Object transport apparatus and method
An apparatus for transporting an object including a barcode, the apparatus including: a first line along which the object is transported; a branch line that branches off from the first line to the side of the first line; a control unit for determining whether or not to allow the object to turn off the first line to the branch line; and a second line to which the object is transferred from the branch line, and along which the transferred object moves back to the first line, wherein the first line includes a sorter for allowing the object to turn off the first line to the branch line, and the control unit rotates the object by controlling a rotation unit provided on the branch line.
1 . An apparatus for transporting an object including a barcode, the apparatus comprising:
a first line along which the object is transported;
a branch line that branches off from the first line to the side of the first line;
a control unit configured to determine whether or not to allow the object to turn off the first line to the branch line;
a second line to which the object is transferred from the branch line, and along which the transferred object moves back to the first line; and
a first sensor configured to sense the object that is moving along the first line,
wherein the control unit detects the position of the barcode based on a signal from the first sensor,
the first line includes a sorter configured to allow the object to turn off the first line to the branch line,
the control unit is configured to rotate the object by controlling a rotation unit provided on the branch line, and
in the case of failure to detect the position of the barcode, the control unit is configured to decide to allow the object to turn off to the branch line.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sorter includes a push bar configured to push the object away from the first line toward the branch line.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the branch line includes an inclined plane that stands at a higher elevation towards the first line and stands at a lower elevation towards the second line.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the branch line includes a roller.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rotation unit includes:
a hinge axis; and
a rotation plate that rotates around the hinge axis.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the rotation plate includes a protrusion unit on one side.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the branch line further includes a second sensor configured to sense the object once the object has reached the rotation plate,
wherein the control unit is configured to determine whether or not the object has reached the rotation plate based on a signal from the second sensor, and
the control unit is configured to control the rotation plate to rotate when the object has reached the rotation plate.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the object is transferred to the second line while being rotated by rotation of the rotation plate.
9 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the barcode on the object faces upward by being rotated by rotation of the rotation plate.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first line and the second line are belt conveyers.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, in the case of failure to detect the position of the barcode, the barcode is positioned between the top side of the first line and the underside of the object.
12 . A method for transporting an object including a barcode, the method comprising:
transporting the object along a first line;
detecting the position of the barcode based on a signal from a first sensor;
in the case of failure to detect the position of the barcode, allowing the object to turn off to a branch line by a sorter;
rotating the object by rotation of a rotation unit provided on the branch line, such that the barcode faces upward and transferring the object to the second line;
transporting the object along the second line; and
allowing the object to move from the second line back to the first line.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the barcode faces upward by rotating the object by rotation of a rotation unit provided on the branch line and transferring the object to the second line.