JP2020075793A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sorting device that can suppress a cargo from being improperly sorted.SOLUTION: A sorting device 2 comprises: a carrying unit 8 having a tray 20 on which a cargo 6 is placed, which moves the tray 20 along a carrying path 18 and carries out the cargo 6 from the tray 20 into the chute 12 arranged beside the carrying path 18; a sensor 14 that detects a position of the cargo 6 in the tray 20; an acquiring part 30 that acquires weight information showing weight of the cargo 6 placed on the tray 20; and a control part 34 that determines carrying-out timing and carrying-out speed at which the carrying unit 8 carries out the cargo 6 from the tray 20 into a chute 12, on the basis of the detected position of the cargo 6 and the acquired weight information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting device for sorting packages.

  A sorting device for sorting packages is known. The sorting device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of trays that move along an annular transport path in a state of being connected to each other, and a plurality of chutes arranged laterally of the transport path. Each of the plurality of trays functions not only as a tray for placing a load, but also as a belt conveyor for delivering the load placed on the tray to a chute.

  The tray on which the load is placed moves along the transport route toward a specific chute that is a sorting destination of the load among the plurality of chutes. When the tray approaches a specific chute, the tray drives as a belt conveyor. As a result, the load placed on the tray is transported in the payout direction orthogonal to the transport direction along the transport path, and is discharged to a specific chute.

JP, 2017-71458, A

  In the above-described sorting apparatus, since the worker or the like manually places the load on the tray, the position of the load on the tray may vary. At this time, in the conventional sorting apparatus, when the position of the load in the tray payout direction varies, the tray is driven as a belt conveyor so that the position of the load is a reference position on the tray (for example, the tray payout direction). (Center part in) and corrected.

  However, in the conventional sorting device, even if the tray is driven as a belt conveyor, it is not possible to correct the position of the package in the tray with respect to variations in the position of the package in the tray transport direction. Therefore, when the load is discharged from the tray in a state where the position of the load in the transport direction of the tray varies, the load may be erroneously sorted into a chute different from a specific chute.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a sorting device capable of suppressing erroneous sorting of packages.

  In order to achieve the above object, a sorting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a sorting apparatus for sorting packages, and a transporting unit having a mounting section for mounting the packages, A transport unit for moving the loading unit along the transport path and delivering the luggage from the loading unit to a chute arranged on the side of the transport path, and a position of the luggage in the loading unit. A detection unit that detects the weight, an acquisition unit that acquires weight information indicating the weight of the package placed on the placement unit, and the conveyance based on the detected position of the package and the acquired weight information. And a control unit that determines a payout timing and a payout speed for paying out the luggage from the storage unit to the chute.

  According to this aspect, the control unit determines the payout timing and the payout speed based on the position and weight information of the parcel, so that even if the position of the parcel in the tray transport direction varies, for example, Can be paid out to the shoot accurately. As a result, erroneous sorting of luggage can be suppressed. In particular, by determining the payout speed in consideration of the weight of the load, it is possible to prevent the load from hitting the wall surface of the chute and being damaged. Along with this, the lateral width of the chute can be reduced, so that the space of the chute can be saved.

  For example, in the sorting device according to one aspect of the present invention, the detection unit further detects the size of the luggage placed on the placement unit, and the control unit is placed on the placement unit. Further, the payout timing may be determined so that the payout timing becomes earlier as the size of the package increases.

  According to this aspect, the delivery timing is determined in consideration of the size of the luggage, so that the luggage can be delivered to the chute more accurately.

  For example, in the sorting device according to an aspect of the present invention, the control unit may provide the payout timing as the position of the package in the placement unit is closer to the downstream end of the transport path of the placement unit. The payout timing may be determined so as to be earlier.

  According to this aspect, even if the position of the package in the tray transport direction varies, the trajectory of the package delivery can be made substantially constant. As a result, the luggage can be accurately delivered to the chute.

  For example, in the sorting device according to an aspect of the present invention, the control unit determines the payout speed such that the payout speed becomes slower as the weight of the package placed on the loading unit becomes larger. It may be configured to do so.

  According to this aspect, when the weight of the luggage is relatively large, the payout speed is slowed, so that damage to the luggage can be reduced even if the luggage hits the wall surface of the chute or the like. ..

  For example, in the sorting device according to an aspect of the present invention, the detection unit further detects the height of the luggage placed on the placement unit, and the control unit places the placement unit on the placement unit. The payout speed may be determined such that the payout speed becomes slower as the height of the packaged goods becomes higher.

  According to this aspect, since the delivery speed is determined in consideration of the height of the luggage, the luggage can be delivered to the chute more accurately.

  For example, in the sorting device according to an aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit further acquires friction coefficient information indicating a friction coefficient of the bottom surface of the package placed on the placement unit, and the control unit The payout speed may be determined such that the payout speed becomes faster as the coefficient of friction of the bottom surface of the load placed on the loading unit becomes larger.

  According to this aspect, since the payout speed is determined in consideration of the coefficient of friction of the bottom surface of the luggage, the luggage can be more accurately delivered to the chute.

  For example, in the sorting device according to one aspect of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to further change a transport speed at which the chute transports the parcel according to the determined payout speed.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to smoothly transport the load from the loading unit to the chute.

  According to the sorting apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous sorting of parcels.

It is a top view showing the whole sorting device composition concerning an embodiment. It is a top view which expands and shows a part of sorting device which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the controller which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the management table which concerns on embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the controller according to the embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the sorting apparatus which concerns on embodiment when the detected size of a package is more than a 1st threshold value. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the sorting apparatus which concerns on embodiment when the detected size of a package is less than a 1st threshold value.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the embodiments described below shows a comprehensive or specific example. Numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangement positions and connection forms of constituent elements, steps, order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Further, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements not described in the independent claims are described as arbitrary constituent elements.

(Embodiment)
[1. Overall configuration of sorting device]
First, the overall configuration of the sorting device 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the sorting device 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the sorting device 2 according to the embodiment in an enlarged manner.

  The sorting apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1 sends a plurality of packages 6 that are stored in a warehouse 4 such as an automated warehouse in a logistics field such as a mail-order business, a wholesale business, and a home delivery business, and to which destinations are assigned. This is a device for sorting each destination. Each of the plurality of packages 6 is, for example, a packed product or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting device 2 includes a transport unit 8 (an example of a transport unit), an input port 10, a plurality of chutes 12, a sensor 14 (an example of a detection unit), and a controller 16. There is.

  The transport unit 8 is a unit for transporting the load 6 along the ring-shaped transport path 18 and for dispensing the load 6 in a payout direction orthogonal to the transport direction along the transport path 18, a so-called cross. It is a belt sorter. The transport unit 8 has a plurality of trays 20 (an example of a mounting portion) and a drive unit 22.

  The plurality of trays 20 are connected to each other in a ring shape along the transport path 18. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of trays 20 functions as a tray for loading the luggage 6 and also serves as a belt conveyor for transporting the luggage 6 placed on the tray 20 in the payout direction. Also works. Any two adjacent trays 20 of the plurality of trays 20 are connected to each other via a connecting portion 23. The drive unit 22 moves the plurality of trays 20 along the transport path 18 in a predetermined direction (for example, a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1).

  The input port 10 is for supplying the parcel 6 stored in the warehouse 4 to the vicinity of the transport path 18. One end of the input port 10 is connected to the warehouse 4, and the other end of the input port 10 is arranged near the transport path 18. The worker 24 manually places the luggage 6 supplied from the warehouse 4 through the loading port 10 on the tray 20. In the present embodiment, only one inlet 10 is arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of inlets 10 may be arranged side by side along the transport path 18.

  The plurality of chutes 12 are for carrying out the packages 6 dispensed from the tray 20 in the dispensing direction. The plurality of chutes 12 are arranged side by side along the transport path 18 on the side of the transport path 18.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of IR (Infrared) sensors 26 are arranged corresponding to the plurality of shoots 12, respectively. Each of the plurality of IR sensors 26 outputs a drive signal to the tray 20 approaching the chute 12 corresponding to the IR sensor 26 by wireless communication. The drive signal is a signal for instructing the tray 20 to pay out the load 6 placed on the tray 20 to the chute 12 that is a sorting destination of the load 6.

  The sensor 14 is a photoelectric sensor for detecting the size of the package 6 placed on the tray 20 and the position of the package 6 in the transport direction of the tray 20. The sensor 14 is arranged on the upstream side of the transport path 18 with respect to the plurality of chutes 12. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2, the size of the luggage 6 is a width D in the transport direction along the transport path 18. Further, as shown in (a) to (c) of FIG. 7, which will be described later, the position of the load 6 is any one of “center part”, “downstream side”, and “upstream side” in the transport direction of the tray 20. The position. The sensor 14 outputs the detected size (hereinafter, also referred to as “detection size”) and position of the package 6 (hereinafter, also referred to as “detection position”) to the controller 16. In addition, in the present embodiment, one sensor 14 detects the size and position of the luggage 6, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, two sensors 14 are provided, and the two sensors 14 respectively size and position of the luggage 6. May be detected.

  The controller 16 controls the transport unit 8 based on the detected size and the detected position from the sensor 14 and the sorting destination information and the weight information from the upper controller 28. The sorting destination information is information indicating the chute 12 assigned as the sorting destination of the parcel 6, and the weight information is information indicating the weight of the parcel 6. The functional configuration of the controller 16 will be described later.

  The outline of the operation of the sorting device 2 described above will be described below. The host controller 28 outputs a command to issue the parcel 6 to be shipped to the warehouse 4, for example, and assigns the chute 12 as the sort destination of the parcel 6 to generate sort destination information of the parcel 6. The upper controller 28 outputs the generated sorting destination information to the controller 16. Each of the plurality of chutes 12 corresponds to, for example, a plurality of shipping destinations of the package 6, and the chutes 12 corresponding to the shipping destinations are assigned as sorting destinations of the packages 6.

  A bar code (not shown), for example, is attached to the parcel 6 supplied from the warehouse 4 through the loading port 10. The bar code of the package 6 is associated with package information and weight information for identifying the package 6. The worker 24 reads the barcode of the luggage 6 by using a barcode reader (not shown), and the luggage 6 is placed on the tray 20 so that the identification number of the tray 20 and the luggage information of the luggage 6 are obtained. Is tied. This determines to which chute 12 the tray 20 sorts the cargo 6.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tray 20 on which the luggage 6 is placed moves along the transport path 18 toward a specific chute 12 assigned as a sorting destination among the plurality of chutes 12. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the chute 12a is assigned as the sorting destination of the luggage 6a, and the chute 12b is assigned as the sorting destination of the luggage 6b. The trays 20a and 20b on which the loads 6a and 6b are placed are not driven as a belt conveyor until the loads 6a and 6b approach the chutes 12a and 12b, which are the sorting destinations, respectively.

  The tray 20a on which the load 6a is placed is driven as a belt conveyor based on a drive signal from the IR sensor 26a corresponding to the chute 12a at the timing when the tray 20a approaches the chute 12a. As a result, the load 6a is conveyed in the payout direction by the tray 20a and is paid out from the tray 20a to the chute 12a.

  Similarly, the tray 20b on which the load 6b is placed drives as a belt conveyor based on the drive signal from the IR sensor 26b corresponding to the chute 12b at the timing of approaching the chute 12b. As a result, the luggage 6b is conveyed in the payout direction by the tray 20b and is paid out from the tray 20b to the chute 12b.

[2. Functional configuration of controller]
Next, the functional configuration of the controller 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the controller 16 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the management table 38 according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 16 has an acquisition unit 30, a storage unit 32, a control unit 34, and a notification unit 36 as a functional configuration.

  The acquisition unit 30 acquires the detection size and the detection position from the sensor 14, and the package information, the sorting destination information, and the weight information from the host controller 28. The acquisition unit 30 stores the acquired detection size, detection position, package information, sorting destination information, and weight information in the storage unit 32.

  The storage unit 32 is a memory for storing the management table 38. The management table 38 is a data table as shown in FIG. 4, for example. The management table 38 shown in FIG. 4 stores, as information regarding each of the plurality of trays 20, the luggage information, sorting destination information, weight information, detected size, and detected position of the luggage 6 placed on the tray 20. There is.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, in the first row of the management table 38, as information regarding the tray A (for example, the tray 20a illustrated in FIG. 2), a) luggage information “luggage information (for example, luggage 6a illustrated in FIG. 2)” A ”, b) sorting information“ chute A (for example, chute 12a shown in FIG. 2) ”of package A, c) weight information“ 1 kg ”of package A, d) detection size“ 100 mm ”of package A, and e ) The detection position “downstream side” of the luggage A in the tray A is stored.

  Further, in the second row of the management table 38, as information regarding the tray B (for example, the tray 20b shown in FIG. 2), a) the luggage information “luggage B” of the luggage B (for example, the luggage 6b shown in FIG. 2), b). Sorting destination information "Package B (for example, chute 12b shown in FIG. 2)" of package B, c) Weight information "6 kg" of package B, d) Detection size "500 mm" of package B, and e) Package on tray B The detection position “central part” of B is stored.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the control unit 34 determines a payout timing and a payout speed at which the transport unit 8 pays the package 6 from the tray 20 to the chute 12 based on the management table 38 stored in the storage unit 32. That is, the payout timing is the timing at which the tray 20 starts driving as a belt conveyor, and the payout speed is the speed at which the tray 20 drives as a belt conveyor (the rotation speed of the belt conveyor). The payout timing is determined based on the tray 20. The control unit 34 outputs the determined payout timing and payout speed to the notification unit 36. Specific processing of the control unit 34 will be described in detail later.

  The notification unit 36 notifies the transport unit 8 of the payout timing and the payout speed from the control unit 34. As a result, the transport unit 8 drives a specific tray 20 among the plurality of trays 20 as a belt conveyor based on the dispensing timing and the dispensing speed from the control unit 34.

[3. Operation of sorting device]
Next, the operation of the sorting device 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the controller 16 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sorting device 2 according to the embodiment when the detected size of the parcel 6 is equal to or larger than the first threshold value. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the sorting device 2 according to the embodiment when the detected size of the parcel 6 is less than the first threshold value. For convenience of description, the IR sensor 26 is not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 34 of the controller 16 first detects, from the management table 38 stored in the storage unit 32, the detection position, the detection size, and the weight of the packages 6 to be sorted for each tray 20. The information is read (S101). After that, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the detected size of the parcel 6 is equal to or larger than the first threshold value (for example, 400 mm) (S102).

  When the control unit 34 determines that the detected size of the parcel 6 is equal to or larger than the first threshold (YES in S102), the payout timing is set to T1 and the payout speed is provisionally set to V1 (S103). ). The payout timing T1 is earlier than payout timings T2, T3, and T4 described later. That is, the control unit 34 determines the payout timing so that the payout timing becomes earlier as the detected size of the parcel 6 is larger. The payout speed V1 is slower than the payout speed V2 described later. That is, the control unit 34 determines the payout speed so that the larger the detected size of the parcel 6 is, the slower the payout speed is.

  After that, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the weight of the luggage 6 is equal to or more than a second threshold value (for example, 5 kg) (S104). When the control unit 34 determines that the weight of the parcel 6 is less than the second threshold value (NO in S104), it determines the payout speed to be V1 (S105).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport unit 8 pays out the parcel 6 from the tray 20 to the chute 12, which is a sorting destination, at a relatively early payout timing T1 and at a relatively slow payout speed V1. As a result, as shown by the arrow P in FIG. 6, the trajectory of the delivery of the load 6 forms an obtuse angle with respect to the delivery direction (the direction in which the tray 20 is driven as a belt conveyor).

  The larger the size of the luggage 6, the more frequently the luggage 6 comes into contact with the wall surface 40 of the chute 12 when the luggage 6 is discharged from the tray 20, and the luggage 6 may collide with the wall surface 40 of the chute 12. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the detected size of the package 6 is equal to or larger than the first threshold value, the package 6 is delivered from the tray 20 at a relatively early delivery timing T1 and at a relatively slow delivery speed V1. As a result, it is possible to accurately deliver the luggage 6 to the chute 12, which is the sorting destination, while suppressing the luggage 6 from colliding with the wall surface 40 of the chute 12.

  Returning to step S104, the control unit 34 corrects the payout speed from V1 to V1 ′ (V1 ′ <V1) when it is determined that the weight of the luggage 6 is equal to or more than the second threshold value (YES in S104). The payout speed is determined to be V1 '(S106). That is, the control unit 34 determines the payout speed such that the larger the weight of the luggage 6, the slower the payout speed. At this time, the control unit 34 corrects the payout timing T1 'in the direction of advancing the payout timing T1' by the amount corresponding to the decrease in the payout speed (S106).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the transport unit 8 has a relatively fast delivery timing T1 ′ and a delivery speed V1 ′ that is slower than the delivery speed V1, and the chute 12 which is the sorting destination of the packages 6 from the tray 20. Pay out to. The larger the weight of the luggage 6, the more likely the luggage 6 will be damaged if the luggage 6 collides with the wall surface 40 of the chute 12. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the weight of the luggage 6 is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the payout speed of the luggage 6 is further reduced to prevent the luggage 6 from colliding with the wall surface 40 of the chute 12. Even if there is, damage to the luggage 6 can be reduced.

  When the detected size of the package 6 is equal to or larger than the first threshold value, it is considered that the position of the package 6 in the transport direction of the tray 20 has a small variation. Therefore, the control unit 34 controls the detected position of the package 6. Do not judge.

  Returning to step S102, when the control unit 34 determines that the detected size of the package 6 is less than the first threshold value (NO in S102), the detected position of the package 6 is “central part” in the transport direction of the tray 20. , ”“ Downstream side ”and“ upstream side ”are determined (S107).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the control unit 34 determines that the detected position of the luggage 6 is the “central portion” in the transport direction of the tray 20 (“central portion” in S107), the payout is performed. The timing is set to T2, and the payout speed is provisionally set to V2 (S108). The payout timing T2 is later than the payout timing T1 and the payout speed V2 is faster than the payout speed V1.

  After that, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the weight of the luggage 6 is equal to or more than a second threshold value (for example, 5 kg) (S109). When determining that the weight of the parcel 6 is less than the second threshold value (NO in S109), the control unit 34 determines the payout speed to be V2 (S110).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the transport unit 8 transfers the parcel 6 from the tray 20 to the chute 12, which is a sorting destination, at a relatively slow payout timing T2 and at a relatively fast payout speed V2. Pay out. As a result, as shown by the arrow Q1 in (a) of FIG. 7, the delivery trajectory of the package 6 forms an acute angle with respect to the delivery direction.

  The smaller the size of the luggage 6, the less frequently the luggage 6 contacts the wall surface 40 of the chute 12 when the luggage 6 is discharged from the tray 20. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the detected size of the package 6 is less than the first threshold value, the package 6 is delivered from the tray 20 at a relatively slow delivery timing T2 and at a relatively fast delivery speed V2. As a result, the luggage 6 can be accurately and smoothly delivered to the chute 12, which is the sorting destination.

  Returning to step S109, the control unit 34 corrects the payout speed from V2 to V2 ′ (V2 ′ <V2) when it is determined that the weight of the luggage 6 is equal to or more than the second threshold value (YES in S109). The payout speed is determined to be V2 '(S111). At this time, the control unit 34 corrects the payout timing T2 'to the payout timing T2' in the direction of advancing the payout timing T2 by the amount corresponding to the decrease in the payout speed (S111).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the transport unit 8 sorts the packages 6 from the tray 20 at a relatively slow payout timing T2 ′ and at a payout speed V2 ′ slower than the payout speed V2. To the shoot 12. Accordingly, similarly to the above, even if the luggage 6 collides with the wall surface 40 of the chute 12, damage to the luggage 6 can be reduced.

  Returning to step S107, when the control unit 34 determines that the detection position of the load 6 is “downstream side” in the transport direction of the tray 20 as illustrated in (b) of FIG. Side ”), the payout timing is determined to be T3, and the payout speed is provisionally determined to be V2 (S112). The payout timing T3 is earlier than the payout timing T2. That is, the control unit 34 determines the payout timing such that the payout timing becomes earlier as the position of the load 6 on the tray 20 gets closer to the downstream end of the transport path 18 of the tray 20. Then, steps S109 to S111 are executed as described above. Note that, similarly to the above, when the control unit 34 determines that the weight of the parcel 6 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value (YES in S109), the payout speed is set to V2 ′ and the payout timing T3 is advanced. The payout timing T3 'is corrected in the direction (S111).

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the transport unit 8 has a payout timing T3 (or T3 ′) earlier than the payout timing T2 and a relatively fast payout speed V2 (or V2 ′). The luggage 6 is paid out from the tray 20 to the chute 12, which is a sorting destination. As a result, as shown by the arrow Q2 in FIG. 7B, the locus of paying out the luggage 6 forms an acute angle with respect to the payout direction, as in the case of FIG. 7A described above. Become. Therefore, even if the position of the package 6 is shifted from the central portion in the transport direction of the tray 20 to the downstream side, the delivery trajectory of the package 6 can be made substantially constant, and the package 6 is a sorting destination. The shot 12 can be dispensed accurately and smoothly.

  Returning to step S107, when the control unit 34 determines that the detection position of the package 6 is the “upstream side” in the transport direction of the tray 20 as illustrated in (c) of FIG. Side ”), the payout timing is determined to be T4, and the payout speed is provisionally determined to be V2 (S113). The payout timing T4 is later than the payout timing T2. Then, steps S109 to S111 are executed as described above. Note that, similarly to the above, when the control unit 34 determines that the weight of the luggage 6 is equal to or more than the second threshold value (YES in S109), the payout speed is set to V2 ′ and the payout timing T4 is advanced. The payout timing T4 'is corrected in the direction (S111).

  In this case, as shown in (c) of FIG. 7, the transport unit 8 has a payout timing T4 (or T4 ′) later than the payout timing T2 and a relatively fast payout speed V2 (or V2 ′). The parcel 6 is delivered from the tray 20 to the chute 12, which is a sorting destination. As a result, as shown by an arrow Q3 in FIG. 7C, the delivery trajectory of the luggage 6 forms an acute angle with respect to the delivery direction, as in the case of FIG. 7A described above. Become. Therefore, even if the position of the package 6 is shifted from the central portion in the transport direction of the tray 20 to the upstream side, the trajectory of paying out the package 6 can be made substantially constant, and the package 6 is a sorting destination. The shoot 12 can be dispensed accurately and smoothly.

[4. effect]
As described above, in the sorting apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the control unit 34 determines the payout timing and the payout speed based on the detected position and the weight information of the package 6, so that the package in the transport direction of the tray 20, for example, Even if the positions of 6 are different, the luggage 6 can be accurately delivered to the chute 12. As a result, erroneous sorting of the luggage 6 can be suppressed. In particular, by determining the payout speed in consideration of the weight of the luggage 6, it is possible to prevent the luggage 6 from hitting the wall surface 40 or the like of the chute 12 and being damaged. Along with this, the lateral width of the chute 12 (width in the left-right direction in FIG. 2) can be reduced, so that space saving of the chute 12 can be achieved.

(Modifications, etc.)
The sorting apparatus of the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention also includes forms obtained by making modifications to those skilled in the art by those skilled in the art, and other forms realized by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements of the above embodiments.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transport unit 8 is configured by the cross belt sorter, but is not limited to this, and may be configured by, for example, a tilt tray sorter, a shoe sorter, a diverter or a roller branch.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the acquisition unit 30 is configured to acquire the weight information from the host controller 28, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a weight sensor (an example of an acquisition unit) may be arranged on the tray 20, and the weight of the load 6 placed on the tray 20 may be measured by the weight sensor while the load 6 is being conveyed. As a result, the weight sensor can acquire the weight information indicating the weight of the luggage 6.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sensor 14 is configured by the photoelectric sensor, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured by, for example, a camera for capturing the image of the luggage 6 placed on the tray 20.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sensor 14 detects the size and position of the load 6 placed on the tray 20, but in addition to these, it detects the height of the load 6 placed on the tray 20. May be. In this case, the control unit 34 determines the payout speed so that the higher the height of the luggage 6 placed on the tray 20, the slower the payout speed. In this way, by determining the delivery speed in consideration of the height of the luggage 6, it is possible to more accurately deliver the luggage 6 to the chute 12 while suppressing the overturning of the luggage 6.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the acquisition unit 30 acquires the weight information from the host controller 28, but in addition to this, it may acquire the friction coefficient information indicating the friction coefficient of the bottom surface of the luggage 6. In this case, the control unit 34 determines the payout speed such that the payout speed becomes higher as the friction coefficient of the bottom surface of the luggage 6 placed on the tray 20 becomes larger. In this way, by determining the payout speed in consideration of the friction coefficient of the bottom surface of the luggage 6 as well, the cargo 6 is more accurately delivered to the chute 12 in consideration of the deceleration due to the friction between the bottom surface of the luggage 6 and the chute 12. Can be issued.

  Further, the control unit 34 may change the transport speed at which the chute 12 transports the parcel 6 in accordance with the determined payout speed. The control unit 34 changes the drive speed of the roller conveyor or the like arranged on the chute 12, for example, to almost the same speed as the determined payout speed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the package 6 from being suddenly decelerated when it is delivered to the chute 12, and the package 6 can be smoothly transported from the tray 20 to the chute 12.

  The sorting device of the present invention can be applied to, for example, a cross belt sorter.

2 Sorting device 4 Warehouse 6, 6a, 6b Luggage 8 Transfer unit 10 Input port 12, 12a, 12b Chute 14 Sensor 16 Controller 18 Transfer route 20, 20a, 20b Tray 22 Drive unit 23 Connecting part 24 Worker 26, 26a, 26b IR sensor 28 Host controller 30 Acquisition unit 32 Storage unit 34 Control unit 36 Notification unit 38 Management table 40 Wall surface

Claims (7)

A sorting device for sorting luggage,
A transport unit having a placement unit for placing the load, wherein the load unit is moved along a transport path, and the load is disposed on the side of the transport path from the load unit. Transport section that pays out to the chute
A detection unit for detecting the position of the luggage in the storage unit,
An acquisition unit for acquiring weight information indicating the weight of the luggage placed on the storage unit,
A control unit that determines a payout timing and a payout speed at which the transport unit pays the load from the placing unit to the chute based on the detected position of the load and the acquired weight information. apparatus. The detection unit further detects the size of the luggage placed on the placement unit,
The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the payout timing such that the payout timing becomes earlier as the size of the package placed on the placing unit increases. The control unit determines the payout timing such that the payout timing becomes earlier as the position of the package in the predecessor is closer to the downstream end of the transport path of the predecessor. Item 1. The sorting device according to item 1 or 2. The control unit determines the payout speed such that the payout speed becomes slower as the weight of the luggage placed on the placing unit becomes larger. Sorting device. The detection unit further detects the height of the luggage placed on the placement unit,
The control unit determines the payout speed such that the payout speed becomes slower as the height of the luggage placed on the placing unit becomes higher. Sorting device described. The acquisition unit further acquires friction coefficient information indicating a friction coefficient of the bottom surface of the luggage placed on the placing unit,
The control unit determines the payout speed such that the payout speed becomes faster as the friction coefficient of the bottom surface of the luggage placed on the placing unit is larger. Sorting device according to item. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further changes a transport speed at which the chute transports the package according to the determined payout speed.

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