Method for handling sorting items with monitored telescopic belt conveyors

A method for loading sorting items into a transport volume or for unloading sorting items from the transport volume, the method comprising:

• providing a telescopic conveyor with a drive motor for telescopic adjustment of a transport volume-side end of the conveyor;
• selectively performing a loading procedure for loading the transport volume or an unloading procedure for unloading the transport volume;
• in the loading procedure for loading the transport volume:
• a) telescopically adjusting the transport volume-side end of the telescopic conveyor into the transport volume in order to reach a suitable loading position;
• b) transporting the sorting items on the telescopic conveyor up to the transport volume-side end thereof;
• c) unloading the sorting items from the transport volume-side end of the conveyor into the transport volume;
• d) adapting an adjustment of the transport volume-side end of the telescopic conveyor in dependence on an ongoing loading state in order to adapt the loading position;
• e) determining the adjusted position by way of a control unit by acquiring a rotational speed and/or an activation duration of the drive motor for the telescopic adjustment of the transport volume-side end of the telescopic conveyor;
• and
• f) determining an expected residual loading time remaining for the transport volume based on the adjusted position thus acquired;
• in the unloading procedure for unloading the transport volume:
• a) positioning the transport volume-side end of the telescopic conveyor relative to the transport volume in order to reach a suitable unloading position;
• b) unloading the sorting items onto the transport volume-side end of the telescopic conveyor;
• c) transporting and discharging the sorting items from the telescopic conveyor at an end thereof opposite the transport volume;
• d) telescopically adjusting a position of the transport volume-side end of the telescopic conveyor in dependence on the ongoing unloading state in order to adapt the unloading position;
• e) determining the adjusted position by way of the control unit by acquiring the rotational speed and/or the activation duration of the drive motor for the telescopic adjustment of the transport volume-side end of the telescopic conveyor;
• and
• f) determining an expected residual unloading time remaining for unloading the transport volume based on the acquired adjusted position.