A method for feeding objects onto a conveyor using feeding devices and an induction line employing such a method.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for supplying objects (2) to conveyor locations (6) arranged in series on a conveyor (5) extending in a certain conveyor direction, the supply of objects being carried out using feeding devices (7) distributed in series in said conveyor direction controlled by a central unit (8).The central processing unit is configured to process numerical data representing a conveyor location distribution plan comprising a succession of sequences (9) of conveyor locations in the conveying direction, each sequence of conveyor locations comprising a certain number of successive conveyor locations in the conveying direction, and to allocate each feeding device to a number of conveyor locations in each sequence of conveyor locations for object feeding, the number of conveyor locations allocated being less than the certain number of conveyor locations in each sequence of conveyor locations. Figure to be published: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for feeding objects into a conveyor using feeding devices and an induction line employing such a method technical field

[0001] The invention falls within the field of object sorting or packaging. Previous technique

[0002] Generally, the feeding of objects to sorting machines or packaging systems is carried out by an object induction line comprising a conveyor which is itself automatically fed with objects by a feeding device. The conveyor most often comprises conveying positions spaced at a constant pitch, each designed to receive one object.

[0003] Thus, the more the conveyor is equipped with object feeding devices, the more the conveyor's feeding rate will be increased, subject to the availability of objects for the feeding devices and the availability of conveyor locations suitable for receiving said objects.

[0004] The maximum feed rate is thus achieved if each feed device has an available location at the time it is ready to deposit an object.

[0005] However, the upstream feeding devices on the conveyor tend to be more stressed for feeding objects than the downstream feeding devices on the conveyor, implying uneven wear of the feeding devices and therefore more frequent maintenance.

[0006] It follows that downstream feeding devices have fewer available conveyor locations for placing an object and may lose the synchronicity of having an object ready to be fed at the same time as an available conveyor location. These problems can lead to missed feeding of the last available conveyor locations, resulting in a loss of object feeding capacity.

[0007] To overcome these problems and achieve maximum performance of the feeding devices, it is often necessary to oversize the capacity of the induction line in order to offer a maximum of conveying locations, thus giving each feeding device enough choice to deposit an object.

[0008] However, oversizing the induction line increases the footprint and therefore the overall cost of the equipment. Summary of the invention

[0009] The objective of the invention is therefore to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a method for supplying objects to conveyor locations arranged in series on a conveyor extending in a certain conveying direction, the supply of objects being carried out using feeding devices distributed in series in said conveying direction controlled by a central unit, characterized in that the central unit is parameterized to:

[0011] - to process numerical data representative of a distribution plan of conveying locations comprising a succession of conveying location sequences in the conveying direction, each conveying location sequence comprising a number of successive conveying locations in the conveying direction, and

[0012] - allocate each power supply device to a number of locations Conveying of each sequence of conveying locations for object feeding, the number of conveying location(s) allocated being less than the certain number of conveying locations in each sequence of conveying locations.

[0013] The idea behind the invention is to regulate the supply of objects by the feeding devices in successive feeding sequences or cycles so that the feeding devices are not at their maximum flow rate individually, but at the maximum flow rate taken as a whole on the induction line.

[0014] The invention consists more particularly of allocating the feeding devices in advance to the different conveying locations of each sequence. Each sequence of conveying locations allows the feeding devices to have several choices of conveying locations.

[0015] This strategy thus makes it possible to minimize the number of unused locations.

[0016] The method according to the invention may also have the following features:

[0017] - the central unit is configured to allocate each power supply device to at least one conveyor location in each sequence of conveyor locations for object feeding;

[0018] - for each sequence of conveyor locations, the number of the feeding devices allocated to each conveying location depend on the position of said conveying location relative to the other conveying locations in the conveying direction;

[0019] - for each sequence of conveyor locations, plus the location of Conveyor is located upstream on the conveyor in the conveying direction and the greater the number of feeding devices allocated to it;

[0020] - for each sequence of conveyor locations, the number of locations the conveying capacity is equal to the number of feeding devices;

[0021] - for each sequence of conveyor locations, the central unit is configured to allocate an additional feeding device to each adjacent conveying location arranged upstream of a conveying location on the conveyor in the conveying direction;

[0022] - for each sequence of conveyor locations, the central unit is configured to allocate a single feeding device to the furthest downstream conveying location in the conveying direction;

[0023] - the central unit is configured to dynamically update the plan of distribution based on the real-time supply of objects to conveyor locations;

[0024] - for each sequence of conveyor locations, the central unit is configured to use a priority order for using feeding devices that depends on their positioning relative to each other in the conveying direction;

[0025] - the order of priority for using the power supply devices begins with the feeding device located furthest downstream in the conveyor direction towards the feeding device furthest upstream in the conveyor direction;

[0026] - the central unit is configured to control the power supply devices at a a certain non-maximum object feed rate so that the feed rate of all feeding devices is maximum on the conveyor at a given conveying speed.

[0027] The invention also extends to an induction line for objects comprising a conveyor extending in a certain conveying direction on which are distributed conveying locations, objects feeding devices distributed in series along the conveyor in said conveying direction, and a central unit parameterized to control the feeding devices according to the method of the invention.

[0028] The induction line feeding devices may be gripper robots or insertion conveyors.

[0029] The invention may also be extended to an installation for sorting objects such as parcels, packages, letters, or other objects with a destination address, comprising one or more induction lines according to the invention for powering a sorting machine. Summary presentation of the drawings

[0030] The present invention will be better understood and other advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] - [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] illustrates in a very schematic way a sorting installation according to the invention, comprising an induction line supplying a sorting machine;

[0032] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates in a very schematic way an induction line according the invention in operation at time t;

[0033] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] illustrates in a very schematic way an induction line along the invention in operation at time t+1;

[0034] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates in a very schematic way an induction line according the invention in operation at time t+2; Description of a method of implementation

[0035] The process of the invention is particularly well suited for implementation on an induction line 1 for objects 2, which, for example, feeds a sorting machine 3 in a sorting installation 4, as shown in [Fig. 1], or a packaging system. Indeed, the induction line 1 allows objects 2, initially stored in bulk, to be connected in series to facilitate their processing. It is therefore essential to have a sufficiently high feed rate so as not to be a limiting factor in the processing of the downstream objects.

[0036] By objects 2, we mean all types of objects including sorting information such as a destination address. These objects may be, by way of example but not limited to, parcels, letters, small international packages or flat objects.

[0037] An induction line 1 according to the invention typically comprises a conveyor 5 extending in a certain conveying direction Fl, on which conveying locations 6 are distributed. The conveying direction Fl allows for the definition of downstream conveying locations 6 relative to upstream conveying locations 6. The conveyor 5 of the induction line 1 may, for example, be in the form of a loop conveyor or a linear conveyor, depending on the requirements. The use of a loop conveyor will reduce the length of the conveyor by decreasing the number of conveying locations 6.

[0038] The induction line 1 further includes object feeding devices 7 distributed in series along the conveyor 5 in said conveying direction Fl, and a central unit 8 parameterized to control the feeding devices 7 to supply objects 2 to the conveying locations 6. The automated feeding devices 7 may, for example, but not limited to, be in the form of gripper robots or insertion conveyors.

[0039] However, the implementation of the process according to the invention requires certain parameterization of the central unit 8.

[0040] Indeed, the central unit 8 is parameterized to process numerical data representing a distribution plan of conveyor locations 6 comprising a succession of sequences 9 of conveyor locations in the conveying direction FL. Each sequence 9 of conveyor locations comprises here a number of successive 6 conveyor locations in the conveyor direction Fl.

[0041] By processing, we mean that the central unit 8 is designed to retrieve said digital data, store it in memory, and use it.

[0042] It is understood that the distribution plan will be able to distinguish between an available conveyor location 6, i.e., one ready to be supplied with an object, and an occupied conveyor location 6, i.e., one already supplied with an object, and this dynamically.

[0043] The sequences 9 of conveying locations are also distributed successively in the direction of conveying, so that the most downstream conveying location 6 in the direction of conveying of a first sequence 9 of conveying locations precedes the most upstream conveying location 6 in the direction of conveying of a second sequence 9 of conveying locations following the first sequence 9 of conveying locations in the direction of conveying.

[0044] The central unit 8 is also configured to allocate each feeding device 7 to a number of conveyor positions 6 in each sequence 9 of conveyor positions for object feeding. More specifically, the number of conveyor positions 6 allocated is less than a certain number of conveyor positions 6 in each sequence 9 of conveyor positions.

[0045] By allocation, it is understood that the central unit 8 allows objects 2 to be fed onto predetermined conveyor positions 6 by a feeding device 7. The allocated conveyor position 6 will necessarily be an available conveyor position 6 within the meaning of the invention. This feeding is not necessarily effective, in the sense that not all predetermined conveyor positions 6 in the same sequence 9 will necessarily be fed with an object. Indeed, the feeding depends on other parameters such as the availability of an object 2 to be fed and the availability of a conveyor position 6 among the predetermined conveyor positions 6. Allocation is therefore a possibility offered to the feeding devices 7 to feed said predetermined conveyor positions 6.

[0046] This parameter setting allows the feeding cycles of the feeding devices 7 to be regulated so that they are not individually at their maximum flow rate, but at their maximum flow rate overall on the induction line 1. Furthermore, the predetermined allocation of the feeding devices 7 to the different conveying locations 6 allows for a better distribution of the utilization rate. Each feeding cycle thus allows the feeding devices 7 to have several choices of conveying locations 6. This strategy makes it possible to provide a maximum 6 conveyor locations while minimizing the number of unused locations.

[0047] The central unit 8 can also be configured to allocate each feeding device 7 to at least one conveying location 6 of each sequence 9 of conveying locations for object feeding.

[0048] This function makes it possible to distribute the wear of the equipment by ensuring that each feeding device 7 is used at least once per sequence 9 of conveying locations.

[0049] The central unit 8 can also be configured so that, for each sequence 9 of conveying locations, the number of the feeding devices 7 allocated to each conveying location 6 depends on the position of said conveying location 6 relative to the other conveying locations 6 in the conveying direction.

[0050] By way of example, for each sequence 9 of conveyor positions, the further upstream the conveyor position 6 is located on the conveyor 5 in the conveying direction, the greater the number of feeding devices 7 allocated to it. This parameter setting prioritizes the use of the feeding devices 7 furthest downstream in the conveying direction, again with the aim of homogenizing wear on the equipment.

[0051] More particularly, the central unit 8 can be configured to allocate, in each sequence 9 of conveying locations, a number of conveying locations 6 equal to the number of feeding devices 7. This configuration makes it possible here to reduce the floor space of the conveyor 5 by reducing the number of conveying locations 6 to the maximum capacities of all the feeding devices 7.

[0052] The central unit 8 can also be configured to allocate, in each sequence 9 of conveyor positions, an additional feeding device 7 to each adjacent conveyor position 6 located upstream of a conveyor position 6 on the conveyor 5 in the conveying direction. This configuration makes it possible to increase the number of conveyor positions 6 allocated to the most downstream feeding devices 7 in the conveying direction, thereby increasing their likelihood of being used for feeding objects 2 compared to the most downstream feeding devices 7.

[0053] The central unit 8 can also be configured to allocate, in each sequence 9 of conveyor positions, a single feeding device 7 to the conveyor position 6 furthest downstream in the conveying direction. This function ensures that this conveyor position 6 is specifically supplied by a single feeding device 7, thereby limiting the risks in case of desynchronization of the feeding devices 7.

[0054] The central unit 8 can also be configured to dynamically update the distribution plan according to the real-time feeding of objects 2 onto the conveyor locations 6. This configuration makes it possible here to avoid the feeding of two objects 2 onto the same conveyor location 6.

[0055] The central unit 8 can also be configured to impose, in each sequence 9 of conveying locations, a priority order for the use of the feeding devices 7 which depends on their positioning relative to each other in the conveying direction.

[0056] More specifically, and by way of example, the priority order for using the feeding devices 7 may begin with the feeding device 7 located furthest downstream in the conveyor direction 5, and proceed to the feeding device furthest upstream in the conveyor direction 5. To this end, the central unit 8 will store in its memory the distribution order of the feeding devices 7 along the conveyor 5 in the conveyor direction. This configuration ensures that the feeding devices 7, whether downstream or upstream in the conveyor direction, have an equal chance of feeding an object 2 at a conveyor location 6.

[0057] The central unit 8 can also be configured to control the feeding devices 7 at a certain non-maximum object feeding rate 2 so that the feeding rate of all the feeding devices 7 is maximum on the conveyor 5 at a given conveying speed.

[0058] The various settings of the central unit 8 can be used independently of each other or combined as needed. For example, the allocation of conveyor positions 6 to the different feeding devices 7 can be adapted to the duration of the cycle time of use of the feeding devices 7, the speed of the conveyor, and the number of feeding devices 7.

[0059] An example of implementation of the process is shown here in figures 2 to 4.

[0060] In [Fig.2], we are at a time t in which the induction line starts an object feeding cycle. The central unit 8 ensures that each gripper robot 7 has reserved access to at least a quarter of the conveyor locations 6. The central unit has therefore already established its conveyor location allocation plan 6. We note that the sequence 9 of conveyor locations 6 comprises four conveyor locations 6, the most downstream in the conveyor direction being allocated to gripper robot R4, the next upstream conveyor location 6 is allocated to gripper robots R3 and R4, the next upstream is allocated to gripper robots R2, R3 and R4, and the next upstream is allocated to gripper robots R1, R2, R3 and R4.

[0061] In [Fig.3], we are at time t+1 in which the induction line has started feeding objects. The gripper robot RI was unable to feed the conveyor location 6 located downstream in the conveyor direction, opposite the gripper robot R2.

[0062] However, since the gripper robot R2 missed the supply to its first conveyor position 6 allocated to it in the same sequence 9 of conveyor positions 6, the gripper robot R2 can supply the conveyor position 6 missed by the gripper robot RI. The conveyor position 6 missed by robot R2 can then be supplied with an object by the gripper robot R3 or R4 downstream in the conveyor direction.

[0063] In [Fig. 4], we are at time t+2 in which the induction line continues to supply the object. Robot R4 has an object ready to be placed in a conveyor location 6, while the gripper robot R2 has just placed its object in the conveyor location 6 that was missed by the gripper robot R1 at T+1.

[0064] Thus, it is understood that if a gripper robot 7 cannot supply its allocated conveyor position, said conveyor position 6 will be available for subsequent gripper robots. This ensures that downstream gripper robots 7 can access their allocated conveyor positions 6, which may include positions previously missed by upstream gripper robots 7. Therefore, a downstream gripper robot 7 is offered a wider choice of conveyor positions 6 compared to an equivalent or even wider upstream gripper robot 7 in the event of unsupplied upstream conveyor positions 6.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for feeding objects (2) into conveyor locations (6) arranged in series on a conveyor (5) extending in a certain conveying direction, the feeding of objects being carried out using feeding devices (7) distributed in series in said conveying direction controlled by a central unit (8), characterized in that the central unit is parameterized to: - process numerical data representing a distribution plan of the conveyor locations comprising a succession of sequences (9) of conveyor locations in the conveying direction, each sequence of conveyor locations comprising a certain number of successive conveyor locations in the conveying direction, and - allocate each feeding device to a number of conveyor locations in each sequence of conveyor locations for feeding objects,the number of conveyor locations allocated being less than or equal to a certain number of conveyor locations in each sequence of conveyor locations.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the central unit is parameterized to allocate each feeding device to at least one conveying location in each sequence of conveying locations for object feeding.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the number of feeding devices allocated to each conveying location depends on the position of said conveying location relative to the other conveying locations in the conveying direction.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the further upstream the conveying location is on the conveyor in the conveying direction, the greater the number of feeding devices allocated to it.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for each sequence of locations of Conveying, the number of conveying locations is equal to the number of feeding devices.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveyor locations, the central unit is parameterized to allocate an additional feeding device to each adjacent conveyor location arranged upstream of a conveyor location on the conveyor in the conveying direction.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the central unit is parameterized to allocate a single feeding device to the most downstream conveying location in the conveying direction.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central unit is parameterized to dynamically update the distribution plan based on the real-time feeding of objects onto the conveyor locations.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for each sequence of conveying locations, the central unit is parameterized to use a priority order for using the feeding devices which depends on their positioning relative to each other in the conveying direction.

10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the order of priority of use of the feeding devices begins with the feeding device located furthest downstream in the conveyor direction towards the feeding device furthest upstream in the conveyor direction.

11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central unit is parameterized to control the feeding devices at a certain non-maximum object feeding rate such that the feeding rate of all the feeding devices is maximum on the conveyor at a given conveying speed.

12. Induction line (1) for articles comprising a conveyor extending in a certain conveying direction on which conveying locations, devices are distributed

13.

14.

15. feeding objects distributed in series along the conveyor in said conveying direction, and a central unit parameterized to control the feeding devices to supply objects to the conveying locations, characterized in that the central unit is parameterized to implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims. Induction line for objects according to claim 12, characterized in that the feeding devices are gripper robots. Induction line for objects according to claim 12, characterized in that the feeding devices are insertion conveyors. Sorting installation (4) for parcel, package, letter or other type object with a destination address comprising one or more induction lines according to any one of claims 12 to 14 to supply a sorting machine (3).

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