Goods sorting device and goods sorting system

Abstract

To provide an item sorting device that can handle multiple sorting destinations while suppressing an increase in scale. [Solution] The item sorting device comprises a lifting mechanism, a lifting platform, a plurality of chutes, and a movable ramp. The lifting mechanism is provided at a discharge position where items transported in a predetermined direction along the track of the transport device are discharged from the track for sorting. The lifting platform is provided on the lifting mechanism and is movable in the lifting direction on which the discharged items are placed. The plurality of chutes are arranged along the lifting direction of the lifting mechanism according to the sorting categories of the items. A movable ramp is provided for each of the chutes and is capable of forming a downward connecting position connecting the lifting platform and the chute when the lifting platform moves up and down to a sorting position corresponding to the chute to be sorted and stops.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an article sorting apparatus and an article sorting system. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, article sorting systems that sort a plurality of articles (baggage, deliveries, shipments, etc.) by specified sorting destinations (by addresses) have been put into practical use. In an article sorting system, articles are conveyed while being placed on a plurality of trays that move in a predetermined direction along a track of a conveying mechanism constituted by, for example, a conveyor or the like. Articles (baggage, etc.) placed on the trays are discharged to an article sorting apparatus installed along the track, and sorted by being loaded into chutes (sorting boxes, etc.) corresponding to each address of the articles. The chutes loaded with articles are transported to each sorting destination in the next process. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2024-506096 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, in conventional article sorting systems, chutes for each sorting destination are arranged in a plane along the track. As a result, the space required for arranging a plurality of chutes increases in accordance with the number of sorting destinations. That is, there has been a problem that the article sorting system (article sorting apparatus) becomes large in scale. Therefore, it would be meaningful if an article sorting apparatus (article sorting system) that can correspond to a plurality of sorting destinations (a plurality of chutes) while suppressing an increase in scale can be provided. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] The article sorting device of the embodiment comprises a lifting mechanism, a lifting platform, a plurality of chutes, and a movable ramp. The lifting mechanism is provided at a discharge position where articles transported in a predetermined direction along the track of the transport device are discharged from the track for sorting. The lifting platform is provided on the lifting mechanism and is movable in the lifting direction on which the discharged articles are placed. The plurality of chutes are arranged along the lifting direction of the lifting mechanism according to the sorting categories of the articles. A movable ramp is provided for each of the chutes and is capable of forming a downward connecting position connecting the lifting platform and the chute when the lifting platform moves up and down to a sorting position corresponding to the chute to be sorted and stops. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an illustrative and schematic plan view showing the configuration of an article sorting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an illustrative and schematic front view showing the configuration of an item sorting device included in an item sorting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the configuration of an item sorting device included in an item sorting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the configuration of a movable slope of an item sorting device included in an item sorting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an illustrative and schematic plan view illustrating the configuration and operation of the movable ramp of the item sorting device included in the item sorting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an illustrative and schematic side view illustrating the operation of the movable slope of the item sorting device included in the item sorting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an illustrative and schematic diagram illustrating the sorting operation of articles by an article sorting device included in the article sorting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is an exemplary flowchart showing the flow of the sorting process for items using the item sorting system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an illustrative and schematic diagram showing other configurations of the item sorting device included in the item sorting system according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configurations of the embodiments described below, as well as the operations and results (effects) brought about by these configurations, are merely examples and are not limited to the following descriptions.

[0008] Figure 1 is an exemplary and schematic plan view showing the configuration of an item sorting system 10 (also called a logistics sorter) according to an embodiment. The item sorting system 10 is a device for sorting items W (packages, deliveries, shipments, etc.) transported along a predetermined track 12 according to a specified sorting destination (e.g., by destination). The track 12 of the item sorting system 10 is formed by a transport device 14, which is composed of, for example, a conveyor. The transport device 14 receives items W from a previous process, etc., at an item input station 16 located at a predetermined position on the track 12, and transports them in a predetermined direction at a constant speed. The items W moving along the track 12 are fed into chutes (sorting boxes, etc.) for each sorting destination (e.g., by destination) at item sorting stations 18 arranged along the track 12, and sorted. Although Figure 1 shows an example in which the transport device 14 (track 12) is composed of a round conveyor, the shape can be adapted according to the layout of the sorting process or the layout of the sorting area (factory, etc.). Furthermore, Figure 1 shows an example where two item sorting stations 18 are provided, but the number and location of the item sorting stations 18 can be changed as appropriate depending on the number of sorting destinations and the layout of the next process.

[0009] The goods sorting system 10 shown in Figure 1 can be formed as a well-known structure, a so-called bomb-bay sorter. The transport device 14 in the goods sorting system 10 includes a track 12, a goods input station 16, a goods sorting station 18, as well as a control device 10a (goods classification control device), a drive unit (not shown), an information reading unit 10b, a plurality of actuators (not shown), and the like.

[0010] The track 12 has, for example, a pair of rails. The pair of rails are arranged, for example, at a predetermined distance apart. Multiple trays 20 (transport trolleys) are placed straddling the pair of rails, and the trays 20 move along the track 12. If the goods sorting system 10 is a Bombay sorter, the trays 20 have a structure in which the bottom can be opened and closed, for example, in a double-hinged (double-door) manner.

[0011] The control device 10a controls the operation of the drive unit, the information reading unit 10b, and the actuator. The control device 10a includes a processor, ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), an auxiliary storage device, a communication interface, and an input / output unit. The processor is equivalent to the central part of a computer that performs calculations and control necessary for processing goods. The processor executes control to realize various functions based on programs such as system software, application software, or firmware stored in at least one of the ROM and the auxiliary storage device. The processor is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), an MPU (micro processing unit), or a DSP (digital signal processor). Alternatively, the processor is a combination of several of these.

[0012] The drive unit moves multiple trays 20 in a predetermined direction along a pair of rails, causing them to circulate along the track 12. The drive unit is controlled by the control device 10a, which controls the movement speed of the trays 20.

[0013] The item loading station 16 is installed at a predetermined position on a pair of rails. When a tray 20 with its bottom closed arrives at the item loading station 16, the items W are placed on the tray 20 by an operator or by automatic loading using a conveyor, etc., and then transported.

[0014] The information reading unit 10b is installed on the track 12 adjacent to the downstream side of the item input station 16. The information reading unit 10b is equipped with, for example, a camera (scanner). The information reading unit 10b takes images of the item W from the top, side, and bottom surfaces using, for example, the camera, and outputs the image information to the control device 10a. The information reading unit 10b also measures the size, shape, and weight of the item W being transported, and outputs the item measurement information obtained from the measurement to the control device 10a.

[0015] The control device 10a assigns an item detection ID to each detected item W based on the signal from the information reading unit 10b and the item detection signals from other item detection sensors, and also traces the transport (movement) of each item W to detect or estimate the location of each item W. In addition, the control device 10a monitors the amount of movement of a pair of rails based on the signal from a rotary encoder that detects the amount of movement of the pair of rails. For example, the control device 10a detects the number of cycles of the pair of rails.

[0016] The control device 10a opens the bottom of the tray 20 when the tray 20 reaches the drop position corresponding to the chute installation position at the target location (sorting destination) in the item sorting station 18. As a result, the sorting of the items W placed on the tray 20 into the target chute can begin. Alternatively, the control device 10a may acquire identification information (e.g., a QR code®) or the like that has been attached to the items W in advance using an information reading device, etc., identify the sorting destination, and drop the items W from the tray 20 at the drop position corresponding to the target chute to begin the sorting operation.

[0017] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 1, the size (station occupied space) of the article sorting station 18 arranged along the track 12 increases as the number of chutes (the number of sorting destinations and the number of sorts) increases. Accordingly, in the article sorting station 18 of the present embodiment, by utilizing space not only in the planar direction but also in the height direction, a plurality of chutes can be arranged without causing an increase in required occupied space, and an increase in the allowable capacity of sorting work is achieved.

[0018] FIG. 2 is an exemplary and schematic front view showing the configuration of an article sorting apparatus 22 included in the article sorting system 10. As shown in FIG. 2, a chute group 24A is formed in which chutes 24 for each sorting destination are arranged in multiple layers, for example, in the height direction. In the case of FIG. 2, the chute group 24A shows an example in which the chutes 24 are arranged in four layers in the height direction for each stop position of the tray 20 (the drop (discharge) position of the article W described above). In the case of FIG. 2, eight rows of chute groups 24A are arranged. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 2, four times as many chutes 24 (32 chutes in total) can be arranged without increasing the space in the planar direction of the article sorting station 18, compared to a case where chutes are arranged in one layer in the planar direction. The chutes 24 arranged in multiple layers are supported by, for example, a frame 24F (simplified illustration) to form the chute group 24A. Note that the number of chutes 24 (the number of layers in the height direction and the number of rows in the planar direction) can be appropriately changed according to the required number of sorting destinations.

[0019] The article sorting apparatus 22 included in the article sorting system 10 of the present embodiment includes a lifting device movable in the height direction for sorting articles W dropped from a tray 20 into the chute group 24A (the respective chutes 24 arranged in the height direction) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0020] Figure 3 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the configuration of the item sorting device 22 included in the item sorting system 10. The item sorting device 22 comprises a lifting mechanism 26, a lifting platform 28, a plurality of chutes 24 (for example, a group of four chutes 24A), and a movable slope 30. In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 26 and the lifting platform 28 constitute the lifting device. In the item sorting device 22, the lifting platform 28 moves to the height of the destination chute 24 with the items W dropped (discharged) from the tray 20 on it, and changes the movable slope 30 to a downward connection position to feed the items W into the target chute 24. Therefore, the track 12 of the transport device 14 is positioned above the upper end position of the group of chutes 24A, which are formed in multiple layers in the height direction, and transports the items W. The details of the item sorting device 22 will be described below.

[0021] The lifting mechanism 26 is installed at the discharge position (dropping position) where items W, which are transported in a predetermined direction on the track 12 of the transport device 14, are discharged from the track 12 for sorting. That is, the lifting mechanism 26 is positioned below the stopping position of the tray 20 for each group of chutes 24A. The lifting mechanism 26 can utilize a well-known structure in which, for example, one of the sprockets 26a provided at the upper and lower ends is rotated by a motor or the like, causing a chain 26b stretched between the upper and lower sprockets 26a to move. A lifting platform 28 is fixed to the chain 26b via a bracket or the like, and as the chain 26b moves, the lifting platform 28 can be moved in the lifting direction (downward direction: arrow A, upward direction: arrow B). The lifting direction and lifting speed of the lifting mechanism 26 can be controlled by the control device 10a, and the lifting platform 28 can be stopped at the sorting position corresponding to the chute 24 to be sorted from among the multi-layered chutes 24. Details of the lifting and lowering control of the lifting platform 28 will be described later. Note that the configuration of the lifting mechanism 26 is just one example, and other structures such as a cylinder mechanism may be used as long as the lifting platform 28 can be moved up and down in a way that allows it to stop at a predetermined position.

[0022] As described above, the lifting platform 28 is attached to the lifting mechanism 26 (chain 26b) and is movable in the lifting direction on which the articles W discharged (dropped) from the tray 20 are placed. The lifting platform 28 is, for example, a flat, dish-shaped member and has a mounting surface 28a on which the articles W are placed, and the articles W are received on this mounting surface 28a. On the mounting surface 28a, except on the side facing the movable slope 30, a rising wall may be provided to prevent the articles W from falling off. Also, in Figure 3, the lifting platform 28 is fixed to the chain 26b in a downward sloping position toward the movable slope 30 (chute group 24A), for example. The inclination angle of the downward sloping position can be determined in advance, for example, through testing, so that the articles W can slide down toward the chute group 24A (towards the direction of arrow C) by their own weight. Furthermore, a transfer mechanism 28s (such as an extrusion device or a conveyor belt) may be provided on the surface 28a of the lifting platform 28 on which the item W is placed, to move the item W toward the movable slope 30 (chute 24) when the movable slope 30 is in a downward connection position. In this case, the inclination angle of the downward inclination position can be made gentler or set to 0° (no inclination). In this case, the delivery of the item W toward the movable slope 30 can be achieved stably and smoothly.

[0023] The lifting platform 28 is equipped with an operator 28b that moves the movable slope 30 (changes posture, opens and closes) by engaging with a part of the movable slope 30 at a position that does not interfere with the article W placed on the mounting surface 28a. The operator 28b is fixed to, for example, the side surface 28c of the lifting platform 28. The shape of the operator 28b is not limited to being able to engage with a part of the movable slope 30 (a lever described later), and may be rod-shaped or protruding.

[0024] A movable ramp 30 is provided for each of the multi-layered chutes 24 in the chute group 24A. The movable ramp 30 can form a downward connecting position that connects the lifting platform 28 and the chute 24 when the lifting platform 28 moves up and down to the sorting position corresponding to the chute 24 to be sorted and stops. Each movable ramp 30 is positioned, for example, with a pivot shaft (not shown) pivotally supported on a part of the frame 24F that supports the chute 24.

[0025] Figure 4 is an exemplary and schematic side view showing the configuration of the movable slope 30 of the item sorting device 22 included in the item sorting system 10. Figure 5 is an exemplary and schematic plan view illustrating the configuration and operation of the movable slope 30 of the item sorting device 22 included in the item sorting system 10. Figure 6 is an exemplary and schematic side view illustrating the operation of the movable slope 30 of the item sorting device 22 included in the item sorting system 10. Figure 7 is an exemplary and schematic explanatory diagram illustrating the sorting operation of items W by the item sorting device 22 included in the item sorting system 10.

[0026] The movable ramp 30 consists of a ramp section 32, a base 34, and a lever 36. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ramp section 32 and the base 34 are flat plate members, and the base 34 is fixed near both ends of the ramp section 32, for example, in a position where they are perpendicular to each other. In Figure 5, the ramp section 32 is shown with a solid line in the upright position (described later) and with a dashed line in the downward connection position. The base 34 is provided with a pivot shaft 34a, which, as mentioned above, is rotatably supported by, for example, the frame 24F that supports the chute 24. Therefore, the ramp section 32 and the base 34 are configured to rotate (open and close) integrally around the pivot shaft 34a. A torsion spring 34b is attached to the pivot shaft 34a as a biasing member, and is normally biased in the direction of arrow R1 in Figure 4. In other words, normally, the slope section 32 and the base 34 are integrally biased in the direction of arrow R1, so that the slope section 32 forms an upright position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. By forming an upright position, the slope section 32 can function as a guard wall to prevent the items W placed on the lifting platform 28 from falling off towards the chute group 24A while the lifting platform 28 moves up and down in the directions of arrows A and B by the lifting mechanism 26.

[0027] The movable slope 30 includes a lever 36 that rotates the integrated slope portion 32 and base 34 in the direction of arrow R2 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 34b, thereby forming a downward connecting position (dashed line) that connects the lifting platform 28 and the target chute 24, as shown in Figure 5, from an upright position (solid line). The lever 36, as shown in Figure 4, can be, for example, a flat plate member, with one end pivotally supported via a pivot shaft 36a, and can have a shape that is approximately a parallelogram. The pivot shaft 36a of the lever 36 is fitted with a biasing member, for example, a torsion spring 36b, which is normally biased in the direction of arrow R3 in Figure 4. The lever 36 is also positioned so that one end, i.e., the end face 36m on the side where the pivot shaft 36a is formed, abuts against the slope surface 32a on which the article W slides down the slope portion 32. On the other hand, the other end of the lever 36 (opposite the end face 36m) is configured to be able to contact the operator 28b fixed to the lifting platform 28 shown in Figure 3.

[0028] Figure 6 illustrates the operation of the movable slope 30 (posture transition P), and Figure 7 illustrates the sorting operation of items W by the movable slope 30 (position transition Q of items W). Posture state PA in Figure 6 shows the state of the movable slope 30 before the lifting platform 28 moves up and down to the sorting position corresponding to the chute 24 to be sorted. In posture state PA, the lever 36 is biased in the direction of arrow R3 by the biasing force of the torsion spring 36b, and the end face 36m comes into contact with the slope surface 30a of the movable slope 30. In this case, the base 34 is biased in the direction of arrow R1 by the torsion spring 34b, maintaining the slope section 32 in an upright position (see Figure 3). In other words, the slope section 32 functions as a guard wall to prevent the items W placed on it from falling off towards the chute 24 when the lifting platform 28 is moving up and down.

[0029] The posture state PB shown in Figure 6 represents the state when the lifting platform 28 has moved to the upper part of the lifting mechanism 26 to receive the item W dropped from the tray 20, and is descending in the direction of arrow A and passing through the movable slope 30. The operating element 28b, which is fixed (protruding) to the lifting platform 28 on which the item W is placed, comes into contact with the sliding surface 36n on the upper side of the lever 36 as it descends toward the movable slope 30 corresponding to the target chute 24. As mentioned above, the lever 36 is biased in the direction of arrow R3 by a torsion spring 36b attached to the pivot shaft 36a. Therefore, when the operating element 28b comes into contact with the sliding surface 36n of the lever 36 as the lifting platform 28 descends, the lever 36 rotates in the direction of arrow R4 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 36b to deflect the contact of the operating element 28b. In other words, the lever 36 allows the operator 28b (lifting platform 28) to pass in the downward direction (direction of arrow A). In this case, the movable slope 30 maintains an upright position even when, for example, the lifting platform 28 descends from position state QA to position state QB in Figure 7.

[0030] The posture state PC shown in Figure 6 represents the state when the lifting platform 28, driven by the lifting mechanism 26, has moved to a first position (after passing the sorting position, which is the position of the movable slope 30 corresponding to the sorting chute 24, in the downward direction (direction of arrow A) and then moved (risen) by a predetermined amount in the opposite direction (direction of arrow B) toward a second position. As mentioned above, the lever 36 is biased in the direction of arrow R3 by a torsion spring 36b attached to the pivot shaft 36a. Therefore, when the operator 28b descends further in the direction of arrow A and disengages from the sliding surface 36n of the lever 36, the biasing force of the torsion spring 36b returns it to the state shown in posture state PA, and the end face 36m contacts the slope surface 32a of the slope section 32. In this state, when the lifting platform 28 rises in the direction of arrow B, the operator 28b contacts the operating surface 36s of the lever 36 and pushes it upward, as shown in posture state PC in Figure 6. As described above, since the end face 36m of the lever 36 is in contact with the slope surface 30a of the movable slope 30, when the operator 28b pushes up the lever 36, the base 34 to which the slope section 32 is fixed rotates in the direction of arrow R2 around the pivot axis 34a against the biasing force of the torsion spring 34b. As a result, the slope section 32 moves from the upright position shown in posture state PA to a position where it is deployed to connect the lifting platform 28 and the sorting chute 24. The amount of rotation of the slope section 32 (base 34) can be adjusted by controlling the amount of upward movement of the lifting platform 28 in the direction of arrow B (movement to the second position). At this time, the amount of upward movement (second position) for each movable slope 30 can be determined in advance by testing or the like.

[0031] For example, as shown in position state QB in Figure 7, if the sorting chute 24 is the third chute 24t from the top, first, the lifting platform 28 is stopped at a predetermined position (first position) below the height of the movable slope 30t corresponding to the chute 24t. In this state, the slope portion 32 of the movable slope 30t maintains an upright position, thus preventing the items W from falling off the lifting platform 28. By raising the lifting platform 28 from this state to a predetermined position (second position) relative to the movable slope 30t and stopping it, the movable slope 30t can form a downward connecting position that connects the lifting platform 28 and the sorting chute 24t, as shown in position state QC in Figure 7 (the state of the slope portion 32 shown by the dashed line in Figure 5). As a result, the slope portion 32 transitions from a state that functions as a guard wall to a state that functions as a slope, allowing the items W to move from the lifting platform 28 to the sorting chute 24t.

[0032] When it is confirmed by a sensor (not shown) or the like that the item W has been moved (put into) the chute 24t, the control device 10a drives the lifting mechanism 26 in the upward direction (direction of arrow B in Figure 3). As a result, the operator 28b of the lifting platform 28 slides upward on the operating surface 36s of the lever 36 and detaches from the lever 36. As a result, the base 34 rotates in the direction of arrow R1 due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 34b attached to the pivot shaft 34a. In other words, the slope section 32 rotates integrally with the base 34 and returns to the state shown in Figure 3 or the posture state PA in Figure 6.

[0033] The flow of sorting goods W by the goods sorting system 10 configured in this way will be explained using the flowchart shown exemplified in Figure 8. In the flowchart shown in Figure 8, it is assumed that goods W have already been loaded from the goods loading station 16 into the tray 20 on the transport device 14 (track 12) of the goods sorting system 10.

[0034] The control device 10a acquires various information about the items W that are placed on the tray 20 and transported along the track 12 via the information reading unit 10b. The control device 10a then controls the transport device 14 to perform a sorting transport process (S100) in which the tray 20 on which the items W to be sorted are placed is transported to a position in the item sorting station 18 that corresponds to the group of chutes 24A which contains the chutes 24 for sorting purposes.

[0035] The control device 10a detects, using detection sensors on the tray 20 provided on the track 12, etc., whether the tray 20 on which the items to be sorted W are placed has reached the position corresponding to the chute group 24A containing the target chute 24 (the drop position of the items W) (S102). If the tray 20 on which the items to be sorted W are placed has not reached the drop position corresponding to the chute group 24A containing the target chute 24 (No. in S102), the process returns to S100 and the transport process of the tray 20 continues.

[0036] When the control device 10a obtains information indicating that the tray 20 on which the items W to be sorted are placed has reached the drop position corresponding to the chute group 24A which contains the target chute 24 (Yes in S102), it stops the tray 20 at the drop position. Then, when the control device 10a confirms that the lifting platform 28 has risen to the receiving position of the items W, it opens the bottom of the tray 20 and drops the items W onto the lifting platform 28 of the item sorting device 22 (S104).

[0037] Then, the control device 10a lowers the lifting platform 28 (operator 28b) to the first position relative to the lever 36 of the movable slope 30 corresponding to the sorting chute 24 (S106). For example, if the sorting chute 24 is the third chute 24t from the top, the lifting platform 28 (operator 28b) is lowered and stopped at the position shown in position state QB in Figure 7. Subsequently, the control device 10a raises the lifting platform 28 (operator 28b) to the second position relative to the lever 36 of the movable slope 30 corresponding to the sorting chute 24 (S108). For example, if the sorting chute 24 is the third chute 24t from the top, the lifting platform 28 is raised to a predetermined position (second position) relative to the movable slope 30t, as shown in position state QC in Figure 7.

[0038] The control device 10a then checks whether the slope portion 32 of the movable slope 30 (30t) has formed a downward connection position connecting the lifting platform 28 and the chute 24. That is, it checks whether the deployment of the movable slope 30 (30t) is complete (S110). If the deployment of the movable slope 30 (30t) is not complete (No in S110), it returns to S108 and continues to raise the lifting platform 28 (operator 28b). On the other hand, if the control device 10a confirms that the deployment of the movable slope 30 (30t) is complete (Yes in S110), it stops the raising of the lifting platform 28 and drives the transfer mechanism 28s provided on the lifting platform 28 (S112). By driving the transfer mechanism 28s, the item W can be moved efficiently and reliably toward the movable slope 30 (30t) which has formed a downward connection position.

[0039] The control device 10a confirms, for example, whether the item W has been discharged from the lifting platform 28 using a sensor installed on the mounting surface 28a (S114). If the control device 10a cannot confirm that the item W has been discharged from the lifting platform 28 (No in S114), it returns to S112 and continues driving the transfer mechanism 28s to facilitate the discharge of the item W. On the other hand, if the control device 10a can confirm that the item W has been discharged from the lifting platform 28 (Yes in S114), it raises the lifting platform 28 in the direction of arrow B in Figure 3 to move it to the receiving position of the next item W to be sorted (S116), and completes one cycle of the sorting process for the item W. As the lifting platform 28 rises, the engagement between the operator 28b of the lifting platform 28 and the lever 36 of the movable slope 30 is released, and the movable slope 30 returns to the posture state PA in Figure 6. Then, the control device 10a executes the processing from S100 and performs the sorting process for the next item W.

[0040] Furthermore, if the lifting platform 28 can be fixed to the chain 26b in such a way that the downward inclination of the lifting platform 28 when the downward connection position of the movable slope 30 is formed is at an angle that allows for sufficient discharge of the item W, then the transport mechanism 28s of the lifting platform 28 may be omitted. In this case, the process in S112 is omitted.

[0041] In this way, by moving the lifting platform 28 to the position of the movable slope 30 corresponding to the chute 24 for sorting using the lifting mechanism 26, the sorting of goods W can be efficiently performed on the multi-layered chutes 24. As a result, in the space where the goods sorting system 10 is installed, effective use of vertical space can be easily achieved, and a goods sorting device 22 (goods sorting system 10) that can handle multiple sorting destinations (multiple chutes 24) can be realized (provided) while suppressing an increase in scale. Furthermore, since the lifting platform 28 is moved to the height of the chute 24 for sorting and the movable slope 30 is changed to a downward connection position, the downward inclination angle of the movable slope 30 can be made to be almost the same for chutes 24 of any height. As a result, it is possible to slide the goods W into any chute 24 in the same condition, and the goods W can be sorted gently and smoothly.

[0042] Figure 9 is an illustrative and schematic diagram showing another configuration of the item sorting device 22 included in the item sorting system 10 according to the embodiment. In the movable slope 30 of the item sorting device 22 described above using Figure 3, the operator 28b of the lifting platform 28 pushes up the lever 36 of the movable slope 30, changing the slope section 32 from an upright position to a downward connection position. On the other hand, the movable slope 38 of the item sorting device 22 shown in Figure 9 differs in that it uses an actuator 38a when changing the slope section 32 from an upright position to a downward connection position. The actuator 38a can be, for example, a motor or a cylinder mechanism.

[0043] In other words, when the control device 10a confirms that the lifting platform 28 has moved to a position corresponding to the chute 24 to which the items W are to be sorted, it drives the actuator 38a (for example, a motor) to change the slope section 32 from an upright position to a downward connection position, thereby connecting the lifting platform 28 to the chute 24 for sorting. When the change in the position of the slope section 32 is performed using the actuator 38a in this way, the control that requires moving the operator 28b downwards from the lever 36 and then raising it, as is done when using the operator 28b, becomes unnecessary. As a result, the lifting control of the lifting platform 28 in the control device 10a can be simplified. In addition, since the lifting operation of the lifting platform 28 for changing the position of the slope section 32 is unnecessary, the lifting operation time of the lifting platform 28 (for example, the time it takes to move downwards from the lever 36 and then upwards) is eliminated, making it possible to shorten the cycle time for sorting the items W. As a result, it can contribute to improving sorting efficiency.

[0044] In the embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the item sorting system 10 is configured with a Bombay sorter. However, as long as the items W to be sorted can be moved from the track 12 to the lifting platform 28 of the item sorting device 22, other configurations may be adopted. For example, a system equipped with an extrusion mechanism that pushes the items W moving on the track 12 off the track 12 may also be used, and the same effects as in this embodiment can be obtained.

[0045] In this embodiment, a chute group 24A is positioned below the conveying device 14, and the item sorting device 22 receives items W from a track 12 formed at a higher position and lowers a lifting platform 28 to feed the items W into the target chute 24. In other embodiments, a chute group 24A may be positioned above the conveying device 14, and the item sorting device 22 receives items W from a track 12 formed at a lower position and raises a lifting platform 28 to feed the items into the target chute 24, achieving similar effects.

[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 10. Goods sorting system 10a Control device 10b Information reading unit 12 orbits 14. Conveying device 16. Item input station 18. Goods sorting station 20 trays 22 Article sorting device 24 shots 24A Shot Group 26 Lifting mechanism 28 Elevator 28a Mounting surface 28b Operator 30 Movable ramps 32 Slope section 32a Slope surface 34 Pedestal 34a Rotary shaft 36 Lever

Claims

1. A lifting mechanism is provided at a discharge position where items being transported in a predetermined direction along the track of a transport device are discharged from the track for sorting purposes. A lifting platform is provided in the lifting mechanism, on which the discharged items are placed and which can be moved in the lifting direction, A plurality of chutes are arranged along the lifting direction of the lifting mechanism for each sorting category of the articles, A movable ramp is provided for each chute, which, when the lifting platform moves up and down to a sorting position corresponding to the chute to be sorted and stops, forms a downward connecting position connecting the lifting platform and the chute. Equipped with, Article sorting device.

2. The movable ramp maintains an upright position relative to the movement area of ​​the lifting platform while the lifting platform is moving up and down. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The lifting platform, after passing the sorting position, moves a predetermined amount in the reverse direction and stops at the sorting position. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The movable ramp forms the downward connection position by engaging with an operator provided on the lifting platform. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The lifting platform includes a transfer mechanism that moves the placed item toward the movable slope when the movable slope is in the downward connecting position. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 1.

6. A conveying device that transports items to be sorted along a track in a predetermined direction and discharges the items from the track at a predetermined discharge position for sorting, A lifting mechanism provided at the aforementioned discharge position, A lifting platform is provided in the lifting mechanism, on which the discharged items are placed and which can be moved in the lifting direction, A plurality of chutes are arranged along the lifting direction of the lifting mechanism for each sorting category of the articles, A movable ramp is provided for each chute, which, when the lifting platform moves up and down to a sorting position corresponding to the chute to be sorted and stops, forms a downward connecting position connecting the lifting platform and the chute. Equipped with, Goods sorting system.

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