阅读说明：本技术 分拣装置 (Sorting device ) 是由 王佳 于 2020-05-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及物流分拣技术领域,尤其涉及一种分拣装置。本发明的分拣装置包括：分拣轨道,包括过渡轨道和多层主体轨道,过渡轨道连接于相邻的两层主体轨道的沿第一方向的同一端,且在高度方向上相邻的两个过渡轨道位于主体轨道的沿第一方向的两端；和分拣机构,可移动地设置于分拣轨道上,用于装载物品,并被配置为在沿分拣轨道移动至设定的分拣位时沿第二方向卸下所装载的物品,第二方向与高度方向和第一方向相交。基于此,能有效减少分拣装置的占地面积。(The invention relates to the technical field of logistics sorting, in particular to a sorting device. The sorting device of the invention comprises: the sorting track comprises transition tracks and multi-layer main body tracks, the transition tracks are connected to the same end of the two adjacent layers of main body tracks along the first direction, and the two adjacent transition tracks in the height direction are positioned at the two ends of the main body tracks along the first direction; and a sorting mechanism movably disposed on the sorting track for loading the articles and configured to discharge the loaded articles in a second direction when moving to a set sorting location along the sorting track, the second direction intersecting the height direction and the first direction. Based on this, can effectively reduce the area of sorting device.)

1. A sorting device (100), comprising:

the sorting track (1) comprises transition tracks (12) and multi-layer main body tracks (11), wherein the transition tracks (12) are connected to the same end of the two adjacent layers of the main body tracks (11) along a first direction (Y), and two adjacent transition tracks (12) in the height direction (Z) are positioned at two ends of the main body tracks (11) along the first direction (Y); and

a sorting mechanism (2) movably arranged on the sorting track (1) for loading the articles (A) and configured to discharge the loaded articles (A) in a second direction (X) when moving along the sorting track (1) to a set sorting location (B), the second direction (X) intersecting the height direction (Z) and the first direction (Y).

2. Sorting device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the sorting mechanism (2) has a loading surface (S) for placing the articles (a), which loading surface (S) is always facing upwards during the movement of the sorting mechanism (2) along the sorting track (1).

3. Sorting device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the transition track (12) comprises a first transition (121) and a second transition (122), the first transition (121) and the second transition (122) being arranged side by side and spaced from each other along the second direction (X), the sorting mechanism (2) comprises a first connecting part (22) and a second connecting part (23), the sorting mechanism (2) is coupled to the first transition (121) and the second transition (122) by the first connection (22) and the second connection (23), respectively, and the first transition (121) is opposite to the second transition (122), and the first connection portion (22) is offset by a distance L toward the same side of the first direction (Y) with respect to the second connection portion (23).

4. A sorting device (100) according to any of the claims 1-3, characterized in that the bottom of the sorting mechanism (2) is provided with a magnetic pole plate (26), and the sorting device (100) further comprises a motor (4), wherein the motor (4) cooperates with the magnetic pole plate (26) to drive the sorting mechanism (2) to move along the sorting track (1).

5. Sorting device (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that the motor (4) is provided with a slot (41) extending in the first direction (Y), the pole plate (26) passing through the slot (41) during the movement of the sorting mechanism (2) along the sorting track (1).

6. Sorting device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that a guide (42) is provided at the entrance of the slot (41), the guide (42) being configured to guide the magnetic pole plate (26) into the slot (41).

7. Sorting device (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that the sorting device (100) comprises a plurality of sorting mechanisms (2), and the sorting device (100) further comprises a mounting bar (3), which mounting bar (3) coincides with the extension direction of the sorting track (1) and is configured to be movable relative to the sorting track (1), the plurality of sorting mechanisms (2) being arranged side by side on the mounting bar (3).

8. Sorting device (100) according to claim 7, characterised in that a cavity (141) is provided in the sorting track (1) and an opening (145) is provided in a side wall (144) of the cavity (141), that the mounting bar (3) is provided in the cavity (141), and that the sorting mechanism (2) extends from the opening (145) into the cavity (141) and is connected to the mounting bar (3).

9. Sorting device (100) according to claim 8, characterised in that the sorting device (100) comprises a stop (3a), which stop (3a) is arranged on the mounting bar (3) for limiting the displacement of the sorting mechanism (2) in the second direction (X).

10. Sorting device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the mounting bar (3) is provided with a first limiting wheel (31) connected to the sorting mechanism (2), the limiting member (3a) comprises a second limiting wheel (32), the first limiting wheel (31) and the second limiting wheel (32) are arranged at intervals along the extension direction of the mounting bar (3), and the first limiting wheel (31) is perpendicular to the axis of the second limiting wheel (32).

11. Sorting device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that a plurality of first stopping wheels (31) and a plurality of second stopping wheels (32) are provided on the mounting bar (3), the plurality of first stopping wheels (31) and the plurality of second stopping wheels (32) being arranged in an alternating sequence along the extension direction of the mounting bar (3).

12. A sorting device (100) according to any of claims 1-3, characterised in that the transition track (12) is an arc-shaped track.

13. Sorting device (100) according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that in the multi-layered body track (11), the body track (11) at the lowermost layer and the end of the body track (11) at the uppermost layer, which is not provided with the transition track (12), are connected by a return track (13).

14. Sorting device (100) according to claim 13, characterised in that the return track (13) is a linear track.

15. Sorting device (100) according to any of claims 1-3, characterised in that the sorting device (100) comprises a trolley line (5), that the trolley line (5) is arranged on the sorting track (1), and that the sorting mechanism (2) comprises an electrical slip ring (25), which electrical slip ring (25) is electrically connected with the trolley line (5).

16. A sorting device (100) according to any of claims 1-3, characterised in that the sorting device (100) comprises a chute (6), which chute (6) is arranged on the sorting track (1) at the sorting level (B) for receiving the articles (a) discharged by the sorting mechanism (2) and guiding them down.

17. Sorting device (100) according to claim 16, characterised in that both sides of the sorting track (1) in the second direction (X) are provided with the chute (6).

18. Sorting device (100) according to claim 16, characterised in that the sorting device (100) comprises a container (7), the container (7) being configured to receive articles (a) falling from the chute (6).

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of logistics sorting, in particular to a sorting device.

Background

In recent years, the logistics automation industry is rapidly developed, various sorting and conveying equipment is provided, and the current main sorting machines have two types, namely a loop sorting machine and a linear sorting machine.

The loop sorting machine sorts articles through the horizontal long circular loop track, and although a plurality of belt trolleys which can run simultaneously exist, the occupied area is large. The straight line sorting machine adopts a longitudinal loop track, and although the occupied area is smaller than that of the loop sorting machine, the occupied area is still larger, and the utilization rate of the belt trolley is lower.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to solve the technical problems that: the floor space of the sorting device is reduced.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a sorting device, including:

the sorting track comprises transition tracks and multi-layer main body tracks, the transition tracks are connected to the same end of the two adjacent layers of main body tracks along the first direction, and the two adjacent transition tracks in the height direction are positioned at the two ends of the main body tracks along the first direction; and

and the sorting mechanism is movably arranged on the sorting track, is used for loading the articles and is configured to discharge the loaded articles along a second direction when the sorting mechanism moves to the set sorting position along the sorting track, and the second direction is intersected with the height direction and the first direction.

In some embodiments, the sorting mechanism has a loading surface for placing the articles, the loading surface being always facing upwards during movement of the sorting mechanism along the sorting track.

In some embodiments, the transition track includes a first transition portion and a second transition portion, the first transition portion and the second transition portion are arranged side-by-side along the second direction and spaced apart from each other, the sorting mechanism includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, the sorting mechanism is coupled with the first transition portion and the second transition portion through the first connection portion and the second connection portion, respectively, and the first transition portion is staggered by a distance L toward the same side of the first direction with respect to the second transition portion and the first connection portion with respect to the second connection portion.

In some embodiments, the bottom of the sorting mechanism is provided with a magnetic pole plate, and the sorting device further comprises a motor, wherein the motor is matched with the magnetic pole plate and drives the sorting mechanism to walk along the sorting track.

In some embodiments, the motor is provided with slots extending in a first direction through which the pole plates pass during movement of the sorting mechanism along the sorting track.

In some embodiments, the entrance to the slot is provided with a guide configured to guide the magnetic pole plate into the slot.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus includes a plurality of sorting mechanisms, and the sorting apparatus further includes a mounting bar aligned with an extending direction of the sorting rail and configured to be movable relative to the sorting rail, the plurality of sorting mechanisms being disposed side by side on the mounting bar.

In some embodiments, a cavity is formed in the sorting track, an opening is formed in a side wall of the cavity, the mounting bar is arranged in the cavity, and the sorting mechanism extends into the cavity from the opening and is connected with the mounting bar.

In some embodiments, the sorting device includes a limiting member disposed on the mounting bar for limiting the displacement of the sorting mechanism along the second direction.

In some embodiments, the mounting bar is provided with a first limiting wheel connected with the sorting mechanism, the limiting member comprises a second limiting wheel, the first limiting wheel and the second limiting wheel are arranged at intervals along the extending direction of the mounting bar, and the axis of the first limiting wheel is perpendicular to the axis of the second limiting wheel.

In some embodiments, the mounting bar is provided with a plurality of first limiting wheels and a plurality of second limiting wheels, and the plurality of first limiting wheels and the plurality of second limiting wheels are sequentially and alternately arranged along the extending direction of the mounting bar.

In some embodiments, the transition track is an arcuate track.

In some embodiments, in the multi-layer body rails, the body rail located at the lowermost layer and the end of the body rail located at the uppermost layer, at which the transition rail is not provided, are connected by a return rail.

In some embodiments, the return track is a linear track.

In some embodiments, the sorting device includes a trolley line disposed on the sorting track, and the sorting mechanism includes an electrical slip ring electrically connected with the trolley line.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus includes a chute disposed on the sorting track at the sorting location for receiving the articles discharged by the sorting mechanism and directing the articles to fall.

In some embodiments, the sorting track is provided with a slideway on both sides in the second direction.

In some embodiments, the sorting apparatus includes a container configured to receive items falling from the chute.

The sorting device is a three-dimensional warehouse type sorting device and can effectively reduce the occupied area by arranging the sorting tracks to comprise the transition tracks and the multi-layer main body tracks, connecting the transition tracks to the same end of the two adjacent layers of main body tracks along the first direction, arranging the two adjacent transition tracks in the height direction at the two ends of the main body tracks along the first direction, and arranging the sorting mechanism to discharge the loaded articles along the second direction intersecting with the height direction and the first direction when moving to the set sorting position along the sorting tracks.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the invention without limiting the invention. In the drawings:

figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sorting apparatus in some embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the sorting apparatus shown in fig. 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a first perspective view of a sorting mechanism in some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a second perspective view of the sorting mechanism shown in figure 3.

Figure 5 illustrates a partial perspective view of a sorting apparatus in some embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a partial top view of a sorting apparatus in some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a schematic partial view of a sorting apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention, taken along a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

Figure 8 illustrates a cross-section of a sorting track in some embodiments of the invention.

In the figure:

100. a sorting device;

1. sorting the tracks; 11. a body rail; 111. a first main body portion; 112. a second main body portion; 12. a transition track; 121. a first transition portion; 122. a second transition portion; 13. a return track; 131. a first loop section; 132. a second return section; 141. a cavity; 142. a bottom wall; 143. a top wall; 144. a side wall; 145. an opening; 15. a protective cover; 16. a column;

2. a sorting mechanism; 21. a mechanism body; 22. a first connection portion; 22a, a first connecting shaft; 23. a second connecting portion; 23a, a second connecting shaft; 24. an unloading mechanism; 241, a first electrode and a second electrode; a belt; 25. an electrical slip ring; 26. a magnetic pole plate; s, a loading surface;

3. mounting a bar; 31. a first limit wheel; 311. a first wheel body; 3a, a limiting piece; 32. a second limiting wheel; 321. a second wheel body;

4. a motor; 41. a groove; 42. a guide portion; 43. a connecting frame;

5. a trolley line; 51. a support member;

6. a slideway; 7. a cargo box; 8. a support; 9. a mounting frame; A. an article; B. a sorting station; z, height direction; y, a first direction; x, the second direction.

Detailed Description

The present invention is described in detail below. In the following paragraphs, different aspects of the embodiments are defined in more detail. Aspects so defined may be combined with any other aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. In particular, any feature considered to be preferred or advantageous may be combined with one or more other features considered to be preferred or advantageous.

The terms "first", "second", and the like in the present invention are merely for convenience of description to distinguish different constituent elements having the same name, and do not denote a sequential or primary-secondary relationship.

In the description of the present invention, the directions or positional relationships indicated by "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "inner" and "outer" and the like are used based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed in a specific direction and be operated, and thus, should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1-8 schematically illustrate a sorting apparatus 100 of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1 to 8, a sorting apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a sorting track 1, a sorting mechanism 2, and the like.

The sorting track 1 is used for carrying the sorting mechanism 2 and defines a moving path of the sorting mechanism 2. Referring to fig. 1, 2 and 5, in some embodiments, sorting track 1 includes a transition track 12 and a multi-layer body track 11. The multi-layer body rails 11 are arranged at intervals along the height direction Z. The transition rails 12 are connected to the same end of the adjacent two-layer main body rail 11 along the first direction Y, and two adjacent transition rails 12 in the height direction Z are located at both ends of the main body rail 11 along the first direction Y. The first direction Y is along the extending direction of the body rail 11. Based on this, the sorting track 1 is constructed as a multi-layer track which is approximately S-shaped and rotates to ascend, and the sorting track is matched with the sorting mechanism 2 to realize sorting operation, so that the occupied area can be reduced, and the space utilization rate is improved. Moreover, the substantially S-shaped rotation ascending structure is beneficial to balancing the motion inertia of the whole sorting device 100, improving the stress and reducing the vibration.

The main body rail 11 and the transition rail 12 may be any one of a linear rail and a curved rail. In addition, the main body rail 11 may be arranged horizontally or may be arranged obliquely in a vertical plane. For example, referring to fig. 1-2, in some embodiments, the main track 11 is a linear track horizontally disposed, and the transition track 12 is an arc track, so that the structure of the sorting track 1 is simpler, and it is more convenient to guide the sorting mechanism 2 to move efficiently and smoothly.

Specifically, referring to fig. 1, 2 and 5, in some embodiments, the body rail 11 includes a first body portion 111 and a second body portion 112, and the first body portion 111 and the second body portion 112 are arranged at intervals along the second direction X. The second direction X intersects the height direction Z and the first direction Y. The first main body parts 111 of the multi-layer main body rails 11 are arranged opposite to each other up and down, and the second main body parts 112 of the multi-layer main body rails 11 are arranged opposite to each other up and down. Among them, the same structure can be adopted between the first main body parts 111, between the second main body parts 112, and between the first main body parts 111 and the second main body parts 112, so as to simplify the structure. For example, referring to fig. 1, in some embodiments, each of the first body portions 111 and each of the second body portions 112 are each a horizontally extending linear rail, and each of the first body portions 111 and each of the second body portions 112 have the same size, and in this case, each of the body rails 11 is a horizontally extending linear rail having the same size.

With continued reference to fig. 1, 2, and 5, in some embodiments, the transition track 12 includes a first transition 121 and a second transition 122, the first transition 121 and the second transition 122 being spaced apart along the second direction X. The first transition portion 121 connects the first body portions 111 of adjacent layers. The second transition portion 122 connects the second body portions 112 of adjacent layers. The first transition parts 121 of the transition tracks 12 in different layers are arranged opposite to each other up and down, and the second transition parts 122 of the transition tracks 12 in different layers are arranged opposite to each other up and down. The first transition portions 121, the second transition portions 122, and the first transition portions 121 and the second transition portions 122 may have the same structure, so as to simplify the structure. For example, referring to fig. 1, in some embodiments, each of the first transition portions 121 and each of the second transition portions 122 are arc-shaped tracks, and the first transition portions 121 and each of the second transition portions 122 have the same size, and in this case, each of the transition tracks 12 is a straight track having the same size.

All of the first main body portions 111 and all of the first transition portions 121 are collectively referred to as a first track member, and all of the second main body portions 112 and all of the second transition portions 122 are collectively referred to as a second track member, for the sake of convenience in distinction and subsequent description. It will be understood that the first track member and the second track member are arranged at intervals along the second direction X, the first track member includes a plurality of layers of first body portions 111 and first transition portions 121 connected between adjacent layers of first body portions 111, and the second track member includes a plurality of layers of second body portions 112 and second transition portions 121 connected between adjacent layers of second body portions 112.

In order to enhance the structural stability of the sorting track 1, referring to fig. 5, in some embodiments, a bracket 8 is disposed between the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 of the same layer, and the bracket 8 connects the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 of the same layer. The bracket 8 is supported between the first main body part 111 and the second main body part 112 in the same layer, so that the first main body part 111 and the second main body part 112 in the same layer can be kept at a certain distance, and the structure of the sorting track 1 is firmer and more stable. Of course, as a variant, it is also possible to provide the support 8 between the first transition 121 and the second transition 122 of a same layer (i.e. between the first transition 121 and the second transition 122 of a same transition track 12), or to provide the support 8 between the first main body 111 and the second main body 112 of a same layer and between the first transition 121 and the second transition 122 of a same layer at the same time, to enhance the structural stability of the sorting track 1.

The sorting mechanism 2 is used for loading the articles A and realizing the sorting of the articles A. Referring to fig. 1-7, in some embodiments, a sorting mechanism 2 is movably disposed on a sorting track 1, which loads an article a and is configured to discharge the loaded article a in a second direction X when moving along the sorting track 1 to a set sorting location B. Wherein, when moving along the sorting track 1, the moving directions of the sorting mechanism 2 on the adjacent two layers of main body tracks 11 are opposite. Based on this, sorting device 100 becomes the straight line sorting machine of the three-dimensional storehouse formula of a multilayer under sorting mechanism 2 and the aforesaid cooperation that is the rotatory ascending letter sorting track 1 of S type roughly, can effectively improve space utilization, saves multifold area, conveniently arranges more sorting device 100 in the same space, improves letter sorting efficiency, perhaps also can increase other devices in the same space, enriches the device kind in the same space. Meanwhile, the multi-layer sorting device 100 can simultaneously execute multi-layer sorting operation, and can better meet the requirements of heavier sorting tasks or more sorting types and the like.

In order to enable the sorting mechanism 2 to unload the article a, referring to fig. 3 to 6, the sorting mechanism 2 includes a mechanism body 21 and an unloading mechanism 24, and the unloading mechanism 24 is disposed on the mechanism body 21 and is configured to drive the article a to move in the second direction X relative to the mechanism body 21, so that the article a is separated from the sorting mechanism 2, and a transfer function is implemented. In some embodiments, the unloading mechanism 24 is configured as a belt conveying mechanism, such as an electric roller belt mechanism, including a belt 241 and an electric roller (not shown), and the belt 241 is driven by the electric roller to rotate to unload the article a.

In order to achieve the arrangement of the sorting mechanism 2 on the sorting track 1, with reference to fig. 3-6, the sorting mechanism 2 comprises a first connection 22 and a second connection 23. The first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 23 are located on opposite sides of the sorting mechanism 2 (specifically, the mechanism body 21) in the second direction X. The sorting mechanism 2 is coupled to both sides of the sorting track 1 in the second direction X by first and second connecting portions 22 and 23, respectively. When the sorting track 1 includes the first track piece and the second track piece, two sides of the sorting track 1 along the second direction X are the first track piece and the second track piece, and at this time, the sorting mechanism 2 is coupled with the first track piece through the first connecting portion 22 and coupled with the second track piece through the second connecting portion 23. During the passage of the transition track 12, the sorting mechanism 2 is coupled to the first transition 121 via the first connection 22 and to the second transition 122 via the second connection 23.

In some embodiments, the first body portion 111 and the second body portion 112 located at the same layer are at the same height and parallel to each other, which facilitates the movement of the sorting mechanism 2, so that the sorting mechanism 2 is more stable and reliable during the movement. At this time, the heights of the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 23 are also the same.

In other embodiments, the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 located on the same layer have a height difference, and in this case, the first connection portion 22 and the second connection portion 23 also have a height difference.

The surface of the sorting mechanism 2 on which the article a is placed is referred to as a loading surface S. The loading surface S may be an upper surface of the unloading mechanism 4. Referring to fig. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the loading surface S is always facing upwards during the movement of the sorting mechanism 2 along the sorting track 1. In this case, since the loading surface S can be kept upward not only when the sorting mechanism 2 passes through the main body rail 11, but also when the sorting mechanism 2 passes through the transition rail 12, the article a can be effectively prevented from falling off from the sorting mechanism 2, so that even if no special structural component for fixing the article a is provided between the sorting mechanism 2 and the article a, or even if the article a is directly placed on the loading surface S without being additionally fixed, the article a is not easily dropped off from the sorting mechanism 2 in the entire process of movement of the sorting mechanism 2 along the sorting rail 1, particularly when the sorting mechanism 2 passes through the transition rail 12, which is convenient for the sorting mechanism 2 to more smoothly transport the article a, effectively improving the sorting efficiency.

In order to enable the loading surface S to be always upward during the movement of the sorting mechanism 2 along the sorting track 1, referring to fig. 1-2 and 5-6, in some embodiments, the first transition portion 121 is offset from the second transition portion 122 and the first connecting portion 22 is offset from the second connecting portion 23 by a distance L toward the same side of the first direction Y, in other words, the offset distance of the first transition portion 121 and the second transition portion 122 in the first direction Y is equal to the offset distance of the first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 23 in the first direction Y, and the offset direction of the first transition portion 121 relative to the second transition portion 122 is equal to the offset direction of the first connecting portion 22 relative to the second connecting portion 23.

Through misplacing the first transition part 121 and the second transition part 122 in the first direction Y, and also misplacing the first connecting part 22 and the second connecting part 23, which connect the sorting mechanism 2 and the two sides of the sorting track 1, and the misplaced size and direction are the same, the sorting mechanism 2 can be limited to overturn when passing through the transition track 12, so that the orientation of the loading surface S of the sorting mechanism 2 is prevented from changing, the loading surface S can be kept upward all the time, and the stable conveying of the articles a is realized.

Moreover, the loading surface S faces upward all the time, and the sorting mechanism 2 can execute sorting tasks on each layer of the sorting track 1, that is, the sorting mechanism 2 can sort the articles in the whole movement process, so that the utilization rate of the sorting mechanism 2 is improved, and the sorting efficiency of the sorting device 100 is improved.

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the first and second main body portions 111 and 112 and the first and second transition portions 121 and 122 have the same size, that is, the first and second main body portions 111 and 112 have the same length, and the first and second transition portions 121 and 122 have the same length, in this case, if the transition rail 12 connected to the first end of the main body rail 11 along the first direction Y has the first transition portion 121 protruding toward the second end of the main body rail 11 along the first direction Y by the distance L relative to the second transition portion 122, then the transition rail 12 connected to the second end of the main body rail 11 along the first direction Y has the first transition portion 121 retracted toward the second end of the main body rail 11 along the first direction Y by the distance L relative to the second transition portion 122, for example, in fig. 2, the transition rail 12 located on the left side has the first transition portion 121 protruding toward the left by the distance L relative to the second transition portion 122, while the transition rail 12 on the right has its first transition 121 retracted to the left by a distance L relative to the second transition 122.

To improve sorting efficiency, referring to fig. 1-2, in some embodiments, sorting apparatus 100 includes a plurality of sorting mechanisms 2, with the plurality of sorting mechanisms 2 arranged side-by-side. In fig. 2, only one of the sorting mechanisms 2 is shown to be provided with the article a, but it should be understood that this is a simplified drawing, and in actual operation, each sorting mechanism 2 may be provided with the article a, so that the sorting mechanisms 2 can be used to perform sorting tasks at the same time, thereby improving the sorting efficiency.

Different sorting mechanisms 2 may carry articles a of the same or different sorting categories. For example, articles a to be delivered to different destinations may be loaded by different sorting mechanisms 2, and different sorting locations B may be set for the different sorting mechanisms 2, and each sorting mechanism 2 is controlled to move along the sorting track 1 to the sorting location B corresponding to the article a to be carried, and unload the article a, so as to sort the article a.

When the number of sorting mechanisms 2 is plural, referring to fig. 5 to 7, in some embodiments, the sorting apparatus 100 further includes a mounting bar 3, the mounting bar 3 is aligned with the extending direction of the sorting track 1 and is configured to be movable relative to the sorting track 1, and all the sorting mechanisms 2 are arranged side by side on the mounting bar 3. At this moment, make mounting bar 3 remove for letter sorting track 1, can drive all sorting mechanism 2 promptly and remove for letter sorting track 1 together, simple and convenient.

Referring to fig. 3-7, in some embodiments, the bottom of the sorting mechanism 2 is provided with a magnetic pole plate 26, and the sorting apparatus 100 further comprises a motor 4, wherein the motor 4 cooperates with the magnetic pole plate 26 to drive the sorting mechanism 2 to move along the sorting track 1.

Specifically, in some embodiments, the magnetic pole plate 26 is disposed at the bottom of the mechanism body 21. The motor 4 is a linear motor which is fixedly arranged with respect to the sorting track 1, for example between the first main body 111 and the second main body 112, and is connected to a mounting frame 9 fixed to the support 8 by means of a connecting frame 43. Further, the motor 4 is provided with a slot 41 extending in the first direction Y, and the magnetic pole plate 26 passes through the slot 41 during the movement of the sorting mechanism 2 along the sorting track 1.

Based on the magnetic pole plate 26 and the motor 4, when the sorting mechanism 2 passes through the motor 4, the magnetic pole plate 26 can be inserted into the slot 41 and cut the magnetic induction line to generate electric energy, so that the sorting mechanism 2 passing through the motor 4 obtains the electric energy to drive the sorting mechanism 2 to move on the sorting track 1. And, under the condition that a plurality of letter sorting mechanisms 2 arrange side by side on mounting bar 3, when letter sorting mechanism 2 that is located the place ahead along the moving direction receives the drive of motor 4 and moves, can drive mounting bar 3 and move, thereby mounting bar 3 can drive letter sorting mechanism 2 in the back and continue to advance, through motor 4, driven by motor 4 once more, so continue, all letter sorting mechanisms 2 establish ties, every letter sorting mechanism 2 homoenergetic is through motor 4, and give power by motor 4, thereby can realize all letter sorting mechanism 2 along the motion of letter sorting track 1. This kind of drive mode need not to set up other drive mechanism such as sprocket, and the structure is simpler, is convenient for realize sorting device 100's lightweight.

The number of the motors 4 may be set according to the magnitude of the required driving force, for example, one, two or more motors 4 may be provided per layer.

To facilitate entry of the magnetic pole plate 26 into the slot 41, referring to fig. 5, in some embodiments, a guide 42 is provided at an entrance of the slot 41, the guide 42 being configured to guide the magnetic pole plate 26 into the slot 41. Specifically, the guide portion 42 forms the entrance of the groove 41 into a V-shaped channel whose width gradually decreases in the entering direction. Thus, the magnetic pole plate 26 can enter the slot 41 more smoothly to obtain power, the operation of each sorting mechanism 2 is smoother, the occurrence of the operation jamming phenomenon is prevented, and the operational reliability of the sorting device 100 is improved, and the sorting efficiency is improved.

In order to make the whole structure more compact, referring to fig. 5-8, in some embodiments, a cavity 141 is formed in the sorting track 1, an opening 145 is formed in a side wall 144 of the cavity 141, the mounting bar 3 is disposed in the cavity 141, and the sorting mechanism 2 extends into the cavity 141 from the opening 145 and is connected to the mounting bar 3. At this moment, because the mounting bar 3 sets up inside the letter sorting track 1, consequently, set up in other circumstances such as letter sorting track 1 outside for mounting bar 3, the structure is compacter, and the outward appearance is more level and more smooth, and the chamber wall of cavity 141 can also play certain limiting displacement to mounting bar 3, also is more convenient for realize that mounting bar 3 is for the portable setting of letter sorting track 1, for example, mounting bar 3 directly places in cavity 141, can realize the portable setting for letter sorting track 1.

Here, the cross section of the sorting track 1 (i.e., the cross section of the first main body 111, the second main body 112, the first transition portion 121, and the second transition portion 122) may be a circle having the opening 145, in which case, the cross section of the sorting track 1 is a C-shape, or, referring to fig. 8, the cross section of the sorting track 1 may be a square having the opening 145, or other shapes. The opening 145 is specifically directed between the first and second body portions 111, 112 (and also between the first and second transitions 121, 122) to facilitate insertion of the picker mechanism 2.

The sorting mechanism 2 is inserted into the cavity 141, in particular, into its first connection 22 and second connection 23. Referring to fig. 3 to 8, in some embodiments, the mounting bar 3 is provided with a first limiting wheel 31, and the first limiting wheel 31 is used for connecting with the sorting mechanism 2, and is connected with the first connecting portion 22 or the second connecting portion 23 to realize the connection with the sorting mechanism 2. The first connecting portion 22 and the second connecting portion 23 are inserted into the cavity 141 from the opening 145, and are connected to the first spacing wheel 31 located in the cavity 141 and disposed on the mounting bar 3. At this time, the first connection portion 22 includes a first connection shaft 22a, and the second connection portion 23 includes a second connection shaft 23 a. The first connecting shaft 22a and the second connecting shaft 23a may be provided at a lower portion of the mechanism body 21 and inserted into the cavity 141 from the opening 145 to be coaxially connected with the first spacing wheel 31.

Referring to fig. 7, the outer peripheral surface of the first retainer wheel 31 is in contact with at least the inner surface of the bottom wall 142 of the cavity 141. Under the condition that the fit precision is higher, the outer peripheral surface of the first limiting wheel 31 can also be in contact with the inner surface of the top wall 143 of the sorting track 1 so as to provide stable supporting force for the first limiting wheel 31, so that the movement of the sorting mechanism 2 is more stable and smooth.

In order to prevent the first limiting wheel 31 from tilting during the movement, referring to fig. 5, in some embodiments, the first limiting wheel 31 includes two first wheel bodies 311 disposed coaxially and at an interval. The two first wheels 311 are spaced along the width direction of the mounting bar 3 and are respectively clamped at two opposite sides of the mounting bar 3 in the width direction.

The first limiting wheel 31 can prevent the sorting mechanism 2 from jumping in the height direction Z during movement, and can also position the sorting mechanism 2 and keep the distance between the adjacent sorting mechanisms 2.

In addition, referring to fig. 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the sorting apparatus 100 further includes a limiting member 3a, and the limiting member 3a is disposed on the mounting bar 3 and is used for limiting the displacement of the sorting mechanism 2 along the second direction X. Based on this, the limiting part 3a can limit the sorting mechanism 2 to deviate in the second direction X, and can also position the sorting mechanism 2 at the same time, and keep the interval between the adjacent sorting mechanisms 2.

With continued reference to fig. 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the limiting member 3a includes a second limiting wheel 32, the second limiting wheel 32 is spaced from the first limiting wheel 31 along the extending direction of the mounting bar 3, and the axis of the second limiting wheel 32 is perpendicular to the axis of the first limiting wheel 31. For example, when the axis of the first restraint wheel 31 is along the width direction of the mounting bar 3, the axis of the second restraint wheel 32 is along the thickness direction of the mounting bar 3. The outer peripheral surface of the second spacing wheel 32 contacts the side wall 144 of the sorting track 1.

The second limiting wheel 32 can prevent the sorting mechanism 2 from deflecting along the second direction X in the moving process, and the moving stability of the sorting mechanism 2 is improved.

In order to prevent the second limiting wheel 32 from inclining in the moving process, the second limiting wheel 32 includes two second wheel bodies 321 coaxially arranged at intervals, and the two second wheel bodies 321 are arranged at intervals along the thickness direction of the mounting bar 3 and are respectively clamped on the two opposite side surfaces of the mounting bar 3 in the thickness direction.

Still referring to fig. 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the mounting bar 3 is provided with a plurality of first limiting wheels 31 and a plurality of second limiting wheels 32, and the plurality of first limiting wheels 31 and the plurality of second limiting wheels 32 are sequentially and alternately arranged along the extending direction of the mounting bar 3. Wherein the distance between adjacent first limiting wheels 31 and second limiting wheels 32 is equal. In this way, it is possible to more reliably maintain the preset interval between adjacent sorting mechanisms 2 and to more stabilize the movement of all sorting mechanisms 2.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, sorting apparatus 100 further includes a chute 6, which chute 6 is disposed on sorting track 1 at sorting location B, for receiving and guiding down articles a discharged by sorting mechanism 2. The chute 6 forms a pocket for guiding the article a sorted by the sorting mechanism 2 to fall down so that the article a falls to a predetermined position more accurately. The ramp 6 may in particular be configured to be downwardly inclined.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, sorting positions B are preset on different layers of the sorting track 1, for example, a plurality of sorting positions B are provided on each layer of the main body track 11, at this time, the sorting apparatus 100 may also include a plurality of layers of slideways 6, so as to fully utilize the space in the height direction Z, and increase the number of grid openings in the height direction Z under the condition of the same floor area, so as to improve the sorting efficiency or set more sorting types, and make the sorting process more flexible.

Because sorting mechanism 2 all can carry out the letter sorting task on each layer of main part track 11, consequently, all set up slide 6 on every layer of main part track 11 for sorting device 100 has multilayer slide 6, can utilize all sorting mechanisms 2 more fully, improves letter sorting efficiency more effectively.

Wherein, both sides of the slideway 6 along the first direction Y are provided with a baffle for preventing the article a from entering the adjacent slideway 6 or falling out of the slideway 6, so that the article a can be sorted to the predetermined area more accurately. The baffles may be shared between adjacent runners 6.

The width (dimension in the first direction Y) of the chute 6 may be greater than the width of the sorting mechanism 2 so that articles falling from the sorting mechanism 2 smoothly enter the chute 6.

The slide ways 6 may be disposed on only one side of the sorting track 1 along the second direction X, or may be disposed on both sides of the sorting track 1 along the second direction X, for example, in some embodiments, only the outer side of one of the first main body portion 111 and the second main body portion 112 is provided with the slide ways 6, in this case, each layer of the slide ways 6 includes only one row of the slide ways 6; referring to fig. 1, in other embodiments, the outer sides of the first main body 111 and the second main body 112 are provided with the slideways 6, in this case, each layer of slideways 6 includes two rows of slideways 6, and the quantity of the slideways 6 is larger, so that the space of the sorting device 100 in the second direction X can be more fully utilized, so as to further improve the sorting efficiency or provide more sorting types.

Also, referring to fig. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, sorting apparatus 100 further includes a container 7, container 7 being configured to receive articles a falling from chute 6.

For convenience of illustration of the sorting mechanism 2, in fig. 1 and 2 only part of the containers 7 are shown, but it will be appreciated that the containers 7 and the runners 6 may be arranged in one-to-one correspondence. When the skid 6 is multi-tiered, the cargo box 7 may be multi-tiered. Wherein, referring to fig. 1, the lowermost container 7 may be placed directly on the ground. And the containers 7 of other levels may be placed on support brackets (not shown).

Because the sorting track 1 is a multi-layer track and the height of the container 7 is high, the following measures can be taken to facilitate the replacement of the container 7: (1) building a steel platform with the same height and the same number of layers as the sorting device 100, and manually replacing the steel platform; (2) replacing the cargo box 7 by a plurality of high-position forklifts, wherein the high-position forklifts can be unmanned forklifts; (3) a group of stackers are respectively arranged on two sides of the sorting track 1 along the second direction X, and the containers 7 are automatically replaced by the stackers; or (4) a roller line transfer machine and a continuous lifting machine are arranged at each slideway 6, so that the containers 7 can be automatically moved in and out and replaced.

Referring additionally to fig. 5 and 7, in some embodiments, sorting apparatus 100 includes trolley line 5, trolley line 5 is disposed on sorting track 1, and sorting mechanism 2 includes electrical slip ring 25, electrical slip ring 25 is electrically connected to trolley line 5.

Since the sorting mechanism 2 is movable relative to the sorting track 1, power supply and communication to the moving sorting mechanism 2 can be realized more reliably by the cooperation of the electrical slip ring 25 and the trolley line 5. The power supplied by trolley line 5 may be used to drive unloading mechanism 24 or for sorting mechanism 2 to communicate with a dispatch system.

For mounting the trolley line 5, a support 51 can be provided on the side wall 144 of the sorting track 1 with the opening 145. The support member 51 may be a plate-shaped structure or a rod-shaped structure, etc., which is fixed to the sidewall 144 of the sorting track 1 having the opening 145. The trolley wire 5 is fixed to the support member 51. Based on this, the trolley wire 5 can be made closer to the sorting mechanism 2, and the trolley wire 5 can be more conveniently contacted with the electric slip ring 25.

In some embodiments, the two sliding contact lines 5 are respectively disposed on the first track member and the second track member, two sides of the sorting mechanism 2 along the second direction X are respectively provided with one electrical slip ring 25, and the electrical slip rings 25 on the two sides are respectively in contact with the sliding contact lines 5 on the two sides, so that power can be reliably supplied to and communicated with the sorting mechanism 2, and a smoother sorting process can be realized.

The sorting device 100 of the invention can be used for sorting goods in warehouse entry and exit, or for sorting packages, and the like, and the working process can be as follows:

as shown in fig. 1, a plurality of sorting mechanisms 2 are provided at intervals of a predetermined distance along the extending direction of the sorting track 1, and each sorting mechanism 2 is provided with an article a. Taking the example of sorting packaged packages, the dispatch system determines the sort type based on the delivery area of the package, e.g., one portion of the bins 7 for receiving packages to be delivered to the R1 area, another portion of the bins 7 for receiving packages to be delivered to the R2 area, and so on. When the sorting mechanism 2 moves to carry the corresponding container 7 of the parcel, the unloading mechanism 24 on the sorting mechanism 2 is activated to drop the parcel from the chute 6 on one side into the corresponding container 7. Alternatively, a dump bucket may be used, and the article is lifted and unloaded through one end of the dump bucket. When the idle sorting mechanism 2 appears, the loading of the articles A can be realized again, and the article sorting can be continuously realized.

Referring additionally to fig. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, sorting track 1 further includes a return track 13. In the multi-layer body rail 11, the body rail 11 located at the lowermost layer and one end of the body rail 11 located at the uppermost layer, at which the transition rail 12 is not provided, are connected by the return rail 13.

Through setting up return stroke track 13 for whole letter sorting track 1 forms the closed loop, and letter sorting mechanism 2 can also get back to bottom main part track 11 through return stroke track 13 after moving to topmost layer main part track 11 from bottommost main part track 11, thereby can realize whole cyclic motion, makes each letter sorting mechanism 2 can recycle.

The return track 13 may be a linear track or a curved track. For example, referring to fig. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, the return track 13 is a linear track, which is simpler and more stable.

In addition, as an improvement to the sorting apparatus 100 shown in fig. 1, referring to fig. 5 and 6, in some embodiments, the sorting apparatus 100 further includes a protective cover 15, and the protective cover 15 is disposed on at least one side of the sorting track 1 along the first direction Y to improve the operation safety of the sorting apparatus 100.

Referring to fig. 6, in some embodiments, the shield 15 may include a first plate 151, a second plate 152, and a third plate (not shown), the first plate 151 and the second plate 152 being connected to opposite sides of the third plate such that the shield 15 is substantially U-shaped in cross-section. When mounted, the first plate 151 and the second plate 152 are located at both sides of the sorting track 1 in the second direction X, and the third plate is located at one side of the sorting track 1 in the first direction Y.

With continued reference to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, a protective cover 15 is mounted to the post 16. For example, two upright posts 16 are arranged on both sides of the sorting track 1 along the second direction X, and the first plate 151 and the second plate 152 are fixedly connected with the two upright posts 16 respectively, so as to realize the supporting and fixing of the protective cover 15 by the upright posts 16.

Note that the protection mask 15 is omitted in fig. 5, and only a part of the protection mask 15 is shown in fig. 6.

The invention provides a sorting device which is described in detail. The principles and embodiments of the present invention are explained herein using specific examples, which are presented only to aid in understanding the method and its core concepts. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, it is possible to make various improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from the principle of the present invention, and those improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.