Multi-thread book returning and sorting system
The multi-threaded book return and sorting system, utilizing batch and single-book return modules, has enabled automated sorting and classification of library books, solving the problem of heavy workload in book return and sorting, and improving efficiency and reader experience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520329284.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-02-27
AI Technical Summary
The workload of returning and sorting books in libraries is heavy, leading to long queues for readers to return books and busy staff.
Design a multi-threaded book return and sorting system, including a batch book return module and a single book return module. Through components such as a first conveyor belt, a batch book/single book separator, a book swing wheel sorting machine, and a self-service book return machine, the system realizes automated book sorting and classification.
It improved the efficiency of book return and sorting, reduced readers' waiting time, eased the burden on staff, and achieved automated book sorting and classification.
Smart Images
Figure CN223916008U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of book sorting technology, specifically a multi-threaded book return and sorting system. Background Technology
[0002] With the increasing frequency of book borrowing from libraries, the workload of book return and organization has also increased dramatically. Readers often have to wait in line to return books, resulting in a poor user experience. Staff need to process returned books promptly, organizing, classifying, and shelving them so that readers can borrow them again. Due to the limited building space and staff of libraries, the work of book return, organization, and classification is becoming increasingly burdensome, making it crucial to address this issue.
[0003] With the development of RFID technology, computer software technology, and automated equipment technology, increasingly convenient self-service book return machines and book sorting systems have emerged in recent years. However, the traditional model of book return machines plus sorting systems still cannot effectively alleviate the long queues for book return and the busy work of staff in sorting books. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the increasingly heavy workload of book return, sorting, and classification in existing library technologies, this application proposes a multi-threaded book return and sorting system, which solves the aforementioned technical problems.
[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is:
[0006] This utility model provides a multi-threaded book return and sorting system, including: a host computer; a batch book return module, the batch book return module including a first conveyor belt, the upstream of the first conveyor belt being used to receive a batch of books, and the downstream outlet of the first conveyor belt connecting to a batch book single-book separator, the batch book single-book separator separating the batch of books conveyed from the first conveyor belt and then conveying them one by one into a book swing wheel sorting machine; the book swing wheel sorting machine including multiple first reversing swing wheel disks arranged in a straight line and book boxes configured on the side of the first reversing swing wheel disks, the first reversing swing wheel disks sorting the books according to the book RFID tag information fed back by the host computer. A single book on the first reversing wheel is sent to the book box corresponding to the book's RFID tag information on the side for sorting, or is sent to the first reversing wheel downstream for re-identification until the book is sent to the book box corresponding to the book's RFID tag information; a single book return module includes a self-service book return machine, the return port of which is used to receive single books returned by readers, and the dispensing port of which is connected to a corresponding second reversing wheel. The second reversing wheel conveys the single book to the book wheel sorting machine or to the first conveyor belt of the batch book return module according to the information fed back by the host computer.
[0007] Furthermore, the starting end of the first conveyor belt of the batch book return module receives batch books through an automatic book reversing machine and / or a librarian workstation that is manually reset. The portion of the first conveyor belt that connects with the automatic book reversing machine is higher in the vertical direction than the main body of the first conveyor belt to form a ramp between the two portions, so that the batch books conveyed by the automatic book reversing machine can slide down to the main body of the first conveyor belt under the action of gravity.
[0008] Furthermore, a transitional second conveyor belt is provided between the downstream outlet of the first conveyor belt and the book sorting machine.
[0009] Furthermore, a transitional third conveyor belt is provided between the book outlet of the self-service book return machine in the single book return module and the second reversing wheel.
[0010] Furthermore, the single book return module also includes a fourth conveyor belt, and the second reversing wheel is formed as part of the fourth conveyor belt and is higher than the first conveyor belt in the vertical direction, so that the single book on the second reversing wheel can slide down onto the first conveyor belt under the action of gravity.
[0011] Furthermore, a transitional fifth conveyor belt is disposed between the end of the fourth conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt, the fourth conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt being parallel in the horizontal direction, and the fifth conveyor belt being perpendicular to the fourth conveyor belt in the horizontal direction.
[0012] Furthermore, both the first and second reversing balance wheel disks include a square disk body and two sets of guide components disposed on the square disk body. The travel directions of the two sets of guide components are perpendicular to each other on the horizontal plane, and each set of guide components includes multiple guide rollers protruding from the bearing surface of the square disk body.
[0013] Furthermore, the guide roller in one direction of the guide assembly of the first reversing balance wheel is a guide roller capable of reversing both directions.
[0014] Furthermore, the single book return module includes two self-service book return machines arranged side by side.
[0015] Furthermore, the book box is equipped with an electronic ink screen for displaying the classification information of the books in the book box.
[0016] Based on the above technical solution, the technical effects that this utility model can achieve are as follows:
[0017] This utility model's multi-threaded book return and sorting system includes a batch book return module and a single book return module, both of which are connected to a book wheel sorting machine. Readers return books independently through the self-service return machine in the single book return module. The single book enters the book wheel sorting machine via a second reversing wheel, and is ultimately sorted into a box corresponding to the book's RFID tag information. If the system is busy when a reader returns a book, the second reversing wheel will, based on information from the host computer, transport the single book to the first conveyor belt of the batch book return module for buffering, and then separate it into individual books for sorting in the book wheel sorting machine. When staff perform batch book returns, the batch of books enters the batch book single-book separator via the first conveyor belt for separation, and then enters the book wheel sorting machine one by one to complete the sorting. In summary, this utility model's multi-threaded book return and sorting system, through the "single book channel" and "multiple book channel" for sorting in the book wheel sorting machine, solves the technical problem of the increasingly heavy workload of book return and sorting in existing libraries. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the multi-threaded book return and sorting system of this utility model.
[0019] Among them: 1-Batch book return module, 11-First conveyor belt, 12-Batch book single-book separator, 13-Automatic book rewinding machine, 14-Liberator workstation, 15-Second conveyor belt;
[0020] 2-Book sorting machine with a pendulum wheel, 21-First reversing pendulum wheel, 22-Book box;
[0021] 3-Single book return module, 31-Self-service book return machine, 32-Second reversing wheel, 33-Third conveyor belt, 34-Fourth conveyor belt, 35-Fifth conveyor belt. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present utility model or its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
[0023] like Figure 1As shown, this utility model provides a multi-threaded book return and sorting system, including a host computer, a batch book return module 1, a book wheel sorting machine 2, and a single book return module 3. The batch book return module 1 includes a first conveyor belt 11, the upstream of which receives a batch of books, and the downstream outlet of the first conveyor belt 11 connects to a batch book single-book separator 12. The batch book single-book separator 12 separates the batch of books conveyed by the first conveyor belt 11 into individual books and then feeds them into the book wheel sorting machine 2. Specifically, the book wheel sorting machine 2 of this utility model's multi-threaded book return and sorting system can adopt the book sorting equipment mentioned in the utility model application with application number 202422995068X entitled "A Book Sorting Equipment". The book wheel sorting machine 2 includes multiple first reversing wheel disks 21 arranged in a straight line and book boxes 22 disposed on the side of the first reversing wheel disks 21. The first reversing wheel disks 21 are sorted according to the book R fed back by the host computer. The RFID tag information sends a single book located on the first reversing wheel 21 into the book box 22 on the side corresponding to the book RFID tag information for sorting, or sends it to the downstream first reversing wheel 21 for re-identification until the book is sent into the book box 22 corresponding to the book RFID tag information. The single book return module 3 includes a self-service book return machine 31. Specifically, the self-service book return machine 31 of the multi-threaded book return and sorting system of this utility model can adopt the dual-frequency book return machine for libraries mentioned in the utility model with application number 2024231795004 and name "A Dual-Frequency Book Return Machine for Libraries". The return port of the self-service book return machine 31 is used to receive the single book returned by the reader. The exit port of the self-service book return machine 31 is connected to the corresponding second reversing wheel 32. The second reversing wheel 32 sends the single book to the book wheel sorting machine 2 or to the first conveyor belt 11 of the batch book return module 1 according to the information fed back by the host computer.
[0024] In one embodiment of this application, the batch book single-book separator 12 consists of three belt conveyors of different heights. The friction on the belt conveyors is specifically designed according to the books. The belt conveyors are designed with partitions of varying lengths, so that as the books are conveyed upwards, they are separated into individual books by gravity and the partitions. The three belt conveyors of different heights cause the batch of books to undergo three separations, ensuring that the batch of books are separated into individual books and enter the book swing wheel sorting machine 2. Specifically, the batch book single-book separator 12 of the multi-threaded book return sorting system of this utility model can adopt the device for realizing batch book single-book separation mentioned in utility model application number 2024224540180, entitled "A Device for Realizing Batch Book Single-Book Separation".
[0025] Furthermore, the starting end of the first conveyor belt 11 of the bulk book return module 1 receives bulk books via the automatic book-turning machine 13 and / or the librarian workstation 14 that is manually reset. The portion of the first conveyor belt 11 that connects with the automatic book-turning machine 13 is vertically higher than the main body of the first conveyor belt 11 to form a ramp between the two portions. This allows the bulk books conveyed by the automatic book-turning machine 13 to slide down onto the main body of the first conveyor belt 11 under the action of gravity. The automatic book-turning machine 13 can dump an entire box of books onto the first conveyor belt 11 at once, replacing manual operation by staff. Linked with the host computer, the book reversing machine slowly pours books according to the current system processing capacity. During the pouring process, it starts and stops according to the busy status of the sorting system to avoid system blockage caused by excessive book pouring. Specifically, the automatic book reversing machine 13 of the multi-threaded book return and sorting system of this utility model can adopt the automatic book reversing device mentioned in the invention with application number 2024119230206 entitled "An Automatic Book Reversing Device". The librarian workstation 14 is for manual operation of books onto the first conveyor belt 11 relative to the automatic book reversing machine. Staff members manually process batches of books into the system for return and sorting through the librarian workstation 14.
[0026] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, a transitional second conveyor belt 15 is configured between the downstream outlet of the first conveyor belt 11 and the book wheel sorting machine 2. On the one hand, this allows a single book to be input into the book wheel sorting machine 2 more stably. On the other hand, it also establishes a connection bridge between the batch book return module 1 and the single book return module 3.
[0027] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, a transitional third conveyor belt 33 is provided between the book outlet of the self-service book return machine 31 of the single book return module 3 and the second reversing wheel 32, so that the self-service book return machine 31 can better transport the single book to the second reversing wheel 32.
[0028] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the single book return module 3 further includes a fourth conveyor belt 34, and the second reversing wheel 32 is formed as part of the fourth conveyor belt 34 and is higher than the first conveyor belt 11 in the vertical direction, so that the single book on the second reversing wheel 32 can slide down onto the first conveyor belt 11 under the action of gravity.
[0029] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, a transitional fifth conveyor belt 35 is disposed between the end of the fourth conveyor belt 34 and the second conveyor belt 15. The fourth conveyor belt 34 and the second conveyor belt 15 are parallel in the horizontal direction, and the fifth conveyor belt 35 is perpendicular to the fourth conveyor belt 34 in the horizontal direction.
[0030] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the first reversing balance wheel 21 and the second reversing balance wheel 32 both include a square disc body and two sets of guide components disposed on the square disc body. The travel directions of the two sets of guide components are perpendicular to each other on the horizontal plane, and each set of guide components includes multiple guide rollers protruding from the bearing surface of the square disc body.
[0031] Furthermore, one of the guide rollers in the guide assembly of the first reversing balance wheel 21 is a guide roller capable of reversing both directions, so that the first reversing balance wheel 21 can transport books to the book boxes 22 on both sides.
[0032] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the single book return module 3 includes two self-service book return machines 31 arranged side by side.
[0033] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, the book box 22 is equipped with an electronic ink screen for displaying the classification information of the books in the book box 22.
[0034] The multi-threaded book return and sorting method of this utility model's multi-threaded book return and sorting system includes the following steps:
[0035] S1: Readers return books one at a time through the automatic book return machine. The single book enters the third conveyor belt 33, the fourth conveyor belt 34, the fifth conveyor belt 35 and the second conveyor belt 15 in sequence, or enters the batch book single book separator 12 of the batch book return module 1 for buffering. Staff members manually perform batch multi-threaded book return and sorting operations through the automatic book return machine 13 or through the librarian workstation 14.
[0036] S2: A single book passes through the third conveyor belt 33, the fourth conveyor belt 34, the fifth conveyor belt 35, and the second conveyor belt 15 and enters the book swing wheel sorting machine 2; a batch of books passes through the first conveyor belt 11 and enters the batch book single book separator 12, which separates them into single books and enters the second conveyor belt 15 and then enters the book swing wheel sorting machine 2.
[0037] S3: The front end of the host computer at the book sorting machine 2 reads the RFID tag information of the books, matches the library's classification rules according to the tag information, and performs the book sorting operation. The books are sorted into the book box 22. When the book box 22 is full, the host computer system notifies the staff to handle it and replace the book box 22 with an empty one. The staff can understand the classification information of the books in the book box 22 according to the information on the electronic ink screen on the book box 22.
[0038] It should be further explained that the host computer software system of the multi-threaded book return and sorting system automatically decides the destination of books based on the current sorting workload. For example, if the flow of books returned by readers exceeds the maximum processing capacity of the current book wheel sorting machine 2, the returned books will enter the first conveyor belt 11 of the batch book return module 1 for buffering and waiting. Specifically, if a certain compartment of the book wheel sorting machine 2 is full, the system will automatically match another empty compartment 22 and automatically bind the corresponding book classification rules. In addition, the host computer system monitors the operating status of the entire return and sorting system in real time, and will notify staff in time for timely handling in case of failure via email, SMS or WeChat official account.
[0039] In one specific embodiment of this utility model, a multi-threaded book return and sorting system of this utility model is used in conjunction with a host computer background software system. The background software system realizes the scheduling and control of the multi-threaded book return and sorting system. The background software system includes a multi-threaded book return and sorting software system and an electronic control PLC equipment control software system. At the same time, the front end of the entire system is also equipped with a self-service book return machine 31 human-computer interaction system to facilitate readers to return books by themselves.
[0040] The self-service book return machine's 31-person-computer interaction system mainly guides readers in returning books. When returning a book, the system provides text and image guidance, as well as sound and light prompts to prompt the reader to perform the operation. Once the reader completes the operation, the system will provide feedback to the reader indicating whether the book return was successful or not.
[0041] The multi-threaded book return and sorting software system primarily executes book scheduling and sorting strategies, such as deciding whether a single book should enter the book rack sorter 2 or the batch book return module 1, and which sorting compartment 22 a particular book should be sorted into. Simultaneously, the multi-threaded book return and sorting software system can generate operation logs and data reports for subsequent export and analysis by staff, and will also promptly provide feedback on the current operation status and fault information to staff, ensuring the normal operation of the system.
[0042] The PLC control software system mainly controls the equipment to perform actions, such as controlling the start and stop of all conveyor belts, controlling the start and stop of the automatic book reversing machine 13, controlling the batch book single book separator 12 to separate books, and controlling the book swing wheel sorting machine 2 to perform sorting, etc.
[0043] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described above are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Obvious variations or modifications derived from the spirit of the present invention are still within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A multi-threaded book return and sorting system, characterized in that, include: Host computer; A batch book return module (1) includes a first conveyor belt (11). The upstream of the first conveyor belt (11) is used to receive a batch of books, and the downstream outlet of the first conveyor belt (11) is connected to a batch book single-book separator (12). The batch book single-book separator (12) separates the batch of books conveyed from the first conveyor belt (11) into individual books and then feeds them into a book swing wheel sorting machine (2). The book sorting machine (2) includes multiple first reversing wheel disks (21) arranged in a straight line and book boxes (22) configured on the side of the first reversing wheel disks (21). The first reversing wheel disks (21) send the single book located on the first reversing wheel disks (21) into the book box (22) on the side corresponding to the book RFID tag information according to the book RFID tag information fed back by the host computer to complete the sorting, or send it to the first reversing wheel disks (21) downstream for re-identification until the book is sent into the book box (22) corresponding to the book RFID tag information. The single book return module (3) includes a self-service book return machine (31). The return port of the self-service book return machine (31) is used to receive single books returned by readers. The book outlet of the self-service book return machine (31) is connected to the corresponding second reversing wheel disk (32). The second reversing wheel disk (32) transports the single book to the book wheel sorting machine (2) or to the first conveyor belt (11) of the batch book return module (1) according to the information fed back by the host computer.
2. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The starting end of the first conveyor belt (11) of the bulk book return module (1) receives bulk books through an automatic book reversing machine (13) and / or a librarian workstation (14) that is manually reset. The part of the first conveyor belt (11) that connects with the automatic book reversing machine (13) is higher than the main body of the first conveyor belt (11) in the vertical direction to form a ramp between the two parts, so that the bulk books conveyed by the automatic book reversing machine (13) can slide down to the main body of the first conveyor belt (11) under the action of gravity.
3. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A transitional second conveyor belt (15) is provided between the downstream outlet of the first conveyor belt (11) and the book sorting machine (2).
4. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 3, characterized in that, A transitional third conveyor belt (33) is provided between the book outlet of the self-service book return machine (31) of the single book return module (3) and the second reversing wheel disk (32).
5. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The single book return module (3) also includes a fourth conveyor belt (34), and the second reversing wheel disk (32) is formed as part of the fourth conveyor belt (34) and is higher than the first conveyor belt (11) in the vertical direction, so that the single book on the second reversing wheel disk (32) can slide down onto the first conveyor belt (11) under the action of gravity.
6. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 5, characterized in that, A fifth conveyor belt (35) is provided between the end of the fourth conveyor belt (34) and the second conveyor belt (15) for transition. The fourth conveyor belt (34) and the second conveyor belt (15) are parallel in the horizontal direction, and the fifth conveyor belt (35) is perpendicular to the fourth conveyor belt (34) in the horizontal direction.
7. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the first reversing balance wheel (21) and the second reversing balance wheel (32) include a square disc and two sets of guide components disposed on the square disc. The travel directions of the two sets of guide components are perpendicular to each other on the horizontal plane. Each set of guide components includes multiple guide rollers protruding from the bearing surface of the square disc.
8. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The guide roller in one direction of the guide assembly of the first reversing balance wheel (21) is a guide roller that can achieve forward and reverse rotation.
9. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The single book return module (3) includes two self-service book return machines (31) arranged side by side.
10. The multi-threaded book return and sorting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The book box (22) is equipped with an electronic ink screen for displaying the classification information of the books in the book box (22).