CROSS CONVEYOR SORTER WITH CLEARING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING PIECES OF ITEMS DEPOSIT ON A CROSS CONVEYOR SORTER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transverse conveyor sorter with a clearing device for removing misplaced goods according to the features set out in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A transverse conveyor sorter can be, in particular, a transverse belt sorter or a tilting tray sorter. A transverse belt sorter is described, for example, in DE 10 2007 040 859 A1 and represents a conveying system for unit loads, the transverse conveying device of which comprises several short belt conveyors mounted perpendicular to the conveying direction on a carriage. Several carriages are articulated together, and the resulting continuous train is driven by positive engagement, friction engagement, or by a linear motor. The unit loads are picked up and discharged by the movement of the belt conveyor during infeed and outfeed. DE 10 2007 040 859 A1 discloses a transverse conveyor sorter according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] In principle, the tilting tray sorter is comparable to the cross-belt sorter, as it also consists of individual carriages that move along a closed, roller-guided track. However, instead of a cross-belt, the transverse conveying system on each carriage includes a tilting tray that initially holds the tray horizontally and, upon reaching the designated end point, tilts to discharge the individual items.

[0004] During operation, it frequently occurs that individual items become lodged on or between the carriage(s) and, in this position, are not picked up by the transverse conveyor. Attempts can then be made to dislodge these misplaced items by operating the transverse conveyor located on the two adjacent carriages. After several unsuccessful attempts, the affected carriage, or consequently both adjacent carriages, are blocked from further distribution of items and are then no longer available. During a shift, up to several hundred items can be lodged in this position, initially resulting in a significant loss of performance for the transverse conveyor sorter. During a maintenance shift, the displaced items must then be removed manually from the transverse conveyor sorter, as this is not possible for safety reasons while the sorter is operating at a speed of 2.5 m / s.This task can only be performed during a maintenance shift on a transverse conveyor sorter running at maintenance speed of approximately 0.2 m / s and is therefore very time-consuming.

[0005] EP 3 566 982 A1 discloses a transverse conveyor sorter with a removal device whose support element accompanies the displaced goods in the conveying direction and knocks them down from their displaced position by means of a pusher element extending transversely to the conveying direction. The pusher element may also have an air outlet nozzle through which a burst of air is emitted to assist the pusher's movement.

[0006] Mechanical solutions for removing misplaced goods during operation have not yet been successful, as manufacturers of transverse conveyor sorters as well as the operators of these systems fear that mechanical devices for removing the misplaced goods could jam in the transverse conveyor sorter, significantly damage it and shut it down for a longer period of time.

[0007] The invention was therefore based on the objective of providing a transverse conveyor sorter whose clearing device enables the risk-free removal of misplaced goods during operation.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of claim 1. The blow-off device enables the removal of misplaced goods during operation, thus minimizing the number of occupied or identified defective trolleys and ensuring that all trolleys in circulation are available for distributing goods. Due to its position directly adjacent to the conveyor and the trolleys guided on it, force is transmitted to the misplaced goods to be removed solely by means of the airflow emitted by the blow-off device, so that no collision-prone components need to be brought near or between the trolleys, even temporarily. The airflow emitted by the blow-off device must be dimensioned with respect to its volume flow and flow velocity such that any frictional connection of the misplaced goods is overcome.

[0009] The misplaced item may be placed, in particular, on a component of the carriage, and the blow-off device may have at least one air outlet opening fixed at or above a vertical level of the carriage component. The carriages, with their transverse conveying devices mounted on them, thus move past the stationary blow-off device and the air outlet opening(s) fixed to the blow-off device. The main advantage of this arrangement is that, particularly when supplying the moving airflow, no moving parts need to be moved.

[0010] Preferably, the transverse conveyor sorter is a transverse belt sorter whose carriage component is a cover skirt that spans the gap between adjacent carriages. The transverse belt sorter has a conveyor belt running perpendicular to the transport direction of the transverse conveyor sorter. The cover skirt is a flexible or flexibly attached component that permanently spans the gap between the carriages and allows relative movement between them. Furthermore, the cover skirt has sufficient strength to transport misplaced items lying on it to the blow-off device. The at least one air outlet should be arranged such that the airflow from it passes over the cover skirt and carries away any misplaced items lying there.This is particularly possible if the air flows out of the air outlet opening(s) at the level of the cover apron parallel to it or from a position of the air outlet opening(s) above the cover apron at an inclined angle from above.

[0011] As an alternative to the design described above, the transverse conveyor sorter can also be a tilting tray sorter. A tilting tray sorter features a tilting tray mounted transversely to the conveyor's direction of travel. The sorter's chassis, which supports the carriage on a conveyor track, is usually covered from above by a cover plate. The tilting tray is held by a tilting tray arm that projects upwards beyond the cover plate. A bellows bridges the gap between adjacent carriages to prevent items from falling between them.

[0012] In a tipping tray sorter, the carriage component is typically the cover plate, which is located beneath the movable tipping tray, and / or the chassis of the respective carriage and / or the bellows, which spans the gap between adjacent carriages. Large items left on the cover plate often block the tipping tray's movement during unloading. The same applies to items lying on the bellows, which sometimes protrude into the tipping tray's operating area. Items caught in the chassis could be destroyed or, by becoming jammed, damage the tipping tray sorter. The at least one air outlet of the blow-off device should be positioned so that the airflow from it passes over the cover plate and / or the chassis and / or the bellows, carrying away any misplaced items.

[0013] It is advantageous to arrange several air outlet openings one after the other in the direction of transport. Due to the relatively high transport speed of the transverse conveyor sorter in areas exceeding 2 m / s, the dwell time of the displaced item in front of a single air outlet opening might be too short for complete removal from the carriage component. This problem could also be solved, for example, by an air outlet opening that travels in sections in the direction of transport or by an air outlet opening that is slot-shaped in the direction of transport. However, the first solution requires a large number of moving parts both in the area of ​​the air outlet opening and in the area of ​​the air supply, and the second solution leads to a linear airflow over the transverse conveyor sorter, which could potentially cause even correctly positioned items on its transverse conveyor to be blown off uncontrollably.Furthermore, a relatively large amount of air would also have to be provided for blowing off the goods if the air outlet were slit-like.

[0014] According to a first advantageous embodiment, the multiple air outlet openings are activated simultaneously. An activated air outlet opening is defined as one that emits an airflow. As the misplaced item passes the activated air outlet openings, it repeatedly receives an impulse, perpendicular to its transport direction, from the airflow exiting the nearest air outlet opening. This results in a particularly effective lateral displacement of the misplaced item until it leaves the carriage component.

[0015] Alternatively, it is also possible to activate one of the several air outlet openings sequentially in the transport direction. This allows for targeted airflow to displaced items and reduces the required air volume. Ideally, the activation of each individual air outlet opening depends on the conveying speed of the transverse conveyor sorter in the transport direction. In this embodiment, the active air outlet opening switches to the adjacent one within a time interval during which the displaced item is transported at the conveying speed to the adjacent air outlet opening by the transverse conveyor sorter. The currently active air outlet moves along with the displaced item. The air outlet that is always activated is the one in whose air outlet area the displaced item is currently located.

[0016] It has proven particularly advantageous to have a collection table positioned on the second side, opposite the first side, alongside the conveyor. The collection table serves as a storage area for misplaced items blown off by the blow-off device. The collection table can also be designed as a package chute or end point and, for this purpose, may have an inclined section that facilitates the removal of the items from the transverse conveyor sorter.

[0017] Preferably, the collection table is arranged on or below a vertical level of the carriage component, so that the piece goods blown off by the blow-off device can reach the collection table without barriers.

[0018] Advantageously, a second blow-off device is arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor, next to the first. This second blow-off device can then be positioned offset from the first blow-off device in the transport direction of the transverse conveyor sorter and is particularly advantageous for tilting tray sorters. With these, it can happen that when the first blow-off device is activated, the goods remain on the cover plate and are supported by the tilting tray arm. For example, after another cycle, the second blow-off device can then be triggered and blow against the goods from the opposite side, causing them to slide off the cover plate. If a second blow-off device is used, a second collecting table should also be arranged on the opposite side of the conveyor.

[0019] The blow-off device(s) can be connected to a blower or a compressor. A blower is an externally driven turbomachine that typically uses an impeller rotating within a housing to convey a gaseous dispersion medium, in this case air, achieving a pressure ratio between 1 and 1.3 between the intake and discharge sides. Turbomachines that achieve a pressure ratio greater than 1.3 are called compressors. The choice of blower or compressor depends primarily on the expected mass and volume of the goods to be distributed by the transverse conveyor sorter.

[0020] Advantageously, a sensor unit is positioned upstream of the blow-off device in the direction of transport, such that it identifies the distance between adjacent carriages and any misplaced item on the carriage component. This further improves energy efficiency, as the blow-off device is only activated if the sensor unit has previously detected an item on the carriage component. Furthermore, the temporary activation of the blow-off device initiated by the sensor unit reduces the risk of accidentally blowing off correctly positioned items passing by the device.

[0021] Advantageously, the blow-off device(s) is / are positioned downstream of the unloading points in the direction of transport. This arrangement helps to minimize the risk of accidentally blowing off a piece of goods that is correctly positioned on the transverse conveyor. If all unloading points are located in front of the blow-off device, the correctly positioned piece of goods is already dropped at the intended unloading point and does not reach the blow-off device, so that, in principle, the sensor unit can even be omitted.

[0022] For better understanding, the invention is explained below using four figures. These show the Fig. 1: a top view of a transverse conveyor sorter as a transverse belt sorter with blow-off device; Fig. 2: a side view of the in Fig. 1 shown crossbelt sorter with blow-off device; Fig. 3: a side view of a transverse conveyor sorter as a tilting tray sorter with blow-off device and Fig. 4: a top view of the in Fig. 3 Tilting tray sorter shown with opposing blow-off devices.

[0023] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a top view of a section of a transverse conveyor sorter 10 in the form of a transverse belt sorter 10a, whose carriages 12 are mechanically coupled to one another to form a circulating chain and are guided on a conveyor track 30. The mechanical connection between adjacent carriages 12 allows relative movement of the carriages 12, particularly when negotiating curves. Each carriage 12 has wheels 16 that roll on the conveyor track 30. When the transverse conveyor sorter 10 is running, all carriages 12 move synchronously in a transport direction x.

[0024] Each carriage 12 is equipped with a transverse conveyor 13, which, in the illustrated embodiment, has a conveyor belt 15 running over deflection rollers 14. During the loading of the transverse conveyor sorter 10, correctly positioned unit loads S p are transferred to the respective transverse conveyor 13 and remain there until they reach a designated unloading point 31. Once this point is reached, the transverse conveyor 13 is activated, and the correctly positioned unit loads S p are discharged in the discharge direction y. The discharge direction y is perpendicular to and in the same plane as the transport direction x. With a flawless loading and unloading process, correctly positioned unit loads S p are located exclusively on the transverse conveyor 13 of a carriage 12.

[0025] A distance d is to be maintained between adjacent carriages 12 of the transverse belt sorter 10a or between the transverse conveying devices 13 located on them (see Fig. 2 ) present, which is necessary for the relative movement of the carriages 12 to each other and is covered by a cover skirt 11a. The cover skirt 11a prevents misplaced goods S d from entering the space between the transverse conveying devices 13 of adjacent carriages 12 in the transport direction x, from falling from there between the carriages 12 or onto the conveyor track 30 and being destroyed there. The cover skirt 11a is a carriage component 11 of the transverse belt sorter 10a, on which misplaced goods S d typically remain.

[0026] The misplaced item S d lying on the cover skirt 11a often fails to engage any of the transverse conveyors 13, neither those of the leading nor the trailing carriage 12, so that the misplaced item S d initially remains on the cover skirt 11a and cannot be discharged at the intended unloading point 31 or any other unloading point 31. After several cycles, the transverse conveyor sorter 10 would block the transverse conveyor 13 located in the transport direction x in front of and behind the misplaced item S d, so that these would then no longer be available until the next maintenance shift.

[0027] A sensor unit 24, which detects both the presence of the gap d between the carriages 12 and the presence of the misplaced item S d on the cover apron 11a, prevents item S p, which may be correctly positioned on the transverse conveyor 13, from being removed by the blow-off device 20 described below.

[0028] The sensor unit 24 is connected to the blow-off device 20 arranged on a first side 32 next to the conveyor track 30. In the exemplary embodiment accordingly Fig. 1 The sensor unit 24 is located on the same first side 32 as the blow-off device 20. In the event of a misplaced item S d, the sensor unit 24 activates the blow-off device 20, causing an airflow to escape from one or more air outlet opening(s) 21 formed on the side of the blow-off device 20 facing the transverse conveyor sorter 10, which blows the misplaced item S d off the cover skirt 11a.

[0029] The blow-off device 20 is connected to a rear-mounted blower or compressor 23. Preferably, this maintains a constant pressure differential, and the air outlet openings 21 are preferably controlled by electromechanical valves, so that even with a high-speed transverse conveyor sorter 10, the misplaced item S d is captured by the immediate provision of an airflow from the air outlet opening(s) 21. To minimize the air volume flow required for blowing off the misplaced item S d, the multiple air outlet openings 21 release an airflow sequentially in the transport direction x, alternating according to the speed of the transverse conveyor sorter 10. Thus, the air outlet opening 21 at whose height in the transport direction x the misplaced item S d is currently located is active at any given time.Each of the air outlet openings 21 involved blows the misplaced piece goods S d section by section in the discharge direction y.

[0030] The misplaced goods S d, blown off the cover 11a in this manner without contact, reach a collection table 22 located on a second side 33 next to the conveyor 30 and remain there until manual removal, which, depending on the amount of misplaced goods S d, can also occur during the operation of the transverse conveyor sorter 10. The collection table 22 is always located on the opposite side of the conveyor 30 from the blow-off device 20, so that misplaced goods S d are carried along by the blowing action of the air flowing from the air outlet openings 21 and transported away in the direction of flow by the transverse conveyor 13.

[0031] The Fig. 2 Figure 1 shows the blow-off device 20 arranged on the transverse conveyor sorter 10 in a side view, wherein the carriages 12 with their respective transverse conveyor devices 13 pass the blow-off device 20, which is stationary next to the conveyor track 30, in accordance with the transport direction x.

[0032] A correctly positioned piece of goods S p could be unloaded at a designated unloading point 31, omitted for clarity, by means of the transverse conveyor 13 located below it, even before reaching the blow-off device 20. It would also be possible to arrange the unloading point 31 behind the blow-off device 20 in the transport direction x, since the blow-off device 20 only removes misplaced pieces of goods S d lying on the cover skirt 11a.

[0033] The identification of a misplaced item S d is carried out by means of the sensor unit 24, which comprises an item sensor 25 and a trolley sensor 26. The item sensor 25 serves to qualitatively detect an item S p , S d. The trolley sensor 26 measures the distance d between two trolleys 12. If, at the same time, the trolley sensor 26 detects a distance d and the item sensor 25 detects an item S p , S d, it must be a misplaced item S d lying on the cover apron 11a. By emitting an airflow escaping from the air outlet openings 21, the misplaced item S d is then removed from the cover apron 11a without contact. The package sensor 25 is arranged in a vertical direction above the trolley sensor 26 and is preferably located on or above a vertical level z F of the cover skirt 11a.

[0034] The in Fig. 1 The collection table 22, which can be identified, should be positioned with its upper surface at or below the vertical level z F of the cover skirt 11a. This allows the misplaced item S d, blown down by the blow-off device 20, to slide freely onto the collection table 22 and remain there.

[0035] The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a transverse conveyor sorter 10 as a tilting tray sorter 10b. Each carriage 12 has a chassis 11c with wheels 16 mounted on it, by means of which the carriage 12 is positively guided on a conveyor track 30 in the transport direction x. The chassis 16 is spanned by a cover plate 11b, the cover plate 11b covering both the wheels 16 and parts of the chassis 16c not shown, thus mostly preventing misplaced goods S d from penetrating below the level of the cover plate 11b.

[0036] On the cover plate 11b, an upwardly projecting tipping tray arm 18 is arranged, at the free end of which a tipping tray 17 is pivotably attached. For unloading, the tipping tray 17 pivots about a pivot axis aligned in the transport direction x, so that by initiating a tipping movement, a correctly positioned piece of goods S p located on it slides off at the designated unloading point 31.

[0037] Despite the presence of the cover plate 11b, misplaced general cargo S d repeatedly gets caught in the landing gear 11c, as shown in the image plane of the Fig. 3 is indicated on the far left carriage 12.

[0038] Between each of the carriages 12, a bellows 11d is provided, which bridges the distance d between the carriages 12 and simultaneously allows the carriages 12 to articulate with each other. Displaced goods S d, for example, can lie on the bellows 11d and cannot be removed when the tilting tray 17 is activated.

[0039] However, during operation, misplaced items S d lying on the cover plate 11b are particularly problematic, as this often restricts the function of the tilting tray 17. Especially with tall, misplaced items S d, the underside of the tilting tray 17 abuts the misplaced item S d and is thus blocked in its movement.

[0040] The cover plate 11b, the chassis 11c, and the bellows 11d represent carriage components 11 of a tilting tray sorter 10b, onto which frequently misplaced goods S d are deposited. According to the invention, the blow-off device 20, which is stationary next to the conveyor track 30, is located on the vertical level z F of these carriage components 11, and whose air outlet openings 21 emit an airflow that blows off misplaced goods S d lying within its area of ​​influence.

[0041] In the Fig. 4 This illustrates a situation in which a misplaced piece of goods S d located on the cover plate 11b of the tilting tray sorter 10b is blown onto by the blow-off device 20 arranged on the first side 32 of the conveyor 30, but is not removed due to its contact with the tilting tray arm 18. In the transport direction x behind the blow-off device 20, a second blow-off device 27 is stationary on the second side 33. This device blows onto any misplaced pieces of goods S d remaining on the cover plate 11b and thereby moves them towards the first side 32. A second collection table 28 is also located on the first side 32 to receive these misplaced pieces of goods S d. The second blow-off device 27 and the second collection table 28 are identical in design to the blow-off device 20 and the collection table 22. Bezugszeichenliste

[0042] 10 Cross conveyor sorter 10a Cross belt sorter 10b Tipping tray sorter 11 Trolley component 11a Cover skirt 11b Cover plate 11c Chassis 11d Bellows 12 Trolley 13 Cross conveyor device 14 Deflection pulley 15 Conveyor belt 16 Trolley wheels 17 Tipping tray 18 Tipping tray arm 20 Clearing device, blow-off device 21 Air outlet 22 Collection table 23 Blower, compressor 24 Sensor unit 25 Item sensor 26 Trolley sensor 27 Second blow-off device 28 Second collection table 30 Conveyor track 31 Unloading point 32 First side of conveyor track 33 Second side of conveyor track dDistance between trolley S p placed general cargo S d misplaced general cargo xTransport direction yEjection direction z F Level trolley component

Claims

1. A cross-conveyor sorter (10), wherein the cross-conveyor sorter (10) comprises a plurality of carriages (12) which are connected to one another on an endless conveying track (30), the carriages (12) are provided with a cross-conveyor device (13), which is oriented transversely to the transportation direction (x) and on which items (Sp) can be transported and unloaded at predetermined unloading locations (31), characterized in that the cross-conveyor sorter (10) comprises a clearing apparatus (20) for removing misplaced items (Sd), wherein the clearing apparatus (20) is a blow-off device (20) which is arranged stationary on a first side (32) alongside the conveying track (30).

2. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the misplaced item (Sp) is deposited on a carriage component (11) of the carriage (12) and the blow-off device (20) has at least one stationary air outlet opening (21) located on or above a vertical level (zF) of the carriage component (11).

3. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cross-conveyor sorter (10) is a cross-belt sorter (10a) and the carriage component (11) of which is a cover apron (11a) which spans a distance (d) between adjacent carriages (12).

4. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the cross-conveyor sorter (10) is a tilt-tray sorter (10b).

5. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the carriage component (11) of the tilt-tray sorter (10b) is a cover plate (11b) which is arranged under a movably mounted tilt-tray (17) and / or a chassis (11c) of the respective carriage (12) and / or a gaiter (11d) which spans a distance (d) between adjacent carriages (12).

6. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the at least one air outlet opening (21) is arranged in such a manner that air discharged therefrom flows over the carriage component (11).

7. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that a plurality of air outlet openings (21) are arranged one behind the other in the transport direction (x).

8. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the plurality of air outlet openings (21) are activated simultaneously.

9. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that a single one of the plurality of air outlet openings (21) is activated one after the other in the transport direction (x).

10. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that activation of the respective single air outlet opening (21) is dependent on a conveying speed of the cross-conveyor sorter (10) in the transport direction (x).

11. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a collection table (22) is arranged next to the conveying track (30) on a second side (33) which is oppositely to the first side (32).

12. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the collection table (22) is arranged on or below a vertical level (zF) of the carriage component (11).

13. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a second blow-off device (27) is arranged next to the conveying track (30) on a second side (33) oppositely to the first side (32).

14. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to claim 1 and / or 13, characterized in that the blow-off device(s) (20, 27) is / are connected to a blower (23) or to a compressor (23).

15. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that in the transport direction (x) prior to the blow-off device (20, 27), a sensor unit (24) is arranged in such a manner that it identifies the distance (d) between the adjacent carriages (12) and a misplaced item (Sd) located on the carriage component (11).

16. The cross-conveyor sorter (10) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the blow-off device (20, 27) is arranged in the transport direction (x) beyond the unloading locations (31).