JPH0853221A - Baggage conveying and sorting method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide baggage conveying and sorting method and apparatus, by which high speed conveyance and sure sorting of baggages can be realized even if the baggage conveying area is large. CONSTITUTION:When a departure baggage is received at the main side check-in counter, the baggage B is put on a fixed form tab 1 and conveyed by a conveyer 10. The baggage B is transported in the state of being put on the fixed form tab 1, and when it reaches a diverging device 20, the destination is determined according to the storage information of an information storage device of the fixed form tab 1, and the baggage is sorted to the main side sorter 30, a three- dimensional warehouse 51 or the satellite side. If a boarding aircraft takes off from the satellite side, the baggage B is loaded in the state of being put on the fixed form tab 1 on a traveling truck 40 and transported at high speed, and carried in the sorter 30 of the satellite side. The baggages B are sorted to the respective make-up conveyers corresponding to the aircraft and loaded on the aircraft.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is applicable to various types of baggage transfer systems such as baggage transfer systems for sorting and transferring baggage from receipt of baggage at a check-in counter such as an airport terminal to installation of the baggage in a corresponding aircraft. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a luggage transport sorting method and apparatus for transport sorting a large amount of luggage having a destination at high speed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a conveyor belt conveyor and various sorters have been used for sorting and transporting aviation baggage at a check-in counter or the like, and then sorting it by the relevant aircraft. When surely assorting various miscellaneous baggage, in order to avoid accidents such as congestion, rolling, and catching as much as possible, the transport speed cannot be set too high, and at most 2 m / sec is practically used.

Further, in order to identify the destination of the parcel and the like, a bar code tag that codes an individual identification number, a boarding aircraft number, etc. is attached to the parcel, and a bar code reader such as a laser scanner is used for sorting work. Use it to recognize automatically. However, since the attachment position of the barcode tag changes depending on the package, sometimes the barcode reading is not successful. Furthermore, for large airports, it is necessary to transport long distances between the main terminal and satellites at high speed.

In order to solve the problem, each baggage is loaded on a dedicated self-propelled carriage and a data carrier such as a bar code tag is mounted on each carriage to reduce erroneous recognition and perform high-speed traveling and sorting. DCV (Destination Coded
Vehicle) system has been developed and has been partially adopted at Frankfurt Airport, Denver Airport, and the like.

Incidentally, as another prior art, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-1
No. 39418, No. 1-85322, No. 62-62
183622 and so on.

[0006]

However, in the case of a DCV system in which a dedicated trolley is run for all baggage, construction costs and operation and maintenance costs are high, and various problems also occur in terms of reliability. Not a realistic method.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for sorting and carrying a luggage, which realizes high-speed transportation and reliable sorting of luggage even if the transportation area of the luggage is large.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a load is carried on a tub by a conveyor device, a sorter sorts the loads by destination, and the load is loaded on the tub. It is a luggage transportation sorting method, characterized in that it is carried on a carriage. Further, according to the present invention, the tab is provided with an information storage means for storing information relating to the package destination, the information is stored when the package is loaded on the tab, and the information is stored when sorting by the sorter device. It is characterized in that the destination of the parcel is recognized by reading the information stored by the means. The present invention also provides a tab for loading luggage, a conveyor device for transporting luggage while being loaded on the tab, a sorter device for sorting luggage by destination, and loading luggage on the tab. And a traveling carriage for transporting the cargo in this state. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the tab is provided with an information storage means for storing information regarding the package destination.

[0009]

According to the baggage transport sorting method of the present invention, even if the parcel is difficult to handle, the parcel can be easily transported and the parcels can be hardly restricted by carrying the parcels while the parcels are placed on the tabs. As a result, the reliability of transportation, branching and sorting is improved. Also, by standardizing the shape of the tab,
Mechanisms such as conveyors and sorters can be standardized, and safe and highly reliable mechanisms can be realized. Further, by carrying the sorted luggage on the traveling carriage while being loaded on the tub, the loading and unloading of the luggage can be easily performed, and the high-speed transportation over a long distance can be easily realized.

Further, by providing the tab with an information storage means such as a bar code for storing the information regarding the package destination, the destination can be automatically identified at the time of sorting. Further, by standardizing the reading position and the form of the information storage means in accordance with the standardization of the tab shape, it is possible to reliably read the information.

According to the baggage transport sorting apparatus of the present invention,
Similar to the above, by carrying and sorting the luggage while it is loaded on the tab, even if the luggage is difficult to handle, it can be easily transported, the restrictions on the luggage are almost eliminated, and the transportation, branching, sorting, etc. Improves reliability. Further, by standardizing the shape of the tab, the mechanism such as the conveyor device and the sorter device can also be standardized, and a safe and highly reliable mechanism can be realized. Further, by carrying the sorted luggage on the traveling carriage while being loaded on the tub, the loading and unloading of the luggage can be easily performed, and the high-speed transportation over a long distance can be easily realized.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a luggage transfer device according to the present invention. For example, the parcel B received at the chain counter in the airport lobby is loaded on the conveyor device 2 such as a belt conveyor after being given a destination tag, individual number recognition, etc., and conveyed at a constant speed. A conveyor device 10 is arranged below the conveyor device 2 to transfer the dish-shaped standard tab 1 on which the luggage B is placed. Since the operation of the conveyor device 2 and the operation of the conveyor device 10 are synchronized,
When the baggage B is dropped from the conveyor device 2, it is placed on the fixed-form tub 1 and thereafter conveyed by the conveyor device 10 in the next stage to the subsequent process.

2A is a sectional view showing an example of the conveyor device 10, FIG. 2B is a sectional view showing another example of the conveyor device, and FIG. 2C is a perspective view showing an example of the standard tab 1. It is a figure. The conveyor device 10 of FIG. 2A is a belt conveyor system, and the fixed tab 1 is placed on an endless belt 11 that moves in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface and is conveyed. Endless belt 11
Side guards 13 are provided on both sides of the side guard 13 to prevent the fixed tab 1 from protruding and falling and to smoothly carry the tab. On the other hand, the conveyor device 10 of FIG. 2B is of a roller conveyor type, in which a pair of rollers 12 supporting the bottom surface of the standard tab 1 are rotatably supported and installed at a predetermined pitch. In the roller conveyor system, the transportation track can be arbitrarily changed by changing the roller pitch, and it is used particularly in the area where the transportation track has a curvature. Further, side guards 13 are provided on both sides of the roller 12 to prevent the standard tab 1 from protruding and falling.

In FIG. 2C, the standard tab 1 is made of plastic or the like, has a size of about 500 mm × 1200 mm, and has an inclined surface extending from the flat bottom portion to the outer periphery. Further, on the outer side of the inclined surface, an information storage device 1a such as a bar code tag for storing information regarding a package destination.
Is installed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a baggage branching device according to the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a roller system, in which a pair of rollers 21 are arranged on both sides of a Y-shaped transport path, and pop-up rollers 22 are provided at intersections.
When a fixed tab loaded with a load is sent from the conveyor device 10, it is conveyed by the roller 21 and the pop-up roller 2 is sent based on a command from a load management device (not shown).
2 sorts the standard tabs left and right. The side guards 13 are installed on both sides of the roller 21.

FIG. 3B shows a diverter system, in which a diverter 25 having a straight guide surface is installed beside a side end of a wide belt conveyor 26, and the diverter 25 is straightened based on a command from the luggage management device. It is angularly displaced so that it is parallel to the transport direction) or inclined. Two conveyor devices 10, which are branch destinations, are installed on the downstream side of the conveyor of the belt conveyor 26. When the fixed tab loaded with the load is sent out from the conveyor device 10, it is conveyed by the belt conveyor 26 and is distributed to the left and right by the diverter 25 switched to a predetermined angle based on a command from the load management device (not shown). . When the diverter 25 is straight, the standard tab goes straight and is delivered to one of the conveyor devices 10. Further, when the diverter 25 is inclined, the standard tab is skewed and sent to the other conveyor device 10. In addition, side guards 13 are installed on both sides of the conveyor device 10.

An information reading device 29 such as a laser scanner is provided in the branching device 20. The information stored in the information storage device 1a provided on the standard tab 1 is read and collated with the baggage management device to load the baggage B. The branch direction of is being determined. In addition, various systems other than the above can be adopted as the branching device for the luggage.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a luggage sorter device according to the present invention. The sorter device 30 is a tilt tray sorter, which has a flat loading surface.
2 is fixed to the tilt support portion 34 and is conveyed by the endlessly connected connection portion 33. On the stacking surface of the tray 32, a planar U-shaped stopper 31 for smoothly receiving the standard tab 1 is installed. The plurality of trays 32 configured in this way are connected in a loop shape and are inclined to the left or right when passing through a predetermined position.

About 40 in the conveying direction of the sorter device 30
The coding conveyor 35 is installed so as to enter at an angle of degrees. The coding conveyor 35 is a baggage B.
It has a function of aligning and carrying in the standard tabs 1 on which is loaded the sorter device 30. Specifically, after the fixed tab 1 on the coding conveyor 35 is temporarily stopped on the way, it is rotated by 40 degrees by a pop-up roller or the like to match the loading direction of the tray 32 to the stopper 32, and further moved as it is. It is placed on 32 and conveyed in a state as shown in FIG.

Next, when the tray 32 moves and reaches a predetermined unloading point, the tracking device of the sorter tilts the tilt support portion 34 to the right side as shown in FIG. The baggage B loaded on is tilted and placed on the conveyor device 10. At this time, the fixed form tab 1 is in a state of being locked by the stopper 31. When the luggage B is unloaded, the tray 32 returns to the horizontal state again. Such carry-out points are generally set at a plurality of locations corresponding to the destination of the package B.

Next, when the tray 32 moves and reaches the tab collecting position, as shown in FIG.
4 tilts to the left, the standard tab 1 on the tray 32 slides down, and is placed on the tab collecting conveyor device 10. When the standard tab 1 is collected, the tray 32 returns to the horizontal state again.

In this way, the standard tub 1 on the tray 32 and the package B can be sorted and collected separately. In addition,
Various methods other than the above can be adopted as the luggage branching device.

FIG. 5 is a constitutional view showing an example of a luggage carriage according to the present invention. FIG. 5 (a) is a side view thereof, and FIG.
(B) is the front view. The traveling carriage 40 includes wheels 42 that travel on two rails 41, and a plurality of elevating and lowering support portions 43 that support the standard tab 1 are installed on the loading surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 2B, a conveyor device 10 in which a pair of rollers 12 are arranged at predetermined intervals is provided above the traveling carriage 40 in parallel with the rail 41.

When loading on the traveling carriage 40, the roller 1
While the traveling carriage 40 travels in synchronization with the movement of the standard tab 1 conveyed by 2, the up-and-down support part 43 rises to lift the standard tab 1 from below and lift it from the roller 12. The traveling carriage 40 travels as it is, and after passing the last roller 12, the elevating and lowering support portion 43 is lowered and lowered to a fixed position. In this way, the fixed form tab 1 is loaded on the traveling carriage 40 with the luggage B placed thereon. Also, the traveling carriage 4
When unloading the baggage B from 0, the reverse procedure described above is performed, that is, the elevating support part 43 is raised while the traveling carriage 40 is traveling, the fixed tab 1 is placed on the roller 12, and then the elevating support part 4 is moved.
When 3 is lowered, the standard tab 1 is carried out to the conveyor device 10 including the rollers 12.

Although this figure shows a system in which one fixed tab is transported to one traveling vehicle, a plurality of traveling tabs, for example, one traveling vehicle, are provided in order to realize an economical system in which the number of traveling vehicles is reduced. It is also possible to construct a system that conveys four pieces at the same time.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the transportation route of luggage according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which an airport terminal is a main terminal (hereinafter abbreviated as main side) and a satellite terminal (hereinafter abbreviated as satellite side). This is an example of an airport which is divided into several sections and is several kilometers away from each other, so that it is necessary to carry out sorting of packages for each other.

First, the luggage route at the time of departure will be described.
When the departure baggage is accepted at the check-in counter on the main side, the baggage B is placed on the standard tub 1 and conveyed by the conveyor device 10, as shown in FIG. At this time, empty tabs are supplied from the three-dimensional warehouse 51. Thereafter, the parcel B is conveyed while being carried on the standard tab 1, and the branching device 2 shown in FIG.
When the number reaches 0, the destination is determined based on the storage information of the information storage device 1a of the standard tab 1, and the sorter device 30 on the main side, the three-dimensional warehouse 51, or the satellite side is sorted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sorter device 30 carries out the packages B on the standard tub 1 by destination and sorts them by make-up conveyor corresponding to each aircraft to be loaded. Further, the three-dimensional warehouse 51 stores empty tabs and supplies the empty tabs in response to a command from the luggage management device,
It has a function of temporarily storing the baggage B which is received much earlier than the departure time of the aircraft.

When the relevant aircraft departs from the main side in this way, it is loaded onto the aircraft via the sorter device 30 and the makeup conveyor on the main side.

On the other hand, when the relevant aircraft departs from the satellite side, as shown in FIG.
It is mounted on the traveling carriage 40 in a state of riding on the vehicle. Rail 41
At this time, a large number of traveling carriages 40 are waiting in an unconnected state, and each time the transportation command for the luggage B is issued, the traveling carriages 40 start traveling one by one. An accelerator such as a brake device or a linear motor is installed in the middle of the rail 41, and the operation of the traveling carriage is individually controlled by the luggage management device. The baggage B and the standard tub 1 which are conveyed at a high speed by the traveling carriage 40 are transferred to the satellite side conveyor device 10 and carried into the sorter device 30. Here, as in the case of the main side, the luggage B is sorted by each makeup conveyor corresponding to each aircraft and loaded on the aircraft. The empty tab is stored in the three-dimensional warehouse 51 on the satellite side. The luggage B thus received on the main side is loaded on the satellite side aircraft. In addition, passengers also take a shuttle bus and move to an aircraft on the satellite side.

Next, a luggage route upon arrival will be described.
It should be noted that FIG. 6 shows an example in which all of the transfer (transfer) luggage and arriving luggage are accepted by the satellite side. The incoming luggage B is conveyed by the conveyor device shown in FIG.
It is sorted to the satellite side or the main side. Since the passenger receives the baggage B on the main side, the arriving baggage B is transported to the main side at high speed by the traveling carriage 40. The baggage B carried into the main side is sorted by the branching device 20, carried into the baggage claim conveyor 52, and returned to the passenger.

Next, the luggage route at the time of transit will be described.
The transfer baggage B is sorted into the satellite side or the main side by the branching device 20, and the destination is different depending on which side the connecting aircraft departs from. When the transit aircraft exits from the satellite side, it is sorted by the sorter device 30 on the satellite side, and the baggage B is sorted by each make-up conveyor corresponding to each aircraft and loaded on the transit aircraft. On the other hand, if the connecting aircraft leaves the main side,
The luggage B is sorted by the branching device 20 toward the traveling carriage 40,
High-speed transportation to the main side. Next, the main-side branching device 20 sorts the sorts to the sorter device 30, and the baggage B is sorted into each make-up conveyor corresponding to each aircraft and is loaded into the main-side transfer aircraft. Passengers will also move to the main side.

In an airport where terminals are dispersed in this way, high-speed transportation of luggage can be realized by using traveling vehicles together. Moreover, as compared with the conventional DCV system, since only the relay points need to be connected by the traveling vehicle, the construction cost, operation cost, maintenance cost, and installation area can be significantly reduced.

[0034]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, carrying and sorting are performed while the luggage is placed on the tab, so that there is almost no load limitation and the reliability of transportation, branching, sorting, etc. is improved. To do. In addition, by carrying the sorted luggage on the traveling carriage while being loaded on the tub, the loading and unloading of the luggage can be easily performed, and the long-distance high-speed transportation can be easily realized.

As described above, even if the transportation area of the luggage is large, high-speed transportation of the luggage and reliable sorting can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a luggage transfer device according to the present invention.

2A is a sectional view showing an example of the conveyor device 10, FIG. 2B is a sectional view showing another example of the conveyor device, and FIG. 2C is an example of a standard tab 1. It is a perspective view.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a luggage branching device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a luggage sorter device according to the present invention.

5A and 5B are configuration diagrams showing an example of a luggage carriage according to the present invention, FIG. 5A is a side view thereof, and FIG. 5B is a front view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a transportation route of luggage according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 standard tab 1a information storage device 2, 10 conveyor device 11 endless belt 12, 21 roller 13 side guard 22 pop-up roller 25 diverter 26 belt conveyor 29, 39 information reading device 30 sorter device 31 stopper 32 tray 34 tilt support 35 coding conveyor 40 Traveling Cart 43 Lifting Support 51 Multi-story Warehouse 52 Luggage Claim Conveyor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A conveyor device conveys a load on a tab, and a sorter sorts the loads according to their destinations.
Furthermore, the luggage transport sorting method is characterized in that the luggage is carried on a traveling carriage while being carried on a tab. 2. A tab is provided with an information storage means for storing information relating to a package destination, the information is stored when the package is loaded on the tab, and the information is stored when sorting by the sorter device. 2. The method of sorting packages according to claim 1, wherein the destination of the package is recognized by reading the information stored by the means. 3. A tab for loading luggage, a conveyor device for transporting luggage while being loaded on the tab, a sorter device for sorting luggage by destination, and loading luggage on the tabs. And a traveling carriage for transporting the cargo in a fixed state. 4. The baggage transport sorting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tab is provided with an information storage means for storing information regarding a shipping destination.