RU2784983C1 - Parcel sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: sorting.

SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to a parcel sorting system. The parcel sorting system additionally contains: a short-track line connecting the first and the second tracks, so that there is a possibility of transportation to the corresponding track of parcels, which are not parcels for the corresponding zone, and which were received incorrectly; and an introductory section of the short-track line, made with the possibility of transmission of parcels supplied by the short-track line to the track. A loading line contains a set of accounting conveyors, which are spaced apart and sequentially located on a partial section in front of an input to the introductory section of the loading line. The parcel sorting system contains a unit for processing of an image of one side, installed from below between accounting conveyors, made with the possibility of reading information about the parcel, marked on the bottom of the parcel, through a gap between accounting conveyors, and subsequent transmission of information about the parcel to a controller. Simultaneously with reading by the unit for processing of the image of one side, parcels, which are transmitted to the loading line, are sequentially assigned an identification number of the parcel, and at each input for parcels of accounting conveyors, there is a sensor unit made with the possibility of measurement and transmission of lengths of parcels with assigned identification numbers to the controller. The controller is made with the possibility of real-time comparison of tracking information, including identification numbers of parcels sequentially transported along accounting conveyors, and parcel lengths, and removal of parcel identification numbers having a predetermined difference from initially measured length values, and assignment of a parcel identification number starting with a new numbered classification level to a parcel, which is transmitted to the track with a remote parcel identification number, when interacting with a unit for processing of five-side images, provided for the track. Accounting conveyors are spaced apart from each other and sequentially located on a partial section in front of the input to the introductory section of the short-track line of the mentioned short-track line, and at a side of the accounting conveyor, there is a unit for processing of three-side images, made with the possibility of reading information about the parcel, marked on parcels, and determination, whether information about the parcel on the track sending the parcel to the short-track line and information about the parcel, read by the accounting conveyor of the short-track line receiving the parcel coincide. When information elements do not coincide with each other, the parcel is assigned with a parcel identification number starting with a new numbered classification level. At each input for parcels of accounting conveyors, there is a sensor unit made with the possibility of measurement and transmission of lengths of parcels with assigned parcel identification numbers to the controller. The controller is made with the possibility of real-time comparison of tracking information, including identification numbers of parcels sequentially moved along accounting conveyors, and lengths of parcels, and transmission of parcels having a predetermined difference from initially measured length values to the track with remote parcel identification numbers, and subsequent assignment of parcel identification numbers starting from a new numbered classification level, when interacting with the unit for processing of five-side images, provided for the track. The short-track line consists of the first and the second short-track lines at each stage, while the first line of the short track is made with the possibility of sending parcels from the second track to the first track, and the second line of the short track is made with the possibility of sending parcels from the first track to the second track.

EFFECT: creation of a parcel sorting system, which operates using two separate tracks to distinguish between areas with a concentrated population and other zones, as well as to serve and sort only parcels intended for the corresponding zone, by means of which sorting of parcels can be carried out efficiently, and the specified system can be efficiently built, occupying a small area.

4 cl, 5 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[1] The present invention relates to a parcel sorting system, and in particular to a parcel sorting system operating on two separate lanes to distinguish between densely populated areas and other areas, and to receive and sort only parcels for the respective area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[2] The number of parcels is increasing every year with the development of the shipping industry. Accordingly, parcel sorting systems are used to efficiently sort parcels at postal centers or distribution centers. Recently, new sorters such as the cross belt type and the E-Tray type have been developed, which are commonly used to increase the number of items handled and sort packages from small to large sizes.

[3] In general, the parcel sorting system is composed of a mechanical device structure, which is a hardware and an operating software that controls the operation of a controller to control the mechanical device, process information, and a sorting device to sort. In particular, the mechanical device consists of a supply conveyor belt that receives items and an inlet section that receives and feeds items transferred from the conveyor belt to the sorter at high speed, a carrier (or tray) that carries the items fed to the sorter, to the chute of the sorting section, the tracks for the installation and management of the media, the chute through which the items are sorted and unloaded according to their destinations.

[4] That is, the multi-package sorting system is configured as an open or closed ring, in which a track or loop is installed on the annular portion and the troughs are located at the edge of the ring. A large number of parcels are continuously placed on the track of the parcel sorting system, while the parcels are automatically sorted, classified according to their destinations, and the classified parcels are transferred to the delivery sections, loaded onto predetermined trucks, and then sent to their destinations.

[5] A parcel sorting system is disclosed in the prior art in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2014-0042992. As shown in FIG. 1, the parcel sorting system includes: a detection unit 40 that outputs detection signals sg for the length of the parcels on the conveyor belts 30, 32 and 34 so that the parcels 10 are received at predetermined areas on the cross belt 20 and are easily discharged at the target discharge positions; a cross belt drive unit 22 controlling a motor operating with a cross belt 20 including a center area into which packages are conveyed and placed from the conveyor belt 30, as well as first and second side areas adjacent to both sides of the center area; and a controller 44 that transmits a motor control signal sc to control at least one of the rpm and the motor rotation speed to the cross belt drive unit based on the detection signal so that the bursts are placed in any one area of the center area and the first and second side areas.

[6] It is known that existing parcel sorting systems require a large installation space and are configured as a single floor, so a large space is needed to install the chutes of the sorting section with the required number, and it is also necessary to configure a track having a sufficient length, while manifesting the problem of low space utilization. Accordingly, recently, research is being actively carried out on parcel sorting systems with a new structure, using the knowledge that since the area occupied by existing delivery centers is limited, and sufficient air space can be provided.

[7] Meanwhile, in general, in the local delivery centers, all the parcels for the corresponding places are generally accepted and usually fed into the parcel sorting system, and then sorted into destination groups, so there is a problem that conveyor belts and cross belts should work non-stop. Due to urban centralization, which is a natural trend, the zone is divided into densely populated large areas and small areas with low population density and scattered over a wide area. There is a need to improve the efficiency of receiving and sorting parcels by separately processing parcels for these areas.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[8] The present disclosure has been made in an attempt to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and since the densely populated areas of large cities and other areas of small cities with a small population have recently been classified equally in the respective life zone due to the specific centralization of large cities, the purpose of this disclosure is to separately receive parcels corresponding to these areas into the parcel sorting system and sort the parcels.

[9] In addition, another goal of the present disclosure is to increase the throughput for each zone, since the area occupied by the parcel sorting system in the delivery center is limited.

[10] The system for sorting parcels according to the present disclosure to achieve these goals includes: a track driven by a cross-belt type; a loading line that loads and transports parcels individually or in bulk for sorting to the track; an introductory section of the loading line, which transmits parcels supplied by the loading line to the track; carriers located on the track and moved by the operation of the track together with parcels thereto that have been received by the introductory section of the loading line; a plurality of chutes located along the track so that the parcels on the track are unloaded in groups with the same destination; a five-side image processing unit located at the side of the track, reading the parcel information marked on the top and sides of the parcels, and determining the positions of the parcels on the track; a feed back line conveying the parcels not read by the five-side image processing unit back to the track; and a controller determining parcel discharge chutes using the parcel information transmitted from the five-side image processing unit, the track including a pair of first and second tracks that process parcels for high-density parcel areas and parcels for other areas, wherein the parcel sorting system further comprises: a short path line connecting the first and second lanes so that parcels that are not parcels for the respective area and have been received incorrectly can be transported to another lane; and an introductory section of the short path line, transmitting packages supplied by the short path line to the track.

[11] In addition, a plurality of accounting conveyors are spaced from each other and sequentially located on a partial section in front of the place where the parcels enter the input section of the loading line of the specified loading line; while the parcel sorting system includes a one-side image processing unit installed from below between the accounting conveyors, reading information about the parcel marked on the bottom of the parcel through the gap between the accounting conveyors, and then transmitting information about the parcel to the controller.

[12] In addition, at the same time as reading by the image processing unit of one side, the parcels that are transferred to the loading line are sequentially assigned a parcel identification number, and at each input of the counting conveyors there is a sensor unit that measures and transmits the lengths of parcels with assigned identification numbers to controller.

[13] In addition, the controller compares in real time the tracking information, including the identification numbers of parcels sequentially moving along the accounting conveyors, and the length of the parcels, and removes the identification numbers of the parcels having a predetermined difference from the initially measured length values; and assigns a package identification number starting from the new classification number level to the package that is transferred to the track with the package identification number removed by cooperating with the five-side image processing unit provided for the track.

[14] In addition, the accounting conveyors are spaced from each other and sequentially located on the partial section before entering the introductory section of the short path line of the specified short path line; and a three-side image processing unit reading parcel information marked on the parcels is located at the side of the counting conveyor, and it determines whether the parcel information on the track sending the parcel to the short track line and the parcel information match each other, read by the counting conveyor of the short track line receiving the parcel, and when the information elements do not match with each other, the parcel is assigned a parcel identification number starting from the numerical level of the new classification.

[15] In addition, at each input for parcels of accounting conveyors there is a sensor unit that measures and transmits the lengths of parcels with assigned identification numbers to the controller; wherein the controller compares in real time the tracking information, including the identification numbers of the parcels sequentially moving along the accounting conveyors and the length of the parcels, and transfers the parcels having a predetermined difference from the originally measured length values to the track with the removed parcel identification numbers, and then assigns parcel identification numbers starting from the new classification number level by interacting with the five-sided image processing unit provided for the track.

[16] In addition, a track consisting of the first and second tracks is installed in a plurality of steps up and down along the vertical frame; and a chute provided along the first and second tracks in each step has an inlet to which parcels are conveyed in each step, and connects the steps so that the parcels are discharged to one outlet provided under the lowest step.

[17] In addition, the short path line consists of the first and second short path lines at each stage, the first short path line sends packages from the second track to the first track, and the second short path line sends the packages from the first track to the second track.

[18] Further, small and light parcels are transferred to the upper track from said tracks provided on a plurality of steps in large numbers by means of a tipper without the participation of workers.

[19] In addition, the loading line, the return line and the short path line, including the tracks, which are provided on the plurality of steps and configured as conveyors, are connected and suspended in the air by beam supports and hangers vertically extending from the ceiling transverse beams. the building in which the system is installed and configured to operate across or parallel to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[20] FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a prior art parcel sorting system.

[21] FIG. 2 is a view showing the configuration of the first stage of a parcel sorting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[22] FIG. 3 is a view showing the configuration of the second stage of a parcel sorting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[23] FIG. 4 is a view showing the configuration of the third stage of a parcel sorting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[24] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the configuration of a loading line in a parcel sorting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[25] Terms and words used in the present description and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to typical meanings or dictionary definitions, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts that are within the technical scope of the present disclosure, based on the rule that the inventor may appropriately define the concept of the term to most appropriately describe the best way he or she knows to make the disclosure.

[26] Thus, the configurations described in the embodiments and drawings of the present disclosure are only the most preferred embodiments, but do not reflect the entire technical essence of the present disclosure. Thus, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be construed as including all changes, equivalents, and replacements included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as of the date of filing of this application.

[27] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[28] FIG. 2-4 are views showing the configuration of stages (first stage, second stage, and third stage) of a parcel sorting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a detailed configuration of a loading line in a parcel sorting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[29] As shown in the figures, the parcel sorting system according to the present disclosure includes: a track 110 driven in a cross-belt type; a loading line 120 loading and transporting parcels 10 for sorting to track 110; an introductory section 125 of the loading line, which transmits parcels supplied by the loading line 120 to the track 110; media 112 located on the track 110 and moved by the operation of the track 110 together with the parcels thereon that have been received by the introductory section 125 of the loading line; a plurality of chutes 140 arranged along track 110 such that packages on track 110 are discharged in groups with the same destination; a five-side image processing unit 150 located at the side of the track 110, reading the parcel information marked on the top and sides of the parcels, and determining the positions of the parcels on the track 110; and a controller (not shown) determining the parcel discharge chutes 140 using the parcel information transmitted from the five-side image processing unit 150 .

[30] The system further includes a feed back line 160 for transmitting parcels that have not been read by the image processing unit 150 by the five-side image processing unit 150 back to track 110.

[31] Track 110 includes a pair of first and second tracks 110a and 110b processing bursts for areas with high burst density and bursts for other areas. The system further includes: a short path line 180 connecting the first track 110a and the second track 110b so that parcels that are not parcels for the respective area and have been received incorrectly can be transported to another track 110; and an introductory section 185 of the short path line, transmitting packages supplied by the short path line 180 to the track 110.

[32] Specifically, the track 110 is driven in a cross-belt type in which an open or closed annular loop is circulated by a conveyor wheel motor system.

[33] In addition, track 110 includes a pair of first and second tracks 110a and 110b that separately receive and process bursts for high-packet density areas and bursts for other areas, respectively, and receive bursts through the loading line lead-in section 125 , introductory section 185 of the short track line, etc.

[34] The loading line 120 is configured with a conveyor, and loads and transports parcels unloaded from the vehicle, so that the parcels are continuously supplied to the opening portion 125 of the loading line.

[35] The input section 125 of the loading line transfers the parcels continuously supplied by the loading line 120 to the track 110, so that the parcels are loaded onto the media 112 on the first and second tracks 110a and 110b.

[36] The number or kind of loading line 120 can be changed, but according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first stage consists of 12 piece loading lines, the second stage consists of 2 pile loading lines and 4 piece loading lines, and the third stage consists of of 8 heap loading lines (including tippers) and 2 piece loading lines.

[37] Meanwhile, the loading line 120 is configured such that a plurality of counting conveyors 122 are spaced apart and sequentially located on a partial section in front of the place where the parcels are transferred to the inlet section 125 of the loading line. The counting conveyor 122 is a set of small conveyors spaced sequentially from each other to measure and read packages. The gap between the first and second counting conveyors 122 is larger than the other gaps, and under the first and second counting conveyors 122 there is an image processing unit 124 of one side, allowing reading information about the package marked on the bottom of the parcels 10 passing through the image processing unit 124 of one side. sides through the gap between the accounting conveyors 122, and the read information about the package is transmitted to the controller.

[38] The one side image processing unit 124 can read the information on the bottom of the packages through a reflective mirror (not shown), etc.

[39] Since one side of the substantially hexagonal parcels that travel on the cross-belt track 10 (the portion of the parcel contacting the track, that is, its bottom) cannot be scanned, the one-side image processing unit 124 provided for of the loading line 120 and the image processing unit 150, the five-side image processing unit 150 provided for the track 110 work together so that parcel information (bar code, destination, etc.) can be read from all six sides of the parcels, that move along the conveyor.

[40] In the prior art, since it was not possible to obtain an image of the bottom of the parcel on the transverse belt, the workers had to manually place the parcels on the conveyor one by one, that is, the workers manually transferred the parcels to the conveyor one by one so that the barcodes were as far as possible visible from the top or sides.

[41] The present invention has paved the way for making it possible to deliver parcels in bulk without the need for workers to manually stack the parcels by allowing bottom side image capture and image processing. For example, even if a large number of parcels are loaded at the same time without marks on the parcels placed through the separator, all six sides can be read, which can greatly reduce labor costs and feeding time for parcel feeding, sorting time, etc.

[42] Meanwhile, at the same time or after the image processing unit 124 reads one side, a parcel identification number (PID) is sequentially assigned to the parcels that are transferred to the loading line 120, and at each parcel inlet of the counting conveyors 122, a sensor unit 126 is located, measuring and transmitting to the controller the length of the parcels to which the block 124 of the image processing of one side assigned the identification numbers of the parcels.

[43] The controller receives real-time tracking information, which includes the identification numbers of the parcels sequentially moved through the counting conveyors 122, and the lengths (and/or volumes) of the parcels from the sensor unit 126, compares the real-time tracking information and removes the identification numbers of the parcels having a problem due to a predetermined difference from the originally measured lengths, thereby preventing the phenomenon that the burst ID numbers are shifted back due to subsequent bursts.

[44] When the controller controls the one-side image processing unit 124, the five-side image processing unit 150, the three-side image processing unit 184, etc., the controller receives the read package information from them, and is involved in deleting package identification numbers or assigning new ones. parcel identification numbers.

[45] The messages that are transmitted to the track 110 with the package ID numbers removed during the tracking process by the sensor unit 126 are assigned the package ID numbers starting from the new classification number level, when interacting with the five-side image processing unit 150 provided for the track 110 ( for example, when ID numbers are assigned from level 100 in the loading line, ID numbers that are newly assigned in lane 110 start at level 700).

[46] Although the configuration in which the sensor units 126 and 186 that perform the tracking procedure and the image processors 124 and 184 scanning images have been described as an embodiment, for performing both the tracking procedure and the image reading procedure, it may be only any one of the sensor units 126 and 186 or processors 124 and 184 is provided.

[47] A plurality of carriers 112 are arranged in a line on track 110 and are moved by the operation of track 110 with packages that are fed to and loaded on track 110 such that the packages are received into chutes 140 classified into groups of destinations for unloading.

[48] As the carrier 112 approaches the chute 140 into which the package loaded thereon is to be placed, the direction or inclination of the carrier 112 is adjusted by the carrier drive unit (not shown) based on the speed of the track 110, and the package can be taken into account. input 141 of the desired chute 140.

[49] The carrier 112 further has a parcel locator (centering sensor, not shown) accommodating the loaded parcels on the carrier 112. The parcel locator may be in the form of a bar or a plate to be able to properly press and release the sides of the parcels loaded on the carrier 112. carrier 112. The size, pressing force, etc. of the placement device is determined according to the size (width, height, weight, etc.) of the package.

[50] In addition, the plate or rod may be positioned in the carrier 112 so that it protrudes or is hidden, if necessary, and may have a predetermined curvature or variable curvature, or a plurality of plates may be provided overlapping each other to be able to properly press essentially hexagonal parcels so as to be in close contact with the parcels.

[51] A plurality of chutes 140 are provided on the side or both sides along the track 110, and parcels on the track 110 are discharged into each chute in groups with the same destination. To this end, the chute 140 has an inlet 141 and an exit 142. The chute 140 may be a spiral slide.

[52] The five-side image processing unit 150 reads and transmits to the controller the destination information of the package that can be marked on the package, and is configured to recognize and obtain characters, etc., attached to the package. Meanwhile, the destination information can be transmitted to the controller via a separately configured scanner, server, etc. into the introductory section 125 of the loading line.

[53] The five-side image processing unit 150 recognizes and sorts parcel information by photographing the packages on the track 110 with a line-scan camera, etc. Specifically, unlike the one-side image processing unit 124, the five-side image processing unit 150 reads package information marked on five sides, including the top and four sides of the package, except for the bottom contacting track 110.

[54] In addition, the five-side image processing unit 150 continuously determines the position of the parcels moved along the track 110, and transmits the position information to the controller.

[55] The controller determines the chute 140 into which the parcels are discharged on the track 110 using the destination information and/or information about the position of the parcels transmitted from the five-side image processing unit 150 .

[56] The backfeed line 160 is configured as a conveyor and conveys the packets not read by the five-side image processing unit 150 back to the track 110, with first and second backfeed lines 160a, 160b provided for the first and second tracks 110a and 110b, respectively.

[57] The short path line 180 is a conveyor connecting the first and second tracks 110a and 110b, which are two independent tracks with respect to each other. When a parcel is read by the five-side image processing unit 150 as a parcel that has been transmitted to a track that is not related to the corresponding zone, that is, a track to which this parcel should not be transmitted, the parcel can be transported to another track 110 along the short line 180 way.

[58] Similarly, parcels can be moved to the corresponding short path line 180 by adjusting the inclination, direction of movement, and speed of the carrier 112.

[59] Shortcut line 180 of first and second shortcut lines 180a and 180b at each stage. The first short path line 180a sends the bursts from the second track 110b to the first track 110a, and the second short path line 180b sends the bursts from the first track 110a to the second track 110b.

[60] In this case, the packages supplied by the short path line 180 are transmitted to the track 110 via the short path line inlet 185 .

[61] In addition, the short path line 180 is configured such that the accounting conveyors 182 are sequentially spaced apart from each other in a section up to the point where the parcels enter the short path line inlet section 185. The three-side image processing unit 184, which reads the package information marked on the packages, is located at the side of the counting conveyor 182.

[62] Accordingly, it is determined whether the package information read by the three-side image processing unit 184 on the accounting conveyor 182 of the short path line 180 receiving the package matches the package information and tracking information on the track 110 that sends the package that has been received wrong, to wrong line 180 short cut. When they do not match, the parcel ID number is removed and a new parcel ID number is assigned, starting at a new classification number level (e.g., level 800), so that the parcel is subjected to the tracking procedure performed by the sensor unit 186.

[63] In addition, the sensor unit 186, which measures and transmits the lengths (and/or volumes) of packages with assigned identification numbers to the controller, is located in each part of the accounting conveyor 182 through which the packages are sent.

[64] The controller compares real-time tracking information, including package IDs and lengths of packages sequentially moving on the counting conveyors 182, and removes package IDs that have a predetermined difference from the originally measured lengths.

[65] After the parcels with the parcel ID numbers removed during the tracking step by the sensor unit 186 are transmitted to the track 110 via the short path line inlet 185, the parcel ID numbers starting from the new numbered classification level (e.g., level 900) are assigned, when interacting with the five-side image processing unit 150 provided for the track 110.

[66] For example, for Korea, since parcels are concentrated in the Gyeonggi-Incheon area, including Seoul, the Gyeonggi-Incheon area is processed by the first lane 110a, and other areas are processed by the second lane 110b.

[67] The centralization of large cities occurs anywhere in the world in the process of work, as long as people live there. For example, Jiangsu in China is divided into two areas: Shanghai and Suzhou, and in Hebei near Beijing in China, cities develop around Tenjin and Beijing, and other areas are not so developed. In California, the United States has developed only Los Angeles and San Francisco, and the rest of the zones are not developed, so the population is shifted around large cities anywhere in the world. Considering this phenomenon, it is very useful to separately process parcels through two lanes or loops belonging to densely populated areas (or areas with a high parcel density) and other areas, compared to sorting all areas in Korea through one lane 110 based on the destination.

[68] According to an embodiment, when a package that should be fed to the first lane 110a because its destination is the Gyeonggi-Incheon area including the metropolitan area is mistakenly fed to the second lane 110b, the package can be moved to the short path line 180a , which is the metropolitan area short cut line connected to the first track 110a from the second track 110b.

[69] Otherwise, the package can be moved along the second short path line 180b, which is the short path line to the provincial region connected to the second track 110b, from the first track 110a, so that the package whose destination was read incorrectly or which has been fed into the wrong lane, not corresponding to the zones including the destination by mistake, can be quickly and accurately sorted without circulating along the lane.

[70] Meanwhile, when the package travels through the first short path line 180a, which is the short path line in the metropolitan area connected to the first track 110a, from the second track 110b, the parcel information and the parcel tracking information on the second track 110b sending a parcel that is placed by mistake is transmitted via wired/wireless communication, and it is determined whether said information matches the parcel information read by the three-side image processing unit 184 on the counting conveyor 182 of the first short path line 180a receiving the parcel. When they match, the package is tracked by the sensor unit 186, but when they do not match, the package ID is removed, a new package ID is assigned, and then the package is moved to the sensor unit 186 to be tracked.

[71] The number of short path lines 180 is not limited, and the tracks 110 are connected to each other at several points by short path lines 180 to be able to send parcels applied to the wrong track by zone groups to the required tracks.

[72] When it is not required to distinguish zones, the short path line 180 is disconnected, whereby the first track 110a and the second track 110b can be used independently, and only one track can be used depending on the necessary situations.

[73] Meanwhile, the track 110, consisting of the first and second tracks 110a and 110b, is mounted on a plurality of steps at the top and bottom along the common vertical frame.

[74] Thus, the loading line lead-in portion 125, the medium 112, the five-side image processing unit 150, the reverse feed line 160, the short path line 180, etc., which are components provided at or connected to each track 110 track 110 are provided for each step.

[75] The chute 140 is configured to connect the stages, the entrance 141 of the chute 140 is provided on each stage, and the exit 142 is provided under the lowest stage. Accordingly, the parcels are loaded into the inputs 141 from the tracks 110a and 110b of each stage and unloaded into one output 142.

[76] According to an embodiment, in the tracks 110 provided in three stages, respectively, the first stage and the second stage are configured to handle heavy bursts, and the upper third stage is configured to handle small/light bursts. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, small and light parcels are loaded through the tipper in large quantities for heap loading without the participation of the worker in the third stage, and are fed to the track 110 separately through the separator and accumulator, so that a large number of parcels can be sorted in a small area.

[77] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the second stage, the parcels are fed to the track through a cascade, a splitter and a splitter for heap loading.

[78] In addition, the first stage for processing medium or large parcels and the third stage for processing small parcels are interconnected by small/medium and large parcel divergence supply lines 190, 190a and 190b, which return the parcels to be processed. at each stage, but were submitted to other stages by mistake, for example, when loading.

[79] In addition, regardless of the feed back lines 160, 160a, and 160b configured in each stage, the first stage and the second stage process medium and large size packets in the same way. Accordingly, the up-down feed line 170 connecting the first stage and the second stage is composed of the first and second feed back lines 170a and 170b connected to the tracks on the upper and lower stages, respectively, for reverse feed, so when generated the difference in processing speed, etc. between the first stage and the second stage, the number of packages that can be processed in each stage can be adjusted.

[80] Alternatively, all of the first tracks 100a of the three stages can be assigned to treat concentrated areas, and only the second track 110b of one stage can be assigned to treat other areas than can be controlled by software using the controller.

[81] As described above, two tracks are required for separate processing of packages. Accordingly, when the three-stage sorting system is configured as shown in the drawings, 28 (12 + 6 + 10) loading lines 120, 6 (2 + 2 + 2) back feed lines 160 and 170, and 10 (2 + 4 + 4) lines 180 a short path, that is, a total of 44 lines are provided only for the main conveyor, and two accumulators, a reject platform, etc. are included, resulting in a system that is densely configured in a small area.

[82] Accordingly, the cross beams of the ceiling of the building were configured into three floors by optimizing the configuration of the space and optimally suspended in the air by connecting beam supports and hangers extending vertically from the beams. In addition, conveyor lines were designed and installed to run across or parallel to each other, with the additional use of ladder-type cross beams. This complex complex conveyor line of movement is a complex and complex structure, requiring detailed and precise manufacturing and installation, with the system was configured in such a way that everything is seamlessly connected and operated.

[83] Specifically, 1,500 or more units of steel load-bearing structures were used, and the cross support beams were designed with double and triple crossing, resulting in double and triple crossing conveyors being installed and can be operated. This complex structure could not be designed with the 3D CAD systems presented so far, so many of the parts were made using a fit-to-place method. As a result, for the first time in the world, an optimal system was invented that supports a three-stage cross-belt sorter. Accordingly, the plant incorporating this system has been installed in the most efficient and optimal way in the world and includes 44 conveyor lines, 2 cross belt tracks, two storage tanks and five or more platforms.

[84] Meanwhile, this system is standardized, and the design of the building is also standardized according to the system. The problems of complex manufacturing and installation of beams included in the structure can be solved by standardization, and mutual conflicts and contradictions in the installation of the building and equipment can be resolved in advance.

[85] Electrical equipment, control devices and software for managing operations are also standardized. By standardizing all these processes, the construction period of the parcel sorting system can be shortened, the quality can be improved, the construction costs can be reduced, and the inspection period can be shortened, and the overall construction and maintenance costs can be reduced.

[86] As a result of the development and installation of the system in accordance with the present disclosure, for the first time, it has become possible to provide a system that supports a parcel sorter that can improve the efficiency of the parcel sorter with a parcel processing capacity per unit area (m2) per time (h) from 0 .6 pieces/m2/h or less in the related art up to 3.3 pieces/ ^m2 /h.

[87] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and may be changed and modified in various ways by those skilled in the art without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

[88] According to the parcel sorting system and method of the present disclosure, since the lanes of the parcel sorter are connected in one vertical frame in several up and down steps, two lanes are provided in parallel in each step, and the lanes of each step are connected to each other by a short path conveyor. , the handling capacity per unit area (m2) of the parcel sorting system can be greatly improved, so that the system can be efficiently configured in a small area.

[89] In addition, since parcels are separated and classified into lane groups for densely populated areas and other areas, taking into account the natural concentration of population in specific large cities, this is very efficient compared to simultaneous reception and sorting.

[90] In addition, since the tracks are connected by the short path conveyor at each stage, it is ensured that a package transmitted to the wrong track when a large number of packages are loaded can be fed to the corresponding track by the short path conveyor.

[91] In addition, even if one track is turned off due to a breakdown, etc. at any stage, another independent track can be used so that at least 50% of the power can be operated, whereby continuous operation can be ensured. .

[92] In addition, one side of essentially hexagonal parcels moved on the track (the part of the parcel in contact with the track, i.e., the bottom) can be scanned, which makes it possible to read information about the parcel (bar code, information about the destination etc.) from all six sides of the parcel moving along the conveyor.

[93] Accordingly, even if a large number of unmarked parcels are loaded at the same time on the packages placed through the separator, it is possible to read all six sides, which can greatly reduce labor and feeding time for feeding packages, as well as sorting time, etc.

Claims (28)

1. Parcel sorting system, comprising: a track configured to be driven in a cross-tape type; a loading line configured to load and transport parcels for sorting to the track; an introductory section of the loading line, configured to transfer parcels supplied by the loading line to the track; carriers located on the track and moved during the operation of the track along with the parcels received on them; a plurality of chutes arranged along the track so that packages can be unloaded onto the track in groups with the same destination; a five-side image processing unit located at the side of the track, configured to read information about the package marked on the top and sides of the packages and determine the position of the packages on the track; a feed-back line configured to send back to the track the parcels not read by the five-side image processing unit; and a controller configured to determine the parcel discharge chutes using the parcel information transmitted from the five-side image processing unit, wherein the track includes a pair of first and second tracks configured to process bursts for high-packet density areas and bursts for other areas, and the parcel sorting system additionally contains: a short path line connecting the first and second lanes, so that parcels that are not parcels for the respective zone and have been received incorrectly can be transported to the respective lane; and an introductory section of the short path line, configured to transmit packages supplied by the short path line to the track, the loading line contains a plurality of accounting conveyors, which are spaced from each other and are sequentially located on a partial section before entering the introductory section of the loading line, and the parcel sorting system comprises an image processing unit of one side, installed from below between the counting conveyors, configured to read information about the parcel, marked on the bottom of the parcel, through the gap between the counting conveyors, and then transmit information about the parcel to the controller, simultaneously with the reading by the image processing unit of one side, the parcels that are transferred to the loading line are sequentially assigned a parcel identification number, and at each input for parcels of the counting conveyors there is a sensor unit configured to measure and transmit the lengths of parcels with assigned identification numbers to the controller, the controller is configured to compare in real time the tracking information, including the identification numbers of the parcels sequentially transported along the accounting conveyors and the lengths of the parcels, and to remove the identification numbers of the parcels having a predetermined difference from the initially measured length values, and assigning a parcel identification number starting from a new classification number level to a parcel that is transferred to the track with the parcel identification number removed, when interacting with the five-sided image processing unit provided for the track, accounting conveyors are spaced from each other and sequentially located on the partial section before entering the inlet section of the short track line of the mentioned short track line, and at the side of the counting conveyor there is an image processing unit of three sides, configured to read information about the parcel marked on the parcels, and determine whether the information about the parcel on the track sending the parcel to the short path line and the information about the parcel read by the counting conveyor of the line match the shortest path receiving the parcel, and when the information elements do not match each other, the parcel is assigned a parcel identification number starting from the new numbered classification level, at each input for parcels of accounting conveyors, there is a sensor unit configured to measure and transmit the lengths of parcels with assigned parcel identification numbers to the controller, and the controller is configured to compare real-time tracking information, including the identification numbers of parcels sequentially moving along the counting conveyors, and the lengths of the parcels, and transfer parcels that have a predetermined difference from the initially measured length values to the track with remote parcel identification numbers, and subsequent assignment parcel identification numbers starting with a new classification number level, when interacting with the five-sided image processing unit provided for the track, the short path line consists of the first and second short path lines at each stage, wherein the first short path line is configured to send packages from the second track to the first track, and the second short path line is configured to send packages from the first track to the second track. 2. The parcel sorting system according to claim 1, wherein the track consisting of the first and second tracks is installed in a plurality of steps up and down along the vertical frame, and a chute provided along the first and second tracks on each step has an inlet into which parcels are placed on each step and connects the steps so that the parcels can be unloaded into one outlet provided under the lowest step. 3. The parcel sorting system according to claim 2, in which small and light parcels are transferred to the upper lane from the lanes provided on the plurality of steps in large numbers by means of a tipper without the participation of a worker. 4. The parcel sorting system according to claim 2, wherein the loading line, the return line and the short path line, including lanes, which are provided on a plurality of steps and configured as conveyors, are connected and suspended in the air by support beams and hangers, vertically extending from the transverse transition beams of the ceiling of the building in which the system is installed and configured to operate transverse to each other or parallel to each other.

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