METHOD FOR REMOVING A PIECE OF ITEM FROM A CONVEYOR, BLOW-OFF DEVICE AND SORTING SYSTEM

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for removing a piece item from a conveying means of a sorting system, wherein the sorting system comprises the conveying means for conveying the piece item in a transport direction along a conveying path, and wherein the conveying means is designed such that a piece item arranged in a cell area on the conveying means can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a blow-off device for removing a piece of goods from a conveying device of a sorting system.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a sorting system for sorting unit loads comprising a conveying means for conveying the unit load in a transport direction along a conveying line and the above blow-off device. Background of the invention

[0004] Sorting systems that sort unit loads to different destinations based on the unit load's delivery location using a conveying device are known in the prior art. For example, the destinations are arranged along a conveyor path, and the conveyor is designed such that a unit load arranged in a cell area on the conveyor can move perpendicular to the conveying device's direction of travel. Accordingly, upon reaching the corresponding destination, the unit load can be conveyed to the appropriate destination perpendicular to the direction of travel.

[0005] For example, sorting centers use cross-belt sorters, which comprise several short belt conveyors mounted perpendicular to the sorter's transport direction. The belt conveyors, which define the respective cell areas, can be mounted individually or in groups on the conveyor's carriage. By moving the cross-belt, the individual items can be picked up from or dispensed by the conveyor during infeed and / or outfeed.

[0006] One problem with such conveying systems is that individual items not arranged within the designated compartments on the conveyor cannot be transported to their intended destination. For example, small, light, and / or irregularly shaped items can shift during loading, or they can roll and / or tip over during transport. This can result in items not being fully, or no longer fully, arranged within the designated compartments of the conveyor. Items that are not fully arranged within the designated compartments on the conveyor, and therefore cannot be transported to their destination and thus cannot be removed from the conveyor, pose a high risk of being lost, delay shipments, and reduce the conveyor's capacity.In particular, individual items positioned between two cell sections block not only one section but also the adjacent one. For example, items placed on a cover between two crossbelts block both crossbelts. This problem drastically reduces the conveyor's capacity. Furthermore, when the conveyor is stopped, employees must manually remove the misplaced items, which is not only time-consuming but also leads to further delays, capacity restrictions, and additional costs due to the downtime.

[0007] Document US 2019 / 0321860A1 and EP 3566982A1 describe a sorting device for sorting articles, wherein the sorting device comprises a stationary removal device for moving a selected article down from a conveyor of the sorting device to a predefined removal position, wherein the removal device comprises a support element, the support element being movable along a longitudinal direction extending parallel to the conveyor path, wherein a first drive device is adapted to move the support element at a speed and into a transverse position corresponding to a selected article, wherein the removal device further comprises a push element supported by the support element, and wherein a second drive device is adapted to move the push element in the transverse direction to remove the article from the conveyor.

[0008] Document DE 10 2018 009 974 B3 describes a transverse conveyor sorter with a clearing device for removing misplaced goods, wherein the clearing device is a blow-off device arranged on a first side next to a conveyor track of the transverse conveyor sorter. Description of the invention

[0009] Based on this situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide measures that reduce the capacity losses caused by misplaced items. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide measures that can remove misplaced items from the conveying system even while the system is running.

[0010] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] Accordingly, the problem is solved by a method for removing a unit item from a conveying means of a sorting system, wherein the sorting system comprises the conveying means for conveying the unit item in a transport direction along a conveying track designed as a circular route, and wherein the conveying means is designed such that a unit item arranged in a cell area on the conveying means is movable perpendicular to the transport direction, comprising the steps Generating image data using a camera arranged on the conveyor line, wherein the image data represents at least the conveying medium in a section of the conveyor line; detecting a unit not fully placed within the cell area on the conveying medium based on the generated image data using a controller; classifying the unit not fully placed within the cell area on the conveying medium with regard to a property of the unit, in particular a shape, a position, a dimension, a packaging material, a surface finish, and / or a weight, based on the generated image data using the controller; generating a blow-off command for a blow-off device arranged on the conveyor line; blowing off the unit not fully placed within the cell area on the conveying medium based on the blow-off command using the blow-off device; checking the blow-off using a light barrier after the blow-off.and receiving a verification signal generated by the light barrier, , the blow-off command is generated by machine learning, taking into account the time of generation of the image data, the conveying speed of the conveying medium, the arrangement of the camera, the conveying path and the blow-off device relative to each other, and taking into account the verification signal and the classification of the unit load.

[0012] Furthermore, the task is solved by a blow-off device for removing a piece item from a conveying means of a sorting system, wherein the conveying means is designed to convey the piece item in a transport direction along a conveying path and the conveying means is further designed such that a piece item arranged in a cell area on the conveying means can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction, wherein the blow-off device comprises a camera, a control system, a light barrier and a blow-off device, and wherein the blow-off device is configured to carry out the above procedure.

[0013] Furthermore, the task is comprehensively solved by a sorting system for sorting unit loads, a conveying device for conveying the unit loads in a transport direction along a conveyor line, and the above blow-off device.

[0014] One aspect of the invention is that the blow-off device is used to remove misplaced items—that is, items that are not completely within the cell area on the conveyor. The blow-off device removes the misplaced items without contact by blowing them away, so the conveyor does not need to stop for removal. Accordingly, misplaced items can be removed while the conveyor is in operation. Furthermore, the contactless removal of items has the advantage that no safety precautions, such as fencing or employee training, are required. In addition, contactless removal using compressed air can also be carried out at high conveyor speeds without the risk of damaging the items, as would be the case with mechanical removal.

[0015] Furthermore, the process enables the automated removal of misplaced items using the blow-off device and / or sorting system. By detecting misplaced items based on image data, generating the blow-off command for the device, and then blowing off the items based on this command, any potential risk to employees from detecting and / or removing misplaced items is eliminated from the outset. This increases workplace safety and reduces costs.

[0016] Another aspect of the invention is that misplaced items are detected based on image data generated by the camera and / or that a camera is used to monitor a section of the conveyor. This results in a very high detection rate of misplaced items and / or makes it possible to distinguish misplaced items very effectively from items that are not misplaced. Accordingly, it is possible to remove only those items from the conveyor that, due to their position, block one or more cell areas and / or cannot be transported to their respective destinations by the conveyor. The precise detection of misplaced items thus reduces unnecessary blow-offs, which in turn reduces noise pollution and also minimizes capacity losses due to unnecessary removal.

[0017] Since image data not only allows conclusions to be drawn about whether a piece of goods is completely within the cell area or not, but also enables inferences to be made about the shape of the piece of goods, its position, its dimensions, its packaging material, its surface finish, its weight, and / or other properties, the blow-off command can be generated in a targeted and individual manner for each piece of goods. This enables precise blow-off, which on the one hand leads to a high blow-off rate—meaning that the removal of as many misplaced pieces of goods as possible from the conveyor by blow-off is successful—and on the other hand also makes it possible to reduce noise pollution caused by imprecise and / or unnecessary blow-off. In other words, the camera or...The generation of image data thus ensures that the blow-off process can be carried out with particular precision.

[0018] Furthermore, the image data enables statistical analysis to determine which characteristics of individual items most frequently lead to misplacement and / or which cell areas of the conveyor system are most often burdened with misplaced items. This allows for the reduction of capacity losses in the sorting system. In particular, the image data, in combination with the verification signal, enables the control system to independently recognize patterns and / or regularities in the image data that are associated with successful or unsuccessful blow-offs. In this way, the blow-off command can be automatically adjusted using machine learning.

[0019] Another aspect of the invention is that the conveyor is designed as a circular conveyor, in which the individual items are guided in a loop. This allows an unsuccessful blow-off to trigger an adjustment of the blow-off command for the next attempt. For example, the blow-off duration and / or timing can be adjusted for the next pass of the previously unsuccessfully blown item. Preferably, the control system receives the verification signal.

[0020] In the first step of the process, image data is generated using a camera positioned along the conveyor. The camera is therefore designed and preferably positioned along the conveyor in such a way as to generate image data that represents at least the conveyed medium in a specific section of the conveyor. The image data preferably consists of a temporal sequence of individual still images. These still images can be generated, for example, with a predefined and / or unchanging frame rate. Alternatively, the still images can also be generated with a variable frame rate, for example, based on a trigger and / or adapted to the current conveying speed of the medium.The frame rate of the image data is preferably adapted to the conveying speed of the conveying device such that at least the individual items transported by the conveying device are each represented by at least one still image of the image data. More preferably, each still image represents at least the conveying device in that section of the conveying path. In other words, in addition to the conveying device, other components of the sorting system can also be represented by the image data. Furthermore, the camera is preferably arranged such that the section of the conveying path depicted in the image data is preferably large enough that at least one individual item transported by the conveying device is completely represented by a single still image of the image data.

[0021] In a further step of the process, a unit that is not completely placed within the cell area on the conveyor is detected by the controller based on the generated image data. Preferably, the image data is sent to the controller for evaluation. Preferably, the controller detects misplaced units using an image recognition and / or edge detection algorithm. In other words, the controller is preferably designed to detect a unit that is not completely placed within the cell area on the conveyor based on the generated image data. Preferably, the detection of the unit that is not completely placed within the cell area on the conveyor based on the generated image data includes the detection of an inter-cell area based on the generated image data and a subsequent check by the controller to determine whether a unit is located in the inter-cell area.The inter-cell area is preferably that area of ​​the funding that is located between two adjacent cell areas.

[0022] In a further step of the process, a blow-off command is generated. The blow-off command is particularly preferred in cases where the control system detects, based on the image data, that a piece of material is not completely placed within the cell area.

[0023] Furthermore, when generating the blow-off command, the time of generation of the image data, the conveying speed of the conveying medium, and the arrangement of the camera, the conveying path and the blow-off device relative to each other are taken into account.

[0024] Regarding the time of creation of the image data, it may be provided that the image data is timestamped.

[0025] Regarding the conveying speed of the conveying medium, the procedure may include a step to determine the conveying speed based on the image data. For example, the conveying speed can be determined based on the frame rate and the image data. Alternatively or additionally, the conveying speed can be provided as a target value or as an actual value.

[0026] For example, after detecting a misplaced item, the controller can generate a signal, such as a digital signal. This signal can then be used by the controller to generate a blow-off command, taking into account the timing of image data acquisition, the conveying speed, and the relative positions of the camera, conveying path, and blow-off device. Alternatively, the signal can be converted into a blow-off command, for example, as an analog switching signal, by the controller and / or another controller, again considering the timing of image data acquisition, the conveying speed, and the relative positions of the camera, conveying path, and blow-off device.In other words, the control system and / or further control system is designed to generate the blow-off command for the blow-off device, taking into account the time of generation of the image data, the conveying speed of the conveying medium, and the arrangement of the camera, the conveying path and the blow-off device relative to each other.

[0027] In a further step of the process, the unit load that is not completely positioned within the cell area on the conveying medium is blown off by the blow-off device based on the blow-off command. Preferably, the blow-off command is sent to the blow-off device, which then carries out the blow-off according to the command. Preferably, the blow-off device is designed to remove the unit load that is not completely positioned within the cell area from the conveying medium by blowing it off, based on the blow-off command.

[0028] The blow-off device for removing the individual items from the conveyor of the sorting system comprises the camera, the control unit, and the blow-off mechanism, the blow-off mechanism being configured to perform the procedure described above. The blow-off device can, in principle, be operated independently of the sorting system. Alternatively, the sorting system can send information to the control unit of the blow-off device, which is preferably taken into account by the control unit and / or further control units when generating the blow-off command, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0029] The sorting system comprises the conveying means for transporting the unit loads in the transport direction along the conveying path, wherein the conveying means is designed such that a unit load arranged in the cell area on the conveying means can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction. Preferably, the conveying means is designed as a transverse belt sorter.

[0030] Preferably, the sorting system comprises an infeed device arranged on the conveyor line for loading the conveying means with the unit goods, and / or an outfeed device arranged on the conveyor line comprising a plurality of end points for outfeeding the unit goods to corresponding end points.

[0031] Preferably, the sorting system may include a loading control device arranged on the conveyor line for determining the position of the unit load arranged in the cell area on the conveyor, and / or a scanner arranged on the conveyor line for determining the final location of the unit load arranged in the cell area on the conveyor. For example, the scanner is arranged downstream of the loading control device in the transport direction, with the loading control device determining the position of the unit load arranged in the cell area on the conveyor and the scanner capturing an address and / or a code determining the final location based on the determined position.Positioning the scanner at a very short distance in the transport direction, directly behind the loading control device, reduces the probability of the package shifting between the loading control device detecting its position within the cell area and the scanning of the address and / or code determining the destination, as this reduces the time it takes for the package to be transported from the loading control to the scanner. A shift in the package would make it more difficult for the scanner to detect the address and / or code determining the destination. Furthermore, the discharge device is preferably designed to discharge the package to the corresponding destination based on the destination determined by the scanner.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement of the camera, the conveyor, and the blow-off device is such that the blow-off device is positioned behind the camera in the transport direction such that the transport time between the section of the conveyor represented by the image data and a blow-off point on the conveyor is between 0.2 and 3 seconds. The blow-off point corresponds to the location on the conveyor where the blow-off device blows off the item that is not completely within the cell area on the conveyor. The arrangement is particularly preferred such that the transport time is 1 second ± 30%.It is further preferred that the arrangement of the camera, the conveyor, and the blow-off device is such that the transport time defined above by the conveying medium is not shorter than the switching time and / or reaction time of the blow-off device, and in particular the camera and / or the blow-off device. The above values ​​for the transport time have proven to be particularly suitable. A transport time that is too short makes timely and therefore successful blow-off by the blow-off device more difficult. However, a transport time that is too long between the section of the conveyor represented by the image data and the blow-off point makes it more difficult to successfully blow off misplaced items.For example, the longer the transport time between the section of the conveyor where the item is captured by the camera and the point of discharge, the greater the probability that the item will shift on the conveyor. Accordingly, it is preferably intended that the transport time between the section of the conveyor represented by the image data and the point of discharge is no more than 3 seconds. With a typical conveying speed of 2 m / s, the section captured by the camera and the point of discharge are therefore preferably no more than 6 meters apart along the conveyor.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the camera is arranged on the conveyor such that the image data generated by the camera represents the conveyor from above. In other words, the camera is preferably not arranged laterally to the side of the conveyor, but rather above it, so that the camera captures the section of the conveyor and the conveyor from above. This facilitates the detection of misplaced items on the conveyor. Furthermore, this arrangement also simplifies the determination of the item's shape, position, dimensions, packaging material, surface finish, weight, and / or other properties, which is made possible by the image data.

[0034] Regarding the arrangement of the blow-off device, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the blow-off device is arranged on the conveying path such that a compressed air pulse generated by the blow-off device is directed perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying medium and / or lies in a plane parallel to a conveying plane of the conveying medium. The blow-off device thus preferably generates the compressed air pulse in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. In this way, the unit load can be blown off the conveying medium in the shortest possible way. Furthermore, the compressed air pulse is preferably in the plane parallel to the conveying plane of the conveying medium, which also allows for efficient blow-off of the unit load.Both measures also make it possible to direct the blow-off towards the item, as this reduces the distance that the compressed air pulse has to travel from the nozzle to the item and thus helps to keep noise emissions from the blow-off to a minimum.

[0035] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is preferably provided that the blow-off command includes at least one blow-off time and a blow-off duration, and that the blow-off step includes generating at least one compressed air pulse for the blow-off duration at the blow-off time by means of the blow-off device. The control unit and / or the further control unit thus preferably generates a blow-off command such that a blow-off duration and a blow-off time of the compressed air pulse are specified. The blow-off device then carries out the blow-off taking into account the blow-off command, comprising the blow-off duration and the blow-off time.

[0036] The blow-off device preferably comprises one or more compressed air nozzles, preferably equipped with solenoid valves. The solenoid valves are preferably supplied with compressed air via a compressed air system, more preferably at an operating pressure of 6 bar ± 20%. The solenoid valve preferably opens according to the blow-off command and allows the compressed air to pass through the compressed air nozzle for the blow-off duration determined by the blow-off command. Preferably, the compressed air nozzle compresses the volume flow of the compressed air.

[0037] As already mentioned, the image data enables targeted blow-off of the workpiece. In this context, a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the method includes the step of determining a dimension of the workpiece, which is not completely within the cell area on the conveying medium and is parallel to the transport direction, and wherein the blow-off command, preferably the blow-off duration, is generated taking the determined dimension into account. The dimension of the workpiece parallel to the transport direction preferably refers to the extent of the workpiece parallel to the conveying path when the workpiece is placed on the conveying medium. This dimension preferably also determines how long the workpiece remains in front of the compressed air nozzle of the blow-off device due to its transport along the transport direction. Accordingly, the blow-off command, and in particular the blow-off duration, can be adapted to the determined dimension.Preferably, items with a large extent parallel to the transport direction result in a longer blow-off time. Furthermore, preferably, the dimensions of the item not completely within the cell area on the conveying device, parallel to the transport direction, are determined by the control system based on the generated image data.

[0038] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the step of determining the shape, position, dimension, packaging material, surface finish, and / or weight of the item not fully placed within the cell area on the conveying medium, and the blow-off command is generated taking into account the determined shape, position, dimension, packaging material, surface finish, and / or weight. Particularly preferably, the shape, position, dimension, packaging material, surface finish, and / or weight of the item not fully placed within the cell area on the conveying medium are determined by the control system based on the generated image data.Alternatively or additionally, the system may provide for the controller and / or further control systems to receive data from the sorting system regarding the shape, position, dimensions, packaging material, surface finish, and / or weight of the individual items. For example, the sorting system's scanner, which captures the address and / or code of the item determining its destination, may simultaneously read the item's weight class. This weight class can then be sent to the controller and / or further control systems as the item's weight and taken into account when generating the blow-off command.

[0039] Particularly with regard to precise blow-off, a further embodiment of the invention provides that the method includes the step of receiving a clock signal from the sorting system, and that the image data is generated taking the received clock signal into account, and / or that the blow-off command, preferably the blow-off time, is generated taking the received clock signal into account. Preferably, the clock signal is received by the controller and / or a further controller. Thus, preferably, the sorting system generates the clock signal, particularly preferably by means of sensors internal to the sorting system, such as light barriers. More preferably, the clock signal reflects the actual conveying speed of the conveying medium. For example, it can be provided that a logic level of the clock signal changes each time a specific component of the conveying medium passes a sensor of the sorting system.The clock signal is therefore preferably used for temporal coordination and / or synchronization between the conveying system and the blow-off device, and in particular for coordination between the conveying system and the camera and / or the blow-off device. Furthermore, the clock signal can preferably serve as a reference for the control system and / or further control systems when generating the blow-off command. This enables more precise blow-off of misplaced items, which in turn reduces noise pollution from the blow-off process and / or increases the success rate of blow-offs. The clock signal is particularly preferably taken into account when generating the image data using the camera arranged along the conveying path. In this way, the frame rate can be adjusted to the current conveying speed of the conveying system.Image data is preferably generated precisely when the conveying device is positioned in front of the camera in such a way that the image data generated by the camera is suitable for detecting individual items that are not completely placed within the cell area.

[0040] According to a further preferred embodiment, the blow-off device comprises a plurality of compressed air nozzles, the plurality of which are arranged side by side in the transport direction, the method comprising the step of determining the shape, position, dimension, packaging material, surface finish, and / or weight of the item not completely within the cell area on the conveying medium, and the blow-off command is generated for the plurality of compressed air nozzles, taking into account the determined shape, position, dimension, packaging material, surface finish, and / or weight, such that the item can be removed from the conveying medium and / or is removed with the shortest possible total blow-off time.

[0041] Preferably, the shape, position, surface finish, and / or weight of the item not fully within the cell area on the conveyor is determined by the control system based on the generated image data. Alternatively or additionally, the control system can receive data regarding the shape, position, surface finish, and / or weight of the item from the sorting system. Furthermore, the total blowing duration is preferably understood to be the time for which one or more compressed air nozzles are operated. For example, if a first of two compressed air nozzles is operated for a blowing duration of... a operated and a second compressed air nozzle with the blowing duration b operated, whereby b > a If both compressed air nozzles are operated at the same blow-off time, the total blow-off duration is bHowever, if the compressed air nozzles are operated sequentially, such that there is no point in time when both compressed air nozzles are operated simultaneously, the total blowing time is a + b. Reducing the overall blowing time is particularly advantageous with regard to noise pollution. Accordingly, it is more beneficial to operate several compressed air nozzles simultaneously than sequentially.

[0042] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the sorting system comprises a loading control device arranged on the conveyor for determining the position of the unit load arranged in the cell area on the conveyor, and the method comprises the step of receiving a loading message from the loading control device by the controller, wherein the step of generating image data using the camera arranged on the conveyor includes taking the loading message into account, and / or wherein the step of detecting a unit load not completely placed in the cell area on the conveyor based on the generated image data includes taking the loading message into account. The detection of unit loads not completely placed in the cell area on the conveyor can be improved by having the controller receive an advance warning – the loading message – from the loading control device of the sorting system.The pre-warning can, for example, lead to a reduction in the camera's frame rate during periods when no misplaced item is expected, thus saving energy and resources. Alternatively or additionally, the pre-warning can ensure that computing resources are specifically allocated to image data where misplaced items are anticipated during the step of detecting items not fully within their designated cell area on the conveyor. This saves computing resources and / or improves the detection of misplaced items.

[0043] Furthermore, with regard to the image data, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the following steps. Comparing the unit loads identified by the control system as not being fully placed in the cell area on the conveying device with unit loads identified by the control system as being fully placed in the cell area on the conveying device, and / or identifying similarities between those unit loads identified by the control system as not being fully placed in the cell area on the conveying device.

[0044] This allows for the identification of unit load characteristics that particularly frequently lead to misplacement. If, for example, it turns out that certain unit load characteristics result in a high misplacement rate, this information can be used to ensure that unit loads exhibiting these characteristics are routed to manual sorting and do not burden the sorting system.

[0045] Furthermore, the image data can be evaluated not only with regard to the properties of the individual parts, but also with regard to error-prone and / or defective cell areas. In this context, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the conveyor line is designed as a circular track, and the method includes the step Identifying cell areas of the conveyor where, based on image data, the control system has detected a piece of equipment not fully placed within the cell area on the conveyor. This includes error-prone and / or defective cell areas. Therefore, error-prone and / or defective cell areas can be identified by evaluating the image data. Accordingly, capacity losses of the sorting system can be reduced by repairing and / or replacing these cell areas.

[0046] According to another preferred training method, the procedure includes the step Blow off all individual items placed on the conveying system using the blow-off device.

[0047] In the event of a planned repair and / or shutdown of the sorting system, all individual items can be removed from the conveyor using the blow-off device before it is switched off. This eliminates the need for the previously used manual collection of individual items, resulting in cost savings.

[0048] As already mentioned, the invention also relates to the blow-off device for removing the individual items from the conveying medium of the sorting system, wherein the blow-off device comprises the camera, the control unit and / or further control unit, and the blow-off mechanism, and wherein the blow-off device is configured to perform the method described above. The blow-off device can, in principle, be operated independently of the sorting system. Alternatively, the sorting system can send data, such as the clock signal, the load message, and / or a weight class of the individual items, to the blow-off device and, in particular, to the control unit and / or further control unit of the blow-off device, wherein the control unit and / or further control unit preferably takes this data into account when generating the blow-off command.

[0049] Further technical features and advantages of the blow-off device and the sorting system can be understood by a person skilled in the art from the description of the method for removing the individual items, as well as from the description of the sorting system. Brief description of the drawings

[0050] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and a preferred embodiment.

[0051] The drawings show Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a sorting system for sorting unit loads comprising a conveying means for conveying the unit loads and a blow-off device, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a carrier of the sorting system made of Figure 1 . Detailed description of the exemplary embodiment

[0052] The described embodiment is merely an example that can be modified and / or supplemented in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0053] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sorting system 10 for sorting unit loads 12. The sorting system 10 comprises a conveying means 14 for conveying the unit loads 12 in a transport direction 16 along a conveying path 18. The conveying means 14 is designed such that a unit load 12 arranged in a cell area 20 on the conveying means 14 can be moved perpendicular to the transport direction 16.

[0054] In this case, the conveying device 14 is designed as a cross-belt sorter 14. The conveying device 14 has a guide system 22 that comprises several segments, which are generally freely configurable, for straight sections, curves, inclines, and declines. In this case, the segments are combined such that the conveying path 18 is designed as a circular track. The unit loads 12 are moved by the cross-belt sorter 14 along the guide system 22 along the transport direction 16 by means of a large number of conveyor carriages 24 – also called carriers 24 – arranged in a series.

[0055] Figure 2 shows a single Carrier 24 of the in Figure 1 Sorting system 10 shown. As from Figure 2As can be seen, each carrier 24 has two crossbelts 26, each of which can be loaded with a unit load 12 and defines the cell area 20. Unit loads 12 that are not completely arranged in the cell area 20, and in particular unit loads 12 that are arranged in the intermediate cell area 28 between two crossbelts 26, can no longer be moved by the crossbelt 26 perpendicular to the transport direction 16. This results in both cell areas 20 adjacent to the intermediate cell area 28 being blocked. Furthermore, unit loads 12 that are not completely placed in the cell area 20 on the conveyor 14 – i.e., misplaced unit loads 12 – can be lost or incorrectly sorted.

[0056] Furthermore, the sorting system comprises 10, as shown in Figure 1It is evident that several infeed devices 30 are arranged on the conveyor line for loading the conveying means 14 with the unit loads 12 and an outfeed device 32 comprising a plurality of end points 34 for outfeeding the unit loads 12 to corresponding end points 34. End points 34 are containers 34 which represent a destination district to which a corresponding unit load 12 is to be transported.

[0057] After the conveyor 14 is loaded with a unit item 12 by means of the infeed device 30, a loading control device 36 of the sorting system 10, arranged on the conveyor section 18, checks whether and in which orientation a unit item 12 is located on the cell area 20. Based on this information, a scanner 38 of the sorting system 10 can detect a label on the unit item 12 and determine into which final location 34 the corresponding unit item 12 is to be sorted. As soon as the unit item 12 reaches the level of the corresponding final location 34, the cross belt 26 discharges the unit item 12 into the designated final location 34.

[0058] To remove misplaced items 12 from the conveying means 14, the sorting system 10 shown in Figure 1 has a blow-off device 40 comprising a camera 42, a control 44 and a blow-off device 46.

[0059] The blow-off device 46 comprises a plurality of compressed air nozzles 48 equipped with solenoid valves. The solenoid valves – in this case, the Festo MN1H-2-3 / 4-MS model – are supplied with compressed air at an operating pressure of 6 bar via a compressed air system. The solenoid valves are connected to the control unit 44 and open in response to a blow-off command from the control unit 44, allowing compressed air to pass through the compressed air nozzles 48 for a blow-off duration determined by the command. The compressed air nozzles 48 used in this case are Lechler model 600.385.35.AL.00.0.

[0060] Camera 42 represents the sensor system of the blow-off device 40, in this case the Cognex Checker 4G7 model. A control cabinet (not shown in the figures) with a main and a control circuit supplies power to the solenoid valves, camera 42 and the control unit 44 and ensures the transmission of the blow-off command to the solenoid valves.

[0061] The blow-off device 40 is designed to carry out the following procedure for removing a piece item 12 from the conveying medium 14 of the sorting system 10: In a first step of the procedure, image data is generated by means of the camera 42 arranged on the conveying line 18. The camera 42 is arranged on the conveying line 18 such that image data is generated which represents at least the conveying medium 14 in a section of the conveying line 18. Furthermore, the camera 42 is positioned above the conveying medium 14 and captures the conveying medium 14 from above.

[0062] In a further step of the process, a piece of goods 12 that is not completely placed within cell area 20 on the conveyor 14 is detected by the controller 44 based on the generated image data. In this case, the part of the controller 44 that evaluates the image data is integrated directly into the camera 42. As soon as the intermediate cell area 28 is detected in the image data by the controller 44, the controller 44 checks whether a piece of goods 12 is located in the intermediate cell area 28.

[0063] If a piece item 12 that is not completely placed within cell area 20 on the conveyor 14 is detected, a signal is generated by the camera-integrated control unit 44 in a further step of the process. This signal is sent to a part of the control unit 44 integrated in the control cabinet (not shown). Based on this signal, and taking into account the time of image data generation, the conveying speed of the conveyor 14, and the relative positions of the camera 42, the conveying path 18, and the blow-off device 46, the control unit 44 generates the blow-off command, which is designed as a switching signal.

[0064] Finally, in a further step of the process, the piece 12, which is not completely positioned within cell area 20 on the conveyor 14, is blown off by the blow-off device 46 based on the blow-off command. The blow-off command, designed as a switching signal, is thus transmitted to the solenoid valve of the blow-off device 46 with a time delay to detect the misplaced piece 12, so that blow-off occurs precisely when the piece 12 is in front of the compressed air nozzle 48. The solenoid valve switches for the specified blow-off duration and allows the compressed air to pass through. The compressed air nozzle 48 directs the airflow onto the piece 12 to be blown off, which is then collected in a receiving basin 50.

[0065] In the present procedure, the controller 44 also receives a clock signal from the sorting system 10, which is taken into account when generating the blow-off command. This synchronization results in a particularly precise blow-off. Reference symbol list

[0066] Sorting system 10 general cargo 12 Funding, crossbelt sorter 14 Direction of transport 16 Conveyor 18 Cell area 20 Management system 22 conveyor wagon, carrier 24 Crossbelt 26 Intercellular space 28 Injection device 30 Ejection device 32 Terminal, container 34 Loading control device 36 scanner 38 blow-off device 40 camera 42 steering 44 blow-off device 46 compressed air nozzle 48 Retention basin 50

Claims

1. Method for removing a piece good (12) from a conveying means (14) of a sorting system (10), wherein the sorting system (10) comprises the conveying means (14) for conveying the piece good (12) in a transport direction (16) along a conveyor line (18) configured as a circular line, and wherein the conveying means (14) is configured in such a way that a piece good (12) arranged in a cell area (20) on the conveying means (14) is movable at right angles to the transport direction (16), comprising the steps of - generating image data by means of a camera (42) arranged on the conveyor line (18), wherein the image data represent at least the conveying means (14) in one section of the conveyor line (18), - by means of a controller (44), detecting a piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14) on the basis of the image data generated, - by means of the controller (44), classifying the piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14) with regard to a property of the piece good (12), in particular a shape, a position, a dimension, a packaging material, a surface finish and / or a weight, on the basis of the image data generated, - generating a blowoff command for a blowoff device (46) arranged on the conveyor line, - by means of the blowoff device (46), blowing off the piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14) on the basis of the blowoff command, characterized in that the method additionally comprises the steps of - checking the blowoff by means of a light barrier after the blowoff, and - receiving a check signal generated by the light barrier, wherein the blowoff command is generated by means of machine learning while considering a time of the generation of the image data, a conveying speed of the conveying means (14), an arrangement of the camera (42), the conveyor line (18) and the blowoff device (46) relative to one another and while considering the check signal and the classification of the piece good (12).

2. Method according to Claim 1, wherein the blowoff device (46) is arranged after the camera (42) in the transport direction (16), in such a way that between the section of the conveyor line (18) that is represented by the image data and a blowoff location of the conveyor line (18) there is a transport time through the conveying means (14) of 0.2 seconds to 3 seconds, wherein the blowoff location corresponds to that location of the conveyor line (18) at which the blowoff device (46) blows off the piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the camera (42) is arranged on the conveyor line (18) in such a way that the image data generated by the camera (42) represent the conveying means (14) from above.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blowoff device (46) is arranged on the conveyor line (18) in such a way that a compressed air blast generated by the blowoff device (46) is directed at right angles to the transport direction (16) of the conveying means (14) and / or is located in a plane parallel to a conveying plane of the conveying means (14).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blowoff command comprises at least one blowing time and a blowing period, and wherein the blowoff step comprises generating at least one compressed air blast for the blowing period at the blowing time by means of the blowoff device (46).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the step of determining a dimension of the piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14) parallel to the transport direction (16), and wherein the blowoff command, preferably the blowing period, is generated while considering the determined dimension.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the step of determining a shape, a position, a dimension, a packaging material, a surface finish and / or a weight of the piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14), and wherein the blowoff command is generated while considering the determined shape, the position, the dimension, the packaging material, the surface finish and / or the weight.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the step of receiving a clock signal of the sorting system (10), and wherein the image data are generated while considering the received clock signal and / or wherein the blowoff command, preferably the blowing time, is generated while considering the received clock signal.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the blowoff device (46) comprises a plurality of compressed air nozzles (48), wherein the plurality of compressed air nozzles (48) are arranged beside one another in the transport direction (16), wherein the method comprises the step of determining a shape, a position, a dimension, a packaging material, a surface finish and / or a weight of the piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14), and wherein the blowoff command is generated while considering the determined shape, position, dimension, packaging material, surface finish and / or weight for the plurality of compressed air nozzles (46) in such a way that the piece good (12) can be removed and / or is removed from the conveying means (14) with the shortest possible total blowing period.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sorting system (10) comprises a load monitoring device (36) arranged on the conveyor line (18) for determining a position of the piece good (12) arranged in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14), wherein the method comprises the step of receiving a load message from the load monitoring device (36) by the controller (44), and wherein the step of generating image data by means of the camera (42) arranged on the conveyor line (18) comprises considering the load message and / or wherein the step of detecting a piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14) on the basis of the image data generated comprises considering the load message.

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor line (18) is configured as a circular line, and wherein the method comprises the step of, by means of the controller (44), identifying cell areas (20) of the conveying means (14) in which a piece good (12) not placed completely in the cell area (20) on the conveying means (14) has been detected by means of the controller (44), on the basis of the image data.

12. Blowoff unit (40) for removing a piece good (12) from a conveying means (14) of a sorting system (10), wherein the conveying means (14) is configured for conveying the piece good (12) in a transport direction (16) along a conveyor line (18) and the conveying means (14) is furthermore configured in such a way that a piece good (12) arranged in a cell area (20) on the conveying means (14) is movable at right angles to the transport direction (16), wherein the blowoff unit (40) comprises a camera (42), a controller (44), a light barrier and a blowoff device (46), and wherein the blowoff unit (40) is set up to carry out a method according to one of the preceding method claims.

13. Sorting system (10) for sorting piece goods (12), comprising a conveying means (14) for conveying the piece good (12) in a transport direction (16) along a conveyor line (18) and a blowoff unit (40) according to the preceding claim.