DE102016109226A1 - Device and method for the defined unification, distribution and / or redistribution of parcels and / or parcel groups - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for the defined merging, distribution and / or redistribution of piece goods (2) and / or groups of unit goods (18) in a conveying direction of at least one feed conveyor (3) to at least one discharge conveyor (4; Conveying device (6), at least one displacement unit (13) and at least one entrainment device (8), wherein the at least one entrainment device (8) has at least one entrainment element (7). According to the invention, it is proposed that the device (1) has a synchronizing device (9, 10, 17, 20, 21, 22) for synchronizing the position of the piece goods (2) and / or the groups of unit loads (18) with the position of the driving element (7). having. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the defined unification, distribution and / or redistribution of piece goods (2) and / or groups of items (18).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the defined uniting, distribution and / or redistribution of parcel and / or parcel groups in a conveying direction of at least one feed conveyor to at least one discharge conveyor, comprising at least one conveyor, at least one displacement unit and at least one entrainment device, wherein the at least one Carrier device has at least one driver element.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the defined unification, distribution and / or redistribution of parcel and / or parcel groups in a conveying direction with the steps a) feeding at least one parcel and / or a group of parcels through at least one feed conveyor to a conveyor of a sorting conveyor unit, b) Leading a driver element of a driver device to the piece goods and / or to the group of items and contacting the driver with the cargo and / or the group of goods, c) contacting a displacement unit with the cargo and / or the group of units, wherein a deviating from the conveying direction movement of the piece goods and / or the group of parcels is carried out and d) transfer of the parcel and / or the group of parcels to at least one discharge conveyor.

Various devices for the defined merging, distribution and / or redistribution of piece goods and / or groups of items are known from the prior art.

From the DE 10 2007 001 973 A1 For example, a device for merging containers with at least two feeding webs and a discharging web is known. Between the incoming and outgoing webs a plurality of support plates is slidably arranged so that the containers are transported on a chain of support plates from the feed paths to the discharge path. On the support plates in each case a group of containers can be transported. The size of a bundle group is limited by the area of the respective support plate.

The EP 1 046 598 A1 discloses a device for producing palettierfähiger layers of container packs. The device comprises a feed device, a distribution and alignment station for the location-specific alignment of the containers and a collecting station. The distribution and alignment station comprises a conveyor belt over which several, the conveyor belt width diagonally bridging, arranged parallel to each other linear units are arranged. Each linear unit comprises at least one gripper movable thereon for gripping a respective container. The traversing speed of the linear units is matched to the speed of the conveyor belt so that the gripped containers are displaceable at an angle of 90 ° to the transport direction of the conveyor belt on this.

The DE 102 19 129 A1 discloses an apparatus for rotating and distributing or combining packs fed in at least one feed path. The containers are then removed in at least one discharge path parallel to the feed path in a 90 ° rotated arrangement. The device comprises a gripping head arranged above the discharge path and rotatably mounted about a vertical axis for the simultaneous detection of at least two containers. The containers are handed over directly from the respective infeed conveyor to the respective discharge conveyor.

From the DE 10 2009 003 845 A1 a system for re-sorting of containers and / or container groups by means of a sorting conveyor equipped with at least one gripper is known. Such a method allows a change in the order of the goods within the flow of goods and / or a reorientation of the goods along the flow of goods.

The US 4,004,677 discloses conveyor lines for bottle containers, wherein the conveyed on several Zuförderlinien containers are deflected by means of curved guide rods and thus combined on a discharge line. A disadvantage of this type of device is the fact that it can come at the moment of contact between bottle container and Leitstab to a twisting of the bottle pack. The orientation of the bottle cage relative to the conveying direction is thereby changed, so it comes to a rotation of the bottle cage. For the subsequent removal of the bottle container and the further handling is a constant, unchanged orientation of the bottle container but of considerable advantage.

The DE 195 00 546 A1 discloses a module for deflecting a workpiece carrier, wherein by means of an additional conveyor belt, a deflection of the workpiece carrier is achieved by up to 180 ° and a feeding or discharging the workpiece carrier in or out of a stream of a plurality of workpiece carriers.

The EP 1 260 467 A1 discloses a device for aligning and supplying and removing product bundles, eg bundles of bottles. In this case, the product bundles are deflected by means of a movable unit and assigned to a discharge conveyor.

Despite the solutions known from the prior art remains the fast, flexible and product-friendly unification, distribution and / or redistribution of general cargo and / or groupage a central goal of further development of appropriate devices and procedures. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device which makes possible a quick, flexible and gentle product combining, distributing and / or redistributing piece goods and / or groups of unit loads.

This object is achieved by a device and a method for the defined merging, distribution and / or redistribution of general cargo and / or groupage groups with the features of the independent claims.

A device is proposed for the defined merging, distribution and / or redistribution of piece goods and / or groups of unit loads in a conveying direction of at least one feed conveyor to at least one discharge conveyor. The device comprises at least one conveying device, at least one displacement unit and at least one entrainment device, wherein the at least one entrainment device has at least one entrainment element.

For the purposes of the present text, "general cargo" or "general cargo group" means any type of article, container, product, product or similar or any type of article group, bundle group, product group, product group or the like.

The conveying of the piece goods or the groups of unit loads takes place in a conveying direction. The direction of conveyance here means in each case the average direction of movement of the piece good or the piece goods groups. An oblique movement occurring during the merging, distribution and / or redistribution of the piece goods or the group of items does not influence the conveying direction.

The number of feeders and the number of discharge conveyors can be the same or different. If the number of feeders is the same as the number of discharge conveyors, then re-sortings take place within the cargo flows. If the number of feeders is different from the number of discharge conveyors, then the piece goods or the groups of goods are combined or distributed by the or the feeders on the or the discharge conveyor, depending on whether the number of feeders is greater or smaller than the number of feeders Abförderer is. In addition to unifying or distributing can also take place resorting.

The feeder is designed for example as a stop band. Normally, general cargo collects close to each other on the stopband during operation. This is then transferred to the conveyor. The fact that the piece goods on the conveyor has a higher speed than on the stop band, gaps between the individual piece goods arise. Alternatively, the stop band can also be operated faster in the short term, so that groups of product groups - with corresponding gaps between the group of unit groups - form on the conveyor.

The entrainment device is designed to push the piece goods or the groups of unit loads on the conveyor and to support from the rear. To take along or guide the piece goods and / or the group of unit loads, the entrainment device has at least one driver element. In most cases, however, several driver elements are provided, since they bring the advantage of a shorter timing of feed conveyor and device with it, whereby higher product throughput rates can be achieved.

In operation, the piece goods is moved by the driver element on the at least one displacement unit and finally brought into contact with this. Even at the moment of contacting of cargo with displacement unit, there may be no rotation of the piece goods, since this prevents the cargo from behind with a force acting driver element. Rather, the piece goods with an increasing offset transversely to the conveying direction, but transported in its original orientation relative to the conveying direction.

After being transported via the conveyor, the piece goods or the group of units is transferred to a discharge conveyor, which feeds the piece goods or the group of units for further processing or handling. The discharge conveyor can be, for example, a driven belt or a slightly inclined sliding route. Optionally, a discharge element can also be provided between the conveyor and the discharge conveyor. This moves at a speed which is greater than the speed of the driver element in the conveying direction. Thus, the contact between the driver element and cargo or group of parcels is gently removed.

According to the invention, the device has a synchronizing device for synchronizing the position of the piece goods and / or the groups of unit loads with the position of the driving element.

This synchronizing device makes it possible for the piece goods and / or the piece goods groups to fit together well-defined. In particular, it is ensured that the driver element engages in gaps between the cargo or the groups of parcels and does not hit the parcel or the group of parcels from above or from below. Furthermore, the synchronizer allows the Carrier element is brought slowly to the cargo or the general cargo groups. By slowly approaching a strong impact of the driver element is avoided on the cargo or group of parcels, and thus handled the cargo or group of parcels product gentle.

Advantageously, the synchronization device comprises a sensor system for detecting the position of the driver element, a control system associated with the driver device for regulating the position of the driver element, a speed control system associated with the conveyor device and electrical and / or electronic communication means for communication with the feed conveyor.

The sensor system for detecting the position of the driver element can be designed in many ways, for example as a mechanical sensor or as a light barrier. The sensor can detect the driver element each time it passes the sensor, or even from time to time or for example after a restart of the device. Of course, if the position of the driver element is detected only rarely, this will place greater demands on the control system of the driver device, which then has to calculate the position of the driver element precisely over a relatively long period of time. The control system regulates the position of the driver element. This can be done for example by an electric motor with an associated rotary encoder, or by a stepper motor.

For precise tuning of the driver element with the conveyor, the speed of the conveyor is controlled by the cruise control system. The driver element is moved slightly faster than the conveyor. Thus, the driver element is brought slowly from the rear of the goods located on the conveyor piece goods and then brought into contact with this. By lying only slightly above the speed of the conveyor speed of the driver element damage to the piece goods is prevented.

Since the higher speed of the driver element is required only in that region of the conveyor, where the contact between the driver element and general cargo or group of parcels is made, the speed of the driver element can be subsequently reduced. Only when the next driver element is to be brought into contact with the next piece goods or group of items to be conveyed is an increase in the speed required again. This procedure is described by the term "swelling speed" and is particularly preferably applied to a small number of driver elements per driver.

Finally, electrical and / or electronic communication means are provided for communication with the feed conveyor. By means of these communication means, the feed conveyor is controlled so as to deliver the parcel (s) to the correct, i. Synchronized with the driver element, time passes to the conveyor. In this case, the conveyor and / or the entrainment device can be operated at a constant speed and only the time and / or the speed of transfer of the piece goods or the group of parcels are controlled by the feed conveyor on the conveyor. The associated control unit may be assigned to the device or the feed conveyor. If the right time for transfer already exists in the past, a driver element is omitted and the general cargo or the group of unit loads is transferred to the following driver element.

In order to transfer the parcel or the group of parcels at the right time, the feeder has, for example, a light barrier which detects the presence and position of the parcel, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the conveyor. By controlling the speed of the feed conveyor, for example by means of a rotary encoder, so that a timely transfer can be achieved. Optionally, the conveyor on another photocell to check whether the cargo or the group of parcels was handed over correctly.

It is advantageous if a number m of feeders and a number n of discharge conveyors are provided and m is n. Thus, in any case takes place a distribution or a combination of the piece goods or the general cargo groups, whereby the possibilities of the device are optimally utilized.

It is advantageous if the conveyor has at least two conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction, wherein each conveyor is assigned a speed control system. Then the conveyor can be operated so that the first conveyor has a higher speed than the second conveyor. Due to this higher speed, the gaps between the individual packaged goods or groups of packaged goods become larger, which offers the driver element more space for immersion in the gap between two packaged goods or groups of packaged goods. So overall, a higher conveying speed can be driven. If the speed of the first conveyor is greater than the speed of the driver element, it may happen that the driver element initially has a front-side contact to the subsequent general cargo or to the subsequent group of general cargo manufactures. This subsequent piece goods or this subsequent group of unit loads is then possibly retained on the first conveyor by the lower speed of the driver element. The general cargo or group of units is then transferred to the second conveyor. The second conveyor is operated at a speed which is less than the speed of the driver element. If the driver element has produced a front-side contact with the subsequent piece goods or the following group of unit loads, this contact is released on the second conveyor. The driver element is now slowly brought to the cargo or the group of parcels and brought into contact with this back. The further procedure is as described above.

In combination with all embodiments described herein, each feed conveyor, each discharge conveyor, each conveyor and each entrainment means may be provided with its own drive. However, the feeders, discharge conveyors, conveyors and entrainment devices can also all or partially be operated by common drive elements. In this case, the individual conveyors each have an overdrive with a translation interconnecting them, and a central cruise control system replaces two or more of the cruise control systems associated with the individual devices.

It is also advantageous if at least one guideway is arranged between the conveyor and the discharge conveyor. In this case, the entrainment device extends in the region of the guideway. On the guideway, the cargo or the group of parcels then, without a separate drive would be necessary to be pushed by the driver elements. Likewise, a height difference can be overcome even on an inclined track. The guideway preferably comprises a sliding plate, rollers, strips or tubes.

Advantageously, the entrainment device has at least one entrainment drive train on which the entrainment element or the entrainment elements, in particular equidistant from one another, is or are arranged. Further, the driving element (s) is rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the conveying direction and / or rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction and parallel to the feeding plane. The arrangement of the driver element on a driver drive train, which is driven for example via a gear wheel and guided over rollers, represents a particularly efficient embodiment. As a driver drive train chains, belts or the like can be used. The Mitnehmerantriebsstrang is preferably arranged endlessly circumferentially and, if several Mitnehmerantriebsstränge are provided, they are preferably operated synchronously to each other.

Due to the equidistant arrangement of the driver elements on Mitnehmerantriebsstrang a uniform distance between the cargo or the cargo groups in the range of the conveyor is guaranteed, resulting in optimal utilization of the existing space and thus a maximum conveying speed. Furthermore, the following results in a temporally uniform removal of the piece goods or groups of parcels by the discharge conveyor with the associated advantages.

If the driver element is arranged on only one driver drive train, then it is preferably rotatable about an axis which is substantially parallel to the conveying direction. By this rotation, the driver element can be folded into the correct position. When returning along the Mitnehmerantriebsstrangs the driver element can then be folded into a different, space-saving position. By the lateral collapse of the driver element in a gap between two piece goods or groups of parcels, moreover, the gap can be kept very narrow, so only slightly larger than the extension of the driver element in the conveying direction. This further improves product throughput rates.

If the driver element is rotatable about an axis which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction and parallel to the feeder plane, two advantages result: Firstly, the driver element can be rotated during immersion in the gap between two piece goods or group of parcels so that its Expansion in the conveying direction is as low as possible. This in turn allows close gaps with the associated benefits. On the other hand, the driver element can adapt to the outer shape of the piece goods or the group of units and produce a contact surface as large as possible to the piece goods or the group of parcels when making the contact to the general cargo or group of parcels. As a result, a particularly secure and gentle transport of the piece goods or groupage of goods is guaranteed.

It is advantageous if the driver device has two driver drive cords arranged parallel to one another, the driver element being arranged between the two driver drive cords and the driver element the two driver drive trains connects to each other or at least over a portion of the extension of the conveyor extends transversely to the conveying direction. The arrangement between two driver drive trains the driver element is held by two sides, which results in a high stability of the driver.

Preferably, the at least one endlessly rotating driver drive train is arranged completely in the vertical direction above a plane associated with the conveyor. This type of arrangement ensures that the driver drive train does not have to be guided around the conveyor, in other words, therefore, that the conveyor is not arranged within the loop of the endlessly rotating driver drive train. When the driver drive train is guided around the conveyor, there are inevitably extensive gaps between the conveyor and the feed conveyor. Due to the arrangement of the Mitnehmerantriebsstrangs completely above the conveyor associated with the plane this is prevented. The transfer of the parcel or the parcel groups between feed conveyor and conveyor can thus be done easily, since the individual units can be installed in bursts.

It is also advantageous if at least one driver element is removable and / or the driver device is vertically adjustable relative to the horizontal extent of the conveyor in the vertical direction. This is advantageous if temporarily no union, distribution or resorting of the piece goods is desired. In both cases, the driver elements are removed from the web of the cargo flow. The piece goods are then moved only by the conveyor. Since the driver elements are not in the path of the cargo flow here eliminates the synchronization of the position of the piece goods with the position of the driver elements and it can be achieved a higher product throughput.

Advantageously, the driver element has a sliding layer arranged on the surface of the driver element. Through this sliding layer, the movement of the piece goods or the group of parcels takes place along the driver element with reduced friction, which is both gentle on the product as well as the maintenance of the orientation of the parcel or the group of parcels is conducive.

The driver element can also be equipped with a flat product contact element. Due to the surface contact, which results in the general cargo or the group of parcels, the parcel or group of parcels is treated much more gently than it would in the case of a point or line contact.

But there are also cost-effective embodiments conceivable in which the driver element is designed as a tube, a role or as a strip-like molded part.

Furthermore, the driver element may have an elastically deformable layer arranged on the surface of the driver element. The use of such product-preserving layers has the advantage that damage to the piece goods coming into contact with the driver element or the groups of product groups coming into contact with the driver element are virtually completely avoided.

In addition, at least one driver element may be assigned a positioning element, in particular a support roller, positioning roller and / or positioning spring. With the help of this positioning element, for example, the driver element can be positioned so that it has a minimum extension in the conveying direction when engaging in the gap between two piece goods or groups of unit loads. As a result, the gap size can be kept as low as possible. However, the positioning element can also serve to support the driver element, in particular in the gradient region of an inclined guideway, and thus prevent the general cargo or the group of articles from tipping over.

In this case, the positioning element can interact with a positioning rail, which is arranged at least partially substantially parallel to the Mitnehmerantriebsstrang. By means of such a positioning rail, the orientation of the driver element, with the advantages described above, can be controlled particularly effectively.

Advantageously, the displacement unit has at least one displacement element. This can be formed obliquely to the conveying direction movable, hinged, swiveling and / or removable. Such a displacement element can be changed quickly and easily to specify different directions for the cargo and / or the group of parcels.

It is also advantageous if the at least one displacement element is designed as a deflector extending at an angle to the conveying direction, as a rotating roller body running obliquely to the conveying direction or as a displaceable sliding impactor. A deflector is the cheapest alternative. In a rotating roller body, in particular with a matched to the speed of the driver element Rotates speed, the piece goods and / or the group of parcels is moved particularly gentle on the product. The same applies to a movable displacement beater, which is also very versatile and easily adaptable.

It is also advantageous if the displacement unit for moving the at least one displacement element has electrical and / or pneumatic drive means. Thus, the sliding element can be automatically positioned, whereby in the following a certain movement of the piece goods or the group of parcels is achieved. Electric and / or pneumatic drive means are easily automatable and can be switched quickly.

Product handling, ie combining, distributing and sorting the piece goods or the groups of unit loads, can take place in the area of the conveying device as well as in the area of the guideway. If a plurality of displacement units are provided, they may all be located in the area of the conveyor, all in the area of the guide track, but also partly in the area of the conveyor and partly in the area of the guide track.

Regardless of the precise expression, the displacement units should be designed to be adaptable to the specific application situation. Depending on whether piece goods or groups of unit loads are to be brought together or distributed, depending on the number of feeders and the number of discharge conveyors, different requirements are placed on the displacement units. An oblique to the conveying direction deflector should therefore be designed, for example, either movable or easily replaceable, to allow the simplest possible adjustment of the device to the specific task.

Particular preference is given to embodiments according to which the outer, ie the adjacently arranged to the edge of the conveyor and / or the guide rail displacement elements are designed as obliquely to the conveying direction deflector or as obliquely to the conveying direction, rotating roller body unit. These outer displacement elements are preferably manually adjustable or they are fixed. All inner, so all arranged between the outer displacement elements displacement elements are preferably designed as an oblique to the conveying direction movable, electrically and / or pneumatically operated distribution points, which are preferably moved programmatically.

Advantageously, the device has at least one switch element for discharging the piece goods and / or the groups of unit loads. This switch element can be controlled both manually and automatically. In a closed operating position of the switch element, the piece goods or the group of items follows the driver element to the discharge conveyor. In an open operating position of the switch element, however, in the region of the switch element, the contact is released from the driver element to the article or group of parcels and the parcel follows an alternative path to a further discharge conveyor. This alternative web may be a driven conveyor track, but also an inclined slideway where the product advances by gravity.

The device is designed according to the preceding description, wherein said features may be present individually or in any combination.

Furthermore, a method for the defined merging, distribution and / or redistribution of piece goods and / or groups of unit loads in a conveying direction is described. The steps are a) feeding at least one piece goods and / or a group of parcels by at least one feed conveyor on a conveyor of a sorting conveyor unit, b) bringing a driver element of a driver device to the parcel and / or the group of parcels and contacting the driver element with the parcel and / or or the group of parcels, c) contacting a displacement unit with the parcel and / or the group of parcels, wherein a deviating from the conveying direction movement of the parcel and / or the group of parcels takes place and d) transfer of the parcel and / or the group of parcels carried out on at least one discharge conveyor.

The displacement unit thus causes the uniting, distribution and / or redistribution of the piece goods or the groups of items. In unifying, the piece goods or the groups of unit loads are combined from a number of feed conveyors to a number of removal conveyers which is smaller than the number of feed conveyors. Conversely, when distributing the parcel (s) from a number of feeders to a number of discharge conveyors, which is greater than the number of feeders distributed. When redistributing resorting takes place within the cargo flows and the number of feeders may be equal to or different from the number of removal conveyors.

According to the invention, in step a) and / or b) the position of the piece goods and / or the group of items is synchronized with the position of the driver element. So it can be ensured that the driver element always engages in a gap between two piece goods or groups of parcels and not from above, below or obliquely in contact with the General cargo or the general cargo group comes, which could lead to damage to the cargo. Furthermore, therefore, the distance from the driver element to the unit or to the group of parcels are controlled, which in turn controls the approach of the driver element to the parcel or the group of parcels and the contacting of the driver element with the parcel or group of parcels.

It is advantageous if the speeds of the conveyor and the entrainment device are controlled to synchronize the piece goods and / or the group of items with the driver element, the position of the entrainment is determined and the time and / or speed of transfer of the piece goods and / or Unit group is controlled by the feed conveyor on the conveyor in dependence on the position of the driver element and / or regulated. By controlling the speeds of the conveyor and the entrainment ensures that a synchronization of the cargo or the group of parcels remains with the driver element when the parcel or the group of parcels is on the conveyor and if it or she once with the driver element is synchronized. In order to obtain this initial synchronization, the position of the driver element is determined and then controlled as a function of this position, at which time and / or at which speed the piece goods or group of units is transferred from the feed conveyor to the conveyor. So the synchronization is achieved with relatively simple and inexpensive means.

Advantageously, a positive connection of the piece goods or the group of items with the driver element and the displacement unit is achieved in step c). The cargo or the group of parcels is thus rear (seen in the conveying direction) with the driver element and on the side or at a front corner with the displacement unit in contact. This avoids unwanted rotation of the piece goods or group of units.

It is advantageous if sliding elements of the displacement device are moved dynamically as a function of the position of the driver element, of the piece goods and / or of the group of unit loads. As a result of this dynamic movement, a displacement element can be moved to another operating position as soon as the piece goods or the group of items has passed this displacement element. So only very small gaps between two piece goods or groups of parcels are needed, which allows a high product throughput rate.

Advantageously, in step b) the parcel and / or the group of parcels are transferred from a first conveyor of the conveyor to a second conveyor of the conveyor. The first conveyor is operated at a higher speed than the second conveyor. Due to this higher speed, the gaps between two piece goods or groups of unit loads are greater, which in turn facilitates the immersion of the driver element in these gaps, or allows for a higher product throughput rate for a given gap size.

It is advantageous if in step b), in the case of a back contact in the conveying direction of the driving element to the piece goods or the group of goods, the movement of the conveyor takes place at a speed which is less than the speed of the driver element in the conveying direction. The entrainment element is thereby brought slowly from behind to the piece goods located on the conveyor or to the group of items on the conveyor and then brought into contact with this or this. Due to the speed of the driver element, which is preferably only slightly above the speed of the conveyor, damage to the piece goods is prevented.

Since the higher speed of the driver element is required only in that region of the conveyor, where the contact between the driver element and general cargo or group of parcels is made, the speed of the driver element can be subsequently reduced. Only when the next driver element is to be brought into contact with the next piece goods or group of items to be conveyed is an increase in the speed required again.

In the case of a front-side contact of the driver element in the conveying direction to the article or group of goods, the movement of the conveyor accordingly takes place at a speed which is higher than the speed of the driver element in the conveying direction. The piece goods located on the conveyor or the group of goods on the conveyor are thereby brought slowly from behind to the driver element and then brought into contact with this. Due to the preferably only slightly below the speed of the conveyor speed of the driver element damage to the piece goods is prevented.

The driver element can also be rotated in such a way that its extent in the conveying direction in step b) is as low as possible. Thus, the gaps between two cargo or two cargo groups can be kept as small as possible without that the cargo is damaged. In addition, this in turn promotes product throughput.

Finally, it is advantageous if, between step b) and step d), an ejection of the piece goods and / or the group of items is effected by a switch element. Such an ejection compresses the process flow because two functions - unify, distribute or redistribute and divert - are combined in one, slightly larger, process flow.

The method is carried out according to the preceding description, wherein said features may be present individually or in any combination. In particular, the method can be adapted to specific circumstances by changing control parameters within a control program of the device. The relevant control parameters are stored and retrieved in a targeted manner, depending on the format and / or dimensions and / or processing mode (for example number of feed conveyors) of the piece goods or the groups of unit loads. Specifically, the speed of the feed conveyor, driver element and conveyor can be adapted programmatically depending on the unit throughput. Displacement elements for moving the piece goods or the group of items transversely to the conveying direction, which are designed as automatic Verteilweiche are preferably moved by a program control and brought into its predetermined position. When changing over to another piece goods this can be reduced Umrüstarbeit or possibly even completely eliminated.

Further advantages of the invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments. It shows:

1 a side view ( 1a ) and a plan view ( 1b ) of a sorting conveyor,

2 a side view ( 2a ) and a plan view ( 2 B ) of another sorting conveyor,

3 three plan views ( 3a . 3b and 3c ) of another sorting conveyor,

4 a top view of another sorting conveyor,

5 a top view of another sorting conveyor,

6 a side view ( 6a ) and a plan view ( 6b ) of another sorting conveyor,

7 a side view of a sorting conveyor with switch element,

8th a side view of a driver element and

9 a schematic side view of a combined conveyor.

1 shows a side view ( 1a ) and a plan view ( 1b ) of a sorting conveyor according to the invention 1 , This sorting conveyor 1 transports general cargo 2 (of which only one has been provided with a reference numeral here for the sake of clarity) of three feeders 3 to a conveyor 4 , The feeders 3 can be formed for example as a stop band. The general cargo 2 accumulates close to each other on the feeders 3 and then by the feeders 3 on a conveyor 5 a conveyor 6 to hand over. This transfer takes place synchronized with the position of driver elements 7 (Of which here for the sake of clarity, only one was provided with a reference numeral) a driver device 8th and taking into account the speeds of the conveyor 5 and the driver elements 7 instead of. The speed of the conveyor 5 is doing by a cruise control system 9 measured and regulated. The positions of the driver elements 7 For example, from a photocell in one of the entrainment 8th associated control system 10 certainly. The control system 10 also controls a drive, not shown, a Mitnehmerantriebsstrangs 11 on which the driver elements 7 are attached.

By doing that, the conveyor 5 faster than the feeder 3 arise on the conveyor 5 Gaps 12 between the goods 2 , In these gaps 12 grip the driver elements 7 one. As the driver drive train 11 and thus the driver elements 7 run faster than the conveyor 5 push the driver elements 7 from behind to the cargo 2 Come on until you are in contact with the cargo 2 come.

In the further course comes the general cargo 2 to a displacement unit 13 , The displacement unit comprises two rigid displacement elements 14 and a pivotable sliding element 15 , The displacement unit 13 combines three cargo flows to two cargo flows. The swiveling sliding element 15 can be pivoted so that it is the piece goods 2 from the middle cargo flow upwards or downwards directs. The united general cargo 2 is then on the discharge conveyor 4 passed and supplied from this another handling or processing.

2 shows a side view ( 2a ) and a plan view ( 2 B ) of an alternative embodiment of a sorting conveyor 1 , Compared to the first embodiment, the Conveyor 6 this sorting conveyor 1 a second conveyor 16 with a cruise control system 17 on. The second conveyor 16 is operated at a speed that is faster than the speed of the conveyor 5 and also faster than the speed of the driver elements 7 , Due to the faster speed are also the gaps 12 between the goods 2 on the second conveyor 16 a bit bigger than the gaps 12 on the conveyor 5 , Through these larger gaps 12 can the driver elements 7 better between the cargo 2 plunge.

Because the speed of the second conveyor 16 greater than the speed of the driver elements 7 the piece goods are approaching 2 from behind to the driver elements 7 and optionally in contact with the driver elements 7 brought. On the conveyor 5 is then again the speed of the conveyor 5 less than the speed of the driver elements 7 , so that a contact change takes place, that is, the contact from behind the driver element 7 on in front of the driver element 7 replaced.

Furthermore, in this sorting conveyor 1 three movable and swiveling sliding elements 15 intended. These sliding elements 15 can be switched dynamically, ie they can be switched as soon as the one piece goods 2 no longer in contact with the sliding element 15 is. This allows shorter distances between the piece goods 2 realize what increases the product throughput rate.

In 2 B will work in the case of one on the three feeders 3 Essentially equally distributed influx of general cargo 2 shown. Here are alternately piece goods 2 from the upper and middle, then the middle and lower and then from the upper and lower feed conveyor 3 on the conveyor 6 to hand over. Thus, a uniform removal of the piece goods 2 from all three feeders 3 guaranteed.

3 shows the union of general cargo groups 18 through another sorting conveyor 1 , There are three different times ( 3a . 3b and 3c ). Compared to the previous embodiments, this sorting conveyor 1 limiting elements 19 on that the piece goods 2 hold on their assigned lanes. To a general cargo group 18 to receive the feeders 3 short term with the same or almost the same speed as the conveyor 5 the conveyor 6 operated. Became the desired number of piece goods 2 from the feeder 3 on the conveyor 5 pass, then the feeder 3 stopped again.

For a uniform removal of the piece goods 2 from all three feeders 3 The procedure is as follows: 18 from the top and middle feeders 3 processed ( 3a ). The next step will be general cargo groups 18 from the top and middle feeders 3 processed ( 3b ) and then general cargo groups 18 from the middle and from the bottom feeder 3 ( 3c ). These steps are repeated continuously.

4 shows a plan view of another sorting conveyor 1 , in which general cargo 2 from two feeders 3 on a conveyor 4 is united. Here are the displacement unit 13 only rigid sliding elements 14 intended.

A sorting conveyor 1 in which general cargo groups 18 from two feeders 3 on three conveyors 4 is distributed in 5 shown. The displacement unit 13 this sorting conveyor 1 comprises two pivotable sliding elements 15 ,

6 shows a further embodiment of a sorting conveyor 1 , It is 6a a side view and 6b a top view of this sorting conveyor 1 , cargo 2 is here on two adjacent feeders 3 transported. The general cargo 2 from the top in the plan view feed conveyor 3 is shown hatched for the sake of clarity. The drives of the feeders 3 are each from a cruise control system 20 operated. For lateral guidance of the piece goods 2 are boundary elements 19 intended.

A photocell 21 at the sorting conveyor 1 facing the end of the feeder 3 detects whether general cargo 2 on the feeder 3 located. Detects the photocell 21 cargo 2 , then at the beginning of this detection is also the position of the piece goods 2 known. With the help of the cruise control system 20 fixed speed of the feeder 3 can also be the position of the piece goods 2 be calculated for later times. Is general cargo 2 on the feeder 3 present, then it moves the feeder 3 at the right time so keep it on the conveyor 5 the conveyor 6 is handed over. This conveyor 5 is as wide as the two feeders 3 together and can therefore general cargo 2 from both feeders 3 take. The conveyor 5 is the cruise control system 9 assigned. In addition, the conveyor has 6 another photocell 22 on, with the help of which the position of the piece goods 2 on the conveyor 5 is controlled.

The at the Mitnehmerantriebsstrang 11 arranged driver elements 7 grab in gaps 12 between the goods 2 A, will be in contact with the cargo 2 brought and transported then the piece goods 2 continue to pivotal displacement elements 15 the displacement unit 13 , The swiveling sliding elements 15 are designed to be general cargo 2 from (in plan view) upper cargo flow to lower cargo flow and vice versa can direct. In this embodiment, therefore, a re-sorting of the piece goods 2 instead of. The reorganized general cargo 2 is then from the guide device 6 on two conveyors 4 to hand over.

7 shows another sorting conveyor 1 with a switch element 23 , This switch element 23 is between a closed operating position 23.1 and an open operating position 23.2 designed to be movable. As already described above is general cargo 2 from the feeder 3 to the conveyor 5 the conveyor 6 to hand over. In the area of the conveyor 6 grip driver elements 7 attached to the cam drive train 11 are arranged in gaps between the cargo 2 one. First of all, the piece goods pass 2 a displacement unit 13 in which, for example, it is combined on a piece-goods stream. Then comes the general cargo 2 to the switch element 23 , In the closed operating position 23.1 of the switch element 23 transport the driver elements 7 the piece goods further on the switch element 23 to the conveyor 4 , In the open operating position 23.2 of the switch element 23 In contrast, the contact is released from the driver element 7 to the general cargo 2 and the general cargo 2 is using gravity over the switch element 23 to another conveyor 24 transported.

8th shows a driver element 7 which is connected to a drive train 11 is arranged. The driver element 7 has a flat product contact element 25 on, which serves a particularly gentle contact to the cargo. Furthermore, the driver element 7 rotatably supported about an axis A. It has a support role 26 on, with it, for example, on a strong slope of a guideway on the driver drive train 11 or can support a positioning rail, not shown here. Furthermore, the driver element 7 a positioning spring 27 on, which is the driver element 7 For example, during immersion in a gap between two cargo, brings in an optimal position or the support roller 26 presses against a support surface.

Finally shows 9 a schematic side view of a combined conveyor 28 , This shows only one of any number of combination options, which are composed of displacement units and points conveyors. In the present embodiment, piece goods from two feeders on a conveyor 6 to hand over. On a drive train 11 arranged driver elements (not shown here) intervene in gaps between the cargo. By means of a displacement unit 13 The two groups of goods are united on a group of general cargo. The general cargo is then at two points elements 23 past. Depending on the position of the switch elements 23 The general cargo is one of two other removal conveyors 24 fed or further along the driver drive train 11 transported. At another switch element 29 the general cargo either arrives at another removal conveyor 24 or on a guideway 30 , which are substantially parallel to the driver drive train 11 runs. On this guideway 30 the general cargo overcomes a height difference and continues to become a discharge conveyor 4 transported.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments. Variations within the scope of the claims are also possible as a combination of features, even if they are shown and described in different embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

sorting conveyor

2

cargo

3

feeder

4

discharge conveyor

5

promoter

6

Conveyor

7

dogging

8th

entrainment

9

Speed control system

10

control system

11

Mitnehmerantriebsstrang

12

gap

13

displacement unit

14

Rigid sliding element

15

Swiveling sliding element

16

Second promoter

17

Speed control system

18

cargo group

19

limiting element

20

Speed control system

21

photocell

22

photocell

23

soft member

24

Another removal conveyor

25

Product contact element

26

support roller

27

positioning spring

28

Combined conveyor

29

Another switch element

30

guideway

A

axis

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007001973 A1 [0004]
• EP 1046598 A1 [0005]
• DE 10219129 A1 [0006]
• DE 102009003845 A1 [0007]
• US 4004677 [0008]
• DE 19500546 A1 [0009]
• EP 1260467 A1 [0010]

Claims (20)

Device for the defined unification, distribution and / or redistribution of general cargo ( 2 ) and / or general cargo groups ( 18 ) in a conveying direction of at least one feed conveyor ( 3 ) to at least one discharge conveyor ( 4 ; 24 ) comprising at least one conveyor ( 6 ), at least one displacement unit ( 13 ) and at least one driver device ( 8th ), wherein the at least one entrainment device ( 8th ) at least one driver element ( 7 ) characterized in that the device ( 1 ) a synchronizer ( 9 . 10 . 17 . 20 . 21 . 22 ) for synchronizing the position of the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo groups ( 18 ) with the position of the driver element ( 7 ) having. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the synchronizing device ( 9 . 10 . 17 . 20 . 21 . 22 ) a sensor system for detecting the position of the driver element ( 7 ), one of the entrainment device ( 8th ) associated control system ( 10 ) for regulating the position of the driver element ( 7 ), one of the conveyors ( 6 ) associated speed control system ( 9 ; 17 ) and electrical and / or electronic communication means for communicating with the feed conveyor ( 3 ). Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a number m of feed conveyors ( 3 ) and a number n of removal conveyors ( 4 ; 24 ) and m is n. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conveying device ( 6 ) at least two in the conveying direction successively arranged conveyor ( 5 . 16 ), whereby each conveyor ( 5 ; 16 ) a cruise control system ( 9 ; 17 ) assigned. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that between conveying device ( 6 ) and discharge conveyor ( 4 ; 24 ) at least one guideway ( 30 ) is arranged. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entrainment device ( 8th ) at least one driver drive train ( 11 ), on which the driver element or the driver elements ( 7 ), in particular equidistantly spaced from each other, is arranged and / or and the driver element (s) ( 7 ) is rotatable about an axis which is oriented substantially parallel to the conveying direction, and / or about an axis (A) is rotatable, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction and parallel to the Zuförderebene. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entrainment device ( 8th ) two mutually parallel Mitnehmerantriebsstränge ( 11 ), wherein the driver element ( 7 ) between the two driver drive trains ( 11 ) is arranged and the driver element ( 7 ) the two driver drive trains ( 11 ) or at least over part of the extent of the conveyor ( 6 ) extends transversely to the conveying direction. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one driver element ( 7 ) and / or that the entrainment device ( 8th ) in a vertical direction relative to the horizontal extent of the conveyor ( 6 ) is designed adjustable in height. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driver element ( 7 ) one on the surface of the driver element ( 7 ) has arranged sliding layer. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement unit ( 13 ) at least one displacement element ( 14 ; 15 ), which is designed in particular obliquely to the conveying direction movable, foldable, pivotable and / or removable. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one displacement element ( 14 ; 15 ) is designed as a deflector extending obliquely to the conveying direction, a rotating roller body running obliquely to the conveying direction or a displaceable sliding impactor. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displacement unit ( 13 ) electrical and / or pneumatic drive means for moving the at least one displacement element ( 14 ; 15 ) having. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device ( 1 ) at least one switch element ( 23 ; 29 ) for discharging the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo groups ( 18 ) having. Method for the defined merging, distribution and / or redistribution of general cargo ( 2 ) and or General cargo groups ( 18 ) in a conveying direction with the steps a) feeding at least one piece goods ( 2 ) and / or a general cargo group ( 18 ) by at least one feed conveyor ( 3 ) to a conveyor ( 6 ) a sorting conveyor unit ( 1 ), b) bringing a driver element ( 7 ) a driver device ( 8th ) to the general cargo ( 2 ) and / or to the general cargo group ( 18 ) and contacting the driver element ( 7 ) with the general cargo ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ), c) contacting a displacement unit ( 13 ) with the general cargo ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ), wherein a deviating from the conveying direction movement of the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ) and d) transfer of the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ) to at least one discharge conveyor ( 4 ; 24 ), characterized in that in step a) and / or b) the position of the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ) with the position of the driver element ( 7 ) is synchronized. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that for synchronizing the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ) with the driver element ( 7 ) the speeds of the conveyor ( 6 ) and the driver device ( 8th ), the position of the driver element ( 7 ) and the time and / or speed of transfer of the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ) from the feeder ( 3 ) on the conveyor ( 6 ) depending on the position of the driver element ( 7 ) is controlled and / or regulated. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step c) a positive connection of the piece goods ( 2 ) or the general cargo group ( 18 ) with the driver element ( 7 ) and the displacement unit ( 13 ) is achieved. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that displacement elements ( 14 ; 15 ) of the displacement unit ( 13 ) depending on the position of the driver element ( 7 ), the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ) are moved dynamically. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step b) the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ) from a first conveyor ( 16 ) of the conveyor ( 6 ) on a second conveyor ( 5 ) of the conveyor ( 6 ). Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step b) in the case of a back contact in the conveying direction of the driver element ( 7 ) to general cargo ( 2 ) or general cargo group ( 18 ) the movement of the conveyor ( 6 ) at a speed which is less than the speed of the driver element ( 7 ) in the conveying direction and in the case of a front-side contact of the driver element in the conveying direction ( 7 ) to general cargo ( 2 ) or general cargo group ( 18 ) the movement of the conveyor ( 6 ) takes place at a speed which is higher than the speed of the driver element ( 7 ) in the conveying direction. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that between step b) and step d) an ejection of the piece goods ( 2 ) and / or the general cargo group ( 18 ) by a switch element ( 23 ; 29 ) is effected.

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