Loading system for an airport for the automatic loading of baggage into a freight container

Abstract

The invention relates to a loading system (20) for an airport for automatically loading a freight container (50) with baggage items (70) from a feed conveyor (30), comprising a feed conveyor (30) for supplying baggage items (70) with one end (32); an automatic loading machine (40) for receiving the baggage items (70) from the feed conveyor (30) and for transporting them into the freight container (50); a handling area (22) at the end (32) of the feed conveyor (30), into which the feed conveyor (30) extends and in which the automatic loading machine (40) is arranged; a container area (24) arranged within the handling area (22), in which the freight container (50) is to be arranged and which has a predetermined length and width; wherein the automatic loading machine (40) is arranged stationarily fixed outside the container area (24); and the automatic loading machine (40) is arranged eccentrically to a longitudinal axis (34) of the feed conveyor (30) and / or eccentrically to the perpendicular bisector (26) of the longitudinal extension (28) of the container area (24) for the freight container (50).

Description

[0001] Loading system for an airport for automatic loading of a

[0002] Freight container with luggage

[0003] The present invention relates to a loading system for an airport for automatically loading a freight container with baggage from a conveyor belt. The invention further relates to a system comprising the loading system and a freight container, as well as a corresponding method.

[0004] Automated baggage transport and sorting has been in place at airports for some time, especially at larger airports. The systems used for this purpose are designed to transport baggage from various entry points, such as the check-in area, to a specific loading station. The baggage can be pre-sorted by flight number and flight class. At the loading station, the baggage is usually manually transferred from a conveyor belt or feeder belt into suitable containers for transport to the aircraft. These containers can be, for example, carts or containers, some of which are mounted on trolleys or trailers and some of which are self-propelled.

[0005] Baggage is transported within the transportation facilities using technical equipment such as conveyor belts or endless belt tray transport systems, in which transport trays are endlessly joined together. Suitable vehicles or industrial trucks are also used to transport and convey baggage or containers. Baggage is usually reloaded manually or by people. Airport staff remove the baggage from the conveyor belt and place or stack it in the appropriate cargo container, which is then transported to the aircraft for which the baggage is intended. The filling and loading of the cargo containers depends on the items of baggage to be loaded, their size, weight and shape, and the order in which they are delivered to the loading station. The arrangement and, if necessary, sorting depends on the skill of the individual staff member.This affects the fill level of the freight containers and thus the loading capacity of the individual containers. This capacity should always be optimized.

[0006] Because loading requires significant physical exertion from employees, the task cannot be performed for extended periods without requiring rest breaks. This reduces the cadence. The skill with which the employees load the individual freight containers also influences the loading speed. Manual loading has been shown to be quite expensive, for example, due to high labor costs, vacation time, and sick leave.

[0007] For this reason, automation is being sought. It is common practice for baggage to be fed above a freight container to be loaded, with the feed belt essentially ending flush with the loading edge of the container. A loading machine or robot receives the delivered piece of baggage and loads it into the freight container below. However, with this type of loading, it has been shown that some areas in the freight containers cannot be loaded or are difficult to load, particularly if the loading hatch does not cover the entire side of the freight container. Furthermore, it has been shown that the loading machine or robot often needs to be moved on the ground. The loading machine must therefore be mobile. When robots are used, a 7-axis robot is used. However, due to the travel distance on the ground, the time required to load a single piece of baggage is quite long.There is therefore a need to improve the loading of baggage and the loading of freight containers.

[0008] The present object is achieved by a placement system having the features of claim 1, by a system having the features of claim 14 and by a method having the features of claim 15.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a loading system for an airport for automatically loading or loading a freight container with baggage items delivered by a conveyor belt. The baggage items are preferably removed from the conveyor belt.

[0010] The loading system comprises a feed belt for feeding luggage items at one end, a loading machine for picking up the luggage items from the feed belt and transporting them into the freight container, a handling area at the end of the feed belt, into which the feed belt extends and in which the loading machine is located, and a container area arranged within the handling area, in which the freight container is to be placed and which has a predetermined length and width. The loading machine is stationary and arranged outside the container area. The loading machine is arranged off-center to a longitudinal axis of the feed belt and / or off-center to the perpendicular bisector of the longitudinal extent of the container area for the freight container.

[0011] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a system for an airport for automatically loading a freight container with baggage from a feed belt, comprising a loading system as described above and a freight container for loading, which is positioned within the container area.

[0012] Further aspects of the invention relate to a corresponding method and a computer program product with program code for performing the steps of the method when the program code is executed on a computer, or with program code for controlling a placement system as described above. A further aspect relates to a storage medium on which a computer program is stored which, when executed on a computer, causes the method described above to be performed.

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the method and the computer program product can be implemented according to the embodiments described for the device in the dependent claims.

[0014] According to the invention, the loading system is used at an airport to automatically transfer pieces of baggage from a free end of a feeder belt into a freight container. This involves loading or filling the freight container. The loading machine, which picks up or lifts the pieces of baggage from the conveyor belt or feeder belt and to which the pieces of baggage are fed, transports them into the freight container. The loading machine is arranged in a handling area at the end of the feeder belt. Within the handling area, a container area is provided into which the freight container to be loaded is placed when loading is to take place. The container area is generally similar in size to the freight container, usually slightly larger in order to accommodate different types of freight containers.

[0015] In contrast to the loading machines or robots previously used in airports, the loading machine provided here is stationary and fixed in the handling area. It is located outside the container area reserved for containers. The loading machine is set up in a predefined position and is not moved on the floor or within the handling area. It is therefore immobile. The location or position of the loading machine is selected to ensure the simplest, fastest, and least energy-consuming handling of baggage. This involves optimized transfer of the baggage from the conveyor belt into the cargo container.

[0016] According to the invention, the loading machine is therefore positioned off-center relative to a longitudinal axis of the feed belt. Additionally or alternatively, it is also positioned off-center relative to a perpendicular bisector of the longitudinal extension of the container area. It has been shown that in such a position, the movements of the loading machine for picking up, transporting, and placing into the freight container are as minimal as possible. This results in rapid handling and reloading of the luggage and loading of the freight container, as well as in low energy consumption due to the short movement distances.

[0017] The exact location of the pick-and-place machine depends, on the one hand, on the spatial conditions. In this case, a predetermined and relatively limited space is usually available. On the other hand, the remaining infrastructure at the airport should, if possible, not have to be changed.

[0018] Preferably, the space and area at the airport that would otherwise be used for manual loading of cargo containers is used for the installation of the pick-and-place machine, thus making it available without requiring major reconstruction work at the airport. This advantage increases acceptance of the introduction of an automatic pick-and-place system at the airport.

[0019] Since the pick and place machine is stationary, the movement paths and speeds specified here refer to a baggage holding unit or baggage movement unit of the pick and place machine, which is freely movable in space, at least within the handling area. This baggage movement unit holds or picks up the baggage and moves it from its position at the end of the feed belt to its new position within the freight container. In a preferred embodiment, the pick and place machine of the pick and place system is a robot. The robot is used to move the pieces of baggage from the feed belt into the container. The robot preferably has the baggage holding unit or baggage movement unit. Particularly preferably, the robot is a stationary 6-axis robot with a robot arm, at the end of which the baggage holding unit or baggage movement unit is arranged. The robot arm preferably moves around a stationary base.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the robot has a gripper or a baggage receptacle. The gripper or baggage receptacle represents the baggage holding unit or baggage movement unit. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the robot comprises a baggage receptacle designed like a tray. The tray, in turn, can be designed as a conveyor belt or conveyor chain-like tray, so that a piece of baggage picked up by the baggage receptacle can also be moved off the baggage receptacle. Alternatively, the baggage receptacle can be a tray-like element made of sheet metal, metal, or plastic that can be tilted to pick up or drop off a piece of baggage, e.g., to transport it into the container.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the robot can be pivoted about a stationary vertical axis. Depending on its position within the handling area, a larger pivot radius and range of motion may be necessary for the robot. The pivot angle for loading the freight container is preferably 240° at most; more preferably, the pivot angle is 180° at most. In this case, rotation within a semicircle is possible. Depending on the design and location, the pivot angle can preferably be limited to 150°; more preferably, it is 120° at most. In a likewise preferred embodiment, the pivot angle is 90° at most.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the placement system provides a position for the placement machine or robot outside of the alignment with the guide belt. Alignment with the guide belt is considered to be the imaginary extension of the guide belt or conveyor system. Thus, the placement machine or robot is positioned offset from the guide belt and the imaginary continuation of the guide belt.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, the container area is arranged laterally of the guide belt, very preferably laterally of a guide belt alignment, with the container area preferably adjoining the end of the feed belt laterally and outside the feed belt alignment, or even partially overlapping the feed belt laterally. The automatic pick-and-place machine or robot is preferably arranged and positioned on the side of the guide belt alignment opposite the container area.

[0024] Further preferably, the position or mounting location of the automatic pick and place machine is outside the alignment of the guide belt and opposite the container area, wherein the automatic pick and place machine is arranged at the end of the container area facing away from the feed belt.

[0025] To further increase the loading speed of individual pieces of luggage, in a preferred embodiment of the loading system, the feeder belt is arranged at a designated and predetermined height in the handling area. The height of the feeder belt determines the height of the pieces of luggage on the belt. In this sense, the height of the feeder belt is understood as the height of the luggage item position on the belt.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the feed belt is arranged at least partially in the handling area at a height that is lower than the height of the top of the freight container. When considering the height of the top of the freight container, it is not the absolute size or height of the freight container that is decisive, but rather the height at which the top of the freight container is located when the freight container is arranged in the container area for loading and equipping. For example, a freight container can be arranged on a rollable trailer or a rollable vehicle, which itself has a predetermined height. This assumes a typical freight container for baggage in air freight or passenger transport.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the height of the feed belt, at least partially in the handling area, is less than 80% of the height of the top of the freight container. Preferably, the end of the feed belt is at a height corresponding to at most 80% of the height of the top of the freight container. In a highly preferred embodiment, the height of the feed belt is at most 50% of the height of the top of the freight container. With this almost central feeding of the luggage items to the freight container, the movements to be performed by the loading machine are the smallest throughout the entire loading process for loading a freight container.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the assembly system provides for the feed belt to be arranged at least partially in the handling area at a height greater than the height of the lower loading edge of the freight container. When considering the height of the lower loading edge of the freight container, the height of the edge is also important when the freight container is located in the container area for assembly.

[0029] Preferably, the end of the feed belt is at a height greater than 25% of the height of the top of the freight container; more preferably, the feed belt is at a height greater than 35% of the height of the top of the freight container. Very preferably, the height of the end of the feed belt is considered here.

[0030] A further preferred embodiment of the assembly system has a feed belt that is arranged at least partially in the handling area at a height that lies between 20% and 90% of the height of the top side of the freight container. Preferably, the end of the feed belt is considered relevant for the height specification. In a highly preferred embodiment, the height of the feed belt, particularly preferably the end of the feed belt, is between 30% and 80% of the height of the top side of the freight container. Particularly preferably, the height of the feed belt is between 40% and 60% of the height of the top side of the freight container.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the assembly system, the end of the feed belt is adjustable in height. It can therefore be adjusted to accommodate different freight containers, so-called unit load devices (ULDs), or different baggage carts, so-called ramp carts.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the loading system comprises a camera for optically capturing the pieces of luggage to be loaded into a freight container. The camera is preferably positioned such that it is directed toward the end of the infeed conveyor and captures images of the end of the infeed conveyor, preferably with the corresponding pieces of luggage. This allows the pieces of luggage to be loaded to be easily detected and the loading machine to be controlled accordingly. Furthermore, the transfer of the piece of luggage from the infeed conveyor to the loading machine can be monitored, ensuring proper and reliable transfer.

[0033] Of course, multiple cameras can be used to monitor the baggage in the loading system. Additional cameras can be provided, for example, to monitor the handling area and detect intrusion by people or objects. Monitoring the presence and exact positioning of a freight container in the container area of ​​the handling area is also preferably possible using a camera.

[0034] The loading system can therefore preferably comprise one or more additional cameras, all or some of which can be directed at the container area, for example, to preferably capture images inside a cargo container arranged in the container area. This makes it possible to recognize and detect the arrangement of the pieces of luggage in the cargo container. This data can be used, for example, to determine which piece of luggage is stored at which location within the cargo container. This can be important, for example, if a passenger fails to show up and their luggage subsequently needs to be removed from one of the cargo containers.

[0035] A preferred embodiment of a loading system has a baggage recognition unit with which pieces of baggage can be recognized and preferably categorized at the end of the conveyor belt. The baggage recognition unit can comprise a camera, which is preferably one of the cameras arranged in the loading system. The baggage recognition unit makes it possible to precisely determine and know the location and identity of each piece of baggage at any time during the loading of the freight containers with baggage.

[0036] A control unit is part of a preferred embodiment of a loading system. In this loading system, the control unit or loading control unit is used and is designed and configured to detect free spaces within a freight container that is to be loaded or loaded based on camera images. Free spaces are referred to as free spaces or unoccupied areas within the freight container in which a piece of luggage can be positioned.

[0037] The control unit can preferably be designed to control the loading machine in such a way that a piece of luggage that has been picked up, i.e. removed from the feed belt, is placed inside the freight container, preferably in a free space.

[0038] The interaction of the baggage recognition unit, camera, and control unit enables optimized loading of the delivered baggage into a freight container. Loading can occur according to predefined criteria, for example, large and heavy items of baggage in the lower area and smaller and lighter items in the upper area. It is also possible to fill smaller spaces with smaller items of baggage to ensure stability within the freight container, preventing the items from falling or shifting within the container. It is also possible to load the freight container with baggage according to predefined criteria such as capacity utilization or weight distribution.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the control unit comprises a Kl unit that generates control instructions for the placement machine based on artificial intelligence and / or self-learning programs and transmits them to the placement machine, for example, a robot. This enables optimized loading of a freight container within the container area. The Kl unit can be trained or can be trained by the placement system. By learning different placement configurations, the placement process can be further improved and accelerated.

[0040] The invention is described and explained in more detail below using selected embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the assembly system according to the invention;

[0042] Figure 2 shows a further schematic diagram of the assembly system according to Figure 1;

[0043] Figures 3a, 3b show a side view of the feed belt and a freight container;

[0044] Figure 4 shows another side view of the feed belt and the freight container;

[0045] Figure 5 shows a loading situation of a loading system with a freight container; and

[0046] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of the sequence of the loading method according to the invention. Figure 1 shows a system 10 comprising a loading system 20 and a freight container 50, as are typically used in airports to load passenger baggage onto an aircraft. Different types of so-called unit load devices (ULDs) are used here, i.e. a device in or on which baggage can be placed before it is loaded onto an aircraft. Typical freight containers (ULDs) are containers with one side wall partially sloped, allowing space-saving storage of the container in the aircraft. Such containers typically have a roof and are filled via a side hatch. Other containers, in turn, may not have a roof but still have a side opening or recess for receiving the baggage. So-called ramp carts are also known.This refers to a cart onto which luggage is loaded and which is then moved by a towing vehicle. Luggage is either loaded directly onto the ramp cart or it can also be used to accommodate cargo containers.

[0047] The loading system 20 at an airport comprises a feeder belt 30 for transporting baggage items and a loading machine 40, which is preferably a robot 42. The robot 42 shown here is designed as a 6-axis robot and has a gripper 46 in the form of a tray-like baggage receptacle 48 on its robot arm 44 at the free end. Such baggage receptacles 48 are known in the art and are often designed in the form of a conveyor belt to move the baggage items on the baggage receptacle 48.

[0048] The loading system 20 further comprises a handling area 22 into which a free end 32 of the feed belt 30 extends. A container area 24 is provided in the handling area 22, in which the freight container 50 is placed and arranged for loading and unloading of luggage.

[0049] The pick-and-place machine 40 is located within the handling area 22 but outside the container area 24, moving around a vertical rotation axis 49. Since the pick-and-place machine 40 or the robot 42 is stationary, it is designed as a 6-axis robot and does not have a seventh axis. For this reason, the positioning of the robot 42 within the handling area 22 is crucial to ensure the most efficient, fast, and energy-saving handling of the baggage.

[0050] The selection of the position of the pick and place machine 40 or the robot 42 is shown in more detail in Figure 2.

[0051] Due to the space constraints at the airport, the handling area 22 is located at the end of the feeder belt 30. Its size is variable and determined by local conditions. However, the handling area 22 is large enough to encompass the end 32 of the feeder belt 30, the loading machine 40, and the container area 24 for receiving the cargo container 50.

[0052] The container area 24, in which the freight container 50 is positioned, preferably extends laterally of the feed belt 30 at its end 32. In this case, there may be an overlap between the feed belt 30 and the container area 24, as shown in Figure 2. The overlap is to be understood in such a way that the container area 24 does not adjoin the feed belt 30 (offset laterally), but rather the feed belt 30 already extends laterally along the container area 24.

[0053] The position of the robot 42 is selected such that the robot 42 or its base and its rotation axis 49 are set up and placed outside a perpendicular bisector 26 of the longitudinal extension 28.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the robot 42 is arranged outside a zone around the perpendicular bisector 26. Preferably, the zone is a perpendicular bisector corridor 27, the width of which is preferably between 10% and 90% of the longitudinal extent 28 of the container area 24, very preferably between 20% and 80%, more preferably between 30% and 70%, and particularly preferably between 40% and 60%.

[0055] Furthermore, the pick-and-place machine 40 or the robot 42 is positioned outside and off-center of a longitudinal axis 34 of the feed belt 30. In this way, an ideal position for the pick-and-place machine 40 or the robot 42 can be selected.

[0056] Preferably, the alignment 36 of the feed belt 32 is also kept clear, and the automatic pick-and-place machine 40 is arranged outside this alignment 36. The alignment 36 is the imaginary extension of the feed belt 30 beyond its end 32.

[0057] In the embodiment shown here, a freight container 50 is used, which has a side loading opening 52 through which pieces of luggage can be loaded into the freight container 50. The robot 42, with its gripper 46, picks up the pieces of luggage landed at the end 32 of the feed belt 30 and transports them through the loading opening 52 into the freight container 50 by pivoting and moving the robot arm 44.

[0058] In practical operation, it has proven advantageous if the pick-and-place machine 40 or robot 42 is arranged within a sub-area 29 defined by the perpendicular bisector 26 and the alignment 36 within the handling area 22. Preferably, the sub-area 29 is somewhat smaller than the quadrant thus formed, preferably approximately the same size as the sub-area 29 shown hatched in Figure 2.

[0059] Preferably, the pick-and-place machine 40 or robot 42 is arranged such that the rotation axis 49 lies on an imaginary line 39 running parallel to the perpendicular bisector 26, wherein this imaginary line 39 extends outside the freight container 50. Furthermore, it is preferred to position the robot 42 such that this imaginary line 39 running parallel to the perpendicular bisector 26 extends through the rotation axis 49 outside the container area 24. Positioning the robot 42 within the sub-area 29 enables fast, safe, reliable, and energy-saving movement of the robot 42 with short travel paths in order to pick up a piece of luggage from the feed belt 30 and move it into the freight container 50.

[0060] The loading system 20 preferably comprises at least one camera 80 for monitoring the object. In the preferred embodiment according to Figure 2, three cameras 80 are arranged, which firstly detect the pieces of luggage on the feed belt 30 and secondly detect pieces of luggage within the freight container 50. In this way, a controller can also detect where free spaces and locations are for placing the delivered pieces of luggage within the freight container 50. The cameras 80 can be part of a luggage detection unit and / or part of a control unit by means of which the loading system is controlled.

[0061] Figure 3a shows the feed belt 30 of the assembly system 20 and a freight container 50 with a loading opening 52, wherein the freight container 50 is positioned on the floor 21 within the container area 24. The freight container 50 can be transported by means of a forklift, the forks of which engage in the two openings or recesses 54 in the floor area of ​​the freight container 50.

[0062] The freight container 50 is arranged such that it is positioned at the end 32 of the feed belt 30, with the loading opening 52 preferably adjoining the feed belt 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 34 of the feed belt 30. The lateral part extending beyond the floor length, i.e., the beveled part 56 with the bevel, preferably overlaps with the end 32 of the feed belt 30.

[0063] The feed belt 30 is preferably arranged such that its height 38, calculated from the top to the floor 21, is smaller than the container height 58 between the upper edge of the freight container and the floor 21. In the embodiment shown here, the height 38 is approximately 40% of the container height 58. Figure 3b shows a freight container 50, which is also of the AKE container type, as is standard in aviation. The freight container 50 is arranged on a trailer 60, with which it can be moved at the airport and, for example, transported to the container area 24 and placed there for loading or unloading. Of course, the trailer 60 could also be a self-propelled means of transport, so that a tractor for the trailer 60 can be dispensed with.

[0064] In the embodiment shown here, the feed belt 30 is constructed in several parts, whereby the section with the end 32 can be variable in height. The further adjoining section of the feed belt 30 can then, for example, run diagonally in different positions of the end of the feed belt 30. This can be achieved, for example, via cardan shafts or supports (not shown here).

[0065] In the embodiment shown here, the height 38 of the feed belt 30 is only approximately 25% of the container height 58, whereby the height 38 is defined here only up to the lower edge of the freight container 50.

[0066] Both the positioning of the feed belt 30 according to Figure 3a and according to Figure 3b enables an optimized loading of the freight container 50, because the pieces of luggage picked up by the robot 42 only have to undergo slight movements in height until their final placement within the freight container 50.

[0067] Figure 4 also shows a side view of the loading system 20 with a freight container 50 of the AKE type and a feed belt 30. In this case, the section of the feed belt 30 with the end 32 is lowered relative to the rest of the feed belt 30, so that the section adjoining the end section is inclined. In this case, the height 38 of the feed belt 30 at its end 32 is approximately 45% of the height 58 of the freight container 50. Preferably, the end section of the feed belt 30 is always horizontal, but it can also have a slight inclination as long as the luggage items 70 can still be transported safely and reliably on the feed belt 30. In this

[0068] In this case, the removal by robot 42 is improved.

[0069] However, under certain local conditions, it may also be advantageous if the feed belt 30 runs obliquely in its final section with the end 32, for example because the spatial conditions do not allow any other feeding of the luggage items 70.

[0070] Figure 5 finally shows a further side view of the assembly system 20 with its feed belt 30 and the automatic assembly machine 40 in the form of a robot 42 with a robot arm 44 and a tray-like baggage pick-up 48 at the end of the robot arm 44. Several pieces of baggage 70 are delivered one after the other on the feed belt 30 and then loaded into the freight container 50 by means of the robot 42 and stacked, for example, on pieces of baggage 70 already stored in the freight container 50.

[0071] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of the sequence of the method according to the invention for automatically loading a freight container 50 with pieces of luggage 70 from a feed belt 30 at an airport. In a first step S10, a piece of luggage 70 is detected at the end 32 of a feed belt 30.

[0072] A step S12 comprises positioning a baggage pick-up unit of a pick-and-place machine 40 in a pick-up position near the end 32 of the feed belt 30. The baggage pick-up unit may, for example, be the baggage pick-up 48 or a gripper 46.

[0073] In a picking step S14, a piece of luggage 70 is picked up by the feed belt 30. A step S16 involves moving the luggage picking unit together with the piece of luggage from the picking position to a feed position in front of a loading opening or loading opening of a freight container positioned in a container area within a handling area. A step S18 involves detecting a free space or free area within the freight container that is large enough and thus suitable to accommodate the piece of luggage picked up by the luggage picking unit.

[0074] In step S20, the baggage pick-up unit or baggage pick-up of robot 42 is moved from the feed position, which is outside the cargo container, to a storage position to deposit the baggage in the detected free space. The storage position can be entirely or partially within the cargo container 50.

[0075] In a step S22, the piece of luggage 70 is placed in the freight container 50 at the recognized free space.

[0076] In a further step S24, the robot arm 44 with the baggage pick-up 48 is moved from the storage position to a waiting or intermediate position outside the container area or directly to the pick-up position in order to pick up another piece of baggage from the feed belt.

[0077] The control for carrying out the method steps according to the invention and further steps for loading a freight container with pieces of luggage delivered by means of a feed belt can be implemented in a computer program product that can be executed on a computer or other processor unit.

[0078] The invention has been comprehensively described and explained with reference to the drawings and the description. The description and explanation are to be understood as exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other embodiments or variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon use of the present invention and upon careful analysis of the drawings, the disclosure, and the following claims.

[0079] In the claims, the words "comprising" and "having" do not exclude the presence of further elements or steps. The undefined article "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of a plurality. A single element or unit can perform the functions of several of the units recited in the claims. A unit, component, device, and system can be partially or completely implemented in hardware and / or software. The mere mention of some measures in several different dependent claims should not be understood to mean that a combination of these measures cannot also be used advantageously.A computer program may be stored or distributed on a non-volatile storage medium and may be distributed together with hardware and / or as part of hardware, for example, via the Internet or via wired or wireless communication systems. Reference signs in the claims are not to be construed as limiting.

[0080] List of reference symbols

[0081] 10 systems

[0082] 20 assembly line

[0083] 21 Floor

[0084] 22 Handling area

[0085] 24 Container area

[0086] 26 perpendicular bisectors

[0087] 27 Mid-vertical corridor

[0088] 28 Longitudinal extension

[0089] 29 sub-area

[0090] 30 feed belt

[0091] 32 End

[0092] 34 Longitudinal axis

[0093] 36 Escape

[0094] 38 height

[0095] 39 Line

[0096] 40 placement machines

[0097] 42 robots

[0098] 44 Robot arm

[0099] 46 Grippers

[0100] 48 Luggage storage

[0101] 49 Rotation axis

[0102] 50 freight containers

[0103] 52 Loading opening

[0104] 54 recess

[0105] 56 Beveled part

[0106] 58 container height

[0107] 60 followers

[0108] 70 pieces of luggage

[0109] 80 Camera

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Loading system (20) for an airport for automatically loading a freight container (50) with pieces of baggage (70) from a feed belt (30), comprising - a feed belt (30) for feeding pieces of luggage (70) with one end (32); - an automatic loading machine (40) for receiving the pieces of luggage (70) from the feed belt (30) and for transporting them into the freight container (50); - a handling area (22) at the end (32) of the feed belt (30), into which the feed belt (30) extends and in which the automatic pick and place machine (40) is arranged; - a container area (24) arranged within the handling area (22), in which the freight container (50) is to be arranged and which has a predetermined length and width; wherein - the automatic pick-and-place machine (40) is arranged stationary outside the container area (24); and - the automatic loading machine (40) is arranged off-center to a longitudinal axis (34) of the feed belt (30) and / or off-center to the perpendicular bisector (26) of the longitudinal extent (28) of the container area (24) for the freight container (50).

2. Assembly system (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the automatic assembly machine (40) is a robot (42), preferably a six-axis robot, likewise preferably a robot (42) with a gripper or with a baggage receiving unit, very preferably with a tableau-like baggage receiving unit (48).

3. Assembly system (20) according to claim 2, characterized in that the robot (42) is pivotable about a stationary vertical axis and the pivot angle for loading the freight container (50) is preferably at most 240°, more preferably at most 180°, more preferably at most 150°, very preferably at most 120° and particularly preferably at most 90°.

4. Assembly system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the automatic assembly machine (40) is arranged outside of an alignment (36) with the feed belt (30).

5. Loading system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed belt (30) extends at least partially at a height (38) in the handling area (22) (height of the item of luggage position on the belt) which is less than the height (58) of the top side of the freight container (50), preferably less than 80% of the height (58) of the top side of the freight container (50), particularly preferably less than 50% of the height (58) of the top side of the freight container (50).

6. Assembly system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed belt (30) extends at least partially at a height (38) in the handling area (22) which is greater than the height (58) of a lower loading edge of the freight container (50), preferably greater than 25% of the height (58) of the top side of the freight container (50), particularly preferably greater than 35% of the height (58) of the top side of the freight container (50).

7. Assembly system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feed belt (30) in the handling area (22) is at least partially at a height (38) which is between 20% and 90% of the height (58) of the top side of the freight container (50), very preferably between 30% and 80%, particularly preferably between 40% and 60% of the height (58) of the top side of the freight container (50).

8. Assembly system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end (32) of the feed belt (30) is variable in height (38).

9. Pick and place system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pick and place system comprises a camera (80) for optically capturing the pieces of luggage (70), wherein the camera (80) is preferably directed towards the end (32) of the feed belt (30) in order to capture images of the end (32) of the feed belt (30).

10. Assembly system (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the assembly system (20) comprises a further camera (80) which is directed towards the container area (24) in such a way as to take images of the interior of a freight container (50) arranged in the container area (24).

11. Loading system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the loading system (20) comprises a baggage recognition unit with which pieces of baggage (70) at the end (32) of the feed belt (30) can be recognized and preferably categorized, wherein the baggage recognition unit preferably comprises a camera (80).

12. Pick and place system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pick and place system (20) comprises a control unit for detecting free spaces for a piece of luggage (70) within a freight container (50) based on a camera image from a camera (80) and for controlling the pick and place machine (40) in such a way that a picked-up piece of luggage (70) is placed within the freight container (50).

13. Loading system (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control unit comprises a Kl unit to enable optimized loading of a freight container (50) within the container area (24).

14. A system (10) for an airport for automatically loading a freight container (50) with pieces of baggage (70) from a feed belt (30), comprising a loading system (20) according to any one of the preceding claims and a freight container (50) for loading positioned within the container area (24).

15. A method for automatically loading a freight container (50) with pieces of baggage (70) from a conveyor belt (30) in an airport, comprising the following steps: - detecting a piece of luggage (70) at the end (32) of the feed belt (30); - positioning a baggage receiving unit of a pick-and-place machine (40) in a receiving position near the end (32) of the feed belt (30); - picking up a piece of luggage (70) from the feed belt (30); - moving the baggage receiving unit from the receiving position to a feed position in front of a loading opening (52) of a freight container (50) arranged in a container area (24) within a handling area (22); - Detecting a free space for the picked-up piece of luggage (70) within the freight container (50); - Moving the baggage handling unit from the feed position to a storage position; - Placing the piece of luggage (70) in the freight container (50).

16. Computer program product with program code for controlling a placement system (20) according to one of the preceding claims and / or for carrying out the steps of the method according to claim 15.

Images