A scalable cubby sorting device

Abstract

The application discloses a three-dimensional sorting equipment with extensible grid ports, comprising: a three-dimensional sorting machine, comprising one or more lifting modules; a plurality of extension grid port assemblies adapted to dock with multiple layers of grid ports, distributed on both sides of the three-dimensional sorting machine, the extension grid port assembly comprising a buffer position conveying line and a linear module conveying line corresponding to each layer of grid ports, each layer of grid ports comprising multiple rows and columns of grid ports; an automatic package supply table arranged on either side of the three-dimensional sorting machine, adapted to identify the goods information of goods and deliver the goods to the lifting module, so that the lifting module sorts the goods to the linear module conveying line of the corresponding extension grid port assembly for conveying or the buffer position conveying line for buffering, and the linear module conveying line is adapted to drive the goods to move linearly in the horizontal direction to deliver the goods to the target grid port. The application can increase the grid port extensibility in the width direction under the condition that the length of the three-dimensional sorting machine remains unchanged, and can sort goods in the width direction, realizing more efficient and intensive goods sorting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automation technology, and in particular to a three-dimensional sorting device with expandable slots. Background Technology

[0002] Existing automated sorting systems (AS / RS) can only increase or decrease the number of rows and layers of compartments along the length and height of the machine. They cannot expand the compartments in the width direction for sorting, resulting in a limited number of compartments and low density. This makes them unsuitable for dense sorting scenarios and leads to low sorting efficiency. Therefore, it is urgent to find a solution that allows for expanding the compartments along the width of the existing AS / RS while maintaining its length, thus achieving more efficient and denser sorting.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to provide a new, scalable, three-dimensional sorting device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Application content

[0004] To address this, the present invention provides a three-dimensional sorting device with expandable grids to solve or at least alleviate the problems mentioned above.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a three-dimensional sorting device with scalable slots is provided, comprising: An automated sorting machine includes one or more lifting modules; Multiple extended grid components are distributed on both sides of the three-dimensional sorting machine. Each extended grid component is adapted to connect to multiple grids, and the extended grid component includes a buffer position conveyor line and a linear module conveyor line corresponding to each grid layer. Each grid layer includes multiple rows and columns of grids. One or more automatic bag feeders are arranged on either side of the three-dimensional sorting machine, which are adapted to identify the product information of the goods and deliver the goods to the lifting module so that the lifting module can sort the goods to the linear module conveyor line of the corresponding extended grid component for conveying or to the buffer position conveyor line for buffering. The linear module conveyor line is adapted to drive the goods to move in a straight line in the horizontal direction so as to transport the goods to the target compartment corresponding to the goods information. The target compartment is any compartment in the layer corresponding to the linear module conveyor line.

[0006] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting equipment according to the present invention, the linear module conveyor line includes: a linear module arranged in a first horizontal direction; a shuttle car installed on the linear module, the lifting module being adapted to sort the goods onto the shuttle car of the linear module conveyor line, the shuttle car being adapted to move linearly along the first horizontal direction under the driving action of the linear module, so as to move the goods to the target grid and deliver the goods into the target grid.

[0007] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting equipment according to the present invention, the linear module includes: a linear guide rail arranged along a first horizontal direction, on which the shuttle is slidably mounted; and a motor connected to the shuttle via a transmission assembly, adapted to drive the shuttle to move linearly along the linear guide rail to the target grid, so that the shuttle delivers the goods into the target grid.

[0008] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting device according to the present invention, the shuttle includes a roller driver, an electric roller, and a conveyor belt connected in sequence, and the goods are adapted to be placed on the conveyor belt; the roller driver is adapted to drive the electric roller to rotate, so as to drive the conveyor belt to move along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, so as to deliver the goods into the target grid.

[0009] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting equipment according to the present invention, the buffer position conveyor line includes: a buffer position frame; and a buffer cart, installed on the buffer position frame, adapted to buffer the goods and adapted to deliver the goods to the linear module conveyor line.

[0010] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting equipment according to the present invention, when the linear module conveyor line of the corresponding expandable grid component is conveying the current goods, the lifting module is adapted to sort the goods to the corresponding buffer car for buffering; after the linear module conveyor line has finished conveying the current goods, the buffer car is adapted to deliver the buffered goods to the linear module conveyor line for conveying.

[0011] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting device according to the present invention, the expandable grid assembly further includes chutes corresponding to each grid, the chutes being used to guide goods into the corresponding grid; the linear module conveyor line is adapted to deliver the goods to the chutes corresponding to the target grid, so as to guide the goods into the target grid via the chutes corresponding to the target grid.

[0012] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting device according to the present invention, each grid layer includes two columns of grids arranged on both sides of the corresponding linear module conveyor line, and each column of grids includes a plurality of grids evenly arranged along a first horizontal direction.

[0013] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting equipment according to the present invention, the three-dimensional sorting machine further includes a horizontally arranged enclosed track, with multiple expandable grid components distributed on both sides of the enclosed track; the one or more lifting modules are installed on the enclosed track, adapted to move horizontally along the enclosed track, and adapted to drive the goods to move up and down, so as to sort the goods to the linear module conveyor line of the corresponding expandable grid component for conveying or to the buffer position conveyor line for buffering.

[0014] Optionally, the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting equipment according to the present invention further includes: a control system adapted to acquire the product information uploaded by the automatic package feeding station, determine the target grid corresponding to the product information, and control the lifting module to sort the product to the linear module conveyor line of the expandable grid component corresponding to the target grid for conveying or to the buffer position conveyor line for buffering.

[0015] Optionally, in the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting device according to the present invention, the expandable grid component further includes: an expandable grid RFID reader, adapted to identify and read the tag information of each grid in the multi-layer grid to which the expandable grid component is connected, so as to record the position of each grid; and an expandable grid indicator light, adapted to indicate the grid status of each grid in the multi-layer grid to which the expandable grid component is connected, the grid status including unbound, bound, idle, full box, and sorting completed.

[0016] According to the technical solution of the present invention, an expandable grid-type three-dimensional sorting device is provided. Multiple expandable grid components for connecting to multi-layer grids are arranged on both sides of the three-dimensional sorting machine. Each expandable grid component includes a buffer conveyor line and a linear module conveyor line corresponding to each grid layer. During product sorting, the automatic packaging station first delivers the products to the lifting module of the three-dimensional sorting machine. The lifting module then sorts the products to the linear module conveyor line of the corresponding expandable grid component, and subsequently transports the products to the target grid corresponding to the product information via the linear module conveyor line. While the linear module conveyor line is transporting products, the lifting module sorts the products to the corresponding buffer conveyor line for buffering. Based on this, the grid expandability in the width direction can be increased without changing the length of the three-dimensional sorting machine, and products can be sorted along the width direction, thereby achieving more efficient and denser product sorting.

[0017] Furthermore, by setting up a buffer conveyor line, the present invention can increase the buffer space in the goods sorting process to cope with the situation where goods cannot be sorted in time, thereby improving sorting efficiency.

[0018] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and in order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention are described below. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in conjunction with the following description and accompanying drawings. These aspects indicate various ways in which the principles disclosed herein may be practiced, and all aspects and their equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed subject matter. The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout this disclosure, the same reference numerals generally refer to the same parts or elements.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an expandable grid-type three-dimensional sorting device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 An exemplary schematic diagram of a three-dimensional sorting device 100 with expandable grids according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 , Figure 4 Schematic diagrams of the extended grid assembly 150 according to embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a linear module conveyor line 151 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a shuttle 1514 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a buffer bit transport line 152 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 A partial structural schematic diagram of an extended grid assembly 150 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0022] To address the problems of existing 3D sorting equipment being unable to expand its compartments in the width direction for sorting goods and having low sorting efficiency, this invention proposes a 3D sorting equipment with expandable compartments. By setting up expandable compartment components, the 3D sorter first sorts the goods to the expandable compartment components, and then the expandable compartment components sort the goods to the corresponding compartments. In this way, the expandability of the compartments in the width direction can be increased without changing the length of the 3D sorter, and goods can be sorted along the width direction, thereby achieving more efficient and denser goods sorting.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an expandable grid three-dimensional sorting device 100 provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, in an embodiment of the present invention, the expandable grid-type automated sorting equipment 100 includes at least an automated sorting machine 120, a plurality of expandable grid components 150, and one or more automatic bag feeders 110. The automatic bag feeders 110 can be arranged on either side of the automated sorting machine 120. If the expandable grid-type automated sorting equipment 100 includes a plurality of automatic bag feeders 110 (e.g., ...), the equipment can be further configured to accommodate multiple automatic bag feeders 110. Figure 1 The diagram shows four automatic bag feeders 110, which can be distributed on both sides (opposite sides) of the automated sorting machine 120. The automatic bag feeders 110 receive goods (which can be placed manually on the automatic bag feeders 110) and identify the goods' information. After identifying the goods' information, the automatic bag feeders 110 provide the goods to the automated sorting machine 120, which sorts the goods to the corresponding extended slot assembly 150. The extended slot assembly 150 then further transports and sorts the goods to the corresponding target slots.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of extended grid assemblies 150 are distributed on both sides of the automated sorting machine 120. It should be noted that... Figure 1The present invention exemplarily shows only six extended slot assembly 150 distributed on both sides of the automated sorting machine 120, but does not limit the specific number of extended slot assembly 150. Each extended slot assembly 150 can connect to a set of slots (including multi-layer slots), that is, each extended slot assembly 150 can connect to multiple layers of slots (i.e., multiple layers of slots arranged along the height direction of the automated sorting machine 120). Each extended slot assembly 150 is used for conveying and sorting goods between the multi-layer slots it connects to. Each layer of slots includes multiple rows and columns of slots (i.e., multiple rows and columns of slots arranged along the width and length directions of the automated sorting machine 120). Goods can be conveyed to any slot in the multi-layer slots it connects to through the extended slot assembly 150, so that the goods can be sorted to the target slot. Thus, it is possible to expand the slots in the height, length, and width directions of the automated sorting machine 120, achieving three-dimensional expansion and greatly increasing the number and density of slots (the number and density of slots can be doubled).

[0026] Figure 2 An exemplary schematic diagram of a three-dimensional sorting device 100 with expandable grids according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 The image shows a three-dimensional sorting machine 120 with the shortest length that conforms to the technical solution of this invention. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment, each side of the shortest 3D sorting machine 120 can be configured with an automatic bag feeder 110 and an expansion slot assembly 150. That is, the 3D sorting device 100 with expandable slots can include two expansion slot assemblies 150 and two automatic bag feeders 110. The two expansion slot assemblies 150 are respectively arranged on both sides of the 3D sorting machine 120, and the two automatic bag feeders 110 are respectively arranged on both sides of the 3D sorting machine 120. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to... Figure 2 The specific structure of the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting device 100 shown in the figure.

[0027] Figure 3 , Figure 4 Schematic diagrams of the extended grid assembly 150 according to embodiments of the present invention are shown respectively. Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the extended grid assembly 150 includes a buffer conveyor line 152 and a linear module conveyor line 151 corresponding to each grid layer (each grid layer to which the extended grid assembly 150 is connected). That is, the extended grid assembly 150 is provided with a buffer conveyor line 152 and a linear module conveyor line 151 at each grid layer it is connected to. The linear module conveyor line 151 is used for conveying and sorting goods between its corresponding grid layers. Goods can be conveyed to any grid within the corresponding grid layer via the linear module conveyor line 151. The buffer conveyor line 152 is used to buffer goods. In some embodiments, for each extended grid assembly 150, a corresponding buffer conveyor line 152 and a linear module conveyor line 151 can be provided at one end of each grid layer to which the extended grid assembly 150 is connected (the end closer to the automated sorting machine 120).

[0028] According to embodiments of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the automated sorting machine 120 includes one or more lifting modules 125, through which goods can be transported and sorted to corresponding extended slot components 150. Specifically, in the goods sorting process of the automated sorting equipment 100 with extended slots according to the present invention, the automatic feeding station 110 first receives the goods and identifies the goods information. Then, the automatic feeding station 110 can deliver the goods to any lifting module 125, and then the lifting module 125 can transport the goods and sort them to the linear module conveyor line 151 or buffer position conveyor line 152 (the linear module conveyor line 151 or buffer position conveyor line 152 of the corresponding layer) of the extended slot component 150, so that the goods can continue to be transported by the linear module conveyor line 151 or the goods can be buffered by the buffer position conveyor line 152. It should be noted that when the linear module conveyor line 151 of the corresponding extended grid component 150 is not conveying goods (idle state), the lifting module 125 can sort the goods to the linear module conveyor line 151 so that the goods can continue to be conveyed through the linear module conveyor line 151. When the linear module conveyor line 151 of the corresponding extended grid component 150 is conveying the current goods, the lifting module 125 can sort the goods to the corresponding buffer position conveyor line 152 for buffering to prevent the goods from not being sorted in time, thereby improving sorting efficiency; and then, after the linear module conveyor line 151 has finished conveying the current goods, the buffer position conveyor line 152 can deliver its buffered goods to the linear module conveyor line 151 for conveying.

[0029] After the linear module conveyor line 151 receives the goods (goods from the lifting module 125 or the buffer conveyor line 152), the linear module conveyor line 151 can drive the goods to move linearly in the horizontal direction (perpendicular to the length direction of the automated sorting machine 120) so as to transport the goods to the target compartment corresponding to the goods information. It should be understood that the target compartment is any compartment in the layer corresponding to the linear module conveyor line 151.

[0030] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the automated sorting machine 120 also includes a horizontally arranged enclosed track 121 (specifically, it may include two enclosed tracks 121, one above the other, to improve the overall structural stability), and multiple extended slot components 150 are distributed on both sides of the enclosed track 121. One or more lifting modules 125 are installed on the enclosed track 121 and can move horizontally along the enclosed track 121. Furthermore, each lifting module 125 can drive the goods to move up and down along its own track (moving vertically). Based on this, the lifting modules 125 can sort the goods to the corresponding extended slot component 150's linear module conveyor line 151 for transport or to the buffer position conveyor line 152 for buffering. It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the specific structure of the lifting module 125. Any lifting module 125 that can move horizontally along the enclosed track 121 and drive the goods to move up and down along its own track is within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a linear module conveyor line 151 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0032] In some embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown, the linear module conveyor line 151 includes a linear module 1513 and a shuttle 1514 mounted on the linear module 1513. The lifting module 125 can sort goods onto the shuttle 1514 of the linear module conveyor line 151.

[0033] The linear module 1513 is arranged along a first horizontal direction (perpendicular to the length direction of the automated sorting machine 120). The linear module 1513 can drive the shuttle 1514 to move linearly along the first horizontal direction where the linear module 1513 is located, so that the shuttle 1514 can move the goods to the target compartment and deliver the goods into the target compartment. In other words, the shuttle 1514 can move linearly along the first horizontal direction under the driving action of the linear module 1513, so as to move the goods to the target compartment and deliver the goods into the target compartment.

[0034] Specifically, the linear module 1513 includes a motor, a transmission assembly, and a linear guide rail arranged along a first horizontal direction. A shuttle 1514 is slidably mounted on the linear guide rail. The motor is connected to the shuttle 1514 via the transmission assembly, thereby driving the shuttle 1514 (and the goods) to move linearly along the linear guide rail. This allows the shuttle 1514 to move the goods to the target compartment, whereby the shuttle 1514 can deliver the goods into the target compartment. Here, the invention is not limited to the transmission method and specific transmission structure of the transmission assembly. In some embodiments, the transmission assembly can be implemented as a lead screw drive assembly or a synchronous belt drive assembly.

[0035] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a shuttle 1514 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0036] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 As shown, the shuttle 1514 includes a roller driver, two electric rollers, and a conveyor belt connected in sequence. Goods can be placed horizontally on the conveyor belt. When the shuttle 1514 moves the goods to the target compartment, the roller driver drives the electric rollers to rotate, which in turn drives the conveyor belt (and the goods on the conveyor belt) to move along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, so as to deliver the goods on the conveyor belt into the target compartment. Here, the second horizontal direction is also the length direction of the automated sorting machine 120.

[0037] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, each layer of the grid (each layer of the multi-layer grid connected to the extended grid assembly 150) includes two rows of grids arranged on both sides of the corresponding linear module conveyor line 151 (linear module 1513). Each row of grids includes multiple grids evenly arranged along a first horizontal direction (perpendicular to the length direction of the automated sorting machine 120). Based on this, each layer of grids only needs to be equipped with one linear module conveyor line 151 to deliver goods to the two rows of grids located on both sides of the linear module conveyor line 151 (linear module 1513). Here, the roller driver can drive the electric roller to rotate forward or backward, and the electric roller can drive the conveyor belt (and the goods on the conveyor belt) to move forward or backward along a second horizontal direction, thereby enabling the delivery of goods on the conveyor belt to either grid on both sides.

[0038] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a buffer bit transport line 152 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 7As shown, the buffer conveyor line 152 includes a buffer rack 1523 and a buffer cart 1524 mounted on the buffer rack 1523. The buffer cart 1524 is used to buffer goods and can deliver the buffered goods to the linear module conveyor line 151. In a specific embodiment, each layer of the multi-layer grid connected to the extended grid assembly 150 can correspond to one buffer cart 1524. Multiple buffer carts 1524 corresponding to multiple layers of grids can share one buffer rack 1523, that is, the buffer rack 1523 can be equipped with a buffer cart 1524 corresponding to each layer of grids.

[0040] It should be noted that the buffer car 1524 has a similar structure to the shuttle car 1514 in the above embodiment, in order to deliver goods. The specific structure of the buffer car 1524 will not be described here.

[0041] In this embodiment, when the linear module conveyor line 151 of the corresponding extended grid component 150 is conveying the current product, the lifting module 125 can sort the product to the corresponding buffer cart 1524 for buffering to prevent products from being unable to be sorted in time, thereby improving sorting efficiency. After the linear module conveyor line 151 has finished conveying the current product, the buffer cart 1524 can deliver its buffered products to the linear module conveyor line 151 (shuttle 1514) for conveying. The linear module conveyor line 151 can drive the products to move in a straight line in the horizontal direction so as to transport the products to the target grid corresponding to the product information.

[0042] It should be noted that after the linear module conveyor line 151 finishes conveying the current goods, the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting equipment 100 (control system) can first determine whether there are goods on the corresponding buffer position conveyor line 152 (buffer car 1524) of the linear module conveyor line 151. If there are goods on the corresponding buffer position conveyor line 152 (buffer car 1524), the linear module conveyor line 151 can be controlled to prioritize receiving the goods on the buffer position conveyor line 152 (buffer car 1524) for conveying.

[0043] Thus, by setting up a buffer conveyor line 152, the present invention can increase the buffer space in the goods sorting process to cope with the situation where the goods cannot be sorted in time, thereby improving sorting efficiency.

[0044] Figure 8 A partial structural schematic diagram of an extended grid assembly 150 according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0045] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8As shown, the extended grid assembly 150 also includes an extended grid frame 154 and chutes 153 corresponding to each grid (each grid in the multi-layer grid to which the extended grid assembly 150 is connected). The chutes 153 corresponding to each grid can be installed on the extended grid frame 154. Each grid corresponds to one chute 153. The chutes 153 are used to guide goods into the corresponding grid. Based on this, the linear module conveyor line 151 (shuttle 1514) can deliver the goods it is conveying to the chutes 153 corresponding to the target grid, so that the goods are guided into the target grid via the chutes 153 corresponding to the target grid.

[0046] In some embodiments, the expandable grid three-dimensional sorting equipment 100 also includes a control system. The automatic feeding station 110 can upload the product information of the identified products to the control system. After the control system obtains the product information uploaded by the automatic feeding station 110, it can determine the target grid corresponding to the product information. Then, it can control the lifting module 125 to sort the products to the linear module conveyor line 151 of the expandable grid component 150 corresponding to the target grid for conveying or to the buffer position conveyor line 152 for buffering.

[0047] In some embodiments, product information includes product SKU information (the smallest unit code used to identify and manage products).

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the multi-layered grids of the extended grid assembly 150 can be achieved by multiple material frame carts distributed on both sides of the linear module conveyor line 151 (linear module 1513). Each material frame cart includes multiple material frames distributed across multiple layers, with each material frame equivalent to a grid. The multi-layered grids of the extended grid assembly 150 can be formed by pushing multiple material frame carts into the extended grid assembly 150. Based on this, grids can be easily added or removed, facilitating grid expansion.

[0049] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, the extended grid assembly 150 also includes an extended grid RFID reader / writer 156 and an extended grid indicator light 157. The extended grid RFID reader / writer 156 is used to identify and read the tag information of each grid (material frame) in the multi-layer grid that the extended grid assembly 150 is connected to, so as to record the position of each grid. For example, when a material frame cart is pushed into the extended grid assembly 150, the extended grid RFID reader / writer 156 of the extended grid assembly 150 can identify and read the tag information of each material frame (grid) in the material frame cart, so as to record the position of each material frame.

[0050] The extended compartment indicator light 157 is used to indicate the compartment status of each compartment in the multi-layer compartments connected to the extended compartment assembly 150. The compartment status includes unbound, bound, idle, full box, and sorting completed.

[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an expandable grid-type three-dimensional sorting device 100 is provided on both sides of the three-dimensional sorting machine, which is used to connect to multiple layers of grids. Each expandable grid-type component includes a buffer conveyor line and a linear module conveyor line corresponding to each layer of grids. During product sorting, the automatic packaging station first delivers the products to the lifting module of the three-dimensional sorting machine, and then the lifting module sorts the products to the linear module conveyor line of the corresponding expandable grid-type component. The linear module conveyor line then transports the products to the target grid in the corresponding layer of grids. While the linear module conveyor line is transporting products, the lifting module sorts the products to the corresponding buffer conveyor line for buffering. Based on this, the grid expandability in the width direction can be increased without changing the length of the three-dimensional sorting machine, and products can be sorted along the width direction, thereby achieving more efficient and denser product sorting.

[0052] Furthermore, by setting up a buffer conveyor line, the present invention can increase the buffer space in the goods sorting process to cope with the situation where goods cannot be sorted in time, thereby improving sorting efficiency.

[0053] In this specification, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. Furthermore, the terms "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "top," "bottom," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or unit referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention.

[0054] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0055] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to streamline this disclosure and aid in understanding one or more of the various aspects of the applications, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, this method of disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0056] Those skilled in the art will understand that modules, units, or components of the devices disclosed in the examples herein can be arranged in the devices described in this embodiment, or alternatively, can be located in one or more devices different from the devices in this example. The modules in the foregoing examples can be combined into a single module or, in addition, can be divided into multiple sub-modules.

[0057] Those skilled in the art will understand that modules in the device of the embodiments can be adaptively changed and placed in one or more devices different from that embodiment. Modules, units, or components in the embodiments can be combined into a single module, unit, or component, and further, they can be divided into multiple sub-modules, sub-units, or sub-components. Except where at least some of such features and / or processes or units are mutually exclusive, any combination can be used to combine all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or device so disclosed. Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0058] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments.

[0059] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe ordinary objects merely indicates different instances of similar objects and is not intended to imply that the objects being described must have a given order in time, space, ordering, or any other manner.

[0060] Although the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand from the foregoing description that other embodiments are conceivable within the scope of the invention described herein. Furthermore, it should be noted that the language used in this specification has been chosen primarily for readability and edibility purposes, and not for the purpose of interpreting or limiting the subject matter of the invention. Therefore, many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. The disclosure of the invention is illustrative rather than restrictive, and the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An expandable grid-type three-dimensional sorting device, comprising: An automated sorting machine includes one or more lifting modules; Multiple extended grid components are distributed on both sides of the three-dimensional sorting machine. Each extended grid component is adapted to connect to multiple grids, and the extended grid component includes a buffer position conveyor line and a linear module conveyor line corresponding to each grid layer. Each grid layer includes multiple rows and columns of grids. One or more automatic bag feeders are arranged on either side of the three-dimensional sorting machine, which are adapted to identify the product information of the goods and deliver the goods to the lifting module so that the lifting module can sort the goods to the linear module conveyor line of the corresponding extended grid component for conveying or to the buffer position conveyor line for buffering. The linear module conveyor line is adapted to drive the goods to move in a straight line in the horizontal direction so as to transport the goods to the target compartment corresponding to the goods information. The target compartment is any compartment in the layer corresponding to the linear module conveyor line.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The linear module conveyor line includes: Linear modules arranged in the first horizontal direction; A shuttle car is installed on the linear module. The lifting module is adapted to sort the goods onto the shuttle car on the linear module conveyor line. The shuttle car is adapted to move linearly along the first horizontal direction under the driving action of the linear module, so as to move the goods to the target compartment and deliver the goods into the target compartment.

3. The device as described in claim 2, wherein, The linear module includes: A linear guide rail is arranged along a first horizontal direction, and the shuttle is slidably mounted on the linear guide rail; The motor is connected to the shuttle car via a transmission assembly and is adapted to drive the shuttle car to move linearly along the linear guide rail to the target compartment, so that the shuttle car can deliver the goods into the target compartment.

4. The device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein, The shuttle includes a roller driver, an electric roller, and a conveyor belt connected in sequence, and the goods are suitable for being placed on the conveyor belt. The roller driver is adapted to drive the electric roller to rotate, thereby causing the conveyor belt to move along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, so as to deliver the goods into the target compartment.

5. The device as described in any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The buffer bit transmission line includes: Cache rack; A buffer cart, installed on the buffer rack, is adapted to buffer the goods and to deliver the goods to the linear module conveyor line.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein, When the linear module conveyor line of the corresponding extended grid component is conveying the current goods, the lifting module is adapted to sort the goods into the corresponding buffer car for buffering. After the current goods have been transported by the linear module conveyor line, the buffer car is adapted to deliver the goods it has buffered to the linear module conveyor line for transport.

7. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The extended compartment assembly also includes a slide groove corresponding to each compartment, the slide groove being used to guide goods into the corresponding compartment; The linear module conveyor line is adapted to deliver the goods to the chute corresponding to the target compartment, so as to guide the goods into the target compartment via the chute corresponding to the target compartment.

8. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, wherein, Each layer of the grid includes two columns of grids arranged on both sides of the corresponding linear module conveyor line, and each column of grids includes multiple grids evenly arranged along the first horizontal direction.

9. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The three-dimensional sorting machine also includes a horizontally arranged enclosed track, with multiple extended compartment components distributed on both sides of the enclosed track; The one or more lifting modules are installed on the enclosed track, adapted to move horizontally along the enclosed track, and adapted to drive the goods to move up and down, so as to sort the goods to the corresponding extended compartment assembly's linear module conveyor line for conveying or to the buffer position conveyor line for buffering.

10. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-9, wherein, Also includes: The control system is adapted to acquire the product information uploaded by the automatic bag feeding station, determine the target compartment corresponding to the product information, and control the lifting module to sort the product to the linear module conveyor line of the extended compartment component corresponding to the target compartment for conveying or to the buffer position conveyor line for buffering.

11. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, wherein, The extended grid component also includes: An extended grid RFID reader is adapted to identify and read the tag information of each grid in the multi-layer grid to which the extended grid component is connected, so as to record the position of each grid. Extended compartment indicator lights are adapted to indicate the compartment status of each compartment in the multi-layered compartments to which the extended compartment assembly is connected, including unbound, bound, idle, full box, and sorting completed.

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