1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a package divert mechanism and method of use and, more particularly, to a bi-directional package divert mechanism used for sorting mail and other packages and items into appropriate bins for future delivery.
2. Background Description
In most modem postal facilities, major steps have been taken toward mechanization (e.g., automation) of the delivery of mail, packages and other items. These machines and technologies include, amongst others, letter sorters, facer-cancelers, automatic address readers, parcel sorters, advanced tray conveyors, flat sorters, letter mail coding and stamp-tagging techniques and the like. As a result of these developments, postal facilities have become quite automated over the years, considerably reducing overhead costs.
In use, these machines and technologies such as sorting machines (FSM) are capable of processing more than 10,000 packages per hour by electronically identifying and separating prebarcoded mail, handwritten letters, and machine-imprinted pieces. Computer-driven single-line optical character readers (OCR) are used in this process.
However, the actual physical sorting (i.e., diverting) of the packages is quite difficult, and in many instances not very efficient. To start, for example, packages or other items may be placed on an introduction conveyer where they are initially scanned. After being scanned, the packages are then introduced onto an accumulation conveyer and thereafter are transported to a scanner array where each item is individually scanned by the scanner array. Once each item is individually scanned, they are then sorted or diverted into separated bins for future delivery. The diversion of the items into the separate bins is typically based on criteria such as, for example, zip code or other destination criteria which was read by the scanners.
To actually divert the items, several different types of divert mechanisms have been used, each with their own shortcomings. These mechanisms include, amongst others, air cylinders, traverse rollers, cross belt technology and the like. Taking the case of air cylinders, for example, it is well known that the use of air cylinders requires large compressors which have extensive plumbing needs. These large compressors also utilize a large amount of energy, especially for moving or diverting large packages. In use, these air cylinders are also very difficult to control and, in some instances, may needlessly output large amounts of compressed air for even the smallest of packages or items. It is further known that compressed air may not be adequate, even at very high pressures, to divert large, heavy packages. In this scenario, the large, heavy packages may not be properly diverted to an appropriate bin or, alternatively, must be manually placed in the appropriate bin thereby increasing overhead labor costs.
With other diverting mechanisms such as cross belt technology and traverse rollers, all of the packages may not be properly diverted. Also, these mechanisms are not the most efficient diverting mechanisms and have a tendency to allow the packages, mail and other items to either accumulate at certain areas on the conveyer causing a bottleneck, or simply not divert the package in the proper bin for various known reasons.
The present invention is designed to overcome the shortcomings of the known diverting mechanisms.
In a first aspect of the invention, a package divert mechanism is provided. In this aspect, a frame member is adapted for use with an existing conveyor system. A moveable diverting mechanism extends from the frame member and is moveable in at least one direction substantially perpendicular to an original direction of travel of an item being transported on the conveyor system. The moveable diverting mechanism is capable of diverting the item being transported on the conveyor system to the least one direction substantially perpendicular to the original direction of travel of the item.
In embodiments, the at least one direction is a first direction and a second opposing direction, both substantially perpendicular to the original direction of travel of the item. In further embodiments, the moveable diverting mechanism includes a downward extending blade having a first surface and a second surface and a longitudinal axis. The first and second surfaces face opposing directions substantially perpendicular to the original direction of travel of the item, and the longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the original direction of travel of the item. A plurality of sensors associated with the moveable diverting mechanism is also provided. These sensors may include, for example, (i) an over current sensor, (ii) at least one home sensor, (iii) at least one over travel sensor, (iv) at least one photosensor and (v) at least one interlock switch for detecting a position of safety hoods.
In another aspect of the present invention, the bidirectional divert mechanism includes a frame having an entrance and a plurality of exits, and a gliding mechanism extending across a frame member of the frame. A downward extending moveable blade member is coupled to the gliding mechanism, and includes opposing blade surfaces and a longitudinal axis. The opposing blade surfaces face opposing exits and the longitudinal axis extends in a direction between the entrance and another of the exits. In embodiments of the second aspect, a host of sensors are also provided, similar to that of the first aspect of the present invention.
In a third aspect of the present invention, a method of diverting an item is provided. The method includes locating a first home position and a second home position of a diverting mechanism, and positioning the diverting mechanism at one of the first home position and the second home position. A determination is then made as to a diverting direction of the item which is based on classification information associated with the item. The diverting mechanism is then in accordance with the diverting direction. This control may include, for example, (i) moving the diverting mechanism in a first direction which is substantially perpendicular to an original direction of travel of the item; (ii) moving the diverting mechanism in a second direction opposite the first direction; or (iii)
allowing the diverting mechanism to remain stationary in order to allow the item to pass through unimpeded.
The method, in embodiments, may also include detecting when an item is jammed or exceeds a threshold physical characteristic limit, as well as whether the diverting mechanism has exceeded a travel limit or an operator has open access to the diverting mechanism. In any one of these cases, the movement of the diverting mechanism may be suspended.
The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:
The present invention is directed to a bi-directional package divert mechanism and method of use. In this system, mailpieces of various sizes and weights may be easily and efficiently diverted into sorting bins during the sorting process. By way of illustrative example, the bi-directional package divert mechanism of the present invention may divert mailpieces from ¾ inches thick at various aspect ratios to 36″×36″×36″ packages to items weighing upwards of 70 or more pounds. Of course, the bi-directional package divert mechanism of the present invention may also be configured to accommodate other sized packages, mailpieces and items, depending on the particular desired application. The bi-directional package divert mechanism preferably has a minimum throughput of 12 pieces per minute and is designed in a modular format to easily mount to an already existing conveyor system. The system of the present invention also includes a bi-directional diverting control system which is easily integrated with other control systems, interfacing with other PC controllers, via an open device level network protocol and modular architecture. The control system also preferably includes plug and play features.
Referring now to
Still referring to
Additionally, momentary contact relays 122a and 122b are associated with a control box 127 for providing an input signal to the motor 116. These control signals may be termed “divert left” and “divert right” signals. These control signals may be based on various package features such as, for example, postage, weight, delivery information and the like. In this manner, the movement of the moveable blade 108 is controlled via the linear actuator 117 (as discussed in more detail below). The momentary contact relays 122a and 122b are respectively termed “divert right” and “divert left”. In embodiments, the momentary contact relays 122a and 122b may be controlled by input signals received from a control system of an already existing conveyor system such as, for example, a controller 214 of
A potentiometer 126, control system 128 and an over current sensor 130 may also be associated with the motor 116, all of which may be mounted within the control box 127. The potentiometer 126 and over current sensor 130 may be hardware or software implemented features. The potentiometer 126 adjusts or controls a speed of the motor 116 and hence the speed of the moveable blade 108. The over current sensor 130, on the other hand, monitors a current associated with the motor 116, and will provide an input signal to shut down the system if a current exceeds a predetermined threshold. This may occur when packages are “jammed” or if a weight of the package exceeds a threshold limit. The control system 128 is designed to control the system of the present invention and, in particular, is designed to interface with the sensors discussed herein as well as a controller of an already existing conveyor systems (see,
At least one photosensor 124a, 124b, 124c and 124d is positioned on cross bars of the modular frame 102. The photosensor 124a is used to detect a flow of a package entering into the system of the present invention. On the other hand, the photosensors 124b, 124c and 124d monitor the flow of packages exiting the bi-directional divert mechanism 100 of the present invention. By monitoring the flow of packages exiting the system, it can now be easily determined whether the packages were properly diverted into the appropriate bin for future delivery.
The hoods 132 are mounted to respective frame members 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d via hinges 134. A plurality of sensors or interlock switches 136 are placed along the cross members 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d for detecting the position of the hoods 132. The interlock switches 136 provide a shut off signal to the control system 128 when any of the hoods 132 are in an upright or open position. This provides a safety mechanism so that an operator cannot open any of the hoods 136 and access the interior portion of the system 100 during operational use.
(i) an introduction scanner 202;
(ii) an induction conveyor 204;
(iii) an accumulation conveyor 206;
(iv) a determination conveyor 208;
(v) an individual item scanner array 210;
(vi) a scan conveyor 212;
(vii) a combination label printer, stack light and controller cabinet with workstation 214;
(viii) a label conveyor 216;
(ix) a mail sorter 218; and
(x) a guard conveyor 220.
In the configuration shown in
Now referring to
If the item is to pass through then, in step 514, the item will pass through without the activation or movement of the moveable blade. If the item is to be diverted, in step 516, the moveable blade will be activated and either move towards a first direction or a second direction, depending on the predetermined diverting direction. In this manner, the item will be diverted to either the first or second direction, depending on the control signals received from the controller 214, the control system 128 or other determining mechanism. Once the item is properly diverted, the control will determine the position of the moveable blade and then “allocate” a new home position while returning to step 512, which may be the original home position thereby resulting in no movement of the moveable blade.
To further illustrate some of the steps of
The shutdown safety feature may equally be utilized, in embodiments, based on the signals received from the photosensors, over travel sensor, interlock switches or other sensors. By way of example, the bi-directional package divert mechanism 100 may be shutdown if the photosensors detect a jam at the entrance or exit. Additionally, the bi-directional package divert mechanism 100 may be shutdown when the interlock switches detect that one of the hoods is in an upright or open position.
In embodiments, a stepper motor may instead be used. By counting the increments of the stepper motor, a determination of the home position and any over travel position may also be monitored or detected.
While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20030155213 A1 | Aug 2003 | US |