Product sorting system

Abstract

The system further comprises a combination moving device that includes a plurality of combinations of elongated carriers and pusher bodies, the combinations being arranged one after the other in succession, the combinations being movable along a moving direction parallel to a path, a plurality of sorting positions being arranged along the path, and moving the combinations along a moving direction parallel to the path, a plurality of controllers, and a central control server, the carriers extending parallel to each other and perpendicular to the moving direction, the carriers being configured to carry products to be sorted, the combination including a pusher body moving device having an electric motor that moves the pusher body along a sorting direction along the carrier, the sorting direction being determined by the carrier. and each of the controllers is disposed on the combination of the elongated carrier and the pusher body, and each of the controllers is configured to control two or more of the pusher body movement devices by receiving destination data regarding a sorting position from a central control server and to drive the electric motors based on the received destination data, the sorting position being a position where the products to be sorted should be discharged from the carrier, and the central control server is configured to transmit the destination data regarding the sorting position to at least one of the controllers.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product sorting system. The system includes a plurality of combinations of elongated carriers and pusher bodies. The combinations are arranged one after another in succession. The combinations are movable along a moving direction parallel to a path. A plurality of sorting positions are arranged along the path. The system further includes a combination moving device that moves the combination along a moving direction parallel to the path, a plurality of controllers, and a central control server. The carriers extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the moving direction. The carriers are configured to transport products to be sorted. The combination includes a pusher body moving device having an electric motor that moves the pusher body along a sorting direction along the carrier. The sorting direction extends perpendicular to the moving direction so that products to be sorted transported by the carrier are ejected from the carrier using the pusher body. Each of the controllers is arranged above the combination of elongated carriers and pusher bodies. Each of the controllers is configured to control two or more of the pusher body moving devices by receiving destination data related to the sorting positions from the central control server and to drive the electric motor based on the received destination data. The sort location is a location where the sorted products should be discharged from the carrier. The central control server is configured to transmit destination data regarding the sort location to at least one of the controllers. [Background technology]

[0002] A system of this kind is disclosed in International Patent Application NL2019 / 050488. This particular patent application focuses on the idea that the system comprises a distance determination device configured to determine a distance parameter related to the distance in the sorting direction between the pusher body of the combination and the products to be sorted carried by the carrier. The distance determination device is further configured to send the distance parameter to an on-board control system. The on-board control system is configured to control the on-board drive device of the combination based on this distance data. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The above-described systems have the disadvantage of having a centralized communication topology. The central server must provide data to the controllers regarding the combinations. However, no topology is available that is effective for realizing the specific aspects described above. The present invention aims to provide a product sortation system that has an effective communication topology for exchanging data between a central server and multiple controllers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In a first aspect, a product sortation system is provided, the system comprising: -Comprises multiple combinations of elongated carriers and pusher bodies. The combinations are arranged one after the other in succession. The combination is movable along a direction of movement parallel to the path. A plurality of sorting stations are disposed along the path. a combination movement device for moving the combination along a movement direction parallel to the path; a plurality of controllers; at least one access point or AP; a central control server; Further provided are: The carriers extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement. The carrier is configured to carry products to be sorted. The combination includes a pusher body movement device having an electric motor for moving the pusher body in a sorting direction along the carrier. The sorting direction extends perpendicular to the movement direction for ejecting the sorted products carried by the carrier from the carrier using the pusher body. Each of the controls is disposed on the elongate carrier and pusher body combination. Each of the controllers is configured to control two or more of the pusher body movement devices by receiving destination data relating to sorting locations from the central control server and to drive the electric motors based on the received destination data. The sorting position is a position where the products to be sorted should be discharged from the carrier. At least one of the APs is configured to communicate with the plurality of controllers and the central control server. The central control server is configured to transmit destination data regarding the sort location to at least one of the controllers via at least one of the APs.

[0005] It should be noted that the length of a typical system may range from tens to hundreds of meters. To form a closed circuit, the elongated carriers may be connected to each other or may be arranged adjacent to each other. Typically, if the size of the elongated carriers is, for example, between 50 mm and 200 mm, there may be several thousand elongated carriers. In the following example discussed with the drawings, it is assumed that the system includes 3200 elongated carriers.

[0006] The products to be sorted may be pushed (or placed) onto the top of the elongated carriers, which may be sized such that the products can span at least two consecutive elongated carriers.

[0007] The elongated carriers are provided with pusher bodies. The pusher bodies are movable relative to the elongated carriers in the sorting direction. An electric motor, e.g., a direct current (DC) motor, is provided for the elongated carrier / pusher body combination to move the pusher bodies along the elongated carriers in the sorting direction. During operation, the pusher bodies are pushed against the products to be sorted, which in turn push the products out of the corresponding elongated carriers.

[0008] As mentioned above, the product typically spans at least two elongated carriers in series, in which case at least two pusher bodies must be controlled together to eject the product from the corresponding elongated carrier.

[0009] The above describes the mechanical actions required to eject a particular sorted product from its corresponding elongated carrier.

[0010] The inventors have realised that a communication topology for controlling pusher body moving devices can be effectively realised if the communication topology is layered, with the highest layer of the communication topology including a central control server configured to coordinate data transmissions with devices included in lower layer communication topologies.

[0011] The lowest layer of the communication topology includes a plurality of controllers, each of which is provided on (or associated with) an elongate carrier and pusher body combination, but each of which is configured to control more than one pusher body movement device. Thus, a system with, for example, 3200 combinations and up to 1600 controllers would be required to control the pusher body movement devices.

[0012] Note that these multiple controllers also move in the same direction during operation along a path providing multiple sort positions.

[0013] The second layer of the communication topology includes at least static access points, or APs, where at least one AP is configured to communicate with multiple controllers and a central control server.

[0014] The at least one AP is static in the sense that it does not move during operation like the multiple controllers. The inventors have discovered that communication between a static AP and multiple moving controllers can be handled effectively in two ways, which are described in more detail below.

[0015] Following the above, a system with 3200 combinations and a maximum of 1600 controllers may include, for example, four access points.

[0016] The inventors have realised that the above communication topology has several advantages.

[0017] First, the complexity of the communication topology is reduced, primarily due to the feature that each controller is configured to control two or more pusher body movement devices, eliminating the need for each combination to have a single controller (which would be undesirable due to the increased cost and complexity (e.g., wiring complexity)).

[0018] As noted above, certain products may span more than one elongate carrier. The inventors have discovered that if a single controller can control more than one pusher body movement device, the single controller can be used to more efficiently control the products being sorted, thereby reducing potential synchronization issues between multiple controllers.

[0019] Second, each controller no longer needs to communicate directly with the central control server. This reduces potential message collisions that occur over shared media, and also reduces the complexity (e.g., wiring complexity) that occurs with one-to-one connections over unshared media. If a single controller can be configured to control two or more pusher body movement devices, the total amount of messages exchanged between the central control server and all controllers can be reduced.

[0020] Third, by reducing the total number of controllers in the system, the total weight and cost of the moving object can be reduced. Each controller moves in the direction of movement along a combination. By reducing the number of controllers, the total amount of energy required can be reduced.

[0021] For example, each of the plurality of controllers is configured to control at least four and at most six pusher body movement devices.

[0022] It has been found to be advantageous if each controller can be used to control between four and six pusher body movement devices, which would also satisfy the processing power requirements of each controller, i.e., each controller only needs to be capable of controlling between four and six pusher body movement devices.

[0023] The inventors have found that if a particular controller malfunctions, there is inevitably a trade-off between the number of controllers and inconvenience. For example, if one controller controls dozens of pusher body moving devices at once, if this controller malfunctions, all of these dozens of pusher body moving devices will become unusable, which leads to a decrease in efficiency.

[0024] In the present disclosure, multiple combinations are arranged one after the other. These combinations may be arranged directly one after the other. Alternatively, one or more carriers may be arranged between two combinations. In this case, a particular pusher body may be formed to not only cover the corresponding elongate carrier, but also to cover at least a portion of one or more adjacent elongate carriers.

[0025] In another example, the system a statically arranged leaky coaxial cable extending along a direction of movement parallel to said path; a plurality of antennas; Further provided are: The leaky coaxial cable is connected to at least one of the APs. Each of the antennas is provided on the elongate carrier so as to be in close proximity to the leaky coaxial cable. Each of the antennas enables communication between at least one of the APs and the plurality of controllers.

[0026] During operation, the communication topology is physically divided into a stationary part and a moving part. Statically placed leaky coaxial cables allow communication to be transferred from the stationary environment to the moving environment. The moving environment includes a controller and multiple antennas, while the stationary environment includes at least one AP and a central control server.

[0027] In another example, the system further comprises one or more gateways. Each of the gateways is located above the combination. Each of the controllers is uniquely connected to one of the gateways. Each of the gateways is configured to communicate with the central control server via the AP.

[0028] It has been found to be advantageous to add another layer of communication, where the other layer of communication is between the highest layer (a central control server) and the second layer (a number of controllers).

[0029] Each gateway may be connected to, for example, 32 controllers, and preferably, 8 controllers, in which case each gateway may be equipped with one of a plurality of antennas.

[0030] In another example, the system further comprises a scanner. The scanner is configured to obtain at least one product parameter of the products to be sorted and provide these product parameters to the central control server. The product parameters are: -Identification number or ID, - length and / or width parameters for specific products to be sorted, or - an offset in the sorting direction of a particular sorted product on the carrier from the initial position of the corresponding pusher body; Contains any of the following. Two or more carriers carry products to be sorted specifically based on the ID.

[0031] The system of the present disclosure provides increased overall flexibility: the movement of each pusher body may be individually and independently controlled, with the controller controlling the DC motors to move a particular pusher body in time to an extent that efficiently ejects a particular product from the carrier.

[0032] The inventors have discovered that multiple variables play a role in determining how a particular product should be sorted. For example, parameters related to the length and / or width of a particular product may be considered. The length of the product may determine how many (and which) pusher bodies should be controlled. As noted above, a product typically spans at least two pusher bodies, but may span more. Thus, the length of the product may implicitly or explicitly determine the number of pusher bodies required to eject the product from a corresponding elongated carrier.

[0033] The length and / or width and / or position of a product may determine not only which pusher body is required to eject the product from the corresponding elongated carrier, but also which leading and / or trailing pusher body is required to assist in the ejection process. For example, the leading pusher body (i.e., the pusher body immediately preceding a particular product to be sorted) may be controlled to be positioned in a specific location in front of the particular product. This prevents the particular product from moving in the direction of movement relative to the corresponding elongated carrier. Therefore, in this case, the particular product remains positioned in a specific location on the corresponding elongated carrier. The same applies to the trailing pusher body (i.e., the pusher body located at the rear end of the product). Directions such as leading and trailing are defined relative to the direction of movement.

[0034] The offset of a particular product may be taken into account. The pusher body may be controlled to approach the product relatively slowly, moving opposite or adjacent to the product. Once the product reaches the sorting position, the pusher body may be controlled in its ejection process, following a predetermined sorting profile to eject the particular product from each elongated carrier.

[0035] In another example, a central control server is configured to select one or more of the controllers based on an identification number or ID received from the scanner, and the central control server is further configured to transmit product parameters, including any of a length, width, or offset of the products to be sorted, to the selected one or more of the controllers.

[0036] Such product parameters are preferably transmitted before the products reach the sorting location so that the controller can take them into account when ejecting the products from the corresponding elongate carriers.

[0037] A system according to the present disclosure (and more particularly the communication topology used in the system) may use different types of communication technologies, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), Bluetooth®, and Zigbee®.

[0038] Preferably, WLAN is used as the communication technology because it supports the bit rates required for the system. As noted above, the system may include multiple controllers, each of which may need to communicate with a central control server. The total amount of data packets exchanged between the central control server and the multiple controllers may be additive. The inventors have found that WLAN supports this type of communication.

[0039] In another example, each of the selected one or more controllers is configured to control a corresponding pusher body movement device based on product parameters including any of the length, width, or offset of the products to be sorted.

[0040] In one example, each of the controllers is configured to control a pusher body movement device based on a sorting parameter. The sorting parameters are: the discharge angle, i.e. the angle between the sorting direction and the discharge direction of a discharge connected to the system, the width of said discharge section, the position of the discharge part, - the expected speed of the products to be sorted at the discharge section; Contains any of the following.

[0041] In this case, each controller may be configured to determine a sort profile for a corresponding pusher body based on sort parameters and product parameters, the sort profile relating to a position of the pusher body relative to a corresponding elongate carrier.

[0042] The inventors have found that it is advantageous to take into account product and / or sortation parameters in determining an effective method for ejecting a particular sorted product from a corresponding elongated carrier.

[0043] As mentioned above, the product parameters relate to parameters of the product itself (for example, the length, width or position of the product). Optionally, the weight of the product may also be taken into account.

[0044] Sorting parameters relate to parameters of the system itself (e.g., discharge angle, discharge width, discharge location, and / or expected velocity of the products to be sorted at the discharge), and such parameters may be taken into account when discharging and sorting a particular product from a corresponding elongate carrier.

[0045] For example, the expected speed of the products to be sorted at the discharge section may be taken into account by the controller to determine the exit speed of the corresponding pusher body, i.e. the exit speed of the corresponding pusher body is advantageously adjusted to the expected speed of the products to be sorted.

[0046] Other options to consider are the width and / or angle of the discharge section. The system may use this information to steer the corresponding pusher body relative to a particular product to be sorted. The inventors have realized that, for example, if the product's length exceeds the width of the discharge section, the product may be rotated. In this case, the product may be rotated to a first position. In this case, the pusher body located in front of the product is controlled to have a higher offset than the pusher body located at the start of the product.

[0047] In another example, each of the controllers: - controlling the corresponding pusher body to an initial position using the pusher body moving device so that the corresponding pusher body faces or is close to the products to be sorted; - starting from the initial position, sorting the products to be sorted by controlling the pusher body movement devices at a sorting position such that the corresponding pusher bodies follow a sorting profile; It is configured as follows.

[0048] It has been found to be advantageous to control the pusher bodies to an initial position and, in a second step, sort the products to be sorted such that the corresponding pusher bodies follow a predetermined (or predefined) sorting profile. The sorting profile may be determined by a controller based on product and / or sorting parameters or may be predefined, for example, by an operator of the system. This allows for efficient sorting of the products and reduces the risk of errors.

[0049] In a second aspect, there is provided a method for sorting products to be sorted using any of the product sorting systems described above, the method comprising: - receiving, using one of the plurality of controllers, destination data from a central control server via at least one static AP; - using one of the plurality of controllers to control two or more pusher body movement devices at a sorting location by driving corresponding electric motors based on the destination data; Includes. The destination data relates to a sorting location. The sorting position is a position where the products to be sorted are to be discharged from the carrier.

[0050] It is noted that the advantages and definitions disclosed with respect to the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention also apply to the embodiments of the second aspect of the invention, i.e. the method for sorting products to be sorted.

[0051] In one example, the step of receiving destination data includes: receiving at least one product parameter. The product parameters are: -Identification number or ID, - length and / or width parameters for specific products to be sorted, or - the offset of a particular sorted product on the carrier from the initial position of the corresponding pusher body in the sorting direction; Contains any of the following. Controlling two or more pusher body moving devices at the sorting location is based on the product parameters.

[0052] In another example, the step of receiving the destination data includes: Receiving at least one sorting parameter is included. The sorting parameters are: the discharge angle, i.e. the angle between the sorting direction and the discharge direction of a discharge connected to the system, the width of said discharge section, the position of the discharge part, - the expected speed of the products to be sorted at the discharge section; Contains any of the following. Controlling two or more pusher body movement devices at the sorting location is based on the sorting parameters.

[0053] In another example, the method further includes determining, with one of the plurality of controllers, a sort profile for the corresponding pusher body based on the sort parameters and / or the product parameters. The sort profile relates to the position of the pusher body relative to a corresponding elongate carrier. Controlling two or more pusher body movement devices at the sorting location includes controlling the corresponding pusher body movement devices such that the corresponding pusher bodies follow the sorting profile.

[0054] In one example, the method comprises: - controlling, by one of the plurality of controllers, the corresponding pusher body to an initial position using the pusher body moving device so that the corresponding pusher body faces or is adjacent to the products to be sorted; - sorting the products to be sorted by controlling, with one of the plurality of controllers, the pusher body movement devices at a sort location such that the corresponding pusher bodies follow a sort profile; Further includes:

[0055] In a third aspect, a computer program product is provided, the product including a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon: The instructions, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to perform any of the methods described above.

[0056] The invention will now be explained in more detail based on several possible embodiments and with reference to the following drawings: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0057] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an assembly forming part of a product sortation system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pusher body. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the carrier and pusher body combination. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a high-level design of a product sortation system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a side view of a product sortation system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a top view of a product sortation system according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] Figure 1 shows the end of a combination 1 of elongate carriers 2 (also referred to herein as slats) and a pusher body 3 (also referred to herein as pusher shoe). Pusher shoe 3 is movable along slat 2 in two opposite sorting directions (following double-headed arrows extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of slat 2). This movement is described in more detail below with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Combination 1 is one of many identical combinations which together form a closed circuit and form part of a product sorting system.

[0059] The slats 2 extend parallel to one another, as shown in Figure 5. The closed circuit includes an upper section and a lower section located directly below it. The upper and lower sections extend as a horizontal plane, typically several tens of meters long. The upper and lower sections are connected to each other at both ends via semi-arcuate sections of the closed circuit.

[0060] The slats 2 are connected to each other at their ends by a chain that also runs along a closed circuit. Gears mesh with the chain at least at locations along the arc of the closed circuit. At least some of these gears are driven by one or more electric motors. Thus, successive combinations 1 can move along an infinite transport path of the same shape in a movement direction 5 that runs perpendicular to the sorting direction 4.

[0061] The sorting process, which will be described in more detail, occurs at the upper portion of the conveying path (see, for example, item 76 in FIG. 5). The lower portion (see, for example, item 77 in FIG. 5) is used to implement an infinite conveying path. The upper portion of the conveying path, also referred to as the sorting path, has an upstream end (see, for example, item 78 in FIG. 5) and a downstream end (see, for example, item 79 in FIG. 5). This method of driving a slat and pusher shoe combination is well known to those skilled in the art and therefore need not be described in further detail.

[0062] The slats 2 are extruded aluminum profiles. Figure 1 shows the combination 1. The combination 1 comprises a conveying surface 6 with four equally spaced conveying ribs 7 extending in the longitudinal direction of the slot 2 for the products to be conveyed thereon.

[0063] In use, products to be sorted, such as parcels, are fed onto a combined conveying surface, such as that formed by a number of successive conveying surfaces 6 arranged successively at the upstream end of the sorting path. The combined conveying surface supports products 84, 85, 86 as each combination 1 moves in the direction of travel 5. Each product 84, 85, 86 is intended to be ejected from the combined conveying surface by a pusher shoe 3 forming part of the associated combination 1 at a sorting station location where a chute or roller table is typically provided along the path of the combination 1. Logically, the products to be sorted are positioned on the side of the pusher body 3 located at each sorting station. The sorting system's central control system holds data relating to the aforementioned sorting station for each product 84, 85, 86 to be sorted.

[0064] Each combination 1 comprises a pusher body moving device with an electric motor for moving the pusher body 3 in the sorting direction along the carrier relative to the slats 2. Two possible embodiments of such a pusher body moving device are described (without intending to be limiting) on ​​the basis of Figures 2 and 3.

[0065] 2 shows a combination 11 of a slat 12 and a pusher shoe 13, which is movable relative to the slat 12 in two opposite sorting directions 4. For this movement, the combination 11 is provided on the underside of the slat 12 with a spindle transmission 14 having a threaded spindle 15 and a nut 16 surrounding and engaging the threaded spindle 15. The nut 16 is connected to the pusher shoe 13 on its underside. The pusher body movement device further comprises a servo motor 17 (i.e., an electric motor). The servo motor 17 is rigidly connected to the slat 12 at one end and coupled to one end of the threaded spindle 15 via a right-angle transmission 18.

[0066] The threaded spindle 15 is rotatably mounted at its opposite end in a bearing body 29 that is rigidly connected to the slat 12. Activation of the servo motor 17 causes the threaded spindle 15 to rotate about the center line 19 in one of two directions according to the double-headed arrow 20. This causes the nut 16 to move in the sorting direction 4. Due to the coupling between the nut 16 and the pusher shoe 13, the pusher shoe 13 also moves in one of two opposite sorting directions 4 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slat 12.

[0067] The combination 21 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a slat 22 and a pusher shoe 23. The pusher shoe 23 is movable back and forth relative to the slat 22 in the sorting direction indicated by the double arrow 4. The combination 21 is provided with a belt transmission 24 on the underside of the slat 22. The belt transmission 24 comprises a belt 25 passing around deflection pulleys 26a, 26b. The deflection pulleys 26a, 26b are rotatably connected to the slat 22 on their respective outer sides around their respective centerlines via shaft bodies (not shown in detail). One of the two deflection pulleys 26a, 26b can be driven by a servo motor (not shown in more detail, for example, servo motor 17), with or without a transmission. The belt 25 is connected to the pusher shoe 23 on its underside by means of a connecting piece 27. The pusher shoe 23 is provided with two U-shaped recesses 28a, 28b at least on its underside. When the pusher shoe 23 is in one of two outer states (left and right in FIG. 3), the shaft body can be positioned within the recesses 28a, 28b.

[0068] Alternatively, a servo motor may be provided in or on the pusher shoe to drive the pusher shoe against the slat, which is equivalent to connecting a DC motor directly to the pusher shoe.

[0069] The servo motor 17 included in the pusher body movement device of combination 11 of Figure 2 and the servo motor included in the combination movement device of combination 21 of Figure 3 may be powered by a battery (not shown in detail). Charging of such a battery may be, for example, by induction (and therefore contactless) or by sliding contact.

[0070] With regard to the control of the servo motors described above, the sorting system is provided with a plurality of controllers 35, each of which is provided on a combination of elongated carrier and pusher body. Each of the controllers 35 is configured to receive destination data relating to sorting positions 32 (i.e., positions where the products to be sorted are discharged from the carrier) from a central control server 38, and to control two or more pusher body movement devices by driving electric motors 33 based on the destination data.

[0071] The controller 35 comprises, for example, a microprocessor or a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and is configured to receive data relating to at least the sorting positions 32 (i.e. the positions at which the products to be sorted are to be ejected from the associated slots) and at least the position of the combinations in the direction of movement of the sorting path, for example directly from a central control server, and to control the associated servo motors 33.

[0072] The controller may include a ROM and / or RAM memory for storing data relating to the above sorting positions and may be configured to determine the longitudinal position of the pusher shoe relative to the associated slot.

[0073] The power supply for the controller 35 may be similar to the power supply for the servo motor 17. In an alternative embodiment, the controller 35 may be connected to the pusher body and move along the sorting direction 4 with the pusher body.

[0074] The pusher body 3 of Figure 1 is provided with two pusher surfaces 8 each provided with two styli 9a, one for each pusher surface 8 along the direction of movement 5. Each stylus 9a has a spherical head 9b, a collar 9c, and a compression spring 9d, and extends partially within a horizontal hole 9e in the pusher surface 8. Under the influence of contact between the head 9b of the stylus 9a and the products to be sorted placed on the conveying surface 6, each stylus 9a is movable towards the pusher surface 8 (i.e., parallel to the sorting direction 4 relative to the pusher surface 8) against the action of the compression spring 9d, until the collar 9c contacts the inner wall of the hole 9e.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a top view of a high level design of a product sortation system 31 according to the present invention.

[0076] The product sorting system 31 comprises a plurality of sequentially arranged combinations 36 of elongated carriers and pusher bodies, which are explained in more detail in the first three figures.

[0077] These combinations are movable along a direction of movement 5 that follows a path. A plurality of sorting positions are provided along this path. The carriers extend parallel to one another and perpendicular to the direction of movement 5. The carriers are configured to transport the products to be sorted.

[0078] The sorting station is here connected to a discharge station indicated by the reference numeral 32 .

[0079] The sorting apparatus 31 further comprises a combination moving device for moving the combination in a movement direction 5 along a path.

[0080] Each combination is provided with a pusher body movement device comprising an electric motor 33 for moving the pusher body along the carrier in a sorting direction 4 and for ejecting the products carried by the carrier from the carrier with the pusher body. The sorting direction 4 extends perpendicular to the movement direction 5.

[0081] A plurality of controllers 35 are provided, each controller 35 being provided on an elongate carrier and pusher body combination, and each controller 35 is configured to control two or more pusher body movement devices by receiving destination data from a central control server regarding sort locations (locations where products to be sorted are discharged from the carrier), and to drive electric motors based on the received destination data.

[0082] The system 31 comprises at least one stationary access point (AP) 37, where at least one of the APs 37 is arranged to communicate with a plurality of controllers 35 and a central control server 38.

[0083] A central control server 38 is arranged to transmit destination data relating to sort locations (locations where products to be sorted are discharged from the carriers) to one or more controllers 35 via at least one stationary AP 37.

[0084] The following describes a specific implementation of system 31. The present disclosure is not limited to this specific implementation.

[0085] A leaky coaxial antenna 46 is provided alone on the side frame of the system 31. The leaky coaxial antenna 46 allows communication between moving and stationary parts of the system 31. Similarly, an antenna 43 may be provided on the combination, which also moves along the direction of movement 5 during operation. The antenna 43 can transmit messages to / from the leaky coaxial cable. The antenna 43 may be connected to a gateway 42 (i.e., a client module). The gateway 42 is connected to different controllers 35 via a switch 41.

[0086] To ensure a stable connection between the mobile gateway 42 and the system network via the access point 37, it is desirable for there to be a fixed and clear line of sight between the antenna 43 and the leaky coaxial antenna 46.

[0087] The controllers 35 may be implemented as embedded controllers or may be interconnected with each other via switches 41. Typically, direct communication between the controllers 35 is not required. A central control server 38 may act as a decision-making device to send control signals to each controller 35 for proper activation of each pair of shoes (which are activated by the controller 35).

[0088] Any issues regarding synchronization between the controllers 35 may also be handled by the central control server 38 .

[0089] The selective section of the leaky coaxial antenna 46 may be located at the bottom of the system (return path 77 shown in FIG. 5). The selective section may be used, for example, for double-sided sorting. In this case, a command to determine the initial side of the shoe may be sent to the controller via the return path. For example, the initial shoe may be on the right side for left-side sorting, or vice versa. The selective section is not limited to double-sided sorting. For example, the selective section may be used to obtain a relatively large amount of data logging from the controller via the return path. This may be useful for applications such as preventative protection.

[0090] If the cluster size is four, a set of four motors 33 will be connected to one controller 35. A photoelectric sensor 34 may be connected to each of the controllers 35, which is used in conjunction with a positioning frame to localize the corresponding cluster. The scanner 44 (if present in the system) and the central control server 38 may both be connected to the same network as all of the controllers 35. The connection between the access point 37 and the central control server 38 is preferably a wired connection. The scanner 44 will be described in more detail below.

[0091] For power transport, a power rail may be applied to one of the side frames of the sorting device, and a current collector may be applied to the moving carrier and connected to a power collection unit fixed to the carrier.

[0092] FIG. 5 is a side view of a system 71 according to the present invention.

[0093] The leaky coaxial cable, designated 75, does not move during operation. The combination is designated 74, the scanner 72 and the charging section 73.

[0094] As previously mentioned, the system may further comprise a scanner 44 configured to obtain at least one product parameter of the products to be sorted and provide this to the central control server.

[0095] The product parameters include any of the following: -An identification number or ID. Two or more carriers carry a specific product for sorting based on this ID. - length and / or width parameters for specific sorted products - the offset in the sorting direction of a particular sorted product on the carrier from the initial position of the corresponding pusher body;

[0096] The product offset may be thought of as the position of the product on the stack in the sort direction. This information is useful in the sorting process. The controller may be configured to ensure that the products to be sorted are sorted at a predetermined speed, a predetermined angle, etc.

[0097] The predetermined speed may be, for example, a speed adjusted to the speed of the infinite conveying path at the discharge. For example, if the conveying path at the discharge conveys products at 3 meters per second, it may be desirable for the system to be adjusted at the discharge so that the products to be sorted have a peak speed of 3 meters per second. For example, this peak speed may be the square root of the square of the speed of the infinite conveying path at the discharge minus the square of the speed of the products in the direction of movement 5, using the Pythagorean theorem.

[0098] The offset of a particular product and the width of the system (combined length) determine the total runway length that the controller can use to get the product to a particular "exit" velocity. If the product is near the other side of the discharge, there will be a longer runway; therefore, in this case, the product will not have to accelerate as quickly.

[0099] However, if the product is near the discharge, the run-up path is relatively short, so in this case the product will need to be accelerated quickly.

[0100] The controller may use the offset of the product as an input for determining an acceleration parameter of the product. The controller may further use the velocity of the discharge part as an input for determining the acceleration parameter of the product. The controller may further use the angle of the discharge part as an input for determining the required angle of the product. The controller may further use parameters related to the length and width of the product as input for determining the required angle of the product.

[0101] FIG. 6 is a top view 8 of a system according to the present invention.

[0102] Products to be sorted may be fed into the combination as indicated by arrow 87. A shoe is indicated at 88.

[0103] As can be seen in Figure 6, the products to be sorted 84, 85, 86 may have different shapes and configurations. For example, the products designated 84, 85 may be automobile tires. These types of products are circular and must be treated differently than other types of products (e.g., the product designated 86).

[0104] Note that the products designated by numerals 84 and 85 relate to five combinations and therefore to five pusher bodies (shoes). The L-shaped product designated by numeral 86 also relates to five combinations and therefore to five pusher bodies / shoes.

[0105] In this example, two outlets, designated 82 and 83, are connected to the system.

[0106] The system described here is particularly suitable for sorting products with different shapes and configurations. That is, a scanner (not shown in FIG. 6) may provide the controller with information about the combination or pusher body, or about the shape or configuration of the products to be sorted. This allows the controller to control the pusher body to assume an initial state tailored to the products to be sorted. This is shown, for example, by reference numeral 88. Here, the relevant pusher body is in contact with the products to be sorted. When the products to be sorted reach the discharge section, the pusher body may be controlled to actually push the corresponding products towards the discharge section.

[0107] It is noted that the present disclosure is also directed to a product sortation process. -Comprises multiple combinations of elongated carriers and pusher bodies. The combinations are arranged one after the other in succession. The combination is movable along a direction of movement parallel to the path. A plurality of sorting stations are disposed along the path. This system is a combination movement device for moving the combination along a movement direction parallel to the path; a plurality of controllers; a central control server; Further provided are: The carriers extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement. The carrier is configured to carry products to be sorted. The combination includes a pusher body movement device having an electric motor for moving the pusher body in a sorting direction along the carrier. The sorting direction extends perpendicular to the movement direction for ejecting the sorted products carried by the carrier from the carrier using the pusher body. Each of the controls is disposed on the elongate carrier and pusher body combination. Each of the controllers is configured to control two or more of the pusher body movement devices by receiving destination data relating to sorting locations from the central control server and to drive the electric motors based on the received destination data. The sorting position is a position where the products to be sorted should be discharged from the carrier. The central control server is configured to transmit destination data regarding the sort location to at least one of the controllers.

[0108] The communication between the multiple controllers and the central control server is based on wireless communication technology, preferably 5G communication technology.

[0109] One advantage of the present disclosure is that each pusher body may be controlled separately and individually, allowing the sorting process to be tailored to individual products.

[0110] The present inventors have realized that 5G communication technology can realize low-latency, wide-band communication capable of simultaneously accommodating a large number of users. Therefore, it may be considered to use 5G communication technology in the system according to the present disclosure.

Claims

1. - a plurality of combinations of elongated carriers and pusher bodies; The combinations are arranged one after the other in succession, the combination is movable along a movement direction parallel to the path; A plurality of sorting stations are disposed along the path; a combination movement device for moving said combination along a movement direction parallel to said path; a plurality of controllers; at least one access point or AP; a central control server; Furthermore, the carriers extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement; the carrier is configured to carry products to be sorted; the combination comprising a pusher body moving device having an electric motor for moving the pusher body in a sorting direction along the carrier; the sorting direction extends perpendicular to the movement direction for ejecting the sorted products transported by the transport body from the transport body using the pusher body; each of the controllers is disposed on the combination of the elongate carrier and the pusher body; each of the controllers is configured to control two or more of the pusher body moving devices by receiving destination data relating to sorting positions from the central control server, and to drive the electric motors based on the received destination data; the sorting position is a position where the sorted products should be discharged from the carrier; at least one of the APs is configured to communicate with the plurality of controllers and the central control server; The central control server is configured to transmit destination data regarding the sorting locations to at least one of the controllers via at least one of the APs.

2. 10. The product sortation system of claim 1, wherein each of the controllers controls between four and six pusher body movement devices.

3. a statically arranged leaky coaxial cable extending along a direction of movement parallel to said path; - a plurality of antennas; Furthermore, the leaky coaxial cable is connected to at least one of the APs; each of the antennas is provided on the elongated carrier so as to be in close proximity to the leaky coaxial cable; 3. The product sorting system of claim 1, wherein each of the antennas enables communication between at least one of the APs and the plurality of controllers.

4. - further comprising one or more gateways, each of the gateways is disposed on the combination; each of said controllers is uniquely connected to one of said gateways; 4. A product sorting system according to claim 1, wherein each of the gateways is configured to communicate with the central control server via the AP.

5. 5. The product sortation system of claim 4, wherein each of the gateways comprises an antenna.

6. It also has a scanner, the scanner is configured to acquire at least one product parameter of the products to be sorted and provide these product parameters to the central control server; The product parameters are: - identification number or ID, - parameters relating to the length and / or width of a particular product to be sorted, or - the offset of a particular sorted product on the carrier from the initial position of the corresponding pusher body in the sorting direction; including any of the following:

6. A product sorting system according to claim 1, wherein two or more carriers carry specific products to be sorted based on the IDs.

7. the central control server is configured to select one or more of the controllers based on an identification number or ID received from the scanner; 7. The product sortation system of claim 6, wherein the central control server is further configured to transmit product parameters including any of a length, width, or offset of the products to be sorted to the selected one or more controllers.

8. 8. The product sorting system of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more selected controllers is configured to control a corresponding pusher body movement device based on product parameters including any of the length, width, or offset of the product to be sorted.

9. each of the controllers is configured to control a pusher body movement device based on a sorting parameter; The sorting parameters are: the discharge angle, i.e. the angle between the sorting direction and the discharge direction of the discharges connected to the system, the width of the discharge part, the position of the discharge part, - the expected speed of the products to be sorted at the discharge; 9. The product sorting system according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. each of the controllers is configured to determine a sort profile for a corresponding pusher body based on sort parameters and product parameters; 10. A product sorting system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the sorting profile relates to the position of the pusher body relative to a corresponding elongate carrier.

11. Each of the controllers - using the pusher body moving device to control the corresponding pusher body to an initial position so that the corresponding pusher body faces or is close to the product to be sorted; - starting from said initial position, sorting said products to be sorted by controlling said pusher body movement devices at sorting positions such that the corresponding pusher bodies follow a sorting profile; 11. The product sorting system according to claim 10, wherein the system is configured to:

12. A method for sorting products using the product sorting system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: - receiving, using one of the plurality of controllers, destination data from a central control server via at least one static AP; - using one of said plurality of controllers to control two or more pusher body movement devices at a sorting position by driving a corresponding electric motor based on said destination data; Including, the destination data relates to a sorting location; The method, wherein the sorting position is a position where the products to be sorted are to be discharged from a carrier.

13. The step of receiving destination data includes: - receiving at least one product parameter, The product parameters are: - identification number or ID, - parameters relating to the length and / or width of a particular product to be sorted, or - the offset of a particular sorted product on the carrier from the initial position of the corresponding pusher body in the sorting direction; including any of the following:

13. The method of claim 12, wherein controlling two or more pusher body movement devices at the sort location is based on the product parameters.

14. The step of receiving destination data includes: receiving at least one sorting parameter; The sorting parameters are: the discharge angle, i.e. the angle between the sorting direction and the discharge direction of the discharges connected to the system, the width of the discharge part, the position of the discharge part, - the expected speed of the products to be sorted at the discharge; including any of the following:

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein controlling two or more pusher body movement devices at the sorting location is based on the sorting parameters.

15. - using one of the plurality of controllers to determine a sort profile for a corresponding pusher body based on sort parameters and / or product parameters; the sorting profile relates to the position of the pusher body relative to a corresponding elongate carrier; 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein controlling two or more pusher body movement devices at the sorting location includes controlling corresponding pusher body movement devices such that the corresponding pusher bodies follow the sorting profile.

16. - controlling, by one of the plurality of controllers, the corresponding pusher body to an initial position using the pusher body moving device so that the corresponding pusher body faces or is close to the products to be sorted; - sorting the products to be sorted by controlling, by one of the plurality of controllers, the pusher body movement devices at a sorting location such that the corresponding pusher bodies follow a sorting profile; 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

17. a computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon; A computer program product, wherein the instructions, when executed by a controller, cause the controller to perform the method of any of claims 12 to 16.

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