SYSTEM FOR SORTING PIECES INTO LOGICALLY LINKED DESTINATIONS IN MATRIX ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for sorting items into destination locations logically linked to their target destination.

[0002] Large logistics centers with baggage, mail, and / or parcel sorting systems, in which pieces of baggage, letters, and / or large letters and / or parcels are processed, are marketed, for example, by Siemens Logistics GmbH, Konstanz, Germany.

[0003] In such logistics centers, pieces of luggage, letters, parcels, small packages, small items, and shipments of all kinds (hereinafter referred to as sorting items) are transported from a supply by a conveyor system along a conveyor path and fed to the respective destinations, such as the destinations of a baggage sorting system at an airport, at several sorting exits, for example by sorting switches, cross-belt sorters, or tilting devices. During the transport or sorting process, the sorting items are sorted into the destinations. A sorting controller assigns each destination a variable destination code for the sorting process, corresponding to the sorting logic or sorting process. The sorting items are also assigned a variable destination code, according to which they are then sorted into a destination.Multiple destinations can also have the same destination code, for example, for addresses with a known high volume of mail. This is useful, for example, if the capacity of a destination is insufficient to accommodate all the sorted items for this destination code.

[0004] With the strong increase in small consignments, for which annual growth rates of more than 20% are forecast in the coming years, the number of items to be processed is increasing massively. Furthermore, the very often non-homogeneous packaging of these small consignments makes the sorting of these items, generally referred to as positionally unstable, significantly more challenging than a conventional cuboid parcel or package. The future share of these small consignments, which primarily originate from B2C e-commerce and feature extremely heterogeneous and positionally unstable packaging, is estimated at more than 50% of the total general cargo volume.

[0005] Furthermore, the automation of sorting processes aims to achieve full automation of the process, based on the "one-touch" principle, across as many end stations as possible. To avoid a multi-stage or sequential sorting process that reduces throughput, it is necessary to implement as many end stations as possible in the smallest possible space. This requirement can only be met with sorting systems that allow the end stations and conveyor technology to be arranged across multiple levels and thus accommodate a wide range of applications.

[0006] With the ever-increasing volume of parcels and packages, many courier, express, and parcel services, as well as retailers like Amazon, are faced with the challenge of sorting a wide variety of goods quickly and cost-effectively. For this reason, there is a fundamental need for high-performance sorting systems, which, however, are complex to control and require very high investment volumes. Furthermore, such sorting systems also have comparatively long planning, installation, and commissioning periods.

[0007] There are already a variety of sorting concepts on the market for solving the sorting tasks mentioned above; matrix sorting concepts are also well known. For this purpose, target points are arranged as a matrix, i.e. usually on one level and at a certain distance from one another. The items to be sorted can be diverted or sorted to the target points using diverters, pushers, sorters or AGVs. However, diverters and pushers can usually only sort on one side. Circular sorters with cross-belt or tilting tray technology take up a lot of space due to large deflection radii and require high investment. AGVs are also only suitable to a limited extent because they either travel on fixed tracks, in which case they cannot exploit their advantage of high flexibility, or they travel to a wide variety of target points, in which case the cross-traffic can severely limit the sorting performance.

[0008] US 2007 / 075000 A1 discloses a system for sorting items according to the preamble of claim 1. The cited document shows a sorting device comprising unloading modules, sorters, which are connected to one another by a matrix system.

[0009] US 2018 / 154398 A1 shows a conveyor system for sorting articles at the sorting location.

[0010] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a system for sorting items into target locations logically linked to their destination, which system is characterized by high sorting capacity and high sorting quality, even for items with unstable positions. Furthermore, such a system should be inexpensive to construct and simple to operate.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a system according to claim 1 for sorting items into target locations logically linked to their destination, comprising:a) a plurality of target locations arranged in an array, wherein the target locations are also arranged substantially in a first plane, and wherein one or more target destinations can be logically assigned to each of the target locations at least temporarily by means of a sorting control;b) a plurality of first sorting conveyors running in a first direction with discharge modules that can be controlled by the sorting control system, which are arranged in a second level located above the first level and running between rows of target locations in such a way that the discharge modules arranged in the first sorting conveyors are able to serve target locations arranged on both sides of the first sorting conveyors with sorting items intended for these target locations, and c) a first pre-sorting conveyor arranged on one side of the array of target locations and preferably also in the second level with discharge modules that can be controlled by the sorting control system, wherein the first pre-sorting conveyor with its discharge modules is controllable in such a way that a sorting item can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of first sorting conveyors that serves the target location intended for this sorting item.

[0012] In this way, a two-stage sorting process can be carried out at target locations arranged in a matrix. The numerous initial sorting conveyors can be easily configured as linear sorters, allowing, for example, the use of simple belt conveyor modules along the conveyor line and simple belt tilter modules (tiltable belt conveyor modules) near the target locations for discharging the items to be sorted from both sides. This offers the particular advantage of being able to serve any of the target locations accessible via the sorting conveyors with this pre-sorting conveyor.

[0013] According to the present invention, a plurality of second sorting conveyors are provided, which extend in a second direction at an angle to the first direction and have discharge modules which can be controlled by the sorting control system, said second sorting conveyors being arranged in the second level located above the first level and extending between rows of target locations in such a way that the discharge modules arranged in the second sorting conveyors are able to serve target locations arranged on both sides of the second sorting conveyors with sorting items intended for these target locations, and a second pre-sorting conveyor is provided, which is arranged on one side of the array of target locations and preferably also in the second level and has discharge modules which can be controlled by the sorting control system, wherein the second pre-sorting conveyor is arranged on the opposite side of the array of target locations with its discharge modules which can be controlled in such a waythat a sorting item can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of second sorting conveyors that serves the destination location intended for this sorting item. This creates a system that makes it possible to reach each destination location with one of the first sorting conveyors and one of the second sorting conveyors. This allows the sorting capacity of the system to be doubled without the need for any additional upgrades to the running speed or similar parameters of the individual system components.

[0014] This variant can be implemented in a particularly space-saving and low-component intensity manner if the second direction runs opposite to the first direction and the first and second sorting conveyors are arranged such that they span the array of target locations in alternating directions. This design variant therefore particularly covers the case of a rectangular or hexagonal matrix of target locations. In the former case, the array of target locations can have a rectangular pattern with M columns and N rows, in which the target locations have up to four nearest neighboring target locations. In the latter case, the array of target locations can have a hexagonal pattern in which the target locations have up to six nearest neighboring target locations. In principle, however, the array of target locations can also have an irregular pattern, for example in which target locations of different sizes can be arranged.Furthermore, the array of destinations can also be interspersed with escape routes or generally larger travel routes, or at least some of the destinations can be configured as buffer destinations (similar to today's distribution centers with cross-belt sorters). The only significant characteristic that can be required of the array in this regard within the meaning of the present invention could be the presence of a certain spatial arrangement of destinations or of feed chutes leading into the destinations, so that the sorting conveyors can ideally serve the largest possible number of destinations arranged on both sides of the sorting conveyor along their conveying path.

[0015] However, it is also not possible according to the invention for all sorting conveyors to run in the same direction, so that the items to be sorted are only fed to one side of the array via the pre-sorting conveyor(s). Thus, with appropriately designed pre-sorting conveyors, each destination can be reached in two ways.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a plurality of third sorting conveyors running in a third direction can be provided with discharge modules that can be controlled by the sorting control system, which are arranged in a third level located above the second level and running between rows of target locations in such a way that the discharge modules arranged in the third sorting conveyors are able to serve target locations arranged on both sides of the third sorting conveyors with sorting items intended for these target locations, and c) a third pre-sorting conveyor arranged on one side of the array of target locations and in the third level can be provided with discharge modules that can be controlled by the sorting control system, wherein the third pre-sorting conveyor with its discharge modules can be controlled in such a way that a sorting item can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of third sorting conveyors,which serves the destination designated for this sorting item.

[0017] In addition, a plurality of fourth sorting conveyors running in a fourth direction at an angle to the third direction can be provided, with discharge modules that can be controlled by the sorting control system, which are arranged in the third level located above the second level and between rows of target locations in such a way that the discharge modules arranged in the fourth sorting conveyors are able to serve target locations arranged on both sides of the fourth sorting conveyors with sorting items intended for these target locations, and a fourth pre-sorting conveyor arranged on one side of the array of target locations and in the third level can be provided, with discharge modules that can be controlled by the sorting control system, wherein the fourth pre-sorting conveyor arranged on the opposite side of the array of target locations with its discharge modules can be controlled in such a way,that a sorting item can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of fourth sorting conveyors which serves the destination location intended for this sorting item.,

[0018] Of course, another level or even several more levels can be implemented with this type of arrangement of sorting conveyors and pre-sorting conveyors. In principle, it can also be provided that – as explained using the example of the second and third levels – the first and third directions are identical (and the second and fourth directions are identical as well). Only the arrangement of the corresponding pre-sorting conveyors would have to be adjusted accordingly. However, it would also be possible for the first and second directions, and the third and fourth directions, to be identical in pairs.

[0019] In an advantageous development, it can further be provided that the fourth direction runs opposite to the third direction, and the third and fourth sorting conveyors are arranged such that they span the array of target locations, running in alternating directions. Thus, here too, each target location can be reached by one of the third sorting conveyors and one of the fourth sorting conveyors. The third and fourth directions can run at an angle, preferably substantially perpendicular or at an angle of 60°, to the first and second directions.

[0020] In this way, it is now possible to provide a sorting concept on the third level that is analogous to the second level, with which each destination can now be reached by three or four different sorting conveyors, each of which has its own pre-sorting conveyor in groups, which results in a further increase in sorting performance and thus very high overall sorting performance can be achieved.

[0021] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention can be realized if at least one of the four pre-sorting conveyors mentioned above is designed as a ring sorter enclosing the array of target locations. Thus, a sorting item can be transferred to at least one of the groups of sorting conveyors. In an expedient embodiment, however, it can also be provided that all pre-sorting conveyors are integrated together in a ring sorter enclosing the array of target locations, wherein the ring sorter is divided into a logical number of sorting sections corresponding to the number of groups of sorting conveyors, wherein each sorting section is assigned to a group of sorting conveyors and before each sorting section - viewed in the conveying direction of the sorting items - a feed point for feeding sorting items onto the ring sorter is provided.

[0022] This design allows a sorting item located on the ring sorter to be placed on the sorting conveyor designated for the destination at a location corresponding to the number of existing sorting conveyor groups. In a ring sorter with four groups of sorting conveyors and a rectangular matrix of destination locations, this results in four possibilities per ring sorter cycle for transferring the sorting item to a sorting conveyor serving the destination location designated for this sorting item. This provides the advantage that pre-sorting is essentially unnecessary, and the sorting items can be delivered to an available sorting conveyor at a variety of possible locations.Thus, in the rectangular arrangement of four pre-sorting lines in a ring sorter described as an example, a sorted item can be conveyed 90 degrees further to the next pre-sorting line if the relevant sorting conveyor from the previous section was unavailable. As already described above, during one entire circuit of the ring conveyor, there are four opportunities to reach a specific destination using one of the possible sorting conveyors for that destination.

[0023] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Figure 1 is a schematic view of a sorting system under construction with target points arranged as a rectangular matrix; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the sorting system according to Figure 1with a number of three first sorting conveyors and a first upstream pre-sorting conveyor; Figure 3 in schematic view the sorting system according to Figure 2 with a number of three second sorting conveyors and a second upstream pre-sorting conveyor; Figure 4 in schematic view the sorting system according to Figure 3 with a number of five third sorting conveyors and four fourth sorting conveyors and a third and a fourth upstream pre-sorting conveyor; and Figure 5 in schematic view the sorting system according to Figure 4 with a ring sorter designed as a pre-sorting conveyor logically divided into four.

[0024] Figure 1shows a schematic plan view of a sorting system 2 for postal sorting items 6, such as packages, parcels, letters and the like, which is to be further constructed with the aid of Figures 2 to 6. In a first level E1, a number of destination points A1 to An, B1 to Bn, C1 to Cn, D1 to Dn and Z1 to Zn, hereinafter referred to as ZS for short, unless a very specific destination point is meant, are arranged in a rectangular matrix. The destination points ZS are designed here as four-sided chutes which open into a trolley located below the chutes. Each of these destination points ZS is assigned a logical destination for each sorting process by a sorting controller 4 - e.g. a specific address or just a logical intermediate destination, e.g. a specific truck or a specific flight for onward transport, for later sorting in a subsequent sorting step.

[0025] In the illustrated array example, a regular arrangement of the target points ZS is provided. Of course, target points of different sizes or even larger distances between individual target points, e.g., for escape routes or the like, can also be implemented.

[0026] Figure 2 now shows in a schematic view the sorting system 2 according to the expansion status according to Figure 1Additionally, with a number of three first sorting conveyors S11, S12, and S13 and a first pre-sorting conveyor V1 upstream of these three first sorting conveyors S11, S12, and S13. The three first sorting conveyors S11, S12, and S13 each have a number of eight discharge modules M11a to M11h, M12a to M12h, and M13a to M13h – also referred to simply by the letter M for short – that can be wirelessly controlled by the sorting control system 4. The discharge modules M are designed as belt tilting modules. Between the discharge modules M are belt conveyor modules (not further designated here).

[0027] The first sorting conveyors S12, S13 are arranged here in a second level E2 above the first level E1 and extend between rows of target points ZS such that the discharge modules M12a to M12h, M13a to M13h arranged in the first sorting conveyors S12, S13 are capable of serving target points ZS arranged on both sides of the first sorting conveyors S12, S13 with sorting items 6 intended for these target points ZS and conveyed in a first conveying direction 8. For example, a sorting item 6 can be emptied from the discharge module M12d into the target point B4 or into the target point C4.

[0028] In the graphic representation, on the left side of the array of destination points ZS, there is a first pre-sorting conveyor V1, also arranged on the second level E2, with discharge modules V1a, V1b, V1c that can be controlled by the sorting controller 4. This first pre-sorting conveyor V1 with its discharge modules V1a to V1c can be wirelessly controlled so that a sorting item can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of first sorting conveyors that serves the destination point intended for this sorting item. Returning to the above-mentioned example with the discharge module M12d, the discharge module V1b must be controlled here so that the sorting item 6 can actually be conveyed to the discharge module M12d.

[0029] The pre-sorting conveyor V1 typically has a significantly higher sorting capacity than, for example, the sorting conveyors S11, S12, and S13. Contrary to the illustration, the discharge modules V1a to V1c can also be arranged as continuously and dynamically driven discharge elements along the entire path of the pre-sorting conveyor V1. Typically, such a pre-sorting conveyor can then be designed as a linear shoe sorter (sliding-shoe sorter). Its capacity is often up to 10 times that of one of the sorting conveyors serving the destination locations. It should at least be noted that the pre-sorting conveyors could also be designed as pocket sorters or bomb bay sorters.

[0030] For reasons of clarity, the sensors and other control elements required for the sorting control system 4 to actually convey a sorted item 6 to the intended destination by controlling the correct discharge modules have not been included here. However, the arrangement of such sensors and control elements, as well as the destination-specific control of the sorting process, can also be considered state of the art. The embodiment of the Figure 2 is not part of the invention.

[0031] Figure 3 now shows in a schematic view the sorting system 2 according to the expansion status according to Figure 2Additionally, with three second sorting conveyors S21, S22, and S23 and a first pre-sorting conveyor V2 upstream of these three second sorting conveyors S21, S22, and S23. These three second sorting conveyors S21, S22, and S23 also each have eight discharge modules M21a to M21h, M22a to M22h, and M23a to M23h – also referred to simply by the letter M – that can be controlled by the sorting control system 4 (also wirelessly). The discharge modules M are designed as belt tilter modules. Between the discharge modules M are belt conveyor modules (not further designated here).

[0032] The second sorting conveyors S21, S22 are also arranged in the second level E2 above the first level E1 and extend between rows of destination points ZS in such a way that the discharge modules M21a to M21h, M22a to M22h arranged in the second sorting conveyors S21, S22 are able to serve destination points ZS arranged on both sides of the second sorting conveyors S21, S22 with sorting items 6 intended for these destination points ZS and conveyed in a second conveying direction 10 (opposite to the first conveying direction 8). For example, a sorting item 6 can be emptied from the discharge module M22e into the destination point C4 or into the destination point D4. What is special about this arrangement is that each destination point can now be served twice, alternately from different directions, by one of the first sorting conveyors and one of the second sorting conveyors.

[0033] In the graphic representation, on the right side of the array of destination points ZS, there is a second pre-sorting conveyor V2, also arranged on the second level E2, with discharge modules V2a, V2b, V2c that can be controlled by the sorting controller 4. This second pre-sorting conveyor V2, with its discharge modules V2a to V2c, can be wirelessly controlled so that a sorting item can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of second sorting conveyors that serves the destination point intended for this sorting item. Returning to the above-mentioned example with the discharge module M22e, the discharge module V2b must be controlled here so that the sorting item 6 can actually be conveyed to the discharge module M22e.

[0034] If, for example, a sorting item is intended for destination C6, the sorting control system controls the discharge module V1b and the discharge module M12f for discharge to the left for this sorting item 6, and the discharge module V2b and the discharge module M22c for discharge to the right. In this way, the sorting capacity can be doubled by adding the second sorting conveyors S21, S22, S23 and the second pre-sorting conveyor V2, without any system components running faster or similar acceleration steps having to be provided. It should be noted that the sorting performance is primarily determined by the capacity of the pre-sorting conveyors. The actual sorting conveyors only limit the so-called burst rate (i.e. how many sorting items go one after the other from the pre-sorting conveyor onto the sorting section along a sorting conveyor).

[0035] It should also be mentioned again at this point that the labeling of the Figure 3 and the further Figures 4 and 5 with reference symbols has been reduced to the essentials. The numbering of the discharge modules of the first and second sorting conveyors is logical when viewed from left to right or from right to left in the respective conveying direction of the sorting conveyors. Otherwise, identical components in the Figures 1 to 5 always the same reference symbol.

[0036] Almost self-explanatory, the expansion stage of the sorting system 2 is now Figure 4 based on the expansion stage according to Figure 3In a third level E3, located above level E2, a group of five third sorting conveyors S31 to S35 with an upstream third pre-sorting conveyor V3 and a group of four fourth sorting conveyors S41 to S44 are now arranged. A conveying direction 12 of the third sorting conveyors S31 to S35 is opposite to a conveying direction 14 of the fourth sorting conveyors S41 to S44. Both conveying directions 12 and 14 run at a right angle to the conveying directions 8 and 10 of the first sorting conveyors S11 to S13 and the two sorting conveyors S21 to S23, respectively.

[0037] It should be noted here that additional groups of sorting conveyors can now also be provided on additional levels. For example, the image of the sorting conveyors arranged on the second level E2 and the third level E4 can also be transferred to a fourth or fifth level. Of course, depending on the design, an arrangement of sorting conveyors with upstream pre-sorting conveyors on even more levels is also possible. It would also be possible for the first and second directions, and the third and fourth directions, to be identical in pairs.

[0038] However, despite the multitude of components, it is easy to see in the diagram that, in the expansion stage shown in Figure 4, each destination ZS can now be served four times. This is explained for the example of destination D6, where the following discharge modules are to be controlled accordingly: a) Pre-sorting conveyors V1, V1c, sorting conveyors S13, M13f left; b) Pre-sorting conveyors V3, V3d, sorting conveyors S34, M34b left; c) Pre-sorting conveyors V2, V2b, sorting conveyors S22, M22c left; and d) Pre-sorting conveyors V4, V4b, sorting conveyors S42, M42d left.

[0039] The Figure 5 now shows schematically the sorting system 2, whereby the arrangement of the target points ZS and the arrangement of the sorting conveyors S11 to S44 correspond to the arrangement according to the Figure 4 Compared to the Figure 4 was in the Figure 5A modified arrangement for the four pre-sorting conveyors V1 to V4 has now been selected. A design with a ring sorter 16 constructed as four logically subdivided pre-sorting conveyors has been selected. Instead of the pre-sorting conveyors V1 to V4, four logically subdivided subsections V1' to V4' are thus selected for pre-sorting. Each of these logically subdivided subsections V1' to V4' is preceded by a feeding device VA1 to VA4, with which the items 6 to be sorted can be fed onto the ring sorter 16. These feeding devices VA1 to VA4 can be designed as infeed points, which already have a speed component in the direction of the prevailing conveying direction of the ring sorter 16 for the purpose of feeding the items to be sorted onto the ring sorter 16.Thus, for each sorting item 6, it is possible to transfer it to one of the sorting conveyors S11 to S44 at four different locations, on which it is then transported to the corresponding destination location and separated there into the destination location.

[0040] Thus, in the embodiment shown, according to the Figure 5(as well as, of course, all other embodiments designed in accordance with the invention, in particular those with target locations arranged in a hexagonal matrix, offer a multitude of advantages that cover the current needs and trends of the CEP market, since sorting can be carried out quickly and with a simple structure and high configurable performance in the one-stream, one-touch process. In particular, the designs according to the present invention make it possible to process a wide spectrum of sorted goods; the jamming of bands, stripes or shipments that are too flat can thus be reliably prevented. This also makes it possible to avoid pre-sorting according to groups of sorted goods, such as flyers, smalls, parcels, even with unstable packaging and the like.

[0041] Likewise, pre-sorting according to target location groups is not necessary because each of the pre-sorting sections VA1 to VA4 can reach every possible target location (one stream). Therefore, once a sorting item 6 has been delivered to the ring sorter 16, it does not need to be touched again until sorting (one touch), except in the event of a sorting or reading error, which may require the item to be rejected in an overflow located at the end of each sorting conveyor. Furthermore, the sorting performance of this sorting system 2 can be configured very flexibly. By arranging additional sorting conveyors on additional levels, the number of sorting paths to a target location can be further increased. Furthermore, the number of target locations is widely scalable, and the type of target locations can also be adapted to the respective needs and / or the properties of the items to be sorted.

[0042] Furthermore, the matrix arrangement of the target points enables a particularly compact design of the sorting system, allowing it to be installed even in a standard industrial hall. In terms of construction costs, commissioning, and maintenance, the sorting system 2 described above has a high number of identical parts because the same modules are used repeatedly for the belt tipper, the belt conveyors, and the pre-sorting conveyors. This also has a favorable effect on engineering, as the recurring modules essentially limit the engineering effort to configuring the sorting system.

Claims

1. System (2) for sorting sorting pieces (6) into target points (ZS) logically linked to their target destination, comprising: a) a plurality of target points (ZS) arranged in an array, wherein the target points (ZS) are also arranged substantially in a first plane (E1), and wherein one or more target destinations can be logically assigned at least temporarily to each of the target points (ZS) by means of a sorting controller (4), b) a plurality of first sorting conveyors (S12, S13) extending in a first direction (8) and having ejection modules (M12a to M12h, M13a to M13h) which can be controlled by the sorting controller and are arranged in a second plane (E2) located above the first plane (E1) and thereby extending between rows of target points (ZS), that the ejection modules (M12a to M12h, M13a to M13h) arranged in the first sorting conveyors (S12, S13) are able to serve target points (ZS) arranged on both sides of the first sorting conveyors (S12, S13) with sorting pieces (6) provided for these target points (ZS), and c) a first pre-sorting conveyor (V1) arranged on one side of the array of target points (ZS) and preferably also in the second plane (E2), with ejection modules (V1b, V1c) which can be controlled by the sorting controller (4), wherein the first pre-sorting conveyor (V1) with its ejection modules (V1b, V1c) can be controlled in such a way that a sorting piece (6) can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of first sorting conveyors (S12, S13), which serves the target point (ZS) provided for this sorting piece (6), wherein the system (2) comprises a plurality of second sorting conveyors (S21, S22) with ejection modules (M21a to M21h, M22a to M22h) which can be controlled by the sorting controller (4) and which are arranged in the second level (E2) located above the first level (E1) and thereby extending between rows of target points (E2), that the ejection modules (M21a to M21h, M22a to M22h) arranged in the second sorting conveyors (S21, S22) are able to serve target points (ZS) arranged on both sides of the second sorting conveyors (S21, S22) with sorting pieces (6) intended for these target points (ZS), and the system (2) comprises a second pre-sorting conveyor (V2) arranged on one side of the array of target points (ZS) and preferably also in the second plane (E2), with ejection modules (V2b, V2c) which can be controlled by the sorting controller (4), wherein the second pre-sorting conveyor (V2) arranged on the opposite side of the array of target points (ZS) is controllable with its ejection modules (V2b, V2c) in such a way that a sorting piece (6) can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of second sorting conveyors (S21, S22) which serves the target point (ZS) provided for this sorting piece (6), characterized in that the second sorting conveyors (S21, S22) extend from a second direction (10) running at an angle to the first direction (8).

2. System (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second direction (10) runs in the opposite direction to the first direction (8) and the first and second sorting conveyors (S21, S12, S22, S13) are arranged in such a way that they span the array of target points (ZS) in alternating directions.

3. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the array of target points (ZS) has a rectangular pattern with M columns and N rows, in which the target points (ZS) have up to four nearest neighbor target points.

4. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the array of target positions (ZS) has a hexagonal pattern in which the target positions (ZS) have up to six nearest neighbor target positions.

5. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of third sorting conveyors (S32 to S34) running in a third direction (12) are provided with ejection modules (M32a to M34e) which can be controlled by the sorting controller (4) and which are arranged in a third plane (E3) located above the second plane (E2) and thus running between rows of target points (ZS), that the ejection modules (M32a to M34e) arranged in the third sorting conveyors (S32, S34) are able to serve target points (ZS) arranged on both sides of the third sorting conveyors (S32 to S34) with sorting pieces (6) provided for these target points (ZS), and c) a third pre-sorting conveyor (V3) arranged on one side of the array of target points (ZS) and preferably also in the third plane (E3) is provided with ejection modules (V3b to V3d) which can be controlled by the sorting controller, wherein the third pre-sorting conveyor (V3) with its ejection modules (V3b to V3d) can be controlled in such a way that a sorting piece (6) can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of third sorting conveyors (S32 to S34), which serves the target point (ZS) provided for this sorting piece (6).

6. System (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of fourth sorting conveyors (S41 to S44) running in a fourth direction (14) at an angle to the third direction (12) are provided with ejection modules (M41a to M44e) which can be controlled by the sorting controller and are arranged in the third plane (E3) located above the second plane (E2) and thus running between rows of target points (ZS), that the ejection modules (M41a to M44e) arranged in the fourth sorting conveyors (S41 to S44) are able to serve target points (ZS) arranged on both sides of the fourth sorting conveyors (S41 to S44) with sorting pieces (6) provided for these target points (ZS), and a fourth pre-sorting conveyor (V4) arranged on one side of the array of target points (ZS) and preferably also in the third plane (E3) is provided with ejection modules (V4a to V4d) which can be controlled by the sorting controller (4), wherein the fourth pre-sorting conveyor (V4) arranged on the opposite side of the array of target points (ZS) is controllable with its ejection modules (V4a to V4d) in such a way that a sorting piece (6) can be transferred to the sorting conveyor of the plurality of fourth sorting conveyors (S41 to S44) which serves the target point (ZS) provided for this sorting piece (6).

7. System (2) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the fourth direction (14) runs in the opposite direction to the third direction (12) and the third and fourth sorting conveyors (S32 to S34, S41 to S44) are arranged in such a way that they span the array of target points (ZS) in alternating directions.

8. System (2) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the third and fourth directions (12, 14) run at an angle, preferably substantially perpendicular or at an angle of 60°, to the first and second directions (8, 10).

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the pre-sorting conveyors (V1 to V4) is designed as a ring sorter (16) enclosing the array of target points (ZS).

10. System (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that all pre-sorting conveyors (V1 to V4) are integrated together in a ring sorter (16) enclosing the array of target points (ZS), wherein the ring sorter (16) is divided into a logical number of sorting sections (V1' to V4') which corresponds to the number of groups of sorting conveyors (S12, S13, S21, S22, S32 to S34, S41 to S44), wherein each sorting section (V1' to V4') is assigned to a group of sorting conveyors (S12, S13, S21, S22, S32 to S34, S41 to S44) and a feed point (VA1 to VA4) for feeding sorting pieces (6) onto the ring sorter (16) is provided in front of each sorting section (V1' to V4') - as viewed in the conveying direction of the sorting pieces.