CN114769128A - Sorting device and sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting device and a sorting system, wherein the sorting device comprises a receiving device, a first conveying device, a second conveying device and a first transfer device, the receiving box is used for bearing articles, the receiving box receives the articles on the receiving device, the first conveying device is used for conveying empty receiving boxes, the second conveying device is used for conveying receiving boxes bearing the articles, the first transfer device can be selectively butted with the first conveying device, the receiving device or the second conveying device, and when the first transfer device is butted with the first conveying device, the first transfer device receives the empty receiving boxes from the first conveying device; when the first transfer device is in butt joint with the receiving device, the first transfer device transfers the receiving box body to the receiving device or receives the receiving box body carrying articles from the receiving device; when the first transfer device is in butt joint with the second conveying device, the first transfer device transfers the receiving box body carrying the articles to the second conveying device. The sorting system includes a sorting apparatus.

Description

Sorting device and sorting system

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of logistics transportation, in particular to a sorting device and a sorting system.

Background

With the rapid development of the logistics industry, the demand for goods sorting is rising rapidly. In the logistics distribution center, the commodities are picked from the storage positions or other positions according to the order requirements or the distribution plan of customers, and then are packaged and sent.

At present, in the process of sorting warehoused goods, the goods need to be picked from a target box and distributed into a specified target box. The process is finished by manual sorting, and the commodity is required to be repeatedly taken by personnel, so that the repetitive work is more, the personnel are easy to tire, the continuous work is difficult, and the sorting efficiency is low; moreover, manual sorting requires a large amount of manpower, increasing the labor cost.

It is noted that the information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a sorting device and a sorting system, which can further improve the sorting efficiency.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting apparatus comprising:

the receiving device is used for receiving the articles on the receiving device by the receiving box body;

a first conveying device for conveying empty receiving boxes;

the second conveying device is used for conveying the receiving box body loaded with the articles; and

the first transfer device is selectively butted with the first conveying device, the receiving device or the second conveying device, and when the first transfer device is butted with the first conveying device, the first transfer device receives the empty receiving box body from the first conveying device; when the first transfer device is butted with the receiving device, the first transfer device transfers the receiving box body to the receiving device or receives the receiving box body carrying articles from the receiving device; when the first transfer device is in butt joint with the second conveying device, the first transfer device transfers the receiving box body carrying the articles to the second conveying device.

In some embodiments, the conveying surface of the first conveyor, the carrying surface of the receiving device, and the conveying surface of the second conveyor are all disposed at the same height.

In some embodiments, the sorting device includes a plurality of receiving devices arranged in a first direction, and the first transfer device is movable in the first direction to interface the first transfer device with one of the plurality of receiving devices.

In some embodiments, the first conveyor has a conveying direction that is the same as the conveying direction of the second conveyor, the conveying direction of the first conveyor is parallel to and non-collinear with the first direction, and the path of movement of the first transfer device is parallel to the conveying direction of the first conveyor.

In some embodiments, the sorting device further comprises a first guide for guiding the movement of the first transfer device, the first guide being arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device, the first transfer device being slidably mounted on the first guide.

In some embodiments, the first transfer device comprises a mounting frame, a roller and a first conveying belt, the roller is rotatably mounted on the mounting frame, the conveying direction of the roller is the same as that of the first conveying device and that of the second conveying device, the first conveying belt is liftable and mountable on the mounting frame, the conveying direction of the first conveying belt is the same as that of the receiving device, and the conveying surface of the first conveying belt is higher than that of the roller when the first conveying belt is in a lifting state; when the first conveyer belt is in a descending state, the conveying surface of the first conveyer belt is lower than the conveying surface of the roller.

In some embodiments, the sorting device further comprises a second transfer device movably arranged with respect to the plurality of receiving devices, the second transfer device being adapted to transfer a received article to one of the plurality of receiving devices.

In some embodiments, the sorting device further comprises a second guide for guiding the movement of the second transfer device, the second guide being arranged above the plurality of receiving devices, the second transfer device being slidably arranged on the second guide.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus further includes guide members provided at both sides of the receiving box, the guide members having inclined surfaces to guide the articles into the receiving box.

According to another aspect of the invention, a sorting system is provided, which comprises the sorting device.

In some embodiments, the sortation system further includes a third conveyor for conveying articles to be sorted, and a robot for transferring articles from the third conveyor to the sortation device.

In some embodiments, the third conveyor is disposed above the first conveyor and the second conveyor, and the conveying direction of the third conveyor, the conveying direction of the first conveyor, and the conveying direction of the second conveyor are parallel.

In some embodiments, the sorting system further comprises a support frame comprising a support plate disposed above the third conveyor, the robot being mounted on the support plate.

In some embodiments, the support plate is provided with a first through hole through which the robot arm picks up the article from the third conveyor and a second through hole through which the article is sorted to a predetermined position.

Based on the technical scheme, the first transfer device in the embodiment of the invention can be respectively butted with the first conveying device, the receiving device and the second conveying device, so that the transfer of the receiving boxes among the first conveying device, the receiving device and the second conveying device is realized, namely, the automation that the empty receiving boxes are transferred to the receiving device and leave the receiving device after receiving articles and are transferred away is realized, the automation degree of the sorting device is improved, and the sorting efficiency is obviously improved.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the invention without limiting the invention. In the drawings:

figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the sorting apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial structural schematic diagram of one embodiment of the sorting device of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the movement of the first transfer device in one embodiment of the sorting device of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a first transfer device in one embodiment of the sorting device of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the second transfer device in an embodiment of the sorting apparatus according to the invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a second transfer device in another embodiment of the sorting apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an embodiment of a sortation system of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention at a first angle.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a second angle configuration of an embodiment of the sortation system of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural view of a support frame in an embodiment of the sorting system of the present invention.

In the figure:

10. a receiving device; 20. a receiving box body; 30. a first conveying device; 40. a second conveying device; 50. a first transfer device; 51. a mounting frame; 52. a drum; 53. a first conveyor belt; 60. a first guide member; 70. a second transfer device; 71. a conveying body; 72. a second conveyor belt; 73. a rotating shaft; 74. tipping; 75. a motor; 76. a mounting seat; 80. a second guide member; 90. a guide; 100. a third conveying device; 110. a manipulator; 120. a support frame; 121. a support frame body; 122. a support plate; 123. a first through hole; 124. a second through hole; 130. a material box.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It should be apparent that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "central," "lateral," "longitudinal," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and the like are used in the orientation or positional relationship indicated in the drawings for convenience in describing the invention and for simplicity in description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the invention.

As shown in fig. 1, in some embodiments of the sorting apparatus provided by the present invention, the sorting apparatus includes a receiving device 10, a first conveying device 30, a second conveying device 40, and a first transfer device 50, the receiving box 20 is used for carrying articles, the receiving box 20 receives the articles on the receiving device 10, the first conveying device 30 is used for conveying empty receiving box 20, the second conveying device 40 is used for conveying receiving box 20 carrying articles, the first transfer device 50 can be selectively docked with the first conveying device 30, the receiving device 10 or the second conveying device 40, when the first transfer device 50 is docked with the first conveying device 30, the first transfer device 50 receives the empty receiving box 20 from the first conveying device 30; when the first transfer device 50 is docked with the receiving device 10, the first transfer device 50 transfers the receiving box 20 to the receiving device 10 or receives the receiving box 20 carrying the article from the receiving device 10; when the first transfer device 50 is docked with the second conveyor device 40, the first transfer device 50 transfers the receiving box 20 on which the article is loaded to the second conveyor device 40.

In the above-described embodiment, the first transfer device 50 may be respectively interfaced with the first conveying device 30, the receiving device 10 and the second conveying device 40, so that the transfer of the receiving boxes 20 among the first conveying device 30, the receiving device 10 and the second conveying device 40 is realized, that is, the automation that the empty receiving boxes 20 are transferred to the receiving device 10 and the receiving boxes 20 leave the receiving device 10 after receiving the articles and are conveyed away is realized, thereby improving the automation degree of the sorting device and remarkably improving the sorting efficiency.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first transfer device 50 has a double transfer function, and can transfer an empty receiving box 20 from the first conveyor 30 to the receiving device 10, and can also transfer a receiving box 20 carrying an article to the second conveyor 40. By providing the first transfer device 50 with a double transfer function, the overall structure of the sorting device can be greatly simplified, the degree of automation of the sorting device is improved, and the sorting efficiency is improved.

In some embodiments, the receiving device 10 has a conveying function to receive empty receiving boxes 20 or to output receiving boxes 20. The receiving device 10 may be in the form of a roller, a conveyor belt or a conveyor chain.

In some embodiments, the conveying surface of the first conveyor 30, the carrying surface of the receiving device 10, and the conveying surface of the second conveyor 40 are all disposed at the same height.

The conveying surface of the first conveying device 30, the carrying surface of the receiving device 10 and the conveying surface of the second conveying device 40 are all arranged at the same height, so that the first transfer device 50 can be conveniently transferred among the first conveying device 30, the receiving device 10 and the second conveying device 40. Compared with the scheme that the conveying surface of the first conveying device 30, the bearing surface of the receiving device 10 and the conveying surface of the second conveying device 40 are at different heights, the embodiment of the invention saves the transfer of the first transfer device 50 in the height direction, so that the transfer efficiency can be greatly improved, and the sorting efficiency is further improved.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus includes a plurality of receiving devices 10 arranged in a first direction, and the first transfer device 50 is movable in the first direction to interface the first transfer device 50 with one of the plurality of receiving devices 10.

By arranging a plurality of receiving devices 10, a plurality of orders can be sorted simultaneously, which is beneficial to improving the sorting efficiency; when a plurality of orders contain a certain article, repeated reciprocating of the article can be reduced, and the purpose that the article can be respectively sorted into a plurality of receiving devices 10 through one reciprocating is achieved, so that the sorting process is simplified, and the sorting efficiency is improved.

In some embodiments, the conveying direction of the first conveyor 30 is the same as the conveying direction of the second conveyor 40, the conveying direction of the first conveyor 30 is parallel to and non-collinear with the first direction, and the path of movement of the first transfer device 50 is parallel to the conveying direction of the first conveyor 30. The arrangement can shorten the movement path of the first transfer device 50 as much as possible, and effectively improve the transfer efficiency.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40 are disposed on the same conveying line, and the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40 have a predetermined interval, the first transfer device 50 moves between the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40, and the first transfer device 50 moves in the conveying direction of the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40. The receiving device 10 is arranged at the side of the first conveying device 30 and the second conveying device 40, and the receiving device 10 is arranged adjacent to the first conveying device 30 and the second conveying device 40 in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveying device 30 and the second conveying device 40, so that the first transferring device 50 does not need to move in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveying device 30 and the second conveying device 40 during transferring, the moving path of the first transferring device 50 is simplified, and the transferring efficiency is effectively improved.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus further comprises a first guide 60 for guiding the movement of the first transfer device 50, the first guide 60 being arranged between the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40, the first transfer device 50 being slidably mounted on the first guide 60.

By providing the first guide member 60, the movement of the first transfer device 50 can be guided, the movement of the first transfer device 50 can be prevented from being deviated, and the movement accuracy and reliability of the first transfer device 50 can be improved.

In some embodiments, the first guiding element 60 may be a guiding rod, and the bottom of the first transferring device 50 may be provided with a sliding slot, and the guiding rod is embedded in the sliding slot to realize the slidable connection between the first transferring device 50 and the guiding rod. The direction of extension of the guide bar is collinear with the direction of transport of the first transport device 30.

As shown in fig. 3, in order for the first transfer device 50 to enable transfer between the first conveyor 30, the receiving device 10 and the second conveyor 40, the first transfer device 50 needs to be able to convey articles in two different directions. For example, the first transfer device 50 can convey the article in both the conveying direction of the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40 and the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40.

Of course, the specific structure and the specific movement pattern of the first transfer device 50 can be variously selected.

In some embodiments, the first transfer device 50 includes a mounting frame 51, a roller 52 and a first conveyor belt 53, the roller 52 is rotatably mounted on the mounting frame 51, the conveying direction of the roller 52 is the same as the conveying direction of the first conveying device 30 and the conveying direction of the second conveying device 40, the first conveyor belt 53 is liftably mounted on the mounting frame 51, the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 53 is the same as the conveying direction of the receiving device 10, and when the first conveyor belt 53 is in a lifted state, the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 53 is higher than the conveying surface of the roller 52; when the first conveyor belt 53 is in the descending state, the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 53 is lower than the conveying surface of the drum 52.

As shown in fig. 4, the purpose of switching the conveying direction of the first transfer device 50 can be achieved by arranging the first conveying belt 53 to be liftable with respect to the mounting frame 51 and the rollers 52.

When the first conveyor belt 53 is in the lifted state, the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 53 is higher than the conveying surface of the roller 52, the first conveyor belt 53 is in contact with the articles, and the roller 52 loses the conveying function of the articles, so that the conveying direction of the first transfer device 50 is the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 53, i.e. the same as the conveying direction of the receiving device 10, and when the first transfer device 50 is abutted against the receiving device 10, the receiving box 20 can be moved from the first transfer device 50 to the receiving device 10 or from the receiving device 10 to the first transfer device 50 under the conveying action of the roller 52.

When the first conveyor belt 53 is in a descending state, the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 53 is lower than the conveying surface of the roller 52, the roller 52 is in contact with the article, and the first conveyor belt 53 loses the conveying function of the article, so that the conveying direction of the first transfer device 50 is the conveying direction of the roller 52, namely the conveying direction of the first conveyor device 30 is the same as the conveying direction of the second conveyor device 40, and when the first transfer device 50 is in butt joint with the first conveyor device 30, the receiving box 20 can move from the first conveyor device 30 to the first transfer device 50 under the conveying action of the first conveyor belt 53; when the first transfer device 50 is docked with the second conveying device 40, the receiving box 20 can be moved from the first transfer device 50 to the second conveying device 40 by the conveying action of the first conveyor belt 53.

The number of the first conveyor belts 53 may be plural, and the plural first conveyor belts 53 are respectively disposed in the gaps between the two adjacent rollers 52, so that the first conveyor belts 53 and the rollers 52 are relatively independent, and the first conveyor belts 53 and the rollers 52 are prevented from being influenced by each other.

The mounting frame 51 is slidably engaged on the first guide 60 to enable movement of the first transfer device 50 relative to the first transfer device 30 and the receiving device 10.

In the embodiments provided herein, the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40 may be in the form of a conveyor belt, a conveyor chain, or rollers. The first conveying device 30 is used for receiving and conveying the empty receiving box 20, and the second conveying device 40 is used for conveying the receiving box 20 loaded with the sorted articles to a preset position for packing and sending.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus further comprises a second transfer device 70, the second transfer device 70 being movably arranged with respect to the plurality of receiving devices 10, the second transfer device 70 being adapted to transfer a received article to one of the plurality of receiving devices 10.

The object of sorting the articles into the corresponding receiving devices 10 is achieved by the provision of the second transfer device 70. In the following description, the third conveying device 100 is disposed right above the first conveying device 30 and the second conveying device 40, which is also beneficial to make room for the receiving devices 10, and avoid the third conveying device 100 from affecting the process of transferring the articles to the corresponding receiving devices 10 by the second transfer device 70.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus further comprises a second guide 80 for guiding the movement of the second transfer device 70, the second guide 80 being disposed above the plurality of receiving devices 10, the second transfer device 70 being slidably disposed on the second guide 80.

By providing the second guide member 80, the movement of the second transfer device 70 can be guided, and the accuracy and reliability of the movement of the second transfer device 70 can be improved.

In some embodiments, the second guide member 80 may be a guide bar, and the bottom of the second transfer device 70 may be provided with a slide slot into which the guide bar is inserted to slidably couple the second transfer device 70 to the guide bar. The guide bar is parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of receiving devices 10.

The specific configuration of the second transfer device 70 may be selected in a variety of ways.

As shown in fig. 5, in some embodiments, the second transfer device 70 includes a conveying body 71 and a second conveyor belt 72, the second conveyor belt 72 conveying articles in a straight line, the second conveyor belt 72 moving in a straight line to convey articles into the receiving bin 20.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, the second transfer device 70 comprises a rotating shaft 73 and a skip 74 rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft 73, wherein when the skip 74 is in an overturned state, an opening of the skip 74 faces upwards for receiving the article; after the dump box 74 is turned over, the articles in the dump box 74 can slide down to the receiving device 10, and the purpose of dumping out the articles is achieved.

The dump box 74 can be switched between the turned state and the non-turned state by the rotation of the dump box 74 around the rotation shaft 73. In the inverted state, the outlet of the skip 74 is inclined to the receiving opening of the receiving device 10 so that the article slides from the skip 74 into the receiving bin 20.

The dump box 74 has a substantially V-shaped receiving space, and the opening of this structure is large, allowing the entry of articles of larger size. Moreover, the structure is also beneficial to realize the switching of receiving and pouring the articles through rotation.

The second transfer device 70 further comprises a motor 75 and a mounting seat 76, the motor 75 is used for driving the rotating shaft 73 to rotate so as to drive the dump bucket 74 to turn, the rotating shaft 73 is rotatably mounted on the mounting seat 76, and the mounting seat 76 is in sliding fit with the second guide member 80.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus further includes guide members 90, the guide members 90 being disposed at both sides of the receiving box 20, the guide members 90 having inclined surfaces to guide the articles into the receiving box 20.

By providing the guide member 90, the articles can be guided into the receiving box 20, preventing the articles from falling. The guide 90 has an inclined surface to guide the articles into the receiving box 20, and the opening of the receiving box 20 can be enlarged appropriately so that the articles that may not fall completely into the receiving box 20 are guided into the receiving box 20 by the inclined surface.

The left and right sides of the receiving box 20 are provided with inclined planes, and the inclined planes on two adjacent receiving box 20 are mutually overlapped or connected to form a herringbone shape.

Based on the sorting device in each embodiment, the invention further provides a sorting system, which comprises the sorting device.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the sortation system further includes a third conveyor 100, the third conveyor 100 for conveying articles to be sorted, and a robot 110 for transferring articles from the third conveyor 100 to the sortation device.

As shown in fig. 7, in some embodiments, the third conveyor 100 is disposed above the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40, and the conveying direction of the third conveyor 100, the conveying direction of the first conveyor 30, and the conveying direction of the second conveyor 40 are parallel. The arrangement can make the whole structure of the sorting system more compact and save the total occupied space of the sorting system; meanwhile, the movement distance of the mechanical arm 110 is shortened, and the time of single movement of the mechanical arm 110 is shortened, so that the probability of dropping articles from the mechanical arm 110 is effectively reduced, and the sorting efficiency is effectively improved.

As shown in fig. 10, in some embodiments, the sorting system further includes a support frame 120, the support frame 120 includes a support frame body 121 and a support plate 122, the support plate 122 is mounted on the support frame body 121, the support plate 122 is disposed above the third conveyor 100, and the robot 110 is mounted on the support plate 122.

By providing the support bracket 120, the stability of the robot 110 can be improved. The support plate 122 has a flat plate structure, which can provide a more stable support for the robot 110. The robot arm 110 is disposed above the third conveyor 100, so as to facilitate grasping and sorting of the articles.

In some embodiments, the supporting plate 122 is provided with a first through hole 123 and a second through hole 124, and the robot 110 grasps the article from the third conveyor 100 through the first through hole 123 and sorts the article to a predetermined position through the second through hole 124.

By providing the first through hole 123 and the second through hole 124 on the supporting plate 122, a part of the plate body can be stored on the supporting plate 122 as a support for the manipulator 110, and can also be used for receiving an object accidentally dropped from the manipulator 110, so as to prevent the object from dropping to the ground and being damaged.

In some embodiments, the robot 110 includes a robot arm and a first end effector mounted on a head of the robot arm. The first end effector can grab articles, and the mechanical arm drives the first end effector to move the articles.

In some embodiments, the sortation system further includes a bin 130, the bin 130 for storing articles to be sorted, and the third conveyor 100 for conveying the bin 130 while transporting the sorted bin 130 away.

In some embodiments, the sortation system further includes a fourth conveyor and a fifth conveyor, each in communication with the third conveyor 100, the fourth conveyor for conveying bins 130 to the third conveyor 100, the fifth conveyor for receiving bins 130 from the third conveyor 100.

By arranging the fourth conveying device and the fifth conveying device, the automation of the sorting system can be further improved, and meanwhile, the conveying direction of the articles can be changed by utilizing the fourth conveying device and the fifth conveying device. The conveying directions and the number of the fourth conveying device and the fifth conveying device can be flexibly set according to requirements.

In some embodiments, the sorting system further comprises a first detection device in signal communication with the robot 110, the first detection device for detecting a position of the item, the robot 110 configured to grasp the item based on the position information detected by the first detection device.

The first sensing device may be used to identify the location of the item within the bin 130 to assist the robot 110 in performing the action of grasping the item. The first detection device may employ a visual camera assembly including a camera assembly, a camera mount, and a display.

The first detection means may also be arranged to identify the sorted items and to give an indication of whether the items have been delivered to the receiving means 10.

The first detection device may also monitor the position of the item dropped on the support plate 122 and assist the robot 110 in re-grasping. A pressure sensor may be disposed on the support plate 122 to detect whether an item is dropped.

In some embodiments, the receiving device 10 is provided with a warning light, which is turned on when the article to be thrown into the receiving box 20 on the receiving device 10 is finished, so that the first transfer device 50 starts transferring the receiving box 20 to the second conveying device 40.

The structure and operation of one embodiment of the sorting apparatus and sorting system of the present invention will now be described with reference to figures 1 to 10 of the accompanying drawings:

as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the sorting apparatus includes a receiving device 10, a receiving box 20, a first conveying device 30, a second conveying device 40, a first transfer device 50, a first guide 60, a second transfer device 70, a second guide 80, and a guide 90.

The plurality of receiving devices 10 are arranged in a first direction. The first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40 are arranged along the same conveyor line, with a predetermined distance between the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40, to reserve a movement space for the first transfer device 50. The first direction is parallel to and non-collinear with the conveyance directions of the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40. A plurality of receiving devices 10 are located at the side of the space between the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40. Moreover, there is no significant distance between the receiving device 10 and the first conveyor device 30 or between the receiving device 10 and the second conveyor device 40 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor device 30 and the second conveyor device 40, so that the first transfer device 50 does not need to be moved in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor device 30 and the second conveyor device 40.

The first guide 60 is disposed between the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40, and the first transfer device 50 is slidably mounted on the first guide 60. The first guide 60 extends in the same direction as the conveying direction of the first and second conveying devices 30 and 40.

When the first transfer device 50 moves to the first end of the first guide 60, it can be butted against the first conveying device 30 and simultaneously butted against the receiving device 10 closest to the first conveying device 30; when the first transfer device 50 moves to the second end of the first guide member 60, it can be docked with the second conveyor device 40, and simultaneously with the receiving device 10 closest to the second conveyor device 40. The first transfer device 50 can be docked with the other receiving device 10 while moving from the first end to the second end of the first guide 60.

The conveying surfaces of the receiving device 10, the first conveying device 30 and the second conveying device 40 are located at the same height.

The second guide 80 is disposed above the plurality of receiving devices 10, and the second transfer device 70 is slidably mounted on the second guide 80. The second transfer device 70, during its movement along the second guide 80, serves the purpose of transferring the article to one of the receiving devices 10.

The extending direction of the second guide 80 is parallel to the first direction.

The guides 90 are installed at both sides of the receiving box 20, and the guides 90 include inclined surfaces for guiding the articles into the receiving box 20. The inclined surface is arranged obliquely relative to the vertical surface.

As shown in fig. 3, the first transfer device 50 may transport the article in the transport direction of the first transport device 30 and the second transport device 40, or may transport the article in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the first transport device 30 and the second transport device 40.

As shown in fig. 4, the first transfer device 50 includes a mounting frame 51, a roller 52 and a first conveyor belt 53, the roller 52 is rotatably mounted on the mounting frame 51, the conveying direction of the roller 52 is the same as the conveying direction of the first conveying device 30 and the conveying direction of the second conveying device 40, the first conveyor belt 53 is liftably mounted on the mounting frame 51, the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt 53 is the same as the conveying direction of the receiving device 10, and when the first conveyor belt 53 is in a lifted state, the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 53 is higher than the conveying surface of the roller 52; when the first conveyor belt 53 is in the descending state, the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt 53 is lower than the conveying surface of the drum 52.

The number of the first conveyor belts 53 is plural, and the plural first conveyor belts 53 are respectively arranged in the gaps between the adjacent two rollers 52. The mounting frame 51 is slidably fitted on the first guide 60.

Fig. 5 and 6 are schematic structural views of two types of second transfer devices 70.

As shown in fig. 7, the third conveyor 100 is disposed directly above the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40, and the third conveyor 100 is used for conveying the bin 130.

As shown in fig. 8 and 9, the sorting system includes a sorting apparatus, a third conveyor 100, a robot arm 110, a supporting frame 120, and a bin 130.

The third conveyor 100 is disposed directly above the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40, and the receiving device 10 and the second transfer device 70 are located on the side of the third conveyor 100. The supporting frame 120 spans over the third conveyor 100, the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40. The width of the supporting frame 120 is greater than the widths of the third conveyor 100, the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40, and the height of the supporting frame 120 is greater than the heights of the third conveyor 100, the first conveyor 30 and the second conveyor 40.

As shown in fig. 10, the support stand 120 includes a support stand body 121 and a support plate 122 mounted on the support stand body 121. The robot 110 is mounted on a support plate 122. The supporting plate 122 is provided with a first through hole 123 and a second through hole 124. The robot 110 reaches into the interior of the magazine 130 through the first aperture 123 to grasp the articles and then sorts the articles onto the second transfer device 70 through the second aperture 124.

The working process of the sorting system is as follows: placing the empty receiving box 20 on the first conveying device 30, and conveying the empty receiving box 20 to a position close to the first transfer device 50 under the action of the first conveying device 30; while the first transfer device 50 moves to the position of being butted against the first conveyor 30, the empty receiving container 20 is transferred to the first transfer device 50, and then the first transfer device 50 moves along the first guide 60 to reach the position of being butted against the preset receiving device 10; then, the first conveyor belt 53 in the first transfer device 50 is lifted, and the conveying direction of the first transfer device 50 is changed, thereby transferring the empty receiving box 20 to the receiving device 10; then, the bin 130 conveyed by the third conveyor 100 reaches below the robot 110, and the robot 110 picks up the article from the bin 130 and moves the article to the second transfer device 70; the second transfer device 70 moves along the second guide 80 to a position aligned with the pre-established receiving box 20, and the second transfer device 70 then pours the article into the receiving box 20; after receiving the articles, the receiving box 20 can transfer the articles to the second conveying device 40 through the first transfer device 50, and the receiving box 20 carrying the sorted articles is conveyed to a preset position through the second conveying device 40 for packing and sending; while the second transfer device 70 may return to below the second aperture 124 to await receipt of the next item to be sorted, while dumping the item into the receiving bin 20.

In the embodiment of the invention, the second transfer device can wait for the manipulator to put articles at a fixed position each time, so that the path of each action of the manipulator is fixed, and the sorting device is positioned below the third conveying device, so that the path of the manipulator can be shortened as much as possible, the movement time of the manipulator is saved, and the sorting efficiency is greatly improved; and because the operation path of the manipulator is short and the time is short, the probability of the goods falling phenomenon caused by the fact that the end effector is not firm to grab can be reduced, and the reliability of the operation of the equipment is improved. In addition, in a grabbing time beat, the moving, delivering, returning of the mechanical arm and grabbing of new articles again of the second transfer device are overlapped in time, so that the single-beat completion time can be shortened, and the sorting efficiency is improved; third conveyor sets up in sorting device's top, and the bilayer is arranged about realizing, can effectively improve the compactedness of letter sorting system, reduces letter sorting system's occupation of land space.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above examples are only intended to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention and not to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: modifications to the specific embodiments of the invention or equivalent substitutions for parts of the technical features may be made without departing from the principles of the invention, and these modifications and equivalents are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims (14)

1. A sorting device, comprising:

a receiving device (10) on which a receiving box (20) receives an article;

-a first conveying device (30) for conveying the empty receiving boxes (20);

a second conveyor (40) for conveying the receiving box (20) carrying the article; and

a first transfer device (50) selectively interfacing with the first conveyor device (30), the receiving device (10) or the second conveyor device (40), the first transfer device (50) receiving the empty receiving box (20) from the first conveyor device (30) when the first transfer device (50) interfaces with the first conveyor device (30); when the first transfer device (50) is butted with the receiving device (10), the first transfer device (50) transfers the receiving box body (20) to the receiving device (10) or receives the receiving box body (20) carrying the article from the receiving device (10); when the first transfer device (50) is abutted against the second conveying device (40), the first transfer device (50) transfers the receiving box (20) carrying the article to the second conveying device (40).

2. Sorting device according to claim 1, characterised in that the conveying surface of the first conveyor (30), the carrying surface of the receiving device (10) and the conveying surface of the second conveyor (40) are all arranged at the same height.

3. Sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sorting device comprises a plurality of receiving devices (10) arranged in a first direction, the first transfer device (50) being movable in the first direction for bringing the first transfer device (50) into abutment with one of the plurality of receiving devices (10).

4. A sorting device according to claim 3, characterised in that the conveying direction of the first conveyor (30) and the conveying direction of the second conveyor (40) are the same, the conveying direction of the first conveyor (30) being parallel and non-collinear with the first direction, and the course of movement of the first transfer device (50) being parallel to the conveying direction of the first conveyor (30).

5. Sorting device according to claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises a first guide (60) for guiding the movement of the first transfer device (50), the first guide (60) being arranged between the first conveyor device (30) and the second conveyor device (40), the first transfer device (50) being slidably mounted on the first guide (60).

6. Sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first transfer device (50) comprises a mounting frame (51), a roller (52) and a first conveyor belt (53), the roller (52) is rotatably mounted on the mounting frame (51), the roller (52) has a conveying direction which is the same as the conveying direction of the first conveyor device (30) and the conveying direction of the second conveyor device (40), the first conveyor belt (53) is liftably mounted on the mounting frame (51), the conveying direction of the first conveyor belt (53) is the same as the conveying direction of the receiving device (10), and the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt (53) is higher than the conveying surface of the roller (52) when the first conveyor belt (53) is in a raised state; when the first conveyor belt (53) is in a descending state, the conveying surface of the first conveyor belt (53) is lower than the conveying surface of the roller (52).

7. A sorting device according to claim 3, characterised in that it further comprises a second transfer device (70), said second transfer device (70) being movably arranged with respect to said plurality of receiving devices (10), said second transfer device (70) being adapted to transfer said received articles to one of said receiving devices (10) of said plurality of receiving devices (10).

8. Sorting device according to claim 7, characterised in that it further comprises second guides (80) for guiding the movement of the second transfer device (70), said second guides (80) being arranged above a plurality of receiving devices (10), said second transfer device (70) being slidably arranged on said second guides (80).

9. A sorting device according to claim 1, characterised by further comprising guides (90), which guides (90) are provided on both sides of the receiving bin (20), which guides (90) have inclined surfaces which guide the articles into the receiving bin (20).

10. A sorting system comprising a sorting device according to any of claims 1 to 9.

11. Sorting system according to claim 10, further comprising a third conveyor (100) for conveying the items to be sorted and a robot (110) for transferring the items from the third conveyor (100) to the sorting device.

12. Sorting system according to claim 11, characterized in that the third conveyor (100) is arranged above the first conveyor (30) and the second conveyor (40) and that the conveying direction of the third conveyor (100), the conveying direction of the first conveyor (30) and the conveying direction of the second conveyor (40) are parallel.

13. Sorting system according to claim 11, further comprising a support frame (120), the support frame (120) comprising a support plate (122), the support plate (122) being arranged above the third conveyor (100), the robot (110) being mounted on the support plate (122).

14. Sorting system according to claim 13, characterised in that the support plate (122) is provided with a first through opening (123) and a second through opening (124), the robot arm (110) grabbing the objects from the third conveyor (100) through the first through opening (123) and sorting the objects to a preset position through the second through opening (124).

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