Blanking chute with blanking detection function
By improving the chute surface structure and setting up detection sensors, the problem of inaccurate detection of flat or slender goods by the chute device was solved, and the efficiency of material dropping detection and sorting system was improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing chute devices cannot accurately detect the quantity of materials falling, especially for flat or long and thin goods, resulting in low sorting efficiency.
The chute surface is improved to have a stepped distribution, and detection sensors and detection light curtains are installed to increase the contact area and contact time between the goods and the light. Detection is carried out using grating sensors or light curtain sensors.
It improves the accuracy of detecting flat or long and thin goods, and enhances the precision of material handling and the efficiency of the sorting system.
Smart Images
Figure CN223990470U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of logistics sorting technology, and in particular to a material discharge chute device. Background Technology
[0002] Existing automated sorting systems include a frame with translation guides, along which sorting trolleys move. The frame has chutes on both sides. After the sorting trolley moves to a designated position along the translation guides, the sorting conveyor belt within the trolley moves, causing the goods to enter the chutes and slide down into the receiving frame.
[0003] Existing chutes typically include an inclined chute surface to facilitate the sliding of goods, but lack a material drop detection function. Operators cannot accurately obtain information such as the quantity of dropped goods, which is detrimental to improving sorting efficiency. Some chutes also have detection sensors at the entrance of the chute surface. While these sensors have some ability to detect goods, flat or long items (such as business cards or pencils) may pass directly through the gap between the detection light curtain and the chute surface, or between two adjacent infrared detection lines in the light curtain. Alternatively, the speed at which the goods pass through may be too fast, resulting in insufficient time for the light curtain to detect them. All of these factors can lead to the light curtain failing to accurately detect the goods, thus resulting in a certain rate of missed detection. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a material discharge chute with a material discharge detection function, which can accurately detect whether goods have entered the chute, thereby helping to improve the sorting efficiency of the automatic sorting system.
[0005] This utility model provides a material discharge chute with a material discharge detection function, including an inlet located at a high position, an outlet located at a low position, a chute surface for connecting the inlet and the outlet, and a detection sensor; the chute surface includes a first chute surface and a second chute surface distributed in a stepped manner, a descending region is formed at the height difference between the first chute surface and the second chute surface, the first chute surface includes a first side edge disposed near the outlet, the descending region is lower than the first chute surface and disposed adjacent to the first side edge; at least one detection light emitted by the detection sensor is located within the descending region.
[0006] Preferably, the slide surface is an integral structure, and the first side and the second slide surface are connected by a connecting plate.
[0007] Preferably, the slide surface has a segmented structure, and the first slide surface and the second slide surface are the top surfaces of two independent plates.
[0008] Preferably, it further includes a plurality of partitions spaced apart on the slide surface, each partition having a perforated portion for the detection light to pass through.
[0009] Preferably, the detection sensor includes a transmitter and a receiver; along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the material dropping direction, the transmitter and receiver are respectively disposed on both sides of the second chute surface, and a detection light curtain is formed between them above the second chute surface, and a plurality of detection light rays in the detection light curtain pass through the dropping area.
[0010] Preferably, the detection light curtain extends from below the first side toward the side where the exit is located.
[0011] Preferably, the width direction of the detection light curtain is parallel to the width direction of the second slide surface.
[0012] Preferably, the width direction of the detection light curtain and the width direction of the second slide surface have an acute angle.
[0013] Preferably, the detection sensor is a grating sensor or a light curtain sensor.
[0014] Preferably, the material discharge chute is installed on the frame of the sorting system and is located between the sorting trolley and the receiving mechanism in the sorting system.
[0015] The advantage of this invention lies in its improved structure, which divides the chute surface into a first chute surface and a second chute surface with a height difference, thereby altering the movement trajectory of the goods on the chute surface. The goods first slide along the first chute surface, then pass downwards from the first chute surface through the detection light beam onto the second chute surface. This design effectively increases the contact area and contact time between the goods and the detection light beam, improving the detection rate for flat or elongated goods and significantly enhancing the accuracy of material dropping detection. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the material discharge chute.
[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the material feeding chute and the grating sensor working together.
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another structure of the material discharge chute.
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a material discharge chute divided into multiple compartments by partitions;
[0020] Component designation explanation:
[0021] 1. Material discharge chute
[0022] 11 Entrances
[0023] 12 Exports
[0024] 21 First Slide Surface
[0025] 211 First side
[0026] 22 Second Slide Surface
[0027] 221 Second side
[0028] 3 partitions
[0029] 31. Openwork section
[0030] 4. Descent Zone
[0031] 5 Connecting plate
[0032] 6. Detection Sensors
[0033] 7. Detection light curtain
[0034] 71 Detecting light Detailed Implementation
[0035] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to illustrate this utility model and are not intended to limit it.
[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0038] Furthermore, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.
[0039] Figure 1The diagram shows a schematic of the material discharge chute. In the following description, it will be referred to as... Figure 1 The attached diagram serves as a reference for direction. Figure 1 In the above, the distribution direction of the two partitions 3 is defined as the left and right direction, and the two are located on the left and right sides of the first slide surface 21 respectively; the first slide surface 21 is defined as being above the second slide surface 22.
[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this utility model provides a material discharge chute with a material discharge detection function. The material discharge chute 1 includes an inlet 11 located at a higher position, an outlet 12 located at a lower position, a chute surface connecting the inlet 11 and the outlet 12, and a detection sensor 6. Goods can enter the chute surface through the inlet 11 and exit the chute surface through the outlet 12. The chute surface includes a first chute surface 21 and a second chute surface 22 distributed in a stepped manner, with a descending region 4 formed at the height difference between the first chute surface 21 and the second chute surface 22. The height of the first chute surface 21 is greater than the height of the second chute surface 22. The first chute surface 21 is located on the side closer to the inlet 11, and the second chute surface 22 is located on the side closer to the outlet 12. The first chute surface 21 includes a first side 211 located on the side closer to the outlet 12. The descending region 4 is lower than the first chute surface 21 and is located adjacent to the first side 211. At least one detection light emitted by the detection sensor 6 is located within the descending region 4.
[0041] This invention improves the structure of the chute surface by dividing it into a first chute surface 21 and a second chute surface 22 with a height difference, thereby altering the movement trajectory of the goods on the chute surface. The goods first slide along the first chute surface 21, and then fall from the first side 211 onto the second chute surface 22. During this process, the goods pass through the detection light in the descending area 4 from top to bottom. This design effectively increases the contact area and contact time between the goods and the detection light. Even slender goods will come into contact with the detection light in the descending area 4 as they roll down along the edge of the first side 211. This significantly improves the accuracy of material drop detection.
[0042] Furthermore, the detection sensor 6 includes a transmitter and a receiver arranged facing each other. Along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the material dropping direction, the transmitter and receiver are respectively positioned on opposite sides of the second chute surface 22, forming a detection light curtain 7 above the second chute surface 22 between them. Several detection rays 71 in the detection light curtain 7 pass through the descent area 4. Due to the height difference between the first side 211 and the second chute surface 22, goods falling from the first side 211 will fall onto the second chute surface 22 via the descent area 4.
[0043] The aforementioned material dropping direction is specifically from the inlet 11 toward the outlet 12. The horizontal direction perpendicular to the material dropping direction is the left and right direction. That is, the transmitter and receiver are respectively located on the left and right sides of the second chute surface 22.
[0044] The detection sensor 6 is a grating sensor or a light curtain sensor, and it is connected to the controller. Specifically, the transmitter of the detection sensor 6 has multiple transmitters evenly spaced, and the receiver has the same number of receivers evenly spaced. Each transmitter corresponds to one receiver. When there are no obstacles between the corresponding transmitters and receivers, the detection light rays 71 (detection infrared rays) emitted by the transmitters can reach the receivers smoothly, forming a detection light curtain 7. During the process of the goods falling from the first side 211, some of the detection light rays 71 emitted by the transmitters are blocked by the goods, preventing the receivers from receiving them. The receivers then output a corresponding signal to the controller, which counts the number of goods entering the material chute 1. The controller is specifically a PLC controller.
[0045] The goods first slide along the first chute surface 21, and then fall from the first side 211 onto the second chute surface 22. During this process, the goods will pass through the detection light curtain 7 from top to bottom. The detection light curtain 7 has a larger detection range and a higher accuracy of material drop detection.
[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the material discharge chute, the chute surface is a one-piece structure, and the first side 211 and the second chute surface 22 are connected by a connecting plate 5. The descending region 4 is formed by extending a certain distance from the surface where the connecting plate 5 is located towards the side where the outlet 12 is located. A detection light 71 emitted from the end of the transmitter near the connecting plate 5 passes through the descending region 4, and a detection light curtain 7 extends from near the connecting plate 5 towards the side where the outlet 12 is located. The second chute surface 22 includes a second side 221 located near the inlet 11, and the direction from the second side 221 towards the side where the outlet 12 is located is defined as the width direction of the second chute surface 22. The width of the detection light curtain 7 is the distance between the emitting parts located at both ends of the transmitter. In this embodiment, the width of the detection light curtain 7 is set to be less than or equal to the width of the second chute surface 22, and there is an acute angle between the width direction of the detection light curtain 7 and the width direction of the second chute surface 22. This setting ensures that the goods falling from the first side 211 make full contact with the detection light curtain 7, resulting in a high material discharge detection accuracy.
[0047] Figure 1 and Figure 2The diagram shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the chute surface has a segmented structure, with the first chute surface 21 and the second chute surface 22 being the top surfaces of two independent plates. There is no direct connection between the first side 211 and the second chute surface 22; instead, there is a long through-slot formed by the height difference between them. The descending region 4 is formed by extending a certain distance from the surface containing this long through-slot towards the side containing the outlet 12. The detection light 71 emitted from the transmitter can pass through this long through-slot (i.e., through the descending region 4), and the detection light curtain 7 can extend from the long through-slot towards the side containing the outlet 12. This arrangement ensures that the detection range of the detection light curtain 7 covers directly below the first side 211, allowing it to directly detect goods rolling down from the first side 211, further improving the accuracy of material detection. Simultaneously, the width direction of the detection light curtain 7 is parallel to the width direction of the second chute surface 22, thereby maximizing the contact between goods falling from the first side 211 and the detection light curtain 7, reducing the missed detection rate.
[0048] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the material feeding chute 1 of this utility model also includes multiple partitions 3 spaced apart on the chute surface. Each partition 3 has a perforated portion 31 for the detection light 71 to pass through. The perforated portion 31 can be multiple through holes arranged side by side, the number of through holes being the same as the number of transmitting parts on the transmitter. The arrangement direction of the multiple through holes is parallel to the width direction of the detection light curtain 7, and they are arranged directly opposite the multiple transmitting parts and multiple receiving parts. Alternatively, the perforated portion 31 can also be a single long perforated hole, the extension direction of which is also parallel to the width direction of the detection light curtain 7. The transmitter and receiver of the detection sensor 6 are respectively set on the partitions 3 located on the left and right sides of the chute surface. The operator can adjust the length of the chute surface and the number of partitions 3 set thereon as needed to divide the material feeding chute 1 into several feeding slots.
[0049] Furthermore, the material discharge chute 1 provided by this utility model is installed on the frame of the sorting system and is located between the sorting trolley and the receiving mechanism in the sorting system. Each discharge slot in the material discharge chute 1 corresponds to a receiving frame in the receiving mechanism. That is, the inlet 11 of the material discharge chute 1 is located on the side closer to the sorting trolley, and the outlet 12 is located on the side closer to the receiving mechanism. The sorting trolley can use its own conveyor belt to deliver goods through the inlet 11 onto the first chute surface 21. The goods first slide along the first chute surface 21, then pass from top to bottom through the detection light curtain 7 from the first side 211 onto the second chute surface 22, and then fall into the receiving mechanism from the outlet 12, completing one delivery. The controller counts and records the number of goods entering the material discharge chute 1.
[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A blank chute with a blank detection function, characterized by, The chute surface includes a first chute surface (21) and a second chute surface (22) arranged in high-low steps, a drop area (4) is formed at the height difference of the first chute surface (21) and the second chute surface (22), the first chute surface (21) includes a first side edge (211) arranged near one side of the outlet (12), the drop area (4) is lower than the first chute surface (21) and is arranged adjacent to the first side edge (211). At least one detection light emitted by the detection sensor (6) is in the drop area (4). The chute surface is a one-piece structure, and the first side edge (211) and the second chute surface (22) are connected through a connecting plate (5).
2. The blanking chute of claim 1, wherein, The chute surface is a segmented structure, and the first chute surface (21) and the second chute surface (22) are top surfaces of two independent plates.
3. The blanking chute of claim 1, wherein, A plurality of partition plates (3) are arranged on the chute surface, and each partition plate (3) is provided with a hollow part (31) for the detection light to pass through.
4. The blanking chute of claim 1, wherein, The detection sensor (6) includes a transmitter and a receiver; along the horizontal direction perpendicular to the falling direction, the transmitter and the receiver are arranged on both sides of the second chute surface (22), respectively, and a detection light curtain (7) above the second chute surface (22) is formed between the transmitter and the receiver, and a plurality of detection lights in the detection light curtain (7) pass through the drop area (4).
5. The blanking chute of claim 1, wherein, The detection light curtain (7) extends from below the first side edge (211) to the side where the outlet (12) is located.
6. The blanking chute of claim 5, wherein, The width direction of the detection light curtain (7) is parallel to the width direction of the second chute surface (22).
7. The blanking chute of claim 5, wherein, The width direction of the detection light curtain (7) and the width direction of the second chute surface (22) have an acute included angle.
8. The blanking chute of claim 5, wherein, The detection sensor (6) is a grating sensor or a light curtain sensor.
9. The blanking chute of claim 1, wherein, The falling chute is arranged on a rack of a sorting system and located between a sorting trolley and a material receiving mechanism in the sorting system.
10. The blank chute of claim 1, wherein,