Loop sorter

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of logistics sorting equipment, concretely to a ring sorting machine. Including frame, setting on the frame ring track, along the sorting trolley of ring track operation, drive the drive system of sorting trolley, the identification system of identification goods information and along the sorting grid mouth of ring track distribution. The bottom of sorting trolley is equipped with the V type guide wheel that can roll along the ring track, the drive system includes more than one servo motor, the sprocket connected with servo motor output end and a closed bent plate chain, and the sprocket is engaged with bent plate chain, and bent plate chain is fixedly connected with sorting trolley to drive its movement, more than one servo motor is configured as synchronous operation, to common drive bent plate chain. Possess driving stable synchronization, trolley walking reliable and function integration, system efficient compact etc. characteristics, to realize energy -conserving, operation reliability, sorting efficiency and the remarkable promotion of economic benefit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of logistics sorting equipment technology, specifically a ring sorting machine. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of e-commerce and modern logistics, logistics sorting centers face severe challenges such as handling huge parcel volumes, high sorting time requirements, and continuously rising labor costs. Automated sorting systems have become key equipment for improving logistics efficiency. Among them, the circular cross-belt sorter has been widely used due to its high sorting efficiency, strong adaptability to goods, and low damage rate.

[0003] However, existing circular cross-belt sorting machines still have many shortcomings in terms of drive system, trolley design, and system integration, which restrict further improvement in efficiency and cost optimization.

[0004] Firstly, regarding the drive system, traditional designs typically use a single high-power servo motor to drive the entire circular chain. For large sorting lines, this approach is prone to vibration and lag at the far end of the chain, leading to inaccurate positioning of the sorting carts and severely impacting sorting accuracy and reliability. Using multiple motors for auxiliary drive often results in complex and costly synchronization control algorithms. Even slight speed discrepancies between motors can cause internal friction, leading to chain strain, increased wear, and even machine shutdown, resulting in poor equipment stability and high maintenance costs.

[0005] Secondly, existing technologies also have significant shortcomings in the design of the walking mechanism and functions of sorting carts. Many carts use a combination of flat wheels and flat rails, which are prone to deviation and derailment due to dust accumulation or slight deformation of the rails, requiring frequent manual adjustments and affecting the stability of continuous operation. Furthermore, the vast majority of sorting carts have a single function, only undertaking transportation and unloading tasks. Package weighing must rely on a separate weighing platform at the port of entry, which not only increases additional equipment procurement costs and valuable space occupation, but also artificially fragments the sorting process, requiring packages to be handled and unloaded multiple times, severely hindering overall sorting efficiency.

[0006] Then, in terms of site utilization, many existing equipment are limited by their structural design and can only perform single-sided sorting. To achieve double-sided sorting capability, two independent systems are often required, resulting in a double waste of equipment cost and site space.

[0007] Finally, existing circular sorting machines also have significant shortcomings in terms of energy conservation and energy efficiency management. Traditional single-motor drive systems often require high-power motors to overcome the resistance of long-distance chain transmission, resulting in continuous high-load operation even with low sorting volumes, leading to significant energy waste. While multi-motor drive solutions can alleviate chain vibration, insufficient synchronization control precision causes speed differences and torque conflicts between motors, generating unnecessary internal friction and additional energy consumption. Sorting carts generally lack energy recovery mechanisms, dissipating kinetic energy as heat during frequent starts, stops, and braking, failing to achieve effective utilization. Furthermore, the system as a whole lacks intelligent energy consumption control strategies, failing to dynamically adjust motor output power or enter low-power standby mode based on real-time sorting load, causing the equipment to maintain high energy consumption even during low-throughput periods, resulting in low overall energy efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0008] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, this utility model provides a ring sorting machine, which features stable and synchronous drive, reliable trolley movement and integrated functions, and a highly efficient and compact system, thereby achieving significant improvements in energy saving, operational reliability, sorting efficiency and economic benefits.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] A circular sorting machine includes a frame, a circular track mounted on the frame, a sorting trolley running along the circular track, a drive system for driving the sorting trolley, an identification system for identifying cargo information, and sorting slots distributed along the circular track. The sorting trolley is characterized by having a V-shaped guide wheel at its bottom capable of rolling along the circular track; the drive system includes one or more servo motors, a sprocket connected to the output end of the servo motors, and a closed curved chain, wherein the sprocket meshes with the curved chain, and the curved chain is fixedly connected to the sorting trolley to drive its movement; the one or more servo motors are configured to operate synchronously to jointly drive the curved chain.

[0011] Furthermore, the number of the one or more servo motors is two, and the two servo motors are centrally symmetrically distributed.

[0012] Furthermore, the bent plate chain is a single-sided bent plate chain.

[0013] Furthermore, the annular track is provided with V-shaped grooves on both sides, and V-shaped guide wheels are arranged in pairs. The two V-shaped guide wheels are respectively locked in the V-shaped grooves on both sides, and the annular track is clamped between the two V-shaped guide wheels.

[0014] Furthermore, the bottom of the sorting trolley is provided with a support plate, and the bottom of the support plate is provided with two pairs of V-shaped guide wheels, which are fixed to the bottom of the support plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the sorting trolley includes an integrally formed frame; a drive roller and a driven roller installed at both ends of the frame, with belts fitted on the drive roller and the driven roller; a weighing sensor located below the frame for weighing the goods it carries; and a support plate fixed below the weighing sensor.

[0016] Furthermore, the sorting compartments are distributed along both sides of the circular track, and the sorting trolley is capable of unloading goods from both sides.

[0017] Furthermore, the identification system includes cameras distributed on both sides of the circular track, which are used to identify cargo barcodes and locate the destination.

[0018] Furthermore, the frame is a structure welded from seamless square tubing, and the annular track is made of extruded aluminum profiles; the annular track is assembled with the frame.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0020] 1. First, this invention overcomes the problems of insufficient driving force for large circular tracks, easy vibration at the far end, and high energy consumption of a single high-power motor drive by using the coordinated and synchronous operation of multiple motors to jointly bear the driving load. This provides a stable power foundation and energy-saving goals for the entire system from the source. Second, the cooperation between the V-shaped guide wheel and the circular track forms an inherent, self-stabilizing anti-derailment mechanism, ensuring that the sorting trolley maintains accurate tracking even at high speeds, eliminating the drawbacks of traditional flat wheel and flat track structures that are prone to deviation and require frequent adjustments. These two features work synergistically: stable drive avoids severe chain vibration, creating conditions for smooth trolley movement and providing strong power while achieving energy savings; reliable guidance ensures effective transmission of driving force, avoiding increased driving load due to trolley jamming; and the effective multi-motor collaboration ultimately simplifies the basic structure, eliminating complex drive coordination mechanisms and additional track anti-derailment devices, significantly reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs and energy consumption, laying a solid foundation for building a high-performance, high-reliability sorting system.

[0021] 2. Stable and reliable drive, high synchronization, low maintenance cost, and significantly optimized energy consumption: By employing two centrally symmetrically distributed servo motors to synchronously drive the same closed curved plate chain, the system effectively avoids the chain pulling and wear problems caused by remote jitter in single-motor drives and asynchronous multi-motor drives. This drive system has a relatively simplified structure, and the motors can intelligently adjust their output torque according to real-time load, avoiding the drawbacks of continuous high-energy consumption operation of traditional high-power motors. This ensures the entire sorting system can operate stably, efficiently, and with low energy consumption for a long time, significantly reducing failure rate, maintenance costs, and operating energy consumption.

[0022] 3. The trolley moves smoothly, positions precisely, and has excellent anti-derailment performance: The bottom of the sorting trolley uses V-shaped guide wheels that cooperate with the V-shaped grooves on the circular track to form a natural guiding and limiting mechanism. This V-shaped surface contact mechanism makes the trolley less prone to deviation and derailment during operation, maintaining extremely high stability even at high speeds, thus laying a solid foundation for accurate delivery of goods.

[0023] 4. Highly integrated functions, optimized sorting process, and doubled overall efficiency: This utility model creatively integrates a weighing sensor under the frame of the sorting cart, realizing the integration of "transportation, weighing, and sorting". Packages can be weighed simply by being placed on the sorting cart, eliminating the need for a separate weighing step, greatly simplifying the sorting process, reducing the number of times goods are handled, thereby significantly improving the overall operational efficiency of logistics outbound and reducing the overall energy consumption of the system.

[0024] 5. High space utilization and strong sorting capacity: By arranging sorting slots and recognition systems (such as dual cameras) along both sides of the circular track, and using sorting trolleys to unload goods on both sides, the number of sorting slots is almost doubled while occupying the same area, greatly improving sorting efficiency. It can easily achieve a high-efficiency sorting capacity of 7,000 to 9,000 pieces / hour at the normal speed of the sorting machine, and significantly reduce the energy consumption cost per parcel sorted.

[0025] 6. Simple structure, high degree of modularity, and low overall cost: The main frame of this utility model adopts a modular design combining seamless square tube welding to form a single frame with extruded aluminum profile tracks, resulting in a stable structure and convenient assembly and disassembly. The sorting trolley is an integrated sheet metal frame structure, simplifying the drive system. The entire system effectively reduces the overall cost of manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, as well as equipment operating energy consumption, while ensuring high reliability and high performance, making it a highly economical solution. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic front view of the structure of this utility model.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a top view illustrating the structure of this utility model.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of the structure of this utility model.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the sorting trolley and drive system of this utility model.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic front view of the sorting trolley and drive system structure of this utility model.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic front view of the sorting cart structure of this utility model.

[0033] The diagram shows the following markings: 1. Frame; 2. Circular track; 3. Sorting trolley; 4. Drive system; 5. Identification system; 6. Sorting slot; 7. Top sweeper; 21. V-groove; 31. Frame; 32. Drive roller; 33. Driven roller; 34. Belt; 35. Weighing sensor; 36. Support plate; 37. Current collector; 38. V-shaped guide wheel; 41. Servo motor; 42. Sprocket; 43. Bending plate chain; 44. Chain limit plate; 45. Motor frame; 51. Camera. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this 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 this utility model or its application or use. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0036] 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. For

[0037] Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this utility model. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0039] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of this invention. Furthermore, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings...

[0040] The dimensions of the drawings are not based on actual proportional relationships. For techniques and methods known to those skilled in the art in the relevant field...

[0041] The methods and devices may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the techniques, methods, and devices described should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0042] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0043] Please see Figures 1 to 7 This utility model embodiment provides a ring sorting machine.

[0044] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the circular sorting machine has an overall circular layout, which is a rectangular ring with rounded corners. It mainly includes a frame 1, a circular track 2, a sorting trolley 3, a drive system 4, an identification system 5, sorting slots 6, and a top sweeper 7.

[0045] The frame 1 is a robust single-unit frame welded from seamless square tubing, providing the basic support for the entire sorting machine. The circular track 2 is made of extruded aluminum profiles and is fixedly installed above the frame 1 by bolts or snap-fit ​​connections, forming a modular and easily disassembled structural unit together with the frame 1.

[0046] Multiple sorting carts 3 are evenly distributed on the circular track 2, and the left and right sides of the circular track 2 are provided with V-shaped grooves 21 (such as...). Figure 6 (As shown). Multiple sorting slots 6 are evenly distributed along the inner and outer sides of the circular track 2, and the sorting trolley 3 can unload goods from both sides.

[0047] Please refer to the following: Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The sorting trolley 3 is supported on the circular track 2 by V-shaped guide wheels at its bottom. The sorting trolley 3 includes a frame 31 integrally formed by bending sheet metal. A drive roller 32 and a driven roller 33 are respectively installed at both ends of the frame 31, and a belt 34 is fitted onto the drive roller 32 and the driven roller 33. The drive roller 32 is an electric roller, which drives the belt 34 to rotate in the forward or reverse direction to unload the goods.

[0048] A weighing sensor 35 is installed below the frame 31 to weigh the goods carried on the sorting cart 3 in real time. A rectangular support plate 36 is bolted to the bottom of the weighing sensor 35. A V-shaped guide wheel 38 is fixed to each of the four corners of the bottom of the support plate 36. The four V-shaped guide wheels 38 are arranged in pairs and are respectively engaged in the V-shaped grooves 21 on the left and right sides of the annular track 2, so that the annular track 2 is clamped between the two pairs of V-shaped guide wheels 38. This V-shaped surface mating structure allows the sorting cart 3 to obtain natural guidance and limit during operation, effectively preventing deviation and derailment, and ensuring smooth operation.

[0049] A current collector 37 is also fixed to one side of the support plate 36. The current collector 37 is in contact with the power supply slide wire installed on the frame 1 and is used to provide power to the drive roller 32 and the weighing sensor 35 on the sorting trolley 3 during the movement of the trolley 3.

[0050] The drive system 4 drives all sorting carts 3 to move in a circular motion along the circular track 2. The drive system 4 includes two servo motors 41, sprockets 42, a bent chain 43, a chain limiting plate 44, and a motor frame 45. The two servo motors 41 are centrally symmetrically distributed on both sides of the circular track, with their axes vertically aligned. The servo motors 41 are securely mounted on the frame 1 via the motor frame 45. The sprockets 42 are directly mounted on the output shafts of the servo motors 41. The bent chain 43 is a closed, single-sided bent chain that meshes with the two sprockets 42. The flat side of the bent chain 43 is fixedly connected to the other side of the support plate 36 of the sorting cart 3, thereby enabling all sorting carts 3 to move synchronously. The chain limiting plate 44 is fixedly connected to the frame 1 and located above and to one side of the sprockets 42, used to limit and guide the bent chain 43, preventing it from slipping or jumping. Two servo motors 41 operate synchronously and at the same speed, smoothly driving the entire bending chain 43 together.

[0051] The identification system 5 includes multiple cameras 51. The top scanning frame 7 is a gate-shaped structure, spanning the circular track 2 and fixedly mounted on the frame 1. The cameras 51 are mounted on the top scanning frame 7 and distributed on the inner and outer sides of the circular track 2, used to scan and identify the barcode information of the goods on the sorting cart 3, and send the destination information to the control system.

[0052] Working Principle: Barcode-affixed packages are placed manually or automatically onto the belt 34 of the sorting trolley 3. During the operation of the sorting trolley 3, the weight of the goods on it is collected in real time by the weighing sensor 35. Simultaneously, the camera 51 on the top scanning frame 7 identifies the barcode of the goods and determines their destination slot. The control system records the trolley number and its task. When the sorting trolley 3 reaches the target sorting slot 6, the control system controls its drive roller 32 to rotate, causing the belt 34 to move to the corresponding side, thereby unloading the goods into the sorting slot 6 and completing the sorting operation. Throughout the process, the curved plate chain 43, synchronously driven by two servo motors 41, ensures the stability and synchronization of all trolley operations, while the cooperation between the V-shaped guide wheel and the V-shaped groove 21 ensures the precision and smoothness of the trolley's movement.

[0053] The circular sorting machine provided by this utility model successfully overcomes many bottlenecks in existing technologies through three core innovations: the drive system, the walking mechanism, and functional integration. Its architecture, employing a multi-motor synchronous drive of a single bent-plate chain, fundamentally resolves the contradiction between drive stability and cost control. The precise cooperation between the V-shaped guide wheel and the track groove constructs an inherent anti-derailment mechanism, ensuring accurate tracking at high speeds. Furthermore, the integrated weighing function of the trolley achieves integrated transportation, weighing, and sorting, significantly optimizing the sorting process. These innovations synergistically create a solution with significant advantages in reliability, sorting efficiency, space utilization, and overall cost, providing efficient and reliable technical equipment for modern logistics sorting, and possessing good economic benefits and market promotion value.

[0054] The above description is only a part of the specific embodiments of this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model, based on the technical solution and utility model concept of this utility model, should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A circular sorting machine, comprising a frame, a circular track mounted on the frame, a sorting trolley running along the circular track, a drive system for driving the sorting trolley, an identification system for identifying cargo information, and sorting slots distributed along the circular track, characterized in that: The bottom of the sorting trolley is equipped with V-shaped guide wheels that can roll along the circular track; The drive system includes one or more servo motors, a sprocket connected to the output end of the servo motor, and a closed curved plate chain. The sprocket meshes with the curved plate chain, and the curved plate chain is fixedly connected to the sorting trolley to drive its movement. The one or more servo motors are configured to operate synchronously to jointly drive the bending chain.

2. The ring sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the above-mentioned servo motors is two, and the two servo motors are symmetrically distributed at the center.

3. The ring sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bent plate chain is a single-sided bent plate chain.

4. The ring sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circular track has V-shaped grooves on both sides, and V-shaped guide wheels are arranged in pairs. The two V-shaped guide wheels are respectively locked in the V-shaped grooves on both sides, and the circular track is sandwiched between the two V-shaped guide wheels.

5. The ring sorting machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sorting trolley is equipped with a support plate at the bottom, and two pairs of V-shaped guide wheels are fixed to the bottom of the support plate.

6. The ring sorting machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sorting trolley includes an integrally formed frame; a drive roller and a driven roller installed at both ends of the frame, with belts fitted on the drive roller and the driven roller; a weighing sensor located below the frame for weighing the goods it carries; and a support plate fixed below the weighing sensor.

7. The ring sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sorting compartments are distributed along both sides of the circular track, and the sorting trolley can unload goods from both sides.

8. The ring sorting machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The identification system includes cameras distributed on both sides of the circular track, which are used to identify cargo barcodes and locate the destination.

9. The ring sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame is a structure welded from seamless square tubing, and the annular track is made of extruded aluminum profiles. The annular track and the frame are assembled together.

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