Preliminary sorting-based express box orienting device and automatic sorting system

Abstract

An express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting is used for enabling labels of express boxes to automatically face the scanning direction. The device comprises a first conveying mechanism, a second conveying mechanism, a detecting mechanism and an orienting mechanism. According to the orienting device, the first conveying mechanism is used for dispersing and orderly arranging and conveying the disorderly stacked express boxes at intervals, so that the conveying, detecting and positioning efficiency is greatly improved; the detection mechanism is used for recognizing the labels on the outer surfaces of the express boxes on the second conveying mechanism, the orientation mechanism is used for conducting orientation adjustment and orientation adjustment on the express boxes till the surfaces, with the labels, of the express boxes face the scanning direction, and full-automatic ordered positioning of the express boxes and automatic scanning of the labels are achieved. According to the orienting device, disorderly stacked express boxes are automatically and preliminarily sorted into identification labels to be conveyed in the on-plane unified orientation, the cost of sorting equipment can be reduced, the use and maintenance technical threshold of the sorting equipment can be lowered, and the sorting speed and the accuracy rate are increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of logistics sorting, and particularly relates to an express box part orientation device based on preliminary sorting. Background Technique

[0002] With the rapid growth of urban and rural express delivery services in China, the automatic sorting technology and equipment for express items have also developed rapidly. Currently, the general automation level achieved on the automatic sorting line is that express items with identification labels pasted on the outer packaging are automatically diverted into the goods collection box / collection bag after the information is extracted by scanning with a scanning gun on the sorting line, and then are transported to their respective destinations. For the items that are randomly stacked after being collected from the receiving and dispatching points and unloaded at the sorting center, in order to enable the scanning operator to quickly scan the identification label on the express item with a hand-held scanning gun or a scanning gun fixedly installed on the sorting line, the express items must be presented in a non-sticky, discrete state, and the packaging surface with the identification label facing the scanning gun. This is the preliminary sorting link in logistics. However, the automation and intelligence of the above preliminary sorting link are the weakest bottlenecks in the operation of logistics sorting.

[0003] Although some large logistics centers have applied the "six-sided scanning" equipment, which can automatically scan the identification label no matter which surface of the item packaging it is pasted on, this kind of large equipment has a large investment, occupies a large area, has a low running speed, is limited by the form of goods, and has a low recognition accuracy.

[0004] The preliminary sorting of goods by the vast majority of logistics enterprises still uses a large amount of manual and high-intensity operations to separate the randomly stacked items and turn their identification surfaces towards the direction of the scanning gun, resulting in high labor costs and low efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, in order to improve the sorting speed and efficiency, it is urgent to provide a preliminary sorting method and device that can automatically orient express items. Content of the Utility Model

[0006] The embodiment of the utility model provides an express box part orientation device based on preliminary sorting, which can automatically separate randomly stacked express items and make the side with the identification label automatically face the direction of the scanning gun, realizing automatic sorting operation, greatly reducing the labor input, and having a fast speed and high efficiency.

[0007] On the one hand, an express box part orientation device based on preliminary sorting provided by the present application is used to automatically face the label sticker of the express box part towards the scanning direction. The device includes:

[0008] A first conveying mechanism that automatically separates the randomly stacked express box parts and conveys the express box parts in an orderly and spaced arrangement;

[0009] A second conveying mechanism, connected to the first conveying mechanism and used for conveying the express box parts;

[0010] A detection mechanism to identify whether a label sticker is attached to the outer surface of the express box passing through the second conveying mechanism; and

[0011] An orientation mechanism is arranged on the second conveying mechanism and adjusts the orientation and direction of the express box according to the position of the label sticker identified by the detection mechanism, so that the surface of each express box with the label sticker faces the scanning direction.

[0012] On the one hand, an automatic sorting system provided by the present application includes an orientation device and a main sorting conveyor mechanism connected to the orientation device. The orientation device is the express box orientation device based on preliminary sorting as described above, and the second conveying mechanism is arranged between the first conveying mechanism and the main sorting conveyor mechanism.

[0013] The express box orientation device based on preliminary sorting provided by the present application uses the first conveying mechanism to discretely and orderly arrange the randomly stacked express boxes at intervals for conveying, greatly improving the conveying, detection, and positioning efficiency; uses the detection mechanism to identify and judge the label sticker on the outer surface of the express box on the second conveying mechanism, and according to whether the label sticker on the outer surface of the express box is identified, uses the orientation mechanism to adjust the orientation and direction of the express box until the surface of the express box with the label sticker faces the scanning direction, realizing fully automatic orderly positioning of the express box and automatic scanning of the label sticker. This orientation device automatically preliminarily sorts the randomly stacked express boxes so that the surfaces with identification labels face the same direction for conveying. Only one scanning direction needs to be fixed on the sorting conveyor belt to read the detailed information of the identification code on the label sticker, which can reduce the cost of sorting equipment and the technical threshold for the use and maintenance of sorting equipment, and improve the sorting speed and accuracy. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an express box orientation device based on preliminary sorting provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an orientation mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 is a schematic connection structure diagram of an express box orientation device based on preliminary sorting provided by another embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an express box provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic implementation process diagram of the adjustment of each surface of an express box provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the result of the roll - over mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of the rotation mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 8 It is a schematic structural diagram of the rotation mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of the express box - piece orientation method based on preliminary sorting provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of the express box - piece orientation method based on preliminary sorting provided by another embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the implementation process of the express box - piece orientation method based on preliminary sorting provided by yet another embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals:

[0026] 100 Express box - piece 60 Detection mechanism

[0027] 101 First surface 62 Identification device

[0028] 102 Second surface 620 First identification device

[0029] 103 Third surface 622 Second identification device

[0030] 104 Fourth surface 624 Third identification device

[0031] 105 Fifth surface 626 Fourth identification device

[0032] 106 Sixth surface 628 Fifth identification device

[0033] 20 First conveyor mechanism 64 Photoelectric sensor

[0034] 22 Dispersion conveyor 66 Controller

[0035] 24 Separation conveyor 80 Orientation mechanism

[0036] 26 Centering conveyor 82 Flipping mechanism

[0037] 40 Second conveyor mechanism 820 Flap

[0038] 42 Side wall 822 Rotating shaft

[0039] 44 Conveying main body 824 Pushing mechanism

[0040] 46 Concave area 84 Rotating mechanism

[0041] 50 First detection area 840 Bracket

[0042] 52 Second detection area 842 Rotating mechanism

[0043] 54 Third detection area 8420 First rotating shaft

[0044] 56 Fourth detection area 8422 First motor

[0045] 70 Scanning gun 844 Lifting mechanism

[0046] 90 Main sorting and conveying mechanism 8440 Second rotating shaft

[0047] 8442 Second motor

[0048] 8444 Support plate

[0049] 86 Bottom turning mechanism Detailed implementation manners

[0050] In order to make the utility model purpose, features and advantages of the utility model more obvious and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the utility model, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0051] Please refer to Figures 1 to 8 , Figure 1 and Figure 3 which are the structural schematic diagrams of the express box part orientation device based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiments of the present utility model. The express box part 100 orientation device based on preliminary sorting is used to automatically orient the label sticker of the express box part 100 towards the scanning direction. For the convenience of description, only the parts related to the embodiments of the present utility model are shown. As Figure 1 shown, the express box part 100 orientation device based on preliminary sorting includes a first conveying mechanism 20, a second conveying mechanism 40, a detection mechanism 60 and an orientation mechanism 80.

[0052] The first conveying mechanism 20 is used to automatically separate the disorderly stacked express box parts 100 and convey the express box parts 100 in an orderly and spaced arrangement;

[0053] The second conveying mechanism 40 is connected to the first conveying mechanism 20 and is used for conveying the express box 100;

[0054] The detection mechanism 60 is used to identify whether a label sticker is attached to the outer surface of the express box 100 passing through the second conveying mechanism 40; and

[0055] The orientation mechanism 80 is arranged on the second conveying mechanism 40, and performs azimuth adjustment and orientation on the express box 100 according to the position of the label sticker identified by the detection mechanism 60, so that the surface where the label sticker is attached to each express box 100 faces the scanning direction.

[0056] The orientation device for the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present invention uses the first conveying mechanism 20 to convey the randomly stacked express boxes 100 in a discrete and orderly spaced arrangement, greatly improving the conveying, detection and positioning efficiency; uses the detection mechanism 60 to identify and judge the label sticker on the outer surface of the express box 100 on the second conveying mechanism 40, and according to whether the label sticker on the outer surface of the express box 100 is recognized, uses the orientation mechanism 80 to perform azimuth adjustment and orientation adjustment on the express box 100 until the surface of the express box 100 with the label sticker attached faces the scanning direction, realizing fully automatic orderly positioning of the express box 100 and automatic scanning of the label sticker. This orientation device automatically preliminarily sorts the randomly stacked express boxes 100 so that the surfaces with the identification labels face the same direction during conveying. Only one scanning direction needs to be fixed on the sorting conveyor belt to read the detailed information of the identification code on the label sticker, which can reduce the cost of the sorting equipment and the technical threshold for the use and maintenance of the sorting equipment, and improve the sorting speed and accuracy.

[0057] In this embodiment, the express box 100 can be a box-shaped object with six outer surfaces, or an irregular polyhedron object, or a flat rigid or soft object. For the convenience of describing the structure of the orientation device for the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting, the express box 100 will be described as a hexahedron box-shaped object as an example, but it is not limited to the structural shape of the protected express box 100.

[0058] In this embodiment, the second conveying mechanism 40 can be a belt-type conveyor mechanism or a roller-type conveyor mechanism.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first conveyor mechanism 20 is connected to the second conveyor mechanism 40. The express box 100 sent out by the first conveyor mechanism 20 can smoothly enter the second conveyor mechanism 40 for conveying. Generally, the conveyor belts of the first conveyor mechanism 20 and the second conveyor mechanism 40 are arranged in a straight line. According to the needs of the sorting center site, the conveyor belts of the first conveyor mechanism 20 and the second conveyor mechanism 40 can be arranged at a certain angle, and a guiding mechanism (not shown) is arranged at the included angle to enable the passing express box 100 to smoothly and orderly enter the second conveyor mechanism 40.

[0060] In this embodiment, the scanning gun 70 generates the scanning direction, and the scanning gun 70 can also be replaced by other devices with similar functions of scanning and identifying label stickers, and is not limited thereto.

[0061] In the embodiment provided by the present utility model, the first conveyor mechanism 20 includes a dispersing conveyor belt 22, a separating conveyor belt 24, and a centering conveyor belt 26 arranged in sequence along its conveying direction. The dispersing conveyor belt 22 automatically separates the disorderly stacked express boxes 100. The separating conveyor belt 24 arranges the express boxes 100 separated by the dispersing conveyor belt 22 at intervals in an orderly manner. The centering conveyor belt 26 arranges the express boxes 100 after being arranged by the separating conveyor belt 24 in the middle at intervals. The first conveyor mechanism 20 provided in this embodiment uses the sequentially arranged dispersing conveyor belt 22, separating conveyor belt 24, and centering conveyor belt 26 to automatically separate the messy piled-up express boxes 100, so that there is no stacking or adhesion, and the single pieces are queued in the middle with appropriate intervals and pass in order. The first conveyor mechanism 20 is a combination of a conventional mechanism for dispersing, separating, and centering express boxes 100 on a logistics sorting and conveyor belt.

[0062] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, in this embodiment, the centering conveyor belt 26 is arranged between the separating conveyor belt 24 and the second conveyor mechanism 40, and realizes the connection with the separating conveyor belt 24 and the second conveyor mechanism 40.

[0063] In the embodiment provided by the present utility model, a first detection area 50 and a second detection area 52 are sequentially arranged on the second conveying mechanism 40 along its conveying direction. The detection mechanism 60 arranges a plurality of recognition devices 62 in the first detection area 50 and the second detection area 52 respectively along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40. One of the recognition devices 62 is arranged above the second conveying mechanism 40 to identify whether there is the label sticker on the upper surface of the express box 100, and the remaining recognition devices 62 are arranged on the side along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40. Two recognition devices 62 are arranged in the first detection area 50, and the recognition direction of one of the recognition devices 62 for the label sticker on the express box 100 is the same as the scanning direction. The express box 100 orientation device based on preliminary sorting provided by this embodiment arranges the recognition devices 62 at intervals by setting the first detection area 50 and the second detection area 52, so that the express box 100 can be detected by the recognition devices 62 arranged in this detection area for the direction of its label sticker when passing through the first detection area 50 and the second detection area 52, and then judge whether the recognition direction of the label sticker on the express box 100 is the same as the scanning direction. If they are the same, the express box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction; if they are not the same, the orientation mechanism 80 is used to adjust the orientation and position of the express box 100 until the direction of the label sticker on the express box 100 is the same as the scanning direction, and then the express box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction. The express box 100 orientation device provided by this embodiment uses the recognition devices 62 arranged in the first detection area 50 and the second detection area to realize the fully automatic orderly positioning of the express box 100 and the automatic scanning of the label sticker. In this embodiment, each of the recognition devices 62 includes a support frame (not shown) installed on the second conveying mechanism 40, a camera installed on the support frame, and an image recognition module signal-connected to the camera. When the express box 100 passes through the first detection area 50 or the second detection area 52, the camera arranged in this detection area takes an image of the corresponding surface of the express box 100, and transmits the image signal captured to the image recognition module. The image recognition module recognizes and judges whether the image signal contains the label sticker signal, and transmits the judged result of whether it contains the label sticker signal to the orientation mechanism 80, and the orientation mechanism 80 determines whether to act on the express box 100.If the image signal does not contain the label sticker, it is determined that there is no label sticker on the surface of the express box 100 facing the camera, and this signal is transmitted to the orientation mechanism 80, which controls the express box 100 to adjust its orientation; if the image signal contains the label sticker, it is determined that there is a label sticker on the surface of the express box 100 facing the camera, and this signal is transmitted to the orientation mechanism 80, which controls the express box 100 to remain stationary and uses the second transfer mechanism 40 to transfer the express box 100.

[0064] In this embodiment, the camera is an industrial camera or other cameras with the same function.

[0065] In this embodiment, the image recognition module is an image recognition program module installed in the main control machine, which is used to analyze the image signal of the express box 100 captured and transmitted by the camera to determine whether the image of the express box 100 captured contains the image of the label sticker.

[0066] In the embodiment provided by the present utility model, the identification device 62 further includes:

[0067] A plurality of photoelectric sensors 64, which are signal-connected to each of the photoelectric sensors 64 and the identification device 62, and are used to sense whether the position of the express box 100 moves to the corresponding detection area. When the photoelectric sensor 64 detects that the express box 100 moves to the corresponding position, it triggers the identification device 62 in the corresponding detection area to obtain the image of the express box 100 relative to the box surface;

[0068] A controller 66, which is signal-connected to each of the photoelectric sensors 64 and the identification device 62. The identification device 62 sends the obtained identification label information on the express box 100 to the controller 66, and the controller 66 controls the adjustment action of the orientation mechanism 80 according to the identification label information.

[0069] The orientation device for the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present utility model senses the position information of the express box 100 by setting a plurality of the photoelectric sensors 64, and transmits the position information detected when the express box 100 reaches the corresponding detection area to the controller 66. The controller 66 receives the position signal of the photoelectric sensor 64, and triggers the recognition device 62 in the corresponding detection area to take a picture of the opposite box surface of the express box 100. The image recognition module recognizes and judges the captured image signal, and transmits the signal after recognition and judgment to the controller 66. The controller 66 controls the orientation mechanism 80 in the corresponding detection area to perform an adjustment action on the express box 100 according to the result of analyzing whether the box surface image signal contains a label sticker image. The orientation device for the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present utility model fully realizes the automatic detection function of the express box 100 on the second conveying mechanism 40 by using the photoelectric sensor 64 and the controller 66, and realizes the automatic positioning of the express box 100.

[0070] As Figure 1 and 2 and Figure 4 and 5 shown, in the embodiment provided by the present utility model, the second conveying mechanism 40 is sequentially provided with a first detection area 50, a second detection area 52, a third detection area 54, and a fourth detection area 56 along its conveying direction;

[0071] Two of the recognition devices 62 are arranged in the first detection area 50, and the recognition direction of one of the recognition devices 62 arranged in the first detection area 50 faces the upper surface of the express box 100, and the recognition directions of the remaining recognition devices 62 are the same as the scanning direction and are arranged on the same side along the conveying direction in the first detection area 50, the second detection area 52, the third detection area 54, and the fourth detection area 56;

[0072] The orientation mechanism 80 includes two flipping mechanisms 82 for flipping the express box 100 by 90° and three rotating mechanisms 84 for rotating the express box 100 by 90°. One flipping mechanism 82 is arranged between the first detection area 50 and the second detection area 52, and another flipping mechanism 82 is arranged on the side of the fourth detection area 56 away from the third detection area 54. Each rotating mechanism 84 is sequentially arranged between the flipping mechanism 82 and the second detection area 52, between the second detection area 52 and the third detection area 54, and between the third detection area 54 and the fourth detection area 56 along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40.

[0073] The orienting device for the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided in the embodiment of the utility model sequentially sets four detection areas along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40, namely the first detection area 50, the second detection area 52, the third detection area 54 and the fourth detection area 56, so as to realize the identification and judgment of whether the label is attached to the different surfaces of the express box 100. Corresponding to the four detection zones, a total of five identification devices 62 are set, namely a first identification device 620, a second identification device 622, a third identification device 624, a fourth identification device 626 and a fifth identification device 628. The first detection zone 50 is provided with a first identification device 620 and a second identification device 622, wherein the identification direction of the first identification device 620 is toward the upper surface of the express box 100, that is, the upper surface of the express box 100 is a surface of the express box 100 facing away from the second conveying mechanism 40, and the second identification device 622 is arranged on the side of the second conveying mechanism 40, and is arranged on the same side of the second conveying mechanism 40 as the third, fourth and fifth identification devices 628 arranged in the second detection zone 52, the third detection zone 54 and the fourth detection zone 56.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first detection area 50, the flipping mechanism 82, the rotating mechanism 84, the second detection area 52, the rotating mechanism 84, the third detection area 54, the fourth detection area 56 and the flipping mechanism 82 are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40. In the first, second, third and fourth detection areas 56, it is identified and judged whether the label is affixed to the surface of the express box 100, and the directional adjustment of the express box 100 is achieved by sequentially arranging the flipping mechanism 82 and the rotating mechanism 84 until the label on the express box 100 faces the scanning direction, thereby realizing automatic directional adjustment of the express box 100.

[0075] In this embodiment, the photoelectric sensors 64 are sequentially arranged in the front side of the first detection area 50, the flipping mechanism 82, the rotating mechanism 84, the second detection area 52, the rotating mechanism 84, the third detection area 54, the fourth detection area 56 and the flipping mechanism 82 along the conveying direction, and are used to detect whether the express box 100 in transit is close to the identification device 62, the flipping mechanism 82 and the rotating mechanism 84.

[0076] When the photoelectric sensor 64 detects that the express box 100 is close to the first and second identification devices 622 of the first detection area 50, the first and second identification devices 622 are activated to respectively acquire images of the upper surface and side surfaces of the express box 100, and the image processing module determines whether the label is found and sends the determination result to the controller 66.

[0077] If the first identification device 620 detects a label on the upper surface, i.e., the first surface 101, of the express delivery box 100, the express delivery box 100 will be continuously conveyed along the conveying direction. When the next photoelectric sensor 64 detects that the express delivery box 100 approaches the flipping mechanism 82, the controller 66 issues an instruction and controls the flipping mechanism 82 to flip the express delivery box 100 clockwise or counterclockwise by 90° around the horizontal axis, so that the box surface where the label is located, i.e., the second surface 102, is on the side of the conveying direction, that is, the label is on the box surface facing the scanning direction. If the first identification device 620 does not detect the label on the first surface 101 of the express delivery box 100, but the second identification device 622 detects the label on the second surface 102 of the express delivery box 100, the controller 66 does not issue an instruction, and the express delivery box 100 is directly conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0078] If neither the first identification device 620 nor the second identification device 622 detects the label on the first surface 101 and the second surface 102, the express delivery box 100 will be continuously conveyed along the conveying direction. When the next photoelectric sensor 64 detects that the express delivery box 100 approaches the rotating mechanism 84, the controller 66 issues an instruction and controls the rotating mechanism 84 to rotate the express delivery box 100 on it clockwise or counterclockwise by 90° around its vertical axis, and moves the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction to the second detection area 52. When the next photoelectric sensor 64 detects that the express delivery box 100 approaches the third identification device 624, the third identification device 624 is started to detect the third surface 103 of the express delivery box 100.

[0079] If the label is detected on the third surface 103, the express delivery box 100 is directly conveyed along the conveying direction. If the label is not detected on the third surface 103, when the express delivery box 100 reaches the rotating mechanism 84, the controller 66 issues an instruction to control the rotating mechanism 84 to rotate the express delivery box 100 on it clockwise or counterclockwise by 90 degrees around the vertical axis, and moves the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction to the third detection area 54, and starts the fourth identification device 626 to detect the fourth surface 104 of the express delivery box 100.

[0080] If a label is detected on the fourth surface 104, the express delivery box 100 is directly conveyed along the conveying direction. If no label is detected on the fourth surface 104, when the express delivery box 100 reaches the rotating mechanism 84 between the third detection area 54 and the fourth detection area 56, the controller 66 issues an instruction to control the rotating mechanism 84 to rotate the express delivery box 100 thereon 90° clockwise or counterclockwise along the vertical axis, and move the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction to the fourth detection area 56, and activate the fifth identification device 628 to detect the fifth surface 105 of the express delivery box 100.

[0081] If a label is detected on the fifth surface 105, the express delivery box 100 is directly conveyed along the conveying direction. If no label is detected on the fifth surface 105, when the express delivery box 100 reaches the tipping mechanism on the side of the fourth detection area 56 away from the third detection area 54, the tipping mechanism flips the express delivery box 100 thereon 90° counterclockwise or clockwise around the horizontal axis, so that the sixth surface 106 of the express delivery box 100 faces the scanning direction, and conveys the express delivery box 100 directly along the conveying direction.

[0082] At this point, the surfaces of the express delivery box 100 with labels all face the scanning direction, and the orientation adjustment action of the express delivery box 100 is automatically completed.

[0083] As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, in the above embodiments, along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40, the first surface 101 and the sixth surface 106 of the express delivery box 100 are opposite and the sixth surface 106 faces the bearing surface of the second conveying mechanism 40, the second surface 102 is opposite to the fourth surface 104 and is arranged along the left and right sides of the second conveying mechanism 40, and the third surface 103 and the fifth surface 105 are arranged opposite to each other and the fifth surface 105 is located in front of the conveying direction.

[0084] In the above embodiments, when the second, third, fourth, and fifth identification devices 628 are arranged on the left side of the second conveying mechanism 40 along the conveying direction and the scanning direction scans the box surface of the express delivery box 100 along the left side of the second conveying mechanism 40, the flipping mechanism 82 flips the express delivery box 100 clockwise by 90° about the horizontal axis; similarly, when the second, third, fourth, and fifth identification devices 628 are arranged on the right side of the second conveying mechanism 40 along the conveying direction and the scanning direction scans the box surface of the express delivery box 100 along the right side of the second conveying mechanism 40, the flipping mechanism 82 flips the express delivery box 100 counterclockwise by 90° about the horizontal axis.

[0085] In another embodiment provided by the present utility model, as Figure 3 shown, a first detection area 50 and a second detection area 52 are sequentially arranged on the second conveying mechanism 40 along its conveying direction;

[0086] Three of the identification devices 62 are arranged in the first detection area 50, and the identification direction of one of the identification devices 62 faces the upper surface of the express delivery box 100 and is consistent with the scanning direction, and the other pair of the identification devices 62 are arranged oppositely and are located on both sides of the second conveying mechanism 40; a pair of the identification devices 62 arranged oppositely are arranged in the second detection area 52 and the pair of the identification devices 62 are located on both sides of the second conveying mechanism 40;

[0087] The orientation mechanism 80 includes a flipping mechanism 82 that flips the express delivery box 100 by 90°, a rotating mechanism 84 that rotates the express delivery box 100 by 90°, and a bottom flipping mechanism 86 that flips the express delivery box 100 by 180°. The flipping mechanism 82 is located between the second detection area 52 and the bottom flipping mechanism 86, the rotating mechanism 84 is arranged between the first detection area 50 and the second detection area 52, and the bottom flipping mechanism 86 is arranged on the side of the second detection area 52 away from the first detection area 50.

[0088] As Figure 3As shown, the orienting device for the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the utility model sequentially sets two detection areas along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40, namely the first detection area 50 and the second detection area 52, so as to realize the recognition and judgment of whether the label is attached to different surfaces of the express box 100. Corresponding to the two detection areas, a total of five identification devices 62 are set, namely the first identification device 620, the second identification device 622, the third identification device 624, the fourth identification device 626 and the fifth identification device 628. The first detection area 50 is provided with the first identification device 620, the second identification device 622 and the third identification device 624, wherein the identification direction of the first identification device 620 is toward the upper surface of the express box 100, that is, the upper surface of the express box 100 is a surface of the express box 100 that is away from the second conveying mechanism 40, and the second identification device 620 is a surface of the express box 100 that is away from the second conveying mechanism 40. The device 622 and the third identification device 624 are relatively arranged on the left and right sides of the second conveying mechanism 40, the second detection area 52 is provided with a fourth identification device 626 and a fifth identification device 628, and the fourth identification device 626 and the fifth identification device 628 are relatively arranged on the left and right sides of the second conveying mechanism 40, the second identification device 622 and the fourth identification device 626 are located on the same side of the second conveying mechanism 40, and the third identification device 624 and the fifth identification device 628 are located on the other same side of the second conveying mechanism 40.

[0089] In this embodiment, the first detection area 50, the rotating mechanism 84, the second detection area 52, the flipping mechanism 82, and the bottom flipping mechanism 86 are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40. In the first and second detection areas 52, it is identified and judged whether the label is affixed to the surface of the express box 100, and the rotating mechanism 84, the flipping mechanism 82 and the bottom flipping mechanism 86 are used to realize directional adjustment of the express box 100 until the label on the express box 100 faces the scanning direction, thereby realizing automatic directional adjustment of the express box 100.

[0090] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, each photoelectric sensor 64 is arranged in sequence on the front side of the first detection area 50, the rotating mechanism 84, the second detection area 52, the flipping mechanism 82, and the bottom flipping mechanism 86 set along the conveying direction, and is used to detect whether the express box 100 in transit is close to each of the identification devices 62, the rotating mechanism 84, the flipping mechanism 82 and the bottom flipping mechanism 86.

[0091] When the photoelectric sensor 64 detects that the express delivery box 100 approaches the first, second, and third identification devices 624 in the first detection area 50, the first, second, and third identification devices 624 are activated to respectively acquire images of the upper surface and side surface of the express delivery box 100, and the image processing module determines whether the label sticker is found and sends the determination result to the controller 66.

[0092] If the first identification device 620 finds that there is a label sticker on the upper surface of the express delivery box 100, that is, the first surface 101, and the label sticker faces the scanning direction, the controller 66 does not issue an instruction, and the express delivery box 100 continues to be conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0093] If the first identification device 620 does not detect the label sticker on the first surface 101 of the express delivery box 100, but the second identification device 622 detects the label sticker on the second surface 102 of the express delivery box 100, the controller 66 issues an instruction, and the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction to the flipping mechanism 82. The controller 66 controls the flipping mechanism 82 to turn clockwise 90° around the horizontal axis of the express delivery box 100, so that the second surface 102 faces the scanning direction, and drives the express delivery box 100 to continue to be conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0094] If the first identification device 620 does not detect the label sticker on the first surface 101 of the express delivery box 100, but the third identification device 624 detects the label sticker on the fourth surface 104 of the express delivery box 100, the controller 66 issues an instruction, and the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction to the flipping mechanism 82. The controller 66 controls the flipping mechanism 82 to turn counterclockwise 90° around the horizontal axis of the express delivery box 100, so that the fourth surface 104 faces the scanning direction, and drives the express delivery box 100 to continue to be conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0095] If none of the identification devices 62 in the first detection area 50 identify the label sticker on the express delivery box 100, the controller 66 issues an instruction to the rotating mechanism 84. When the express delivery box 100 moves to the rotating mechanism 84, the rotating mechanism 84 drives the express delivery box 100 to rotate clockwise 90° around its vertical axis, and the express delivery box 100 continues to be conveyed to the second detection area 52. When the photoelectric sensor 64 detects that the express delivery box 100 reaches the second detection area 52, the fourth and fifth identification devices 628 are triggered to detect and identify the surface of the express delivery box 100.

[0096] If the fourth identification device 626 detects that the label sticker is on the third surface 103 of the express delivery box 100, the controller 66 issues an instruction, and the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction to the flipping mechanism 82. The controller 66 controls the flipping mechanism 82 to turn the express delivery box 100 clockwise by 90° around the horizontal axis of the express delivery box 100, so that the third surface 103 faces the scanning direction, and drives the express delivery box 100 to continue to be conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0097] If the fifth identification device 628 detects that the label sticker is on the fifth surface 105 of the express delivery box 100, the controller 66 issues an instruction, and the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction to the flipping mechanism 82. The controller 66 controls the flipping mechanism 82 to turn the express delivery box 100 counterclockwise by 90° around the horizontal axis of the express delivery box 100, so that the fifth surface 105 faces the scanning direction, and drives the express delivery box 100 to continue to be conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0098] If none of the identification devices 62 in the second detection area 52 identify the label sticker on the express delivery box 100, the controller 66 issues an instruction to the bottom flipping mechanism 86. When the express delivery box 100 moves to the bottom flipping mechanism 86, the bottom flipping mechanism 86 drives the express delivery box 100 to flip 180° around its horizontal axis, so that the surface where the label sticker is located, that is, the sixth surface 106, becomes the top surface and faces the scanning direction, and drives the express delivery box 100 to continue to be conveyed along the conveying direction.

[0099] So far, the surfaces of the express delivery box 100 with label stickers all face the scanning direction, and the orientation adjustment action of the express delivery box 100 is automatically completed.

[0100] In the above embodiments, along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40, the first surface 101 and the sixth surface 106 of the express delivery box 100 are opposite, and the sixth surface 106 faces the bearing surface of the second conveying mechanism 40. The second surface 102 and the fourth surface 104 are opposite and are arranged on the left and right sides of the second conveying mechanism 40. The third surface 103 and the fifth surface 105 are opposite and the fifth surface 105 is in front of the conveying direction.

[0101] As Figure 6 shown, in the embodiment provided by the present utility model, the second conveying mechanism 40 includes a conveying main body 44 for supporting and conveying the express delivery box 100 and side walls 42 oppositely arranged on both sides of the conveying main body 44. The flipping mechanism 82 includes:

[0102] The flap 820 supports the express box 100, and the flap 820 is rotatably connected to a side wall 42;

[0103] The rotating shaft 822 is rotatably connected between the outside of the side wall 42 and the flap 820;

[0104] The pushing mechanism 824 is disposed opposite to the flap 820 and installed on another side wall 42 for pushing the express box 100 from the conveying main body 44 to the flap 820;

[0105] The flap 820 rotates around the rotating shaft 822 towards the conveying main body 44, and flips the express box 100 to be flipped by 90° and places it on the conveying main body 44.

[0106] The orientation device for the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present invention sets the flipping mechanism 82 on the second conveying mechanism 40 to perform appropriate orientation adjustment on the express box 100, so as to cooperate with the operation of other mechanisms to achieve the function of orienting the express box 100.

[0107] In this embodiment, the pushing mechanism 824 and the flap 820 are disposed on two opposite side walls 42 of the second conveying mechanism 40. When the controller 66 issues an instruction to the flipping mechanism 82, the pushing mechanism 824 laterally pushes the conveyed express box 100 and pushes the express box 100 from the conveying station of the second conveying mechanism 40 to the flap 820. The controller 66 controls the rotation of the rotating shaft 822 and drives the flap 820 to rotate 90° around the rotating shaft 822 towards the conveying main body 44 of the second conveying mechanism 40, and flips the express box 100 by 90° and places it on the conveying main body 44 of the second conveying mechanism 40.

[0108] In this embodiment, a motor (not shown) is used to drive the flap 820 to rotate around the rotating shaft 822. Both the pushing mechanism 824 and the flap 820 have a reset function, that is, when the pushing mechanism 824 pushes the express box 100 to the flap 820, the pushing mechanism 824 resets to the initial position; when the express box 100 leaves the flipping mechanism 82 station after being flipped, the flap 820 resets to the initial position.

[0109] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown, in the embodiment provided by the present invention, the second conveying mechanism 40 includes a conveying main body 44 for supporting and conveying the express box 100, and the rotating mechanism 84 includes:

[0110] A bracket 840 that supports the express delivery box 100, and the bracket 840 is sunk in the conveying main body 44;

[0111] A rotating mechanism 842, which is connected to the bracket 840 and drives the bracket 840 to rotate by a corresponding angle;

[0112] A lifting mechanism 844, which is connected to the bracket 840 and drives the bracket 840 to move up and down relative to the conveying main body 44.

[0113] The orientation device for the express delivery box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present utility model uses the bracket 840 to support the express delivery box 100, and uses the rotating mechanism 842 and the lifting mechanism 844 to adjust the orientation of the express delivery box 100, so as to cooperate with the operation of other mechanisms to achieve the function of orienting the express delivery box 100.

[0114] In this embodiment, the bracket 840 can be sunk in the conveying main body 44, that is, a recessed area 46 for accommodating the bracket 840 is provided on the conveying main body 44 such as a conveying roller. When the selection mechanism is not triggered, the bracket 840 is sunk in the recessed area 46 of the conveying roller, so as to ensure that the surface of the bracket 840 is basically flat with the surface of the conveying main body 44, facilitating the smooth conveyance of the express delivery box 100.

[0115] In this embodiment, the bracket 840 is in the shape of a cross. After being pushed out of the recessed area 46 by the lifting mechanism 844, the bracket 840 is driven by the rotating mechanism 842 to rotate 90° clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the orientation of the express delivery box 100. After the adjustment is completed, the bracket 840 sinks into the recessed area 46 under the action of the lifting mechanism 844.

[0116] In this embodiment, the rotating mechanism 842 includes a first rotating shaft 8420 fixedly connected to the bracket 840 and a first motor 8422 for driving the first rotating shaft 8420 to rotate. The first motor 8422 drives the first rotating shaft 8420 to rotate 90° clockwise or counterclockwise under the action of the instruction of the controller 66. The first motor 8422 is a stepping motor or a servo motor.

[0117] In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 844 includes a pair of driving mechanisms and a support plate 8444 fixedly connected between the first rotating shaft 8420 of the rotating mechanism 842 and the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism adopts a cylinder-piston driving mode and includes a second motor 8442 and a second rotating shaft 8440 connected to the second motor 8442.

[0118] Rotation process: When the express box 100 to be rotated on the second conveying mechanism 40 reaches the cross-shaped supporting surface of the bracket 840, the double-cylinder piston driving mechanism below the cross-shaped bracket 840 drives the bracket 840 to lift the express box 100 above the conveying body 44 surface of the second conveying mechanism 40. Then, the motor drives the bracket 840 to rotate the express box 100 by 90° around the vertical axis and then stops rotating. The double-cylinder piston driving mechanism drives the bracket 840 to lower the express box 100 back to the original height.

[0119] As Figures 1 to 8 As shown, an automatic sorting system provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes an orientation device and a main sorting conveyor 90 connected to the orientation device. The orientation device is the orientation device for the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting as described above. The second conveying mechanism 40 is arranged between the first conveying mechanism 20 and the main sorting conveyor 90. The automatic sorting system uses the orientation device provided in the above embodiments to orient the express box 100, and the main sorting conveyor 90 conveys the express box 100 to the next sorting station, fully realizing sorting automation.

[0120] As Figures 1 to 9 As shown, a method for orienting an express box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of:

[0121] S1: Automatically disperse and stack the express boxes 100 in a disorderly manner, and arrange and convey the express boxes 100 at regular intervals.

[0122] S2: Identify and determine whether a label sticker is attached to the outer surface of the express box 100.

[0123] S3: Adjust and orient the orientation of the express box 100, and make the surface where the label sticker is attached to the express box 100 face the scanning direction.

[0124] The method for orienting the express delivery box 100 provided by the embodiment of the present utility model utilizes the automatically discretely and disorderly stacked express delivery boxes 100, and conveys the express delivery boxes 100 in an orderly and spaced arrangement, greatly improving the conveying, detection, and positioning efficiency; by identifying and judging the label stickers on the outer surface of the express delivery box 100 on the second conveying mechanism 40, and adjusting and orienting the waiting position of the express delivery box 100 according to whether the label sticker on the outer surface of the express delivery box 100 is recognized, until the surface of the express delivery box 100 with the label sticker faces the scanning direction, realizing the completely automatic orderly positioning of the express delivery box 100 and the automatic scanning of the label sticker. This orienting device automatically and preliminarily sorts the randomly stacked express delivery boxes 100 into a unified orientation with the identification label on the surface for conveying. Only one scanning direction needs to be fixed on the sorting conveyor belt to read the detailed information of the identification code on the label sticker, which can reduce the cost of sorting equipment and the technical threshold for the use and maintenance of sorting equipment, and speed up the sorting rate and accuracy.

[0125] As Figure 10 and 11 shown, in this embodiment, the steps of automatically discretely and disorderly stacking the express delivery boxes 100 and conveying the express delivery boxes 100 in an orderly and spaced arrangement further include: conveying the express delivery box 100 to the first conveying mechanism 20; driving the express delivery box 100 to climb and fold and enter the dispersion conveyor belt 22; driving the express delivery box 100 to enter the separation conveyor belt 24; driving the express delivery box 100 to be arranged in a single row and enter the centering conveyor belt 26.

[0126] As Figures 1 to 10 shown, the method for orienting the express delivery box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present utility model includes:

[0127] S21-1: Sense that the express delivery box 100 enters the first detection area 50 of the second conveying mechanism 40;

[0128] S21-2: Identify and judge whether the label sticker is attached to the first surface 101 of the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction;

[0129] S31: When it is recognized that the label sticker is attached to the first surface 101 of the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction, convey the express delivery box 100 and sense that the express delivery box 100 moves to the first flipping station, and flip the express delivery box 100 clockwise or counterclockwise by 90° at the first flipping station so that the label sticker on the first surface 101 faces the scanning direction;

[0130] S30: Convey the express delivery box 100 in the conveying direction and end the orientation;

[0131] S32: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the first surface 101 of the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction, and it is recognized and judged whether the label sticker is attached to the second surface 102 of the express delivery box 100, and the second surface 102 is in the same direction as the scanning direction;

[0132] S30: It is recognized that the label sticker is attached to the second surface 102, and the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction and the orientation ends;

[0133] S32-1: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the second surface 102, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed, and it is sensed that the express delivery box 100 reaches the first rotation station, and the express delivery box 100 is rotated 90° clockwise or counterclockwise at the first rotation station;

[0134] S22-1: It is sensed that the express delivery box 100 enters the second detection area 52 of the second conveying mechanism 40;

[0135] S22-2: It is recognized and judged whether the label sticker is attached to the third surface 103 of the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction;

[0136] S30: It is recognized that the label sticker is attached to the third surface 103, and the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction and the orientation ends;

[0137] S33: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the third surface 103, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed, and it is sensed that the express delivery box 100 reaches the second rotation station, and the express delivery box 100 is rotated 90° clockwise or counterclockwise at the second rotation station;

[0138] S23-1: It is sensed that the express delivery box 100 enters the third detection area 54 of the second conveying mechanism 40;

[0139] S23-2: It is recognized and judged whether the label sticker is attached to the fourth surface 104 of the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction;

[0140] S30: It is recognized that the label sticker is attached to the fourth surface 104, and the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction and the orientation ends;

[0141] S34: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the fourth surface 104, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed, and it is sensed that the express delivery box 100 reaches the third rotation station, and the express delivery box 100 is rotated 90° clockwise or counterclockwise at the third rotation station;

[0142] S24-1: It is sensed that the express delivery box 100 enters the fourth detection area 56 of the second conveying mechanism 40;

[0143] S24-2: Identify and determine whether the label sticker is attached to the fifth surface 105 of the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction;

[0144] S30: When it is identified that the label sticker is attached to the fifth surface 105, convey the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction and end the orientation;

[0145] S36: When it is identified that the label sticker is not attached to the fifth surface 105 of the express delivery box 100, convey the express delivery box 100 to the second flipping station, flip the express delivery box 100 counterclockwise or clockwise by 90° so that the label sticker faces the scanning direction, convey the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction and end the orientation.

[0146] The method for orienting the express delivery box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the positioning device for the express delivery box based on preliminary sorting provided in the above Figure 3 embodiment, that is, the first detection area 50, the first flipping station, the first rotating station, the second detection area 52, the second rotating station, the third detection area 54, the third rotating station, the fourth detection area 56 and the second flipping station are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40. In the first, second, third and fourth detection areas 56, it is identified and determined whether the label sticker is attached to the surface of the express delivery box 100, and the first and second flipping stations and the first, second and third rotating stations are sequentially arranged to realize the orientation adjustment of the express delivery box 100 until the label sticker on the express delivery box 100 faces the scanning direction, so as to realize the automatic orientation adjustment of the express delivery box 100.

[0147] As Figures 1 to 11 shown, the method for orienting the express delivery box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0148] S21-1': Identify and determine that the express delivery box 100 moves to the first detection area 50;

[0149] S21-2': Identify and determine whether the label sticker is attached to the first, second and fourth surfaces of the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction, and the first surface 101 is located directly above the conveying direction;

[0150] S30': When it is identified that the label sticker is attached to the first surface 101, convey the express delivery box 100 along the conveying direction and end the orientation;

[0151] S32’: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the first surface 101, and it is recognized and determined whether the label sticker is attached to the second surface 102 of the express delivery box 100, and the second surface 102 is in the same direction as the scanning direction;

[0152] S32-1’: It is recognized that the label sticker is attached to the second surface 102, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed and it is sensed that the express delivery box 100 moves to the flipping station, and the express delivery box 100 is flipped 90° clockwise or counterclockwise;

[0153] S30: The label sticker on the second surface 102 faces the scanning direction, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction and the orientation is ended;

[0154] S33’: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the second surface 102, and it is recognized whether the label sticker is attached to the fourth surface 104 opposite to the second surface 102;

[0155] S33-1’: It is recognized that the label sticker is attached to the fourth surface 104, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed and it is sensed that the express delivery box 100 moves to the flipping station, and the express delivery box 100 is flipped 90° counterclockwise or clockwise;

[0156] S30: The label sticker on the fourth surface 104 faces the scanning direction, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction and the orientation is ended;

[0157] S34’: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the fourth surface 104, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed and it is sensed that the express delivery box 100 moves to the rotating station, and the express delivery box 100 is rotated 90° clockwise or counterclockwise;

[0158] S22-1’: It is recognized and determined that the express delivery box 100 moves to the second detection area 52;

[0159] S22-2’: It is recognized and determined whether the label sticker is attached to the third surface 103 and the fifth surface 105 of the express delivery box 100;

[0160] S35’: It is recognized that the label sticker is attached to the third surface 103;

[0161] S35-1’: The express delivery box 100 is conveyed and it is sensed that the express delivery box 100 moves to the flipping station, and at the flipping station, the express delivery box 100 is flipped 90° clockwise or counterclockwise;

[0162] S30’: The label sticker on the third side faces the scanning direction, the express delivery box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction and the orientation is ended;

[0163] S36’: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the third surface 103, and it is determined whether the label sticker is attached to the fifth surface 105 opposite to the third surface 103;

[0164] S36-1’: It is recognized that the label sticker is attached to the fifth surface 105, the express box 100 is conveyed and it is sensed that the express box 100 moves to the flipping station, and the express box 100 is flipped 90° counterclockwise or clockwise at the flipping station;

[0165] S30’: The label sticker on the fifth surface 105 faces the scanning direction, the express box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction and the orientation is ended;

[0166] S37’: It is recognized that the label sticker is not attached to the fifth surface 105, the express box 100 is conveyed and it is sensed that the express box 100 moves to the bottom flipping station, and the express box 100 is flipped 180° at the bottom flipping station;

[0167] S30’: The surface with the label sticker attached to the sixth surface 106 of the express box 100 faces the scanning direction, the express box 100 is conveyed along the conveying direction and the orientation is ended.

[0168] The method for orienting the express box 100 based on preliminary sorting provided by the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the Figure 3 positioning device for the express box based on preliminary sorting provided by the above embodiment, that is, the first detection area 50, the rotation station, the second detection area 52, the flipping station, and the bottom flipping station are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism 40. Whether the label sticker is attached to the surface of the express box 100 is identified and judged in the first and second detection areas 52, and the orientation adjustment of the express box 100 is realized by using the rotation station, the flipping station, and the bottom flipping station until the label sticker on the express box 100 faces the scanning direction, so as to realize the automatic orientation adjustment of the express box 100.

[0169] In the embodiment provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the express box 100 may be an express box with a hexahedral box structure, or may be flat objects such as books, document bags, rackets, display screens, etc., or may be soft flat objects such as rice bags, flour bags, feed bags, etc. For flat objects or soft flat objects, only one set of the identification device 62 needs to be provided, and the bottom flipping mechanism 86 is retained, and the rotation mechanism 84 and the side flipping mechanism may be omitted and not used.

[0170] It should be noted that for the foregoing method embodiments, for the sake of simplicity of description, they are all expressed as a series of action combinations. However, those skilled in the art should know that the present utility model is not limited by the described action sequence, because according to the present utility model, certain steps can be performed in other sequences or simultaneously. Secondly, those skilled in the art should also know that the embodiments described in the specification are all preferred embodiments, and the actions and modules involved are not necessarily essential to the present utility model.

[0171] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have their own focuses. For the parts not detailed in a certain embodiment, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0172] The above is the description of the express box part orientation device, method and automatic sorting system provided by the present utility model based on preliminary sorting. For those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the embodiments of the present utility model, there will be changes in the specific implementation manners and application scopes. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model.

Claims

1. A courier box orientation device based on preliminary sorting, characterized in that: The device is used to automatically direct the label of the express box toward a scanning direction, and comprises: A first conveying mechanism is used to automatically discretize the disorderly stacked express boxes and arrange the express boxes in an orderly and spaced arrangement for conveyance; A second conveying mechanism, connected to the first conveying mechanism and used to convey the express box; a detection mechanism for identifying whether a label is affixed to the outer surface of the express box passing through the second conveying mechanism; and The orienting mechanism is arranged on the second conveying mechanism, and adjusts and orients the express boxes according to the position of the label identified by the detection mechanism so that the surface of each express box with the label faces the scanning direction.

2. The express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first conveying mechanism comprises a dispersion conveyor belt, a separation conveyor belt and a center conveyor belt which are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction thereof. The dispersing conveyor belt automatically disperses the disorderly stacked express boxes, the separating conveyor belt arranges the express boxes dispersed by the dispersing conveyor belt in orderly intervals, and the centering conveyor belt arranges the express boxes arranged by the separating conveyor belt in the center at intervals.

3. The express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second conveying mechanism is provided with a first detection area and a second detection area in sequence along its conveying direction. The detection mechanism arranges a plurality of identification devices in the first detection area and the second detection area along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism, respectively. One of the identification devices is provided above the second conveying mechanism to identify whether there is the label on the upper surface of the express box, and the remaining identification devices are provided along the side of the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism. The first detection area is provided with two identification devices and the identification direction of one of the identification devices for the label on the express box is the same as the scanning direction.

4. The express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting according to claim 3, characterized in that: The identification device also includes: A plurality of photoelectric sensors are connected to the identification device by signal, and sense whether the express box moves to a corresponding detection area. When the photoelectric sensors detect that the express box moves to a corresponding position, the identification device in the corresponding detection area is triggered to obtain information about the label on the express box. The controller is signal-connected to each of the photoelectric sensors and the identification device. The identification device sends the acquired information of the label on the express box to the controller, and the controller follows up the information of the label to control the adjustment action of the orientation mechanism.

5. The express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second conveying mechanism is also provided with a third detection zone and a fourth detection zone in sequence along its conveying direction, and the third detection zone is located between the second detection zone and the fourth detection zone; Two of the identification devices are arranged in the first detection area, and the identification direction of one of the identification devices arranged in the first detection area is toward the upper surface of the express box, and the identification directions of the other identification devices are consistent with the scanning direction and are arranged in the first detection area, the second detection area, the third detection area and the fourth detection area on the same side of the conveying direction; The orienting mechanism includes two flipping mechanisms for flipping the express box 90° and three rotating mechanisms for rotating the express box 90°, one of the flipping mechanisms is arranged between the first detection area and the second detection area, and another of the flipping mechanisms is arranged on the side of the fourth detection area away from the third detection area, and each of the rotating mechanisms is arranged in sequence between the flipping mechanism and the second detection area, between the second detection area and the third detection area, and between the third detection area and the fourth detection area along the conveying direction of the second conveying mechanism.

6. The express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first detection area is provided with three identification devices, and the identification direction of one of the identification devices is toward the upper surface of the express box and consistent with the scanning direction, and another pair of the identification devices are arranged oppositely and located on both sides of the second conveying mechanism; the second detection area is provided with a pair of identification devices arranged oppositely and the pair of identification devices are located on both sides of the second conveying mechanism; The orienting mechanism includes a flipping mechanism for flipping the express box 90°, a rotating mechanism for rotating the express box 180°, and a bottom flipping mechanism for rotating the express box 180°, the flipping mechanism is located between the second detection area and the bottom flipping mechanism, the rotating mechanism is arranged between the first detection area and the second detection area, and the bottom flipping mechanism is arranged on the side of the second detection area away from the first detection area.

7. The express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The second conveying mechanism includes a conveying body for supporting and conveying the express box and side walls arranged on both sides of the conveying body, and the flipping mechanism includes: A flap, the flap supports the express box, and the flap is rotatably connected to a side wall; A rotating shaft, the rotating shaft is rotatably connected between the outer side of the side wall and the flap; A pushing mechanism, which is arranged opposite to the flap and installed on the other side wall, and pushes the express box from the conveying body to the flap; The flap rotates around the rotating axis toward one side of the conveying body, and flips the express box that needs to be flipped 90° and places it on the conveying body.

8. The express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The second conveying mechanism includes a conveying body for supporting and conveying the express box, and the rotating mechanism includes: A bracket, the bracket supports the express box, and the bracket is sunk on the conveying body; A rotating mechanism, connected to the bracket and driving the bracket to rotate a corresponding angle; The lifting mechanism is connected to the bracket and drives the bracket to move up and down relative to the conveying body.

9. The express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting according to claim 8, characterized in that: The rotating mechanism comprises a first rotating shaft fixedly connected to the bracket and a first motor driving the first rotating shaft to rotate, wherein the first motor drives the first rotating shaft to rotate 90° clockwise or counterclockwise under the action of the controller instruction; The lifting mechanism includes a pair of driving mechanisms and a support plate fixedly connected between the first rotating shaft and the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is a cylinder-piston driving method or a servo motor.

10. An automated sorting system, characterized in that: It includes an orienting device and a main sorting conveying mechanism connected to the orienting device, the orienting device is an express box orienting device based on preliminary sorting as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, and the second conveying mechanism is arranged between the first conveying mechanism and the main sorting conveying mechanism.

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