection scope of this application.
Claims
1. A roller conveying device, comprising a plurality of rollers and a controller for controlling the operation of the plurality of rollers, characterized in that, Each roller includes a rim and a first motor for driving the rim to deflect around a first axis; the controller includes a grouping module for grouping the plurality of rollers into multiple roller groups, each roller group including multiple rollers; the control terminal of the first motor of each roller is electrically connected to the controller, and the rims of the multiple rollers in each roller group deflect synchronously around the first axis under the action of the controller.
2. The roller conveying device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Under the control of the controller, the number of roller groups can be varied, and / or the number of rollers in each roller group can be varied.
3. The roller conveying device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rollers are arranged in an array, and the grouping module groups the rollers by row or by column.
4. The roller conveying device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the rollers is equipped with a sensor, which is used to sense whether there is an object on the roller and to feed back the sensing result to the controller.
5. The roller conveying device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Each of the rollers further includes a second motor embedded in the rim, the second motor being used to drive the rim to rotate around a second axis, and the controller being electrically connected to the control terminal of the first motor.
6. The roller conveying device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The second motor is rotatably mounted in the bracket, and the first motor is connected to the bracket in a transmission manner, thereby driving the bracket and the second motor to deflect together around the first axis, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis.
7. The roller conveying device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Both the first motor and the second motor are external rotor motors.
8. The roller conveying device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The bracket is a hexagonal columnar structure, and the brackets of two adjacent rollers are spliced together face to face.