Conveyor chute

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor chute (6) for a conveying system (1), the conveyor chute being designed to: - receive an item to be conveyed (9), in particular a postal parcel (9), at a receiving position (A1), in particular from an upstream sorting device (7); - deliver the conveyed item to be conveyed (9) at a transfer position (A3), in particular to a terminal station (4); - transfer the item to be conveyed (9) from the receiving position (A1) to the transfer position (A3) in a chute region (A2), wherein the conveyor chute (6) is inclined downward in the conveying direction (F) such that the conveyed item (9) is conveyed in a sliding manner by gravity, wherein the conveyor chute (6) comprises a first chute section (61) having a first chute surface (61S) and a second chute section (62) having a second chute surface (62S), wherein the first chute section (61) is arranged upstream of the second chute section (62), wherein a braking element (65) having a braking surface (65S) is arranged between the first chute section (61) and the second chute section (62), wherein the braking element (65) is designed to exert a braking force (B) on the item to be conveyed (9) when the item to be conveyed (9) contacts the braking surface (65S).

Description

[0001] Conveyor chute

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a conveyor chute.

[0004] At the terminal stations in a parcel distribution center, parcels are loaded onto delivery vehicles assigned to specific destination regions. A sorter, such as a crossbelt sorter as described in WO 2019 / 002048 A1, sorts the parcels and directs them to the individual destination stations. To overcome differences in elevation, inclined chutes are used between the sorter and the final destinations, allowing the parcels to slide down them due to gravity.

[0005] EP 1 868 923 B1 discloses an end-of-line chute with two rollers running transversely to the conveying direction of the chute and driven in the conveying direction. The speed of one roller is chosen to be higher than that of the other the closer the respective roller is to the discharge side.

[0006] German patent DE 102022 119 786 A1 discloses a device for transporting objects, particularly for sorting systems in logistics, in which the braking effect is automatically adjusted depending on the weight of the conveyed goods. The device comprises a first conveying element that protrudes beyond a second conveying element and can be pressed downwards by the weight of the object. Light objects remain on the first conveying element with low resistance, while heavy objects lower the first conveying element and are transported further on the second conveying element with higher resistance. The aim is reliable, weight-selective conveying with adapted braking to prevent impact damage and increase sorting throughput. Heavy packages are always slowed down by the second conveying element, regardless of their speed. However, there is a risk that slow, heavy packages may come to an undesirable stop.

[0007] Further conveyors with a braking effect are described in DE 28 05 818 A1 , US 4,000,796 A , DE 19523 788 C1 and DE 102020 106410 A1.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved conveying chute. This object is achieved by a conveying chute, a conveying arrangement, and a method according to the main claims; embodiments are described in the dependent claims and the description.

[0009] - 1 -

[0010] 20251006 24042PWO text.docx A suitable conveying item, in particular a postal parcel, weighs 20 kg, which does not preclude the use of lighter and heavier parcels. Specifically, the conveying arrangement is designed for conveying an item, in particular a postal parcel, weighing 50 kg. Furthermore, so-called polybags can also be conveyed, i.e., items packaged in film, such as clothing.

[0011] The conveyor chute is located, in particular, between a sorter and a terminal.

[0012] A terminal point is, in particular, an area where the goods to be transported are stored, at least temporarily, in order to be handed over from there, for example, to a delivery van.

[0013] In one embodiment, the conveying chute comprises a device for receiving material at a receiving position, particularly from an upstream sorting device. It is further configured for transferring the material at a transfer position, particularly at an end point. The material is transferred from the receiving position to the transfer position within a chute section. The conveying chute is inclined downwards in the conveying direction so that the material is conveyed by gravity. The conveying chute has a first chute section with a first sliding surface and a second chute section with a second sliding surface. The first chute section is arranged upstream of the second chute section. A braking element with a braking surface is arranged between the first and second chute sections.The braking element is designed to exert a braking force on the conveyed material when the material touches the braking surface. This arrangement enables controlled deceleration of the conveyed material and improves the transfer to downstream equipment.

[0014] In one embodiment, the braking element is designed such that, at least in a first state, it interacts with the conveyed material in such a way that the conveyed material is subjected to a braking force greater than the braking force acting on the conveyed material as it slides along the first chute surface. This achieves a controlled deceleration during the transition between the chute sections, which reliably regulates the conveying speed.

[0015] In one embodiment, the braking surface of the braking element projects, at least in a first state, with a first projection height above the level of the first sliding surface. This causes the conveyed material to exert a contact pressure on the braking surface and increases friction. The braking effect is thereby reliably activated.

[0016] - 2 -

[0017] 20251006 24042PWO text.docx In one embodiment, the first projection height is greater than zero. This slightly lifts the conveyed material during the transition, ensuring reliable frictional contact with the braking surface. This results in a defined braking force and improves the controllability of the conveying process.

[0018] In one embodiment, the conveying chute can be transitioned between a first state and a second state. In the second state, the braking surface projects above the level of the first chute surface at a second projection height that is lower than the first projection height. This allows the braking force to be adjusted to different conveying conditions.

[0019] In one embodiment, the second projection height is less than zero. The conveyed material can jump over the braking element, thus preventing contact. This reduces or eliminates the braking force. This improves conveying continuity for slow-moving or light materials.

[0020] In one embodiment, the conveying chute transitions between the first and second states depending on the weight of the conveyed material sliding along the first chute surface. Heavier conveyed materials press the chute surface downwards, thereby increasing the braking force. This enables weight-dependent braking force control.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first slide surface is movable upwards and downwards. It is pushed upwards by a spring and downwards by the conveyed material sliding along it. The position of the slide surface varies depending on the weight of the conveyed material. This results in a variable braking force and allows for dynamic adjustment of the deceleration.

[0022] In one embodiment, the braking element is designed to adjust the braking force depending on the speed of the conveyed material. Fast-moving materials are braked more strongly, while slow-moving materials are braked more gently. This increases conveying efficiency and prevents blockages.

[0023] In one embodiment, the braking force is adjusted by the braking element depending on both the weight and the speed of the conveyed goods. This ensures situation-appropriate deceleration and prevents over-braking with slow, heavy conveyed goods.

[0024] - 3 -

[0025] 20251006 24042PWO text.docx In one embodiment, the conveying arrangement comprises a conveying chute located between a sorter and an end point. This enables efficient and space-saving transfer of the conveyed goods within logistics processes.

[0026] In one embodiment, the method describes the conveying of a material along an inclined chute with a first and a second chute surface. A braking element with a braking surface is arranged between the chute surfaces. The braking force exerted on the material by the braking element is automatically adjusted depending on the weight of the material. Additionally, the braking force is automatically adjusted depending on the speed of the material.

[0027] In one embodiment, an increased braking force is exerted on the conveyed material at high speed, and a reduced braking force, in particular no braking force, is exerted at low speed.

[0028] Compared to the solution known from DE 102022 119 786 A1, a combination of weight- and speed-dependent braking offers advantages. While the known device transfers heavy objects to a more strongly braking surface regardless of their speed, this can lead to over-braking or even a complete stop for slowly moving heavy objects. By using a speed-dependent braking element, for example based on eddy currents, the braking force can be regulated proportionally to the actual speed of the conveyed goods. This ensures that slow, heavy objects are only gently decelerated, while fast, heavy objects are braked more strongly. This improves conveying continuity, reduces the risk of blockages, and increases system efficiency, especially in highly dynamic sorting applications. Lighter conveyed goods are braked less strongly, regardless of their speed.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures, in which it is shown

[0030] Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a conveying arrangement with a conveying chute according to the invention in two different embodiments;

[0031] Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of a conveying chute according to the invention of a first embodiment within the conveying arrangement according to Figure 1.

[0032] - 4 -

[0033] 20251006 24042PWO text.docx Figure 3 schematically shows a side view of a conveying chute according to the invention of a second embodiment within the conveying arrangement according to Figure 1 in various states.

[0034] Figure 1a shows a conveying arrangement 1. A conveyed item 9, e.g., a postal parcel, is fed by a transfer device 7, e.g., a sorter 7, in particular a cross-belt sorter. From the transfer device 7 (in particular downstream of a transfer bracket 71), the conveyed item 9 reaches a downstream device 4, in particular a final destination 4, via a conveying chute 6. At the downstream device 4, the conveyed item 8 is temporarily stored in order to be transferred from there, e.g., to a delivery van 41.

[0035] Figure 1b shows a slightly different configuration. Here, the downstream device 4 can have a further conveyor which transports the conveyed goods directly into a delivery van 41, e.g. a conveyor as disclosed in US 2009 / 0294246 A1.

[0036] The conveyor chute 6 includes a receiving position A1, to which a chute section A2 is connected in the conveying direction F. In chute section A2, the conveyed material 9 slides downwards, at least in sections, to reach a transfer position A3, where the conveyed material is transferred to the downstream device 4. In chute section A2, significant height differences are overcome in some sections. For space optimization purposes, chute section A2 can be very steep.

[0037] The length L of the conveyor chute 6 is defined by the distance between the receiving position A1 and the transfer position A3. The angle of inclination α can be defined by the average gradient between the receiving position A1 and the transfer position A3.

[0038] Reference is now made to Figure 2, which shows details of a conveyor slide 6 as part of the slide area A2.

[0039] The conveyor chute 6 has a first chute section 61 and a second chute section 62, the first chute section 61 being arranged upstream of the second chute section 62 in the conveying direction. The first chute section 61 has a first chute surface 61S on which a conveyed material 9 slides downwards under the pressure of gravity. The second chute section 62 forms a second chute surface 62S on which the conveyed material 9 slides downwards due to gravity. Accordingly, a conveyed material 9 sliding along the conveyor chute 6

[0040] - 5 -

[0041] 20251006 24042PWO text.docx first on the first slide surface 61 S and then on the second slide surface 62S, which is located downstream of the first slide surface 61 S.

[0042] In a transition between the first slide surface 61S and the second slide surface 62S, there is a braking element 65, for example, a braking roller 65. A braking surface 65S of the braking element 65 projects above the level of the first slide surface 61S by a first projection height dH1, where the first projection height dH1 is greater than zero. This creates a small upward step, so that the conveyed material 9, which leaves the first slide surface 61S before entering the second slide surface 62S, touches the braking surface 65S, thereby lifting the conveyed material 9 at least slightly upwards. As a result, the conveyed material 9 comes into frictional contact with the braking surface 65S. The braking surface 65S has a friction-enhancing property, so that the conveyed material 9 is subjected to a friction braking force B that is greater than a braking force B caused during sliding along the first sliding surface S1.The length of the arrows B in the figures shows the ratio of the braking force B in the different areas of the slide.

[0043] Figure 3 shows another embodiment based on the embodiment of Figure 2, with the above description also applying to the embodiment of Figure 3. The differences are described below.

[0044] The first slide surface S1 can be switched between a first, in particular lowered, state (Figure 3a) and a second, in particular raised, state (Figure 3b). The first state essentially corresponds to the situation in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, resulting in the same effect on the conveyed material. Here, too, the braking surface 65S projects above the level of the first slide surface S2 by a first projection height dH1, which is greater than zero.

[0045] In the second state, the first slide section 61S is in a raised position, such that a second projection height dh2 is smaller than the first projection height dH1, preferably less than zero. Accordingly, the conveyed material passes the brake roller 65 with at least a lower contact pressure, resulting in a lower braking force B65 than in the state shown in Figure 3a. In this state, there may also be no contact at all, at least temporarily, between the brake element 65 and the conveyed material 9, so that no braking force is generated by the brake element 65, and the conveyed material, in particular, jumps over the brake roller 65.

[0046] - 6 -

[0047] 20251006 24042PWO text.docx A spring 66 pushes the first slide section 61 and the first slide surface 61S into the raised position. The gravity of the conveyed material 9 sliding along the first slide section counteracts a spring force of the spring 66 and pushes the first slide section 61 and the first slide surface 61S into the lowered position. Depending on the ratio between the spring force and the weight of the conveyed material 9, the first slide section 61 and the first slide surface 61S assume a position between the raised and lowered positions, which, due to the variable contact pressure, leads to a variable braking force B65 exerted by the brake roller 65. The spring 66 can be a coil spring or made of an elastic foam or other suitable material, which in particular also has a damping effect on the movement of the first slide section 61.

[0048] The brake roller can be a magnetic speed controller based on eddy currents, similar to the brake roller disclosed in EP 2 517 986A1 or EP 2 922 775 B1. In another embodiment, the brake element is not a roller; in this case, the brake surface 65S does not rotate.

[0049] Such a magnetically actuated brake roller has the advantage that the braking force depends on its rotational speed. The rotational speed is adjusted according to the speed of the conveyed material (9), provided the contact pressure is sufficient. If the rotational speed is low, the magnetic braking effect is also low, so the conveyed material is hardly slowed down or not slowed down at all. If the rotational speed is high, the magnetic braking effect is also high, and the conveyed material is slowed down considerably. In this way, it can be ensured that heavy, fast-moving conveyed materials are slowed down sufficiently more than slow, heavy, or light conveyed materials.

[0050] - 7 -

[0051] 20251006 24042PWO text.docx List of reference symbols

[0052] 1 Funding order

[0053] 4 Receiving device, destination, e.g. collection box or conveyor belt

[0054] 41 delivery vans

[0055] 6 Conveyor chute

[0056] 61 first slide section

[0057] 61S first slide area

[0058] 62 second slide section

[0059] 62S second slide surface

[0060] 65 Brake element, e.g. brake roller

[0061] 65S braking surface of the brake element

[0062] B65 through brake element braking force

[0063] 66 spring

[0064] 7 Transfer device, e.g. sorter

[0065] 9 Goods to be transported (postal parcel)

[0066] A tilt angle

[0067] L Length of the slide

[0068] A1 Takeover position

[0069] A2 Slide area

[0070] A3 handover position

[0071] F Conveyor direction

[0072] - 8 -

[0073] 20251006 24042PWO text.docx

Claims

Claims 1. Conveyor chute (6) for a conveying arrangement (1); the conveyor chute is designed to - Taking over a conveyed item (9), in particular a postal parcel (9), at a receiving position (A1), in particular from an upstream sorting facility (7); - Handover of the conveyed goods (9) at a handover position (A3), in particular at a final location (4); - transferring the conveyed material (9) in a chute section (A2) from the receiving position (A1) to the transfer position (A3), wherein the conveying chute (6) is inclined downwards in the conveying direction (F) so that the conveyed material (9) is conveyed by gravity, characterized in that the conveying chute (6) has a first chute section (61) with a first chute surface (61S) and a second chute section (62) with a second chute surface (62S), wherein the first chute section (61) is arranged upstream of the second chute section (62), wherein a braking element (65) with a braking surface (65S) is arranged between the first chute section (61) and the second chute section (62), wherein the braking element (65) is designed to exert a braking force (B) on the conveyed material (9) when the conveyed material (9) crosses the braking surface (65S) touched.

2. Conveyor chute (6) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the braking element (61) is designed such that it interacts with the conveyed material (9) at least in a first state in such a way that the conveyed material (9) is subjected to a braking force (B65) that is greater than a braking force (B61) acting on the conveyed material (9) when it slides along the first chute surface (61S).

3. Conveyor chute (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the braking surface (65S) projects at least in a first state with a first projection height (dH1) above a level of the first chute surface (61S). - 9 - 20251006 24042PWO text.docx 4. Conveyor chute (6) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first projection height (dH1) is greater than zero.

5. Conveyor chute (6) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the conveyor chute (6) can be transferred between the first state and a second state, wherein in the second state the braking surface (65S) projects above a level of the first chute surface (61S) at a second projection height (dH2) which is lower than the first projection height (dH1).

6. Conveyor chute (6) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the second projection height (dH2) is less than zero.

7. Conveyor chute (6) according to one of claims 5 or 6 characterized in that the conveyor chute (6) is transferred between the first state and the second state depending on the weight of the conveyed material (9) sliding along the first chute surface (61 S).

8. Conveyor chute (6) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the first chute surface (61 S) is movable upwards and downwards, wherein the first chute surface (61 S); - pushed upwards by a spring (66) and - is pressed downwards by a conveyed material (9) sliding along the first slide surface (61 S).

9. Conveyor chute (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the braking element (65) is configured to adjust the level of the braking force (B) depending on the speed of the conveyed material (9).

10. Conveyor chute (6) according to claim 9 and one of claims 2 to 8.

11. Conveying arrangement (1) with a conveying chute (6) according to one of the preceding claims, - IQ - 20251006 24042PWO text.docx wherein the conveying chute (6) is arranged between a sorter (7) and a terminal (4).

12. Method for conveying a conveyed material (9) along an inclined conveying chute (6), in particular a conveying chute (6) according to one of claims 1 to 10; wherein the conveyed material (9) slides by gravity along a first chute surface (61S) and subsequently along a second chute surface (62S), wherein a braking element (65) with a braking surface (65S) is arranged between the first chute surface (61S) and the second chute surface (62S), wherein a braking force (B65) acting on the conveyed material (9) by the braking element (65) is automatically adjusted depending on the weight of the conveyed material (9); characterized in that the braking force (B) acting by the braking element (65) is additionally automatically adjusted depending on the speed of the conveyed material (9).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that - increased braking force (B) at high speed and - at low speed a reduced, in particular no, braking force (B) is exerted on the conveyed material (9). - 11 - 20251006 24042PWO text.docx

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