EP2363363A2 - Procédé et dispositif d'inversion de sens lors du transport d'objets - Google Patents

Procédé et dispositif d'inversion de sens lors du transport d'objets Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2363363A2
EP2363363A2 EP11155993A EP11155993A EP2363363A2 EP 2363363 A2 EP2363363 A2 EP 2363363A2 EP 11155993 A EP11155993 A EP 11155993A EP 11155993 A EP11155993 A EP 11155993A EP 2363363 A2 EP2363363 A2 EP 2363363A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transport
gap
length
leading
objects
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP11155993A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2363363A3 (fr
Inventor
Armin Zimmermann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
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Siemens AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP2363363A2 publication Critical patent/EP2363363A2/fr
Publication of EP2363363A3 publication Critical patent/EP2363363A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H29/00—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles
    • B65H29/12—Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands or rollers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
    • B65H2301/33—Modifying, selecting, changing orientation
    • B65H2301/333—Inverting
    • B65H2301/3331—Involving forward reverse transporting means
    • B65H2301/33314—Involving forward reverse transporting means forward reverse belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/44—Moving, forwarding, guiding material
    • B65H2301/445—Moving, forwarding, guiding material stream of articles separated from each other
    • B65H2301/4452—Regulating space between separated articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
    • B65H2511/11—Length
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
    • B65H2511/20—Location in space
    • B65H2511/22—Distance
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
    • B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and a device for reversing the direction during the transport of objects, in particular flat mail items.
  • a method comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1 and an apparatus having the features of the preamble of claim 7 are made EP 1754675 B1 known.
  • EP 1754675 B1 a "sheet handling apparatus" with a head station ("switchback section 1") is described.
  • a pre-path 2 leads to the head station 1, a post-path 3 away from the head station 1, and a bypass path 5 passes around the head station 1.
  • Mail is sent from a shunt G to either the feed transport path or the bypass path 5 so that the processing time is equal to both times.
  • a length sensor 14 'on the feed transport path 3 measures the length of each mail item in the transport direction.
  • the head station 1 has a "switchback roller 11", which can be driven in both directions.
  • a controller 100 controls the drive of the roller 11 as a function of the measured length of the mail item. The longer the mail piece, the longer the roller 11 is rotated at an increased speed. With a given topology of the arrangement and predetermined same transport speed in the feed transport path 2 and in the removal transport path 3, a constant processing time can be achieved even with mailpieces of different lengths.
  • a gap detector In front of the switch W is a gap detector ("gap sensor 22").
  • the controller 100 controls the head-end station so that the gap between two successive postal items after passing the merge point P2 is always the same.
  • a sheet processing apparatus 10 which transports flat objects.
  • This device 10 comprises a main transport path 1, a first head-end station 2a, a second head-end station 4b, and a drum roller 1a.
  • a mail item is transported to another transport path ("conveying path 6") in one of the following three ways:
  • a first switch (“switching gate G1") redirects the mail item from the main transport path 1 to the first head station 2a, and from there the mail item reaches the transport path 6 via a transport path 2b and a transport path 7.
  • a second switch redirects the mail item to the second top station 4b, and from there the mail item reaches the transport path via the transport path 7 6.
  • the mail item is transported to the drum 1a, and the transport path 1b directs the mail item at both head-on stations 2a, 4b to the transport path 6.
  • FIG. 4 from EP 1529747 A1 shows in detail the first head station 2a.
  • a carry-in conveying path 22 transports a postal matter M past a sensor S3 to a nip n between two rollers 14, 16.
  • the sensor S3 measures the length of the mailpiece.
  • the rollers 14, 16 grasp the mail item M.
  • Two sensors 32, 33 detect the mail item M between the rollers 14, 16.
  • the mail item M is timed ("at a timing timing") stopped.
  • a lever 28 deflects the stopped mail piece M into a "discharge conveying path 23". This transport path 23 transports the mail item.
  • a first transport unit transports the articles in a first transport direction and then transfers them to a second transport unit (“second conveyor”).
  • second transport unit takes over the objects and transports them in a second transport direction via a predetermined transport path, stops the articles and transports them back again via the transport path in the opposite transport direction.
  • third transport unit takes over the objects and transports them in a third transport direction.
  • US 5,449,166 is an acute angle ⁇ between the first transport direction and the second transport direction. Between the transport direction opposite to the second transport direction and the third transport direction is an acute angle ⁇ .
  • a direction reversal device is described with a length sensor.
  • a feed-transport device transports flat objects, e.g. B. mail, to a terminal station.
  • a carry-away device transports these mailings away again.
  • a length sensor measures the length of each mailpiece. The device is controlled so that the gap between two consecutive mail before reaching the head station is equal to the gap after leaving the head station.
  • the "conveying pitch" remains the same, that is the sum of the length of a mailpiece and the subsequent gap. In order to produce the constant gap or the constant "conveying pitch" transported the head station a mail item the longer with increased speed, the longer the mailpiece.
  • the "switchback apparatus 105" has two head stations ("switchback mechanism 2a, 4b") and a "by-pass mechanism” in the form of two "straight path 1a, 1b".
  • the "switchback apparatus 105" further has a "main conveying path 1" which guides a mailing around a drum.
  • a switch ("gate G1") directs a mail item from the main path 1 to the head station (“switchback mechanism 2a"), another switch (“gate G2”) from the main path to the head station (“switchback mechanism 4b").
  • the mail items from the two header stations 2a, 4b and the mail items which remain in the main path 1 are brought together again in a "joining unit 8", which is effected by suitable lengths of the transport paths and acceleration and deceleration times.
  • the head station 2a has a drive roller 14, which can be driven in both directions, and a roller 16. Between the rollers 14, 16, a gap ("nip N") is formed.
  • the head station 2a is bounded by two guide elements ("guide plates 21, 22").
  • a mail item is introduced along a feed transport path in a direction T1 to the head station and withdrawn along a WegLab transport path in the opposite direction T2 again.
  • Three sensors measure whether a mail item is located in the head station 2a.
  • Two rollers 45, 41 pull as needed a z.
  • the invention has for its object to provide an apparatus with the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a method having the features of the preamble of claim 7, by which the need is avoided, even with varying lengths of the objects to be transported, that the direction reversal device accelerates an object and still prevents the first gap from falling below the direction reversal minimum gap length.
  • the device transports at least two consecutive objects.
  • the gap generating means sequentially forms among these two items such that one item is a leading item and the other item is a subsequent item and a first gap occurs between the two items when the leading item reaches the direction reversal device ,
  • the length measuring device measures exactly or at least approximately the length of the leading object. These measured length is the dimension of this article as seen in the transport direction into which the first transport device transports the first article.
  • the length generation device establishes the first gap between the two objects such that the first gap is one at the latest Gap length penalty is greater than a given turnaround-to-turn gap length when the leading object reaches the direction reversal facility.
  • the gap length addition is greater than or equal to the difference between the measured length and the default standard maximum length.
  • the first transport device transports the two objects to the direction reversal device such that the first gap between the two objects is greater than or equal to the direction reversal minimum gap length at the latest when the leading object has reached the direction reversal device.
  • the direction reversal device transports the two objects via a predetermined transport path in a transport direction and then via the same transport path in the transport direction opposite to the transport direction.
  • the reversal device initially transports the leading object in the transport direction and then in the opposite transport direction and then the subsequent object in the transport direction and then in the opposite direction of transport. It is possible that the processes that the reversal device transports the leading object and that the reversal device transports the subsequent article overlap in time.
  • the direction reversal device terminates the transport of the leading article in the transport direction at the latest and begins transport in the opposite direction of transport at the latest when the leading object passes over the entire transport path was transported away. The additional transport path is not required for the leading mail item in this situation.
  • the second transport device transports the two objects away from the direction reversal device, such that a second gap occurs between the two articles.
  • This second gap can be as long as the first gap or differ from it.
  • the first gap is then adjusted to a length greater by the gap length addition if the leading object is longer than the predetermined standard maximum length. Otherwise, the first gap may be equal to the given direction reversal minimum gap length, allowing for maximum throughput.
  • the invention makes it possible to continue to use an existing direction reversal device, although the device was originally designed only for those articles which, viewed in the direction of transport, are no longer than the predetermined standard maximum length and their gap-generating device and their Transport path for such items is designed.
  • US 5,449,166 such a device will be described.
  • the device is able to transport even longer objects and can reverse in their direction, ie objects that are longer than the standard maximum length.
  • “Later” means: After the construction or after the construction of the device. Required is enough space for the gap generator and for the additional transport path. Both are often present anyway. A length measuring device is usually available anyway. The required changes to the already existing device can be realized only by changing the control of the gap generation device and the direction reversal device, which can be achieved by reprogramming and without changing the hardware. The mechanical components can therefore remain unchanged.
  • the additional transport path is only needed to reverse the direction of overlong objects, ie objects that are longer than the standard maximum length.
  • the remaining items are transported solely using the transport path in the transport direction and then in the opposite direction of transport.
  • the first gap is produced such that the leading object has completely left the transport path before the subsequent object reaches it. This prevents a collision between the leading object transported in the opposite transport direction and the subsequent object transported in the transport direction.
  • the direction reversal minimum gap length is set so that this collision freedom is ensured if the leading object is not longer than the standard maximum length and the first gap is at least as large as the reversal direction minimum gap length , For each leading item not exceeding the standard maximum length is an equally long gap can be set to each subsequent object, which simplifies the control and the work of the gap-generating device.
  • the direction reversal device only needs the direction reversal transport path, and the turnaround minimum gap length provides the necessary time therefor.
  • a larger first gap is produced by solution. This larger gap is needed to allow the direction reversal device enough time to transport the longer object across the entire transport path and over the additional transport path.
  • the first gap is produced before the leading object has reached the direction reversal device. Even if the leading first object is overlong, the - then larger - first gap is made in advance.
  • This design as well as the use of the additional transport path eliminates the need for the reversal device to hasten a long leading object in the transport direction.
  • the direction reverser need not accelerate an article to a speed greater than the speed at which the article is transported away from the direction reversal device. Such high acceleration or speed may mechanically load or even damage the article and / or direction reversal device.
  • long items are often heavier, so acceleration requires a greater force and / or a longer time. Thanks to the invention, this acceleration can be avoided.
  • the first gap is set to the smallest possible value to achieve maximum throughput through the direction reversal device.
  • This smallest possible value can vary from item to item.
  • the first gap is made by retarding the trailing object relative to the leading object.
  • the leading object reaches a predetermined target transport speed faster than the subsequent object.
  • the following object is slowed down.
  • the direction reversal device always transports both articles at such a speed in the transport direction and then in the opposite transport direction, which is less than or equal to the feed rate at which the articles are transported to the direction reversal device, and also less than or equal to Guiding speed is with which the objects are transported away from the direction reversal device.
  • the length measuring device either determines that the length of the leading object is smaller than the predetermined standard maximum length. In this case, the length does not need to be measured more accurately. On the other hand, if the length is greater than or equal to the standard maximum length, the length of the leading object is measured as accurately as required to produce the first gap according to the solution.
  • the leading article is stopped such that a reference point of the article after stopping is in a predetermined reference reversal region of the transport path.
  • the center axis of the stopped leading object is always located at a certain point of the transport path, except for a tolerance. In or near this central axis often lies also the focus of the preceding item.
  • the corresponding reference point of a longer object is transported over the entire reference reversal area. This embodiment allows a uniform direction reversal.
  • the flat objects are z.
  • a stream of upright and spaced mailpieces with the destination address and indicia all pointing in the same direction.
  • Such a stream is called a stream of oriented mail.
  • Each mail item in which the destination address and the franking mark still point in the wrong direction is once rotated about a vertical axis which is perpendicular to the transport direction.
  • Each other, ie already correctly oriented mail item is not rotated at all in one embodiment and twice in another embodiment about this vertical axis.
  • a mail item is permanently moved, while the mail item is rotated once or twice about a vertical axis.
  • the movement and rotation of the mailpiece interfere and the rotations are performed without stopping the mailing.
  • the sorting system has at least one, preferably a plurality of direction reversal devices connected in parallel and a bypass device.
  • Fig. 1 shows an example of an arrangement with two parallel reversing devices and a bypass device.
  • a feeding conveyor transports each mail item on a feed transport path Zf-Tp past a sequence of switches W-1, W-2, W-3.
  • each switch W-1, W-2, W3 branches off a connection path leading to a respective direction reversal device RE-1, RE-2 or the bypass device UE-1.
  • each mail item passes through a further connection path which leads to a routing transport path Wf-Tp.
  • the desired sequence of oriented mail items is then generated in the routing transport path Wf-Tp.
  • the arrangement of Fig. 1 comprises a first direction reversal device RE-1, a second direction reversal device RE-2 and a bypass device UE-1.
  • a feed-transport path Zf-Tp three switches W-1, W-2, W-3 are successively arranged.
  • a transport path to the first reversal device RE-1 is shown, in the switch W-2 a transport path to the bypass device UE-1 and in the switch W-3 a transport path to the second reversal device RE- 1 second
  • These three connection paths lead to the three devices RE-1, UE-1, RE-2.
  • Three further connection paths lead from these three devices to the routing transport path Wf-Tp.
  • a route transport device transports the sequence of oriented mailpieces on the routing transport path Wf-Tp to an address reader which deciphers the respective address on each mailpiece and to a checking unit which checks the franking mark.
  • the sequence of oriented mailpieces is transported between a printer and a print run.
  • the printer prints consecutively some or all of the mailings, the printer z. B. a stamp canceled, imprinted a postage meter, applies an advertising imprint, or imprinted a new delivery address on a forwarded mail item.
  • the printer presses a piece of mail to be printed against the printing gate.
  • the mailpiece must be oriented in order to be printed on the front side.
  • the first direction reverser RE-1 comprises a drum Tr-1 and a "head station” Kb-1.
  • the second direction reversal device RE-2 comprises a drum Tr-2 and a "head station” Kb-2.
  • the bypass device UE-1 has two drums Tr-3 and Tr-4.
  • the mail item is first guided around the drum Tr-1, Tr-2 and then reaches the "head station” Kb-1, Kb-2.
  • a mail item first passes through the "head station” Kb-1, Kb-2 and is then guided around the drum Tr-1, Tr-2.
  • the bypass device UE-1 preferably comprises two vertical drums Tr-3, Tr-4. Each mail item is first guided around the one drum Tr-3 and then around the other drum Tr-4.
  • the apparatus is configured to restore an order among mailpieces in the feed transport path Zf-Tp when the mailpieces have reached the carry-out transport path Wf-Tp.
  • Each transport device preferably comprises at least one endless conveyor belt, which is guided around at least two, preferably three vertical axes or rollers, and a counter-transport element.
  • the counter-transport element may also be an endless conveyor belt or at least one roller, which comes directly into contact with a transported mail item.
  • Endless conveyor belts may also be provided with a roll or sequence of rollers that directly contact the mailpiece.
  • each transport device clamps a mail item intermittently between two endless conveyor belts which are rotated at the same speed, thereby transporting the mailpieces at this speed ("pinch-belt system").
  • This gap is at least as large as a given transport minimum gap length. The same applies to two transport consignments in the Weglim transport path.
  • Each mail item which is diverted from the feed transport path Zf-Tp to the connection path leading to the first direction reverser RE-1 is first passed around the drum Tr-1 and then passes through the "head station" Kb-1 of the first one Direction reversal device RE-1.
  • Fig. 2 shows by way of example this "head station” Kb-1.
  • the "head station” Kb-1 comprises two endless conveyor belts Fb-1, Fb-2, which are each guided around three rollers. These two endless conveyor belts Fb-1, Fb-2 are capable of temporarily trapping a mail item between them and of transporting them over a clamping transport path, in which the mailpieces are clamped by the two conveyor belts Fb-1, Fb-2 and transported without slippage , This clamp transport path forms part of a transport path of the first direction reversal device RE-1.
  • a first transport device TE-1 transports the mailpieces in a first transport direction TR-1 to the "head station” Kb-1.
  • the first transport device TE-1 leads from the drum Tr-1 to the "head station” Kb-1.
  • a preceding transport device leads from the shunt W-1 to the drum Tr-1.
  • a second transport device TE-2 transports the mailpieces in the second transport direction TR-2 away from the "head station" Kb-2 to the removal transport path Wf-Tp.
  • the first transport device TE-1 and the second transport device TE-2 are configured to transport a mail piece without slippage. Between the clamping transport path of the first transport device TE-1 and the clamping transport path of the "head station" Kb-1 is a transfer area in which a mail item is not taken. This transfer area is shorter than the shortest postal item is long, so that a mail item is taken at any time, at least in a subarea.
  • a photoelectric sensor Li-4 measures when the leading edge of a mailpiece reaches the transfer area.
  • a subsequent initial light barrier Li-A measures when the leading edge of this mail item has reached the beginning of the terminal transport route of the "head station".
  • the device has a control unit SE.
  • This control unit SE controls the direction reversing devices RE-1 and RE-2.
  • the control unit SE controls the drives of the endless conveyor belts Fb-1, Fb-2.
  • the light barriers Li-4 and Li-A transmit signals to the control unit SE.
  • the "head station” Kb-1 first transports a mail item in a transport direction TR until the trailing edge of the mail item has passed the initial light barrier Li-A. At this time, the mail item is taken only by the two endless conveyor belts of the "head station”. The "head station” slows down and stops the mail item and accelerates it in a transport direction TR-e, which is opposite to the transport direction TR. The leading edge of the mailpiece passes through the light barrier Li-4 and is captured by the second transport device TE-2.
  • the head station Kb-1 begins to decelerate the supplied mail item as soon as the trailing edge of the mail item has passed the light barrier Li-4, and terminates the acceleration at the latest when the leading edge has again reached the light barrier Li-4. Preferably, therefore, the braking is started as early as possible, and the acceleration is terminated as late as possible.
  • a first acute angle ⁇ occurs between the first transport direction TR-1 and the transport direction TR.
  • the inherent rigidity of the mailpiece causes a rear region of the mail item to fold about the angle ⁇ and the longitudinal axis of the mail item Mail item in the transport direction TR of the "head station" Kb-1 shows.
  • a second acute angle ⁇ occurs between the opposite transport direction TR-e and the second transport direction TR-2.
  • the second angle ⁇ is smaller than the first angle ⁇ .
  • the "head station" Kb-1 for each mail item.
  • first the first transport device TE-1 transports the leading first mail item Ps-1 and the following mail item Ps-2. Between the leading mail item Ps-1 and the following Mailing Ps-2 encounters a first gap. This first gap remains unchanged while the first transport device TE-1 transports the two mail items Ps-1, Ps-2 in the first transport direction TR-1. Subsequently, the preceding mail item Ps-1 first passes through the "head station" Kb-1 as described above, and then the following mail item Ps-2 passes through the "head station".
  • the first gap is dimensioned so large that the leading mail piece Ps-1 has completely left the "head station” Kb-1 before the following mail item Ps-2 reaches the "head station". However, the first gap is also so small that both the leading mail item Ps-1 and the subsequent mail item Ps-2 interrupt the light barrier Li-4 during a period of time.
  • the leading mail item Ps-1 is transported in this period by the second transport device TE-2 in the second transport direction TR-2, the subsequent mail item Ps-1 from the first transport device TE-1 in the first transport direction TR-1 ,
  • the head station Kb-1 first summarizes the leading mail item Ps-1 and then the subsequent mail item Ps-2.
  • the second transport device TE-2 transports the two mail items Ps-1 and Ps-2 such that a second gap occurs between the mail item Ps-1 which continues to run ahead and the mail item Ps-2 which continues to follow.
  • This second gap may be the same or different than the first gap.
  • the first gap between the leading mail piece Ps-1 and the following Ps-2 is established before the two mail items Ps-1, Ps-2 have reached the first transporting means TE-1.
  • the length of the first gap depends on the length of the leading mail item Ps-1. This length of the mail item Ps-1 is hereinafter referred to as L-1.
  • the length L-1 is measured before the first gap is established by a length measuring device LME located upstream of the first transport device TE-1.
  • the separator has two separation stages.
  • the first separation stage separates the two mail items Ps-1 and Ps-2, so that a gap between the two mail items Ps-1 and Ps-2 occurs. Only after the singulation can the length of the preceding mail item Ps-1 be measured.
  • the length measuring device LME is arranged between the first separating stage and the second separating stage and measures the length L-1 of the separated leading mail piece Ps-1 and the length of the gap between the two mail items Ps-1 and Ps-2.
  • the second separation stage subsequently produces the first gap with a gap length which is predetermined for the second separation stage. If necessary, the second separation stage delays the subsequent mail item Ps-2.
  • Fig. 3 shows an example of a singler with two stages.
  • the first separation stage comprises a driven transport element 10.1 with a plurality of superposed transport conveyor belts and a first retaining element 2.
  • Two compression springs 28.1, 28.2 push the first retaining element 2 against the entrainment conveyor belts of the first transport element 10.1 so far that only a predetermined minimum distance between the first transport element 10.1 and the first retaining element 2 remains.
  • the second separation stage has a corresponding second transport element 10.2 and a second retaining element. 7
  • the conveyor belts of the first transport element 10.1 are guided around three rollers 30, 31, 32 around.
  • a drive 16 drives the roller 32.
  • the conveyor belts of the second transport element 10.2 are guided around two rollers 33, 34.
  • a drive 9 drives the roller 34.
  • the first separation stage further comprises a first drawing element 3 with the two transport rollers 3.1, 3.2, both of which are driven by the drive 15.
  • the second separating stage comprises a second drawing element 8 with the two transport rollers 8.1, 8.2, which are driven by the drive 16.
  • the separation stages work in one embodiment in a start-stop operation.
  • the two transport elements 10.1 and 10.2 are started continuously and stopped again.
  • Each separation stage can be controlled separately.
  • the two-stage separator can produce a desired gap between two consecutive postal items.
  • This light barrier 4 comprises a line 4.1 with transmitters and a line 4.2 with receivers. This light barrier 4 measures the length of a mail item as its dimension seen in the transport direction.
  • the feed transport device comprises a gap changing device LVE.
  • the gap changing device LVE comprises two endless conveyor belts, which are able to pinch a mail item temporarily between them. As soon as a mail item is picked up and clamped exclusively by these two endless conveyor belts of the gap changing device LVE, the mail item is delayed or else accelerated relative to a preceding mail item. This will change the gap between the two items.
  • a gap changing device which can also be used for the device of the embodiment. It describes how a target gap and a minimum gap between successive mailpieces are determined and how the gap changing device establishes an actual gap between these mailpieces.
  • the length measuring device LME comprises a light barrier line with a line 4.1 of transmitters and a line 4.2 of recipients.
  • a mailpiece is transported between the sender line and the recipient line.
  • a light beam emitted by a transmitter either hits the associated receiver or is interrupted by a mailpiece. How long a mailpiece is, z. B. from the product of the period of time in which a mailpiece interrupts a light beam, and the measured transport speed with which the mail item is transported between the transmitter line and the receiver line, measured.
  • This length measuring device may be part of the two-stage separator, which in Fig. 3 is shown or installed elsewhere in the sorting system, z. B. in the feed-transport path Zf-Tp.
  • the length measuring device LME comprises a camera and an image evaluation unit.
  • the camera generates an image of the mail item standing on a longitudinal edge from an imaging direction which is perpendicular to the direction in which mail item is transported past the camera. The image thus shows an area of the flat postal item. This image is transmitted to the image evaluation unit.
  • the image evaluation unit evaluates the image and thereby measures the length of the mail item as an extension of the mail item in the transport direction.
  • the control unit SE has read access to this data memory.
  • a mailing may be longer than the standard maximum length L-max.
  • the first gap is made so that the length of the first gap is greater than or equal to the direction reversal minimum gap length. This ensures that a leading mail piece Ps-1 the "head station” Kb-1 has completely left before the subsequent mailing Ps-2 reaches the "terminus".
  • Fig. 4 schematically shows a path-time diagram.
  • the time t is shown on the x-axis, the distance s on the y-axis. Shown are a leading longer mail piece Ps-1 and a subsequent shorter mail piece Ps-2.
  • the leading mail item Ps-1 has the leading edge Vk-1 and the trailing edge Hk-1
  • the subsequent mail item Ps-2 has the leading edge Vk-2 and trailing edge Hk-2.
  • the leading mail item Ps-1 has the length L-1> L-max.
  • Lines-V.1 describe the path of the leading edge of the longer mailpiece Ps-1, path-H.1 the path of the trailing edge of the longer mailpiece Ps-1, path-V.2 the path of the leading edge of the shorter mailpiece Ps-2 and path H.2 the path of the trailing edge of the shorter mail piece Ps-2.
  • both mail items Ps-1, Ps-2 are still taken and transported exclusively by the first transport device TE-1. Between the two mail items Ps-1, Ps-2, the first gap Lü-1 occurs.
  • the trailing edge Hk-1 of the leading mail piece Ps-1 has passed through the initial light barrier LS-A, and is captured only by the second transport device TE-2.
  • the leading mail item Ps-1 partially uses the additional transport path Z-Tpf with the length LZ.
  • the longer mail item Ps-1 is then braked and accelerated in the opposite direction of transport TR-2e.
  • the path-time course of this reversal is in Fig. 4 roughly illustrated.
  • the subsequent mail item Ps-2 has a smaller distance to the transport path Tpf than the preceding mail item Ps-1.
  • the feeding-transporting means successively transports the mailpieces Ps-1, Ps-3 and Ps-2 via the feeding-transporting path Zf-Tp.
  • the two mail items Ps-1 and Ps-2 are successively redirected in the connection path to the first direction reversal device RE-1, preferably so that the length of the first gap between the two mail items Ps-1 and Ps-2 remains unchanged.
  • the third postal item Ps-3 is located in the first gap between the two postal items Ps-1 and Ps-2 and is transported around the first reversal device RE-1.
  • the following mail item Ps-2 thus follows only in the connection path to the "head station" Kb-1 immediately behind the leading mail item Ps-1, previously there is still the third mail item Ps-3 between the two mail items Ps-1 and Ps-2.
  • the first gap is created so that the length of the first gap is longer by at least one gap length penalty is the default direction reversal minimum gap length.
  • the first gap is again at least as large as the sum of twice the transport minimum gap length and the length of the mailing Ps-3.
  • the gap length penalty is greater than or equal to the difference between the measured length L-1 of the leading mail piece Ps-1 and the predetermined standard maximum length L-max.
  • the gap length penalty is equal to the difference L-1 - L-max.
  • the two mail items Ps-1 and Ps-2 are transported with this first gap between them via the feed transport path to the switch to the connection path and from the connection path by means of the first transport device TE-1 to the "head station" of the first direction reversal device RE -1.
  • the first gap maintains the same gap length until the trailing edge of the leading mail item Ps-1 has passed the initial light barrier Li-A of the "head station". Only then is the first gap changed because the "head station" brakes the leading mail item Ps-1.
  • the "head station” has a clamping transport path in which a mail item is transported without slippage becomes.
  • This clamp transport path has a reference reversal area.
  • This reference reversal area may be a single point or a leg of the transport path Tpf.
  • a mailpiece that is no longer than the standard maximum length L-max is stopped by the "head-end station" such that a reference point of the mailpiece is in the reference reversal area when the mailpiece is stopped.
  • the reference point is z. B. the center of the mailing seen in the transport direction TR.
  • the reference reversal region is preferably located halfway along the clamp transport path.
  • the distance between the reference reversal area and the initial light barrier Li-A is so large that a mail item which is stopped as described above is located completely in the "head station", ie the trailing edge of the mail item is the initial light barrier. A has happened when the mailpiece is stopped.
  • the distance between the reference reversal region and the initial light barrier Li-A is therefore at least half of the maximum length L-max. However, this only applies to postal items that are no longer than the standard maximum length L-max.
  • a mail item that is longer than the standard maximum length L-max is also stopped as soon as it has been transported in the transport direction TR such that its trailing edge has passed the initial light barrier Li-A when the item of mail is being stopped.
  • the reference point of the overlong postal item was transported through the reference reversal area at this time and a further distance in the transport direction TR.
  • the leading edge of the overlong mail item passes through the entire clamping transport path and the entire transport path Tpf, as well as an additional transport path Z-Tpf, which adjoins the transport path Tpf. Only then is the overlong postal item stopped.
  • an end-photoelectric sensor Li-E is arranged at the end of the additional transport path Z-Tpf - or shortly before the end -.
  • This end photoelectric sensor Li-E measures the event that an overlong mail item has completely or almost completely passed through the end of the additional transport path Z-Tpf.
  • the end photoelectric switch Li-E then sends a signal to the control unit SE.
  • the control unit SE causes the head-end station Kb-1 to stop the mail item, so that this overlong mail item is not transported via the additional transport path Z-Tpf.
  • first retaining element 3 first Vorziehelement with the rollers 3.1, 3.2 3.1, 3.2 Rolls of the first drawing element 3 4 Photocells with transmitter line 4.1 and receiver line 4.2 4.1 Transmitter line of the light barrier 4 4.2 Receiver line of the light barrier 4 8th second Vorziehelement with the rollers 8.1, 8.2 8.1, 8.2 Rolls of the second drawing element 8 9 Drive for the second transport element 10.2 10.1 first transport element 10.2 second transport element 11 Photocell at the level of the second drawing element 8 11.1 Transmitter of the light barrier 11 11.2 Receiver of the light barrier 11 14 Photoelectric barrier at the height of the first drawing element 3 14.1 Transmitter of the light barrier 14 14.2 Receiver of the light barrier 14 15 Drive for the rollers 3.1, 3.2 of the first drawing element 3 16 Drive for the rollers 8.1, 8.2 of the second drawing element 8 28.1, 28.2 Compression springs for the first retaining element 2 29.1, 29.2 Compression springs for the second retaining element 7 30, 31, 32 Roll
  • Li-E End photoelectric sensor at the end of the additional transport path Z-Tpf Lue-1 first gap between the preceding mail item Ps-1 and the subsequent item of mail Ps-2 arises before reaching the direction reversal device RE-1 Lue-2 second gap between the leading mail item Ps-1 and the subsequent postal item Ps-2, arises after leaving the direction reversal device RE-1 Ps-1 leading mailing Ps-2 subsequent mailing Ps-3 third mailing RE-1,
  • TE-2 second transport device transports mail items in the second transport direction TR-2 away from the direction reversal device RE-1.
  • Tr-1 Drum of the first reversal device RE-1 Tr-2 Drum of second reversing device RE-2 Tr-3, Tr-4 Drums of UE-1 Bypass Device tPF Transport path in the "head station" of the Reverse direction device RE-1
  • TR Transport direction in which the direction reversal device RE-1 transports mail items first.
  • TR-1 first transport direction in which the first transport device TE-1 transports mailpieces to the direction reversal device RE-1.
  • TR-2 second transport direction in which the second transport unit TE-2 transports mailpieces away from the direction reversal device RE-1.
  • TR-e the transport direction TR opposite transport direction, in which the direction reversal device RE-1 then transports mail transmissions.
  • UE-1 Bypass device Vc-1 Leading edge of the leading mail piece Ps-1 Vc-2 Leading edge of the subsequent mail item Ps-2 W-1 Turn-off to the first turnaround facility RE-1 W-2 Turnout with diversion to the UE-1 bypass facility W-3 Turn off to the second turnaround facility RE-2 Wf-Tp Out-feed transport path Off-H.1 Path of the trailing edge of the longer mailing Ps-1 Off-H.2 Path of the trailing edge of the shorter mailing Ps-2 Lane V.1 Path of leading edge of longer mailing Ps-1 Off-V.2 Way of the leading edge of the shorter mail piece Ps-2 Z-Tpf Additional transport path in the direction reversal device RE-1 IF Tp Feed transport path

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Registering Or Overturning Sheets (AREA)
  • Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
EP11155993.6A 2010-03-05 2011-02-25 Procédé et dispositif d'inversion de sens lors du transport d'objets Withdrawn EP2363363A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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DE102010010375A DE102010010375A1 (de) 2010-03-05 2010-03-05 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Richtungsumkehr beim Transport von Gegenständen

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EP2363363A3 EP2363363A3 (fr) 2017-06-07

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DE102012206784A1 (de) 2011-04-29 2012-10-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Prüfen eines zu verarbeitenden Gegenstands
US9452449B2 (en) 2014-03-03 2016-09-27 Fives Intralogistics Corp. Shift and hold conveyor assembly for removal of oversize parcels
KR101603436B1 (ko) * 2014-10-16 2016-03-21 경북대학교 산학협력단 차량의 긴급 메시지 브로드캐스팅 방법
JP6961167B2 (ja) 2014-12-31 2021-11-05 フィブ・イントラロジスティクス・コーポレイションFives Intralogistics Corp. 視覚ベースのコンベヤパッケージ管理システム
JP2019503948A (ja) 2015-12-23 2019-02-14 ファイブス・イントラロジスティクス・コーポレイションＦｉｖｅｓ Ｉｎｔｒａｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃｓ Ｃｏｒｐ． 過大なアイテムを除去するための段付き壁のコンベヤ
US10427884B2 (en) 2015-12-31 2019-10-01 Fives Intralogistics Corp. Vision based conveyor package density management system
US10226795B2 (en) 2015-12-31 2019-03-12 Fives Intralogistics Corp. Vision based item typing and separation system
US10906746B2 (en) 2017-05-05 2021-02-02 Fives Intralogistics Corp. Article typing and sorting system
US10773897B2 (en) 2017-05-05 2020-09-15 Fives Intralogistics Corp Off-loading, typing and item separation system
US11459188B2 (en) 2018-11-13 2022-10-04 Fives Intralogistics Corp. Range sensing conveyor package management system for measuring and controlling density of parcels on a conveyor

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EP1834910A2 (fr) 2006-03-17 2007-09-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Mécanisme inverseur, appareil d'inversion et procédé d'inversion
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EP1424299A2 (fr) 2002-11-27 2004-06-02 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Dispositif de commande pour retourner des feuilles et procédé de commande
EP1529747A1 (fr) 2003-11-06 2005-05-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Appareil de traitement de feuilles
DE102004012378B3 (de) 2004-03-13 2005-09-22 Siemens Ag Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Sortieren von flachen Sendungen
DE102004026362B3 (de) 2004-05-29 2005-11-03 Siemens Ag Vorrichtung zur Richtungsumkehr vor flachen Sendungen
EP1754675B1 (fr) 2005-08-16 2008-03-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Dispositif de manipulation de feuilles
EP1834910A2 (fr) 2006-03-17 2007-09-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Mécanisme inverseur, appareil d'inversion et procédé d'inversion
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US20110214964A1 (en) 2011-09-08
US8276743B2 (en) 2012-10-02
DE102010010375A1 (de) 2011-09-08
EP2363363A3 (fr) 2017-06-07

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