Automated goods sorting system

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated goods sorting system (1) comprising a travel path (2), and a plurality of transverse sorting units (4), wherein the transverse sorting units (4) are coupled together to form at least one transverse sorting unit train (5), and wherein each of the transverse sorting units (4) is designed to deliver goods to goods receiving positions arranged along the travel path (2), and wherein at least two of the transverse sorting units (4) comprise electrical output contacts (6) which are designed to close an electrically conducting connection to supply contacts (7) positioned along the travel path (2), wherein the supply contacts (7) are only provided in sections along the travel path (2), wherein the transverse sorting units (4) of the transverse sorting unit train (5) are electrically connected, and a distance along the travel path (2) between two supply contacts (7) and a length of the supply contacts (7) along the travel path (2) are selected such that during travel of the transverse sorting unit train (5) along the travel path (2), the output contacts (6) of at least one transverse sorting unit of the transverse sorting unit train (5) are in an electrically conducting connection to supply contacts (7) at all times.

Description

[0001] Automated goods sorting system

[0002] The invention relates to an automated goods sorting system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Automated goods sorting systems are used in warehouse logistics to compile orders or deliveries from a large number of products, which are usually stored in a high-bay warehouse. Depending on the design of the specific warehouse, such sorting systems can include, among other things, cross-belt sorters, also called cross-sorting units. These cross-belt sorters transport individual goods along a route and then transport them essentially transversely to this route to various goods receiving positions. The advantage of such systems is that they allow for high goods throughput, have a robust construction, and are cost-effective compared to systems that use individual, independent transport shuttles. Cross-belt sorters can be operated using various methods in the current state of the art.For example, the cross-belt sorters can be equipped with a dynamo. As the individual cross-belt sorters move along the route, the dynamo generates electrical power, which drives an electric motor in the respective cross-belt sorter. Alternatively, the cross-belt sorters can also be driven mechanically, for example, with a friction wheel or a switching gate. Another option is to supply the electric motor of a cross-belt sorter with power externally. The electric motor design of the cross-belt sorters offers the advantage that the electric motor enables precise control and complex movement sequences of the individual cross-belt sorters.

[0004] A goods sorting system using cross-belt sorters is known, for example, from EP 1 352 858 A2.

[0005] A disadvantage of such prior art systems, which feature cross-belt sorters with electric motors and an external power supply, is that the cross-belt sorters must be continuously supplied with power as they move along the track. This is conventionally achieved by sliding contacts that are in contact with conductor rails arranged along the track. These sliding contacts, as well as the conductor rails themselves, are subject to continuous mechanical wear during operation, requiring regular replacement. This increases the operating costs and maintenance effort of such systems. Furthermore, the time required for maintenance of such systems increases, meaning the system is unavailable during this period.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing an automated goods sorting system having the features of claim 1.

[0008] The goods sorting system according to the invention comprises a travel path and a plurality of transverse sorting units movable along the travel path. The transverse sorting units are coupled together in a row along the travel path to form at least one transverse sorting unit train, wherein each of the transverse sorting units is designed to deliver goods substantially transversely to a direction of travel along the travel path to goods receiving positions arranged along the travel path.

[0009] At least two of the transverse sorting units of the transverse sorting unit train comprise electrical pickup contacts which are designed to close an electrical line connection with supply contacts positioned along the travel route, wherein the supply contacts are provided only in sections along the travel route.

[0010] According to the invention, the cross-sorting units of the cross-sorting unit train are electrically connected, and a distance along the travel route between two supply contacts and a length of the supply contacts along the travel route are selected such that during a travel of the cross-sorting unit train along the travel route, the pickup contacts of at least one cross-sorting unit of the cross-sorting unit train are in an electrical line connection with supply contacts along the travel route essentially at all times.

[0011] The arrangement of the supply contacts along the route, their length along the route, and the selection of the position of the cross-sorting units within the cross-sorting unit train that have acceptance contacts ensure that at least the acceptance contacts of a cross-sorting unit of the cross-sorting unit train are in contact with the supply contacts along the route essentially at all times. The electrical connection of the cross-sorting units to one another ensures that all cross-sorting units are continuously supplied with power. This has the advantage of greatly reducing the mechanical wear on the supply contacts and acceptance contacts of the power supply system of the automated goods sorting system according to the invention. The route and the at least one cross-sorting unit train preferably each form a closed loop.As a result, the entire route is occupied by cross-sorting units, which increases the overall capacity of the goods sorting system according to the invention.

[0012] Preferably, the supply contacts are connected to a control unit, and the control unit is configured to selectively supply the supply contacts with one of several different primary voltage levels. This provides the advantage that the supply voltage of the goods sorting system, which is applied to the supply contacts, can be adapted to the needs of the cross-sorting unit train.

[0013] According to the preferred embodiment of the goods sorting system according to the invention, at least one cross-sorting unit of the cross-sorting unit train has an energy management unit, wherein the energy management unit comprises an energy storage device. This provides the advantage that short interruptions in the power supply are bridged via the supply contacts and the removal contacts, allowing the cross-sorting units to continue operating.

[0014] The energy management unit preferably comprises train control electronics, wherein the train control electronics are connected to the cross-sorting units of the cross-sorting unit train and are configured to control the cross-sorting units depending on the primary voltage level. This enables control of the cross-sorting units of the cross-sorting unit train by selecting the primary voltage level, without the need for additional data transmission to the cross-sorting units.

[0015] The energy management unit preferably comprises a voltage converter. This allows a constant operating voltage to be provided to the cross-sorting units even when the primary voltage level applied to the supply contacts fluctuates.

[0016] According to the preferred embodiment of the goods sorting system according to the invention, the train control electronics are designed to deactivate the cross-sorting units after a predetermined time at a first primary voltage level. This ensures that the cross-sorting units can complete an operation already started, and that no mechanical blockage of the goods sorting system occurs during a deactivation, which could require manual intervention upon restarting. The train control electronics are preferably designed to deactivate the cross-sorting units immediately at a second primary voltage level. The selection of the primary voltage level can thus be used to implement an emergency shutdown.

[0017] Furthermore, the train control electronics can be configured to put the cross-sorting units into an operating state at a third primary voltage level. This allows the automated goods sorting system according to the invention to be restarted after it has been shut down.

[0018] Preferably, the transverse sorting units each comprise at least one conveyor belt oriented substantially transversely to the direction of travel. This provides a low-wear, robust, and cost-effective way to transport the goods to the goods receiving positions.

[0019] According to the preferred embodiment of the goods sorting system according to the invention, the cross-sorting units of the cross-sorting unit train are connected to a data connection running through the cross-sorting unit train, wherein at least one of the cross-sorting units of the cross-sorting unit train has a data interface connected to the data connection.

[0020] The data interface is preferably designed to control each of the cross-sorting units depending on the position of the cross-sorting unit along the route. This controls the delivery of the goods to the goods receiving positions during the travel of the cross-sorting unit train along the route.

[0021] Preferably, each of the cross-sorting units has an inertial measuring unit connected to the data interface. This allows vibrations and shocks occurring at the cross-sorting units to be recorded. This allows conclusions to be drawn about the function and condition of the chassis of the individual cross-sorting units. Furthermore, the weight of goods transported on the respective cross-sorting unit can be determined.

[0022] Advantageous embodiments of the automated goods sorting system according to the invention, as well as alternative embodiments, are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0023] Figure 1 shows the automated goods sorting system according to the invention in a schematic view. The automated goods sorting system 1 according to the invention is shown in Figure 1 in a schematic view from above. It comprises a travel route 2, which, as shown in Figure 1, is preferably self-contained. The travel route 2 generally follows a complex course, for example through a warehouse, but is shown in Figure 1 in the form of a substantially elliptical loop for ease of illustration. The travel route 2 can, for example, comprise a rail system 3, which is shown in dashed lines in Figure 1. The automated goods sorting system 1 according to the invention further comprises a plurality of transverse sorting units 4 which can be moved along the travel route 2 and which are shown in Figure 1 with stylized rectangles.These cross-sorting units 4 are coupled together in a row along the route 2 to form at least one cross-sorting unit train 5. The cross-sorting unit train 5 can, as shown in Figure 1, be self-contained and occupy the entire route 2, or alternatively, occupy only a portion of the route 2. This means that the route 2 and the cross-sorting unit train 5 can each form a self-contained loop.

[0024] Several separate transverse sorting unit trains 5 can also be provided on the travel route 2. Each of the transverse sorting units 4 is designed to deliver goods not visible in the figures essentially transversely to a direction of travel F along the travel route 2, which is marked with an arrow in Figure 1, to goods receiving positions arranged along the travel route 2 and also not shown in the figures. At least two of the transverse sorting units 4 of the transverse sorting unit train 5 comprise electrical pickup contacts 6, which are designed to establish an electrical line connection with supply contacts 7 positioned along the travel route 2. According to the invention, the supply contacts 7 are provided only in sections along the travel route 2 and are designed, for example, as busbars, with the pickup contacts 6 being designed, for example, as sliding contacts.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 are electrically connected according to the invention. This electrical connection 8 is illustrated in Figure 1 by a continuous line, which represents an electrical supply line that is carried along with the cross-sorting unit train 5 and runs along the entire cross-sorting unit train 5. This ensures that all cross-sorting units 4 can be supplied with power. A distance along the travel route 2 between two supply contacts 7 and a length of the supply contacts 7 along the travel route 2 are selected according to the invention such that, during a travel of the cross-sorting unit train 5 along the travel route 2, the pickup contacts 6 of at least one cross-sorting unit 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 are in an electrical line connection with supply contacts 7 along the travel route 2 essentially at all times.This ensures that an electrical connection is maintained at all times between the receiving contacts 6 of at least one cross-sorting unit 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 and the supply contacts 7 along the route 2, and that the cross-sorting units 4 are continuously supplied with power via the electrical connection 8. The inventive design of the supply contacts 7, the receiving contacts 6, and the electrical connection 8 between the cross-sorting units 4 significantly reduces mechanical wear on the electrical components of the goods sorting system 1.

[0026] According to the preferred embodiment of the automated goods sorting system 1 according to the invention, the supply contacts 7 are connected to a control unit, which is not visible in the figures. The control unit is designed to selectively supply the supply contacts 7 with one of several different primary voltage levels. For example, primary voltage levels of 0V, 24V, and 48V can be provided. This provides the advantage that the primary voltage of the goods sorting system 1, which is applied to the supply contacts 7, can be adapted to the needs of the cross-sorting unit train 5. Furthermore, at least one cross-sorting unit 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 can additionally have an energy management unit, which is not visible in the figures, wherein the energy management unit can comprise an energy storage device.The energy storage device, for example in the form of an accumulator, can compensate for brief interruptions in the primary voltage supply. An energy management unit can, for example, be provided on those cross-sorting units 4 that also include take-off contacts 6. Preferably, the cross-sorting unit train can also comprise several energy management units, each of which has at least one energy storage device. According to this embodiment, the energy management units are all connected to the respective supply contacts 7 via the electrical connection of the cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5.

[0027] According to the preferred embodiment of the goods sorting system 1 according to the invention, the energy management unit comprises train control electronics. The train control electronics are connected to the cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 and are designed to control the cross-sorting units 4 depending on the primary voltage level currently applied to the supply contacts 7. This enables control of the cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 by selecting the primary voltage level, without the need for additional, separate data transmission to the cross-sorting units 4. This reduces the overall complexity of the goods sorting system 1, thereby lowering its manufacturing costs.

[0028] The energy management unit preferably comprises a voltage converter, which is not shown separately in the figures. The voltage converter can, for example, ensure that the cross-sorting units 4 are supplied with a constant voltage of, for example, 58V, regardless of the primary voltage level. Furthermore, this can achieve a constant charging voltage for the energy storage device.

[0029] According to the preferred embodiment, as previously explained, the various primary voltage levels can be used to specifically control the cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 by means of the train control electronics of the energy management unit. For example, three different primary voltage levels can be defined here. Each of the primary voltage levels can subsequently be used to carry out a specific action of the cross-sorting units 4 by means of the train control electronics. The train control electronics is preferably designed to switch off the cross-sorting units 4 after a predetermined time at a first primary voltage level. The first primary voltage level can be 0V, for example. This means that if the primary voltage is lost, such as during a power failure, the cross-sorting units 4 can still complete the actions they were performing at the moment of the power failure.The energy required for this can be drawn, for example, from the energy storage device. This offers the advantage that the cross-sorting units 4 are not interrupted in the middle of an operation, which would require manual intervention to restart them.

[0030] The train control electronics can further preferably be configured to immediately deactivate the cross-sorting units 4 at a second primary voltage level. The second primary voltage level can be selected, for example, at 24V. By selecting the second primary voltage level, an external emergency shutdown can thus be performed. Furthermore, at a third primary voltage level, for example, at 48V, the train electronics can be configured to place the cross-sorting units 4 into an operating state. Operation can thus be resumed by selecting the third primary voltage level.

[0031] Preferably, the transverse sorting units 4 each comprise at least one conveyor belt oriented substantially transversely to the direction of travel F. Alternatively, the transverse sorting units 4 can also comprise tilting trays or other goods handling devices. This provides the advantage that goods with very different properties can be handled with the transverse sorting units 4.

[0032] According to the preferred embodiment of the automated goods sorting system 1 according to the invention, the cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 are connected to a data connection 9 running through the cross-sorting unit train 5. The data connection 9 is shown in Figure 1 with a line running through the cross-sorting unit train 5 and can be implemented, for example, using an Ethernet connection. Preferably, at least one of the cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 also has a data interface 10 connected to the data connection 9. Alternatively, several data interfaces 10 can be provided on different cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5. The data interface 10 can, for example, comprise a WLAN interface, which is interconnected via the Ethernet connection of the cross-sorting units 4.Alternatively, the data interface 10 can also comprise a power line interface. By providing the data interface 10 and the data connection 9, the advantage is achieved that the operations of the individual cross-sorting units 4 of the cross-sorting unit train 5 can be controlled in a targeted manner. Preferably, the data interface 10 is designed to control each of the cross-sorting units 4 depending on the position of the cross-sorting unit along the travel route 2. For this purpose, the data interface can comprise a cross-sorter control unit and / or be designed to establish a data connection with an external cross-sorter control unit. This allows the cross-sorting units 4 to perform a specific operation depending on their current position along the travel route 2.In particular, the data interface is designed to transmit position-related instructions to each of the cross-sorting units 4, which are executed by the respective cross-sorting unit 4 when the specified position is reached. This is particularly advantageous if real-time communication via the data interface between the cross-sorter control unit and the cross-sorting unit 4 is not possible. However, safety-related control of the entire cross-sorting unit train 5 is preferably achieved, as described above, by selecting an appropriate primary voltage level.

[0033] Furthermore, at least one, or preferably each, of the cross-sorting units 4 can have an inertial measuring unit (not visible in the figures) connected to the data interface 10. This allows, for example, vibrations occurring during operation of the cross-sorting units 4 to be detected, which could indicate potential damage to the goods sorting system 1. Furthermore, the inertial measuring unit can be used to determine the weight of goods located on a cross-sorting unit 4.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Automated goods sorting system (1) comprising a travel route (2), and a plurality of transverse sorting units (4) movable along the travel route (2), wherein the transverse sorting units (4) are coupled to one another in a row along the travel route (2) to form at least one transverse sorting unit train (5), and wherein each of the transverse sorting units (4) is designed to deliver goods substantially transversely to a direction of travel along the travel route (2) to goods receiving positions arranged along the travel route (2), and wherein at least two of the transverse sorting units (4) of the transverse sorting unit train (5) comprise electrical acceptance contacts (6) which are designed to close an electrical line connection with supply contacts (7) positioned along the travel route (2), wherein the supply contacts (7) are provided only in sections along the travel route (2), characterized in that the transverse sorting units (4) of the transverse sorting unit train (5) are electrically connected, and a distance along the travel route (2) between two supply contacts (7) and a length of the supply contacts (7) along the travel route (2) are selected such that during a travel of the transverse sorting unit train (5) along the travel route (2), the acceptance contacts (6) of at least one transverse sorting unit of the transverse sorting unit train (5) are in an electrical line connection with supply contacts (7) along the travel route (2) essentially at all times.

2. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the travel route (2) and the at least one transverse sorting unit train (5) each form a closed loop.

3. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the supply contacts (7) are connected to a control unit, and the control unit is designed to selectively supply the supply contacts (7) with one of several different primary voltage levels.

4. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one cross-sorting unit of the cross-sorting unit train (5) has an energy management unit, wherein the energy management unit comprises an energy storage device.

5. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the energy management unit comprises train control electronics, wherein the train control electronics are connected to the cross-sorting units (4) of the cross-sorting unit train (5) and are designed to control the cross-sorting units (4) depending on the primary voltage level.

6. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the energy management unit comprises a voltage converter.

7. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the train control electronics are designed to switch off the cross-sorting units (4) after a predetermined time at a first primary voltage level.

8. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the train control electronics are designed to immediately switch off the cross-sorting units (4) at a second primary voltage level.

9. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the train control electronics are designed to put the cross-sorting units (4) into an operating state at a third primary voltage level.

10. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transverse sorting units (4) each comprise at least one conveyor belt oriented substantially transversely to the direction of travel.

11. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the cross-sorting units (4) of the cross-sorting unit train (5) are connected to a data connection (9) running through the cross-sorting unit train (5), wherein at least one of the cross-sorting units (4) of the cross-sorting unit train (5) has a data interface (10) connected to the data connection (9).

12. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the data interface (10) is designed to control each of the cross-sorting units (4) depending on the position of the cross-sorting unit along the travel route (2).

13. Automated goods sorting system (1) according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that at least one, preferably each of the transverse sorting units (4) has an inertial measuring unit connected to the data interface (10).

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