EP0708692A1 - Sorting installation, in particular for mail - Google Patents

Sorting installation, in particular for mail

Info

Publication number
EP0708692A1
EP0708692A1 EP94920387A EP94920387A EP0708692A1 EP 0708692 A1 EP0708692 A1 EP 0708692A1 EP 94920387 A EP94920387 A EP 94920387A EP 94920387 A EP94920387 A EP 94920387A EP 0708692 A1 EP0708692 A1 EP 0708692A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transport
sorting
sorting device
conveyed goods
conveyed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP94920387A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0708692B1 (en
Inventor
Rudolf Brugger
Rudolf Schuster
Adolf Hoepler
Wilfried Lange
Volkmar Schulz
Hacht Werner Von
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens AG
Original Assignee
Siemens AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens AG filed Critical Siemens AG
Publication of EP0708692A1 publication Critical patent/EP0708692A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0708692B1 publication Critical patent/EP0708692B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B07C3/08—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
    • B07C3/082—In which the objects are carried by transport holders and the transport holders form part of the conveyor belts

Definitions

  • Sorting device in particular for mail
  • the machine-readable postcodes to be specified on postal items such as letters, postcards, parcels and the like, as an identification number for a location, a delivery area, a mailbox or a large recipient, enable the machine to be rapidly distributed by machine.
  • the incoming mail items are sorted with the aid of controllable conveying goods carriers, which are loaded manually or mechanically with one mail item each in special input places and then deliver this mail item to a sorting container assigned to the respective postal code or a corresponding sorting bin. Since, for reasons of space saving, there is a desire to arrange both the input places and the sorting containers or sorting compartments on different levels, the conveying goods carriers rotating on conveying devices may also have to be able to bridge different heights. After the mail item has been handed over to the assigned sorting container or the assigned sorting compartment, the empty conveyed goods container can be loaded again with a mail item when it passes an input location.
  • the invention specified in claim 1 is based on the problem of creating a sorting device, the transport device of which is of simple construction and enables reliable transport of the conveyed goods carriers between the input location and the sorting containers or sorting compartments well associated with the respective conveyed goods.
  • the transport device should in particular be able to bridge different altitudes with little effort.
  • a sorting device In addition to sorting and distributing mail in public post offices or in the house mail centers of large companies, a sorting device according to the invention can also be used, for example, in storage systems or automatic picking systems for comparable tasks in which goods or parts provided with codes are assigned to the respective codes Sorting container or sorting bin are fed.
  • the transport trolleys form simple and robust transport means for the conveyed goods carriers, the guidance and the drive of the transport trolleys being realized by means of two profiles extending in the transport direction and an endlessly circulating transport cable with minimal construction effort can be.
  • the development according to claim 3 enables a lateral loading of the conveyed goods carrier, whereby particularly small heights of the sorting device can be realized.
  • the costs of materials for the conveyor can be further reduced while reducing the weight.
  • the embodiment according to claim 6 makes it possible, for example, for the same sorting area of the entire sorting device to double the sorting containers available for the sorting tasks.
  • the trolley is guided according to claim 7 in each level along two parallel rows with sorting containers.
  • the U-shaped deflections required for this and height-adjustable deflections are particularly easy to achieve by the routing of the trolleys on two profiles and by the drive with endlessly rotating means of transport.
  • the embodiment according to claim 8 enables a reliable and low-noise drive of the trolleys with little effort.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conveyed goods carrier consisting of a fixed wall part and a movable wall part
  • FIG. 2 shows the toothing of the two wall parts shown in FIG. 1 in the swung position of the material carrier
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of two modules arranged in a row of a sorting device equipped with conveying goods carriers according to FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 shows the functional principle of the conveyor device used in the sorting device according to FIG. 2,
  • FIG. 5 shows a study of the sequence of movements of the conveyed goods when they are ejected from a conveyed goods carrier according to FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 6 shows a side view of a sorting device constructed from modules according to FIG. 3,
  • Figure 7 is a plan view of the sorting device according to Figure 6 and
  • FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the conveying device being guided over two levels by the sorting device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conveyor support generally designated FT, which comprises a fixed wall part FW and a movable wall part BW.
  • the movable wall part BW can be pivoted about an axis of rotation DA oriented transversely to the transport direction TR of the conveyed goods carrier FT.
  • FIG. 1 shows the welding control of the conveyed goods carrier FT, in which the fixedly arranged wall part FW and the movably arranged wall part BW, both of which are arched outwards, form an approximately V-shaped receiving pocket for the conveyed goods.
  • the two wall parts FW and BW are each curved in a ween-shaped manner, the two wall parts FW and BW interlocking with a toothing VZ in the welding control SS shown in a plan view from above.
  • the securing control SS is secured by a pawl SK, which can be rotated about an axis labeled A and can be released by actuating a lifting magnet HM.
  • the movable wall part BW is pivoted about the axis of rotation DA in such a way that a discharge protector of the conveyed goods carrier FT that is open at the bottom bends.
  • the lower extension of the movably arranged wall part BW forms a discharge chute AR which adjoins this discharge chute and which is inclined against the transport direction TR.
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of two modules M1 and M2 of a sorting device equipped with conveying goods carriers FT according to FIG.
  • a transport carriage TW which is part of a conveying device FE and rotates in two levels E1 and E2.
  • Each module M1 and M2 has two support plates AB on each level E1 and E2, on which sorting containers SB can be set up in close proximity to one another. It can be seen that the conveyed goods carriers FT run around the sorting container SB in such a way that when the pawl SK (see FIG. 1) is actuated, the conveyed goods not shown in FIG. 3 are thrown into a sorting container SB assigned to the respective coding can be.
  • FIG. 4 shows further details of the conveying device FE shown in FIG. 3.
  • the transport carriage TW is guided over pipes designated with R on two tubular profiles P which extend in the transport direction TR (see FIG. 1).
  • the profiles P aligned at a vertical distance from one another are connected to one another in rectilinear regions of the conveying device FE via webs ST which also extend in the transport direction TR, while in the curve regions these webs ST are dispensed with.
  • a transport trolley TW is driven via an endlessly rotating transport menu TS, to which the transport trolley TW is fastened with the aid of a driver MN.
  • the transport trolley TW On the side opposite the transport menu TS, the transport trolley TW has a support plate TB to which the individual conveyed goods carriers FT are attached at the end and which also carries the pawls SK and the associated lifting magnets HM.
  • the support plate TB acts as a holder for the axes of rotation DA of the movable wall parts BW, while the fixed wall parts FW of the individual conveyed goods carriers FT are firmly connected to the support plate TB via end flanges F (cf. FIG. 1).
  • FIG. 5 shows a study of the time-independent movement sequence when the conveyed goods are ejected from the conveyed goods carriers FT according to the invention.
  • a conveyed goods carrier FT can be seen in its SchHeßsteUung SS.
  • the second conveyed goods carrier FT seen from the left, is already shown in its delivery control AS, in which the movable wall part BW, together with the fixedly arranged wall part FW, provides a discharge protection for the conveyed goods FG by rotating about the axis of rotation DA. From the following controls of the conveyed material FG it can be seen that it slides down over the discharge chute AR and, in addition to the downward vertical movement component, receives a horizontal movement component opposite to the transport direction TR.
  • the transport speeds can Dense in the transport direction TR and the inclination of the discharge chute AR are coordinated so that the conveyed goods FG can at least largely vertically down into an assigned sorting container SB (see Figure 3).
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 show a sorting device composed of individual modules M in the side view and in the top view.
  • the individual modules M correspond to the modules M1 and M2 shown in FIG. 3, but an additional feed belt ZB, arranged below the lower level E1, is shown in FIG. 6 for the provision of empty sorting containers SB.
  • FIG. 8 shows the guidance of the conveying device FE (compare FIGS. 3 and 4) in a highly simplified schematic representation over the two levels E1 and E2.
  • the line L shows the spatial course of the transport menu TS (compare FIG. 4), the direction of transport being shown by the pusher TR.
  • the guidance of the transport menu TS in the area of the vertical deflection HU and in the area of the input module EM is indicated by U steering elements U.
  • the corresponding spatial profile of the profiles P (see FIG. 4), which runs parallel to the line L, cannot be seen in FIG.
  • the conveyed goods carriers FT loaded with conveyed goods FG are deflected forward at the same height in the front area of the input module EM and then to the sorting containers SB arranged on the front on the lower support plate AB transported past.
  • the conveyed goods carriers FT are then guided diagonally upwards into the upper level E2 and transported there past the sorting containers SB arranged on the rear on the upper support plate AB.
  • the conveyed goods carriers FT are then deflected forward at the same height and then transported past the sorting containers SB arranged on the front side on the upper support plate AB.
  • the conveyed goods carriers FT are then inclined downwards into the lower level El guided and transported there past to the sorting container SB arranged on the rear on the lower support plate AB.
  • the individual conveyed goods carriers FT deliver the conveyed goods FG carried along to an assigned sorting container SB, so that they can be loaded again with conveyed goods FG when they pass the rear loading zone.

Landscapes

  • Discharge Of Articles From Conveyors (AREA)
  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
  • Intermediate Stations On Conveyors (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/DE94/00782 Sec. 371 Date Jan. 11, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Jan. 11, 1996 PCT Filed Jul. 7, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/02468 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 26, 1995A sorting installation comprises a plurality of conveyed item carriers, circulating on at least one conveying mechanism, for receiving, transporting and controllably delivering the conveyed items. The conveyed item carriers are fastened by pairs on circulating transport carriages of the conveying mechanism. The transport carriages are guided by rollers on two profiles aligned at a vertical distance in relation to each other and extending in the transporting direction. The transport carriages are driven by an endlessly circulating transporting, cable. The conveying mechanism according to the invention forms, with little constructional complexity, a reliable transporting system by which the conveyed items can also be transferred to sorting containers arranged on different levels.

Description

Sortiereinrichtung, insbesondere für PostgutSorting device, in particular for mail
Die auf Postsendungen, wie Briefen, Postkarten, Päckchen und dergleichen als Kennzahl für einen Ort, einen Zustellbereich, ein Postfach oder einen Großempfanger anzugebenden, ma¬ schinenlesbaren Postleitzahlen, ermöglichen eine rasche maschinelle Verteilung der Post. Das Sortieren der ankommenden Postsendungen erfolgt dabei mit Hilfe von steuerbaren Fördergutträgern, die in speziellen Eingabeplätzen manuell oder maschinell mit jeweils einer Postsendung beladen werden und diese Postsendung dann an einen, der jeweiligen Postleit¬ zahl zugeordneten Sortierbehälter oder ein entsprechendes Sortierfach abgeben. Da aus Gründen der Platzersparnis der Wunsch besteht, sowohl die Eingabeplätze, als auch die Sortierbehälter bzw. Sortierfacher in verschiedenen Ebenen anzuordnen, müssen die an Förderemrichtungen umlaufenden Fördergutträger gegebenenfalls auch verschiedene Hö¬ henlagen überbrücken können. Nach der Übergabe der Postsendung an den zugeordneten Sortierbehälter oder das zugeordnete Sortierfach, kann der leere Fördergutbehälter beim Passieren eines Eingabeplatzes erneut mit einer Postsendung beladen werden.The machine-readable postcodes to be specified on postal items, such as letters, postcards, parcels and the like, as an identification number for a location, a delivery area, a mailbox or a large recipient, enable the machine to be rapidly distributed by machine. The incoming mail items are sorted with the aid of controllable conveying goods carriers, which are loaded manually or mechanically with one mail item each in special input places and then deliver this mail item to a sorting container assigned to the respective postal code or a corresponding sorting bin. Since, for reasons of space saving, there is a desire to arrange both the input places and the sorting containers or sorting compartments on different levels, the conveying goods carriers rotating on conveying devices may also have to be able to bridge different heights. After the mail item has been handed over to the assigned sorting container or the assigned sorting compartment, the empty conveyed goods container can be loaded again with a mail item when it passes an input location.
Der im Anspruch 1 angegebenen Erfindung Hegt das Problem zugrunde, eine Sortiereinrich¬ tung zu schaffen, deren Transporteinrichtung einfach aufgebaut ist und einen zuverlässigen Transport der Fördergutträger zwischen dem Eingabeplatz und den dem jeweiHgen Förder¬ gut zugeordneten Sortierbehältem oder Sortierfachem ermöghcht. Die Transporteinrichtung soll dabei insbesondere auch mit geringem Aufwand verschiedene Höhenlagen überbrücken können.The invention specified in claim 1 is based on the problem of creating a sorting device, the transport device of which is of simple construction and enables reliable transport of the conveyed goods carriers between the input location and the sorting containers or sorting compartments well associated with the respective conveyed goods. The transport device should in particular be able to bridge different altitudes with little effort.
Neben dem Sortieren und Verteilen von Postgut in öffentHchen Postämern oder den Hauspostzentralen großer Firmen, kann eine erfmdungsgemäße Sortiereinrichtung bei¬ spielsweise in Lagersystemen oder Kommissionierautomaten auch für vergleichbare Aufga¬ ben eingesetzt werden, bei welchen mit Kodierungen versehene Waren oder Teile den je- weiligen Kodierungen zugeordneten Sortierbehältem oder Sortierfachem zugeführt werden.In addition to sorting and distributing mail in public post offices or in the house mail centers of large companies, a sorting device according to the invention can also be used, for example, in storage systems or automatic picking systems for comparable tasks in which goods or parts provided with codes are assigned to the respective codes Sorting container or sorting bin are fed.
Die mit der Erfindung erzielten Vorteile bestehen insbesondere darin, daß die Transportwa¬ gen einfache und robuste Transportmittel für die Fördergutträger bilden, wobei die Führung und der Antrieb der Transportwagen über zwei sich in Transportrichtung erstreckende Profile und ein endlos umlaufendes Transportseil mit einem minimalen baulichen Aufwand realisiert werden können.The advantages achieved by the invention consist, in particular, in that the transport trolleys form simple and robust transport means for the conveyed goods carriers, the guidance and the drive of the transport trolleys being realized by means of two profiles extending in the transport direction and an endlessly circulating transport cable with minimal construction effort can be.
Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind in den Unteransprüchen angegeben. Sind an einem Transportwagen gemäß Anspruch 2 mindestens zwei Fördergutträger befe¬ stigt, so ergibt sich hierdurch eine weitere Reduzierung des baulichen Aufwands für die ge¬ samte Fördereinrichtung.Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims. If at least two conveyed goods carriers are attached to a transport trolley according to claim 2, this results in a further reduction in the structural outlay for the entire conveying device.
Die Weiterbildung nach Anspruch 3 ermöglicht eine seitliche Beladung der Fördergutträger, wodurch besonders geringe Bauhöhen der Sortiereinrichtung realisiert werden können.The development according to claim 3 enables a lateral loading of the conveyed goods carrier, whereby particularly small heights of the sorting device can be realized.
Sind die Profile gemäß Anspruch 4 rohrförmig ausgebildet, so kann der Materialaufwand für die Fördereinrichtung bei gleichzeitiger Reduzierung des Gewichts weiter verringert werden.If the profiles are tubular, the cost of materials for the conveyor can be further reduced while reducing the weight.
Die Weiterbildung nach Anspruch 5 ermöghcht eine robuste und zuverlässige Anordnung der beiden Profile in den geradlinig verlaufenden Abschnitten der Fördereinrichtung, so daß in den Kurven- und Umlenlcungsbereichen der Fördereinrichtung auf zusätzliche Befesti¬ gungsmittel für die Profile verzichtet werden kann.The development according to claim 5 enables a robust and reliable arrangement of the two profiles in the rectilinear sections of the conveyor, so that additional fastening means for the profiles can be dispensed with in the curve and deflection areas of the conveyor.
Die Ausgestaltung nach Anspruch 6 ermögHcht bei gleicher Aufstellungsfläche der gesam¬ ten Sortiereinrichtung beispielsweise eine Verdoppelung der für die Sortieraufgaben zur Verfügung stehenden Sortierbehälter. Der Transportwagen wird dabei gemäß Anspruch 7 in jeder Ebene an jeweils zwei parallelen Reihen mit Sortierbehältem entlanggeführt. Die hier¬ zu erforderlichen U-fÖrmigen Umlenkungen und höhengängigen Umlenkungen sind dabei durch die RoUenführung der Transportwagen auf zwei Profilen und durch den Antrieb mit endlos umlaufenden Transportmitteln besonders einfach reahsierbar.The embodiment according to claim 6 makes it possible, for example, for the same sorting area of the entire sorting device to double the sorting containers available for the sorting tasks. The trolley is guided according to claim 7 in each level along two parallel rows with sorting containers. The U-shaped deflections required for this and height-adjustable deflections are particularly easy to achieve by the routing of the trolleys on two profiles and by the drive with endlessly rotating means of transport.
Die Ausgestaltung nach Anspruch 8 ermögHcht mit geringem Aufwand einen zuverlässigen und geräuscharmen Antrieb der Transportwagen.The embodiment according to claim 8 enables a reliable and low-noise drive of the trolleys with little effort.
Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung dargesteUt und wird im folgen¬ den näher beschrieben.An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is described in more detail below.
Es zeigenShow it
Figur 1 einen aus fest angeordnetem Wandteil und bewegHch angeordnetem Wandteil be¬ stehenden Fördergutträger in perspektivischer Darstellung,1 shows a perspective view of a conveyed goods carrier consisting of a fixed wall part and a movable wall part,
Figur 2 die Verzahnung der beiden in Figur 1 dargestellten Wandteile in der Schheßstellung des Fördergutträgers, Figur 3 eine perspektivische DarsteUung von zwei aneinandergereihten Modulen einer mit Fördergutträgem gemäß Figur 1 ausgerüsteten Sortiereinrichtung,.FIG. 2 shows the toothing of the two wall parts shown in FIG. 1 in the swung position of the material carrier, FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of two modules arranged in a row of a sorting device equipped with conveying goods carriers according to FIG. 1.
Figur 4 das Funktionsprinzip der in der Sortiereinrichtung gemäß Figur 2 eingesetzten För¬ dereinrichtung,FIG. 4 shows the functional principle of the conveyor device used in the sorting device according to FIG. 2,
Figur 5 eine Studie über den Bewegungsablauf des Förderguts beim Abwurf aus einem För¬ dergutträger gemäß Figur 1,FIG. 5 shows a study of the sequence of movements of the conveyed goods when they are ejected from a conveyed goods carrier according to FIG. 1,
Figur 6 eine Seitenansicht einer aus Modulen gemäß Figur 3 aufgebauten Sortiereinrich¬ tung,FIG. 6 shows a side view of a sorting device constructed from modules according to FIG. 3,
Figur 7 eine Draufsicht auf die Sortiereinrichtung gemäß Figur 6 undFigure 7 is a plan view of the sorting device according to Figure 6 and
Figur 8 eine perspektivische DarsteUung über die Führung der Fördereinrichtung der in den Figuren 6 und 7 dargesteUten Sortiereinrichtung über zwei Ebenen.FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the conveying device being guided over two levels by the sorting device shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Figur 1 zeigt in perspektivischer DarsteUung einen insgesamt mit FT bezeichneten Förder¬ gutträger, der einen fest angeordneten Wandteü FW und einen beweghchen Wandteü BW umfaßt. Der beweghche Wandteü BW ist dabei um eine quer zur Transportrichtung TR des Fördergutträgers FT ausgerichtete Drehachse DA schwenkbar.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a conveyor support generally designated FT, which comprises a fixed wall part FW and a movable wall part BW. The movable wall part BW can be pivoted about an axis of rotation DA oriented transversely to the transport direction TR of the conveyed goods carrier FT.
Figur 1 zeigt die SchHeßsteUung des Fördergutträgers FT, in welcher der fest angeordnete Wandteü FW und der beweghch angeordnete Wandteü BW, die beide jeweüs nach außen gewölbt sind, eine im O ierschnitt etwa V-förmige Aufhahmetasche für das Fördergut bü- den. Gemäß Figur 2 sind die beiden Wandteüe FW und BW jeweüs weUenförmig gebogen, wobei in der in einer Draufsicht von oben dargesteUten SchHeßsteUung SS beide Wandteüe FW und BW mit einer Verzahnung VZ ineinandergreifen. Die Sicherung der SchHeßsteUung SS erfolgt gemäß Figur 1 durch eine Sperrklinke SK, die um eine mit A bezeichnete Achse drehbar und durch Betätigung eines Hubmagneten HM lösbar ist. Wird die Sperrklinke SK gelöst, so wird der beweghche Wandteü BW um die Drehachse DA derart verschwenkt, daß sich ein nach unten offener Austragsschhtz des Fördergutträgers FT büdet. Die untere Verlängerung des beweghch angeordneten Wandteüs BW büdet dabei eine sich nach unten an diesen AustragsschHtz anschHeßende Austragsrutsche AR, die entgegen der Transport¬ richtung TR geneigt ist.FIG. 1 shows the welding control of the conveyed goods carrier FT, in which the fixedly arranged wall part FW and the movably arranged wall part BW, both of which are arched outwards, form an approximately V-shaped receiving pocket for the conveyed goods. According to FIG. 2, the two wall parts FW and BW are each curved in a ween-shaped manner, the two wall parts FW and BW interlocking with a toothing VZ in the welding control SS shown in a plan view from above. According to FIG. 1, the securing control SS is secured by a pawl SK, which can be rotated about an axis labeled A and can be released by actuating a lifting magnet HM. If the pawl SK is released, the movable wall part BW is pivoted about the axis of rotation DA in such a way that a discharge protector of the conveyed goods carrier FT that is open at the bottom bends. The lower extension of the movably arranged wall part BW forms a discharge chute AR which adjoins this discharge chute and which is inclined against the transport direction TR.
Figur 3 zeigt eine perspektivische DarsteUung von zwei aneinandergereihten Modulen Ml und M2 einer mit Fördergutträgem FT gemäß Figur 1 ausgerüsteten Sortiereinrichtung. Da- bei sind jeweüs insgesamt fünf Fördergutträger FT an einem Transportwagen TW ange¬ bracht, der Bestandteü einer Fördereinrichtung FE ist und in zwei Ebenen El und E2 um¬ läuft. Jedes Modul Ml und M2 besitzt in jeder Ebene El und E2 jeweüs zwei Auflagebleche AB, aufweichen Sortierbehälter SB dicht aneinandergereiht aufgesteUt werden können. Es ist zu erkennen, daß die Fördergutträger FT an den Transportwagen TW derart über den Sortierbehältem SB umlaufen, daß bei Betätigung der Sperrklinke SK (vergleiche Figur 1) das in Figur 3 nicht näher dargesteüte Fördergut in einen der jeweüigen Kodierung zuge¬ ordneten Sortierbehälter SB abgeworfen werden kann.FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of two modules M1 and M2 of a sorting device equipped with conveying goods carriers FT according to FIG. There- in each case a total of five conveyed goods carriers FT are attached to a transport carriage TW, which is part of a conveying device FE and rotates in two levels E1 and E2. Each module M1 and M2 has two support plates AB on each level E1 and E2, on which sorting containers SB can be set up in close proximity to one another. It can be seen that the conveyed goods carriers FT run around the sorting container SB in such a way that when the pawl SK (see FIG. 1) is actuated, the conveyed goods not shown in FIG. 3 are thrown into a sorting container SB assigned to the respective coding can be.
Figur 4 zeigt nähere Einzelheiten der in Figur 3 dargesteUten Fördereinrichtung FE. In dem hier dargesteUten Querschnitt ist zu erkennen, daß der Transportwagen TW über mit R be¬ zeichnete RoUen auf zwei sich in Transportrichtung TR (vergleiche Figur 1) erstreckenden, rohrfbrmigen Profilen P geführt ist. Die im vertikalen Abstand paraUel zueinander ausge¬ richteten Profile P sind dabei in geradlinig verlaufenden Bereichen der Fördereinrichtung FE über sich ebenfalls in Transportrichtung TR erstreckende Stege ST miteinander verbunden, während in den Kurvenbereichen auf diese Stege ST verzichtet wird. Der Antrieb eines Transportwagens TW erfolgt über ein endlos umlaufenden Transportseü TS, an welchem der Transportwagen TW mit Hilfe eines Mitnehmers MN befestigt ist. Auf der dem Transportseü TS gegenüberhegenden Seite besitzt der Transportwagen TW ein Tragblech TB, an welchem die einzelnen Fördergutträger FT stimseitig befestigt werden und welches auch die Sperrklinken SK und die zugeordneten Hubmagnete HM trägt. Das Tragblech TB fungiert dabei als Halterung für die Drehachsen DA der beweghchen Wandteüe BW, wäh¬ rend die festen Wandteüe FW der einzelnen Fördergutträger FT über stimseitige Flansche F (vergleiche Figur 1) fest mit dem Tragblech TB verbunden werden.FIG. 4 shows further details of the conveying device FE shown in FIG. 3. In the cross section shown here it can be seen that the transport carriage TW is guided over pipes designated with R on two tubular profiles P which extend in the transport direction TR (see FIG. 1). The profiles P aligned at a vertical distance from one another are connected to one another in rectilinear regions of the conveying device FE via webs ST which also extend in the transport direction TR, while in the curve regions these webs ST are dispensed with. A transport trolley TW is driven via an endlessly rotating transport menu TS, to which the transport trolley TW is fastened with the aid of a driver MN. On the side opposite the transport menu TS, the transport trolley TW has a support plate TB to which the individual conveyed goods carriers FT are attached at the end and which also carries the pawls SK and the associated lifting magnets HM. The support plate TB acts as a holder for the axes of rotation DA of the movable wall parts BW, while the fixed wall parts FW of the individual conveyed goods carriers FT are firmly connected to the support plate TB via end flanges F (cf. FIG. 1).
Figur 5 zeigt eine Studie über den zeitunabhängigen Bewegungsablauf beim Abwurf des Förderguts aus den erfindungsgemäßen Fördergutträgem FT. Auf der Unken Seite der hier gezeigten DarsteUung ist ein Fördergutträger FT in seiner SchHeßsteUung SS zu erkennen. Bei dem gestrichelt dargesteUten Fördergut FG soü es sich hier um einen dünnen Brief han¬ deln.FIG. 5 shows a study of the time-independent movement sequence when the conveyed goods are ejected from the conveyed goods carriers FT according to the invention. On the left side of the display shown here, a conveyed goods carrier FT can be seen in its SchHeßsteUung SS. In the case of the conveyed goods FG shown in broken lines, this is a thin letter.
Der von links gesehen zweite Fördergutträger FT ist bereits in seiner AbgabesteUung AS dargesteUt, in welcher der beweghche Wandteü BW durch eine Drehung um die Drehachse DA zusammen mit dem fest angeordneten Wandteü FW einen Austragsschhtz für das För¬ dergut FG büdet. Aus den nachfolgenden SteUungen des Förderguts FG ist zu erkennen, daß dieses über die Austragsrutsche AR nach unten gleitet und dabei neben der nach unten gerichteten senkrechten Bewegungskomponente eine der Transportrichtung TR entgegen- gesetzte horizontale Bewegungskomponente erhält. Dabei können die Transportgeschwin- digkeit in Transportrichtung TR und die Neigung der Austragsrutsche AR so aufeinander abgestimmt werden, daß das Fördergut FG zumindest weitgehend senkrecht nach unten in einen zugeordneten Sortierbehälter SB (vergleiche Figur 3) faüen kann.The second conveyed goods carrier FT, seen from the left, is already shown in its delivery control AS, in which the movable wall part BW, together with the fixedly arranged wall part FW, provides a discharge protection for the conveyed goods FG by rotating about the axis of rotation DA. From the following controls of the conveyed material FG it can be seen that it slides down over the discharge chute AR and, in addition to the downward vertical movement component, receives a horizontal movement component opposite to the transport direction TR. The transport speeds can Dense in the transport direction TR and the inclination of the discharge chute AR are coordinated so that the conveyed goods FG can at least largely vertically down into an assigned sorting container SB (see Figure 3).
Die Figuren 6 und 7 zeigen eine aus einzelnen Modulen M zusammengesetzte Sortierein- richtung in der Seitenansicht bzw. in der Draufsicht. Die einzelnen Module M entsprechen dabei den in Figur 3 dargesteUten Modulen Ml und M2, wobei in Figur 6 jedoch noch ein zusätzhches, unterhalb der unteren Ebene El angeordnetes Zuführband ZB für die Bereit- steUung leerer Sortierbehälter SB dargesteUt ist. Bei der Entnahme eines voUen Sortierbe¬ hälters SB aus der Ebene El oder der Ebene E2 kann dann dieser durch einen auf dem Zu- fuhrband ZB bereitgesteüten leeren Sortierbehälter SB ersetzt werden.FIGS. 6 and 7 show a sorting device composed of individual modules M in the side view and in the top view. The individual modules M correspond to the modules M1 and M2 shown in FIG. 3, but an additional feed belt ZB, arranged below the lower level E1, is shown in FIG. 6 for the provision of empty sorting containers SB. When a full sorting container SB is removed from the level E1 or the level E2, this can then be replaced by an empty sorting container SB provided on the feed belt ZB.
Bei der DarsteUung gemäß den Figuren 6 und 7 befindet sich auf der Unken Seite vor dem ersten Modul M eine höhengängige Umlenkung HU, während sich auf der rechten Seite an das letzte Modul M ein sti seitiges Eingabemodul EM anschHeßt. Es ist zu erkennen, daß im Bereich dieses Eingabemoduls EM die einzelnen Fördergutträger FT von der Rückseite, von der Stirnseite, oder von der Vorderseite her beladen werden können, wobei die Bela¬ dung manueU oder maschineU vorgenommen werden kann.In the DarsteUung according to Figures 6 and 7 is on the Unken side in front of the first module M, a vertical deflection HU, while on the right side of the last module M, a bilateral input module EM connects. It can be seen that in the area of this input module EM the individual conveyed goods carriers FT can be loaded from the rear, from the front, or from the front, the loading being carried out manually or by machine.
Figur 8 zeigt in stark vereinfachter schematischer DarsteUung die Führung der Förderein¬ richtung FE (vergleiche Figuren 3 und 4) über die beiden Ebenen El und E2. Die Linie L zeigt dabei den räumhchen Verlauf des Transportseüs TS (vergleiche Figur 4), wobei die Transportrichtung durch Pfeüe TR aufgezeigt ist. Die Führung des Transportseüs TS im Be¬ reich der höhengängigen Umlenkung HU und im Bereich des Eingabemoduls EM ist dabei durch U lenkroUen U angedeutet. Der entsprechende, paraüel zur Linie L geführte räumh- che Verlauf der Profile P (vergleiche Figur 4) ist in Figur 3 nicht erkennbar.FIG. 8 shows the guidance of the conveying device FE (compare FIGS. 3 and 4) in a highly simplified schematic representation over the two levels E1 and E2. The line L shows the spatial course of the transport menu TS (compare FIG. 4), the direction of transport being shown by the pusher TR. The guidance of the transport menu TS in the area of the vertical deflection HU and in the area of the input module EM is indicated by U steering elements U. The corresponding spatial profile of the profiles P (see FIG. 4), which runs parallel to the line L, cannot be seen in FIG.
Die beispielsweise in einer rückwärtigen Beladezone der unteren Ebene El (vergleiche Figur 6) mit Fördergut FG beladenen Fördergutträger FT, werden im stimseitigen Bereich des Eingabemoduls EM auf gleicher Höhe nach vorne umgelenkt und dann an den auf der Vorderseite auf dem unteren Auflageblech AB angeordneten Sortierbehältem SB vorbeit¬ ransportiert. Im Bereich der höhengängigen Umlenkung HU werden die Fördergutträger FT dann schräg nach oben in die obere Ebene E2 geführt und dort an den auf der Rückseite auf dem oberen Auflageblech AB angeordneten Sortierbehältem SB vorbeitransportiert. Im Bereich des Eingabemoduls EM werden die Fördergutträger FT dann auf gleicher Höhe nach vorne umgelenkt und dann an den auf der- Vorderseite auf dem oberen Auflageblech AB angeordneten Sortierbehältem SB vorbeitransportiert. Im Bereich der höhengängigen Umlenkung HU werden die Fördergutträger FT dann schräg nach unten in die untere Ebene El geführt und dort an den auf der Rückseite auf dem unteren Auflageblech AB angeordne¬ ten Sortierbehältem SB vorbeitransportiert. Auf dem vorstehend beschriebenen Transport¬ weg geben die einzelnen Fördergutträger FT das mitgeführte Fördergut FG an einen zuge¬ ordneten Sortierbehälter SB ab, so daß sie dann beim Passieren der rückseitigen Beladezone erneut mit Fördergut FG beladen werden können. For example, in a rear loading zone of the lower level E1 (see FIG. 6), the conveyed goods carriers FT loaded with conveyed goods FG are deflected forward at the same height in the front area of the input module EM and then to the sorting containers SB arranged on the front on the lower support plate AB transported past. In the area of the vertical deflection HU, the conveyed goods carriers FT are then guided diagonally upwards into the upper level E2 and transported there past the sorting containers SB arranged on the rear on the upper support plate AB. In the area of the input module EM, the conveyed goods carriers FT are then deflected forward at the same height and then transported past the sorting containers SB arranged on the front side on the upper support plate AB. In the area of the vertical deflection HU, the conveyed goods carriers FT are then inclined downwards into the lower level El guided and transported there past to the sorting container SB arranged on the rear on the lower support plate AB. On the transport route described above, the individual conveyed goods carriers FT deliver the conveyed goods FG carried along to an assigned sorting container SB, so that they can be loaded again with conveyed goods FG when they pass the rear loading zone.

Claims

Patentansprüche claims
1. Sortiereinrichtung, insbesondere für Postgut, mit mehreren an mindestens einer Förder¬ einrichtung (FE) umlaufenden Fördergutträgem (FT) zur Aufnahme, zum Transport und zur steuerbaren Abgabe des Förderguts (FG), wobei1. Sorting device, in particular for mail, with a plurality of conveying goods carriers (FT) rotating around at least one conveying device (FE) for receiving, transporting and controllably delivering the conveying goods (FG), wherein
- die Fördergutträger (FT) an umlaufenden Transportwagen (TW) der Fördereinrichtung (FE) befestigt sind, wobei- The conveyed goods carriers (FT) are attached to circulating trolleys (TW) of the conveyor (FE), whereby
- die Transportwagen (TW) mit RoUen (R) auf zwei im vertikalen Abstand zueinander aus- gerichteten und sich in Transportrichtung (TR) erstreckenden Profilen (P) geführt sind und wobei- The transport trolleys (TW) with RoUen (R) on two vertically spaced and extending in the transport direction (TR) profiles (P) and where
- die Transportwagen (TW) durch endlos umlaufende Transportmittel angetrieben sind.- The trolleys (TW) are driven by endlessly rotating means of transport.
2. Sortiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß an einem Transportwagen (TW) mindestens zwei Fördergutträger (FT) befestigt sind.2. Sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two conveyed goods carriers (FT) are attached to a transport carriage (TW).
3. Sortiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Fördergutträger (FT) auf der dem Transportwagen (TW) gegenüberUegenden Stirn¬ seite offen sind.3. Sorting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the conveyed goods carriers (FT) are open on the front side opposite the transport carriage (TW).
4. Sortiereinrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Profile (P) rohrförmig ausgebüdet sind.4. Sorting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profiles (P) are tube-shaped.
5. Sortiereinrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden Profile (P) im Bereich geradlinig verlaufender Abschnitte der Fördereinrich- tung (FE) durch sich in Transportrichtung (TR) erstreckende Stege (ST) miteinander ver¬ bunden sind.5. Sorting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two profiles (P) in the region of rectilinear sections of the conveyor device (FE) are connected to one another by webs (ST) extending in the transport direction (TR).
6. Sortiereinrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Transportwagen (TW) über mindestens eine höhengängige Umlenkung (HU) in mindestens zwei Ebenen (E1,E2) umläuft. 6. Sorting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport carriage (TW) revolves over at least one vertical deflection (HU) in at least two levels (E1, E2).
7. Sortiereinrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Transportwagen (TW) in jeder Ebene (E1,E2) an jeweüs zwei paraUelen Reihen mit Sortierbehältem (SB) entlanggeführt ist.7. Sorting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the transport carriage (TW) is guided along each level (E1, E2) on two separate rows with sorting containers (SB).
8. Sortiereinrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die endlos umlaufenden Transportmittel durch ein Transportseü (TS) gebüdet sind. 8. Sorting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the endlessly rotating means of transport are bundled by a transport port (TS).
EP94920387A 1993-07-14 1994-07-07 Sorting installation, in particular for mail Expired - Lifetime EP0708692B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4323565 1993-07-14
DE4323565A DE4323565A1 (en) 1993-07-14 1993-07-14 Sorting device, in particular for mail
PCT/DE1994/000782 WO1995002468A1 (en) 1993-07-14 1994-07-07 Sorting installation, in particular for mail

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0708692A1 true EP0708692A1 (en) 1996-05-01
EP0708692B1 EP0708692B1 (en) 1997-03-12

Family

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EP94920387A Expired - Lifetime EP0708692B1 (en) 1993-07-14 1994-07-07 Sorting installation, in particular for mail

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US (1) US5848682A (en)
EP (1) EP0708692B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE149886T1 (en)
DE (2) DE4323565A1 (en)
DK (1) DK0708692T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2100077T3 (en)
GR (1) GR3023506T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1995002468A1 (en)

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19629051A1 (en) * 1996-07-18 1998-01-22 Gaemmerler Hagen Conveyor system with gripper clips
EP1054741B1 (en) 1998-02-17 2002-05-02 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Installation for sorting flat mail articles
DE19811079C2 (en) 1998-03-13 2000-04-27 Siemens Ag Sorting system for flat mail items
DE19924078A1 (en) * 1999-05-26 2000-12-07 Siemens Ag Transport device for flat consignments
US7014030B2 (en) * 2003-01-22 2006-03-21 Hendzel Louis J Modular substructure for material handling

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US2818965A (en) * 1953-07-24 1958-01-07 Friedrich K H Stubbe Runway for conveyor belts passing through curves
US3300026A (en) * 1965-01-25 1967-01-24 Int Standard Electric Corp Transporting device
GB1200183A (en) * 1966-12-16 1970-07-29 Baker Perkins Jaxons Ltd Article sorting apparatus
US3589498A (en) * 1969-09-18 1971-06-29 Leesona Corp Bobbin handling system
SE364691B (en) * 1971-07-23 1974-03-04 E Wahren
IT1112786B (en) * 1979-04-19 1986-01-20 Elsag MACHINE FOR SORTING OBJECTS TO VARIOUS DESTINATIONS, PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOR VOLUMINOUS POSTAL CORRESPONDENCE
US4688678A (en) * 1984-04-04 1987-08-25 G B Instruments, Inc. Sorter apparatus for transporting articles to releasing locations
GB9202189D0 (en) * 1992-02-01 1992-03-18 Molins Plc Conveyor system for rod-like articles

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Title
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Also Published As

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WO1995002468A1 (en) 1995-01-26
GR3023506T3 (en) 1997-08-29
EP0708692B1 (en) 1997-03-12
ATE149886T1 (en) 1997-03-15
ES2100077T3 (en) 1997-06-01
DE59402094D1 (en) 1997-04-17
US5848682A (en) 1998-12-15
DK0708692T3 (en) 1997-09-01
DE4323565A1 (en) 1995-01-19

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