Adjustable slat for conveyor

Abstract

The conveyor system employs a plurality of sets of cooperating slats for controlling the spacing of objects conveyed by the conveyor. Each set of cooperating slats includes a front slat having a rotatable panel that is selectively movable to a vertical position to stop the parcel and a rear slat having a horizontal panel for supporting the parcel from below.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 412,711, filed on October 3, 2022, entitled “Adjustable Flights for a Conveyor,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of power driven conveyors. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling the spacing of conveyed objects. Background Art

[0004] It is often desirable to have the conveyed objects spaced apart in a selected manner along the direction of travel of a conveyor, such as a conveyor belt. The spacing enables downstream processing, such as sorting by diverting selected objects onto an exit conveyor. For example, it may be desirable to have only one package at a time on a section of a conveyor system, such as a diverter. If the packages are of different sizes, such as often occurs in the transportation industry, the spacing of the packages should be varied to ensure that only one package is on a selected section at a time while maintaining the minimum possible spacing between packages. Alternatively, it may be desirable to have uniform spacing of the packages, thus requiring automated equipment to set the packages to be at the desired uniform spacing. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to one aspect, a dynamic gapping conveyor includes: a frame forming a carry path for a conveying surface; a conveying surface extending in a conveying direction from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge. A first flight has a rotatable panel extending laterally across the conveying surface for capturing a front portion of a package. The first flight is connected to a first mover of a linear conveyor system. A second flight has a horizontal panel for supporting the package from below and is connected to a second mover of the linear conveyor system.

[0006] According to another aspect, a slat for a dynamically set interval conveyor includes: a panel for contacting a package; a rod extending from the panel; a cam follower connected to the rod for engaging a track in a frame of the dynamically set interval conveyor; a bearing support housed in a sleeve for receiving the rod; and a plurality of spring-loaded fasteners for mounting the sleeve to a mover so that raising the cam follower causes the panel to rise relative to the mover.

[0007] According to another aspect, a slat for a conveyor includes: a transversely extending panel having a plurality of first hinge elements extending from a first edge; a transversely connecting rod having a plurality of second hinge elements configured to be staggered with the first hinge elements; a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers extending from the transversely connecting rod; a hinge rod extending through the staggered hinge elements; a bearing support mounted to a mover of a linear conveyor system for rotatably receiving the hinge rod; and a cam follower connected to an end of the hinge rod and offset relative to the end of the hinge rod for engaging a track in a frame of the conveyor such that raising the cam follower rotates the transversely extending panel to a vertical position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a dynamically set spacing conveyor system according to one embodiment while conveying a first object and before receiving a second object;

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of a dynamically set interval conveying system;

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 an isometric view of the dynamic set-gap conveyor system during receiving a second object on the set-gap conveyor;

[0011] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A side view of a dynamically set interval conveying system;

[0012] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An isometric view of a dynamic set-gap conveyor system as a second object is loaded onto the set-gap conveyor;

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A side view of a dynamically set interval conveying system;

[0014] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An isometric view of a dynamically set spacing conveyor system during spacing of a first object and a second object;

[0015] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A side view of a dynamically set interval conveying system;

[0016] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1An isometric view of the dynamically set interval conveyor system after setting an interval between a first object and a second object on the set interval conveyor;

[0017] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A side view of a dynamically set interval conveying system;

[0018] Fig.11 is an isometric view of a front flight of a dynamically set spacing conveyor system according to one embodiment;

[0019] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 An isometric view of the front slat of the vehicle in a raised flap position;

[0020] Fig.13 yes Fig.11 An exploded view of the front strip of the;

[0021] Fig.14 is an isometric view of a rear slat of a dynamically set spacing conveyor system in a lowered position according to one embodiment;

[0022] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 an isometric view of the rear slat in a raised position;

[0023] Fig.16 is a side view of the input end of a set spacing conveyor with the slats in a lowered position;

[0024] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 A side view of the input end of the first strip when the first strip is rotated to the stop position;

[0025] Fig.18 Is to set the interval conveyor close to Fig.16 A side view of a portion of the input end of the slats before the slats are raised; and

[0026] Fig.19 yes Fig.16 Side view of a portion of a set spacing conveyor after the two slats are raised. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A dynamic gapping conveyor system includes multiple sets of independent slats to control and change the spacing of conveyed objects. The present invention will be described below with respect to certain illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in many different applications and embodiments and is not specifically limited in its application to the particular embodiments depicted.

[0028] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A dynamically spaced conveyor system 100 is shown that employs multiple sets of dynamic, assignable flights. Each set of flights includes a front flight (i.e., a "capture flight") designed to stop the forward movement of a package and a rear flight (i.e., a "support flight") designed to support the package from below. The front and rear flights cooperate to move the package to a desired position on the conveyor. The dynamically spaced conveyor system 100 is capable of spacing packages on a conveying surface using multiple sets of flights.

[0029] The exemplary dynamically set spacing conveyor system 100 includes a set spacing conveyor 120, which includes an endless conveyor belt, which is hung on guides at each end of the carrying path to define a top conveying surface 122, and has a return path below the carrying path to form a complete loop. A drive (such as a sprocket driven by a motor) moves the conveyor belt 120 through the loop to move objects from a first end 111 to a second end. The conveyor conveying path extends longitudinally from the first end 111 as a feed end to the second end as a discharge end, and extends transversely in width from a first side edge to a second side edge.

[0030] The spacing conveyor 120 receives a series of objects, such as packages, at an infeed end 111, spaces the objects relative to each other to a selected spacing, moves the objects to a discharge end, and discharges the objects from the discharge end at a set pace. The dynamic spacing system 130 operates simultaneously with the conveyor 120 and includes multiple sets of independent flights for spacing objects conveyed by the conveyor. For example, the dynamic spacing system 130 can control and maintain consistent spacing between packages of different sizes to increase throughput.

[0031] The present invention is not limited to the conveyor belt 120 for conveying objects, and any suitable device for conveying objects can be used. For example, the conveyor can include a low friction surface, a roller or other suitable conveyor. In one embodiment, the conveyor belt 120 is a raised rib conveyor belt with a series of longitudinal ribs separated by a valley, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0032] The dynamic spacing system 130 includes a linear conveyor system connected to a plurality of flights extending laterally above the conveying surface 122. The exemplary flights are controlled separately from the conveying surface 122. The exemplary dynamic spacing system 130 includes two flights for each package: a front flight 160 and a rear flight 180. The front flight 160 includes a rotatable panel that can be moved between a flat position and an upright position for stopping the package on the conveying surface 122. The rear flight 180 includes a panel that can be raised and lowered to support the package and selectively lift the package relative to the conveying surface 122.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the slats 160, 180 are driven independently of the conveying surface 122 and independently of each other. In one embodiment, the slats 160, 180 are driven by a linear conveyor system, which includes a plurality of movers 133 connected to the slats 160, 180 and a motor module for propelling the movers, wherein each mover 133 is individually controlled. The exemplary motor module includes an endless oblong track 132 on one side of the set interval conveyor 122, which substantially matches the path of the conveyor belt 120 and is adjacent to the path, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Optionally, the track 132 can return along a different path, such as above or outside the carrying path. The exemplary track 132 includes an inductor, such as an embedded electromagnetic coil or other element, which cooperates with an element in the mover 133 (such as a magnetic plate) to propel the mover through the loop formed by the track 132 at a controlled and variable speed. Suitable linear conveyor systems can be obtained from Rockwell Automation (the intelligent track system), Beckhoff Automation LLC of Savage, MN, B&R Automation of Eggelsberg, Austria, FESTO Corporation of Germany and other linear conveyor system providers known in the art.

[0034] The sidewall 108 adjacent the conveyor belt 120 includes tracks or other features for controlling the orientation and / or height of the flights 160, 180 at various longitudinal locations along the conveyor 120, as described below.

[0035] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The dynamically spaced conveyor system 100 is shown after a first package is placed on the spaced conveyor 120 and before a second package is placed on the conveyor 120. Figure 1 and Figure 21 , a first package 102 is positioned on the set-spacing conveyor 120 by the first front flight 160a and the first rear flight 180a. The first front flight 160a limits the forward movement of the first package 102, and the first rear flight 180a supports the first package 102 from below. The second package 104 is conveyed by the input conveyor 121 toward the set-spacing conveyor 120. When the second package 104 is discharged by the input conveyor 121, the second set of flights 160b, 180b moves from below the carrying path to receive the second package 104. While the second front flight 160b is still traveling around the input end 111, the second front flight 160b is in an unraised, panel-down position, and the second rear flight 180b is in an unraised position.

[0036] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As the second front strip 160b approaches the carryway, the panels of the second front strip 160b flip over to an upright position to capture the front of the incoming second package 104.

[0037] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the second front flight 160b captures the front of the second package 104 when the second package 104 moves onto the set spacing conveyor 120. The second rear flight 180b moves around the input end 111 to support the rear of the second package 104.

[0038] After the second package enters the carrying path, the second front flight 160b is raised above the conveying surface 122 to lift the second package 104. After the rear portion is captured, the second rear flight 180b is also raised above the conveying surface 122. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the second set of flights 160b, 180b may then accelerate the lifted second package 104 toward the first package 102.

[0039] refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Once the second package 104 reaches a preferred distance from the first package 102, the second set of flights 160b, 180b is lowered to place the package on the conveying surface 122 at a set gap G from the first package 102. Subsequently, the packages 102, 104 can be conveyed to the output end of the set gap conveyor 122 at the set gap G. In one embodiment, the horizontal panel on the rear flight 180 rests above the conveying surface 122, causing the package to tilt slightly forward, but the present invention is not limited to this. The flights 160, 180 continue to move with the set gap conveyor 122 to facilitate the conveying of the packages.

[0040] When the front flight 160 reaches the end of the setting spacing conveyor 120, the front flight 160 folds down to release the corresponding package onto the output conveyor and returns to the input end 111 via the return path in a downwardly folded position to set the spacing for other packages. The rear flight 180 preferably remains in the lowered position to return to the input end 111.

[0041] Successive groups of flights may continue to capture, lift, accelerate, space, convey, and release the spaced packages to an output conveyor.

[0042] refer to Figures 11 to 13 , an exemplary front strip 160 for selectively capturing the front of a conveyed package includes a rotatable panel 161 including a hinge element 162 spaced along and extending from a first edge. The rotatable panel 161 is hingedly connected to a lower portion including a transverse connecting rod 164, a hinge element 165 located on the transverse connecting rod, and a longitudinally extending finger 163, the hinge element 165 being configured to interleave with the panel hinge element 162. The longitudinally extending finger 163 is configured to fit in a valley between longitudinal ribs in an associated conveyor belt 122, but the invention is not limited thereto. A hinge rod 168 extends through the rotatable panel 161 and hingedly connects the rotatable panel 161 to the lower portion.

[0043] A sheath 172 is mounted to the top of the mover 133 and includes a bearing support 171 for rotatably receiving the hinge rod 168. The lower portion also includes a transverse protrusion 166 connected to the transverse connecting rod 164 via a connector 167 for connecting the lower portion to the bearing support 171.

[0044] The hinge rod 168 includes an alignment cam follower 173 at a first end and an offset cam follower 174 at a second end. The offset cam follower 174 can be used to control the orientation of the rotatable panel 161. When the offset cam follower 174 is in the first position, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, the rotatable panel 161 is in a lowered, folded-down position, thereby compressing the front strip 160 to allow passage through the return path. The offset cam follower 174 can rotate about the hinge rod axis to push the rotatable panel 161 to a raised vertical position, such as Fig.12 This allows the slats to stop the forward movement of the package contacting the raised vertical panel 161 as shown.

[0045] In addition, the sleeve 172 and bearing support 171 can be movably attached to the mover 133 to allow the entire flight portion (including the longitudinally extending fingers 163) to be raised and lowered relative to the conveying surface 122. The exemplary sleeve 172 includes an opening for receiving a spring-loaded fastener 175 to movably mount the sleeve 172 and bearing support 171 to the mover 133. When the alignment cam follower 173 is pushed upward, the alignment cam follower 173 will also lift the hinge rod 168 and the attached panel 161 and fingers 163, thereby lifting the package above the conveying surface 122.

[0046] As described below, tracks in the conveyor frame may be used to selectively move the cam followers 173 , 174 to control the position and / or orientation of the leading flight 160 .

[0047] refer to Fig.14 and Fig.15 , the exemplary rear strip 180 includes a flat, substantially horizontal panel 181 connected to the mover 133 via a sleeve 192 and a bearing support 191. The exemplary sleeve 192 may include an opening for receiving a spring-loaded fastener 195 to movably mount the sleeve 192 and the bearing support 191 to the mover 133. The offset cam followers 193, 194 extend from both ends of the strip 180 and are connected to the panel 181 by rods and / or protrusions, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Fig.15 As shown, when the cam followers 193, 194 are pushed upward, the panel 181 rises upward to push the product supported thereon above the conveying surface. Fig.14 As shown, in the lowered position, the panel 181 can rest directly on top of the conveying surface.

[0048] refer to Figures 16 to 19 , the sidewall 108 in the frame of the dynamically set spacing conveyor system 100 may include tracks for controlling the orientation of the front flight 160 and the height of the front flight 160 and the rear flight 180 relative to the conveying surface 122. The upper track 196 engages the cam follower 193 on the rear flight 180. The lower track 197 engages the cam follower 173 on the front flight 160. Fig.16 As shown, at the input end 111 , transitioning from the return path to the carry path, the tracks 196 , 197 push the cam followers 193 , 173 downward relative to the conveying surface 122 , causing the flights 160 , 180 to be lowered and fit easily around the end of the conveyor 120 .

[0049] like Fig.17As shown, at the beginning 111 of the carryway, the lower track 197 is raised relative to the conveying surface 122 at point 198, which causes the rotatable panel 161 to rotate to an upright position while the bodies of the two flights 160, 180 remain at a lowered height. Fig.18 As shown, the lower track 197 continues to rotate the rotatable panel 161 to a vertical position to capture the front of the package. Fig.18 As shown, when the rear flight 180 enters the carryway, the upper track 196 begins to lift the horizontal panel 181 of the rear flight relative to the conveying surface 122. Fig.19 As shown, when the rear flight 180 is fully in the carryway, both flights 160 and 180 are raised and the front flight 160 is in a vertical position.

[0050] Tracks 196, 197 can lower the flight to the desired position to place the package on the conveying surface 122. Track 197 is further lowered at the end of the conveying surface to compact the front flight 160 by rotating the rotatable panel 161 downward to facilitate movement through the return path. Corresponding tracks on the second side of the conveyor can guide cam followers on the other side of the flight to distribute force on the flight when it is raised.

[0051] The present invention has been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in many different applications and embodiments and is not specifically limited in its application to the particular embodiments depicted.

Claims

1. A dynamically set interval conveyor, comprising: a frame forming a carryway for the conveying surface; a conveying surface extending in a conveying direction from a first end to a second end and laterally from a first side edge to a second side edge; a first flight having a rotatable panel extending laterally across the conveying surface for capturing a front portion of a package, the first flight being connected to a first mover of a linear conveyor system; as well as A second flight having a horizontal panel for supporting the package from below, the second flight being connected to a second mover of the linear conveyor system.

2. The dynamically set interval conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first strip includes a first cam follower on a first end, and the frame includes a first track for engaging the first cam follower to selectively rotate the rotatable panel to a vertical position.

3. The dynamically set interval conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first strip includes a hinge rod connected to the rotatable panel, the hinge rod extending through a bearing support mounted to the first mover, and the cam follower extends from an end of the hinge rod.

4. The dynamically set interval conveyor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bearing support is movably mounted to the first mover using spring loaded fasteners.

5. The dynamically set interval conveyor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first strip also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers hingedly connected to the rotatable panel.

6. The dynamically set interval conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second flight includes a second cam follower, and the frame includes a second track for engaging the second cam follower to selectively raise the horizontal panel away from the conveying surface.

7. The dynamically set interval conveyor according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second strip further includes a bearing support connected to the horizontal panel, and the bearing support is movably mounted to the second mover using spring loaded fasteners.

8. The dynamically set interval conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dynamically set interval conveyor also includes a linear conveying system, which includes a plurality of movers and a circular track extending along a first side edge of the conveying surface, the circular track accommodating a plurality of sensors that interact with the movers to cause the movers to move along the circular track.

9. The dynamically set interval conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying surface includes a raised rib conveyor belt having a series of longitudinal ribs separated by valley portions.

10. A slat for dynamically setting a spacing conveyor, comprising: a panel for contacting the package; a rod extending from said panel; a cam follower connected to the rod for engaging a track in a frame of the dynamically set spacing conveyor; a bearing support received in the sheath for receiving the rod; as well as A plurality of spring loaded fasteners are used to mount the cover to the mover such that raising the cam follower causes the panel to be raised relative to the mover.

11. The strip according to claim 10, characterized in that The panel is rotatably connected to the bearing support.

12. The strip according to claim 10, characterized in that The cam follower is offset relative to the rod.

13. The strip according to claim 11, characterized in that The strip also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers hingedly connected to the rotatable panel and to the bearing support.

14. A strip for a conveyor, comprising: a laterally-extending panel having a plurality of first hinge elements extending from a first edge; a transverse connecting rod having a plurality of second hinge elements configured to be interleaved with the first hinge elements; a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers extending from the transverse connecting rod; a hinge rod extending through the interleaved hinge elements; a bearing support mounted to a mover of the linear transmission system for rotatably receiving the hinge rod; and A cam follower is connected to the end of the hinge rod and offset relative to the end of the hinge rod for engaging a track in the frame of the conveyor such that raising the cam follower rotates the laterally-extending panel to a vertical position.

15. The strip according to claim 14, characterized in that The strip also includes a sleeve for receiving the bearing support and a plurality of spring-loaded fasteners for mounting the sleeve to the mover such that raising the cam follower causes the laterally-extending panel to rise relative to the mover.

16. The strip according to claim 14, characterized in that The strip also includes an alignment cam follower connected to the second end of the hinge rod.

17. The strip according to claim 14, characterized in that The strip further comprises a transverse protrusion which is connected to the transverse connecting rod via a connecting piece for connecting the transverse connecting rod to the bearing support.

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