COMPACT SORTING DEVICE WITH CARRIAGES GUIDED BY TUBE-SHAPED RAILS

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention falls within the field of logistics and more specifically within the field of high-throughput automated parcel sorting. Previous technique

[0002] Most parcel sorting facilities today use loop sorting conveyors equipped with sorting outlets to sort parcels.

[0003] This type of conveyor generally includes receptacles for parcels capable not only of receiving and conveying parcels in a certain conveying direction but also of sorting them in the sorting outlets according to a certain predetermined sorting plan.

[0004] Some sorting facilities, such as that described in documents US2013 / 248323, document US2013 / 248323 discloses all the features of the preamble of claim 1, and EP2921431, use a sorting conveyor with tubular rails that extend in the direction of conveying and on which trolleys move that are suitable for moving receptacles for packages.

[0005] The trolleys in document EP2921431 are here coupled one after the other to form a train of trolleys on which are arranged the platforms forming a continuous receiving surface for parcels in the direction of conveying, in the same way that flat rail sorting conveyors form a continuous receiving surface for parcels.

[0006] In document EP2921431, each tray is designed to receive, transport and evacuate a package into the appropriate sorting exit by simple tipping or using conveyor belts.

[0007] Using a tubular rail conveyor as opposed to a flat rail conveyor reduces the radius of curvature of turns and therefore advantageously reduces the footprint.

[0008] However, current constraints require further reduction of the ground footprint while also reducing the height of the sorting facility.

[0009] Furthermore, while the trays are particularly well suited for sorting homogeneous and dense flat-bottomed parcels, the trays are not suitable for properly sorting Small International Import Packets (SIPs) of very disparate shapes and weights, with a non-homogeneous distribution of the package mass.

[0010] It is therefore understood that the tighter the turns of the conveyor, the more the speed must be reduced to avoid the ejection of packages. Description of the invention

[0011] The objective of the invention is therefore to solve the aforementioned problems by proposing a more compact sorting installation whose topology is easily configurable and which allows the sorting of heterogeneous packages at high speed.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a parcel sorting installation, according to claim 1, comprising a loop sorting conveyor and sorting outlets distributed along the sorting conveyor, said sorting conveyor comprising parcel receptacles designed to convey parcels in a certain conveying direction and sort them in the sorting outlets according to a predetermined sorting plan, the sorting conveyor comprising two parallel tubular rails extending in the conveying direction and trolleys fitted onto the tubular rails designed to move the parcel receptacles in said certain conveying direction, characterized in that each receptacle is interposed between two trolleys and is connected to said two trolleys by pivot joints to form a receptacle module,and in that several receptacle modules are linked together to form a parcel receptacle train in which the receptacles and trolleys are alternately distributed in the conveying direction and in which the receptacles are capable of pivoting relative to the trolleys when the trolleys move in the conveying direction.

[0013] The idea behind the invention is to arrange the parcel receptacles between the shared trolleys so as to form a train of parcel receptacles which limits the space occupied by the sorting conveyor above the tubular rails and trolleys.

[0014] The space recovered vertically thus makes it possible to reduce the height of the sorting installation.

[0015] The invention also consists of using a train of receptacles with receptacles that pivot relative to the trolleys so as to reduce the radius of curvature of the sorting conveyor in turns, ascents and descents.

[0016] The length of the trolleys in the conveying direction may advantageously be reduced to its strict minimum to favour an increase in the length of the receptacles and / or the space between the trolleys and the receptacles.

[0017] Thus, the greater the space between the trolleys and the receptacles, the greater the range of rotation of the receptacles relative to the trolleys.

[0018] The pivoting of the receptacles thus allows the train of receptacles to take tighter turns and to make greater changes in elevation.

[0019] By reducing the length of the trolleys in the conveying direction, it is also possible to reduce the stress forces of the trolleys on the rails.

[0020] The sorting installation according to the invention may also have the following characteristics: The pivot joints are designed so that each receptacle is capable of pivoting laterally and vertically relative to the trolleys to which it is connected; each pivot joint includes a pivot axis on the trolley shared with another pivot joint which connects the receptacle preceding or following it in the conveying direction; the tubular rails of the sorting conveyor include curved rail sections in the shape of clothoids; the parcel receptacles include an inclinable parcel receiving surface, between a horizontal position in which the receiving surface is flush with the rails so that parcels can be inserted onto the receptacle by sliding and an inclined position in which the receiving surface is inclined in the conveying direction so that parcels can be discharged into the sorting outlets by gravity;the sorting conveyor includes a cam track and in that each sorting receptacle includes a cam designed to cooperate with said cam track during the movement of the trolley in the conveying direction so as to position the parcel receiving surface in a horizontal or inclined position; at least one parcel receptacle is in the form of a bucket having fixed side walls and a bottom wall serving as a parcel receiving surface, said bottom wall being terminated by a discharge hatch capable of retaining or releasing a parcel when the parcel receiving surface is in an inclined position; the sorting conveyor includes at least one lower suspension mounted on a frame designed to support the tubular rails, said at least one lower suspension extending under the trolleys and receptacles so as to permit the loading of parcels over the tubular rails of the sorting conveyor;The sorting conveyor includes at least one upper suspension strut mounted on a frame designed to support the tubular rails, said at least one upper suspension strut extending above the trolleys and receptacles so as to permit the unloading of packages below the sorting conveyor; the sorting conveyor includes package insertion devices arranged to be flush with the tubular rails so as to permit the insertion of packages onto the package receiving surface of the receptacles by simple lateral movement of the packages. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The present invention will be better understood and other advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description of the embodiment, taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] - There figure 1 is a schematic representation of a sorting installation according to the invention; [ Fig 2 ] - There figure 2 is a schematic representation of several receptacle modules forming a train of receptacles for parcels according to the invention; [ Fig 3 ] - There figure 3 is a very schematic representation of a portion of the sorting conveyor according to the invention with trains of receptacles for parcels descending a portion of the sorting conveyor; Fig 4 ] - There figure 4 is a very schematic representation of a portion of the sorting conveyor according to the invention with trains of parcel receptacles that ascend a portion of the sorting conveyor; Fig 5 ] - There figure 5 is a very schematic representation of a part of the sorting conveyor according to the invention with trains of receptacles for parcels whose receiving surface is progressively straightened into the parcel insertion zone; [ Fig 6 ] - There figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the sorting conveyor and an upper suspension arm according to the invention; [ Fig 7 ] - There figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the sorting conveyor and a lower suspension according to the invention; [ Fig 8 ] - There figure 8 is a very schematic representation of a rail of the sorting conveyor according to the invention, the rail having a rising profile in the vertical plane in the shape of a double clothoid with a straight intermediate section; Fig 9 ] - There figure 9 is a very schematic representation of a rail of the sorting conveyor according to the invention, the rail having a rotating profile in the horizontal plane in the shape of a double clothoid with a circular intermediate section. Detailed description of the invention

[0022] The parcel sorting installation 1 for parcels 2 according to the invention, also called a sorter, shown in the figure 1is particularly well suited for sorting high-throughput heterogeneous parcels, such as PPI (Small International Packet) type parcels typical of e-commerce, while having a small footprint and height.

[0023] The sorting installation 1 for parcels 2 according to the invention includes in particular a sorting conveyor 3 in a loop with tubular guide rails 4 and sorting outlets 5 distributed along the sorting conveyor 3.

[0024] The sorting conveyor 3 is equipped with trolleys 6 traveling on the tubular guide rails 4 following a certain conveying direction D1 and receptacles 7 for parcels 2 attached to the trolleys 6.

[0025] The receptacles 7 according to the invention are designed to receive, convey and sort the packages into the sorting outlets 5 according to a predetermined sorting plan.

[0026] The sorting plan is stored in the memory of a control unit 8, which in turn controls the movement of the trolleys 6 and certain movements of the sorting receptacles 7 as explained below.

[0027] In the example shown on the figures 3 and 4 , the receptacles 7 for parcels 2 include a receiving surface 7a for parcels that can be tilted between a horizontal position in which the receiving surface 7a is flush with the tubular guide rails 4 so that parcels 2 can be inserted onto the receptacle 7 by sliding and an inclined position in which the receiving surface 7a is inclined in the conveying direction D1, preferably towards the rear, so that parcels 2 are held and sheltered from aerodynamic effects during transport and can be evacuated into the sorting outlets 5 by gravity along a quasi-vertical trajectory.

[0028] The sorting conveyor 3 also includes a cam track 9 profiled continuously or discontinuously along the sorting conveyor, and each receptacle 7 includes a cam 10 designed to cooperate with the cam track 9 during the movement of the carriage 6 in the conveying direction D1, so as to position the receiving surface 7a for parcels 2 in a horizontal position in the parcel insertion zone, visible in figure 5 , and to maintain on the other hand the receiving surface 7a for parcel 2 in an inclined position relative to the horizontal when ascending, visible in figure 4 , and this without a package 2 possibly present on the receptacle losing contact with the receiving surface 7a during its movement in the conveying direction D1.

[0029] As an example, when going uphill, the landing surface 7a will be straightened to maintain the landing surface 7a at 45° relative to the horizontal.

[0030] In the example described in figure 3 , the cam track 9 is not used in descent since the inclination of the rails of the sorting conveyor 3 and the inclination of the receiving surface 7a are designed so that when a trolley descends the rails, its receiving surface 7a will naturally tilt towards the horizontal, without ever reaching it.

[0031] As an example, the angle of inclination of the receiving surface 7a will be between 0° for loading parcels 2 and 45° for conveying and unloading parcels 2.

[0032] Also, in order to facilitate the sorting of PPI type 2 packages, the receptacles 7 for package 2 may be in the form of buckets comprising fixed side walls 7c and a bottom wall acting as a receiving surface 7a for package 2, the bottom wall being finished with an evacuation hatch 7b capable of retaining or releasing a package 2 when the receiving surface 7a for package 2 is in an inclined position.

[0033] Thus, the use of buckets and the inclination of the receiving surface 7a in the buckets makes it possible to greatly limit the ejection of packages 2 by aerodynamic effect, particularly in descents and ascents.

[0034] In the example shown on the figure 2 , the trolleys 6 according to the invention are fitted to the tubular guide rails 4 in such a way that the trolleys 6 are constrained to move only in the conveying direction D1.

[0035] Each receptacle 7 according to the invention is itself interposed between two trolleys 6 downstream and upstream in the conveying direction D1.

[0036] As an example, and as illustrated on the figure 2 , each receptacle 7 is also intercalated between the two tubular rails 4 of the sorting conveyor 3 so as to limit the height footprint of the sorting installation 1 according to the invention.

[0037] It is therefore understood that the trolleys 6 and the tubular rails 4 of the sorting conveyor 3 define a space in which a receptacle 7 is inserted.

[0038] The sorting conveyor 3 according to the invention also includes pivot links 11, for example ball joints, designed to pivotally connect each receptacle 7 to both a trolley 6 which follows it and to a trolley 6 which precedes it in the conveying direction D1.

[0039] Thus, the receptacle assembly 7 and the downstream and upstream trolleys 6 connected by pivot links form a receptacle module 12.

[0040] As an example, and as illustrated on the figure 2 , each pivot joint 11 here comprises an arm 11a which extends between a receptacle 7 and a carriage 6, and at least one pivot axis 11b disposed on the carriage 6 and / or on the receptacle 7, the arm being mounted pivotally on the axis 11b.

[0041] The axis 11b can be arranged equidistant from the two tubular rails 4 so as to allow the same amplitude of lateral pivoting of the receptacles 7 in the turns.

[0042] Each receptacle 7 will also be sufficiently spaced from the two trolleys 6 which precede and follow it in the conveying direction D1 so as to allow a tilting of the receptacle 7 forwards or backwards without coming into contact with the two trolleys 6 or the receptacles 7 upstream and downstream, in particular during changes in height of the tubular guide rails 4.

[0043] The pivot links 11 are therefore advantageously designed to allow lateral and vertical pivoting of the receptacles 7 relative to the trolleys 6 when moving in the conveying direction D1.

[0044] In the case where the pivot axis 11b of the pivot links 11 is located on the carriages 6, the pivot links 11 connecting two receptacles 7 to the same carriage 6 may share the same pivot axis 11b.

[0045] Thus, when a receptacle module 12 moves in the conveying direction D1, the receptacle 7 is able to pivot relative to the trolleys 6, that is, transversely to the conveying direction D1.

[0046] The invention also consists of linking several modules 12 of receptacles together to form a train 13 of receptacles 7 for parcel 2.

[0047] A train 13 of receptacles 7 for parcels 2 according to the invention is therefore formed of an alternation of receptacles 7 and trolleys 6 in the conveying direction D1.

[0048] It will be understood that the use of 12 modules of receptacle 7 allows the use of different types of receptacle 7 to sort different types of parcels 2.

[0049] It will also be understood that several trains 13 of receptacles 7 for parcels 2 can be used to equip the sorting installation 1, each able to be autonomous in its movement in the conveying direction D1 and to include a number of receptacle modules 12 of its own.

[0050] Without restricting the scope of the invention, the sorting installation 1 may be equipped with parcel insertion devices 14 for packages 2, as shown in the figure 1 , designed to insert parcels 2 onto receptacles 7 during conveying.

[0051] The parcel insertion devices 14 for parcels 2 are arranged here to be flush with the tubular rails 4 so as to allow the parcels 2 to be inserted onto the receptacles 7, and more particularly onto the receiving surface 7a, for example by simple lateral sliding of the parcels 2.

[0052] Finally, in order to optimize the layout of the sorting installation 1 and to facilitate the movement of the heterogeneous packages 2 in the conveyor direction D1, the tubular rails 4 of the sorting conveyor will be suspended by at least one upper hanger 15 or one lower hanger 16 mounted on a frame 17, as shown respectively on the figures 6 and 7 .

[0053] The lower suspension 16 according to the invention will extend under the trolleys 6 and the receptacles 7 so as to permit the loading of packages 2 from the side and / or the top of the sorting conveyor 3.

[0054] The upper suspension 17 will extend above the trolleys and receptacles 7 so as to allow the unloading of the packages 2 under the sorting conveyor 3.

[0055] Finally, still with the aim of optimizing the layout and compactness of the sorting installation 1, while allowing for high speed, the tubular rails 4 of the sorting conveyor 3 may have curved rail sections 4c in the shape of clothoids, visible in figures 8 And 9 .

[0056] By clothoid curved rail, we mean tubular rails with radii of curvature that vary in the overall curvature of the curve or the rise / fall.

[0057] The use of curved, clothoid-shaped rails thus allows for significant elevation changes, as shown in figure 8 and to take sharp turns as depicted in figure 9 .

Claims

1. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2), comprising a looped sorting conveyor (3) and sorting outlets (5) distributed along the sorting conveyor, said sorting conveyor comprising parcel receptacles (7) designed to convey the parcels in a certain conveying direction (D1) and sort them into the sorting outlets according to a predetermined sorting plan, the sorting conveyor comprising two parallel tubular rails (4), extending in the conveying direction, and carriages (6) fitted onto the tubular rails, designed to move the parcel receptacles in said certain conveying direction, characterized in that each receptacle is interposed between two carriages and is connected to said two carriages by pivot connections (11) to form a receptacle module (12), and in that a plurality of receptacle modules are connected together to form a train (13) of parcel receptacles, in which train the receptacles and the carriages are distributed alternately in the conveying direction and in which the receptacles are capable of pivoting relative to the carriages when the carriages move in the conveying direction.

2. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot connections are designed in such a way that each receptacle is capable of pivoting laterally and vertically with respect to the carriages to which it is connected.

3. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that each pivot connection comprises a pivot pin (11b) on the carriage, which pivot pin is shared with another pivot connection which connects the receptacle preceding or succeeding it in the conveying direction.

4. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular rails of the sorting conveyor comprise portions of curved rails (4c) in the form of clothoid curves.

5. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the parcel receptacles comprise a parcel receiving surface (7a) tiltable between a horizontal position, in which the receiving surface is flush with the rails so that the parcels can be inserted onto the receptacle by sliding, and a tilted position, in which the receiving surface is tilted in the conveying direction so that the parcels can be discharged into the sorting outlets by gravity.

6. Sorting installation (1 ) for parcels (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the sorting conveyor comprises a cam track (9) and in that each sorting receptacle comprises a cam (10) designed to cooperate with said cam track during the movement of the carriage in the conveying direction so as to position the parcel receiving surface in the horizontal or tilted position.

7. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized in that at least one parcel receptacle is in the form of a bucket comprising fixed side flanks (7c) and a bottom wall acting as a parcel receiving surface, said bottom wall being terminated by a discharge trap (7b) capable of retaining or releasing a parcel when the parcel receiving surface is in the tilted position.

8. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sorting conveyor comprises at least one lower hanger (16) which is mounted on a frame (17) and designed to support the tubular rails, said at least one lower hanger extending under the carriages and the receptacles so as to allow the parcels to be loaded over the tubular rails of the sorting conveyor.

9. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sorting conveyor comprises at least one upper hanger (15) which is mounted on a frame (17) and designed to support the tubular rails, said at least one upper hanger extending above the carriages and the receptacles so as to allow the parcels to be unloaded under the sorting conveyor.

10. Sorting installation (1) for parcels (2) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sorting conveyor comprises parcel insertion devices (14) arranged to be flush with the tubular rails so as to allow the parcels to be inserted onto the parcel receiving surface of the receptacles by simple lateral movement of the parcels.