An envelope piece sorting apparatus

Abstract

This utility model discloses an envelope sorting device, comprising: a sorting main line for conveying envelopes to the next stage; a scanning device for reading barcodes on envelopes; a feeding mechanism for conveying envelopes to a preset sorting position; and a rotating suction mechanism for picking up and moving envelopes. The rotating suction mechanism includes a negative pressure suction module for picking up envelopes, and the negative pressure suction module is connected to a horizontal rotation shifting module for moving the envelopes above the sorting main line, the scanning device, or the preset sorting position. Furthermore, the scanning device, the feeding mechanism, the negative pressure suction module, and the horizontal rotation shifting module are all electrically connected to a control system. This utility model effectively ensures that the barcodes on the envelopes can be read, thereby improving the success rate and accuracy of sorting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automated mail sorting technology, and in particular to an envelope sorting device. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the postal, express delivery, and logistics industries, the sorting efficiency of express parcels directly affects the overall delivery time. Traditional manual sorting methods are labor-intensive and inefficient (approximately 1000-1500 parcels / hour), and are prone to missorting due to fatigue, making it difficult to meet the high throughput demands of modern logistics.

[0003] To improve the sorting efficiency of express parcels and meet the needs of modern logistics, automated sorting equipment has become widespread in the logistics industry, greatly improving the efficiency and accuracy of express delivery operations and becoming one of the important cornerstones of modern logistics.

[0004] The basic process of sorting express parcels includes bag supply, scanning, sorting, packing, and shipping. Among these, the scanning process is crucial to ensuring sorting accuracy. Traditionally, staff use handheld scanners to scan the barcodes on the parcels, inputting the information into the system. Based on this information, the system automatically determines the parcel's origin and delivery route, providing a basis for subsequent sorting and shipping.

[0005] To further improve automation and sorting efficiency, Chinese utility model patent application number CN202020291868.2 discloses a circular sorting system for the logistics field. This system includes a package feeding line with a package scanning component positioned above it. As the feeding line transports packages to the circular transport device, the scanning component automatically scans and reads the package barcodes, replacing conventional manual sorting and enabling data entry and initial sorting of large items, thus improving sorting efficiency. However, compared to ordinary packages, envelopes are smaller and thinner, making them prone to overlapping during transport. The barcodes on the envelopes are easily obscured, preventing the scanning equipment from reading the information. Furthermore, to increase efficiency, operators often use methods such as throwing or dropping to load the packages, which is rough and further increases the possibility of overlapping envelopes, thereby reducing the success rate and accuracy of sorting. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an envelope sorting device that can effectively ensure that the barcodes on the envelopes are read, thereby improving the success rate and accuracy of sorting.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] This utility model provides an envelope sorting device, comprising:

[0009] The sorting line is used to transport envelopes to the next stage;

[0010] A scanning device used to read barcodes on envelopes;

[0011] A feeding mechanism used to transport envelopes to a preset sorting position;

[0012] A rotary suction mechanism for picking up and moving envelopes;

[0013] The rotating suction mechanism includes a negative pressure suction module for suctioning envelopes, and the negative pressure suction module is connected to a horizontal rotation shifting module for moving the envelopes to the sorting main line, a scanning device, or a preset sorting position.

[0014] Furthermore, the scanning device, the feeding mechanism, the negative pressure suction module, and the horizontal rotation shifting module are all electrically connected to a control system.

[0015] Furthermore, the horizontal rotation shifting module includes a sorting support, a rotary servo motor is mounted on the top of the sorting support, the rotary servo motor is electrically connected to the control system and is driven by a servo rotary table, at least one rotary arm is mounted on the servo rotary table, and the negative pressure suction module is mounted on the rotary arm.

[0016] Furthermore, the negative pressure suction module includes at least one suction cup, which is installed at the end of the rotating arm away from the servo rotary table. The suction cup is connected to a vacuum generator through a negative pressure pipe, and a solenoid valve is installed on the negative pressure pipe. Both the vacuum generator and the solenoid valve are electrically connected to the control system.

[0017] Furthermore, the number of suction cups is four, and the four suction cups are arranged in a card array at the end of the rotating arm away from the servo rotary table.

[0018] Furthermore, the number of rotating arms is four, and the four rotating arms are perpendicularly connected to each other on the servo rotary table.

[0019] Furthermore, the feeding mechanism includes a lifting platform and a conveyor line. The lifting platform is located at the end of the conveyor line in the conveying direction and is electrically connected to the control system. A workstation is provided at the beginning of the conveyor line.

[0020] Furthermore, the control system includes a processor, and the scanning device, lifting platform, rotary servo motor, vacuum generator, and solenoid valve are all electrically connected to the processor. In addition, the processor is electrically connected to an envelope detection module and a height detection module. The envelope detection module is installed on the lifting platform, and the height detection module is installed on the sorting support near the feeding mechanism.

[0021] Furthermore, the control system also includes a pressure sensor, which is installed in a negative pressure pipeline and is electrically connected to the processor.

[0022] Furthermore, there are two feeding mechanisms, and the sorting main line, scanning device, and two lifting platforms are equidistantly distributed around the four sides of the sorting support.

[0023] Furthermore, the scanning device is a barcode scanner, and the conveyor line is a belt conveyor.

[0024] Due to the adoption of the above structure, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0025] This invention employs a rotating suction mechanism, comprising a negative pressure suction module and a horizontal rotation and shifting module. The horizontal rotation and shifting module moves the negative pressure suction module above a preset sorting position, generating negative pressure to suck up envelopes from the feeding mechanism. The module then moves the envelopes to above a scanning device. Once the barcode on the envelope is recognized by the scanner, the horizontal rotation and shifting module moves the envelope above the main sorting line. At this point, the negative pressure suction module dissipates, and the envelope falls onto the main sorting line under gravity and is conveyed to the next stage. Therefore, this invention uses negative pressure suction to pick up envelopes, sucking up only one envelope at a time. Even if envelopes overlap, they can be separated, scanned, and moved to the main sorting line during the suction process, ensuring that the barcodes on the envelopes can be read by the scanning device, effectively improving the success rate and accuracy of sorting.

[0026] The present invention will become clearer from the following description and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are used to explain the embodiments of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a top view of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the rotary suction mechanism and lifting platform of this utility model;

[0030] Figure 3This is a front view of the rotary suction mechanism and lifting platform of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the electrical connection of this utility model.

[0032] Reference numerals: Sorting main line-100, Scanning device-200, Feeding mechanism-300, Rotary suction mechanism-400; Negative pressure suction module-1, Suction cup-11, Vacuum generator-12, Solenoid valve-13; Horizontal rotation shifting module-2, Sorting support-21, Rotary servo motor-22, Servo rotary table-23, Rotary lever arm-24; Lifting platform-3, External pallet-31, Lifting module-32; Processor-4, Envelope detection module-5, Height detection module-6, Conveyor line-7, Workstation-8; Air pressure sensor-9. Detailed Implementation

[0033] 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. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0034] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4 The present invention provides an envelope sorting device, comprising:

[0035] Sorting line 100 used to transport envelopes to the next stage;

[0036] Scanning device 200 for reading barcodes on envelopes;

[0037] A feeding mechanism 300 for conveying envelopes to a preset sorting position;

[0038] A rotary suction mechanism 400 for picking up and moving envelopes;

[0039] The rotating suction mechanism 400 includes a negative pressure suction module 1 for suctioning envelopes, and the negative pressure suction module 1 is connected to a horizontal rotation shifting module 2 for moving the envelopes to the sorting main line 100, the scanning device 200, or a preset sorting position.

[0040] Furthermore, the scanning device 200, the feeding mechanism 300, the negative pressure suction module 1, and the horizontal rotation shifting module 2 are all electrically connected to a control system.

[0041] When the feeding mechanism 300 delivers the envelope to the preset sorting position, the control system controls the horizontal rotation and shifting module 2 to move the negative pressure suction module 1 above the preset sorting position. At this time, the negative pressure suction module 1 is activated, generating negative pressure and adsorbing and fixing the envelope onto the negative pressure suction module 1. Subsequently, the horizontal rotation and shifting module 2 moves the negative pressure suction module 1 with the envelope above the scanning device 200. The scanning device 200 reads the barcode on the envelope and enters the read express information into the logistics system. Finally, the horizontal rotation and shifting module 2 moves the negative pressure suction module 1 with the envelope above the sorting main line 100. At this time, the negative pressure suction module 1 stops applying negative pressure, and the envelope falls onto the sorting main line 100 under the action of gravity and is conveyed to the next stage. Therefore, this utility model uses negative pressure suction to pick up envelopes. Even if the envelopes overlap, only the topmost envelope can be picked up each time, thus separating the overlapping envelopes one by one. This effectively ensures the normal operation of subsequent scanning and movement to the sorting main line 100, thereby effectively improving the success rate and accuracy of sorting.

[0042] Preferably, the scanning device 200 is a barcode scanner, and the sorting main line 100 is a logistics transport track. Both the barcode scanner and the logistics transport track are existing technologies. For specific structures, please refer to the scanning device and the circular transport device in a circular sorting system for the logistics field CN202020291868.2, which will not be described in detail here.

[0043] In this invention, the horizontal rotation shifting module 2 includes a sorting support 21. A rotary servo motor 22 is mounted on the top of the sorting support 21. The rotary servo motor 22 is electrically connected to the control system and is driven by a servo rotary table 23. At least one rotating arm 24 is mounted on the servo rotary table 23, and the negative pressure suction module 1 is mounted on the rotating arm 24. Activating the rotary servo motor 22 drives the servo rotary table 23 to rotate, which in turn drives the negative pressure suction module 1 to rotate around the central axis of the servo rotary table 23 via the rotating arm 24. This allows the negative pressure suction module 1 to rotate and move above the sorting main line 100, the scanning device 200, or a preset sorting position.

[0044] Optionally, the servo rotary table 23 belongs to existing technology that can be purchased from the market, such as the BPHN series hollow rotary table of Bupermann, the PTN060 series hollow rotary table of NEWGEAR, the CR series servo rotary table of haoxpt, or other manufacturers and other models of products can be selected according to the user's needs.

[0045] In this invention, the negative pressure suction module 1 includes at least one suction cup 11, which is installed at the end of the rotating arm 24 away from the servo rotary table 23. The suction cup 11 is connected to a vacuum generator 12 via a negative pressure pipe, and a solenoid valve 13 is installed on the negative pressure pipe. Both the vacuum generator 12 and the solenoid valve 13 are electrically connected to the control system. When the vacuum generator 12 operates and the solenoid valve 13 opens, the negative pressure generated by the vacuum generator 12 acts on the envelope via the negative pressure pipe and the suction cup 11, thereby adsorbing and fixing the envelope onto the suction cup 11. When the envelope is moved above the sorting main line 100, the solenoid valve 13 closes, the suction cup 11 can no longer hold the envelope, and the envelope falls onto the sorting main line 100 under gravity.

[0046] In this invention, there are four suction cups 11, which are arranged in a card array at the end of the rotating arm 24 away from the servo rotary table 23.

[0047] Preferably, the four suction cups 11 are arranged in a rectangular array to match the shape of the envelope, and can respectively adhere to the four corners of the envelope, resulting in a stronger adhesion.

[0048] In this invention, there are four rotating arms 24, which are perpendicularly connected to the servo rotary table 23 to form a cross-shaped structure, which has good balance and can improve the stability during rotation.

[0049] In this utility model, the feeding mechanism 300 includes a lifting platform 3 and a conveyor line 7. The lifting platform 3 is located at the end of the conveying direction of the conveyor line 7 and is electrically connected to the control system. The starting end of the conveyor line 7 is provided with a workstation 8.

[0050] Specifically, the conveyor line 7 is a belt conveyor. The operator stacks the envelopes at the workstation 8. The conveyor line 7 will transport the stacked envelopes to the lifting platform 3. Then the lifting platform 3 will raise the height of the envelopes until the envelopes reach the preset sorting position. At this time, the topmost envelope in the stack can be picked up by the negative pressure suction module 1.

[0051] Preferably, the lifting platform 3 includes an external tray 31, which is connected to a lifting module 32. In use, the conveyor line 7 transports stacked envelopes to the external tray 31, and under the push of the lifting module 32, the external tray 31 can rise vertically to a height close to the suction cup 11, facilitating the suction cup 11 to pick up the envelopes. It should be noted that the lifting platform 3 can also be a scissor lift or a telescopic sleeve lift, or other common lifting platforms capable of vertically raising and lowering the platform surface; no further restrictions are imposed here.

[0052] In this utility model, the control system includes a processor 4. The scanning device 200, the lifting platform 3, the rotary servo motor 22, the vacuum generator 12, and the solenoid valve 13 are all electrically connected to the processor 4. Furthermore, the processor 4 is electrically connected to an envelope detection module 5 and a height detection module 6. The envelope detection module 5 is installed on the lifting platform 3, and the height detection module 6 is installed on the sorting support 21 on the side near the feeding mechanism 300.

[0053] Specifically, the envelope detection module 5 is used to detect whether the conveyor line 7 transports the envelope to the lifting platform 3, and the height detection module 6 is used to detect whether the lifting platform 3 lifts the envelope to the preset sorting position height, so as to ensure that the negative pressure suction module 1 can hold the envelope.

[0054] Preferably, both the envelope detection module 5 and the height detection module 6 are laser sensors, which measure the height or position of the envelope by the reflection or scattering of the laser beam with the object; alternatively, the envelope detection module 5 can also be a weight sensor or a contact sensor to detect whether there is an envelope on the lifting platform 3.

[0055] In this invention, the control system further includes a pressure sensor 9, which is installed in the negative pressure pipeline and electrically connected to the processor 4. The pressure sensor 9 can monitor the status of the negative pressure suction module 1 in real time and send a signal to the processor 4 when there is an abnormality. The processor 4 receives the signal and automatically alarms, reducing the time for manual troubleshooting. In particular, before the rotating suction mechanism 400 rotates, the pressure sensor 9 can detect whether the air pressure inside the negative pressure pipeline is normal, which can prevent the envelope from falling due to insufficient negative pressure suction under the action of gravity and the centrifugal force of the rotating suction mechanism 400.

[0056] In this invention, there are two feeding mechanisms 300. The sorting main line 100, scanning device 200, and two lifting platforms 3 are equidistantly distributed around the four sides of the sorting support 21, ensuring that the suction cup 11 is directly above the sorting main line 100, scanning device 200, or lifting platform 3 every 90° rotation of the rotating suction mechanism 400. Furthermore, the design of two feeding mechanisms 300 creates a multi-station sorting layout, allowing for simultaneous feeding of envelopes to the rotating suction mechanism 400 by both feeding mechanisms 300, resulting in higher efficiency. In addition, during one sorting cycle of the rotating suction mechanism 400, the suction cup 11 located directly above the two lifting platforms 3 is used to absorb envelopes. When two envelopes are respectively absorbed and fixed to the two suction cups 11... After 1, the rotary suction mechanism 400 rotates counterclockwise three times, with each rotation angle being 90°. This allows both envelopes to move sequentially above the scanning device 200 and the sorting main line 100. Finally, the two envelopes are released onto the sorting main line 100, completing one sorting cycle. In the next sorting cycle, the suction cup 11 located directly above the two lifting platforms 3 re-adsorbs two new envelopes. This process is repeated, enabling automatic sorting of envelopes. Furthermore, since the operator stacks envelopes relatively slowly, while the rotary suction mechanism 400 and the scanning device 200 operate at relatively high speeds, the simultaneous feeding of envelopes by two feeding mechanisms 300 to one rotary suction mechanism 400 allows the feeding speed to match the sorting speed.

[0057] Working principle of this utility model:

[0058] In use, the operator stacks the envelopes at workstation 8 with the barcode side facing down. Conveyor line 7 transports the stacked envelopes to lifting platform 3. When envelope detection module 5 detects an envelope on lifting platform 3, processor 4 controls lifting platform 3 to raise the envelope height until height detection module 6 detects that the top envelope has been raised to a preset height. At this point, vacuum generator 12 on the rotating arm 24 adjacent to the feeding mechanism 300 operates, and the corresponding solenoid valve 13 opens. The top envelope is then suction-fixed to suction cup 11, separating it from the other envelopes. The servo motor 22 then drives the servo rotary table 23 to rotate axially. This, in turn, drives the envelope to rotate around the central axis of the servo rotary table 23 via the rotating arm 24 and the negative pressure suction module 1. This allows the envelope to rotate and move above the scanning device 200, where it remains for a preset time. After the scanning device 200 scans and reads the information on the barcode on the bottom of the envelope, the rotating suction mechanism 400 rotates axially again until the envelope is moved above the sorting main line 100. At this point, the solenoid valve 13 closes, the negative pressure stops, the suction cup 11 can no longer hold the envelope, and the envelope falls onto the sorting main line 100 under gravity and is transported to the next stage. Repeating these steps allows stacked envelopes to be separated, scanned, and placed sequentially on the sorting main line, effectively ensuring the normal operation of subsequent scanning and movement to the sorting main line 100, thereby significantly improving the success rate and accuracy of sorting.

[0059] The preferred embodiments of this utility model have been described above. It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Devices and structures not described in detail herein should be understood as being implemented in a conventional manner within the art. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solutions of this utility model using the disclosed methods and techniques, or modify them into equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this utility model. This does not affect the essential content of this utility model. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this utility model, without departing from the content of the technical solution of this utility model, still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of this utility model.

Claims

1. An envelope piece sorting apparatus, characterized by include: The sorting line (100) used to transport envelopes to the next stage. Scanning device (200) for reading barcodes on envelopes; A feeding mechanism (300) for conveying envelopes to a preset sorting position. Rotary suction mechanism (400) for picking up and moving envelopes. The rotating suction mechanism (400) includes a negative pressure suction module (1) for suctioning envelopes, and the negative pressure suction module (1) is connected to a horizontal rotation shift module (2) for moving the envelopes to the sorting line (100), the scanning device (200), or a preset sorting position. Furthermore, the scanning device (200), the feeding mechanism (300), the negative pressure suction module (1), and the horizontal rotation shifting module (2) are all electrically connected to a control system.

2. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that: The horizontal rotation shifting module (2) includes a sorting support (21), a rotary servo motor (22) is mounted on the top of the sorting support (21), the rotary servo motor (22) is electrically connected to the control system and the rotary servo motor (22) is driven to a servo rotary table (23), at least one rotary lever (24) is mounted on the servo rotary table (23), and the negative pressure suction module (1) is mounted on the rotary lever (24).

3. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The negative pressure suction module (1) includes at least one suction cup (11), which is installed at the end of the rotating arm (24) away from the servo rotary table (23). The suction cup (11) is connected to a vacuum generator (12) through a negative pressure pipe, and a solenoid valve (13) is installed on the negative pressure pipe. The vacuum generator (12) and the solenoid valve (13) are both electrically connected to the control system.

4. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: The number of suction cups (11) is four, and the four suction cups (11) are arranged in a card plate array at one end of the rotating arm (24) away from the servo rotary table (23).

5. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The number of the rotating levers (24) is four, and the four rotating levers (24) are perpendicularly connected to each other on the servo rotary table (23).

6. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that: The feeding mechanism (300) includes a lifting platform (3) and a conveyor line (7). The lifting platform (3) is located at the end of the conveyor line (7) in the conveying direction and is electrically connected to the control system. The starting end of the conveyor line (7) is provided with a workstation (8).

7. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The control system includes a processor (4), and the scanning device (200), lifting platform (3), rotary servo motor (22), vacuum generator (12), and solenoid valve (13) are all electrically connected to the processor (4). The processor (4) is electrically connected to an envelope detection module (5) and a height detection module (6). The envelope detection module (5) is installed on the lifting platform (3), and the height detection module (6) is installed on the sorting support (21) on the side near the feeding mechanism (300).

8. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: The control system also includes a pressure sensor (9), which is installed in a negative pressure pipeline and is electrically connected to the processor (4).

9. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The number of the feeding mechanisms (300) is two, the sorting main line (100), the scanning device (200), two lifting platforms (3) are equidistantly distributed around the four sides of the sorting support (21).

10. An envelope piece sorting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The scanning device (200) is a code scanner, and the conveying line (7) is a belt conveyor.

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