JP2001269624A - Assorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an assorting system which can improve the energy efficiency in assorting by ingeniously utilizing articles' own weights. SOLUTION: The assorting system 1 has a feeding and transporting means 2 which transports the articles A from a feeding port 2a along an inclined transporting direction inclining downward toward a horizontal transporting direction and downstream side. This feeding and transporting means 2 is successively provided with an assorting and transporting means 3 for transporting the articles along the inclined transporting direction inclined downward toward the horizontal transporting direction and the downstream side toward an assorting box section 105 existing in a height position below the feeding port 2a. A control means 6 drops the articles A into the assorting box section 105 specified in accordance with the assorting destination information of the articles A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorting system for sorting articles into a predetermined sorting container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of sorting system is, for example, to lift an article put in from an input port to a position higher than the input port in the course of transport, then lower the article, and then send it to downstream sorting / transporting means. It is equipped with a charging / conveying means for discharging toward.

[0003] Articles carried into the sorting and transporting means are dropped and stored in a predetermined one of a plurality of sorting and storing sections under the control of the control means.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional sorting system, an article inserted from an input port is once lifted to a position higher than the input port in the course of transportation, so that the article is opposed to its own weight. There is a problem that the goods have to be conveyed and the energy efficiency is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system capable of improving energy efficiency at the time of sorting by making good use of the weight of articles.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sorting system, comprising: a loading port into which articles having a sorting destination information display section are loaded; Feeding means for transferring along at least one of the inclined conveying directions inclined downwardly toward the downstream side, and sorting from the sorting destination information display section of the articles being conveyed by the input conveying means. Sorting information reading means for reading the destination information, and a plurality of sorting accommodation portions which are arranged vertically and horizontally adjacent to each other at a level below the loading port of the loading and conveying means and adjacent to each other and open at least upward. Then, receiving the articles from the charging and conveying means, the received articles in the horizontal conveying direction toward the sorting container and in the inclined conveying direction inclined downward toward the downstream side. A sorting / conveying means for conveying at least one of the plurality of sorting / accommodating units based on the sorting destination information of the articles read by the sorting destination information reading means. And control means for controlling the sorting / conveying means so as to specify the storage section and drop the article into the specified sorting storage section.

In this configuration, the feeding means is
The article fed from the input port is transported along at least one of the horizontal transport direction and the inclined transport direction inclined downward toward the downstream side, and the sorting transport unit includes the input transport unit. From at least one of the horizontal transport direction and the inclined transport direction inclined downward toward the downstream side toward the sorting container located at the height position below the input port. Unlike conventional products, it does not lift the articles input from the input port to a position higher than the input port during the transfer,
Since the descending of the article is the basis, it is possible to make good use of the weight of the article.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The configuration of an embodiment of a sorting system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a sorting system, which is a flat article A having a sorting destination information display section A1 such as a bar code, that is, for example, an envelope, a parcel, a document, or the like. , Books and the like are automatically sorted according to the next destination such as a destination.

The sorting system 1 has a loading port 2a located at a predetermined height position, and a loading / transporting means 2 for transporting the articles A loaded from the loading port 2a on a transport surface in a mounted state.
The loading / transporting means 2 is provided with a three-dimensional sorting / transporting means 3 for sorting the articles A while transporting the articles A on the transport surface in a mounted state.

Further, in the middle of the transport of the loading / transporting means 2, there is provided a sorting destination information reading means 5 such as a bar code scanner for reading sorting destination information from the sorting destination information display section A1 of the article A. Sorting destination information from the information reading means 5 is transmitted to a control means 6 such as a controller.

The charging / conveying means 2 includes a charging conveyor device 11 having a charging port 2a formed therein. The charging conveyor device 11 is connected to a gap setting conveyor device 12 constituted by an induction conveyor or the like. . Further, an arc-shaped relay conveyor device 13 is connected to the gap setting conveyor device 12, and an inclined conveyor device 14 inclined downward toward the transfer end side is connected to the relay conveyor device 13. Has been established. A scanner mounting portion 15 is provided above the inclined conveyor device 14, and the sorting destination information reading means 5 is mounted on the scanner mounting portion 15.

Each of the input conveyor device 11, the gap setting conveyor device 12, and the relay conveyor device 13 is configured to be able to convey the article A in a horizontal conveying direction, and the inclined conveyor device 14 is provided on the downstream side. Is configured to be able to transport the article A along the inclined transport direction that is inclined downwardly, and the input / transport unit 2 raises the article A during transport based on the drop of the article A. Nothing. For this reason, the energy for resisting the own weight of the article A becomes unnecessary, and the unnecessary energy is not consumed.

The gap setting conveyor device 12 sets the gap between the articles A to a predetermined distance, and can change the conveying speed within a predetermined range, for example, a range of 0 to 120 m / min. And a constant-speed conveyor or the like which is located downstream of the variable-speed conveyor and maintains the conveying speed at a predetermined value, for example, 60 m / min.

The sorting / conveying means 3 includes an inclined conveyor device 14
A first sorting device 16 as a sorting device, which is one unit connected to the first device, is provided in the first sorting device 16.
A second sorting device 18 as a sorting device is continuously provided via a gap setting conveyor device 17 which is one unit.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first sorting device 16 has, on one side, one article input port 21 into which the transport end of the inclined conveyor device 14 is inserted. On the other side, a plurality of, for example, three article outlets positioned side by side in the vertical direction, that is, an upper article outlet 2
3. A middle article outlet 24 and a lower article outlet 25 are provided. It should be noted that the article inlet 21, the upper article outlet 23, the middle article outlet 24, and the lower article outlet 25
Is located at a level below the input port 2a of the input transfer means 2.

The first sorting device 16 is located at different heights in a state corresponding to each of the upper article outlet 23, the middle article outlet 24, and the lower article outlet 25. It has three sorting conveyors, namely, an upper sorting conveyor 26, a middle sorting conveyor 27, and a lower sorting conveyor 28. The upper sorting conveyor
26, middle sorting conveyor 27 and lower sorting conveyor 28
Are driving means 29 for conveyance and driving means for rotation.
Each of the driving units 30 can be driven, and the driving force from the driving unit 30 for rotation rotates around the transport start end so that the transport end moves up and down.

A horizontal upper conveying conveyor 31 is disposed between the upper sorting conveyor 26 and the upper article discharge port 23, and the starting end of the upper conveying conveyor 31 is connected to the upper sorting conveyor 26. It is located near the transfer end,
The transport end of the upper transport conveyor 31 is inserted into the upper article outlet 23. The upper conveyor 31 is driven by a driving unit 31b including a driving motor 31a.

Between the upper sorting conveyor 26 and the middle sorting conveyor 27, an inclined first relay conveyor 32 inclined downward from the transport start end side to the transport end side is provided. The transport start end of the first relay conveyor 32 is located near the transport end of the upper sorting conveyor 26, and the transport end of the first relay conveyor 32 is located near the transport start end of the middle sorting conveyor 27. I have. In addition, the first relay conveyor 32 is driven by a driving unit 32a including a driving motor and the like. Further, the transport start end of the first relay conveyor 32 is located substantially directly below the transport start end of the upper transport conveyor 31, and an article having an opening area slightly larger than the vertical cross-sectional area of the article A is provided between the two transport start ends. A gap is formed.

Further, between the middle sorting conveyor 27 and the middle article discharge port 24, a substantially horizontal middle-stage transfer conveyor inclined slightly downward from the transfer start end to the transfer end side.
33 is disposed, the transfer start end of the middle transfer conveyor 33 is located in the vicinity of the transfer end of the middle sorting conveyor 27, and the transfer end of the middle transfer conveyor 33 is set to the middle article discharge port.
Inserted into 24. Note that this middle-stage conveyor 33
Is driven by driving means 33a constituted by a driving motor or the like.

On the other hand, between the middle-stage sorting conveyor 27 and the lower-stage sorting conveyor 28, an inclined second relay conveyor inclined downward from the transport start end side to the transport end side.
34, the transfer start end of the second relay conveyor 34 is located in the vicinity of the transfer end of the middle sorting conveyor 27, and the transfer end of the second relay conveyor 34 is set to the transfer start end of the lower sort conveyor 28. Is located in the vicinity of. In addition,
The second relay conveyor 34 is driven by driving means 34a constituted by a driving motor or the like. Further, the transport start end of the second relay conveyor 34 is located substantially directly below the transport start end of the middle transport conveyor 33, and an article passing between the two transport start ends having an opening area slightly larger than the vertical sectional area of the article A passes therethrough. A gap is formed.

It is to be noted that the transport end of the lower sorting conveyor 28 can enter the lower article discharge port 25. In addition, a lower sorting conveyor 28 is located below the lower article outlet 25.
A non-sortable article evacuation port 25a that can face the transport end of the article is formed with an opening.
Is inserted with a transfer start end of a chute 36 as a retreating transfer means. The transport end of the chute 36 is connected to the upper edge of the side plate of a no-lead box 37 which is a box for storing unsortable articles. This no-lead box 37
Is open at least upward and forward.

Next, the structure of the upper sorting conveyor 26 will be described with reference to FIGS. The middle sorting conveyor 27 and the lower sorting conveyor 28 have the same structure as the upper sorting conveyor 26 described above.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the upper-stage sorting conveyor 26 has elongated conveyor frames 41a and 41b which are spaced apart from each other and opposed to each other. One end is rotatably connected to the upper ends of the corresponding support members 42a and 42b erected on the base 43.

A driving roller 44 and a driven roller 45 as a rotating body are rotatably mounted between both ends of the conveyor frames 41a and 41b in the longitudinal direction. A transport belt 46 such as a pair of flat belts as an endless body is wound around the belt so as to run. The transport belt 46 is driven by a driving unit.
When the drive roller 44 is driven and rotated by the drive force from the drive motor 47 of 29, the drive roller 44 travels in a predetermined direction and conveys the article A in a mounted state on the upper surface.

Roller mounting portions 51, 51 projecting downward are formed at two places on the bottom plate 50 connecting the lower edges of the conveyor frames 41a, 41b. A pressing roller 52, which is a rotating body, is attached, and the axial direction of the pressing roller 52 coincides with the horizontal direction intersecting the transport direction of the upper sorting conveyor 26.

5 and 6, reference numeral 56 denotes a servomotor as a drive source. The driving force from the servomotor 56 is supplied to a timing pulley 57 and a timing belt.
The power is transmitted to the drive shaft 61 via a power transmission mechanism 59 constituted by 58 and the like.

The drive shaft 61 is rotatably supported by upper ends of support members 62a and 62b erected on the base 43.
The axial direction of the drive shaft 61 coincides with the horizontal direction intersecting the transport direction of the upper sorting conveyor 26.

At positions near both ends of the drive shaft 61 in the horizontal direction along the horizontal direction, eccentric cams 63, 63 as disc-shaped drive rotating bodies are attached.
63 is eccentrically rotatable about the drive shaft 61 by the drive rotation of the drive shaft 61 by the drive force from the servo motor 56.

Further, a cylinder holding portion 65 is protruded from the base 43, and the cylinder holding portion 65 holds an air cylinder 66 as an urging member. This air cylinder
The distal end of the rod 67 is rotatably connected to a predetermined portion of the lower surface of the upper sorting conveyor 26 on the transport end side, that is, a rod connecting portion 68 formed at a predetermined location of the bottom plate 50. The servo motor 56, power transmission mechanism 59, drive shaft
The driving means 30 for rotation is constituted by the eccentric cam 63, the air cylinder 66, and the like. Although not shown, the biasing member is not limited to the air cylinder 66, and may be a spring or the like.

The air cylinder 66 constantly urges the upper sorting conveyor 26 downward, which is the eccentric cam 63 side. As a result, the outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 52 of the upper sorting conveyor 26 is It is always pressed against the surface.

Therefore, when the eccentric cam 63 is eccentrically rotated by a predetermined angle about the drive shaft 61 in a state where the outer peripheral surface of the pressure contact roller 52 and the outer peripheral surface of the eccentric cam 63 are in pressure contact with each other, the upper sorting conveyor 26 The eccentric cam 63 is rotated in a predetermined direction in accordance with the eccentric rotation of the eccentric cam 63, so that the eccentric cam 63 is in a corresponding step discharge position in which articles A can be conveyed from the article input port 21 toward the corresponding upper article discharge port 23. Or the corresponding upper article outlet 23
To the lower side, the article A from the article input port 21 side cannot be conveyed.

That is, the upper sorting conveyor 26 is
In the corresponding stage conveyance posture, the article A is conveyed toward the upper stage conveyor 31. Then, when the articles A to be conveyed to portions other than the upper article discharge port 23 are conveyed from the inclined conveyor device 14, the upper sorting conveyor 26 rotates in a direction in which the conveying end side descends, and assumes a lower feeding posture. A is conveyed to the first relay conveyor 32.

In a state where the upper sorting conveyor 26 and the middle sorting conveyor 27 are in the lower feed position and the lower sorting conveyor 28 is in the corresponding transfer position, as shown in FIG. Relay conveyor
32, the middle-stage sorting conveyor 27, the second relay conveyor 34, and the lower-stage sorting conveyor 28 are located on substantially the same plane, respectively. In this state, the articles A input to the article input port 21 are located on the downstream side. The paper is discharged from the lower article discharge port 25 along the inclined conveyance direction which is inclined downward toward.

On the other hand, when the upper-stage sorting conveyor 26, the middle-stage sorting conveyor 27, and the lower-stage sorting conveyor 28 are in the lower-stage feeding posture, the articles A put into the article inlet 21 are moved downward toward the downstream side. The sheet is conveyed along the inclined conveying direction, is discharged from the article discharge port 25a, and is housed in the no-lead box 37 via the chute. For example, this is a case where the sorting destination information reading means 5 cannot read the sorting destination information from the sorting destination information display section A1 of the article A.

Further, when the upper sorting conveyor 26 is in the lower feed position and the middle sorting conveyor 27 is in the corresponding transfer position, the articles A put into the article inlet 21 are transferred from the middle sorting conveyor 27 to the middle transfer conveyor. After passing through 33, the sheet is conveyed along a slanting conveying direction inclined downward toward the downstream side, and is discharged from the middle-stage article discharge port 24.

The upper conveyor 31, the first relay conveyor 32, the middle conveyor 33, and the second relay conveyor 34.
Are, for example, belt conveyors provided with a conveying belt such as a flat belt as an endless body.

The upper conveyor 31 is capable of conveying the articles A in a horizontal conveying direction, and includes an upper sorting conveyor 26, a middle sorting conveyor 27, a lower sorting conveyor 28, and a first relay conveyor 32. , Middle stage conveyor 3
3. Each of the second relay conveyors 34 is configured to be capable of transporting the article A along an inclined transport direction that is inclined downward toward the downstream side. A
, And the article A is not lifted during conveyance. For this reason, the energy for resisting the own weight of the article A becomes unnecessary, and the unnecessary energy is not consumed.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gap setting conveyor device 17 is provided with an upper article discharge port of the first sorting device 16.
23, in a state corresponding to each of the middle article outlet port 24 and the lower article outlet port 25, a plurality of stages horizontally located at different heights from each other, for example, a gap setting conveyor such as a three-stage induction conveyor, That is, it has an upper gap setting conveyor 71, a middle gap setting conveyor 72, and a lower gap setting conveyor 73.

The upper gap setting conveyor 71,
Middle gap setting conveyor 72 and lower gap setting conveyor 73
Are variable speed conveyors 74 capable of changing the transport speed within a predetermined range, for example, within a range of 0 to 120 m / min.
A constant-speed conveyor located downstream of the variable-speed conveyor 74 to maintain the transport speed at a predetermined value, for example, 60 m / min.
It is composed of 75 mag.

Then, the articles A from the upper article outlet 23 of the first sorting apparatus 16 are set to a predetermined distance by the upper gap setting conveyor 71, and then the articles A are directed to the second sorting apparatus 18. Transported along a horizontal transport direction.
The articles A from the middle article discharge port 24 of the first sorting apparatus 16 are set at a predetermined distance by the middle gap setting conveyor 72 between the articles A. Are transported along the transport direction. Further, the articles A from the lower article discharge port 25 of the first sorting apparatus 16 are set at a predetermined distance by the lower gap setting conveyor 73 between the articles A, and then are horizontally moved toward the second sorting apparatus 18. Are transported along the transport direction. The lower gap setting conveyor
A no-lead box 37 is installed below the variable speed conveyor 74.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second sorting device 18 includes a plurality of sorting adjacent units 81, 81, 81... Which can be added in accordance with the number of sorting destinations of the article A. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seventh adjacent unit 81 and the eighth adjacent unit are counted from the head adjacent unit 81 connected to the gap setting conveyor device 17.
Between them, an arc-shaped relay conveyor unit 82 and a gap setting conveyor unit 83 are arranged. In addition,
The gap setting conveyor unit 83 is a gap setting conveyor device.
It has the same structure as 17. In addition, each of the adjacent units 81, the relay conveyor unit 82, and the gap setting conveyor unit 83 are configured to be able to transport the article A in a horizontal transport direction.

Here, the structure of each adjacent unit 81 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The adjacent unit 81 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the outer shape is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a plurality of, for example, three article entrance portions 101 arranged in the vertical direction are formed on the right side surface which is one side surface of the adjacent unit 81. . These three article entrances 101
It is located at a position opposed to the three upper article outlets 23, the middle article outlet 24, and the lower article outlet 25 of the first sorting device 16 and at a height not higher than the inlet 2a of the input / transportation means 2. To position.

Further, on the left side surface, which is the other side surface of the adjacent unit 81, a plurality of, for example, three article outlets 102, which are arranged vertically, corresponding to the article inlet 101, are opened. Further, in the adjacent unit 81, a horizontal and straight transport path section 103 communicating the article entrance section 101 and the article exit section 102 is formed in a three-stage shape. In addition, on the front side of the adjacent unit 81, the cover 1
04 is detachably attached.

Further, on the front side of the adjacent unit 81, sorting boxes as a plurality of sorting containers are arranged vertically and horizontally adjacent to each other, for example, in a matrix of 6 rows and 3 columns as viewed from the front. A portion 105 is formed. Each of these sorting boxes 105 is open upward and forward. The sorting box section 105 is located at a level below the input port 2a of the input transfer means 2. In addition, sorting box part 10
5 has display means 106 for displaying article information and the like relating to the article A to be stored. Although not shown, the sorting box unit 105 may have a configuration including a door that can open and close the front opening.

Further, the adjacent unit 81 has a plurality of sorting conveyors 111 located at upper positions in the respective sorting box portions 105, corresponding to each of these sorting box portions 105.
Each of the sorting conveyors 111 is rotatable around the transport end side so that the transport start side moves up and down.

Each of the plurality of sorting conveyors 111 has a pair of left and right elongated conveyor frames 112a and 112b which are separated from each other and opposed to each other, and between the conveying end portions of these conveyor frames 112a and 112b. As shown in FIG. 8, a drive shaft 115 whose axial direction coincides with a horizontal direction intersecting the transport direction of the sorting conveyor 111 is bridged. A drive roller 116 having a cylindrical shape is attached to the outer peripheral side of the drive shaft 115, and a pulley 117 is attached to one end of the drive shaft 115. The drive shaft 115 is rotatably held at a predetermined position by the machine frame 110 of the adjacent unit 81.

On the other hand, a driven shaft 118 whose axial direction coincides with a horizontal direction intersecting the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 111 is bridged between the conveying start ends of the conveyor frames 112a and 112b. A driven roller 119 is attached to the side. A transport belt 120 such as a pair of flat belts as an endless body is runably wound between the driving roller 116 and the driven roller 119. Further, between the intermediate portions in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor frames 112a and 112b, an intermediate shaft 121 for rotation whose axial direction coincides with the horizontal direction intersecting with the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 111 is bridged. Rod connecting part 1 at one end in the axial direction
22 are formed. In addition, both conveyor frames 112a,
The lower edges 112b along the longitudinal direction of the 112b are connected by a bottom plate 112c. Further, between the upper edges along the longitudinal direction of both the conveyor frames 112a and 112b, they are integrally connected by a mounting portion on which the transport belt 120 is mounted.

The adjacent unit 81 is a sorting conveyor.
Air cylinders as a plurality of driving means for rotating 111 around the transport end so that the transport start end moves up and down
Has 125. These air cylinders 125 are located at positions near the sides of each sorting conveyor 111 in a state corresponding to each of the sorting conveyors 111. The distal end of the rod 126 of the air cylinder 125 is rotatably connected to the rod connecting portion 122 of the intermediate shaft 121 of the corresponding sorting conveyor 111.

When the rod 126 of the air cylinder 125 advances and retreats, the corresponding sorting conveyor 111 rotates in a predetermined direction in accordance with the advance and retreat of the rod 126, and transfers the articles A from the upstream side to the corresponding sorting box 105. The article A from the upstream side to the article holding posture,
Or an article receiving position in which the article is received on the conveying surface of the object and conveyed in a mounted state.

That is, when the sorting conveyor 111 is in the article storage posture, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 11, the sorting conveyor 111 is in a state of being inclined relatively largely downward from the transport start end side to the transport end side. Between the transport start end of the sorting conveyor 111 and the transport end of the sorting conveyor 111 adjacent to the sorting conveyor 111 on the upstream side, the articles A
Is formed, and as a result, the article A from the upstream side is stored in the corresponding sorting box 105 by dropping.

When the sorting conveyor 111 is in the article receiving posture, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 11, the sorting conveyor 111 is inclined upward at a predetermined inclination angle α with respect to the horizontal plane from the transport start end side to the transport end side. , And the transfer start end of the sorting conveyor 111 is
Is located below the conveying end of the sorting conveyor 111 adjacent to the upstream side with respect to the
There is a step at the transfer position of 1. As a result, at the time of transfer of the article A, the leading end in the transport direction of the article A does not contact the transport start end of the sorting conveyor 111 to be transported. The predetermined inclination angle α is set to, for example, about 2 degrees so as to minimize the deterioration of the transport efficiency due to the transport belt 120 and to have an adverse effect such as bending of the article A. In addition, the air cylinder 125
Has a function of a buffer means for preventing a strong impact force from acting on the sorting conveyor 111 at the time of reciprocation.

The adjacent unit 81 is the same as that shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the sorting conveyor 11 located on the same level
It has a plurality of driving means 131 for simultaneously moving one transport belt 120 synchronously. These three driving means 131
Are located on the rear side of the adjacent unit 81 in a state corresponding to each of the sorting conveyors 111 located at the same level.

The driving means 131 has a driving motor 132 as a driving source, and has a common endless body 13 bridged between a plurality of guide pulleys 133 and a pulley 117 of a driving shaft 115.
It has a transmission means 135 constituted by 4 or the like. And
The driving force from the driving motor 132 is transmitted to the driving shaft 115 via the transmission means 135, and the transport belt 120 runs according to the driving rotation of the driving shaft 115.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG.
The rotary encoder 32 has rotary encoders 141, 141, 141 as drive source operation detecting means. Each of these rotary encoders 141, 141, 141 transmits a predetermined pulse signal to the control means 6 according to the rotation of the corresponding drive motor 132. The control means 6 accumulates the number of pulses based on the pulse signal and obtains theoretical article position data on the moving article A.

On the other hand, optical sensors 142a, 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e, and 142f as detection means are disposed above the transport end of each sorting conveyor 111 of the adjacent unit 81, respectively. These optical system sensors 142a,
Each of 142b, 142c, 142d, 142e, and 142f has a function of detecting that the article A is jammed on the corresponding sorting conveyor 111.

The optical system sensors 142a, 142b,
Among the 142c, 142d, 142e, and 142f, the optical sensor 142f located above the conveying end of the sorting conveyor 111 adjacent to the article outlet 102 of the adjacent unit 81 detects the passage of the article A. It also functions as a means.

That is, the optical system sensor 142f is located at a connection portion between the adjacent units 81, 81 adjacent to each other, and detects the presence of the article A that moves from one adjacent unit 81 to the other adjacent unit 81. , And transmits a predetermined detection signal to the control means 6. The control means 6 acquires actual article position data relating to the article A being moved based on the detection signal.

Then, the control means 6 compares the acquired actual article position data with the theoretical article position data by the comparing means 145. Next, if the control means 6 determines that the actual article position data is different from the theoretical article position data, the correcting means 146 corrects the theoretical article position data to thereby change the theoretical article position data. The position data is matched with the actual article position data. Then, the control means 6 controls the adjacent unit 81 while grasping the position of the article A being conveyed by the sorting conveyor 111 based on the theoretical article position data, and moves the article A to the predetermined sorting box 105. And sort them.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the length L of the sorting conveyor 111 is 450 mm, the transport speed V of the sorting conveyor 111 is 60 m / min, and the rotary encoder 141 is 30 mm / pulse. The number of pulses between the transport start end and the transport end distance of each adjacent unit 81 is 2700/30 = 90 pulses.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the control means 6 includes a storage section 147 for storing article information on the article A. The storage unit 147 has, for example, storage areas 1 to 100. Each time one pulse is input by the rotary encoder 141, the article information slides through the storage area one by one.

It should be noted that the storage unit 147 is provided with 100 storage areas from the storage area 1 to the storage area 100. In theory, the pulse signal from the rotary encoder 141 should be input only by 90 pulses, but in actuality, This is because the pulse signal from the rotary encoder 141 may be, for example, 80 to 100 pulses due to displacement, slippage, or the like of the article being transported.

Then, for example, the article A is transferred to the adjacent unit 81, ie, the optical system sensor 142f.
If the article information on the article A is stored in the storage area 85 when the vehicle arrives at the position of
The tracking information is corrected by storing the article information in the storage area 85 in the storage area 91.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

When the articles A are sequentially input into the input port 2a, the input articles A are conveyed by the input conveyor device 11 and conveyed by the gap setting conveyor device 12 so that the gap between the articles A is set to a predetermined distance. It is set and then conveyed by the inclined conveyor device 14 via the relay conveyor device 13.

During transportation by the inclined conveyor device 14,
The sorting destination information reading means 5 reads the sorting destination information from the sorting destination information display section A1 of the article A.

Next, the articles A are sorted by the first sorting apparatus 16 into predetermined article discharge ports based on the sorting destination information and the like, and sorted to the target stage, and then conveyed by the gap setting conveyor apparatus 17. The gap between the articles A is set to a predetermined distance while being moved, and then the articles A are carried into the second sorting apparatus 18.

Then, the articles A carried into the second sorting device 18 are guided by the sorting conveyor 111 of the adjacent unit 81, and sorted into a predetermined sorting box 105.

Here, for example, assuming that the sorting destination of a certain article A is specified in the sorting box section 105 located at the upper end of the transport end position of the adjacent unit 81 shown in FIG. 7, the specified sorting box section 105 The sorting conveyor 111 located at the upper position of the container A is in the article storage posture while the article A is being conveyed by the sorting conveyor 111 in the article receiving posture positioned upstream in the same stage.

Further, the sorting conveyor 111, which has once been in the article storage posture, is provided with a subsequent article A in order to save energy.
However, as long as it is not sorted into the sorting box 105 corresponding to the sorting conveyor 111 located downstream in the same stage as the sorting conveyor 111 in the article storing attitude, the article storing attitude is maintained. That is, the sorting conveyor 111 in the article storage posture is the sorting box unit 1 to which the next article A corresponds.
In the case where the sheet passes through the upper part 05 and is sorted into the sorting box part 105 on the downstream side, the posture is changed from the article storage posture to the article reception posture by rotation.

According to the above-described embodiment, the feeding / transporting means 2 feeds the articles A input from the input port 2a in a horizontal conveying direction and in a downwardly inclined direction toward the downstream side. Transport along the transport direction. In addition, the sorting / conveying means 3 also receives the article A from the charging / conveying means 2 as an input port.
The sheet is conveyed along the horizontal conveyance direction and the inclined conveyance direction inclined downward toward the downstream side toward the sorting box portion 105 located at a height position of 2a or less.

Therefore, unlike the related art, the article A input from the input port 2a is not lifted to a position higher than the input port 2a during the transportation, and the lowering of the article A is the basis. By making good use of its own weight, there is no wasted energy loss converted to potential energy,
Energy efficiency can be improved, and energy saving can be achieved.
Since the sorting / transporting means 3 is of a three-dimensional type, it is easier to secure a required installation floor area than in the conventional case.

The first sorting device of the sorting and conveying means 3
The upper sorting conveyor 26, the middle sorting conveyor 27, and the lower sorting conveyor 28 of 16 are rotated by the driving force from the driving means 30, so that the corresponding upper article discharging port 23, middle article discharging port 24 and lower The posture is changed from one of the corresponding conveying position in which the articles A can be conveyed from the article input port 21 toward the discharge port 25 and the lower conveying position in which the articles A cannot be conveyed, to the other position, and the article A is moved to the upper position. Article outlet 23,
It can be sorted into any of the middle article outlet 24, the lower article outlet 25, and the article outlet 25a.

Therefore, the structure can be simplified as compared with a conventional configuration including a bucket conveyor, and the moving distance of the article A between the article input port 21 and the article discharge ports 23, 24, 25 can be improved. Can be shortened, and the efficiency of the sorting operation can be improved.

The air cylinder 66 of the driving means 30 is
Since the upper sorting conveyor 26, the middle sorting conveyor 27, and the lower sorting conveyor 28 are pressed against the eccentric cam 63, even if the eccentric cam 63 is eccentrically rotated at high speed, the upper sorting conveyor 26, the middle sorting conveyor 27, and the lower sorting. Conveyor
The transporting end of each of the 28 can be efficiently and appropriately sorted without lifting. Since the driving means 30 has a configuration in which the hardware characteristics of the eccentric cam 63 and the software characteristics of the servomotor 56 are combined, smooth position control can be performed even when rotating at high speed. It is possible.

Further, the sorting conveyor 111 of the second sorting device 18 of the sorting and conveying means 3 is arranged such that the starting end of the transfer is located below the end of the transfer of the sorting conveyor 111 adjacent to the upstream side from the starting end of the transfer. An article is received from the upstream side in an inclined article receiving posture inclined upward, for example, about 2 degrees toward the transport end side, so that the leading end side of the flat article A in the transport direction is slightly bent downward. However, it is possible to perform a stable sorting operation without being affected by the bending of the article A or the like and minimizing a decrease in the transport efficiency.

Further, the control means 6 obtains actual article position data based on a detection signal from the optical system sensor 142f as article passing detection means, and
The theoretical article position data is acquired based on the detection signal from 1 and when these acquired actual article position data and the theoretical article position data are different, the theoretical article position data is corrected. By doing so, the theoretical article position data and the actual article position data are matched, so that no matter how many adjacent units 81 are increased, the actual article position based on the slippage of the article A being transported and the like and the theoretical article position data An error from the article position is not accumulated for each adjacent unit 81, and a stable sorting operation can be performed.

The sorting system 1 of the above embodiment
Is the most suitable system for sorting flat articles A such as envelopes, parcels, etc., but can also be applied to articles of other shapes other than the flat articles A.

Further, in any of the above embodiments, the configuration in which the gap setting conveyor device 17 is disposed between the first sorting device 16 and the second sorting device 18 has been described.
For example, the gap setting conveyor device 17 is not always necessary, and the gap setting conveyor unit 83 located between the adjacent units 81 of the second sorting device 18 is not always necessary. Further, the adjacent unit 81 of the second sorting device 18
Can be appropriately changed depending on the installation location.

[0082]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the charging and conveying means is configured to transfer the articles supplied from the charging port in the horizontal conveying direction and in the inclined conveying direction inclined downward toward the downstream side. While transporting along at least one of the transport directions, the sorting and transporting means also moves the articles from the input and transporting means in the horizontal transport direction and downstream toward the sorting container located at the height position below the input port. Since it is conveyed along at least one of the conveying directions of the inclined conveyance direction inclined downward, unlike the related art, the articles input from the input port are lifted to a position higher than the input port during the conveyance. Since the article is based on the descent of the article, the self-weight of the article is used well, and there is no waste of energy converted into potential energy, and the energy efficiency can be improved at the time of sorting. That.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a sorting system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the sorting system in which a part of the sorting system is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a first sorting device of the sorting system.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the first sorting device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an upper sorting conveyor 26 of the first sorting device.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an upper sorting conveyor 26 of the first sorting device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a second sorting device of the sorting system.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a second sorting device of the above.

FIG. 9 is a rear view showing the second sorting device according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a second sorting device of the above.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing a sorting conveyor of the second sorting device.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view showing a sorting conveyor of the second sorting device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing a sorting conveyor of the second sorting device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a sorting conveyor of the second sorting device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a storage area of a control means of the sorting system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Sorting system 2 Input conveyance means 2a Input port 3 Sorting conveyance means 5 Sorting destination information reading means 6 Control means A article A1 Sorting destination information display part

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masato Takeda 900 Furuouchi, Noguchi-cho, Kakogawa-shi, Hyogo Prefecture F-term (reference) 3F015 AA12 HA01 JC08 JC12 JC18 3F079 AA01 BA12 CA06 CB29 CB35 CC06 CC13 DA12 DA21 EA05 EA12 EA15

Claims (1)

[Claims] An article having an assortment destination information display section is provided with an input port into which an article is input, and the article input from the input port is inclined in a downward direction toward a horizontal conveying direction and a downstream side. An input conveying unit that conveys along at least one of the conveying directions of: a sorting destination information reading unit that reads sorting destination information from a sorting destination information display unit of articles being conveyed by the input conveying unit; It has a plurality of sorting and receiving parts which are located vertically and horizontally adjacent to each other at a position below the input port of the transfer means and open at least upwardly, and receive articles from the input and transfer means, A process for transporting the received articles toward the sorting container in at least one of a horizontal transport direction and an inclined transport direction inclined downward toward the downstream side. And a sorting / accommodating section that specifies a sorting / accommodating section corresponding to the article from among the plurality of sorting / accommodating sections based on the assorting destination information of the article read by the assorting / destination information reading section. And control means for controlling the sorting and conveying means so that the article falls.