Conveyor Extended Flight

Abstract

A conveying system employs expandable flights to control the spacing of objects conveyed by the conveyor. Each flight includes a body portion including a pair of panels separated by an expandable linkage. The flights are pivotally attached to a moving body of the linear transport system via a mounting portion such that the flights can move independently of the conveyor.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 334,754, entitled "Extendable Flight for Conveyors," filed April 26, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of power driven conveyors, and more particularly to a system and method for controlling the spacing of conveyed objects. [Background technology]

[0003] It is often desirable to space conveyed objects in a selected manner along the direction of travel of a conveyor, such as a conveyor belt. Spacing allows for downstream processing, such as diverting selected objects to an exit conveyor for sorting. For example, it may be desirable to place only one package at a time on a section of the conveying system, such as a diverter. When packages vary in size, as is often the case in the transportation industry, it may be necessary to vary the spacing of the packages to place only one package at a time on a selected section while keeping the gap between packages as small as possible. Additionally, non-standard packages, such as envelopes or bags, may be difficult to operate on flights used to space conveyed objects. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, a flight of a conveyor includes an expandable body and a mounting portion for mounting the expandable body relative to the conveyor. The expandable body includes a first panel, a second panel, and a linkage system between the first panel and the second panel for selectively moving the second panel relative to the first panel. The mounting portion is connected to the first panel.

[0005] In another embodiment, a conveyor system for conveying and spacing articles comprises a conveyor having a conveying surface extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and a plurality of flights extending laterally on the conveying surface, each flight including an expandable body that is longitudinally expandable. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dynamic gap transport system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the dynamic gap transport system of FIG. 1 with a parcel being gapped and transported. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a flight with an expandable body in the dynamic gap transport system of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the flight of FIG. 3 with the body folded up. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the body of FIG. 4 in a partially expanded state. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the body of FIG. 4 in an expanded state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the main body of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a top view of the main body of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the hinge connection between two flat links of the body of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is another view of the hinge connection of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a latch for securing the body of FIG. 4 in an extended position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an isometric perspective view of an actuator for the linkage system of the flight of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The transport system includes dynamic and scalable flights for controlling and varying the spacing of the transported objects. The present invention is described below with reference to certain exemplary embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a variety of applications and embodiments, and is not specifically limited in its application to the specific embodiments shown.

[0008] 1 and 2 show a dynamic gap transport system 100 employing dynamic, expandable flights. The dynamic gap transport system includes a conveyor 120 that moves objects from a first end 111 to a second end 112 in a conveying direction 12. A dynamic gap system 130 operates simultaneously with the conveyor 120 and includes independent flights 160 for spacing objects conveyed by the conveyor. For example, the dynamic gap system 130 controls and maintains a consistent gap between different sized packages 102 to improve throughput. The dynamic gap system 130 includes a linear transport system connected to multiple flights 160 that extend laterally on a conveyor transport surface 122. The exemplary flights 160 are controlled separately from the transport surface 122. The exemplary flights 160 are expandable to adjust the gap between the conveyed parcels 102 as shown in FIG. 2. If a smaller gap is desired, the flights 160 can be compressed. If a larger gap is desired, the flights 160 can be expanded to provide a selected gap size.

[0009] The illustrated conveyor 120 comprises an endless conveyor belt 120 wrapped around guide devices at each end 111, 112 defining an upper conveying surface 122 and forming a return path below the conveying path to complete a circuit. A drive device, such as a motor-driven sprocket, moves the conveyor belt 120 through the circuit, moving objects from the first end 111 to the second end 112. The conveyor's conveying path extends longitudinally from the first end 111, a receiving end, to the second end 112, a discharging end, and extends transversely in width from a first side end to a second side end.

[0010] The present invention is not limited to conveyor belts for transporting objects, and any suitable means for transporting objects may be used. For example, the conveyor may include a low friction surface, rollers, or other suitable conveyor.

[0011] The dynamic gap system 130 includes a plurality of flights 160 that extend laterally across the width or a portion of the width of the conveying surface 122 perpendicular to the conveying direction 12 for guiding conveyed objects. The flights 160 act as stops to limit the movement of the objects 102, such as packages, and control the relative spacing of the objects on the conveying surface. Alternatively or additionally, the flights 160 act as pushers to push the objects in the conveying direction.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, flights 160 are independently driven from conveying surface 122, and in certain embodiments, the flights are independently driven from one another. Flights 160 are separated by a variable separation distance, which allows flights 160 to be used to independently vary object spacing. The position of flights 160 may be adjusted longitudinally relative to conveying surface 122, or each flight 160 may move at a different speed than conveying surface 122.

[0013] The example flight 160 can be oriented in an operating position on the conveyor path. The example flight can then rotate and compress to travel around an inverter element at the end of the conveyor path and through the return path of the conveyor. Then, as the flight re-enters the conveyor path, the flight 160 rotates and expands to form a block of parcels 102 and set a predetermined gap, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0014] In one embodiment, the flight 160 is driven by a linear transportation system including a number of moving bodies 133 connected to the flight 160 and a motor module, such as a brushless BLDC motor or other type of linear magnetic motor, for propelling the moving bodies, each of which is individually controlled. Each exemplary motor module includes an endless oval-shaped rail 132 on one side of the conveyor belt that generally coincides with and is adjacent to the path of the conveyor belt 120, although the invention is not so limited. Alternatively, the rail 132 returns along another path, such as above or outside the conveyor path. The exemplary rail 132 includes an inductive device, such as an embedded electromagnetic coil, or other element that cooperates with an element, such as a magnetic plate, within the moving body 133 to propel the moving body through the circuit formed by the rail 132 at a controlled and variable pace. Suitable linear transport systems are available from Rockwell Automation (iTRACK® intelligent track system), Beckhoff Automation LLC of Savage, MN, B&R Automation of Eggelsberg, Austria, FESTO Corporation of Germany, and other linear transport system providers known in the art.

[0015] 3, each exemplary flight 160 includes an expandable body portion 161 and an attachment portion 162 connecting the body portion 161 to a moving body 133 of the linear transportation system such that as the moving body 133 moves along the rail 132, the connected body portion 161 also moves to form a dynamically allocable flight across the conveying surface 122. In one embodiment, the body portion 161 is pivotally attached to the moving body 133 such that the body portion 161 can pivot relative to the moving body 133 and the conveying surface 122. The exemplary attachment portion 162 is an attachment bar rotatably attached to a sheath 164 on the moving body 133.

[0016] The illustrated flight includes driven rollers 166, 167 at each end for engaging tracks in the frame of the transport system to control the rotational position of the flight, for example, the tracks and driven rollers rotate the body portion 161 relative to the carriage 133 to allow the flight to fit into small spaces at the ends of the transport path.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 4-8, the expandable body portion 161 includes a first panel 171 connected to the mounting portion 162 and a second panel 172 longitudinally movable relative to the first panel 171. Each panel extends laterally from an inner end adjacent the mounting portion 162 to a distal end and from an upper end to a lower end configured to extend above the conveying surface 122. Each panel is substantially flat in height and width and has a small thickness. A link mechanism selectively expands and contracts the body portion by moving the second panel 172 away from or toward the first panel 171. The link mechanism includes an input link 181 pivotally connected at a first end to a retractable rod 180. The retractable rod 180 is received in the mounting portion 162. The end of the mounting portion forms a channel 168 for exposing the end of the retractable rod. A tip 163 of the mounting portion is secured to the first end of the first panel 171.

[0018] The input link 181 is pivotally connected at a second end to the second panel 172, preferably near the lateral center of the second panel and at a top end of the second panel 172, although the invention is not so limited. In one embodiment, the second panel 172 includes a pin that is received in a hinge knuckle at the second end of the input link 181.

[0019] Cross link 183 is pivotally connected at a first end to the center of input link 181 and at a second end to the first panel 171. The first panel 171 includes a pin that is received in a hinge knuckle at the second end of cross link 183. As rod 180 is retracted into attachment 162, it pulls second panel 172 toward first panel 171, folding the body adjacent to first panel 171 as shown in Figures 4 and 8. To expand body 161, rod 180 can be extended as shown in Figures 5 and 6 to push second panel 172 away from first panel 171.

[0020] The reinforcing link can reinforce the body in the extended position while minimizing the thickness of the body when the panel is in the folded position, as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the reinforcing link includes a first flat link 191, 192 and a panel 171, 172 pivotally connected to each other. The first flat link 191 is pivotally connected at a first end to the first panel 171 below the input link 181. The first flat link 191 extends to the inner surface of the second panel 172. The second flat link 192 is shorter than the first flat link 191, extends below the first flat link 191, and is pivotally connected at a first end to a side edge of the second panel 172. The second end of the second flat link 192 is pivotally connected to the first flat link 191 by a hinge knuckle 198 that receives a pin 199 of the first flat link 191, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0021] 11, first flat link 191 includes an end slot 194 at a second end which presses against second panel 172 when expanded. The inner surface of the second panel includes a latch 195 for securing first flat link 191. Latch 195 is inserted into end slot 194 in the expanded position to reinforce the expanded body and lock the body in the expanded position.

[0022] A second set of flat links 196, 197 are similarly connected to the panels 171, 172 and to each other on the outside of the body 161.

[0023] The exemplary linkage configuration minimizes the thickness of the body when the panels are in the folded position and facilitates selective rotation of the body 161 relative to the truck 133. Other linkage configurations for selectively expanding the body may also be used.

[0024] 12, an actuator 182 for the telescoping rod 180 is housed within the sheath 164. The actuator 182 is powered from a pick-up coil 136 attached to the mover 133, along with the necessary rectifier and control electronics 137 connected to the actuator 182. The pick-up coil is powered from the same coil that drives the mover 133, or from a separate coil mounted alongside the mover coil. Actuator commands can be passed through the pick-up coil or transmitted wirelessly.

[0025] The present invention has been described in connection with specific 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 specific embodiments shown.

Claims

1. A flight for a conveyor, an expandable body including a first panel, a second panel, and a link system between the first panel and the second panel for selectively moving the second panel relative to the first panel; a mounting portion connected to the first panel for mounting the expandable body to a conveyor; 2. A flight comprising:

2. 2. The flight of claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises an attachment bar rotatably mounted within a sheath.

3. 3. The flight according to claim 2, wherein the sheath is attached to a moving body of a linear magnetic motor.

4. 3. The flight of claim 2, wherein the mounting bar houses a retractable rod connected to the link system and an actuator for selectively extending and retracting the retractable rod.

5. 5. The flight according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is powered from a pickup coil attached to a moving body of a linear magnetic motor to which the mounting portion is attached.

6. 2. The flight of claim 1, wherein the link system comprises: a first link pivotally connected at a first end to the retractable rod and at a second end to a lateral central portion of the second panel; a second link pivotally connected at a first end to a central portion of the first link and pivotally connected at a second end to a central portion of the first panel.

7. 7. The flight of claim 6, wherein the retractable rod is housed within a sheath secured to the first panel.

8. 7. The flight of claim 6, wherein the link system further comprises a set of flat links hinged below the first link and the second link.

9. 9. The flight of claim 8, wherein the first flat link includes an opening for latching to a tab on an inner surface of the second panel.

10. 2. The flight of claim 1, wherein the first panel includes a driven roller extending from a distal end thereof for engaging a track on the conveyor to selectively rotate the flight.

11. 1. A conveyor system for conveying and spacing articles, comprising: a conveyor having a conveying surface extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end; a plurality of flights extending laterally over the conveying surface, each flight having an expandable body that is longitudinally expandable; A conveyor system comprising:

12. 12. The conveyor system of claim 11, wherein each flight comprises: an expandable body comprising a first panel, a second panel, and a link system between the first panel and the second panel for selectively moving the second panel relative to the first panel; a mounting portion connected to the first panel for mounting the expandable body to the conveyor; A conveyor system comprising:

13. 13. A conveyor system as claimed in claim 12, wherein each mounting section comprises a mounting bar rotatably mounted within a sheath.

14. 14. The conveyor system according to claim 13, wherein the sheath is attached to a moving body of a linear magnetic motor.

15. 12. A conveyor system as recited in claim 11, wherein the conveyor includes a frame having a track, and each flight includes a driven roller for engaging the track and controlling the rotational position of the flight.

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