EP2096056B1 - Method and device for separating objects - Google Patents
Method and device for separating objects Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2096056B1 EP2096056B1 EP09153489.1A EP09153489A EP2096056B1 EP 2096056 B1 EP2096056 B1 EP 2096056B1 EP 09153489 A EP09153489 A EP 09153489A EP 2096056 B1 EP2096056 B1 EP 2096056B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- speed
- traction means
- traction devices
- traction
- grip
- 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.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H3/00—Separating articles from piles
- B65H3/46—Supplementary devices or measures to assist separation or prevent double feed
- B65H3/52—Friction retainers acting on under or rear side of article being separated
- B65H3/5246—Driven retainers, i.e. the motion thereof being provided by a dedicated drive
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/06—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by rollers or balls, e.g. between rollers
- B65H5/062—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by rollers or balls, e.g. between rollers between rollers or balls
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H7/00—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles
- B65H7/02—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors
- B65H7/06—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed
- B65H7/12—Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed responsive to double feed or separation
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2220/00—Function indicators
- B65H2220/09—Function indicators indicating that several of an entity are present
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/40—Type of handling process
- B65H2301/44—Moving, forwarding, guiding material
- B65H2301/445—Moving, forwarding, guiding material stream of articles separated from each other
- B65H2301/4451—Moving, forwarding, guiding material stream of articles separated from each other forming a stream or streams of separated articles
- B65H2301/44514—Separating superposed articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/14—Roller pairs
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/50—Occurence
- B65H2511/51—Presence
- B65H2511/514—Particular portion of element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/50—Occurence
- B65H2511/52—Defective operating conditions
- B65H2511/524—Multiple articles, e.g. double feed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
- B65H2513/10—Speed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2513/00—Dynamic entities; Timing aspects
- B65H2513/10—Speed
- B65H2513/11—Speed angular
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/13—Parts concerned of the handled material
- B65H2701/131—Edges
- B65H2701/1311—Edges leading edge
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/13—Parts concerned of the handled material
- B65H2701/131—Edges
- B65H2701/1313—Edges trailing edge
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
- B65H2701/1916—Envelopes and articles of mail
Definitions
- the invention relates to a method for separating articles from a stack into a stream of articles, wherein the articles are withdrawn from the stack with a take-off means and overlapping objects are separated from each other with a release agent and attack respectively several traction means of the release agent on the object on both sides of the withdrawn article be operated with different propelling speed in the transport direction, traction means which attack the front of the object in the transport direction, are operated at a faster propulsion speed, as traction means which attack further behind the object.
- the invention relates to a device for separating objects from a stack into an article stream with a withdrawal means for withdrawing the articles from the stack, a release agent for separating overlapping objects and a process means for controlling the singulation, wherein the release agent arranged on both sides of the release means
- Each having a plurality of traction means for joint attack on the object and the traction means are operated at different propulsion speed in the transport direction and wherein the processing means is provided to drive traction means which attack the front of the object in the transport direction, with a faster propelling speed, as traction means, the farther back attack the object.
- Flat items such as letters, large letters, postcards, shrink-wrapped magazines and the like are sorted in letter centers or large post offices in huge numbers according to their address and stored in a variety of stacking compartments.
- the flat objects are first stacked and then singulated from the stack and into a stream of articles brought in which the objects are spaced apart and can be steered independently of each other.
- An apparatus for separating flat objects is known from DE 10 2004 037 422 B3 known.
- the objects to be separated are accelerated by several independently controllable in their speed belt and fed to a transport line.
- retaining elements are arranged opposite the belts, by which double-peeled objects are retained.
- the traction means are each driven at a higher propulsion speed on one side of the object than the respectively opposite traction means.
- the retention of a double-peeled object must therefore not be done by static retaining elements, but can be done by driven traction means, for example, cause a slower propulsion, stopping or a return of the double-peeled object. Retention of double-peeled objects can thereby be controlled and performed very efficiently and reliably.
- the traction means When operating the traction means on both sides of the withdrawn article each with different propulsion speed - On each side of the article, the traction means are thus operated at the same time with a different propelling speed - also a retention depending on the position of the object can be controlled in the release agent.
- the separation of the overlapping objects by the release agent may take place during or after removal of the articles by the withdrawal means.
- the traction means are preferably controlled by a process means with different propulsion speed, wherein advantageously all traction means are individually controlled, the traction means can thus be addressed individually by the processing means.
- the traction means are advantageously arranged in pairs opposite the object and serve to transport the article in the transport direction. By “opposite” and “on both sides of the withdrawn article” it can be understood that the traction means are connected to e.g. two flat sides of the object are arranged, the object is thus arranged between the traction means.
- the objects run on a transport path through the separating means, wherein the traction means are arranged on both sides of the transport path and can thereby attack from both sides of the object in the transport path.
- the items may be postal items of any kind, especially postal items such as letters, large letters, flats, magazines, catalogs, books, parcels or packages.
- the articles are flat articles whose thickness does not exceed 20%, preferably 10%, of their height.
- the height refers to an object standing on a longitudinal edge.
- the withdrawal means expediently has a trigger element for pulling on an object to be deducted, which applies a force in the withdrawal direction to the object and thus pulls it off.
- An article stream comprises a plurality of objects transported one behind the other and each standing on its longitudinal edge.
- the Pulling means arranged in pairs opposite to the object.
- two traction means each can apply a force and a counter force to the object and transport it at a defined speed.
- all traction means are arranged in pairs.
- two identical traction means are arranged opposite to each other, in particular with an exactly opposite to the object engaging bearing surface.
- a fine gradation of speeds or accelerations of the objects can be achieved if the traction means have rollers for bearing against the objects. It can be dispensed with straps and a contact lines or contact surface of the rollers on an object can be kept small.
- such traction means which act in the direction of transport at the front of the object, e.g. are arranged in the transport direction at the front in the means of transport, are operated at a faster transport speed, as such traction means which attack further behind the object, that are arranged further back in the transport. This allows the item to be held tight.
- overlapping and staggered objects can be separated from each other. This can be achieved because, with increasing forward speed of the traction means in the transport path, a further rearwardly arranged object is relatively retained. Front and back can be seen in relation to the transport movement of an item away from the stack and into the item stream.
- the transport speed in the transport is divided into several different, preferably at least four different propulsion speeds.
- the traction means may each have one or more tension elements, eg rollers.
- a particularly finely graduated speed increase and a fine spatial resolution of a speed determination of an object can be achieved if the transport speed of traction means to traction means in the transport path increases.
- the climb is to be seen here in the transport direction, ie generally from back to front.
- a reliable measurement of a speed of an object in the release agent can be achieved if such traction means, which act on the object in the transport direction at the front, engage the object with a higher frictional torque than traction means which engage further behind the object. As a result, the objects are gripped the strongest at the front and pulled through the release agent.
- An increasing frictional torque can be realized by an increasing pressure with which the traction means press on the object.
- the friction torque increases in several different, preferably at least four different torque levels in the transport path, expediently from traction means to traction means.
- a transport of objects with a defined transport speed at different speeds propulsion of the traction means can be achieved when the traction means attacking the object are pulled by the object in a freewheel.
- a front of the object attacking and fastest running Gebombzip determine the transport speed of the article and further back arranged and slower driven transport pairs can run in a freewheel and so hold the object with only a small force, so that the foremost Switzerlandstoffschreib not or only very Slipping little on the object.
- traction means which are arranged behind a respective foremost on the object traction means operable in a freewheel, in which they transported with the faster than their propulsion speed follow the object.
- two successively arranged traction means can be driven at the same speed, so that many downstream traction means can be freewheeled without the object slips on the foremost two traction means.
- a propulsion can be switched off. However, this requires a certain amount of control. This can be avoided if on the object attacking and running in the freewheeling traction means are further controlled with a propulsion speed.
- the control with the slower propulsion speed does not disturb the pulling in the faster freewheel, so that can be dispensed with an interruption of the control of the propulsion.
- the freewheel is thus operable with simultaneous propulsion, when the attacked item runs faster - the running speed is thus higher - than the propulsion.
- the traction means are each driven at a higher propulsion speed on one side of the object than the respectively opposite traction means, a shearing force is produced on the object. Two overlapping objects are thereby pushed together and separated.
- speed sensors are present, which detect the running speed of the traction means. Based on the running speed can be determined how fast an object is transported through the release agent.
- the location of an object in the separating means can be determined by a speed detection spatially resolved from traction means to traction means.
- speed detection when two overlapping objects are arranged in the release agent.
- the running speed of the traction means is their instantaneous speed of movement or rotational speed.
- the speed sensors which are provided for detecting the speed of the traction means, may be part of the traction means, for example servomotors whose speed is sensed, or be separate from the traction means.
- the sensor may be a sensor line having a plurality of sensor elements arranged along the transport path.
- the sensor can be with electromagnetic Radiation in the visible or invisible area or be operated with ultrasound or otherwise work, eg capacitive or by scanning.
- a transport speed of an object in the separating means is determined with the aid of the optical sensor. As a result, an actual speed of the object can be detected with high reliability.
- Slippage of an object on a traction means can be detected when a detected by the optical sensor speed of the object is compared with the running speed of the traction means.
- the length of an object which is arranged in the release agent or even before it is detected it can be determined how many traction means will attack or attack the object and which forces will be applied to it.
- an article is divided into at least one front and one behind it, and traction means of one side are switched to a restraint mode as soon as the rear region has reached an intended position in the separating means. In this way, a stripping force on the object for stripping an overlapping object can be increased if the object to be transported has already been adequately captured by the release agent and thus safely transported on.
- Switching into a restraint mode can be done by braking means of a side relative to the respective opposite traction means are braked or run backwards.
- the splitting is done in the front and the rear area depending on an object characteristic.
- the determination of a reliable gripping of the object can be made dependent on its length, thickness, speed or another size.
- the restraint mode Before switching to the restraint mode, it is expedient to carry out a check as to whether the object has already been gripped securely by one or more traction means which are not intended for switching to the restraint mode. This can be done, for example, by detecting an acceleration of the object and making a switch to the restraint mode dependent on the acceleration of the object.
- the article may be divided into front, middle and rear regions, and traction means located in the central region may be switched to restraint. If no or little delay of the object is caused by this retention, the and / or further traction means can be switched to the retention mode.
- the object directed to the device is achieved by a device of the aforementioned type, in which the process means according to the invention is provided to drive the traction means on one side of the article each with a higher propulsion speed than the respectively opposite traction means.
- the propulsion speed is expediently controlled by the process means, which is provided for this purpose for controlling the traction means, each with a different propulsion speed.
- the traction means each have their own drive and are individually controllable by the process means.
- the traction means advantageously comprise servomotors, which are provided on the one hand for applying the propulsion speed to the traction means and their running speed can be tapped, so that in this way the running speed of the individual traction means can be detected.
- the running speed can be advantageously detected even when the running speed is higher than the driving speed.
- FIG. 1 shows a device 2 for separating objects 4 from a stack 6 in an article stream 8, which is transported by a further transport line 10 in the transport direction 12.
- the items are flat postal items, especially letters, large letters, flats and magazines.
- the device 2 comprises a withdrawal means 14 with a circulating belt 16 and a suction system 18 for sucking the articles 4 to the belt 16. From the belt 16, the respective adjacent object is transported in the transport direction 12 to a release agent 20 of the device 2, which - as well the withdrawal means 14 - is controlled by a processing means 22.
- the processing means 22 may comprise an electronic data processing system and is prepared for carrying out individual or all described method steps by one or more corresponding data processing programs.
- the separating means 20 comprises 24 pulling means 24 arranged in pairs opposite each other, each having a roller 26 for direct contact with an object 4 arranged in the separating means 20.
- the traction means 24 are each driven by a servomotor, which can be used as a speed sensor 28 and whose measurement signal is read out by the processing means 22.
- the separating means 20 comprises a sensor 30 for detecting a leading edge 32 and a trailing edge 34 of an object 4 arranged in the separating means 20.
- the sensor 30 is constructed from a multiplicity of sensor elements 36 which are arranged along a transport path 38 through the separating means 20.
- the optical sensor elements 36 are relative positioned to the traction means 24 so that their measuring beam past the traction means 24, for example by being arranged above or below them.
- the separating means 20 may include sensors 40 for measuring a deflection of the traction means 24 from a rest position, so that from the deflection of the traction means 24 from its rest position, a thickness of the articles 4 can be estimated.
- sensors 40 for measuring a deflection of the traction means 24 from a rest position, so that from the deflection of the traction means 24 from its rest position, a thickness of the articles 4 can be estimated.
- sensors 40 for example, in FIG. 1 Twelve traction means 24 shown above fixed in position and the twelve traction means 24 shown below transversely to the transport direction 12 deflected so that they can be pushed by the objects 4 to the side. It is also conceivable that all traction means 24 are deflectable and, for example, provided with sensors 40.
- the 24 traction means 24 are arranged in such a way that half of the traction means 24 are arranged on one side of the transport path 38 and the other half of the traction means 24 on the other side of the transport path 38. It is thus - as in FIG. 1 shown - on both sides of a withdrawn article 4 each twelve traction means 24 are arranged, of which more and more attack on each side of the article 4. In each case two traction means 24 are arranged exactly opposite each other, so that the connection of its axis of rotation is oriented perpendicular to the transport direction 12. In this case, the two traction means 24 of each pair of traction means are constructed identically in terms of their shape, so that they rest in each case with a same bearing surface on the object 4 clamped between them.
- FIG. 2 shows the release agent 20 in a functional manner.
- the sensor elements 36 it is shown in which the sensor elements 36 whose measuring beam is interrupted by at least one of the articles 4 embodied as postal items 42, 44.
- the traction means 24 are individually distinguished by the reference numerals Z 1 - Z 12 and Z ' 1 - Z' 12 .
- the traction means Z 1 - Z '12 are controlled by the processing means 22, that the foremost upper traction means Z 1 is driven at the propulsion speed v 1 , the following traction means Z 2 at the propulsion speed v 2 , the third traction means Z 3 at the propulsion speed v 3 , etc. up to the last traction means Z 12 , which is at the propulsion speed v 12 is driven.
- the traction means Z ' 1 - Z' 12 of the lower row are driven in an analogous manner, namely the foremost pulling means Z ' 1 with the driving speed v' 1 and so on until the last pulling means Z '12 with the driving speed v' 12 .
- the lower traction means Z ' 1 - Z' 12 are pressed with different spring pressure in the direction of the mailpieces 42, 44, so that the frictional torque of the mailpieces 42, 44 between the first, foremost pair of traction means Z 1 , Z ' 1 is greater as the frictional torque of the mail items 42, 44 to the next pair of traction means Z 2 , Z ' 2 , etc., lying thereunder, to the last pair of traction means Z 12 , Z' 12 , between which the mail items 42, 44 with the lowest frictional torque are guided.
- the postal item 42 is impressed by the traction means Z ' 4 with a small shearing force, which pushes the underside of the item of mail 42 slightly to the rear.
- this shearing force is low, since the free-running resistance of the traction means Z ' 4 is considerably lower than the frictional torque with which it would cause a propulsion of the mail piece 42.
- the traction means Z 5 and Z ' 5 are pulled along, so that they run in the freewheel with the running speed v 4 .
- the upper traction means Z 6 is also pulled along with the propulsion speed v 4 of the fourth traction means Z 4 and runs along.
- the opposite traction means Z '6, however, is slower because all running in free running pulling means Z' 4 - Z '12 exert a retaining force on the lower mailpiece 44 and brake it.
- the speed with which the mail item 44 is transported in the transport direction 12 is thus the advance speed v ' 6 of the traction mechanism Z' 6 which pulls the mail item 44 forward.
- the more rearward traction means Z '7 - Z' 12 in turn run in free-running with the forward speed v '6, which is the running speed for them.
- the processing means 22 Due to the different speeds at the tension means Z 1 to Z 'rest 12, the processing means 22 detects that the upper pulling means Z 4 - Z 10, a first mail item 42 and to the lower pulling means Z' is a second 6 to Z '12 Mailing 44 is present. Because it is overlapping mail 42, 44, it is recognized by the processing means 22 that one of the mailpieces 42, 44 must be retained in order to separate them from one another. Since the retarded of the mailpieces 42, 44 is expediently the postal item 44 arranged further back, the processing means 22 causes, for example, the stopping of the traction means Z ' 6 - Z' 12 .
- This condition is in FIG. 3 shown.
- the rear postal item 44 remains dormant in the release agent 20, whereas the front postal item 42 is driven further.
- this mail item 42 as it progresses further through the separating means 20, first accelerates to the advancing speed v 3 , then to the advancing speed v 2 and finally to the fastest advancing speed v 1 , the respective following traction means Z 4 - Z 9 , Z 3 - Z 8 , Z 2 - Z 7 are freewheel with the respective running speed v 3 , v 2 , v 1 pulled along.
- the upper traction means Z 6 - Z 12 are also set with their propulsion speed to zero, so that the rear postal item 44 is kept in position.
- the front postal item 42 is transported away to the front.
- a gap is formed which is detected by at least one of the sensor elements 36, as in FIG FIG. 3 is shown.
- the item of mail 42 is categorized individually by the processing means 22 and transported away.
- the following mail item 44 can be started immediately for further transport. However, the gap between the mailpieces 42, 44 must reach a minimum size. If the trailing edge 34 is sufficiently far forward and the gap sufficiently large, the traction means Z 6 to Z '12 are driven and the rear postal item 44 is transported in the transport direction 12, with increasing transport speed and constant shear forces between the top and bottom of the mailing 44.
- the second postal item 44 it is also possible to immediately move the second postal item 44 at the same speed, that is, v 1 , connected to the shear forces associated with the freewheel. In this way, a high throughput can be achieved by the release agent 20. The throughput can be further increased if the resulting gap between the mail items 42, 44 is reduced to a minimum gap. This can be done by transporting the rear postal item 44 at a speed v which is higher than the speed v 1 with which the front postal item 42 is transported away, until the gap has contracted to minimum size. The size of the gap is monitored by the sensor 30.
- another mail item 48 is clamped completely invisibly from the outside between the mailpieces 42, 44.
- the processing means 22 registers based on the different running speeds v 8, v '8 at the tension means Z 9 - Z' 12, that there must be at least two postal items 42, 44, which are arranged to overlap in the release agent 20th Accordingly, the traction means Z ' 8 to Z' 12 are stopped, as in FIG. 5 is shown.
- the upper traction means Z 1 to Z 12 run first with their propulsion speed v 1 to v 12 and the corresponding higher speed, at the time as in FIG. 5 represented with the running speed v 5 .
- a gap between the mailpieces 42, 44 is detected, as in FIG. 6 is shown. If the gap between the mailpieces 42, 44 is sufficiently large and the trailing edge 34 is sufficiently far forward, further transport of the mail item 44 is initiated. As a result, however, that the coated propulsion speeds of the lower traction means Z 8 - Z 12 are less than the uncoated propelling speeds of the upper traction means Z 8 - Z 12 , a shear force is applied to the two mail items 44, 48. As a result, the upper postal item 48 is transported to the front faster than the lower postal item 44.
- the process means 22 can determine on the basis of the measurement results that there are two mail items 44, 48 in the release agent 20. First of all, the two mail items 44, 48 move at different speeds through the separating means 20, as is the case FIG. 2 described. In addition, the leading edge 32 of the mail piece 48 eventually moves forward more rapidly than the trailing edge of the mail piece 44. This obscures an increasing number of sensor elements 36, which would be impossible with a single mail piece 44. As a result, the process means 22 recognizes the presence of two overlapping mailpieces 44, 48 in the release agent 20.
- the process means 22 recognizes that at a position of the mailpieces 44, 48, as in FIG. 6 shown, the last upper traction means Z 12 is no longer entrained with the running speed v 7 , whereas the last lower traction means Z '12 is very well still entrained with the running speed v' 7 . This is only possible with two overlapping mailpieces 44, 48. Thus, an overlapping of mailpieces 44, 48 can also be detected from the monitoring of the running speeds.
- the middle postal item 48 remains hanging on the upper, front postal item 42 and is transported by it.
- the rearmost mail piece 44 is stopped, as to FIG. 5 described, and the other two mail items 42, 48 are transported forward. Since the traction means Z ' 5 - Z' 8 retain the under postal item 48, it is transported at the lower forward speed v ' 5 than the upper postal item 42, which is transported at the advancing speed v 4 .
- the process means 22 recognizes on the one hand that it involves two separate postal items 42, 48 and, on the other hand, that the upper postal item has already reached the fourth pair of traction means Z 4 , Z ' 4 , and the concealed lower postal item 48 only at the fifth traction means Z ' 5 has arrived.
- the process means 22 now causes that the lower traction means Z ' 5 - Z' 7 are stopped, so that the lower mail piece 48 is stopped. If the mail item 42 is transported away, then the six traction means Z 5 - Z ' 7 are driven with their corresponding advancing speeds v 5 - v' 7 and thereby the item of mail 48 alone is transported further forward, provided with a shearing force, possibly a further unrecognized item of mail to identify.
- FIGS. 8-11 Such an example is shown with reference to FIGS. 8-11.
- the two postal items 42, 44 are transported into the release agent 20 without the presence of two separate postal items 42, 44 would be recognizable, as in FIG. 8 is shown.
- the lower traction means Z ' 9 - Z' 12 exert a retention torque on the lower postal item 44, so that this would have to be transported at the advance speed v ' 9 , however, a hooking 50 prevents the item of mailing 44 from moving relative to the postal item 42 moves behind.
- FIG. 9 shown position of the mail items 42, 44 is not visible to the process means that it is two overlapping mailpieces 42, 44.
- the processing means 22 switches to the in FIG. 9 shown driving speeds v 1 - v 12 and v ' 1 - v' 12 so that now the upper traction Z 1 - Z 12 with the smaller coated driving speeds and the lower traction Z ' 1 - Z' 12 with the larger uncoated Driving speeds are driven.
- the lower postal item 44 is pushed forward relative to the upper postal item 42, so that the entanglement 50 can be released.
- the process means 22 therefore controls the lower traction means Z ' 4 - Z' 10 successively for a short time with a particularly fast propulsion speed v S.
- the traction means Z ' 4 is driven with this high propulsion speed v S , so that the whole package from the two mail items 42, 44 is transported at this high propulsion speed v S.
- this step can be omitted since it would only be effective if both mail items 42, 44 were clamped between the fourth pair of traction means Z 4 , Z ' 4 . In this case, switching from the coated to the uncoated driving speeds and vice versa would already be sufficient.
- the process means 22 ensures that no gaps are completely closed in order to avoid collisions to the rear and thus possible damage to the mail.
- the lower mail piece 44 is transported away to the front, wherein the different propulsion speeds of the traction means Z 1 - Z ' 3, for example, to FIG. 3 described shear effect is applied to the mail piece 44, so that any further hidden mail item would be separated from this.
- the upper traction means Z 4 - Z 12 are driven at the slow return speed -V 13 , whereas the lower traction means Z ' 4 - Z' 12 are subjected to a slow advance.
- the traction means Z ' 5 - Z' 12 Due to the freewheeling function, in this case in the direction opposite to the transport direction 12, the traction means Z ' 5 - Z' 12, however, run backwards, but exert a shearing force on the mail piece 42, so that a mail item possibly further hidden behind it is forward would be transported and recognized.
- FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment, in the first of the embodiment FIG. 2 is assumed.
- the upper mail piece 42 is here so heavy or so smooth that it is not properly gripped by the two traction means Z 4 , Z ' 4 , but slips slightly between these two traction means Z 4 , Z' 4 .
- the mail item 42 is not transported at the propulsion speed v 4 , but only at the somewhat slower propulsion speed v 5 of the fifth upper traction mechanism Z 5 .
- the transport speed of the mail piece 42 is monitored by means of the movement speed of the front edge 32 of the mail piece 42 with the aid of the sensor elements 36. From this it recognizes the processing means 22 determines that the leading edge 32 moves with the transport speed v 5 forward, the front part of the postal item 42 is thus not gripped correctly unequivocally by the two traction means Z 4, Z '. 4
- FIG. 13 shows a starting situation analogous to FIG. 2 .
- the propulsion speed of the sixth upper traction means Z 6 is temporarily switched from the freewheeling speed v 4 to a lower propulsion speed v 6 , the freewheeling of the sixth traction means Z 6 is thus canceled out at short notice.
- this traction means Z 6 brings a high frictional torque and thus a greater braking force to the mail piece 42 than only the traction means Z 5 - Z 10 running in the freewheel.
- this postal item 42 is measured, namely on the basis of the sensor elements 36 and additionally on the basis of the free-running pulling elements Z 5 , Z 7 , Z 8 , etc. If it is determined that the postal item 42 is decelerating, this is not yet strong enough in the frontmost one Anlagenstoffpas Z 4 , Z ' 4 gripped and the increased braking torque of the traction means Z 6 is canceled and applied again to a further test on the mail piece 42 after a predetermined waiting time. If it is determined that the postal item 42, despite the increased braking torque unchanged with the correct propulsion speed, in the example of FIG. 13 with v 4 , is transported, so further traction Z 7 , Z 8 , etc.
- the lower traction means Z ' 6 , Z' 7 , Z ' 8 , etc. are switched in a restraint mode by their freewheel canceled and brought an increased braking torque on the overlapping mailpiece 44 and any existing mail, and these can safely from the front Mailing 42 are separated.
- FIGS. 14 and 15 A more detailed embodiment of this method is in FIGS. 14 and 15 shown.
- the length of the mail piece 42 is detected, for example on the basis of the sensor elements 36 or on the basis of the deflection sensors 40 or other sensors.
- the mail piece 42 is divided by the processing means 22 into a front region 52 and a rear region 54 and optionally additionally into a central region 56.
- the mail piece 42 is retracted into the separating means 20, such as for example FIG. 2
- the uncoated propulsion speeds are greater than the coated propulsion speeds.
- FIG. 16 A flowchart of the method is shown in FIG. 16 shown.
- a mail item 42 is transported in the transport function 60 in the separating means 20.
- a thickness of the mailpieces 42, 44 may be considered. Since the thickness of the mailpieces 42, 44 generally corresponds to their weight and thus to their inertia, a thicker mail item 42, 44 must usually be gripped better than a thinner mail item 42, 44. However, inclusion of the thickness described here can also be used be dispensed with, since the test procedure alone is reliable.
- the thickness of the mail piece 42 or of a plurality of mailpieces 42, 44 can therefore optionally be detected by means of the sensors 40 on the basis of the deflection of the lower traction means Z ' 1 - Z' 12 .
- an assignment 62 in which a number of Switzerlandstoffschreiben, between which the mailpiece must be 42, the corresponding mailing thickness is assigned.
- the assignment may look like this, for example: Broadcast thickness [mm] Number of pairs of traction means ⁇ 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 2 4 2 5 2 6 3 7 3 8th 3 9 4 10 4 > 10 5
- the thickness of the mail piece 42 is below 1 mm, then it is sufficient for the mail piece 42 to have been detected by a traction means pair which is downstream of the selected pair of traction means which performs a retention. In the example off FIG. 14 is therefore sufficient if the mail item 42 would be detected by the two traction means Z 9 , Z 9 .
- the mailing thickness is between 5 mm and 6 mm, then the mail item must be covered by at least two traction means pairs located downstream. With a mailing thickness of more than 6 mm, the postal item 42 must be covered by three pairs of pulling means in order to be reliably gripped.
- the retention mode is only then switched on as a test basis and the selected pair of traction means, in the example, off FIG. 14 the traction means the Z 10 and Z '10 , switched to the retention mode.
- the query 64 it is determined whether the postal item 42 has already been detected by at least as many Wergoen as was assigned in the assignment 62 of the shipment thickness. If this is the case, the retention test 66 can take place.
- a gap in front of the mail item 42 has reached at least a minimum size. This query is necessary in order to provide the postal item 42 with a necessary distance to a possibly preceding item of mail, so that at least a minimal gap between the items of mail is set. If the minimum gap or a larger gap exists, then the mail item 42 can be transported further, so that after the corresponding query 68, the transport function 60 is switched over again. If the minimum gap is not reached, the mail item 42 must be braked in any case and it is switched to the restraint test 66.
- a query 70 determines whether the transport speed of the postal item 42 is constant. If this is the case, then it can be switched to the full restraint mode 72.
- the retention mode 42 is maintained for a predetermined period of time or maintained until the mailpiece 42 has left the restrained pair of traction means. If the shipment speed is not constant, that is, the retention test 66 is negative, the process is returned to the transport function 60, and the mailpiece 42 is transported on for a predetermined period of time.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Separation, Sorting, Adjustment, Or Bending Of Sheets To Be Conveyed (AREA)
- Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
- Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)
- De-Stacking Of Articles (AREA)
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Vereinzeln von Gegenständen aus einem Stapel in einen Gegenstandsstrom, bei dem die Gegenstände mit einem Abzugsmittel vom Stapel abgezogen und einander überlappende Gegenstände mit einem Trennmittel voneinander getrennt werden und beidseitig des abgezogenen Gegenstands jeweils mehrere Zugmittel des Trennmittels am Gegenstand angreifen und mit unterschiedlicher Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit in Transportrichtung betrieben werden, wobei Zugmittel, die in Transportrichtung vorne am Gegenstand angreifen, mit einer schnelleren Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit betrieben werden, als Zugmittel, die weiter hinten am Gegenstand angreifen.The invention relates to a method for separating articles from a stack into a stream of articles, wherein the articles are withdrawn from the stack with a take-off means and overlapping objects are separated from each other with a release agent and attack respectively several traction means of the release agent on the object on both sides of the withdrawn article be operated with different propelling speed in the transport direction, traction means which attack the front of the object in the transport direction, are operated at a faster propulsion speed, as traction means which attack further behind the object.
Außerdem betrifft die Erfindung eine Vorrichtung zum Vereinzeln von Gegenständen aus einem Stapel in einen Gegenstandsstrom mit einem Abzugsmittel zum Abziehen der Gegenstände vom Stapel, einem Trennmittel zum Trennen von einander überlappenden Gegenständen und einem Prozessmittel zum Steuern des Vereinzelns, wobei das Trennmittel beidseitig eines im Trennmittel angeordneten Gegenstands jeweils mehrere Zugmittel zum gemeinsamen Angreifen am Gegenstand aufweist und die Zugmittel mit unterschiedlicher Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit in Transportrichtung betreibbar sind und wobei das Prozessmittel dazu vorgesehen ist, Zugmittel, die in Transportrichtung vorne am Gegenstand angreifen, mit einer schnelleren Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit anzusteuern, als Zugmittel, die weiter hinten am Gegenstand angreifen.Moreover, the invention relates to a device for separating objects from a stack into an article stream with a withdrawal means for withdrawing the articles from the stack, a release agent for separating overlapping objects and a process means for controlling the singulation, wherein the release agent arranged on both sides of the release means Each having a plurality of traction means for joint attack on the object and the traction means are operated at different propulsion speed in the transport direction and wherein the processing means is provided to drive traction means which attack the front of the object in the transport direction, with a faster propelling speed, as traction means, the farther back attack the object.
Flache Gegenstände, wie Briefe, Großbriefe, Postkarten, eingeschweißte Zeitschriften und dgl., werden in Briefzentren oder großen Postämtern in sehr großer Zahl nach ihrer Adresse sortiert und in eine Vielzahl von Stapelfächern abgelegt. Zum Sortieren werden die flachen Gegenstände zunächst gestapelt und anschließend aus dem Stapel vereinzelt und in einen Gegenstandsstrom gebracht, in dem die Gegenstände voneinander beabstandet sind und unabhängig voneinander gelenkt werden können.Flat items such as letters, large letters, postcards, shrink-wrapped magazines and the like are sorted in letter centers or large post offices in huge numbers according to their address and stored in a variety of stacking compartments. For sorting, the flat objects are first stacked and then singulated from the stack and into a stream of articles brought in which the objects are spaced apart and can be steered independently of each other.
Eine Vorrichtung zum Vereinzeln von flachen Gegenständen ist aus der
Zum zuverlässigen Zurückhalten von Doppelabzügen ist es aus der
Aus der
Es ist eine Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung zum Vereinzeln von Gegenständen anzugeben, mit denen die Gegenstände schnell und zuverlässig und mit einer geringen Doppelabzugsrate vereinzelt werden können.It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for separating objects, with which the articles can be separated quickly and reliably and at a low double withdrawal rate.
Die auf das Verfahren gerichtete Aufgabe wird durch ein Verfahren der eingangs genannten Art gelöst, bei dem erfindungsgemäss die Zugmittel an einer Seite des Gegenstands jeweils mit einer höheren Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit angesteuert werden als das jeweils gegenüber liegende Zugmittel. Das Zurückhalten eines doppelt abgezogenen Gegenstands muss somit nicht durch statische Rückhalteelemente erfolgen, sondern kann durch angetriebene Zugmittel erfolgen, die beispielsweise einen langsameren Vortrieb, ein Stoppen oder einen Rücktrieb des doppelt abgezogenen Gegenstands veranlassen. Ein Rückhalten von doppelt abgezogenen Gegenständen kann hierdurch gesteuert und sehr effizient und zuverlässig durchgeführt werden. Bei einem Betreiben der Zugmittel beidseitig des abgezogenen Gegenstands jeweils mit unterschiedlicher Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit - an jeder Seite des Gegenstands werden die Zugmittel somit zeitgleich mit einer unterschiedlichen Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit betrieben - kann außerdem ein Zurückhalten in Abhängigkeit von der Position des Gegenstands im Trennmittel gesteuert werden.The object directed to the method is achieved by a method of the type mentioned, in accordance with the invention the traction means are each driven at a higher propulsion speed on one side of the object than the respectively opposite traction means. The retention of a double-peeled object must therefore not be done by static retaining elements, but can be done by driven traction means, for example, cause a slower propulsion, stopping or a return of the double-peeled object. Retention of double-peeled objects can thereby be controlled and performed very efficiently and reliably. When operating the traction means on both sides of the withdrawn article each with different propulsion speed - On each side of the article, the traction means are thus operated at the same time with a different propelling speed - also a retention depending on the position of the object can be controlled in the release agent.
Das Trennen der überlappenden Gegenstände durch das Trennmittel kann während oder nach dem Abziehen der Gegenstände durch das Abzugsmittel erfolgen. Die Zugmittel werden vorzugsweise von einem Prozessmittel mit unterschiedlicher Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit angesteuert, wobei vorteilhafterweise alle Zugmittel individuell angesteuert werden, die Zugmittel also vom Prozessmittel einzeln adressiert werden können. Die Zugmittel sind vorteilhafterweise jeweils paarweise gegenüber am Gegenstand angeordnet und dienen zum Transport des Gegenstands in Transportrichtung. Unter "gegenüber" und "beidseitig des abgezogenen Gegenstands" kann verstanden werden, dass die Zugmittel an z.B. beiden Flachseiten des Gegenstands angeordnet sind, der Gegenstand also zwischen den Zugmitteln angeordnet ist. Die Gegenstände laufen auf einem Transportpfad durch das Trennmittel, wobei die Zugmittel beidseitig des Transportpfads angeordnet sind und hierdurch von beiden Seiten am Gegenstand im Transportpfad angreifen können.The separation of the overlapping objects by the release agent may take place during or after removal of the articles by the withdrawal means. The traction means are preferably controlled by a process means with different propulsion speed, wherein advantageously all traction means are individually controlled, the traction means can thus be addressed individually by the processing means. The traction means are advantageously arranged in pairs opposite the object and serve to transport the article in the transport direction. By "opposite" and "on both sides of the withdrawn article" it can be understood that the traction means are connected to e.g. two flat sides of the object are arranged, the object is thus arranged between the traction means. The objects run on a transport path through the separating means, wherein the traction means are arranged on both sides of the transport path and can thereby attack from both sides of the object in the transport path.
Die Gegenstände können Postgut in jeder Art sein, insbesondere Postsendungen, wie Briefe, Großbriefe, Flats, Zeitschriften, Kataloge, Bücher, Päckchen oder Pakete. Insbesondere sind die Gegenstände flache Gegenstände, deren Dicke 20%, vorzugsweise 10% von deren Höhe nicht übersteigt. Die Höhe bezieht sich auf einen auf einer Längskante stehenden Gegenstand. Das Abzugsmittel weist zweckmäßigerweise ein Abzugselement zum Ziehen an einem abzuziehenden Gegenstand auf, das eine Kraft in Abzugsrichtung auf den Gegenstand aufbringt und diesen so abzieht. Ein Gegenstandsstrom umfasst eine Mehrzahl von hintereinander transportierten und jeweils auf ihrer Längskante stehenden Gegenständen.The items may be postal items of any kind, especially postal items such as letters, large letters, flats, magazines, catalogs, books, parcels or packages. In particular, the articles are flat articles whose thickness does not exceed 20%, preferably 10%, of their height. The height refers to an object standing on a longitudinal edge. The withdrawal means expediently has a trigger element for pulling on an object to be deducted, which applies a force in the withdrawal direction to the object and thus pulls it off. An article stream comprises a plurality of objects transported one behind the other and each standing on its longitudinal edge.
In einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform der Erfindung sind die Zugmittel jeweils paarweise gegenüber am Gegenstand angeordnet. Es können so jeweils zwei Zugmittel eine Kraft und eine Gegenkraft auf den Gegenstand aufbringen und mit einer definierten Geschwindigkeit transportieren. Zweckmäßigerweise sind alle Zugmittel jeweils paarweise angeordnet. Bei einer paarweisen Anordnung sind vorteilhafterweise zwei gleichartige Zugmittel einander gegenüber angeordnet, insbesondere mit einer genau gegenüber an dem Gegenstand angreifenden Auflagefläche.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the Pulling means arranged in pairs opposite to the object. Thus, two traction means each can apply a force and a counter force to the object and transport it at a defined speed. Conveniently, all traction means are arranged in pairs. In a pairwise arrangement advantageously two identical traction means are arranged opposite to each other, in particular with an exactly opposite to the object engaging bearing surface.
Eine feine Abstufung von Geschwindigkeiten bzw. Beschleunigungen der Gegenstände kann erreicht werden, wenn die Zugmittel Rollen zur Anlage an den Gegenständen aufweisen. Es kann auf Riemen verzichtet werden und eine Anlagelinien oder Anlagefläche der Rollen an einem Gegenstand kann klein gehalten werden. Gemäß der Erfindung wird vorgesehen dass solche Zugmittel, die in Transportrichtung vorne am Gegenstand angreifen, also z.B. in Transportrichtung vorne im Transportmittel angeordnet sind, mit einer schnelleren Transportgeschwindigkeit betrieben werden, als solche Zugmittel, die weiter hinten am Gegenstand angreifen, also weiter hinten im Transportmittel angeordnet sind. Hierdurch kann der Gegenstand straff gehalten werden. Außerdem können einander überlappende und versetzte Gegenstände voneinander getrennt werden. Dies kann erreicht werden, weil bei steigender Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit der Zugmittel im Transportpfad ein weiter hinten angeordneter Gegenstand relativ zurückgehalten wird. Vorne und hinten ist in Bezug auf die Transportbewegung eines Gegenstands vom Stapel weg und in den Gegenstandsstrom zu sehen.A fine gradation of speeds or accelerations of the objects can be achieved if the traction means have rollers for bearing against the objects. It can be dispensed with straps and a contact lines or contact surface of the rollers on an object can be kept small. According to the invention, it is provided that such traction means which act in the direction of transport at the front of the object, e.g. are arranged in the transport direction at the front in the means of transport, are operated at a faster transport speed, as such traction means which attack further behind the object, that are arranged further back in the transport. This allows the item to be held tight. In addition, overlapping and staggered objects can be separated from each other. This can be achieved because, with increasing forward speed of the traction means in the transport path, a further rearwardly arranged object is relatively retained. Front and back can be seen in relation to the transport movement of an item away from the stack and into the item stream.
Zweckmäßigerweise ist die Transportgeschwindigkeit im Transportmittel in mehrere verschiedene, vorzugsweise zumindest vier verschiedene Vortriebsgeschwindigkeiten aufgeteilt. Das Zugmittel kann hierbei jeweils ein oder mehrere Zugelemente aufweisen, z.B. Rollen.Conveniently, the transport speed in the transport is divided into several different, preferably at least four different propulsion speeds. The traction means may each have one or more tension elements, eg rollers.
Eine besonders fein abgestufte Geschwindigkeitssteigerung und eine feine Ortsauflösung einer Geschwindigkeitsbestimmung eines Gegenstands kann erreicht werden, wenn die Transportgeschwindigkeit von Zugmittel zu Zugmittel im Transportpfad steigt. Das Steigen ist hierbei in Transportrichtung zu sehen, also generell von hinten nach vorne.A particularly finely graduated speed increase and a fine spatial resolution of a speed determination of an object can be achieved if the transport speed of traction means to traction means in the transport path increases. The climb is to be seen here in the transport direction, ie generally from back to front.
Eine zuverlässige Messung einer Geschwindigkeit eines Gegenstands im Trennmittel kann erreicht werden, wenn solche Zugmittel, die in Transportrichtung vorne am Gegenstand angreifen, mit einem höheren Reibmoment am Gegenstand angreifen, als solche Zugmittel, die weiter hinten am Gegenstand angreifen. Hierdurch werden die Gegenstände vorne am stärksten gegriffen und durch das Trennmittel gezogen. Ein steigendes Reibmoment kann durch einen steigenden Druck realisiert werden, mit dem die Zugmittel am Gegenstand andrücken.A reliable measurement of a speed of an object in the release agent can be achieved if such traction means, which act on the object in the transport direction at the front, engage the object with a higher frictional torque than traction means which engage further behind the object. As a result, the objects are gripped the strongest at the front and pulled through the release agent. An increasing frictional torque can be realized by an increasing pressure with which the traction means press on the object.
Vorteilhafterweise steigt das Reibmoment in mehreren verschiedenen, vorzugsweise zumindest vier verschiedenen Momentstufen im Transportpfad, zweckmäßigerweise von Zugmittel zu Zugmittel.Advantageously, the friction torque increases in several different, preferably at least four different torque levels in the transport path, expediently from traction means to traction means.
Ein Transport von Gegenständen mit einer definierten Transportgeschwindigkeit bei unterschiedlichen Vortriebsgeschwindigkeiten der Zugmittel kann erreicht werden, wenn am Gegenstand angreifende Zugmittel vom Gegenstand in einem Freilauf gezogen werden. So kann ein vorne am Gegenstand angreifendes und am schnellsten laufendes Zugmittelpaar die Transportgeschwindigkeit des Gegenstands bestimmen und weiter hinten angeordnete und langsamer angetriebene Transportmittelpaare können in einem Freilauf laufen und so den Gegenstand mit nur einer geringen Kraft zurückhalten, so dass das vorderste Zugmittelpaar nicht oder nur sehr wenig am Gegenstand rutscht.A transport of objects with a defined transport speed at different speeds propulsion of the traction means can be achieved when the traction means attacking the object are pulled by the object in a freewheel. Thus, a front of the object attacking and fastest running Zugmittelpaar determine the transport speed of the article and further back arranged and slower driven transport pairs can run in a freewheel and so hold the object with only a small force, so that the foremost Zugmittelpaar not or only very Slipping little on the object.
Hierbei sind zumindest alle solchen Zugmittel, die hinter einem jeweils am Gegenstand vordersten Zugmittel angeordnet sind, in einem Freilauf betreibbar, bei dem sie mit dem schneller als ihre Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit transportierten Gegenstand mitlaufen. Zum Vergrößern eines antreibenden Reibmoments können jeweils zwei hintereinander angeordnete Zugmittel mit der gleichen Geschwindigkeit angetrieben sein, so dass auch viele nachgeordnete Zugmittel im Freilauf gezogen werden können, ohne dass der Gegenstand an den vordersten beiden Zugmitteln rutscht.Here are at least all such traction means, which are arranged behind a respective foremost on the object traction means operable in a freewheel, in which they transported with the faster than their propulsion speed Follow the object. To increase a driving friction torque in each case two successively arranged traction means can be driven at the same speed, so that many downstream traction means can be freewheeled without the object slips on the foremost two traction means.
Vorteilhafterweise übertragen am Gegenstand angreifende und im Freilauf laufende Zugmittel eine geringere Kraft auf den Gegenstand als sie bei einem Vortrieb auf den Gegenstand übertragen. Hierdurch kann erreicht werden, dass ein Zugmittel bzw. ein Zugmittelpaar beim Aufbringen eines Vortriebs eine hohe Kraft auf den Gegenstand aufbringt und anschließend - wenn der Gegenstand von einem weiter vorne liegenden Zugmittel noch schneller transportiert wird - mit einer geringen Kraft leicht nachlaufen kann, ohne den Gegenstand stark zurückzuhalten.Advantageously transmitted to the subject attacking and running in the freewheel traction means a lower force on the object as they transmit in a propulsion of the object. In this way it can be achieved that a traction means or a Zugmittelpaar applying a propulsion a high force applied to the object and then - if the object is transported even faster from a traction means located further forward - can easily run with a small force, without the Strongly restrain the subject.
Bei im Freilauf laufenden Zugmitteln kann ein Vortrieb abgeschaltet werden. Dies erfordert jedoch einen gewissen Steuerungsaufwand. Dieser kann vermieden werden, wenn am Gegenstand angreifende und im Freilauf laufende Zugmittel weiter mit einer Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit angesteuert werden. Die Ansteuerung mit der langsameren Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit stört das Ziehen im schnelleren Freilauf nicht, so dass auf eine Unterbrechung der Steuerung des Vortriebs verzichtet werden kann. Der Freilauf ist somit bei gleichzeitigem Vortrieb betreibbar, wenn der angegriffene Gegenstand schneller läuft - die Laufgeschwindigkeit also höher ist - als der Vortrieb.When running in the freewheeling traction means a propulsion can be switched off. However, this requires a certain amount of control. This can be avoided if on the object attacking and running in the freewheeling traction means are further controlled with a propulsion speed. The control with the slower propulsion speed does not disturb the pulling in the faster freewheel, so that can be dispensed with an interruption of the control of the propulsion. The freewheel is thus operable with simultaneous propulsion, when the attacked item runs faster - the running speed is thus higher - than the propulsion.
Werden die Zugmittel erfindungsgemäß an einer Seite des Gegenstands jeweils mit einer höheren Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit angesteuert als das jeweils gegenüberliegende Zugmittel, so entsteht eine Scherkraft am Gegenstand. Zwei einander überlappende Gegenstände werden hierdurch aneinander entlang geschoben und getrennt.If, according to the invention, the traction means are each driven at a higher propulsion speed on one side of the object than the respectively opposite traction means, a shearing force is produced on the object. Two overlapping objects are thereby pushed together and separated.
Beim Vereinzeln von Postsendungen kann es vorkommen, dass zwei oder mehr Postsendungen beim Vereinzeln aneinander verhaken und durch eine Scherkraft in eine Richtung nicht getrennt werden können. Kann der Geschwindigkeitsunterschied umgeschaltet werden, so dass zuvor schneller betriebene Zugmittel nun jeweils langsamer betrieben werden als das jeweils gegenüber liegende Zugmittel, so kann eine Verhakung gelöst und zuvor aneinander verhakte Postsendungen dennoch getrennt werden.When separating mailpieces, it may happen that two or more mailpieces catch on each other during separation and can not be separated by a shearing force in one direction. If the speed difference can be switched so that traction means operated earlier at a faster rate are now each operated more slowly than the respectively opposite traction means, then a hooking can be released and previously mutually entangled items of mail nevertheless be separated.
Eine vorteilhafte Weiterbildung der Erfindung sieht vor, dass Geschwindigkeitssensoren vorhanden sind, die die Laufgeschwindigkeit der Zugmittel erfassen. Anhand der Laufgeschwindigkeit kann ermittelt werden, wie schnell ein Gegenstand durch das Trennmittel transportiert wird. Durch eine von Zugmittel zu Zugmittel ortsaufgelöste Geschwindigkeitserfassung kann der Standort eines Gegenstands im Trennmittel bestimmt werden. Außerdem kann durch eine solche Geschwindigkeitserfassung erkannt werden, wenn zwei einander überlappende Gegenstände im Trennmittel angeordnet sind.An advantageous development of the invention provides that speed sensors are present, which detect the running speed of the traction means. Based on the running speed can be determined how fast an object is transported through the release agent. The location of an object in the separating means can be determined by a speed detection spatially resolved from traction means to traction means. In addition, can be detected by such a speed detection, when two overlapping objects are arranged in the release agent.
Die Laufgeschwindigkeit der Zugmittel ist deren momentane Bewegungsgeschwindigkeit bzw. Rotationsgeschwindigkeit. Die Geschwindigkeitssensoren, die zum Erfassen der Geschwindigkeit der Zugmittel vorgesehen sind, können Bestandteil der Zugmittel sein, beispielsweise Servomotoren, deren Geschwindigkeit abgetastet wird, oder von den Zugmitteln separat sein.The running speed of the traction means is their instantaneous speed of movement or rotational speed. The speed sensors, which are provided for detecting the speed of the traction means, may be part of the traction means, for example servomotors whose speed is sensed, or be separate from the traction means.
Wird eine Vorderkante und eine Hinterkante eines Gegenstands im Trennmittel mit Hilfe eines Sensors erkannt, insbesondere eines optischen Sensors, so kann dessen Länge bestimmt werden. Wächst die erkannte Länge an, so kann darauf geschlossen werden, dass zwei Gegenstände, die zunächst als ein Gegentand erfasst werden, gegeneinander verschoben werden. Hierdurch kann die Anwesenheit von zwei überlappenden Gegenständen im Trennmittel erkannt werden. Der Sensor kann eine Sensorzeile sein mit einer Vielzahl entlang des Transportpfads angeordneten Sensorelementen. Der Sensor kann mit elektromagnetischer Strahlung im sichtbaren oder unsichtbaren Bereich oder mit Ultraschall betrieben werden oder auf andere Weise, z.B. kapazitiv oder durch Abtasten, arbeiten.If a front edge and a rear edge of an object are detected in the separating means with the aid of a sensor, in particular an optical sensor, its length can be determined. If the recognized length grows, it can be concluded that two objects, which are initially detected as a Gegentand, are shifted against each other. As a result, the presence of two overlapping objects can be detected in the release agent. The sensor may be a sensor line having a plurality of sensor elements arranged along the transport path. The sensor can be with electromagnetic Radiation in the visible or invisible area or be operated with ultrasound or otherwise work, eg capacitive or by scanning.
Weiter wird vorgeschlagen, dass eine Transportgeschwindigkeit eines Gegenstands im Trennmittel mit Hilfe des optischen Sensors bestimmt wird. Hierdurch kann eine Istgeschwindigkeit des Gegenstands mit hoher Zuverlässigkeit erkannt werden.It is further proposed that a transport speed of an object in the separating means is determined with the aid of the optical sensor. As a result, an actual speed of the object can be detected with high reliability.
Ein Schlupf eines Gegenstands an einem Zugmittel kann erkannt werden, wenn eine mittels des optischen Sensors festgestellte Geschwindigkeit des Gegenstands mit der Laufgeschwindigkeit der Zugmittel verglichen wird.Slippage of an object on a traction means can be detected when a detected by the optical sensor speed of the object is compared with the running speed of the traction means.
In einer weiteren Erfindungsvariante wird vorgeschlagen, dass die Länge eines Gegenstands, der im Trennmittel oder noch davor angeordnet ist, erfasst wird. Hierdurch kann bestimmt werden, wie viele Zugmittel am Gegenstand angreifen oder angreifen werden und welche Kräfte auf ihn aufgebracht werden. Außerdem kann bestimmt werden, wie viele Zugmittel am Gegenstand zweckmäßigerweise angreifen, um ihn zuverlässig mit der Geschwindigkeit der angreifenden Zugmittel zu transportieren, ohne dass der Gegenstand an den Zugmitteln entlang rutscht. Vorteilhafterweise wird ein Gegenstand in zumindest einen vorderen und einen dahinter liegenden Bereich aufgeteilt und Zugmittel einer Seite werden in einen Rückhaltemodus geschaltet, sobald der hintere Bereich eine vorgesehene Position im Trennmittel erreicht hat. Hierdurch kann eine abstreifende Kraft am Gegenstand zum Abstreifen eines überlappenden Gegenstands erhöht werden, wenn der zu transportierende Gegenstand bereits genügend vom Trennmittel erfasst wurde und somit sicher weiter transportiert wird.In a further variant of the invention it is proposed that the length of an object which is arranged in the release agent or even before it is detected. In this way it can be determined how many traction means will attack or attack the object and which forces will be applied to it. In addition, it can be determined how many traction means on the object expediently attack, in order to reliably transport it with the speed of the attacking traction means, without the object slipping along the traction means. Advantageously, an article is divided into at least one front and one behind it, and traction means of one side are switched to a restraint mode as soon as the rear region has reached an intended position in the separating means. In this way, a stripping force on the object for stripping an overlapping object can be increased if the object to be transported has already been adequately captured by the release agent and thus safely transported on.
Das Umschalten in einen Rückhaltemodus kann geschehen, indem Zugmittel einer Seite relativ zum jeweils gegenüberliegenden Zugmittel abgebremst werden oder rückwärts laufen.Switching into a restraint mode can be done by braking means of a side relative to the respective opposite traction means are braked or run backwards.
Vorteilhafterweise geschieht das Aufteilen in den vorderen und den hinteren Bereich in Abhängigkeit von einer Gegenstandseigenschaft. Hierdurch kann das Bestimmen eines zuverlässigen Ergreifens des Gegenstands von dessen Länge, Dicke, Geschwindigkeit oder einer anderen Größe abhängig gemacht werden.Advantageously, the splitting is done in the front and the rear area depending on an object characteristic. Thereby, the determination of a reliable gripping of the object can be made dependent on its length, thickness, speed or another size.
Vor dem Umschalten in den Rückhaltemodus wird zweckmäßigerweise eine Prüfung durchgeführt, ob der Gegenstand von einem oder mehreren Zugmitteln, die nicht zum Umschalten in den Rückhaltemodus vorgesehen sind, bereits sicher gegriffen wurde. Dies kann beispielsweise dadurch geschehen, dass eine Beschleunigung des Gegenstands erfasst wird und ein Umschalten in den Rückhaltemodus von der Beschleunigung des Gegenstands abhängig gemacht wird. So kann beispielsweise der Gegenstand in einen vorderen, mittleren und einen hinteren Bereich eingeteilt werden und ein Zugmittel, das im mittleren Bereich angeordnet ist, kann zu einem Rückhalten umgeschaltet werden. Wenn durch dieses Rückhalten keine oder wenig Verzögerung des Gegenstands verursacht wird, kann das und/oder weitere Zugmittel in den Rückhaltemodus geschaltet werden.Before switching to the restraint mode, it is expedient to carry out a check as to whether the object has already been gripped securely by one or more traction means which are not intended for switching to the restraint mode. This can be done, for example, by detecting an acceleration of the object and making a switch to the restraint mode dependent on the acceleration of the object. For example, the article may be divided into front, middle and rear regions, and traction means located in the central region may be switched to restraint. If no or little delay of the object is caused by this retention, the and / or further traction means can be switched to the retention mode.
Die auf die Vorrichtung gerichtete Aufgabe wird durch eine Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art gelöst, bei der das Prozessmittel erfindungsgemäß dazu vorgesehen ist, die Zugmittel an einer Seite des Gegenstands jeweils mit einer höheren Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit anzusteuern als das jeweils gegenüber liegende Zugmittel. Die Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit wird zweckmäßigerweise vom Prozessmittel angesteuert, das hierfür zum Ansteuern der Zugmittel mit jeweils unterschiedlicher Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit vorgesehen ist.The object directed to the device is achieved by a device of the aforementioned type, in which the process means according to the invention is provided to drive the traction means on one side of the article each with a higher propulsion speed than the respectively opposite traction means. The propulsion speed is expediently controlled by the process means, which is provided for this purpose for controlling the traction means, each with a different propulsion speed.
Vorteilhafterweise umfassen die Zugmittel jeweils einen eigenen Antrieb und sind einzeln von dem Prozessmittel ansteuerbar.Advantageously, the traction means each have their own drive and are individually controllable by the process means.
Die Zugmittel umfassen vorteilhafterweise Servomotoren, die einerseits zum Aufbringen der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit auf die Zugmittel vorgesehen sind und deren Laufgeschwindigkeit abgegriffen werden kann, so dass hierdurch die Laufgeschwindigkeit der einzelnen Zugmittel erfasst werden kann. Die Laufgeschwindigkeit kann vorteilhafterweise auch dann erfasst werden, wenn die Laufgeschwindigkeit höher ist als die Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit.The traction means advantageously comprise servomotors, which are provided on the one hand for applying the propulsion speed to the traction means and their running speed can be tapped, so that in this way the running speed of the individual traction means can be detected. The running speed can be advantageously detected even when the running speed is higher than the driving speed.
Die Erfindung wird anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert, die in den Zeichnungen dargestellt sind.The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings.
Es zeigen:
- FIG 1
- eine Vorrichtung zum Vereinzeln von Postsendungen mit einem Trennmittel,
das 24 Zugmittel und eine Sensorzeile umfasst, - FIG 2
- eine Funktionsdarstellung des Trennmittels mit zwei überlappenden Postsendungen,
- FIG 3
- die Funktionsdarstellung mit den beiden Postsendungen voneinander getrennt,
- FIG 4
bis 6 - einen Ablauf zum Trennen von drei einander überlappenden Postsendungen,
- FIG 7
- das Trennen von drei anders aneinander hängenden Postsendungen,
- FIG 8 bis 11
- das Trennen von zwei aneinander verhakten Postsendungen,
- FIG 12
- das Erkennen von Schlupf einer Postsendung relativ zum vordersten Transportmittel,
- FIG 13
- ein verstärktes Rückhalten einer hinteren überlappenden Postsendung,
- FIG 14 bis 15
- das Einteilen einer Postsendung in drei Bereiche und das Umschalten von hinteren Zugmitteln in einen Rückhaltemodus und
- FIG 16
- ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Vereinzeln von Postsendungen.
- FIG. 1
- a device for separating mailpieces with a release agent which comprises 24 traction means and one sensor row,
- FIG. 2
- a functional representation of the release agent with two overlapping mailpieces,
- FIG. 3
- the functional representation with the two postal items separated from each other,
- FIGS. 4 to 6
- a process of separating three overlapping mailpieces,
- FIG. 7
- the separation of three differently spaced postal items,
- FIGS. 8 to 11
- the separation of two entangled postal items,
- FIG. 12
- the detection of slippage of a mail item relative to the foremost means of transport,
- FIG. 13
- an increased retention of a rear overlapping mail piece,
- FIGS. 14 to 15
- the division of a mail item into three areas and the switching of rear traction means into a retention mode and
- FIG. 16
- a flowchart of a method for separating mailpieces.
Die Vorrichtung 2 umfasst ein Abzugsmittel 14 mit einem umlaufenden Riemen 16 und einem Saugsystem 18 zum Ansaugen der Gegenstände 4 an den Riemen 16. Vom Riemen 16 wird der jeweils anliegende Gegenstand in Transportrichtung 12 zu einem Trennmittel 20 der Vorrichtung 2 transportiert, das - wie auch das Abzugsmittel 14 - von einem Prozessmittel 22 angesteuert wird. Das Prozessmittel 22 kann eine elektronische Datenverarbeitungsanlage umfassen und ist zur Durchführung einzelner oder aller beschriebenen Verfahrensschritte durch ein oder mehrere entsprechende Datenverarbeitungsprogramme vorbereitet.The
Das Trennmittel 20 umfasst 24 jeweils paarweise gegenüber angeordnete Zugmittel 24, die jeweils eine Rolle 26 zur direkten Anlage an einen im Trennmittel 20 angeordneten Gegenstand 4 aufweisen. Die Zugmittel 24 werden jeweils von einem Servomotor angetrieben, der als Geschwindigkeitssensor 28 verwendet werden kann und dessen Messsignal vom Prozessmittel 22 ausgelesen wird.The separating means 20 comprises 24 pulling
Außerdem umfasst das Trennmittel 20 einen Sensor 30 zum Erfassen einer Vorderkante 32 und einer Hinterkante 34 eines im Trennmittel 20 angeordneten Gegenstands 4. Der Sensor 30 ist aus einer Vielzahl von Sensorelementen 36 aufgebaut, die entlang eines Transportpfads 38 durch das Trennmittel 20 angeordnet sind. Die optischen Sensorelemente 36 sind hierbei relativ zu den Zugmitteln 24 so positioniert, dass ihr Messstrahl an den Zugmitteln 24 vorbeiführt, beispielsweise indem sie über oder unter ihnen angeordnet sind.In addition, the separating means 20 comprises a
Außerdem kann das Trennmittel 20 Sensoren 40 zum Messen einer Auslenkung der Zugmittel 24 aus einer Ruhelage umfassen, so dass aus der Auslenkung der Zugmittel 24 aus ihrer Ruhelage eine Dicke der Gegenstände 4 abgeschätzt werden kann. Hierbei sind beispielsweise die in
Die 24 Zugmittel 24 sind in der Weise angeordnet, dass die Hälfte der Zugmittel 24 an der einen Seite des Transportpfads 38 und die andere Hälfte der Zugmittel 24 auf der anderen Seite des Transportpfads 38 angeordnet sind. Es sind somit - wie in
Die Zugmittel Z1 - Z'12 sind vom Prozessmittel 22 so angesteuert, dass das vorderste obere Zugmittel Z1 mit der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v1 angetrieben wird, das nachfolgende Zugmittel Z2 mit der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v2, das dritte Zugmittel Z3 mit der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v3 usw. bis zum letzten Zugmittel Z12, das mit der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v12 angetrieben ist. Die Zugmittel Z'1 - Z'12 der unteren Reihe sind in analoger Weise angetrieben, nämlich das vorderste Zugmittel Z'1 mit der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v'1 usw. bis zum letzten Zugmittel Z'12 mit der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v'12. Die Größen der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeiten v1 bis v'12 stehen wie folgt in Relation:
v1 > v2 > v3 > ... > v12,
v'1 > v'2 > v' 3 .> ... > v'12,
v1 > v'1, v2 > v'2, ..., v12 > v'12.
The traction means Z 1 - Z '12 are controlled by the processing means 22, that the foremost upper traction means Z 1 is driven at the propulsion speed v 1 , the following traction means Z 2 at the propulsion speed v 2 , the third traction means Z 3 at the propulsion speed v 3 , etc. up to the last traction means Z 12 , which is at the propulsion speed v 12 is driven. The traction means Z ' 1 - Z' 12 of the lower row are driven in an analogous manner, namely the foremost pulling means Z ' 1 with the driving speed v' 1 and so on until the last pulling means Z '12 with the driving speed v' 12 . The sizes of the advancing speeds v 1 to v '12 are related as follows:
v 1 > v 2 > v 3 >...> v 12 ,
v ' 1 >v' 2 > v ' 3. >...>v' 12 ,
v 1 > v ' 1 , v 2 >v' 2 , ..., v 12 > v '12 .
Außerdem sind die unteren Zugmittel Z'1 - Z'12 mit unterschiedlichem Federdruck in Richtung zu den Postsendungen 42, 44 gedrückt, so dass das Reibmoment der Postsendungen 42, 44 zwischen dem ersten, vordersten Paar von Zugmitteln Z1, Z'1 größer ist als das Reibmoment der Postsendungen 42, 44 zu dem nächst dahinter liegenden Paar von Zugmitteln Z2, Z'2, usw., bis zum letzten Paar von Zugmitteln Z12, Z'12, zwischen denen die Postsendungen 42, 44 mit dem geringsten Reibmoment geführt sind.In addition, the lower traction means Z ' 1 - Z' 12 are pressed with different spring pressure in the direction of the
Bei der in
Hierdurch wird der Postsendung 42 durch das Zugmittel Z'4 eine kleine Scherkraft aufgeprägt, die die Unterseite der Postsendung 42 etwas nach hinten schiebt. Diese Scherkraft ist jedoch gering, da der Freilaufwiderstand des Zugmittels Z'4 erheblich geringer ist als das Reibmoment, mit dem es einen Vortrieb der Postsendung 42 bewirken würde. In gleicher Weise werden die Zugmittel Z5 und Z'5 mitgezogen, so dass auch sie im Freilauf mit der Laufgeschwindigkeit v4 laufen.As a result, the
Bei dem nächstfolgenden Paar von Zugmitteln Z6, Z'6 wird das obere Zugmittel Z6 ebenfalls mit der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v4 des vierten Zugmittels Z4 mitgezogen und läuft mit. Das gegenüberliegende Zugmittel Z'6 läuft jedoch langsamer, da alle in Freilauf laufenden Zugmittel Z'4 - Z'12 eine Rückhaltekraft auf die untere Postsendung 44 ausüben und diese bremsen. Die Geschwindigkeit, mit der die Postsendung 44 in Transportrichtung 12 transportiert wird, ist somit die Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v'6 des Zugmittels Z'6, das die Postsendung 44 nach vorne zieht. Die weiter hinten angeordneten Zugmittel Z'7 - Z'12 laufen wiederum im Freilauf mit der Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v'6 mit, die für sie die Laufgeschwindigkeit ist.In the next pair of traction means Z 6 , Z ' 6 , the upper traction means Z 6 is also pulled along with the propulsion speed v 4 of the fourth traction means Z 4 and runs along. The opposite traction means Z '6, however, is slower because all running in free running pulling means Z' 4 - Z '12 exert a retaining force on the
Bei diesen Zugmitteln Z'7 - Z'12 unterscheidet sich also die Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v'7 bis v'12 von der momentan anliegenden Freilaufgeschwindigkeit v'6. Die jeweils momentan anliegende Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit oder Freilaufgeschwindigkeit aller Zugmittel Z1 - Z'12 wird in den entsprechenden Geschwindigkeitssensoren 28 des Trennmittels 20 bzw. der Zugmittel Z1 - Z'12 gemessen und vom Prozessmittel 22 erfasst.In these traction means Z '7 - Z' 12, therefore, the forward speed v 'differs 7 to v' 12 of the adjacent free currently running speed v '. 6 The respectively present driving speed or freewheeling speed of all traction means Z 1 -Z '12 is measured in the
Durch die unterschiedlichen Geschwindigkeiten, die an den Zugmitteln Z1 bis Z'12 anliegen, erfasst das Prozessmittel 22, dass an den oberen Zugmitteln Z4 - Z10 eine erste Postsendung 42 und an den unteren Zugmitteln Z'6 bis Z'12 eine zweite Postsendung 44 anliegt. Da es sich um überlappende Postsendungen 42, 44 handelt, wird vom Prozessmittel 22 erkannt, dass eine der Postsendungen 42, 44 zurückgehalten werden muss, um diese voneinander zu trennen. Da die zurückzuhaltende der Postsendungen 42, 44 zweckmäßigerweise die weiter hinten angeordnete Postsendung 44 ist, veranlasst das Prozessmittel 22 beispielsweise das Stoppen der Zugmittel Z'6 - Z'12.Due to the different speeds at the tension means Z 1 to Z 'rest 12, the processing means 22 detects that the upper pulling means Z 4 - Z 10, a
Dieser Zustand ist in
Hierbei sind allerdings die oberen Zugmittel Z6 - Z12 mit ihrer Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit ebenfalls auf Null eingestellt, so dass die hintere Postsendung 44 in ihrer Position gehalten bleibt. Die vordere Postsendung 42 wird nach vorne abtransportiert. Hierbei entsteht irgendwann zwischen diesen beiden Postsendungen 42, 44 eine Lücke, die durch mindestens einen der Sensorelemente 36 erkannt wird, wie in
Wenn über der vorderen Postsendung 42 alle Geschwindigkeiten der Zugmittel Z1 - Z'4 als identisch festgestellt werden, so wird die Postsendung 42 vom Prozessmittel 22 als gesichert einzeln kategorisiert und abtransportiert. Die nachfolgende Postsendung 44 kann sofort zum Weitertransport gestartet werden. Allerdings muss die Lücke zwischen den Postsendungen 42, 44 eine Mindestgröße erreichen. Die Länge der Lücke erfasst das Prozessmittel 22 mit Hilfe der Sensorelemente 36. Ist die Hinterkante 34 genügend weit vorne und die Lücke genügend groß, so werden die Zugmittel Z6 bis Z'12 angetrieben und die hintere Postsendung 44 in Transportrichtung 12 transportiert, mit wachsender Transportgeschwindigkeit und ständigen Scherkräften zwischen der Oberseite und der Unterseite der Postsendung 44.If all speeds of the traction means Z 1 -Z ' 4 are found to be identical over the front
Ebenfalls möglich ist es, die zweite Postsendung 44 sofort mit der gleichen Geschwindigkeit, also v1, zu bewegen, verbunden mit den durch den Freilauf verbundenen Scherkräften. Auf diese Weise kann ein hoher Durchsatz durch das Trennmittel 20 erreicht werden. Der Durchsatz kann weiter gesteigert werden, wenn die entstandene Lücke zwischen den Postsendungen 42, 44 bis auf eine Minimallücke verkleinert wird. Dies kann geschehen durch einen Transport der hinteren Postsendung 44 mit einer Geschwindigkeit v, die höher ist als die Geschwindigkeit v1, mit der die vordere Postsendung 42 abtransportiert wird, so lange, bis die Lücke auf Minimalgröße zugezogen ist. Die Größe der Lücke wird durch den Sensor 30 überwacht.It is also possible to immediately move the second
Bei dem in
Wie in
Schließlich wird eine Lücke zwischen den Postsendungen 42, 44 erkannt, wie in
Hieraus kann das Prozessmittel 22 anhand der Messergebnisse feststellen, dass es sich um zwei Postsendungen 44, 48 im Trennmittel 20 handelt. Zunächst einmal bewegen sich die beiden Postsendungen 44, 48 mit unterschiedlicher Geschwindigkeit durch das Trennmittel 20, wie zu
Als Drittes besteht die Möglichkeit, mit Hilfe der Sensorelemente 36 die Geschwindigkeit der Hinterkante 34 zu bestimmen und diese mit der schnellsten Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit zu vergleichen. Ist die Geschwindigkeit der Hinterkante 34 kleiner als die schnellste Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit, muss es sich um zwei verschiedene einander überlappende Postsendungen 44, 48 handeln.Third, there is the possibility of using the
Als Viertes erkennt das Prozessmittel 22, dass bei einer Stellung der Postsendungen 44, 48, wie in
Nun verfährt das Prozessmittel 22 wie zu
Bei dem in
Das Prozessmittel 22 veranlasst nun, dass auch die unteren Zugmittel Z'5 - Z'7 gestoppt werden, so dass auch die untere Postsendung 48 angehalten wird. Ist die Postsendung 42 abtransportiert, so werden die sechs Zugmittel Z5 - Z'7 mit ihren entsprechenden Vortriebsgeschwindigkeiten v5 - v'7 angetrieben und hierdurch die Postsendung 48 allein weiter nach vorne transportiert, versehen mit einer Scherkraft, um eventuell eine weitere unerkannte Postsendung zu identifizieren.The process means 22 now causes that the lower traction means Z ' 5 - Z' 7 are stopped, so that the
Besonders schwer ist das Trennen von Postsendungen 42, 44, wenn diese formschlüssig ineinander verhakt sind. Ein solches Beispiel ist anhand der FIGen 8 - 11 dargestellt. Zunächst werden die beiden Postsendungen 42, 44 in das Trennmittel 20 eintransportiert, ohne dass das Vorliegen von zwei getrennten Postsendungen 42, 44 erkennbar wäre, wie in
Auch bei der in
Gesetzt den Fall, dass die beiden Postsendungen 42, 44 mit ihrer Vorderkante 32 auf gleicher Höhe sind - was in
Bei dem in
Zusätzlich zu dem Umschalten von den gestrichenen in die ungestrichenen Geschwindigkeiten und umgekehrt, steuert das Prozessmittel 22 daher die unteren Zugmittel Z'4 - Z'10 nacheinander kurzzeitig mit einer besonders schnellen Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit vS an. Hierbei wird zunächst das Zugmittel Z'4 mit dieser hohen Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit vS angetrieben, so dass das ganze Paket aus den beiden Postsendungen 42, 44 mit dieser hohen Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit vS transportiert wird. Auf diesen Schritt kann allerdings verzichtet werden, da er nur wirksam wäre, wenn beide Postsendungen 42, 44 zwischen dem vierten Paar von Zugmitteln Z4, Z'4 eingeklemmt wären. In diesem Fall würde bereits ein Umschalten von den gestrichenen in die ungestrichenen Vortriebsgeschwindigkeiten und umgekehrt ausreichen.In addition to switching from the primed to the uncoated velocities and vice versa, the process means 22 therefore controls the lower traction means Z ' 4 - Z' 10 successively for a short time with a particularly fast propulsion speed v S. Here, first, the traction means Z ' 4 is driven with this high propulsion speed v S , so that the whole package from the two
Daher kann damit begonnen werden, dass erst das nächstfolgende Zugmittel Z'5 mit der hohen Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit vS angetrieben wird. Diese ist höher als die Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v4, so dass die untere Postsendung 44 relativ zu der oberen Postsendung 42 nach vorne bewegt und hierdurch die Verhakung 50 gelöst wird, wie in
Ebenfalls denkbar wäre, zum Lösen der Verhakung 50 die oberen Zugmittel Z1 - Z12 zu stoppen und nur die unteren Zugmittel Z'5 - Z'10 anzutreiben. Auch hierdurch würde das Vorliegen der beiden verhakten Postsendungen 42, 44 erkannt werden können.It would also be conceivable, for releasing the
Nach dem Erkennen der verhakten unteren Postsendung 44 kann diese alleine nach vorne abtransportiert werden. Die obere Postsendung 42 kann hierzu gestoppt werden. Allerdings ist die obere Postsendung 42 bereits so weit vorne im Trennmittel 20, dass bei einem Abtransport der unteren Postsendung 44 nach vorne nicht mehr geprüft werden kann, ob nicht mit dieser Postsendung 44 noch eine weitere Postsendung doppelt abgezogen ist. Die obere Postsendung 42 wird daher noch mit einer langsamen Geschwindigkeit -v13 nach hinten verfahren, wie in
Die untere Postsendung 44 wird nach vorne abtransportiert, wobei durch die unterschiedlichen Vortriebsgeschwindigkeiten der Zugmittel Z1 - Z'3 die beispielsweise zu
Bei dieser Situation ist es allein aus den Geschwindigkeiten der oberen Zugmittel Z1 - Z12 nicht möglich zu erkennen, ob die Postsendung 42 vorne nur nicht richtig gegriffen wurde, oder ob eine weitere Postsendung oberhalb der Postsendung 42 und überlappend mit dieser im Trennmittel 20 angeordnet ist, so dass das Zugmittel Z4 die Postsendung 42 greift und das Zugmittel Z5 die weitere überlappende Postsendung, die dann mit der langsameren Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit v5 transportiert werden würde.In this situation, it is not possible to detect from the speeds of the upper traction means Z 1 -Z 12 alone whether the
Allerdings wird die Transportgeschwindigkeit der Postsendung 42 anhand der Bewegungsgeschwindigkeit der Vorderkante 32 der Postsendung 42 mit Hilfe der Sensorelemente 36 überwacht. Hieraus erkennt das Prozessmittel 22, dass die Vorderkante 32 sich nur mit der Transportgeschwindigkeit v5 nach vorne bewegt, der vordere Teil der Postsendung 42 somit zweifelsfrei von den beiden Zugmitteln Z4, Z'4 nicht richtig gegriffen wird.However, the transport speed of the
In einem solchen Falle können jeweils zwei Zugmittel an jeder Seite der Postsendungen 42, 44 auf die gleiche Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit geschaltet werden, wie in
Im weiteren Verlauf kann nun verfahren werden wie zu
Ein Verfahren zur Kontrolle, ob eine Postsendung 42 von Zugmitteln richtig gegriffen wird, ist anhand der FIGen 13 - 16 dargestellt.
Gleichzeitig wird die Transportgeschwindigkeit dieser Postsendung 42 gemessen, nämlich anhand der Sensorelemente 36 und zusätzlich anhand der freilaufenden Zugelemente Z5, Z7, Z8, usw. Wird festgestellt, dass die Postsendung 42 abbremst, so ist diese noch nicht fest genug in dem vordersten Zugmittelpaar Z4, Z'4 gegriffen und das erhöhte Bremsmoment des Zugmittels Z6 wird aufgehoben und nach einer vorgegebenen Wartezeit erneut zu einem weiteren Test auf die Postsendung 42 aufgebracht. Wird festgestellt, dass die Postsendung 42 trotz des erhöhten Bremsmoments unverändert mit der korrekten Vortriebsgeschwindigkeit, im Beispiel aus
Ein ausführlicheres Ausführungsbeispiel dieses Verfahrens ist in
Erreicht der hintere Bereich 54 ein vorher festgelegtes Zugmittelpaar, beispielsweise die Zugmittel Z10, Z'10, so wird dieses Zugmittelpaar - und ggf. zusätzlich weiter hinten angeordnete Zugmittelpaare - auf Rückhaltefunktion umgeschaltet, ihr Freilauf wird also aufgehoben und es wird ein erhöhtes Rückhaltemoment auf die Postsendung 42 aufgebracht zum Trennen von eventuell weiteren und überlappenden Postsendungen.Reached the rear portion 54 a predetermined Zugmittelpaar, for example, the traction means Z 10 , Z '10 , then this Zugmittelpaar - and optionally additionally further rear Zugmittelpaare - switched to restraint function, their freewheel is thus canceled and it is an increased retention torque the
In dem weiteren und verfeinerten Verfahren mit dem optionalen mittleren Bereich 56 kann so verfahren werden, dass sobald der mittlere Bereich 56 zwischen das festgelegte Zugmittelpaar eintritt, beispielsweise wie in
Ein Ablaufdiagramm des Verfahrens ist in
Es kann also optional anhand der Auslenkung der unteren Zugmittel Z'1 - Z'12 mit Hilfe der Sensoren 40 die Dicke der Postsendung 42 bzw. mehrerer Postsendungen 42, 44 erfasst werden. Anhand einer Tabelle findet nun im Prozessmittel 22 eine Zuordnung 62 statt, bei der eine Anzahl von Zugmittelpaaren, zwischen denen sich die Postsendung 42 befinden muss, der entsprechenden Sendungsdicke zugeordnet wird. Je dicker die Postsendung 42 ist, desto mehr Zugmittelpaare müssen die Postsendung 42 gegriffen haben, bevor ein Rückhaltemodus aktiviert werden kann. Die Zuordnung kann beispielsweise wie folgt aussehen:
Liegt die Dicke der Postsendung 42 unterhalb von 1 mm, so reicht es aus, dass die Postsendung 42 von einem Zugmittelpaar erfasst wurde, das stromab vom ausgewählten Zugmittelpaar ist, das ein Rückhalten durchführt. Bei dem Beispiel aus
Wird die Prüfung der Dicke der Postsendungen 42, 44 durchgeführt, wird erst danach der Rückhaltemodus testweise eingeschaltet und das ausgewählte Zugmittelpaar, in dem Beispiel aus
Ist dies nicht der Fall, so wird abgefragt, ob eine Lücke vor der Postsendung 42 zumindest eine Minimalgröße erreicht hat. Diese Abfrage ist notwendig, um der Postsendung 42 einen notwendigen Abstand zu einer eventuell vorhergehenden Postsendung zu verschaffen, damit zumindest eine minimale Lücke zwischen den Postsendungen eingestellt ist. Ist die minimale Lücke oder eine größere Lücke vorhanden, so kann die Postsendung 42 weitertransportiert werden, so dass nach der entsprechenden Abfrage 68 wieder auf die Transportfunktion 60 umgeschaltet wird. Ist die minimale Lücke nicht erreicht, so muss die Postsendung 42 auf jeden Fall abgebremst werden und es wird auf den Rückhaltetest 66 umgeschaltet.If this is not the case, then it is queried whether a gap in front of the
Nach einer vorgegebenen Zeitdauer nach dem Start des Rückhaltetests 66 wird in einer Abfrage 70 ermittelt, ob die Transportgeschwindigkeit der Postsendung 42 konstant ist. Ist dies der Fall, so kann auf den vollständigen Rückhaltemodus 72 umgeschaltet werden. Der Rückhaltemodus 42 wird eine vorgegebene Zeitdauer beibehalten oder solange beibehalten, bis die Postsendung 42 die zurückhaltenden Zugmittelpaare verlassen hat. Ist die Sendungsgeschwindigkeit nicht konstant, der Rückhaltetest 66 also negativ, so wird das Verfahren zurückgeführt auf die Transportfunktion 60, und die Postsendung 42 wird eine vorgegebene Zeitdauer weitertransportiert.After a predetermined period of time after the start of the
Auf diese Weise kann ein optimaler Umschaltzeitpunkt zum Start des Rückhaltemodus ermittelt werden, ohne dass erst ein hinterer Bereich 54 der Postsendung 42 bei dem vorgegebenen Zugmittelpaar angekommen sein muss. Durch das bereits frühzeitige Umschalten in den Rückhaltemodus kann das Trennmittel 20 insgesamt kurz gehalten bleiben.In this way, an optimal switching time for the start of the restraint mode can be determined without first having to have arrived at a
Claims (14)
- Method for separating objects (4) from a stack (6) in a flow of objects (8), in which the objects (4) are removed from the stack (6) with a removal device (14), and overlapping objects (4) are separated from one another with a separating device (20), and a plurality of traction devices (Z1 - Z'12) of the separating device (20) grip both sides of the removed object (4) and are operated in the transport direction (12) at different forward driving speeds (v1 - v'12), wherein traction devices (Z1 - Z'11) which grip the front of the object (4) in the transport direction (12) are operated at a faster forward driving speed (v1 - v'11) than traction devices (Z2 - Z'12) which grip the object (4) further to the back,
characterised in that on one side of the object (4) the traction devices (Z1 - Z12) are each driven at a higher forward driving speed (v1 - v12) than the respective opposing traction devices (Z'1 - Z'12). - Method according to claim 1,
characterised in that the traction devices (Z1 - Z'12) are each arranged opposite the object (4) in pairs. - Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that
in the transport path (38) the transport speed (v1 - v'12) increases from traction device (Z1 - Z'12) to traction device (Z1 - Z'12). - Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that traction devices (Z1 - Z'11) which grip the front of the object (4) in the transport direction (12) grip the object (4) with a higher frictional torque than traction devices (Z2 - Z'12) which grip the object (4) further to the back. - Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that in the transport path (38) the frictional torque increases from traction device (Z1 - Z'12) to traction device (Z1 - Z'12). - Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that traction devices (Z2 - Z'12) which grip the object (4) are pulled in a freewheeling manner by the object (4). - Method according to claim 6,
characterised in that traction devices (Z2 - Z'12) which grip the object (4) and are freewheeling transmit a smaller force to the object (4) than they transmit to the object (4) when they are driving. - Method according to claim 6 or 7,
characterised in that traction devices (Z2 - Z'12) which grip the object (4) and are freewheeling are driven at a forward driving speed (v1 - v'12). - Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that the speed difference is switched over so that on one side of the object (4) the traction devices (Z1 - Z12) are in each case operated slower than the respective opposing traction devices (Z'1 - Z'12). - Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that speed sensors (28) measure the running speed of the traction devices (Z1 - Z'12). - Method according to one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that a leading edge (32) and a trailing edge (34) of an object (4) in the separating device (20) is detected with the help of a sensor (30). - Method according to claim 11,
characterised in that a speed of the object (4) determined by means of the sensor (30) is compared with the speed determined by speed sensors (28) for detecting the speed of the traction devices (Z1 - Z'12). - Apparatus (2) for separating objects (4) from a stack (6) in a flow of objects (8) having a removal device (14) for removing the objects (4) from the stack (6), a separating device (20) for separating overlapping objects (4) from one another, and a process device (22) for controlling the separation, wherein the separating device (20) has a plurality of traction devices (Z1 - Z'12) on both sides of an object (4) located in the separating device (20) for jointly gripping the object (4), and the traction devices (Z1 - Z'12) can be operated in the transport direction (12) at different forward driving speeds (v1 - v'12) and wherein the process device (22) is provided to drive traction devices (Z1 - Z'11) which grip the front of the object (4) in the transport direction (12) at a faster forward driving speed (v1 - v'11) than traction devices (Z2 - Z'12) which grip the object (4) further to the back,
characterised in that the process device (22) is provided to drive the traction devices (Z1 - Z12) on one side of the object (4) at a higher forward driving speed (v1 - v12) than the respective opposing traction devices (Z'1 - Z'12) in each case. - Apparatus according to claim 13,
characterised in that the traction devices (Z1 - Z'12) each have their own drive and can be driven individually by the process device (22).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102008011651 | 2008-02-28 | ||
DE102008014676A DE102008014676A1 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2008-03-18 | Method and device for separating articles |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2096056A2 EP2096056A2 (en) | 2009-09-02 |
EP2096056A3 EP2096056A3 (en) | 2011-11-09 |
EP2096056B1 true EP2096056B1 (en) | 2017-08-16 |
Family
ID=40785505
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP09153489.1A Not-in-force EP2096056B1 (en) | 2008-02-28 | 2009-02-24 | Method and device for separating objects |
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EP (1) | EP2096056B1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3961786A (en) | 1975-06-23 | 1976-06-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Self clearing roller feed assembly for document feed apparatus |
US4050690A (en) * | 1976-09-16 | 1977-09-27 | Ncr Corporation | Document separator mechanism |
US4451027A (en) | 1980-01-09 | 1984-05-29 | Burroughs Corp. | Constant spacing document feeder |
US6644660B2 (en) * | 2001-10-26 | 2003-11-11 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Dynamic pitch correction for an output inserter subsystem |
JP4342249B2 (en) * | 2003-09-01 | 2009-10-14 | 株式会社東芝 | Paper sheet separating and conveying device |
JP4184904B2 (en) * | 2003-09-03 | 2008-11-19 | 株式会社東芝 | Paper sheet separating and conveying device |
DE102004037422B3 (en) | 2004-07-30 | 2006-03-09 | Siemens Ag | Separating section for overlapped flat items in a standing position |
-
2009
- 2009-02-24 EP EP09153489.1A patent/EP2096056B1/en not_active Not-in-force
Non-Patent Citations (1)
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EP2096056A3 (en) | 2011-11-09 |
EP2096056A2 (en) | 2009-09-02 |
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