Abstract: A control method for sorting machines including carriages (2), each carriage including a loading-unloading device (3) which can be selectively activated for loading-unloading an object (O) from the carriage and an electronic unit (4) configured to receive and analyse a digital signal (20), includes the steps of: moving the carriage along a sorting direction having a plurality of loading stations (9) and unloading stations (10) each including respective inductors (11); generating by means of the inductors a magnetic field with a variable frequency modulating the digital signal uniquely associated with an operating mode selected from a plurality of operating modes, the digital signal including a bit string; transmitting, by electromagnetic induction, the digital signal to the electronic unit of the carriage; and activating the loading-unloading device according to operating mode uniquely associated with the received digital signal.

Abstract: Described is a sorting machine comprising: a plurality of carriages (2), each carriage (2) comprising a loading-unloading device (3) which can be selectively activated for loading-unloading an object (O) from the carriage (2) and an electronic unit (4) configured to receive and analyse a loading-unloading signal and actuate the loading-unloading device (3) as a function of an operating mode, selected from a plurality of operating modes and uniquely associated with the loading-unloading signal; a plurality of loading stations (9) and a plurality of unloading stations (10) positioned along a sorting direction (X) comprising respective actuating units (11) configured to generate the loading-unloading signal. Each carriage (2) comprises a permanent magnet (4c) which generates a stationary magnetic field and each actuating unit (11) comprises a Hall effect transducer (12) configured to detect the presence of the stationary magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet (4c).

Abstract: Described is a control method for sorting machines (1) comprising a plurality of carriages (2), each carriage (2) comprising a loading-unloading device (3) which can be selectively activated for loading-unloading an object (O) from the carriage (2) and an electronic unit (4) configured to receive and analyse a digital signal (20), includes the steps of: moving the carriage (2) along a sorting direction (X) having a plurality of loading stations (9) and a plurality of unloading stations (10) each comprising respective inductors (11); generating by means of the inductors (11) a magnetic field with a variable frequency modulating the digital signal (20) uniquely associated with an operating mode selected from a plurality of operating modes, the digital signal (20) comprising a bit string; transmitting, by electromagnetic induction, the digital signal (20) to the electronic unit (4) of the carriage (2); receiving the digital signal (20) at the electronic unit (4) and activating the loading-unloading device (3) ac

Abstract: Described is a sorting machine comprising: a plurality of carriages (2), each carriage (2) comprising a loading-unloading device (3) which can be selectively activated for loading-unloading an object (0) from the carriage (2) and an electronic unit (4) configured to receive and analyse a loading-unloading signal and actuate the loading-unloading device (3) as a function of an operating mode, selected from a plurality of operating modes and uniquely associated with the loading-unloading signal; a plurality of loading stations (9) and a plurality of unloading stations (10) positioned along a sorting direction (X) comprising respective actuating units (11) configured to generate the loading-unloading signal. Each carriage (2) comprises a permanent magnet (4c) which generates a stationary magnetic field and each actuating unit (11) comprises a Hall effect transducer (12) configured to detect the presence of the stationary magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet (4c).

Abstract: A device for feeding items to a sorting machine, including: a conveyor plane (26) for feeding items or parcels along an advancement direction (A1); an optical detection device (18), to allow the acquisition, while the items are in motion on the conveyor plane (26) of the three-dimensional coordinates of a determined number of points on the surface of the items and to organize them into coordinate vectors; a manipulator (19) provided to pick the items from the conveyor plane (26) and to place the items picked in a desired position; a control system, provided to process, for each item in motion on the conveyor plane (26), the coordinate vectors in order to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the item, including the information based on which the control system handles the manipulator for picking and placing the items. The invention also relates to a sorting machine and a method for feeding items to a sorting machine aimed at increasing production capacity and accuracy thereof.

Abstract: A device for feeding items to a sorting machine, including: a conveyor plane (26) for feeding items or parcels along an advancement direction (A1); an optical detection device (18), to allow the acquisition, while the items are in motion on the conveyor plane (26) of the three-dimensional coordinates of a determined number of points on the surface of the items and to organize them into coordinate vectors; a manipulator (19) provided to pick the items from the conveyor plane (26) and to place the items picked in a desired position; a control system, provided to process, for each item in motion on the conveyor plane (26), the coordinate vectors in order to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the item, including the information based on which the control system handles the manipulator for picking and placing the items. The invention also relates to a sorting machine and a method for feeding items to a sorting machine aimed at increasing production capacity and accuracy thereof.

Abstract: A method and device for sorting articles, including at least one station for automatically loading articles allowing transfer of the articles to one or several transport units, the station equipped with at least one device for transporting the articles and a system able to determine the position, the shape and the size of the articles, with a set of cross belt transport units, each unit provided with a supporting plate between two adjacent units. The device includes a system allowing detection of a possible change in position of an article on a transport device during the acceleration phase. Maintaining the article in position on its unit(s) is ensured during its movement on the sorter, by supporting plates permanently ensuring supporting surface continuity between two units over a width substantially equal to the supporting surface of the belts and by the presence of vertical profiles on the belts.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and system for sorting items comprising movable carriages (10) intended to transport the items, and connected to each other by a link (19), along a track having sections located at levels at different heights linked by ascending and descending slopes, a control system and drive units intended to move the carriages (10). Dedicated thrust units, separate from the drive units, are added on the slopes and are controlled individually by the control system so as to deliver a constant force in order to prevent the carriages (10) experiencing tension at the links (19, 20) as a result of the weight of the items and/or the carriages (10) present on the slopes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and system for sorting items comprising movable carriages (10) intended to transport the items, and connected to each other by a link (19), along a track having sections located at levels at different heights linked by ascending and descending slopes, a control system and drive units intended to move the carriages (10). Dedicated thrust units, separate from the drive units, are added on the slopes and are controlled individually by the control system so as to deliver a constant force in order to prevent the carriages (10) experiencing tension at the links (19, 20) as a result of the weight of the items and/or the carriages (10) present on the slopes.

Abstract: A method and device for sorting articles, comprising at least one station for automatically loading articles allowing transfer of the articles to one or several transport units, the station equipped with at least one means for transporting the articles and a system able to determine the position, the shape and the size of the articles, with a set of cross belt transport units, each unit provided with a supporting plate between two adjacent units. The device comprises a system allowing detection of a possible change in position of an article on a transport means during the acceleration phase. Maintaining the article in position on its unit(s) is ensured during its movement on the sorter, by supporting plates permanently ensuring supporting surface continuity between two units over a width substantially equal to the supporting surface of the belts and by the presence of vertical profiles on the belts.

Abstract: A sorting machine comprising propulsion devices installed on ground and at least a train of interconnected carriages provided with supporting wheels including electrical alternators to supply electrical power onboard. The alternators are housed within the wheels which comprise a fixed inner ring bearing stator windings made integral with a fork supporting the wheel and a rotative outer ring hosting permanent magnets and spinning around a shaft in front of the windings. The generator wheels, when driven by the sorting machine motion, supply small contributions of electrical power which are added up into the electrical distribution bus, a cable that is common to all the interconnected carriages of the sorting machine. Small contributions add up to several kw of power amount available and the carriage servos are able to take advantage of the available power to activate the belt units in order to load parcels and sort to destinations.

Abstract: A sorting machine comprising propulsion devices installed on ground and at least a train of interconnected carriages provided with supporting wheels including electrical alternators to supply electrical power onboard. The alternators are housed within the wheels which comprise a fixed inner ring bearing stator windings made integral with a fork supporting the wheel and a rotative outer ring hosting permanent magnets and spinning around a shaft in front of the windings. The generator wheels, when driven by the sorting machine motion, supply small contributions of electrical power which are added up into the electrical distribution bus, a cable that is common to all the interconnected carriages of the sorting machine. Small contributions add up to several kw of power amount available and the carriage servos are able to take advantage of the available power to activate the belt units in order to load parcels and sort to destinations.