A multidimensional universal sorting system

Abstract

A multidimensional universal sorting system (100) comprising a 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10), providing a power and communication infrastructure to individual cells (10), cells (10) are adapted to accommodate an article (A), a number of drive units (20) within the cell (10) of the 3D grid structure (1), wherein a drive unit (20) is adapted to drive the article (A) in the cell (10) in at least one of horizontal directions (x, y) of the 3D grid structure (1) to transfer the article (A) to the neighboring cell (10'), wherein a number (n) of cells (10) of the 3D grid structure (1) are dedicated input cells (11) where articles (A) are input to the system (100), and a number (m) of cells (10) of the 3D grid structure (1) are dedicated output cells (12) where articles (A) are output from the system (100). The system (100) is characterized in that the 3D grid structure (1) comprises a number of cells (10) provided with drive units (20) adapted to drive the articles (A) in the cell (10) in a vertical direction (z) and at least in one of the horizontal directions (x, y), a control unit (30) adapted to establish a path (P) through the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) from the input cell (11) to the output cell (12) for each article (A), and a remaining part (P') of the path (P) is established based on a current position of articles (A) within the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) and on the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10).

Description

[0001] P1414PC00 1

[0002] A MULTIDIMENSIONAL UNIVERSAL SORTING SYSTEM

[0003] The present invention relates to a multidimensional universal sorting system, in particular a system that is applicable to baggage handling on the airports, handling parcels in a courier delivery companies sorting facilities or handling parts in a manufacturing processes e.g. automotive industry.

[0004] In a state of the art there are known sorting, transport and storing systems using trays to handle articles within the system.

[0005] US10207294 discloses a sorting and distribution system for sorting a number of different types of articles to a number of different clients depending on types and amounts of articles ordered by the different clients. The system comprises a plurality of article tracks and a plurality of order tracks arranged substantially transverse to the plurality of article tracks. Each order track is divided into m order track parts. The system further comprises a control unit controlling movement of the plurality of order tracks and movement of articles arranged on the plurality of article tracks to the plurality of order tracks such that an article positioned on a first article track is moved to a first order track part of a first order track when a first client to which the first order track part is associated has ordered a first article type.

[0006] WO2023 / 237879A1 provides an automated storage and retrieval system for storing goods within a storage and order processing facility. The automated storage and retrieval system comprises a framework, configured to form at least part of a multi-level matrix comprising a plurality of vertically-stacked levels. The system also comprises a plurality of tile units, configured so as to in use form a grid on each level, each grid comprising a substantially continuous substantially planar upper surface. The system also comprises a plurality of goods transport means configured to locate onto and move across the substantially continuous substantially planar upper surfaces of the grids. The tile units further comprise a drive means configured to move the goods transport means on top of the grids. The system further includes a control system configured to adjust the drive means to alter the position of the goods transport means on the grid.

[0007] US3752339A discloses a method of conveying articles from one location to another on a series of modular conveyor units having self-contained load-driving means. A plurality of individual conveyor modules are controlled from a central control unit such that the articles are automatically transferred according to a predetermined program on a series of related preferred modules until the desired location is reached. In the event a module is occupied by another article, the method includes the step of determining an alternate route to convey the articles to the desired location.

[0008] JP 6684612B2 provides a pallet transport device that includes: vertical transport rollers which contact with vertical rails when a pallet is transported in a vertical direction; lateral transport rollers which contact with lateral rails when the pallet is transported in a lateral direction; vertical transport guide rollers which contact with vertical side parts of the pallet when the pallet is transported in the vertical direction; and lateral transport guide rollers which contact with lateral side parts of the pallet when the pallet is transported in the lateral direction.

[0009] US11008165B2 discloses bins or other storage units contained within a three-dimensional grid structure are arranged in cells, each of which has multiple storage units surrounding a central void or space on different sides thereof. This void space is slightly larger than each storage unit, enabling the unit to be pulled into the void by mechanical means, and allowing access to the bins on all sides of the void. The storage units are stacked within the three-dimensional grid structure, which can be built or expanded to a predetermined footprint. The aligned voids of stacked cells create vertical shafts spanning between upper and lower tracks of the grid structure on which robotic retrieval vehicles can horizontally travel to and from any given shaft. The robotic retrieval vehicles can directly access any storage unit via the vertical shafts. P1414PC00 2

[0010] Most of the known systems implement a linear transporters that convey trayed or loose articles from the input gate and output gate of the system. Changing direction of travel for individual article, making turns or changing the levels within the sorting system is troublesome, it requires additional space and a large number of different equipment as diverts, mergers, turns, slides etc. Implementing a redundancy of paths is even more complicated. Due to linearity of the transport paths, involving a long linear conveyors, the increase in capacity of the system can be done primely by increase of the speed of the conveyors or by extending a length of conveyors.

[0011] The invention is defined in the claim 1.

[0012] It is an object of the invention to address the problems of the prior art described above. In the first embodiment a multidimensional universal sorting system is comprising a 3D grid structure of cells, providing a power and communication infrastructure to individual cells, cells are adapted to accommodate an article, a number of drive units within the cell of the 3D grid structure, wherein a drive unit is adapted to drive the article in the cell in at least one of horizontal directions x, y of the 3D grid structure to transfer the article to the neighboring cell, wherein a number of cells of the 3D grid structure are dedicated input cells where articles are input to the system, and a number of cells of the 3D grid structure are dedicated output cells where articles are output from the system. The system according to the aspect is characterized in that the 3D grid structure comprises a number of cells provided with drives adapted to transport articles in the cell in a vertical direction z and at least in one of the horizontal directions x, y, and a control unit is adapted to establish a path through the 3D grid structure of cells from the input cell to the output cell for each article, and a remaining part of the path is established based on a current position of articles within the 3D grid structure of cells and on the 3D grid structure of cells.

[0013] Preferably in system according to the invention cells are adapted to accommodate a tray for carrying the article, and a number of drive units within the cell of the 3D grid structure, wherein a drive unit is adapted to transport the tray in the cell in at least one of directions x, y, z of the 3D grid structure to transfer the tray to the neighboring cell, and the control unit is adapted to establish a path through the 3D grid structure of cells from the input cell to the output cell for each tray carrying the article, and the remaining part of the path is established based on a current position of trays within the 3D grid structure of cells and on the 3D grid structure of cells.

[0014] Preferably in system according to the invention the movement of articles or trays between cells is done in steps and the consecutive step and the remaining part of the path is established based on a current position of articles or trays within the 3D grid structure of cells and on the 3D grid structure of cells.

[0015] Preferably in the system according to the invention the article or the tray is sized to bridge the gap between drive units of the neighboring cells.

[0016] Preferably in the system according to the invention cells within the 3D grid structure are distributed such that the directions x, y, z of drive units of cells link input cells with output cells to create at least two different paths for transporting the article or the tray.

[0017] Preferably in the system according to the invention the control unit is adapted to establish the path in the 3D grid structure of cells using a sink-finding algorithm applied to the graph representing the current position of articles or trays within the 3D grid structure of cells.

[0018] Preferably in the system according to the invention the control unit is adapted to establish the path in the 3D grid structure of cells using a routing and sorting algorithm taking as input a current position of articles or trays within the 3D grid structure of cells, the topology of the 3D grid structure and output cells assigned to the articles or the trays. P1414PC00 3

[0019] Preferably in the system according to the invention the control unit is adapted to establish the path in the 3D grid structure of cells that involves no movement of the article or the tray for a determined period of time to store the article or the tray.

[0020] Preferably the system according to the invention input cells and output cells are placed in the outmost layer of the 3D grid structure.

[0021] Preferably the system according to the invention the 3D grid structure is a structural element of the building where the system is placed.

[0022] In other aspect the invention is a baggage handling system comprising the system (according to the invention.

[0023] In other aspect the invention is a part handling system at the manufacturing facility comprising the system according to the invention.

[0024] In yet another aspect the invention is a parcel handling system comprising the system according to the invention.

[0025] The present invention advantageously significantly reduces the footprint of sorting systems for example simulations were made for its implementation as a Baggage Handling System (BHS) at an airport and it achieved a significant reduction of a footprint, while maintaining same system capacity. It means the released space can be economically used to improve the quality of service of passengers. Further it optimizes baggage screening section by balancing loads and maximizing efficiency, when optimization is applied the 3D grid structure is designed to route all baggage to dedicated outputs. Such system drastically reduces the time needed to open make-up stations, allowing baggage trolleys to be loaded within minutes. Provides far greater redundancy in baggage routing compared to traditional baggage handling systems solutions. The system according to the invention ensures complete baggage tracking throughout the system, it provides an easy way for very fast removing baggage from BHS in case of unexpected need (e.g. canceled transfer flight).

[0026] The modular design allows for easy system expansion, further modular design allows providing automatic corrective maintenance (with almost no staff engaged in the process), enhances the organization of passenger flow in the arrivals terminal and reduces baggage waiting times. Easy sorting by size, weight, orientation, type of baggage (hard cover, soft cover etc.) due to number of different sensors present within cells.

[0027] In all industries it provides universal sorting, flexible buffering, transport and storage system, that can be easily expanded while keeping maximum use of the footprint as the same unit of space i.e. a cell of the 3D grid structure is able to convey or store a trayed article, while the control system can direct the article to any output gate within the system. The unification of storage, sorting and transport functions in one cell is the biggest technical advantage of the system according to the invention.

[0028] The system according to the invention is described in preferred embodiments in relation to the following drawings:

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the system according to the invention;

[0030] Fig. 2A, 2B show schematically two types of cells according to the invention allowing transport in horizontal plane;

[0031] Fig. 2C, 2D show schematically third type of the cells of the system according to the invention allowing vertical and horizontal transport; P1414PC00 4

[0032] Fig. 2E, 2F show the cells of fig. 2C, 2D is a side view;

[0033] Fig. 3 shows embodiment of the invention implemented in the environment of an sorting house of a parcel delivery company;

[0034] Fig. 4 shows embodiment of the invention implemented in the environment of an manufacturing facility

[0035] Fig. 5 shows embodiment of the invention implemented in the environment of an airport

[0036] Figures shows basic concepts of the invention schematically disclosing essential features of the invention in a away allowing a person skilled in the art to put the invention into practice using the knowledge of the art. The same reference numerals used in different figures refers to functionally identical parts of the invention throughout of embodiments presented.

[0037] Fig. 1 presents the basic concept of a multidimensional universal sorting system 100 comprising a 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10, providing a power and communication infrastructure to individual cells 10. In particular the 3D grid structure 1, where vertices of the grid are joined with neighboring vertices at right angles to provide fully connected 3D structure 1. It is important to notice that such structure create cuboid cells 10. Each cell 10 of the 3D grid structure 1 is fundamental building block of the system 100 as it combines a storage and transport function within a single footprint space. The 3D grid structure 1 composed of cuboid cells 10 allows transport of articles A or trays T within the grid along any of x, y, z axes of the grid. Such 3D grid structure 1 when made from an appropriate construction material for example steel or aluminum can be a structural element of the building and support a roof, or hold side panels defining external or internal walls, in a preferred embodiment the 3D grid structure 1 is a structural element of the building where the system 100 is placed. Such arrangement allows to fully use the available footprint and maximize the storage capacity of the system 100. The 3D grid structure 1 itself does not need to be cuboid at its perimeter. The 3D grid structure 1 can be formed in any shape provided it is composed of cuboid cells 10. Further such flexibility allows the 3D grid structure 1 to be adapted to nearly any external constraints that may be found at the implementation site, such constraints are location of access points, placement of doors, location of input and output stations, location of structural elements of the building, or overhang structures. A power and communication infrastructure is provided to individual cells 10, this is done via conduits placed within the structural elements of the grid, e.g. inside structural frames with access ports allowing to guide cabling delivering power and control signals to the drive units pf the cell 10 or handling communication and messaging form sensors present within cells 10. The communication infrastructure can be implemented using cables, fiberoptics or wireless technologies using standard communication protocols available in the industry. While power distribution is implemented via cabling and / or connector systems adapted to the particular requirements of the electric motors systems used in the cells 10.

[0038] The cell 10 can be provided with all sorts of different sensors adapted to identify the article A or tray T or to being able to provide signals representing its position, speed or orientation within the cell 10. Such sensors may include RFID sensors, laser scanners, cameras, light curtains, etc.

[0039] The cell 10 itself is adapted to accommodate an article A, this means the cell 10 has a size large enough that the article can be input and output into and from the cell 10 through side walls or top or bottom walls of the cell 10. Further there are a number of drive units within the cell 10 of the 3D grid structure 1, wherein a drive unit is adapted to transport the article A or tray T in the cell 10 in at least one of directions x, y, z of the 3D grid structure 1 to transfer the article A or the tray T to the neighboring cell 10'. Preferably, the cell 10 is P1414PC00 5 comprising at least one pair of linear conveyors placed to allow transport of the articles A or trays T in at least one of the directions x, y, z.

[0040] Fig. 2 in general shows three different types of cells 10 each of them providing a drive to the article A or the tray T in at least one direction.

[0041] In the Fig. 2A there is shown a linear transport cell 10 that is provided with a pair of linear drives units 20 moving an article from left to right and vice versa in a direction x. Drive units or for simplicity drives 20 are built in at the bottom plane of the cell 10 and allow to transfer articles A or trays T to and from neighboring cells 10' to the left and to the right of the cell 10. Drives 20 are linear drives in a form of closed loop conveyors that are engaging the article A or the tray T by friction. The belt of linear conveyor of the drive 20 is made of the rubber or plastic that has a adequate friction coefficient in relation to the material of the tray T or article A or packaging of the article A. Additional forms of drives include roller conveyors or linear magnetic drives. Fig. 2B shows the cell 10 with drives adapted to transport the article A or the tray T in directions x, y, from left to right and front to back. In this embodiment of the cell 10 drives 20 are engaging the tray T selectively, so when the drive 20 acting in a direction x is engaging the tray T with article A, the drive 20 acting in a y direction lowers itself ever so slightly not to engage the tray T. The lifting and lowering the drives is coordinated with a direction in which the tray T is transported, so they the active drive 20 - the one that is transporting the article A - is always above the passive drive 20 that is lower than active drive. Such selective engagement of the article A or the tray T results in changing a direction of transport for the article A or the tray T in a horizontal plane by 90°. Fig. 2C, 2D show the cell 10 and 10' adapted to transport articles in a vertical direction z, these cells are provided with drives that act as a lift. Preferably, the cell 10 acting in z axis is using linear belt conveyers with belts provided with handles allowing the tray T to be lifted or lowered. Lifting cells 10 which act in z direction can be of two kinds one of which has a wide configuration of drives 20, while the other has a narrow configuration of drives 20, so to allow interconnection of several lifting cells 10 to be stacked one upon the other, with wide and narrow configuration alternately. In the case of lifting cells 10 the dives may extend beyond the perimeter of the cell to allow gripping the tray T by drives of the neighboring cell 10'. In other embodiments vertical drives 20 can be arranged in any geometrical configuration allowing taking over the tray T between the drives 20 of neighboring cells 10 and 10'. Vertical drives 20 of the cell 10 acting in z direction can be combined either with horizontal drives 20 acting in axis x and / or y accordingly.

[0042] The cell 10 that is adapted to move the tray T with the article A vertically and in one of the horizontal directions, is provided with a drives 20 that are mounted in a way they swing out or translate out of the operational space of the vertical drives 20. This can be done by mounting the horizontal drives on articulated hinges so they enter into operational space of the vertical drives 20 below the article A or the tray T, and can take over the article A or the tray T from the vertical drives and execute motion in a horizontal direction along the path P.

[0043] In the fig. 2C the tray T with the article A is traveling up from the cell 10' to the cell 10, it is visible that horizontal drives 20 of the cell 10 are moved away to give room to the tray T. In the fig. 2D the horizontal drives 20 of the cell 10 are in the working position supporting and engaging the tray T ready to transport the tray T in horizontal direction x. Fig. 2E and 2F show the cells 10 and 10' of the fig.2C and 2D in a side view to better show the movable properties of the horizontal drives 20 in a cell that is able to transport the tray T in vertical and horizontal direction.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment cells 10 are adapted to accommodate the tray T for carrying the article A, drives 20 are adapted to provide a drive to the tray T in the cell 10 in at least one of directions x, y, z of the 3D grid structure 1 to transfer the tray T to the neighboring cell 10'. Trays T are preferably uniform in shape and material so to make the control process easier. Preferably, the article A or the tray T is sized to bridge the gap between drives 20 of the neighboring cells 10, 10'. P1414PC00 6

[0045] In the 3D grid structure 1 a number n of cells 10 are dedicated input cells 11 where articles A or trays T are input to the system 100, and a number m of cells 10 of the 3D grid structure 1 are dedicated output cells 12 where articles A or trays T are output from the system 100. Input cells 11 and output cells 12 are cooperating with an external loaders or unloaders integrating the system 100 with the facility where it is installed.

[0046] Further the system 100 is provided with a control unit 30 adapted to establish a path P through the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10 from an input cell 11 to an output cell 12 for each article A or tray T, and during transport via the system 100 a remaining part P' of the path P is established based on a current position of articles A or trays T within the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10 and on topology of the 3D grid structure 1 itself. Preferably, when calculating the path P the control unit 30 calculates the remaining path P' in steps S being equivalent of transporting the article A or the tray T from one cell 10 to the neighboring cell 10'. The control unit 30 takes into consideration current state of the system 100 i.e. positions of articles A or trays T within 3D grid structure 1, and structural properties of the 3D grid structure 1 itself, such properties are types of cells and their location within the 3D grid structure 1 , as well as current position of all articles A or trays T in the system or a local neighboring situation around the article A or the tray T being in the particular cell 10.

[0047] In the preferred embodiment movement of articles A or trays T between cells 10 is done in steps S and the consecutive step S' and the remaining part P' of the path P is established based on a current position of articles A or trays T within the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10 and on the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10. The consecutive step S' indicates a direction in which drives 20 of the cell 10 are transporting the article A or tray T.

[0048] The control unit 30 is adapted to establish the path P in the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10 using a sinkfinding algorithm applied to the graph representing the current position of articles A or trays T within the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10. In other embodiments different routing and sorting algorithms might be used by the control unit 30.

[0049] In one of a preferred embodiments the control unit 30 is adapted to establish the path P in the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10 using a sort and routing algorithm that uses the current position of articles A or trays T within the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10 to determine path P. The control unit 30 is using a routing algorithm that determines a path P for each article A or each tray T within the 3D grid structure 1 of the system 100. The algorithm used by the control unit 30 to sort and route articles A or trays T, takes into consideration the topology of the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10 defined by a position and a transport direction of each cell 10 of the 3D grid structure. Further the routing and sorting algorithm uses a position of articles A or trays T within such structure, the designated output cell 12 for which the article A or the tray T is to be delivered, and timing parameters defining the time period for delivery of the article A to the output cell 12. All sorts of metrics can be used to optimize the traffic of articles A or trays T within the 3D grid structure 1 including a length of the path P or load balancing techniques are involved to transport as many as possible articles A or trays T to the dedicated output cell 12 in a given time, energy efficiency. All of them include avoiding collision directives. The sort and routing algorithm provides also flexibility in respect of ad hoc changing of the parameters defining the path P, as non-availability of the particular route due to malfunction of a single cell 10 on the already determined path P reported after the path P is established, change in a destination or the output cell 12 due to operational reasons, rerouting to avoid traffic or collision. Preferably the control unit 30 recalculate remaining path P' for the article A or the tray T, when the article A or the tray T reaches a certain point on the path P for example a point where the cell 10 can change direction of travel for this particular article A or tray T. A distance between points in neighboring cells 10, 10' where the direction of transport can be changed might be called a step or increment of the path P. P1414PC00 7

[0050] Regardless of the algorithm used the 3D grid structure 1 has a property that cells 10 within the 3D grid structure 1 are distributed such that the directions x, y, z of drive units 20 of cells 10 link input cells 11 with output cells 12 to create at least two different paths P for transporting the article A or the tray T.

[0051] The system 100 is able to perform also a storage function and store the article A or the tray T carrying the article A, in order to provide such functionality the control unit 30 is adapted to establish the path P in the 3D grid structure 1 of cells 10 that involves no movement of the article A or the tray T to store the article A or the tray T.

[0052] The input cells 11 and output cells 12 are placed in the outmost layer of the 3D grid structure, this is required by the interaction with the external environment.

[0053] The system 100 can be implemented as a part handling system at the manufacturing facility delivering parts to the production line or assembly nests. Fig. 3 shows implementation of the manufacturing plant with an application of the system 100 in a preferred embodiment of the invention. The manufacturing plant is schematically presented as a facility which receives components required in the manufacturing process via vehicles 160 which are unloaded with delivery at the unloading station provided with linear conveyors 150 delivering articles to the input cells 11 of the 3D grid structure 1. The system 100 is responsible for transporting storing and delivery of the articles A placed on trays T being components required in a manufacturing process to the manufacturing nests 200. A product being a result of the manufacturing or assembling operation can be reintroduced to the system 100 or being output from the manufacturing system via a dedicated output channel. The 3D grid structure of the system 100 in this application can be shaped with full flexibility of arranging cells 10 to fit within a space of the manufacturing plant. Depending on the size of the manufactured products such products can be transported out via the system 100, if fit within the size of cell 10, then the input cell 11 can be reassigned as the output cell 12 of the system 100. Alternatively the product can be output by a separate transport system dedicated to the finished or semi assembled products exceeding the size of the cell 10.

[0054] As an example of the application of the invention, the system 100 is embodied in a parcel handling system or sorting facility of the delivery companies. Fig. 4 shows implementation of a sorting facility with a use of the system 100. In this application the system 100 of the present invention is performing storage and sorting functions for parcel delivery company. The article A handled by the system 100 is a parcel placed on a tray T with a standardized sizes and weight within the handling capabilities of the cell 10. The system involves loading and unloading sections where vehicles 160 deliver articles A to be sorted and delivered to destination. Sorting can be done according to operational criterions as per country, region, street or per automated parcel machine (APM). The control unit 30 of the system 100 can achieve serialization of articles A destined to the same zone, recipient or APM, this means that within the system 100 articles A on trays T can be arranged in sorted series occupying neighboring cells ready to be transported to the output cells 12 as a sequence of consecutive articles A. This greatly reduce a time of waiting for completion of loading the vehicle 160 at conveyors 150 located to receive articles A from output cell 12. Cells arranged next to conveyors 150 can be assigned with their functions as input cells 11 or output cells 12 dynamically by the control unit 30. As an example the vehicle 160 arrives with a load of articles A coming from an area HO and destined to a number of different locations HO, H1, H2 .... Hn. An unloading system for example human operator unloads articles A at the conveyor 150 delivering the article A to the cell 10 assigned with function of being an input cell 11. Delivered articles are input to the system 100 and for each of the articles A, a path P within a 3D grid structure 1 is determined according to its destination. The moment the last article A from the vehicle 160 is delivered to the system 100, the controller 30 changes the assignment of the cell 10 from input cell 11 to output cell 12 and the vehicle 160 is loaded with a series of articles A with destination HO that were received, sorted and arranged in a sequence within the system 100. Hence the waiting time of the P1414PC00 8 vehicle 160 is minimized. Such process of receiving, sorting, storing, arranging articles in series, performed by the system 100 can be optimized using a number of factors as waiting time, number of the articles in a waiting sequence, schedule of operation etc. Such process is applicable to all examples of implementation of the system 100 and describes features of the system 100 in all embodiments.

[0055] In yet another embodiment the system 100 can be part of the a baggage handling system. Fig. 5 shows implementation of a baggage handling system (BHS) at an airport where the article A is a luggage of a passenger travelling from or to this airport. In airports BHS are typically divided into two parts, a presorting part that accepts luggage from passengers and directs it to the scanning apparatuses for example CT scanners where luggage can be directed further to the main sorting system, where it is directed to vehicles delivering them to airplanes, or the luggage that did not pass the scanning with allowance is diverted to manual inspection. As it is shown in fig. 5 both parts of the BHS can be implemented with systems 100, 100' according to the present invention. The luggage is dropped at check-in section 110 of the airport from which it is transported via regular linear conveyors 150 to the input cells 11 of the system 100 which is a pre-sorting part of the BHS. The main goal of the pre-sorting system 100 is to balance the load on the scanning apparatuses 120. As the traffic at the airport fluctuates the amount of luggage to be scanned can vary during the day, hence to optimally use the scanners it is convenient to direct all the traffic to as little scanners as possible. This load balancing function of the system 100 allows rerouting of the luggage during the maintenance of scanning apparatus 120.

[0056] After scanning process is complete and the luggage is allowed to be loaded to the airplane the luggage is transported to the input cell 11 of the main routing and sorting part of the system 100'. In this part of the BHS the luggage is sorted and preferably sequenced in queues by destinations to facilitate loading vehicles that are transporting luggage to the airplanes. In this part of the BHS, the system 100' can also store the luggage, keeping it waiting for the time slot that is determined for this luggage to be loaded to the airplane. Typically the luggage stays within the system up to 2 hours from the time the check-in opens to the time of departure.

[0057] This storing function is particularly important in a case of delays or connecting flights, when the storing time can be significant and reach up to several hours. The system 100' accepts also the luggage taken out of the airplanes and delivers them to the arrival section of the airport (not shown). The use of the system 100, 100' dramatically reduces airport risks associated with malfunctioning of elements of traditional handling systems. As the control unit 30 can adapt the path P for each article A, the flexibility of the system is increased, providing many times greater redundancy unattainable with conventional BHS systems.

[0058] When systems 100, 100' according to the invention are used in BHS they solve the problem of uneven loading of the airport with a variable number of baggage. Due to airport-specific peaks (momentary demands for significantly higher sorting capacity), traditional BHS systems are "oversized” increasing costs for airports. This can be avoided as the system 100 covers smaller footprint then traditional BHS maintaining the same capacity with a better redundancy levels.

[0059] Standard BHS systems with a linear structure suffer from the problem of uneven loading of the scanning apparatuses. Due to time constraints on the ability to continuously operate (cooling problems, etc.) and the long start-up time of the CT scanners, uneven baggage flow is a major impediment. The system 100, 100', due to its multi-redundant structure, solves the above issue by reducing the number of necessary CT scanners or making the load on them optimized to their capabilities.

[0060] The modular structure of the system 100, 100' with the possibility of being a structural element of the building makes it possible to abandon the traditional arrival system based on baggage carousels. Instead, it is possible to use passenger access to input cells 11 and / or output cells 12 of the system for baggage retrieval. P1414PC00 9

[0061] Due to the multiplication of the number of transport paths P linking input cells 11 with output cells 12 the BHS system implemented with the use of the invention, it is possible to reduce the average speed of linear movement of luggage. This makes it possible to reduce the overall failure rate of the system caused by the need for rapid transport (breakage of carriers, conveyor belts, etc.). The system 100 makes it possible to increase the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) when compared to the traditional linear BHS.

Claims

P1414PC00 10Patent claims1 . A multidimensional universal sorting system (100) comprising a 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10), providing a power and communication infrastructure to individual cells (10), cells (10) are adapted to accommodate an article (A), a number of drive units (20) within the cell (10) of the 3D grid structure (1 ), wherein a drive unit (20) is adapted to drive the article (A) in the cell (10) in at least one of horizontal directions (x, y) of the 3D grid structure (1) to transfer the article (A) to the neighboring cell (10’), wherein a number (n) of cells (10) of the 3D grid structure (1) are dedicated input cells (11) where articles (A) are input to the system (100), and a number (m) of cells (10) of the 3D grid structure (1) are dedicated output cells (12) where articles (A) are output from the system (100), characterized in that the 3D grid structure (1) comprises a number of cells (10) provided with drive units (20) adapted to drive the articles (A) in the cell (10) in a vertical direction (z) and at least in one of the horizontal directions (x, y), a control unit (30) adapted to establish a path (P) through the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) from the input cell (11) to the output cell (12) for each article (A), and a remaining part (P') of the path (P) is established based on a current position of articles (A) within the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) and on the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10).

2. System according to claim 1 wherein cells (10) are adapted to accommodate a tray (T) for carrying the article (A), and a number of drive units (20) within the cell (10) of the 3D grid structure (1 ), wherein a drive unit (20) is adapted to transport the tray (T) in the cell (10) in at least one of directions (x, y, z) of the 3D grid structure (1) to transfer the tray (T) to the neighboring cell (10'), a control unit (30) adapted to establish a path (P) through the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) from the input cell (11) to the output cell (12) for each tray (T) carrying the article (A), and the remaining part (P') of the path (P) is established based on a current position of trays (T) within the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) and on the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10).

3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement of articles (A) or trays (T) between cells (10) is done in steps (S) and the consecutive step (S') and the remaining part (P') of the path (P) is established based on a current position of articles (A) or trays (T) within the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) and on the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10).P1414PC00 114. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the article (A) or the tray (T) is sized to bridge the gap between drive units (20) of the neighboring cells (10, 10').

5. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein cells (10) within the 3D grid structure (1) are distributed such that the directions (x, y, z) of drive units (20) of cells (10) link input cells (11) with output cells (12) to create at least two different paths (P) for transporting the article (A) or the tray (T).

6. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (30) is adapted to establish the path (P) in the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) using a sink-finding algorithm applied to the graph representing the current position of articles (A) or trays (T) within the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10).

7. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit (30) is adapted to establish the path (P) in the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) using a routing and sorting algorithm taking as input a current position of articles (A) or trays (T) within the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10), the topology of the 3D grid structure (1) and output cells (12) assigned to the articles (A) or the trays (T).

8. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit (30) is adapted to establish the path (P) in the 3D grid structure (1) of cells (10) that involves no movement of the article (A) or the tray (T) for a determined period of time to store the article (A) or the tray (T).

9. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein input cells (11) and output cells (12) are placed in the outmost layer of the 3D grid structure (1).

10. System (100) according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the 3D grid structure (1) is a structural element of the building where the system (100) is placed.

11. A baggage handling system comprising the system (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 10.

12. A part handling system at the manufacturing facility comprising the system (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 10.

13. A parcel handling system comprising the system (100) according to any of the claims 1 to 10.

Images