Sorting and conveying method
By monitoring the location of goods and controlling their quantity and speed on the merging branch line, the problem of low merging efficiency in linear automatic sorting equipment is solved, achieving efficient sorting and saving resource allocation, and adapting to flexible layouts for different types of goods.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHANGHAI XINBA AUTOMATION TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
AI Technical Summary
In existing linear automated sorting equipment, the goods merging method has high requirements for spacing and speed, resulting in high resource allocation and operating costs. Furthermore, the traditional method can only merge goods under certain conditions, leading to low efficiency.
By setting up sensors on the merging branch line to monitor the position of goods, determine the start and end values of the goods group, control the quantity and speed of goods, realize unmanned operation, reduce the requirements for merging conditions, and optimize the goods merging process.
Achieve high-efficiency sorting within a limited space, reduce resource allocation and operating costs, improve sorting efficiency, and adapt to flexible layouts for different types of goods.
Smart Images
Figure CN2025110280_11062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
A sorting and conveying method Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of material conveying technology, and more specifically to a sorting and conveying method. Background Technology
[0002] With the rapid development of logistics technology and equipment in my country, current automated sorting technology is relatively mature, and there are corresponding mature products for various automated sorting equipment in different situations. Compared with traditional logistics sorting, automated logistics sorting systems have advantages such as high sorting efficiency, high sorting accuracy, low damage rate, and strong capacity flexibility.
[0003] In recent years, linear automated sorting equipment has been widely used because it has a relatively flexible layout, small footprint, low investment cost, and can be used for packages of various sizes and types (except for cylindrical or other easily tumbling packages), while also achieving high sorting efficiency.
[0004] The commonly used sorting and conveying method is the interleaving method, which means that a certain blank interval is reserved on the main line, and the goods on the branch line are merged into the main line at an angle when the merging conditions are met (the interval length is greater than the length of the goods and the goods on the branch line are ready). This method of merging has high requirements for the spacing between goods and the speed of goods transportation, and consumes a lot of resources and operating costs. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: to provide a sorting and conveying method, comprising the following steps:
[0006] The monitoring system identifies the cargo status on the main merging line and each merging branch line:
[0007] Sensors are installed at each merging branch inlet unit. Each sensor records the real-time position of the cargo group entering the main line from the inlet unit as a1, a2, a3...an. Taking the starting position of the cargo group entering the main line from the first merging branch inlet unit as the starting point, the real-time position of the cargo group includes the head value and the tail value of the cargo group. The head value is the coordinate value of the front end of the cargo group along the transmission direction from the starting point, and the tail value is the coordinate value of the rear end of the cargo group along the transmission direction from the starting point.
[0008] The process involves sequentially determining whether the header value of each cargo group to be imported is greater than the tail value of the cargo group located at the end of the transmission direction, and obtaining the determination result.
[0009] When the judgment result is yes, the corresponding import unit on the merging branch line is driven to merge the cargo group into the merging main line.
[0010] When the judgment result is negative, the quantity of goods from each merging branch line merging into the merging main line is controlled.
[0011] Furthermore, when the judgment result is negative, controlling the quantity of goods from each merging branch line merging into the merging main line includes:
[0012] Based on the cargo information obtained from the monitoring system, the start-up time of each merging branch is controlled.
[0013] Furthermore, when the judgment result is negative, controlling the amount of goods flowing from each merging branch into the merging main line includes controlling the conveying speed of the pull-out unit of each merging branch according to the goods information obtained by the monitoring system.
[0014] Furthermore, the monitoring system controls the speed of the merging unit located on the same merging branch to be less than the speed of the pulling unit.
[0015] Furthermore, the following steps are also included:
[0016] A sorting device for sorting goods is provided, and the sorting device is connected to the main merging line.
[0017] Furthermore, the merging main line maintains a constant speed, and the conveying efficiency of the merging main line is greater than the total conveying efficiency of each merging branch line. The conveying efficiency of each merging branch line is different.
[0018] Furthermore, the length of the merging unit of each merging branch is different, and the length of the accumulation unit of each merging branch is also different.
[0019] Furthermore, the monitoring system includes a main photoelectric sensor and multiple branch photoelectric sensors. The main photoelectric sensor monitors the cargo status on the merging main line, and each photoelectric sensor monitors the cargo status on a corresponding merging branch line.
[0020] Furthermore, both the teaming unit and the pulling unit are belt conveyors, and both the infeeding unit and the accumulation unit are roller conveyors or belt conveyors.
[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention monitors the cargo status on the merging main line and merging branch lines through a monitoring system, and controls the quantity of cargo from each merging branch line merging into the merging main line accordingly. Then, the cargo from each merging branch line is sequentially merged into the merging section of the merging main line via an import unit. Compared to the prior art where cargo on branch lines can only merge into the main line at an angle if merging conditions are met, this invention reduces the requirements for merging conditions by monitoring the cargo status in advance and adjusting the cargo status on the merging branch lines accordingly. This enables high-efficiency sorting and unmanned operation within a limited space, saving resource allocation and operating costs. Attached Figure Description
[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the sorting and conveying method provided by the present invention (the arrows in the figure indicate the conveying direction of the goods group).
[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 10. Merging main line; 11. Side conveyor; 12. Merging section; 20. Merging branch line; 21. Inlet unit; 22. Grouping unit; 23. Pulling unit; 24. Accumulation unit. Detailed Implementation
[0025] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This drawing is a simplified schematic diagram, illustrating only the basic aspects of the invention, and therefore only shows the components relevant to the invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.
[0026] Referring to Figure 1, an embodiment of the present invention provides a sorting and conveying method, including the following steps:
[0027] S1: Identify the cargo status on the main merging line 10 and each merging branch line 20 through the monitoring system: Sensors are set at the inlet unit 21 of each merging branch line 20. Each sensor records the real-time position of the cargo group entering the main line from the inlet unit 21 as a1, a2, a3...an. Taking the starting position of the cargo group entering the main line from the first inlet unit 21 of the merging branch line 20 as the starting point, the real-time position of the cargo group includes the head value and the tail value of the cargo group. The head value is the coordinate value of the distance from the starting point to the front end of the cargo group along the transmission direction, and the tail value is the coordinate value of the distance from the starting point to the rear end of the cargo group along the transmission direction.
[0028] The merging main line 10 operates at a constant speed, and its conveying efficiency is greater than the total conveying efficiency of each merging branch line 20. The conveying efficiency of each merging branch line 20 varies. The length of the platooning unit 22 and the length of the accumulation unit 24 are all different in each merging branch line 20. The monitoring system controls the speed of the platooning unit 22 located on the same merging branch line 20 to be lower than the speed of the stretching unit 23, so that goods can be closely packed together in the platooning unit 22 to form a queue.
[0029] The main merging line 10 is inclined, and each merging branch line 20 is arranged vertically on one side of the main merging line 10. The inlet unit 21, the grouping unit 22, the stretching unit 23 and the accumulation unit 24 are arranged vertically in sequence. The goods enter the merging section 12 of the main merging line 10 from the inlet unit 21.
[0030] S2: Sequentially determine whether the serial head value of each cargo group to be imported is greater than the serial tail value of the cargo group located at the end of the transmission direction, and obtain the determination result;
[0031] S3: When the judgment result is yes, the import unit 21 on the corresponding merging branch 20 is driven to merge the goods group into the merging main line 10; when the judgment result is no, the number of goods merged into the merging main line 10 from each merging branch 20 is controlled. Compared with the prior art where goods on the branch line can only merge into the main line at an angle if the merging conditions are met, by monitoring the goods situation in advance and adjusting the goods situation on the merging branch line accordingly, the requirements for merging conditions are reduced, enabling high-efficiency sorting and unmanned operation in a limited space, saving resource allocation and operating costs.
[0032] When the determination result is negative, controlling the quantity of goods flowing from each merging branch 20 into the merging main line 10 includes:
[0033] Based on the cargo information obtained from the monitoring system, the start-up time of each merging branch line 20 is controlled.
[0034] Specifically, controlling the start-up time of each merging branch 20 includes controlling the start-up time of the inlet unit 21, the merging unit 22, the distance-pull unit 23, and the accumulation unit 24 of each merging branch 20.
[0035] In some other embodiments, controlling the conveying efficiency of each merging branch 20 based on the cargo information obtained by the monitoring system includes controlling the conveying speed of the pulling unit 23 of each merging branch 20 based on the cargo information obtained by the monitoring system in order to adjust the spacing between each cargo.
[0036] The main merging line 10 is equipped with a sorting device for sorting goods at one end, and the merging section 12 is equipped with a side conveyor 11 at the other end. After the goods are merged into the merging section 12, they are transported to the next process by the side conveyor 11.
[0037] More specifically, the sorting equipment is connected to the side conveyor 12 of the merging main line 10. The sorting equipment can be a cross belt sorter, a ramp sorter, or an air cushion sorter.
[0038] The side conveyor 11 is a roller conveyor, and the merging section 12 can be either a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor. The grouping unit 22 and the pulling unit 23 are both belt conveyors, and the inlet unit 21 and the accumulation unit 24 can be either roller conveyors or belt conveyors.
[0039] The sorting and conveying method of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments. Please refer to Figure 1. The arrow direction in the figure is the transmission direction. Three merging branches 20 are arranged sequentially along the transmission direction on one side of the main merging line 10. Each sensor records the real-time position of the cargo group that the three merging branches 20 enter the main merging line 10 as a1, a2 and a3. Taking the starting position of the cargo group that the first merging branch 20 entering the main merging line 10 corresponding to a1 as the starting point, the serial head value is the coordinate value of the distance from the starting point of the front end of the cargo group along the transmission direction, and the serial tail value is the coordinate value of the distance from the starting point of the rear end of the cargo group along the transmission direction.
[0040] The process involves sequentially determining whether the header value of each cargo group to be imported is greater than the tail value of the cargo group located at the end of the transmission direction, and obtaining the determination result.
[0041] The first merging branch 10 corresponding to a1 first merges the cargo group into the merging main line 10. Each sensor records the tail value of the cargo group on the first merging branch 20 corresponding to a1 and the head value of the cargo group on the second merging branch 20 corresponding to a2. If the head value is greater than the tail value, the second merging branch 20 is driven to merge the cargo group into the merging main line 10. If the head value is less than the tail value, the start time of the second merging branch 20 is modified or the speed of the pull unit 23 of the second merging branch 20 is reduced, so that the cargo group temporarily enters the second merging branch 20's input unit 21.
[0042] Each sensor then records the tail value of the cargo group on the inlet unit 21 of the second merging branch 20 corresponding to a2 and the head value of the cargo group on the inlet unit 21 of the third merging branch 20 corresponding to a3. If the head value is greater than the tail value, the inlet unit 21 of the third merging branch 20 is driven to merge the cargo group into the merging main line 10. If the head value is less than the tail value, the start time of the third merging branch 20 is modified or the speed of the pull unit 23 of the third merging branch 20 is reduced, so that the cargo group temporarily enters the inlet unit 21 of the third merging branch 20.
Claims
1. A singulating conveying method, characterized by, Includes the following steps: The monitoring system identifies the cargo status on the main merging line (10) and each merging branch line (20): Sensors are set at each merging branch (20) inlet unit (21). Each sensor records the real-time position of the cargo group that merges into the main line at the inlet unit (21) as a1, a2, a3...an. Taking the starting position of the cargo group that merges into the main line at the first merging branch (20) inlet unit (21) as the starting point, the real-time position of the cargo group includes the head value and the tail value of the cargo group. The head value is the coordinate value of the front end of the cargo group along the transmission direction from the starting point, and the tail value is the coordinate value of the rear end of the cargo group along the transmission direction from the starting point. The process involves sequentially determining whether the header value of each cargo group to be imported is greater than the tail value of the cargo group located at the end of the transmission direction, and obtaining the determination result. When the judgment result is yes, the import unit (21) on the corresponding merging branch (20) is driven to merge the cargo group into the merging main line (10); When the judgment result is negative, the quantity of goods from each merging branch (20) into the merging main line (10) is controlled.
2. The sorting and conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the judgment result is negative, controlling the quantity of goods from each merging branch line merging into the merging main line includes: Based on the cargo information obtained from the monitoring system, control the start-up time of each merging branch (20).
3. The singulating and conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the judgment result is negative, controlling the amount of goods that each merging branch line merges into the merging main line includes: controlling the conveying speed of the pull-out unit (23) of each merging branch line (20) according to the goods information obtained by the monitoring system.
4. The singulating and conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The monitoring system controls the speed of the grouping unit (22) located on the same merging branch (20) to be less than the speed of the pulling unit (23).
5. The singulating and conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes the following steps: A sorting device for sorting goods is provided, which is connected to the main confluence line (10).
6. The singulating and conveying method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The merging main line (10) maintains constant speed operation. The conveying efficiency of the merging main line (10) is greater than the total conveying efficiency of each merging branch line (20). The conveying efficiency of each merging branch line (20) is different.
7. The singulating and conveying method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The length of the grouping unit (22) of each merging branch (20) is different, and the length of the accumulation unit (24) of each merging branch (20) is different.
8. The sorting and conveying method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the monitoring system includes a main photoelectric sensor and multiple branch photoelectric sensors, wherein the main photoelectric sensor monitors the cargo status on the merging main line (10), and each photoelectric sensor monitors the cargo status on a merging branch line (20).
9. The singulating and conveying method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The teaming unit (22) and the pulling unit (23) are both belt conveyors, and the inlet unit (21) and the accumulation unit (24) are both roller conveyors or belt conveyors.