Method for unloading load carriers, and unloading system

Abstract

Until now, the process of unloading piece goods (2) from load carriers (4) has required specially designed mono-functional tilting devices. The invention relates to a multi-functional unloading system (1) and to a method for unloading load carriers (4), having the steps of: receiving the load carrier (4) together with piece goods (2) by means of a loading device (6), moving the load carrier (4) to an unloading region (10) arranged above a target position (8) determined by the sorting criterion by means of the loading device (6), inclining the load carrier (4) about an inclination axis (12) to an inclination angle (14) by means of the loading device (6), wherein the inclination angle (14) is selected such that the piece goods (2) slide from the loading device (6) to the target position (8), sliding the piece goods (2) to the target position (8) via a slide (16) arranged between the load carrier (4) and the target position (8) and above the target position (8), said slide (16) being arranged at the same inclination angle (14) or a similar inclination angle, and depositing the load carrier (4) by means of the loading device (6). The invention allows a high degree of flexibility in conveyor system layouts and is well-suited for retrofitting.

Description

[0001] Method for unloading load carriers and unloading system

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of conveyor systems for load carriers loaded with piece goods, in particular for unloading piece goods from these load carriers. In particular, the invention relates to airport baggage conveyor systems in which pieces of baggage are transported in baggage trays.

[0003] This application claims priority from European application 23 154 289.5 "Method and storage system for storing charge carriers".

[0004] Many baggage handling systems at airports are designed as trough-supported baggage handling systems (ICS = Individual Carrier System). The advantage of a trough-supported basic system is the uniform shape of the load carriers (baggage trays), which means that the conveying behavior of all load carriers is very consistent, as well as the clear, automated and almost 100% baggage identification using RFID on the (baggage) trays. In addition, the load carriers prevent loose parts of the baggage from getting caught in the baggage handling system and the transport is gentle on the goods. A further advantage of trays is the easy access for loading and unloading, the higher achievable conveying speeds, and the uniformity (which allows a standardized and therefore simpler manufacture of the components, whereby the components only have to be designed for the uniform load carriers and not for a highly varied range of different piece goods).Tray-supported conveyor systems are also used in other areas of logistics, where general cargo is transported and temporarily stored in load carriers. The baggage trays, including the piece of baggage, are processed according to their sorting criteria and transported to their final destination in the baggage tray. These final destinations are typically baggage carousels at baggage claim sites or belt conveyors before loading onto aircraft. In most cases, the baggage is collected manually at these exit points. In these cases, the baggage is unloaded from the baggage tray onto a belt system. Baggage is typically unloaded from a baggage tray by tilting or rotating one of the conveyors; several variants of a tilting device are known for this purpose.Each of these variants requires space and connecting infrastructure to the rest of the conveyor system, and therefore requires effort during installation and operation for each tipping position.

[0005] In addition, some pieces of baggage must be stored in an early baggage storage (EBS). A common solution for this is to store the baggage tray and piece of baggage on a fixed shelf within a warehouse. The baggage trays are moved in and out of the shelf using specialized transport machines (e.g., storage and retrieval machines). In a further development (as described in EP23154289.5), the baggage trays and piece of baggage are picked up from the transport system by a robot (loading device) and placed in a shelf compartment. The shelves can be moved to a storage location by an automated guided vehicle (AGV). Whenever a piece of baggage needs to be retrieved from the early baggage storage, an AGV moves the shelf back to the robot, which loads the baggage tray and piece of baggage back onto the conveyor system.

[0006] To transport a piece of luggage from an early baggage storage area to a final destination in the conveyor system, the rack is transported to the robot, the baggage tray and baggage item are moved (final sorting), and a tipping mechanism is used. These tipping mechanisms are typically located off the main transport route. Thus, in addition to the tipping mechanism itself, a diversion, accumulation conveyors, and a merging system are required. Direct access to baggage items for other applications also occurs in the manner described.

[0007] Until now, (intermediate) storage in the early baggage storage area and final sorting have been handled as separate processes, each requiring different, usually monofunctional equipment: Baggage is sent from an early baggage storage area to the tray-based sorting system and unloaded where it is needed. For this purpose, baggage trays are tilted using variants of specialized tilting machines. Loading and unloading of baggage trays is carried out by special storage and retrieval machines.

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a solution for unloading load carriers that is both flexible and uncomplicated in terms of design and operation. This object is achieved by the solutions described in the independent claims.

[0009] The invention is not limited to airport baggage handling systems but is suitable for all conveying systems in which piece goods are transported in load carriers that are open at the top.

[0010] The solution according to the invention provides a method for unloading uniform load carriers loaded with piece goods, in particular luggage trays loaded with pieces of luggage, wherein the piece goods have an assigned sorting criterion, the load carriers are clearly identifiable and can be associated with a sorting criterion. The method comprises the following method steps: a) picking up the load carrier together with the piece goods by a loading device. b) moving the load carrier through the loading device towards an unloading area arranged above a target position determined by the sorting criterion. c) inclining the load carrier by the loading device about an inclination axis up to an inclination angle, wherein the inclination angle is selected such that the piece goods slide out of the loading device towards the target position.d) Sliding the piece goods toward the target position via a chute located between the load carrier and the target position and above the target position, with the chute positioned at the same or a similar angle of inclination. e) Depositing the load carrier by the loading device.

[0011] With regard to a device, the above-mentioned object is achieved by an unloading system for unloading uniform load carriers loaded with piece goods, in particular luggage trays loaded with pieces of luggage, comprising a loading device and a chute. The piece goods have an assigned sorting criterion, and the load carriers are clearly identifiable and can be associated with a sorting criterion. The loading device is designed to pick up and deposit the load carrier with and without piece goods. The loading device is designed to move the load carrier through the loading device toward an unloading area arranged above a target position determined by the sorting criterion.The loading device is designed to tilt the load carrier held by the loading device about an inclination axis up to an inclination angle, wherein the inclination angle is selected such that the piece goods slide out of the loading device toward the target position. The chute is arranged at the same or a similar inclination angle between the load carrier and the target position and above the target position and has a sliding surface designed to slide the piece goods toward the target position.

[0012] This can result in the following additional advantages: The load carriers serve as containers that are moved by a corresponding tool of the loading device (robot or similar). Systems with load carriers ensure uniformity in baggage handling, allowing more reliable operation, higher speeds, and better throughput. Since all baggage remains completely in its carrier throughout the entire baggage transport process, the risk of damaged baggage and system malfunctions (e.g., caused by jammed carriers or similar) is low.

[0013] A load carrier within the meaning of the invention is to be understood in particular as a tray, even more particularly a luggage tray, which typically allows access from above and thus uncomplicated loading and unloading. The piece goods are provided with an identifier, in the case of pieces of luggage typically a luggage tag. For pieces of luggage, the sorting criterion is typically the flight, but the check-in time or another criterion (e.g. passengers traveling together) can also be used. The range of the loading device depends on the range of a robot arm of the loading device. The load carrier can be unloaded by tilting; this requires no or only slight lateral limitation of the load carrier. If the piece goods slide, the contact surface on the load carrier before unloading and on the target position after unloading are the same.This is more gentle on the goods than rotating or uncontrolled tipping (outward) of the unit load, which occurs at a very high angle of inclination of the load carrier. The angle of inclination includes the horizontal and the support surface of the load carrier. It is advisable to set the angle of inclination at the angle at which the majority of all unit loads loaded on the load carrier slide. If the angle of inclination is too low, the static friction is not yet overcome, so that the sliding of the unit load from the load carrier is not initiated. Choosing a larger angle of inclination is less gentle on the goods. According to one embodiment, the angle of inclination of the chute can be dynamically adjusted to the angle of inclination of the load carrier.

[0014] The sliding inclination angle roughly corresponds to the load carrier's inclination angle, or is preferably slightly lower, to prevent unnecessarily strong, further acceleration that is harmful to the load. Since the item is already moving upon contact with the slide, a sliding inclination angle that is less than the load carrier's inclination angle may be sufficient. According to one embodiment, the sliding inclination angle can also be greater than the load carrier's inclination angle, particularly if the load carrier's inclination angle is dynamically adjusted (tilting until the item slides) while the sliding inclination angle, on the other hand, has been fixed.

[0015] The chute serves several purposes: it enables the piece goods to glide continuously between the load carrier and the target position. If the target position on a conveyor is moving, direct unloading without a chute would result in forces acting on the piece goods that have already been conveyed away but are still in contact with the load carrier, and would simultaneously transfer these forces to the loading device, which is still in contact with the loading device. The loading device would have to be made more stable, and this could lead to damage to the goods. To avoid this, without a chute, the conveyor would have to be stopped, with a corresponding reduction in turnover.

[0016] The load carrier can be picked up from a conveyor or from a stationary picking position, for example from a shelf compartment.

[0017] The unloading system has, to the extent that they are transferable, the same advantages as those listed with regard to the method presented. The embodiments listed in the subclaims can each be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the method according to the invention and the unloading system according to the invention. Thus, method features can also be viewed as objectively formulated properties of the corresponding device unit, and vice versa. These embodiments and the advantages associated with them are discussed below.

[0018] In order to initiate sliding of the piece goods out of the loading device even at a small angle of inclination, according to one embodiment the load carrier can be moved, in particular abruptly, by the loading device with a movement component counter to the sliding direction. By utilizing the inertia of the piece goods, the angle of inclination does not have to be increased in order to initiate sliding. A larger angle of inclination would otherwise accelerate the piece goods more strongly and would be less gentle on the goods. Thus, according to one embodiment the loading device can be designed to move, in particular abruptly, the load carrier with a movement component counter to the sliding direction.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the load carrier can be shaken by the loading device in order to initiate sliding of the piece goods out of the loading device.

[0020] For this purpose, the loading device can be designed to shake the load carrier.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the target position can be located on a conveyor, wherein the conveyor can transport the piece goods with a movement component transverse to the sliding direction and can be designed for this purpose.

[0022] In order to achieve good utilization of the unloading area, according to one embodiment, the entire and / or only a part of the loading device can be moved along the conveyor while the piece goods slide out of the load carrier, wherein the entire and / or only a part of the loading device can be designed for this purpose. Since the unloading position is moved by the conveyor, the unloading position can be reached more precisely and slipping of the piece goods along the conveyor upon impact with the conveyor due to its inertia is reduced.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, a position of another object, in particular another piece of goods, on the conveyor can be detected and the target position can be selected depending on the detected position. For this purpose, the unloading system can comprise a detection unit designed to detect the position and a controller designed to select the target position. In this way, a collision of the piece of goods with other objects can be avoided and a distance to these other objects can be adjusted.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, a further load carrier together with the piece goods can also be picked up by the loading device in an unloading area and the load carrier together with the piece goods can be deposited by the loading device in a storage area, whereby the storage area can but does not have to coincide with the unloading area. For this purpose, the loading device can be designed to deposit the load carrier together with the piece goods in a storage position in a storage area, whereby the storage area can but does not have to coincide with the unloading area. This allows multifunctionality both for unloading the piece goods from the load carrier and for repositioning loaded load carriers, so that new layout configurations of the conveyor system are possible with the same loading device as a functional unit. According to one embodiment, there can be several storage positions in the storage area.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the storage position can be a shelf compartment of a rack, wherein the rack can be moved from the storage area into a storage area by a driverless transport vehicle. The racks can be used as storage, and one and the same loading device acts as a storage and retrieval machine and for unloading the loading device. This embodiment enables the combination of a flexible intermediate storage area (early baggage storage area) with an end point of the conveyor system requiring unloading functionality (e.g. baggage claim carousel or loading point).

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the loading device can slowly tilt the load carrier, whereby a further movement of the load carrier (pulling or shaking) can occur continuously or incrementally before reaching a maximum specified angle of inclination in order to initiate the sliding of the piece goods out of the load carrier. In this way, only as much tilting as necessary takes place, thus ensuring particularly gentle unloading.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the loading device can be designed as a multi-joint robot, which allows for particularly high flexibility. Furthermore, parts of the robot arm can also have telescopically extendable or shortenable components, allowing abrupt movements to be performed particularly easily.

[0028] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. In the figures:

[0029] Figures 1, 3, 4 show unloading processes of a piece goods from a load carrier of an unloading system according to the invention with a loading device;

[0030] Figure 2 shows a loading process with the same loading device; Figure 5 shows a conveyor system with a loading device according to the invention, which both repositions loaded load carriers and unloads piece goods from load carriers.

[0031] The embodiments of the device and method described below relate by way of example to an unloading system 1 in an airport; however, all embodiments are also applicable to other types of unloading systems 1 in logistics. Thus, in each of the following embodiments, the terms piece of luggage 2 and baggage tray 4 can be replaced by the more general general cargo 2 and load carrier 4 / tray 4. The conveyor systems are designed as tray-supported baggage conveyor systems, in which the pieces of luggage 2 are transported throughout the baggage conveyor system in baggage trays 4 that act as load carriers 4. After unloading, the pieces of luggage 2 can also be transported without baggage trays 4; however, the early baggage storage system 30 as a storage system 30 for early baggage is tray-supported. The tray 4 serves as a standardized container that is moved by a corresponding tool on the loading device 8.Due to the easily purchased, non-interdependent components (loading device 6, load carrier 4, chute 16), the unloading system 1 can be easily expanded, which also keeps the initial investment costs low.

[0032] Figure 1 shows an unloading system 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. First, a luggage tray (load carrier) 4 together with the piece of luggage (general cargo) 2 was picked up by the loading device 6. For this purpose, the loading device 6 comprises a gripping device or another configured receiving device. For picking up, the load carrier 6 only needs to be located within the gripping range of the loading device 6; it is not necessary to manually insert the load carrier 4 into the loading device. The load carrier 4 can be picked up from a moving conveyor 22 or from another location, e.g., from a shelf compartment. The load carrier 4 was then positioned by the arm 6a of the loading device 6 into an unloading area 10 arranged above a chute 16 and a target position 8.

[0033] The item of luggage 2 is unloaded from the loading device 6 while the loading device 6 holds the luggage tray 4, the unloading of the item of luggage 2 onto or from the conveyor 22 in the embodiment of Figure 1 taking place at the beginning of the conveyor 6 (target position 8 for unloading the item of luggage 2). Thus, no lateral limitation 34 as in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4 is required, since a movement component of the sliding direction 18 coincides with the conveying direction 24 of the conveyor and thus there is no risk of the item of luggage 2 slipping uncontrolled over the edge of the conveyor 22. The loading device 6 inclines the luggage tray 4 about an inclination axis 12 up to an inclination angle 14, so that the item of luggage 2 slides via a slide 16 onto the conveyor 22. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the slide inclination angle 14 and the charge carrier inclination angle 14' are the same, but this is not mandatory.After unloading the piece of luggage 2, the loading device 6 deposits the empty luggage tray 4. In order to treat the piece of luggage 2 according to its sorting criteria after unloading, the sorting criteria are determined before unloading.

[0034] Figure 2 shows how, using the same loading device 6, a piece of luggage 2 can be loaded from a conveyor 22 onto a luggage tray 4. For loading, the luggage tray 4 held by the loading device 6 is placed directly on the conveyor 22, possibly slightly underneath, and the piece of luggage 2 to be loaded is conveyed into the luggage tray 4. Before another piece of luggage 2 is picked up from the conveyor 22, the loading device 8 picks up another luggage tray 4.

[0035] During loading and unloading according to Figures 1 and 2, the incoming and outgoing conveyors 22 can also be arranged directly above one another (with sufficient space in between for the pieces of luggage 4a to be transported) or otherwise in close proximity within the unloading area 10 accessible to the loading device 6, so that one and the same loading device 8 can be used for loading and unloading. According to a further embodiment, a detection unit 28 included in the unloading system 1 can be used to monitor the loading and unloading, which detection unit, with a corresponding design, can also be used to detect the sorting criterion.

[0036] Figure 3 shows unloading according to yet another embodiment of the invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 1. However, the sliding inclination angle 14' is greater than the loading device inclination angle 14. Unloading requires the item of luggage 2 to slide by tilting the luggage tray 4 held by the loading device 6. It is possible to select a predetermined inclination angle 14 for each unloading; the selection of the inclination angle 14 is thus independent of the grip and adhesion of the specific item of luggage 2 to be unloaded. Alternatively, the luggage tray 4 can also be gently tilted (continuously or sequentially) until the item of luggage 2 begins to slide.

[0037] In addition to a simple rotation for unloading the item of luggage 2 as with a conventional tilter, robot loading devices 6 can perform movements that conventional filters cannot perform. This can improve the tilting process. Figure 4 shows, according to one embodiment of the invention, combinable or individually implementable options for additionally initiating the sliding with an already set angle of inclination 14 as in Figure 3. On the one hand, the inertia of the item of luggage 2 can be exploited by the loading device 6 abruptly pulling the load carrier 4 away with a movement component 20 counter to the sliding direction 18. The luggage tray 4 is therefore not only tilted / inclined about an axis 12. In parallel, the arm 6a or the entire loading device 6 moves away from the item of luggage 2. With this abrupt movement, the item of luggage 2 receives additional acceleration in order to leave the luggage tray 4.Compared to a traditional tipper, the number of unloaded pieces of luggage 2 is reduced, as is the space required.

[0038] In addition to tilting / tipping, the load carrier 4 can also be additionally shaken (double arrow in Figure 4b) to overcome static friction. Particularly sticky items of luggage 2, e.g., wet leather suitcases 2, otherwise tend to remain in the luggage tray 4. Shaking also reduces the number of incorrectly unloaded items of luggage 2.

[0039] In Figures 3 and 4, the target position 8 for unloading is located on a conveyor 22 which is driven in a transport direction 24 transverse to the slide direction 18. The slide 16 ensures that the item of luggage 2 is not already conveyed by the conveyor 22 along the transport direction 24 while the item of luggage 2 is still in contact with the load carrier 4 and thus the loading device 6. In this way, forces do not act on the arm 6 of the loading device 4 from several sides at the same time. A side guard 34 is also arranged to the side of the target position 8 to prevent the item of luggage 2 from falling off the conveyor 22.

[0040] EP2315428 9 . 5 discloses an early baggage storage facility with robot-loaded shelves. Baggage trays 4 loaded with pieces of baggage 2 are transported in the early baggage storage facility in a horizontal position. The robot loading device 2 can reach a plurality of storage positions in a storage area 26 for baggage trays 4. According to one embodiment, part of the storage area 26 is changed into an unloading area 10. The loading device 2 takes the baggage tray 4 from the shelf 36 or from the conveyor belt 122 and moves it further into the unloading area. The loading device 2 then performs a tilting movement with the baggage tray 4, whereupon the piece of baggage 2 slides out of the baggage tray 4. The unloading and discharge system 1 according to the invention is not limited to being used in conjunction with an early baggage storage facility 30. The unloading according to the invention can be used wherever the robot can pick up full luggage trays 4 and deposit empty luggage trays 4 .

[0041] A design of the loading device 2 as a multi-joint robot is advantageous both for the additional movements of the loading device 2, as shown in Figure 4b, and for the accompanying movement of the luggage tray 4. Since parts of the robot arm can also have telescopically extendable or shortenable components, abrupt movements as well as accompanying movements (above the target position of a moving conveyor 22) can be carried out particularly easily.

[0042] Figure 5 shows a layout configuration of an airport baggage handling system according to yet another embodiment made possible by the invention. Baggage trays 4 loaded with pieces of baggage 2 are transported on a conveyor 122 to robot unloading areas 10, each having a loading device 6. Depending on their sorting criteria, the pieces of baggage 2 are either unloaded onto a further conveyor 22, which transports the unloaded pieces of baggage 2 to an end point of the baggage handling system, for example a baggage claim carousel 32. However, the loading device 6 can also deposit a load carrier 4 together with the piece of baggage 2 in a deposit area 26.In the storage area 26, shelves 36 or other storage devices 36 are arranged, on which the load carriers 4 together with the pieces of luggage 2 are placed and can be placed back on the conveyor 122 and thus sorted by the baggage conveyor system at a later time, or a load carrier 4 together with the piece of luggage 2 is removed from the storage area 26 at a later time by the loading device 6 and then the piece of luggage is unloaded directly from the luggage tray 4 by the loading device 6 onto the conveyor 22 towards the end point 32. For intermediate storage, the shelves can be accommodated in a storage area by driverless transport vehicles as described in EP23154289.5.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the entire and / or only a part of the loading device 6, e.g., the robot arm 6a, is moved along the conveyor 22 while the loading device 6 tilts the luggage tray 4. For this purpose, the loading device 6 can be guided, e.g., on rails next to the conveyor 22. This allows the target position 8 to be reached more precisely, which is particularly important for sequential adjustment of the inclination angle 14.

[0044] According to a further embodiment, the positions of further objects 2', in particular further pieces of luggage 2 on the conveyor 22 are detected by a detection unit 28 and the target position 8 of the piece of luggage 2 to be unloaded is determined as a function of the position of the objects 2' already lying on the conveyor 22, for example by selecting the unloading time or by positioning the luggage tray 4 to be unloaded above the conveyor 22.

[0045] In order to manually remove individual pieces of luggage 2, it is possible not only to unload them onto a conveyor belt 22 but also to unload them into a box or similar.

[0046] 1 Discharge system

[0047] 2 general cargo, piece of luggage

[0048] 4 load carriers, luggage tray

[0049] 6 Charging device

[0050] 6a Robot arm

[0051] 8 Target position

[0052] 10 Unloading area

[0053] 12 Tilt axis

[0054] 14 tilt angles

[0055] 16 slides

[0056] 18 Slide direction

[0057] 20 Movement component against the sliding direction

[0058] 22 , 122 sponsors

[0059] 24 Conveyor direction

[0060] 26 Storage area for load carriers + general cargo

[0061] 28 detection unit

[0062] 30 storage area, early baggage storage

[0063] 32 Baggage claim carousel, general cargo terminal

[0064] 34 side protection

[0065] 36 shelves

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for unloading uniform load carriers (4) loaded with piece goods (2), in particular luggage trays (4) loaded with pieces of luggage (2), wherein the piece goods (2) have an assigned sorting criterion, the load carriers (4) are clearly identifiable and can be associated with a sorting criterion, comprising the method steps: a) picking up the load carrier (4) together with the piece goods (2) by a loading device (6); b) moving the load carrier (4) by the loading device (6) towards an unloading area (10) arranged above a target position (8) determined by the sorting criterion; c) inclining the load carrier (4) by the loading device (6) about an inclination axis (12) up to an inclination angle (14), wherein the inclination angle (14) is selected such that the piece goods (2) slide out of the loading device (6) towards the target position (8);d) sliding the piece goods (2) towards the target position (8) via a chute (16) arranged between the load carrier (4) and the target position (8) and above the target position (8), wherein the chute (16) is arranged at the same or a similar angle of inclination (14); e) depositing the load carrier (4) by the loading device (6); 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step Moving, in particular abruptly moving, the load carrier (4) through the loading device (6) with a movement component (20) opposite to the sliding direction (18).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the method step Shaking the load carrier (4) by the loading device (6) in order to initiate sliding of the piece goods (2) out of the loading device (6).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target position (8) is located on a conveyor (22), wherein the conveyor (22) transports the piece goods (2) with a movement component (24) transverse to the sliding direction (18).

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step Moving the entire and / or only a part of the loading device (6) along the conveyor (22) while initiating sliding of the piece goods (2) out of the load carrier (4).

6. Method according to claim 5, further comprising the method steps - detecting a position of a further object (2'), in particular a further piece of goods (2), on the conveyor (22); - Selecting the target position (8) depending on the detected position.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the method steps - Picking up a further load carrier (4) together with piece goods (2) by the loading device (6) in an unloading area (10); - Depositing the load carrier (4) together with the piece goods (2) by the loading device (6) in a deposit area (26), wherein the The storage area (26) may or may not coincide with the unloading area (10).

8. Unloading system (1) for unloading uniform load carriers loaded with piece goods (2), in particular luggage trays (4) loaded with pieces of luggage (2), comprising a loading device (6) and a chute (16), wherein - the piece goods (2) have an assigned sorting criterion, the load carriers (4) are clearly identifiable and can be associated with a sorting criterion; - the loading device (6) is designed to pick up and deposit the load carrier (4) with and without piece goods (2); - the loading device (6) is designed to move the load carrier (4) through the loading device (6) towards an unloading area (10) arranged above a target position (8) determined by the sorting criterion; - the loading device (6) is designed to incline the load carrier (4) held by the loading device (6) about an inclination axis (12) up to an inclination angle (14), wherein the inclination angle (14) is selected such that the piece goods (2) slide out of the loading device (6) towards the target position (8); - the slide (16) is arranged at the same or a similar angle of inclination (14) between the load carrier (4) and the target position (8) and above the target position (8) and has a sliding surface which is designed for the piece goods (2) to slide towards the target position (8).

9. Unloading system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the loading device (6) is designed to move, in particular to move abruptly, the load carrier (4) with a a movement component (20) against the sliding direction (18) .

10. Unloading system (1) according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the loading device (6) is designed to shake the load carrier (4) in order to initiate sliding of the piece goods (2) out of the loading device (6).

11. Unloading system (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a conveyor (22), wherein the target position (8) is located on the conveyor (22), and the conveyor (22) is designed to transport the piece goods (2) with a movement component (24) transverse to the sliding direction (18).

12. Unloading system (1) according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the entire and / or only a part of the loading device (6) is designed to move along the conveyor (22) while a sliding of the piece goods (2) out of the load carrier (4) is initiated.

13. Unloading system (1) according to one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising a detection unit (28) and a controller, wherein the detection unit (28) is designed to detect a position of a further object, in particular a further piece of goods (2), on the conveyor (22), and the controller is designed to select the target position (8) depending on the detected position.

14. Unloading system (1) according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the loading device (6) is designed to deposit the load carrier (4) together with the piece goods (2) in a deposit position (30) in a deposit area, wherein the deposit area (26) can but does not have to coincide with the unloading area (10).

15. Unloading system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the storage position is a shelf compartment of a shelf (32), wherein the shelf can be moved by a driverless transport vehicle from the storage area (26) into a storage area (30).

Images