Built-in steering element for electric conveyor roller

Abstract

Apparatuses, methods, and systems including element-embedded diverters for electric conveyor rollers are provided. An example conveyor roller can include a housing forming a cylindrical tube. The conveyor roller includes a plurality of element-embedded diverters disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The plurality of element-embedded diverters can be reconfigurable between one or more orientations relative to the housing to divert an article at an angle relative to the housing.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to conveyor rollers with built-in steering elements for conveyor systems. Many rotating devices and equipment used in conveyor systems are plagued by technical challenges and limitations. Through effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been addressed by developed solutions, including those described in the embodiments of this disclosure, and numerous examples of these solutions are detailed herein. Summary of the Invention

[0002] The various embodiments described herein relate to methods, apparatuses, and systems including reconfigurable electric conveyor rollers.

[0003] According to various examples of this disclosure, a conveyor roller is provided. The conveyor roller includes a housing forming a cylindrical tube; and a plurality of element-integrated deflectors disposed on the outer surface of the housing. The plurality of element-integrated deflectors can be configured relative to the housing in one or more orientations.

[0004] In some implementations, multiple components are built into steering elements that protrude from the outer surface of the housing to form multiple local ridges around the outer surface of the housing.

[0005] In some implementations, the conveyor rollers are configured to rotate the housing about a central axis.

[0006] In steering orientation, multiple elements are integrated with steering components to form multiple local ridges for steering, which are operable to redirect the movement of articles mounted on conveyor rollers. Steering orientation corresponds to a steering angle relative to the central axis of the conveyor rollers.

[0007] In a non-steering orientation, multiple elements with built-in steering components form multiple non-steering local ridges, which are operable to maintain the forward movement of articles mounted on the conveyor rollers. Non-steering orientation corresponds to a non-steering angle perpendicular to the central axis of the conveyor rollers.

[0008] In some embodiments, the conveyor roller includes a magnetically switchable device operable to change the magnetic field of the housing. The current orientation of multiple element-integrated steering elements is based on the magnetic field. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the element-integrated steering elements comprises a metallic material having one or more magnetic properties.

[0009] In some implementations, the conveyor roller includes an electromagnetic actuation system operable to change the current orientation of multiple element-built steering elements.

[0010] In some embodiments, the conveyor roller includes a plurality of mechanical links disposed within a housing and coupled to the central axis of the conveyor roller. The plurality of mechanical links includes a corresponding mechanical link coupled to a corresponding element-integrated steering element. The housing includes a plurality of apertures. The corresponding mechanical links are physically coupled to the corresponding element-integrated steering elements through the corresponding apertures in the housing. The corresponding mechanical links are adjustable to change the current orientation of the corresponding element-integrated steering element.

[0011] In some embodiments, the conveyor roller includes a motor assembly and a drive assembly, at least partially disposed within a housing, configured to cause rotation of at least a portion of the conveyor roller. A mechanical linkage is operatively coupled to the motor assembly. The motor assembly is configured to adjust the corresponding mechanical linkage to change the current orientation of the corresponding element's built-in steering element.

[0012] In some embodiments, the conveyor roller includes a controller component that communicates electronically with the motor assembly and drive assembly. The controller component is configured to cause adjustment of corresponding mechanical links in response to an input indicating the steering angle of a plurality of element-built steering elements.

[0013] In some implementations, multiple components are built into the steering element and arranged in an interlaced pattern on the outer surface of the housing.

[0014] In some implementations, multiple components are built into the steering element and arranged in a linear pattern on the outer surface of the housing.

[0015] According to various examples of this disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes receiving configuration data, in electronic communication with a computing entity, by a controller component of a conveyor roller, indicating a steering angle of the conveyor roller; and causing movement of a plurality of element-built steering members disposed on the outer surface of a housing of the conveyor roller by the controller component and at least in part based on the configuration data.

[0016] In some implementations, the turning angle indicates the angle at which an item is turned from the conveyor line associated with the conveyor roller.

[0017] In some embodiments, causing movement of a plurality of element-built steering elements disposed on the outer surface of the housing of the conveyor roller includes providing one or more control commands to an actuating device operatively coupled to the plurality of element-built steering elements.

[0018] The foregoing illustrative description of the invention, as well as other exemplary objects and / or advantages of this disclosure, and the ways in which these objects and / or advantages are achieved, are further explained in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The description of the exemplary embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, the elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale unless otherwise described. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to others unless otherwise described. Embodiments incorporating the teachings of this disclosure are shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings presented herein, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 Examples of systems according to various embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0021] Figures 2A to 2B Schematic diagrams of exemplary different sections of a conveyor line with electric and non-electric rollers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown;

[0022] Figure 3 Exemplary integrated electric conveyor rollers according to various embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0023] Figure 4 A side sectional view of an exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0024] Figures 5A to 5B An exemplary top view of a conveyor roller with an integrated steering element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figures 6A to 6C An exemplary side view of a conveyor roller with an integrated steering element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0026] Figure 7 Exemplary steering element configurations according to various embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0027] Figure 8 Exemplary conveyor roller lines according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown;

[0028] Figures 9A to 9C Exemplary modular conveyor rollers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown;

[0029] Figure 10 An exemplary cross-sectional view of an exemplary conveyor roller with a steering assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0030] Figure 11 Exemplary controller components are shown that communicate electronically with various other components of an exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 12 Exemplary controller components according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown; and

[0032] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating exemplary operations according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Some embodiments of this disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some, but not all, embodiments of this disclosure. In fact, these disclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided to enable this disclosure to meet applicable legal requirements. Throughout this document, similar reference numerals refer to similar elements.

[0034] The components shown in the accompanying drawings represent components that may or may not be present in the various embodiments of this disclosure described herein, such that embodiments may include fewer or more components than those shown in the figures without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Some components may be omitted from one or more figures, or shown in dashed lines to make the components below visible.

[0035] The phrases “in exemplary embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc., generally mean that the specific feature, structure, or characteristic following these phrases may be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure, and may be included in more than one embodiment of this disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

[0036] The terms “example” or “exemplary” are used herein to mean “served as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any specific implementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

[0037] If the specification states that a component or feature "may," "can," "should," "will," "preferably," "possibly," "usually," "optionally," "for example," "often," or "may" (or other such language) be included or have that characteristic, then the specific component or feature is not necessarily included or has that characteristic. Such components or features may be optionally included in some embodiments or may be excluded.

[0038] The terms “electrically coupled” or “electronic communication” in this disclosure may refer to a circuit of two or more electronic components (e.g., but not limited to exemplary processing circuitry, communication components, input / output module memory) and / or connected via wired means (e.g., but not limited to conductive lines, system buses, wired Ethernet connections or traces) and / or wireless means (e.g., but not limited to wireless networks, electromagnetic fields, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee) such that data and / or information (e.g., electronic indications, signals) can be transmitted to and / or received from the electrically coupled electrical components and / or circuitry.

[0039] The terms “conveyor,” “conveyor section,” “conveyor machine tool,” “conveyor assembly,” or “conveyor system,” and similar terms are used interchangeably herein to refer to an apparatus configured to convey objects or articles within a material handling system according to embodiments of the present disclosure. An electrically driven conveyor roller according to some embodiments discussed herein may include multiple drive components, including a motor assembly and a drive assembly, operable to drive a housing (e.g., a roller tube). These components may have one or more parts arranged in various configurations within an internal portion of the electrically driven conveyor roller. In some embodiments, the drive assembly may be fixed relative to the housing (e.g., the roller tube), while the motor assembly is fixed relative to a frame supporting the roller tube, such that the motor assembly can be configured to rotate the drive assembly and the roller tube.

[0040] In some implementations, conveyor rollers may be used in conveyor lines to advance items to multiple destinations along a path. Items are turned at specific points along the path to help route them to a specific destination. Items may be turned, for example, from a conveyor line (e.g., to another conveyor line, side rail, sorting area, etc.) to another section of the conveyor line (e.g., by a 90-degree rotation of the conveyor) and / or to another location on the conveyor line (e.g., a location along the length of the conveyor roller).

[0041] Conveyor lines can be configured with different turning sections consisting of multiple turning mechanisms to allow items to be turned at specific points along the conveyor line. Such turning sections may include separate sections of the conveyor line integrated between non-turning conveyor rollers. Each turning section may include a different set of turning mechanisms for turning items at a specific angle. These mechanisms are stored, maintained, and configured (alone of the non-turning conveyor rollers used elsewhere in the conveyor line). This increases the inventory and storage costs of the conveyor line. Furthermore, the turning mechanisms may have size and shape constraints, limiting their flexibility in placement anywhere in the conveyor line. Sometimes, these turning mechanisms may lack various functions such as performing package position control, transferring plastic bags, and correctly predicting the angle used to turn items on the conveyor line.

[0042] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, exemplary methods, apparatuses, computer program products, and systems are provided, in some examples of which provide an element-integrated steering element for a conveyor roller. The element-integrated steering element is controllably actuated to turn an article at any point on the conveyor line according to a command, and can be integrated with conventional non-steering conveyor rollers.

[0043] For example, this disclosure provides a conveyor roller having a housing forming a cylindrical tube. The conveyor roller includes a plurality of element-integrated steering elements disposed on the outer surface of the housing. The plurality of element-integrated steering elements can be configured relative to the housing in one or more orientations. At each orientation, the element-integrated steering elements can cause the conveyor roller to move an article relative to the housing in a specific direction (e.g., forward, right, left, etc.). Thus, this disclosure provides a conveyor roller including a built-in steering mechanism for controllably steering an article along a conveyor line. In some examples, a flexible design can be utilized to dynamically steering an article from any point along the conveyor line using a set of compatible conveyor rollers. In this way, the element-integrated steering elements described herein enable a conveyor line configuration that can turn the package at a desired angle along the conveyor line without additional steering mechanisms. Furthermore, the element-integrated steering elements enable the transfer of articles at right angles (e.g., around corners of the conveyor line) without modifying the conveyor line. In some implementations, the built-in steering element can also reposition items along the length of the conveyor rollers that make up the conveyor line, for example, to create a streamlined flow of items that can be easily handled. In this way, the built-in steering element described herein provides practical improvements in terms of increased flexibility, reduced cost, and reduced limitations of conventional conveyor roller conveyor line setups.

[0044] See now Figure 1 The present disclosure provides schematic diagrams depicting exemplary system 100 according to various embodiments thereof. As depicted, exemplary system 100 includes a conveyor 102 having one or more electrically driven conveyor rollers, one or more computing entities 106 (e.g., servers), one or more databases 104, one or more networks 105, one or more user computing entities 108, etc. In various examples, system 100 is operable to transport objects within a specific location or environment.

[0045] In various embodiments, conveyor 102 may be configured to transport objects within a specific location or environment using one or more motorized conveyor rollers. In some embodiments, conveyor 102 includes one or more motorized conveyor rollers, and one or more computing entities 106, one or more databases 104, and / or one or more user computing entities 108 communicate electronically with each other via one or more networks 105, enabling them to exchange data (e.g., receive and transmit data) with each other (e.g., periodically and / or in response to requests). Each component of system 100 may communicate with each other via the same or different wireless or wired networks 105 (including, for example, wired or wireless personal area networks (PANs), local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), cellular networks, etc.). Although Figure 1 Some system components are shown as separate, independent devices, but various implementations are not limited to this particular architecture.

[0046] like Figure 1 The exemplary system 100 depicted includes one or more computing entities 106. Generally, the terms computing device, entity, device, system, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein can refer to, for example, one or more computers, computing devices, computing entities, desktop computers, mobile phones, tablets, phablets, laptops, distributed systems, terminals, servers or server networks, blade servers, gateways, switches, processing devices, set-top boxes, relays, routers, network access points, base stations, etc., and / or any combination of devices suitable for performing the functions, operations, and / or processes described herein. Such functions, operations, and / or processes may include, for example, transmitting, receiving, operating, processing, displaying, storing, determining, generating / creating, monitoring, evaluating, comparing, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein. In one embodiment, these functions, operations, and / or processes may be performed on data, content, information, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein.

[0047] In some examples, computing entity 106 may also include one or more network and / or communication interfaces for communicating with various computing entities, such as by transmitting data, content, information and / or similar terms that may be used interchangeably herein, which can be transmitted, received, manipulated, processed, displayed, stored, etc.

[0048] In one embodiment, computing entity 106 may further include or communicate with a nonvolatile medium (also referred to as a nonvolatile storage device, memory, memory storage device, memory circuit, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein). In one embodiment, the nonvolatile storage device or memory may include one or more nonvolatile storage devices or memory media as described above, such as hard disks, ROMs, PROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory, MMC, SD memory cards, memory sticks, CBRAMs, PRAMs, FeRAMs, RRAMs, SONOS, racetrack memory, etc. As will be appreciated, a nonvolatile storage device or memory medium may store databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, etc. The terms database, database instance, database management system entity, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein may refer to a structured collection of records or information / data stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as via a relational database, hierarchical database, and / or web database.

[0049] In one embodiment, computing entity 106 may further include or communicate with volatile media (also referred to as volatile storage device, memory, memory storage device, memory circuitry, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein). In one embodiment, the volatile storage device or memory may further include one or more volatile storage devices or memory media as described above, such as RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDRSDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, register memory, etc. As will be appreciated, volatile storage devices or memory media can be used to store at least a portion of databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, etc., executed by, for example, processing elements. Therefore, databases, database instances, database management system entities, data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, etc., can be used to control certain aspects of the operation of computing entity 106 with the help of processing elements and operating systems.

[0050] As noted, in one embodiment, computing entity 106 may also include one or more network and / or communication interfaces for communicating with various computing entities, such as by transmitting data, content, information, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein, that can be transmitted, received, manipulated, processed, displayed, stored, etc. Such communication may be performed using wired data transmission protocols, such as Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Ethernet, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Repeater, Cable Service Interface Data Specification (DOCSIS), or any other wired transmission protocol. Similarly, computing entity 106 can be configured to communicate via a wireless external communication network using any of a variety of protocols, such as Embedded SIM (eSIM), SIM Remote Prototyping (RSP), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 200 (CDMA200), CDMA200 1X (1xRTT), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rate Evolution of GSM (EDGE), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), Evolved Data Optimization (EVDO), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), High-Speed ​​Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and IEEE... 802.11 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX), Ultra Wideband (UWB), IR protocol, NFC protocol, RFID protocol, ZigBee protocol, Z-Wave protocol, 6LoWPAN protocol, Wibree, Bluetooth protocol, Wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, and / or any other wireless protocol. Computing entity 106 can use such protocols and standards to communicate using: Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Domain Name System (DNS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), TLS / SSL / Secure HTTP, Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Network Time Protocol (NTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Remote Login, Transport Layer Security (TLS), Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Datagram Congestion Control Protocol (DCCP), Stream Control Transfer Protocol (SCTP), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), etc.

[0051] It should be understood that one or more components of computing entity 106 may be located remotely from other components of computing entity 106, such as in a distributed system. Furthermore, one or more of these components may be aggregated, and additional components performing the functions described herein may be included in computing entity 106. Therefore, computing entity 106 can be adapted to various needs and situations, including various components, including various input / output interfaces, as described with reference to a mobile application executing on user computing entity 108.

[0052] like Figure 1The system 100 depicted includes a user computing entity 108. In various embodiments, the user computing entity 108 may be or include one or more mobile devices, wearable computing devices, etc. An exemplary user computing entity 108 may include an antenna, a transmitter (e.g., a radio), a receiver (e.g., a radio), and a processing element that provides signals to the transmitter and receives signals from the receiver, respectively. The signals provided to the transmitter and received from the receiver may include signaling information / data according to the air interface standard of an applicable wireless system for communication with various devices such as a computing entity (e.g., a central server), another user computing entity 108, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the transmitter and / or receiver are configured to communicate via one or more SRC protocols. For example, the transmitter and / or receiver may be configured to transmit and / or receive information / data, transmissions, etc., from at least one of the following short-range communication protocols: Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, NFC, RFID, IR, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, 6LoWPAN, and / or other short-range communication protocols. In various implementations, the antenna, transmitter, and receiver may be configured to communicate via one or more remote protocols such as GPRS, UMTS, CDMA2000, 1xRTT, WCDMA, GSM, EDGE, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, WiMAX, etc. The user computing entity 108 may also include one or more network and / or communication interfaces for communicating with various computing entities, such as by transmitting data, content, information, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein, that can be transmitted, received, manipulated, processed, displayed, stored, etc. In this regard, the user computing entity 108 may be capable of operating using one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. More specifically, the user computing entity 108 may operate according to any of a plurality of wireless communication standards and protocols. In a particular implementation, the user computing entity 108 may operate in accordance with a number of wireless communication standards and protocols, such as GPRS, UMTS, CDMA200, 1xRTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN, EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR protocol, Bluetooth protocol, USB protocol and / or any other wireless protocol.

[0053] Through these communication standards and protocols, user computing entity 108 can communicate with various other devices using concepts such as Unstructured Supplemental Service Message / Data (USSD), Short Message Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency Signaling (DTMF), and / or Subscriber Identity Module Dialer (SIM Dialer)). User computing entity 108 can also download changes, plugins, and updates to, for example, its firmware, software (e.g., including executable instructions, applications, and program modules), and operating system.

[0054] According to one implementation, the user computing entity 108 may include location determination aspects, devices, modules, functions and / or similar terms that may be used interchangeably herein, to acquire location information / data periodically, continuously or in response to certain triggers.

[0055] User computing entity 108 may include a user interface device, which includes one or more user input / output interfaces (e.g., a display and / or speaker / speaker driver coupled to a processing element, and a touch interface, keyboard, mouse, and / or microphone coupled to a processing element). For example, the user interface may be configured to provide mobile applications, browsers, interactive user interfaces, dashboards, web pages, and / or similar terms used interchangeably herein to execute on and / or be accessible via the user computing entity 108 to display or audibly present information / data, and to facilitate user interaction with such applications via one or more user input interfaces. Furthermore, the user interface may include, or communicate with, any of a plurality of devices that allow the user computing entity 108 to receive or communicate with information / data, such as a keypad (hard or soft), a touch display, a sound / voice or motion interface, a scanner, a reader, or other input device. In embodiments including a keypad, the keypad may include (or cause to be displayed) conventional numbers (0-9) and associated keys (#, *) and other keys for operating the user computing entity 108, and may include a full set of alphabetic keys or a set of keys that can be activated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys. In addition to providing input, the user input interface can also be used to activate or deactivate certain functions, such as screen savers and / or sleep modes. Through these inputs, the user computing entity 108 can capture, collect, and store information / data, user interactions / inputs, etc.

[0056] User computing entity 108 may also include volatile storage devices or memories and / or non-volatile storage devices or memories, which may be embedded and / or removable. For example, non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMC, SD memory card, Memory Stick, CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, etc. Volatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cache memory, register memory, etc. Volatile and non-volatile storage devices or memories may store databases, database instances, database management system entities, information / data, applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, object code, bytecode, compiled code, decoded code, machine code, executable instructions, etc., to implement the functions of user computing entity 108.

[0057] like Figure 1 What is described Figure 1 Any two or more components of the exemplary components of system 100 may be configured to communicate with each other via one or more networks 105. Network 105 may include, but is not limited to, any combination of suitable communication networks of one or different types, such as, for example, cable networks, public networks (e.g., the Internet), private networks (e.g., Frame Relay networks), wireless networks, cellular networks, telephone networks (e.g., the Public Switched Telephone Network), or any other suitable private and / or public networks. Furthermore, network 105 may have any suitable communication range associated with it and may include, for example, a global network (e.g., the Internet), MAN, WAN, LAN, or PAN. Additionally, network 105 may include any type of medium capable of carrying network traffic, including but not limited to coaxial cable, twisted pair, optical fiber, hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) media, microwave terrestrial transceivers, radio frequency communication media, satellite communication media, or any combination thereof, as well as various network devices and computing platforms provided by network providers or other entities.

[0058] Although Figure 1 An exemplary system 100 is provided, but it should be noted that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to... Figure 1 The example shown. In some examples, system 100 may include one or more additional and / or alternative elements, and / or may differ from those shown. Figure 1 The components shown.

[0059] Figures 2A to 2BSchematic diagrams of exemplary different sections of a conveyor line with electric and non-electric rollers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Figure 2A An exemplary non-steering section 225 of a conveyor line 200 having electric and non-electric conveyor rollers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2B An exemplary turning section 250 of a conveyor line 200 having electric and non-electric conveyor rollers according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0060] like Figure 2A The depicted exemplary conveyor line 200 may include one or more electrically powered conveyor rollers, such as electrically powered conveyor roller 202, and one or more non-electrically powered conveyor rollers, such as non-electrically powered conveyor roller 204. In some embodiments, the conveyor line 200 may include at least a first guide rail 206 and a second guide rail 208. Figure 2A As depicted, a plurality of electrically driven and non-electrically driven conveyor rollers (e.g., electrically driven roller 202 and non-electrically driven roller 204) are mechanically / operably coupled to a first guide rail 206 and a second guide rail 208. In some embodiments, the first guide rail 206 and the second guide rail 208 may include one or more sets of holes configured to receive the plurality of electrically driven and non-electrically driven rollers (e.g., electrically driven roller 202 and non-electrically driven roller 204).

[0061] In some implementation schemes, such as Figure 2AThe depicted non-electric conveyor roller (e.g., non-electric conveyor roller 204) may be or include idler rollers or driven rollers. Additionally, the electric conveyor roller (e.g., electric conveyor roller 202) may be or include drive rollers. In various embodiments, the electric conveyor roller / drive roller is configured to drive the non-electric conveyor roller / idler roller. For example, the electric conveyor roller / drive roller may include a drive belt, such as drive belt 210. Exemplary drive belts may include O-ring drive belts to drive the non-electric conveyor roller / idler roller. As depicted in FIG2, in some examples, the electric conveyor roller / drive roller and the non-electric conveyor roller / idler roller are connected to each other by a series of drive belts (e.g., drive belt 210) to drive the non-electric conveyor roller / idler roller. As further depicted, each drive belt (e.g., drive belt 210) is wound around a tracking ring (e.g., tracking ring 212) disposed on the electric conveyor roller / drive roller and the non-electric conveyor roller / idler roller. An exemplary tracking ring 212 is operable to ensure that the drive belt 210 does not slip off the drive roller and idler roller when operating at full speed. The exemplary drive belt 210 may be connected to an idler wheel disposed on / attached to a first guide rail 206 or a second guide rail 208 of the conveyor line 200 to maintain a target tension between the exemplary drive belt 210 and the electric conveyor roller / drive roller and the non-electric conveyor roller / idler wheel (e.g., electric conveyor roller 202 and non-electric conveyor roller 204).

[0062] Figure 2A This is an exemplary segment of conveyor line 200. A conventional conveyor line may include multiple distinct segments, each including multiple electrically driven and / or non-electrically driven conveyor rollers. An exemplary non-steering segment 225 may be configured as a segment of conveyor line 200, wherein the first guide rail 206 and the second guide rail 208 comprise continuous straight guide rails. Conveyor line 200 may include multiple distinct sections having one or more configurations.

[0063] For example, Figure 2B An exemplary turning section 250 of conveyor line 200 is shown. The exemplary turning section 250 of conveyor line 200 may include a turning section 252 between three non-turning sections 254, 256, and 258. Non-turning sections 254, 256, and 258 may include one or more electric and / or non-electric conveyor rollers of similar dimensions, while turning section 252 may include a set of turning rollers different from the electric and non-electric conveyor rollers. Unlike the conveyor rollers of non-turning sections 254, 256, and 258, this different set of turning rollers may move at one or more desired angles to turn article 260 from a first section of conveyor line 200 to another section.

[0064] Therefore, multiple sets of different rollers with various configurations can be used in different sections of the turning section 250 of conveyor line 200 to facilitate the desired movement of items 260. This results in increased inventory and storage costs and limits the flexibility of conventional conveyor systems. Furthermore, different turning sections (such as turning section 252) may lead to additional setup time and expertise requirements. Therefore, a conveyor roller integrated turning mechanism that can be integrated with the electric and / or non-electric conveyor rollers of the non-turning sections 254, 256, and 258 of conveyor line 200 is advantageous.

[0065] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view depicting an exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300 may be a conveyor / conveyor system (e.g., the combination above). Figures 2A to 2B The described conveyor line 200 is part of and can be configured to drive one or more non-electric conveyor rollers operatively coupled thereto. The conveyor / transport system can be part of an automated or semi-automated warehousing system, wherein it can respond to system commands and / or via computing entities (such as those described above). Figure 1 The user computing entity 108 described uses user interaction to store, retrieve, and transfer objects. For example, an exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300 can be configured to transfer objects at least a portion of the conveyor path based at least in part on system instructions.

[0066] like Figure 3 As depicted herein, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300 includes a housing 301 (e.g., a roller tube) configured to contain one or more components / elements of the integrated electric conveyor roller 300 (e.g., controller components, as discussed in further detail below). In some examples, the housing 301 (e.g., a roller tube) of the integrated electric conveyor roller 300 comprises a hollow cylindrical body and may comprise metal, plastic, combinations thereof, etc. As discussed herein, the cylindrical body may include an expandable body.

[0067] like Figure 3 As further shown, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300 includes a first end cap 305 defining a first end / surface of the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300. As depicted, the first end cap 305 includes a first attachment 302 configured to be operatively coupled to a conveyor (e.g., disposed between a first guide rail and a second guide rail, such as within a hole in the first guide rail).

[0068] Additionally, as depicted, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300 includes a second end cap 307 defining a second end / surface of the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300. As depicted, the second end cap 307 includes a second attachment 304 configured to be operatively coupled to the conveyor (e.g., disposed between a first guide rail and a second guide rail, such as within a hole in the second guide rail). Figure 3 As further depicted, the integrated electric conveyor roller 300 includes a power cable 303 disposed adjacent to the second end cap 307, which is configured to be connected to a power source. Additionally and / or alternatively, the power cable 303 may also be configured to provide a connection for data transmission.

[0069] See now Figure 4 A schematic side sectional view of an exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. The exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 can be combined with the above. Figure 3 The integrated electric conveyor roller 300 discussed is similar to or the same as that discussed. An exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 may be part of a conveyor / conveyor system and may be configured to drive one or more non-electric conveyor rollers operatively coupled thereto. The exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 may be configured at least in part based on system commands and / or via a computing entity (such as the combination above). Figure 1 The user-computing entity 108 describes user interactions to transport objects along at least a portion of the conveyor line. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 includes a power cable 403, a first end cap 405, a second end cap 407, a motor assembly 411, a load sensor 413, a drive assembly 415, a controller component 417, and a bearing assembly 419. In various embodiments, the elements / components of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400 (e.g., the motor assembly 411, the load sensor 413, and the drive assembly 415) communicate electronically with the controller component 417, enabling them to exchange data / information with each other.

[0070] As stated above, and as Figure 4 As depicted, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 includes a housing 401 (e.g., a roller tube) configured to contain one or more components / elements of the integrated electric conveyor roller 300. Specifically, as depicted, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 is configured to include at least a motor assembly 411, a load sensor 413, a drive assembly 415, a controller assembly 417, and a bearing assembly 419. In various examples, the housing 401 (e.g., a roller tube) of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400 comprises a hollow cylindrical body and may include metal, plastic, combinations thereof, etc.

[0071] like Figure 4 As further shown, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 includes a first end cap 405 defining a first end / surface of the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400. As depicted, the first end cap 405 includes a first attachment 402 configured to be operatively coupled to a conveyor (e.g., disposed between a first guide rail and a second guide rail, such as within a hole in the first guide rail).

[0072] As stated above, and as Figure 4 The illustrated exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 may include one or more of a motor assembly 411, a drive assembly 415, and a bearing assembly 419, which operate to drive / rotate the housing 401 (e.g., a roller tube) of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400 relative to a central axis 406 of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400. In some embodiments, each of the motor assembly 411 and the drive assembly 415 is at least partially disposed within the housing 401 (e.g., the roller tube) of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400. For example, as shown, at least a surface of the motor assembly 411 and at least a surface of the drive assembly 415 may contact the inner surface of the housing 401 (e.g., the roller tube) of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400. In some embodiments, the housing 401 may include multiple sections. At least one surface of the motor assembly 411 and the drive assembly 415 may contact at least one section (e.g., an inner section), while the outer sections may be reconfigured without disrupting the function of the motor assembly 411 and the drive assembly 415.

[0073] Drive assembly 415 may be configured to transmit torque from motor assembly 411 to the housing 401 (e.g., roller tube) of the integrated electric conveyor roller. Additionally, as shown, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 includes a bearing assembly 419 configured to engage with motor assembly 411 and drive assembly 415 to facilitate rotation of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400 about a central axis 406. As shown, bearing assembly 419 is disposed adjacent to and operatively coupled to a first end cap 405 of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400. In some embodiments, drive assembly 415 may be fixed relative to housing 401 (e.g., roller tube), while motor assembly 411 is fixed relative to a frame supporting the roller tube, such that motor assembly 411 can rotate drive assembly 415 and roller tube.

[0074] As further depicted, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 includes a second end cap 407 defining a second end / surface of the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 300. As depicted, the second end cap 407 includes a second attachment 404 configured to be operatively coupled to a conveyor (e.g., disposed between a first guide rail and a second guide rail, such as within a hole in the second guide rail). As described above, the integrated electric conveyor roller 400 includes a power cable 403 disposed adjacent to the second end cap 407, the power cable being configured to be connected to a power source. In some embodiments, the second end cap 407 includes a light-emitting diode (LED) element 409 configured to provide a visual alarm in response to a detected condition of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400.

[0075] In some implementation schemes, such as in Figure 4 As further depicted, the exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 includes a load sensor 413. As shown, the load sensor 413 is disposed within a housing 401 (e.g., a roller tube) of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400 between a motor assembly 411 and a drive assembly 415. The load sensor 413 is configured to determine the weight of an object disposed on at least a portion of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400, such as by converting the weight of the object into a measurable electrical signal. For example, as an object moves along the conveyor and is incident on the motor assembly 411, the load sensor 413 may generate a measurable electrical signal (e.g., a voltage output) corresponding to the weight of the object. In various embodiments, the load sensor 413 may be or include one or more strain gauges, piezoelectric sensors, etc.

[0076] As stated above, and as Figure 4The depicted integrated electric conveyor roller 400 includes a controller component 417. As depicted, the controller component 417 may be at least partially disposed within a housing 401 (e.g., roller tube) of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400. As depicted, the controller component 417 is disposed between a bearing assembly 419 and a drive assembly 415. In various embodiments, the controller component 417 may be or include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs). For example, as depicted, the controller component 417 includes a PCB stack comprising three PCBs configured to communicate electronically with each other. In various embodiments, the controller component 417 includes a controller module configured to control the operation of a motor assembly 411, a drive assembly 415, a load sensor 413, etc. In some embodiments, the controller component 417 includes a wireless module configured to provide a communication interface (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), low-power wide-area networks such as LoRa, etc.) between the integrated electric conveyor roller 400 and one or more other electric conveyor rollers. Additionally, in some embodiments, the controller component 417 includes a power module configured to control the operation of the electronic components (e.g., circuits, sensing elements, etc.) of the integrated electric conveyor roller 400.

[0077] Although Figure 4 An exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 is depicted, but it should be noted that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to... Figure 4 The example shown. An exemplary integrated electric conveyor roller 400 according to this disclosure may include one or more additional and / or alternative elements, and / or may differ from those shown. Figure 4 The components shown. For example, a conveyor roller according to this disclosure may include adjustable components to controllably deflect articles at one or more locations along the conveyor line.

[0078] Figures 5A to 5B An exemplary top view of a conveyor roller with an integrated steering element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5A A top view of an exemplary conveyor roller 500 in a first non-steering configuration 525 is shown. Figure 5B A top view of an exemplary conveyor roller 500 in a second steering configuration 550 is shown.

[0079] An exemplary conveyor roller 500 may include an electrically powered or non-electrically powered conveyor roller. For example, the conveyor roller 500 may be similar to the combination described above. Figure 3 and Figure 4The integrated electric conveyor rollers 300 and 400 are discussed. For example, conveyor roller 500 may be part of a conveyor line / conveyor system. Conveyor roller 500 may be configured to drive one or more non-electric conveyor rollers operatively coupled thereto. In addition or alternatively, conveyor roller 500 may be driven by another roller operatively coupled thereto. Conveyor roller 500 may be configured to be driven at least in part based on system commands and / or via computational entities (such as the combination above). Figure 1 The user interaction described in user computing entity 108 is used to transport items along at least a portion of the conveyor line.

[0080] The conveyor roller 500 may include a movable, built-in deflector 505, which enables the conveyor roller 500 to be used in both non-turning and turning sections of the conveyor line. For example, the built-in deflector 505 may be positioned at one or more locations on the conveyor roller 500 to deflect articles at one or more locations on the conveyor line. The orientation of the built-in deflector 505 may be modified to reconfigure the conveyor roller 500 between at least (i) a non-turning configuration 525 and (ii) a turning configuration 550, in which articles can be used in a non-turning configuration such as... Figure 5A The item can move in the non-steering direction 530 as shown; in this steering configuration, the item can move as shown in the following directions: Figure 5B Movement is made in the indicated turning direction 555. The non-turning direction 530 may include a forward and / or backward direction perpendicular to the length 535 of the conveyor roller 500. The turning direction 555 may include an angular direction at an angle 560 relative to the length 565 of the conveyor roller 500. In this way, the built-in steering element 505 allows for the turning of articles at any point along the conveyor line using a single type of conveyor roller.

[0081] Figures 6A to 6C An exemplary side view of a conveyor roller 600 with an element-integrated steering element according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6A A side view of the conveyor roller 600 in the first non-steering configuration 625 is shown. Figure 6B A side view of the conveyor roller 600 in the first left-turn configuration 650 is shown. Figure 6C A side view of the conveyor roller 600 in the second right-turn configuration 675 is shown.

[0082] An exemplary conveyor roller 600 may include an electrically powered or non-electrically powered conveyor roller. For example, the conveyor roller 600 may be similar to the combination described above. Figure 3 and Figure 4The integrated electric conveyor rollers 300 and 400 are discussed. For example, conveyor roller 600 may be part of a conveyor line / conveyor system. Conveyor roller 600 may be configured to drive one or more non-electric conveyor rollers operatively coupled thereto. In addition or alternatively, conveyor roller 600 may be driven by another roller operatively coupled thereto. Conveyor roller 600 may be configured at least in part based on system commands and / or via computational entities (such as the combination above). Figure 1 The user interaction described in user computing entity 108 is used to transport items along at least a portion of the conveyor line.

[0083] The conveyor roller 600 may include a housing 615. The housing 615 may be formed into a cylindrical tube. In some embodiments, the cylindrical tube may be at least partially hollow. The conveyor roller 600 may be configured to rotate the housing 615 about a central axis to move articles disposed on the outer surface of the housing 615. As described herein, the housing 615 may be rotated by one or more components of the conveyor roller 600, or the housing 615 may be rotated by another one or more components of another conveyor roller 600.

[0084] The conveyor roller 600 may include a plurality of element-integrated deflectors 605 disposed on the outer surface of a housing 615. The plurality of element-integrated deflectors 605 may protrude from the outer surface of the housing 615. For example, the plurality of element-integrated deflectors 605 may protrude from the housing 615 by a threshold distance (e.g., one centimeter or more, one inch or more, etc.) to contact an article disposed on the housing 615. In this way, the plurality of element-integrated deflectors 605 may form a second diameter larger than the diameter of the housing 615. Figure 8 The depicted conveyor section may include multiple conveyor rollers with built-in steering elements. Each conveyor roller may include the same diameter (e.g., formed by a corresponding built-in steering element of the conveyor roller) to achieve a steering function.

[0085] Multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may form multiple ridges around the outer surface (e.g., circumference) of the housing 615. The multiple ridges may include multiple complete (e.g., continuous) ridges around the outer surface of the housing 615. Alternatively, the multiple ridges may include multiple partial (e.g., discontinuous) ridges around the outer surface of the housing 615. The multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may include one or more different shapes and / or may be arranged in one or more different arrangements on the outer surface of the housing 615. The shape and / or arrangement may form one or more different ridges around the outer surface of the housing 615.

[0086] Through examples, Figure 7Exemplary steering element configurations 700 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated. Each steering element configuration in the steering element configuration 700 includes a plurality of element-in-place steering elements disposed at one or more locations on the outer surface of the conveyor roller housing. The element-in-place steering elements may be composed of any metal, polymer, and / or rubber-based material. In some embodiments, the element-in-place steering elements may be composed of a metallic material. For example, the metallic material may include one or more magnetic properties that can be utilized to alter the orientation of the element-in-place steering elements.

[0087] Multiple steering elements may include a variety of different shapes and / or sizes. For example, multiple steering elements may include steering surfaces of rhombuses, parallelograms, triangles, squares, lines, and / or any other geometry. Steering element configuration 700 may include one or more different staggered and / or linear arrangements of multiple steering elements. For example, multiple element-integrated steering elements may be arranged in a staggered pattern on the outer surface of the housing. Alternatively, multiple element-integrated steering elements may be arranged in a linear pattern on the outer surface of the housing.

[0088] As an example, multiple steering elements may include one or more diamond steering elements 710. The diamond steering elements 710 may be arranged in an interlaced diamond arrangement 705. Alternatively, the diamond steering elements 710 may be arranged in a linear diamond arrangement 715.

[0089] As another example, the multiple steering elements may include one or more parallelogram steering elements 725. The parallelogram steering elements 725 may be arranged in an interlaced parallelogram arrangement 720. Alternatively, the parallelogram steering elements 725 may be arranged in a linear parallelogram arrangement 730.

[0090] As another example, the multiple steering elements may include one or more triangular steering elements 740. The triangular steering elements 740 may be arranged in an alternating triangular arrangement 735. Alternatively, the triangular steering elements 740 may be arranged in a linear triangular arrangement 745.

[0091] As yet another example, the multiple steering elements may include one or more line steering elements 755. The line steering elements 755 may be arranged in an interlaced line arrangement 750. Alternatively, the line steering elements 755 may be arranged in a linear line arrangement 760.

[0092] Figure 7 Only a few of the possible exemplary steering element configurations 700 are shown. As described above, the multiple steering elements disposed on the outer surface of the conveyor roller housing may include any shape and / or size and may be arranged on the outer surface of the conveyor roller housing in any configuration. Although Figure 7 Interlaced and linear arrangements are described, but any arrangement, including uniform and non-uniform arrangements, can be used. Furthermore, in some embodiments, multiple elements with built-in steering components can be arranged in different compatible arrangements, allowing multiple conveyor rollers to be closely positioned on the conveyor line.

[0093] Back Figures 6A to 6C Multiple element-built steering elements 605 (and / or their ridges) can form a reconfigurable surface protruding from the outer surface of the housing 615. The reconfigurable surface can contact an article to move the article in a direction relative to the housing 615. The reconfigurable surface can be controlled by moving the multiple element-built steering elements 605 to change the direction of movement of the article relative to the conveyor roller 600.

[0094] For example, multiple component-integrated steering elements 605 can be reconfigured between one or more orientations relative to housing 615. At each orientation, the multiple component-integrated steering elements 605 can form different surfaces for moving articles at a specific angle relative to conveyor roller 600.

[0095] As an example, multiple components built into the steering element 605 can be configured in a non-steering orientation to form Figure 6A The non-steering configuration 625. In a non-steering orientation, multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may form multiple non-steering ridges (e.g., partial or complete), which are operable to maintain the movement (e.g., forward / backward movement) of an article disposed on the conveyor roller 600. For example, the housing 615 of the conveyor roller 600 may be configured to rotate about a central axis 610. The non-steering orientation may correspond to a non-steering angle perpendicular to the central axis 610 of the conveyor roller 600. By way of example, the non-steering orientation of the multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may include an angle perpendicular to the central axis 610, such that upon contact with an article, the multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may apply a force to the article in a non-steering direction 620 (e.g., forward, backward, etc.) relative to the central axis 610 of the conveyor roller 600.

[0096] As another example, multiple element-integrated steering members 605 can be configured in a steering orientation. The steering orientation may correspond to a steering angle relative to the central axis 610 of the conveyor roller 600. In the steering orientation, the multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may form multiple ridges of steering (e.g., partial or complete), which are operable to steer the movement of articles disposed on the conveyor roller 600.

[0097] For example, multiple components integrated into the steering element 605 can be configured in a steering orientation to form Figure 6BThe left-turning configuration 650. The turning orientation of the multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may include a leftward angle 645 (e.g., 45 degrees, etc.) relative to the central axis 610. For example, the leftward angle 645 may include a non-right angle (e.g., an acute angle, etc.) relative to the central axis 610, such that upon contact with an article, the multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may apply a force to the article in a leftward turning direction 630 relative to the central axis 610 of the conveyor roller 600.

[0098] Alternatively, multiple components integrated with steering element 605 can be configured in a steering orientation to form Figure 6C The right-turn configuration 675. The steering orientation of the multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may include a right-turn angle 655 (e.g., 135 degrees, etc.) relative to the central axis 610. For example, the right-turn angle 655 may include a non-right angle (e.g., an obtuse angle, etc.) relative to the central axis 610, such that upon contact with an article, the multiple element-integrated steering members 605 may apply a force to the article in a right-turning direction 640 relative to the central axis 610 of the conveyor roller 600.

[0099] The degrees of leftward angle 645° and rightward angle 655° can be reconfigured to modify the degree to which the item is turned from the conveyor roller 600. In some embodiments, the conveyor roller 600 may be grouped together with multiple conveyor rollers along a conveyor line. The orientation of the built-in steering elements of one or more of the multiple conveyor rollers can be configured at various angles to move the item in the desired direction.

[0100] For example, Figure 8 An exemplary conveyor roller line 800 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The conveyor roller line 800 may include a plurality of conveyor rollers 805 having an element-integrated deflector 810. Additionally, the conveyor roller line 800 may include a plurality of segments, including a first straight segment 850 and a second straight segment 875 connected at a corner. As shown, the configuration of the element-integrated deflector 810 may be changed at one or more of the conveyor rollers 805 to move an article 835 around a corner from the first straight segment 850 to the second straight segment 875 without a separate deflector segment (e.g., Figure 2B (Turning section 252).

[0101] Through examples, such as Figure 8As shown, one or more first conveyor rollers 815 may include a plurality of element-built-in steering members 810 in a non-steering configuration. One or more first conveyor rollers 815 can rotate about a central axis to move an article in a forward direction along conveyor roller line 800. Additionally, one or more second conveyor rollers 820 may include a plurality of element-built-in steering members 810 in a steering configuration. One or more second conveyor rollers 820 can rotate about a central axis to move an article in a right-turning direction 840 along a first straight section 850 of conveyor roller line 800 toward a second straight section 875 of conveyor roller line 800.

[0102] In some embodiments, the orientation of the component-integrated steering member 810 on each of the second conveyor rollers 820 can be configured at different angles to allow the article 835 to gradually move across the first straight section 850. For example, the orientation of the component-integrated steering member 810 at the initial second conveyor roller 825 can differ from that at the final second conveyor roller 830 (e.g., at different degrees of angle, etc.). In this way, as the article 835 moves toward the connecting corner, the article 835 can gradually advance toward the second straight section 875 of the conveyor roller line 800.

[0103] Figure 8 An exemplary conveyor roller line 800 is shown, which uses multiple conveyor rollers 805 to reconfigure the placement of items on the conveyor roller line 800. In some embodiments, multiple modular conveyor rollers may be used to further improve the placement of items on the conveyor roller line.

[0104] Figures 9A to 9C Exemplary modular conveyor roller 900 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The modular conveyor roller 900 may include a plurality of reconfigurable conveyor rollers, including a first conveyor roller 905, a second conveyor roller 910, and a third conveyor roller 915. Although Figures 9A to 9C Three conveyor rollers are shown, but it should be noted that embodiments with any number of conveyor rollers are conceivable with respect to this disclosure.

[0105] The first conveyor roller 905, the second conveyor roller 910, and the third conveyor roller 915 may be coupled to form a modular conveyor roller 900. The conveyor rollers may use one or more mechanical and / or magnetic attachment mechanisms (e.g., referring to Figures 2 to 12). Figure 4(Those discussed) to be coupled. Each of the first conveyor roller 905, the second conveyor roller 910, and the third conveyor roller 915 may include a plurality of individually controlled element-in-place steering elements 920. The individually controlled element-in-place steering elements 920 can be controlled to adjust the placement of items (e.g., the first item 925 and the second item 930) on the modular conveyor roller 900 (or a conveyor roller in the conveyor line following the modular conveyor roller 900).

[0106] For example, Figure 9A A first configuration is depicted, wherein individually controlled elements of the first conveyor roller 905, the second conveyor roller 910, and the third conveyor roller 915 are integrated with steering elements 920 for a non-steering orientation. In this first configuration, the first article 925 and the second article 930 can maintain their positions on the modular conveyor roller 900 (or a conveyor roller in the conveyor line following the modular conveyor roller 900).

[0107] Figure 9B A second configuration is depicted, wherein the individually controlled elements of the first conveyor roller 905 and the second conveyor roller 910 have built-in steering elements 920 oriented in a non-steering configuration, and the elements of the third conveyor roller 915 have built-in steering elements 920 oriented in a left-turning configuration. In the second configuration, the first article 925 can maintain its position on the modular conveyor roller 900, and the second article 930 can be turned from its position on the third conveyor roller 915 to another position on the second conveyor roller 910 (or a conveyor roller in the conveyor line following the modular conveyor roller 900).

[0108] Figure 9C A third configuration is depicted, in which the individually controlled elements of the second conveyor roller 910 and the third conveyor roller 915 have built-in steering elements 920 oriented in a non-steering configuration, and the elements of the first conveyor roller 905 have built-in steering elements 920 oriented in a right-turning configuration. In the third configuration, the first article 925 can be turned from its position on the first conveyor roller 905 to another position on the second conveyor roller 910 (or a conveyor roller in the conveyor line following the modular conveyor roller 900).

[0109] Although Figures 9A to 9C An exemplary modular conveyor roller 900 is depicted, but it should be noted that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to... Figures 9A to 9C The example shown. An exemplary modular conveyor roller 900 according to this disclosure may include one or more additional and / or alternative elements, and / or may differ from... Figures 9A to 9C The components shown.

[0110] Figure 10An exemplary cross-sectional view of an exemplary conveyor roller 1000 having a steering assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The steering assembly may include a plurality of element-integrated steering members 1005 and at least one actuator operatively coupled to the element-integrated steering members 1005.

[0111] The component-integrated steering element 1005 may be fixed around the outer circumference of the housing 1010 of the conveyor roller 1000. In some embodiments, the component-integrated steering element 1005 may be coupled to a mechanical link 1015 within the housing 1010 of the conveyor roller 1000. For example, the conveyor roller 1000 may include a plurality of mechanical links 1015 disposed within the housing 1010. For example, the plurality of mechanical links 1015 may include a corresponding mechanical link coupled to a corresponding component-integrated steering element. In some embodiments, the mechanical link 1015 may be coupled to the central axis 1020 of the conveyor roller 1000 at a first inner end and to the component-integrated steering element 1005 at a second outer end. As described herein, in some embodiments, the mechanical link 1015 may include at least a portion of the actuator of the steering assembly.

[0112] The component-integrated steering element 1005 can be physically coupled to the mechanical link 1015. For example, the housing 1010 may include multiple holes. For example, the holes may include at least one hole between each pair of component-integrated steering elements 1005 and the corresponding mechanical link 1015. In some embodiments, the corresponding component-integrated steering element can be physically coupled to the corresponding mechanical link through the corresponding hole in the housing 1010. For example, the corresponding mechanical link can be coupled to the corresponding component-integrated steering element through the corresponding hole in the housing 1010.

[0113] Alternatively, the component-integrated steering element 1005 may be indirectly coupled to the mechanical link 1015 via the outer surface of the housing 1010. By way of example, the component-integrated steering element 1005 may be electrically coupled (e.g., magnetically coupled, etc.) to the mechanical link 1015. In this way, the mechanical link 1015 may be coupled to the corresponding component-integrated steering element via a physical layer of the housing 1010.

[0114] The steering assembly may include one or more actuators operatively coupled to the component-integrated steering element. For example, the component-integrated steering element 1005 may be operatively coupled to one or more actuators. Alternatively, one or more actuators may be operatively coupled to the component-integrated steering element via a mechanical link 1015. The actuator may include one or more actuation devices configured to change the orientation of the component-integrated steering element 1005. In some embodiments, the actuator may change the orientation of the component-integrated steering element 1005 by moving the mechanical link 1015.

[0115] For example, the actuation device may include a mechanical lever operably connected to the mechanical link 1015. For example, the mechanical lever may be coupled to each mechanical link in the mechanical link 1015. The mechanical lever may be actuated to physically move (e.g., twist, rotate, etc.) the mechanical link 1015 to change the orientation of the connected element-integrated steering member 1005. In this way, the mechanical lever can be used to adjust the mechanical link 1015 to change the current orientation of the element-integrated steering member 1005.

[0116] Alternatively or in addition to this, the actuation device may include one or more magnetic actuators. The magnetic actuators can cause movement (e.g., a change in orientation) of the component-built-in steering element 1005 by actuating an external magnetic field configured to magnetically push and / or pull the component-built-in steering element 1005 in a particular direction. By way of example, the magnetic actuator may include a magnetically switchable device operable to change the magnetic field of the housing 1010. The current orientation of the plurality of component-built-in steering elements 1005 may be based on the magnetic field of the housing 1010, such that a change in the magnetic field of the housing 1010 can trigger a change in the orientation of the component-built-in steering element 1005.

[0117] In some embodiments, the actuation device may include an electromagnetic actuation system operable to change the current orientation of a plurality of element-built steering elements. The electromagnetic actuation system may include an electric motor, a solenoid actuator, a moving coil actuator, and / or any other actuation system capable of applying force to the element-built steering element 1005 and / or the mechanical link 1015. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic actuation system may cause movement of the mechanical link 1015 to change the orientation of the element-built steering element 1005, as described herein.

[0118] In some implementations, the steering assembly can automatically change the orientation of the built-in steering element 1005. For example, an actuator device can cause the built-in steering element 1005 to automatically change its orientation. For example, as referenced... Figure 4 The conveyor roller discussed may include a motor assembly and a drive assembly at least partially disposed within the conveyor housing, the motor assembly and drive assembly being configured to cause rotation of at least a portion of the conveyor roller.

[0119] In some implementations, an actuating device (e.g., an external magnetic actuator, mechanical lever, electromechanical actuation system, etc.) may be operatively coupled to a motor assembly, and the motor assembly may be configured to control the actuator to change the orientation of the element-built steering member 1005. As an example, a mechanical link 1015 may be operatively coupled to the motor assembly. The motor assembly may be configured to adjust the mechanical link to change the current orientation of the element-built steering member 1005.

[0120] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the conveyor roller may include a controller component that communicates electronically with the motor assembly and drive assembly. The controller component may be configured to initiate actuation (e.g., via an external magnetic actuator, mechanical lever, electromechanical actuation system, etc.) to change the current orientation of the element-built steering member 1005. For example, the controller component may be configured to cause adjustment of the mechanical linkage 1015 in response to an input indicating a desired orientation of the plurality of element-built steering members 1005.

[0121] See now Figure 11 A schematic diagram is provided depicting an example controller component 1100 that electronically communicates with a motor assembly 1109 and an integrated steering assembly 1111 of a conveyor roller according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the controller component 1100 includes a processing circuit 1101, a communication element 1103, an input / output element 1105, a memory 1107, and / or other components configured to perform the various operations, programs, functions, etc. described herein.

[0122] In some implementations, controller component 1100 may be or include a printed circuit board (PCB). In some examples, controller component 1100 may also include one or more of the following: a full-bridge motor driver, a Hall sensor, one or more thermal sensors, one or more user interfaces, one or more protection circuits, configuration management circuitry, a wireless interface, sensing element circuitry (e.g., image sensor circuitry), an interface connector, power control circuitry, gate driver circuitry, etc.

[0123] Processing circuitry 1101 may be embodied as an apparatus comprising one or more microprocessors having an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more processors without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements (including integrated circuits, such as, but not limited to, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)) or some combination thereof. Therefore, although in Figure 11 While illustrated as a single processor, in embodiments, processing circuitry 1101 may include multiple processors and signal processing modules. Multiple processors may be embodied on a single electronic device or distributed across multiple electronic devices that are collectively configured to function as circuitry for a conveyor roller. The multiple processors may operatively communicate with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functions of the conveyor roller's circuitry, as described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, processing circuitry 1101 may be configured to execute instructions stored in memory 1107 or otherwise accessible to processing circuitry 1101. These instructions, when executed by processing circuitry 1101, may cause the conveyor roller's circuitry to perform one or more functions, as described herein.

[0124] Regardless of whether the processing circuit 1101 is configured by a hardware method, a firmware / software method, or a combination thereof, the processing circuit may include an entity capable of performing operations and being configured accordingly according to embodiments of this disclosure. Thus, for example, when the processing circuit 1101 is implemented as an ASIC, FPGA, etc., the processing circuit 1101 may include hardware specifically configured to perform one or more of the operations described herein. Additionally or alternatively, when the processing circuit 1101 is embodied as an operator of instructions (such as those that can be stored in memory 1107), these instructions may be specifically configured to configure the processing circuit 1101 to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

[0125] Therefore, the processing circuit 1101 used herein may refer to a programmable microprocessor, microcomputer, or one or more multiprocessor chips that can be configured by software instructions (application programs) to perform functions including those described in the various embodiments above. In some devices, multiple processors may be provided dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. The software application may be stored in internal memory before being accessed and loaded into the processor. The processor may include sufficient internal memory to store the application software instructions. In many devices, the internal memory may be volatile memory, or non-volatile memory such as flash memory, or a combination of both. The memory may also be located within another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer-readable instructions to be downloaded via the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

[0126] Memory 1107 may include suitable logic, circuitry, and / or interfaces adapted to store a set of instructions executable by processing circuitry 1101 to perform predetermined operations. Additionally or alternatively, memory 1107 may be configured to store data / information, application programs, instructions, etc., enabling controller component 1100 to perform various functions according to embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in at least some embodiments, memory 1107 is configured to cache input data for processing by processing circuitry 1101. Therefore, in at least some embodiments, memory 1107 is configured to store program instructions for execution by processing circuitry 1101. Memory 1107 may store information in static and / or dynamic information forms. When performing functions, the stored information may be stored and / or used by controller component 1100. Exemplary memory implementations may include, but are not limited to, hard disks, random access memory, cache memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) and electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile optical disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM), optical discs, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In an exemplary implementation, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, memory 1107 may be integrated with processing circuitry 1101 on a single chip.

[0127] Communication element 1103 can be implemented as any means including circuitry, hardware, computer program products, or combinations thereof, configured to receive and / or transmit data to or from another component or device. The computer program product includes computer-readable program instructions stored on a computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 1107) and executed by processing component 1100 (e.g., processing circuitry 1101). In some embodiments, communication element 1103 (like the other components discussed herein) can be at least partially implemented as or otherwise controlled by processing circuitry 1101. In this regard, communication element 1103 can communicate with processing circuitry 1101, for example, via a bus. Communication element 1103 can include, for example, an antenna, transmitter, receiver, transceiver, network interface card, and / or supporting hardware and / or firmware / software, and is used to establish communication with another device. Communication element 1103 can be configured to receive and / or transmit any data that can be stored in memory 1107 using any protocol that can be used for communication between devices. Communication element 1103 may additionally or alternatively communicate with memory 1107, input / output element 1105 and / or any other component of processing unit 1100, for example via a bus.

[0128] In some embodiments, processing unit 1100 may include input / output element 1105. Input / output element 1105 may communicate with processing circuitry 1101 to receive instructions input by a user and / or provide auditory, visual, mechanical, or other outputs to the user. Therefore, input / output element 1105 may include supporting devices such as a keyboard, mouse, display, touchscreen display, and / or other input / output mechanisms. Alternatively, at least some aspects of input / output element 1105 may be implemented on a user-used device to communicate with processing unit 1100. Input / output element 1105 may communicate with memory 1107, communication element 1103, and / or any other components, for example, via a bus. One or more input / output modules and / or other components may be included in processing unit 1100.

[0129] See now Figure 12 A schematic diagram is provided depicting an exemplary controller component 1200 of a conveyor roller according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some examples, the controller component 1200 may be combined with the above. Figure 4 The controller component 417 described is similar to or the same as that described.

[0130] In some embodiments, as depicted, controller component 1200 may be or include a PCB stack comprising multiple PCBs that communicate electronically with each other via interface connectors. In particular, as depicted, controller component 1200 includes power module 1201, controller module 1203, and wireless module 1205.

[0131] like Figure 12 The depicted power module 1201 includes a first PCB configured to control the operation of electronic components of a conveyor roller. In the depicted embodiment, the power module 1201 is configured to receive / regulate power and includes one or more of the following: a Hall effect sensing circuit, a thermal sensor, an interface connector, one or more protection circuits, a full-bridge motor driver, a gate driver, one or more user interfaces, and a power section.

[0132] As described above, the controller component 1200 includes a controller module 1203. The controller module 1203 includes a second PCB configured to control various operations of the conveyor rollers. In the depicted embodiment, the controller module 1203 includes at least one sensing element (e.g., photoelectric sensor) circuitry, an interface connector, a microcontroller unit (MCU), and conveyor roller configuration management circuitry.

[0133] As described above, the controller component 1200 includes a wireless module 1205. The wireless module 1205 includes a third PCB configured to provide a communication interface (e.g., Bluetooth, BLE, LoRa, etc.), for example, between a conveyor roller and one or more other conveyor rollers.

[0134] like Figure 12 As further described, the wireless module 1205 includes a power source (e.g., a backup rechargeable coin cell battery), a BLE and / or LoRa interface, communication elements, monitoring circuitry, and an interface connector.

[0135] In some implementation schemes, such as Figure 12 As depicted, controller component 1200 may include monitoring circuitry for monitoring the operation and / or operating conditions of the conveyor roller via one or more sensing elements (e.g., providing a self-test function). By way of example, the monitoring circuitry of controller component 1200 may be operatively coupled to a magnetic sensing element (e.g., an inductor or transformer). During operation, rotation of the conveyor roller motor assembly generates a magnetic field, which in turn generates a measurable electrical signal (e.g., a voltage output) across the magnetic sensing element coupled thereto. The output of a comparator circuit may be used to provide an output describing one or more parameters associated with the conveyor roller (e.g., lifetime motor operating time, revolutions, load conditions, vibration information, installation problems, belt wear, etc.). In some embodiments, at least a portion of the output of the comparator circuit may be measured and stored in memory. In some examples, controller component 1200 may provide control indications to actuate LED elements in response to the detection of certain conditions (e.g., complete loss of motor function or overload scenario). In various embodiments, controller component 1200 may be operatively coupled to other types of sensing elements, including pressure sensors, vibration sensors, temperature sensors, position sensors, etc.

[0136] In various implementations, controller component 1200 may store (e.g., periodically and / or in response to requests) information / data describing various operating parameters of the conveyor rollers, including lifetime motor operating time, object information (e.g., information describing the presence / absence and / or other characteristics of an object, image data, etc.).

[0137] Although Figure 12 An exemplary controller component 1200 (e.g., a PCB stack) is depicted, but it should be noted that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to this. Figure 12 The example shown. An exemplary controller component 1200 according to this disclosure may include one or more additional and / or alternative elements, and / or may differ from... Figure 12 The components shown. For example, a conveyor roller according to this disclosure may include a single PCB or more than three PCBs.

[0138] See now Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating exemplary operation 1300 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided. In some examples, exemplary operation 1300 may be comprised of various system components (e.g., but not limited to those referenced above). Figure 1 The processing circuitry of the computing entity 106 is executed. System components may be or include a central server. In some examples, system components may include processing circuitry electrically coupled to and / or in electronic communication with other circuitry, such as, but not limited to, one or more conveyor rollers (e.g., in combination with the above). Figure 4 To Figures 6 and 9 Figure 10 The described integrated electric conveyor rollers include roller 400, roller 500, roller 600, roller 900, and roller 1000.

[0139] At 1305, operation 1300 may include receiving configuration data from a computing entity in electronic communication with a controller component of the conveyor roller. For example, the controller component may receive configuration data from a computing entity in electronic communication with it. The configuration data may indicate the steering angle of the conveyor roller. The steering angle may indicate the angle used to turn an article from the conveyor line to another segment of the conveyor line and / or to another location along the length of the conveyor rollers constituting the conveyor line. In some embodiments, the steering angle may indicate the desire not to turn the article. In other embodiments, the steering angle may indicate the desire to turn the article, and in some examples, it indicates a specific angle used to achieve the desired turn.

[0140] At 1310, operation 1300 may include movement of a plurality of element-built steering elements disposed on the outer surface of the conveyor roller housing, caused by a controller component and at least in part based on configuration data. For example, the controller component may cause movement of the plurality of element-built steering elements. The controller component may cause movement of the plurality of element-built steering elements to reconfigure the orientation of the element-built steering elements relative to the conveyor roller housing. For this purpose, the controller component may be configured to provide one or more control commands to an actuating device (e.g., an external magnetic actuator, mechanical lever, electromechanical actuation system, etc.) operatively coupled to the plurality of element-built steering elements.

[0141] The orientation of the built-in steering elements allows the conveyor rollers to move items in one or more directions. For example, the steering angle indicates the angle at which an item is turned away from the conveyor line associated with the conveyor rollers. In response to the steering angle, control components can cause movement of multiple built-in steering elements to turn the item away from the conveyor rollers by the steering angle.

[0142] Those skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain will, having benefited from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and related drawings, conceive of numerous modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although the foregoing description and related drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above, as shown in some of the appended claims, may also be contemplated. Although specific terminology is used herein, it is used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for limiting purposes.

Claims

1. A conveyor roller, comprising: To form the outer shell of a cylindrical tube; Multiple component-integrated steering elements are disposed on the outer surface of the housing, wherein the multiple component-integrated steering elements are configurable relative to the housing in one or more orientations; and A plurality of mechanical links are disposed within the housing and coupled to the central shaft of the conveyor roller, wherein the plurality of mechanical links include corresponding mechanical links coupled to the internal steering components of corresponding elements. The corresponding mechanical linkage is adjustable to change the current orientation of the corresponding element's built-in steering element.

2. The conveyor roller of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements have built-in steering elements that protrude from the outer surface of the housing to form a plurality of local ridges around the outer surface of the housing.

3. The conveyor roller of claim 2, wherein the conveyor roller is configured to cause the housing to rotate about the central axis of the conveyor roller.

4. The conveyor roller of claim 3, wherein in the steering orientation, the plurality of elements incorporate steering elements to form a plurality of local ridges of steering, the local ridges being operable to steer the movement of an article disposed on the conveyor roller.

5. The conveyor roller according to claim 4, wherein the steering orientation corresponds to a steering angle relative to the central axis of the conveyor roller.

6. The conveyor roller according to claim 3 or 4, wherein in a non-steering orientation, the plurality of elements incorporate steering elements to form a plurality of non-steering local ridges, the local ridges being operable to maintain forward movement of articles disposed on the conveyor roller.

7. The conveyor roller of claim 6, wherein the non-steering orientation corresponds to a non-steering angle perpendicular to the central axis of the conveyor roller.

8. The conveyor roller according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: A magnetically switchable device operable to change the magnetic field of the housing, wherein the current orientation of the steering element built into the plurality of elements is based on the magnetic field.

9. The conveyor roller of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the built-in steering element comprises a metallic material having one or more magnetic properties.

10. The conveyor roller according to claim 1, further comprising: An electromagnetic actuation system operable to change the current orientation of the steering elements built into the plurality of components.

11. The conveyor roller of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of holes, and wherein the respective mechanical linkage is physically coupled to a corresponding element-integrated steering element through the respective holes of the housing.

12. The conveyor roller according to claim 1, further comprising: A motor assembly and a drive assembly are at least partially disposed within the housing, the motor assembly and the drive assembly being configured to cause rotation of at least a portion of the conveyor roller, wherein a corresponding mechanical link is operatively coupled to the motor assembly, and wherein the motor assembly is configured to adjust the corresponding mechanical link to change the current orientation of the corresponding element-integrated steering element.

13. The conveyor roller according to claim 12, further comprising: A controller component that communicates electronically with the motor assembly and drive assembly, wherein the controller component is configured to cause adjustment of the corresponding mechanical linkage in response to an input of a steering angle indicating the built-in steering of the plurality of elements.

14. The conveyor roller of claim 1, wherein the plurality of built-in deflectors are arranged in an alternating pattern on the outer surface of the housing.

15. The conveyor roller of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements are integrated with a steering element and arranged in a linear pattern on the outer surface of the housing.

16. A method comprising: The controller component of the conveyor roller receives configuration data from a computing entity that is in electronic communication with the controller component, the configuration data indicating the steering angle of the conveyor roller; as well as The controller component, and at least in part based on the configuration data, causes movement of a plurality of built-in steering elements disposed on the outer surface of the housing of the conveyor roller. A plurality of mechanical links are disposed within the housing and coupled to the central shaft of the conveyor roller, wherein the plurality of mechanical links include corresponding mechanical links coupled to the internal steering components of corresponding elements. The corresponding mechanical linkage is adjustable to change the current orientation of the corresponding element's built-in steering element.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the turning angle indicates the angle at which the article is turned from the conveyor line associated with the conveyor roller.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, Inducing movement of multiple element-built steering components disposed on the outer surface of the housing of the conveyor roller includes: providing one or more control commands to an actuating device operatively coupled to the multiple element-built steering components.

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