System, and method, for sorting products, wherein said system comprises safety measures for preventing hazardous situations for a person close to said system

Abstract

System for sorting products comprising a number of combinations of an elongated carrying body and deflecting means, a displacing device for moving the combinations in the direction of movement along the path, wherein each combination is further provided with a deflecting device for deflecting the deflecting means in a sorting direction along the carrying body, the sorting direction extending perpendicularly to the direction of movement, for deflecting a product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body with the deflecting means, a plurality of controllers, wherein each of said plurality of controllers is provided on a combination of said number of combinations, wherein each said plurality of controllers are arranged to be operative in an operating state when empowered.

Description

[0001] Title

[0002] System, and method, for sorting products, wherein said system comprises safety measures for preventing hazardous situations for a person close to said system.

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present disclosure generally relates to a system for sorting products and, more specifically, to safety measures for preventing hazardous situations to occur for a person close to said system.

[0005] Background

[0006] The present disclosure relates generally to the conveying and diverting of articles and, more particularly, to a conveyor having individually motorized transport elements to transport conveyed articles across the conveyor, like a system as described in EP3826947B1.

[0007] A typical product sorting system comprises multiple combinations of an elongated carrying body and a pusher body. These combinations are positioned sequentially, one after the other, and move in a specified direction along a defined path that includes various sorting locations. The carrying bodies are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement, and their primary function is to transport the products that need to be sorted.

[0008] The system is equipped with a displacing device responsible for moving the combination of carrying and pusher bodies along the path. This ensures that the entire system progresses steadily in the intended direction of movement. In addition, each combination comprises a further displacing device specifically designed for the pusher body. This further displacing device enables the pusher body to move in a sorting direction along the carrying body, which is perpendicular to the primary direction of movement. The purpose of this movement is to push a product off the carrying body and onto the appropriate sorting location, thus completing the sorting process. One of the aspects of operating such systems is ensuring that they can perform emergency stops or transition to a safe state when necessary. In this context, a safe state refers to a condition where no movements occur that could pose a danger to anyone near the moving parts of the system. This safety measure is particularly important for protecting operators, maintenance personnel, or anyone else who might be in close proximity to the system during its operation.

[0009] A challenge in achieving a safe state lies in the fact that the system’s moving parts are often in motion at considerable speeds. This makes it difficult to manually initiate the transition to a safe state directly on the moving parts themselves. In such situations, the system typically relies on a wireless connection to transmit the command to enter a safe state. However, this method of communication is not without problem.

[0010] There are several reasons why a wireless message may fail to be received. These reasons can include technical issues such as signal interference, equipment malfunction, or other disruptions that could delay or prevent the transmission of the emergency stop command. Such delays or failures are concerning because they could result in the system continuing to operate in an unsafe manner, thereby increasing the risk of injury to anyone nearby.

[0011] It is therefore important that these systems are designed with robust safety protocols to mitigate the above described risks.

[0012] Summary

[0013] It would be advantageous to achieve a system for sorting products that comprises safety measures for preventing hazardous situations for a person close to said system. It would also be advantageous to achieve a corresponding method.

[0014] In a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for sorting products comprising a number of combinations of an elongated carrying body and deflecting means, located one after another, which combinations are movable in a direction of movement following a path along which a number of sorting locations are provided, wherein the carrying bodies extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement and wherein the carrying bodies are configured for carrying the products to be sorted. The system further comprises a displacing device for moving the combinations in the direction of movement along the path.

[0015] Each combination is further provided with a deflecting device for deflecting the deflecting means in a sorting direction along the carrying body, the sorting direction extending perpendicularly to the direction of movement, for deflecting a product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body with the deflecting means.

[0016] The system further comprises a plurality of controllers, wherein each of said plurality of controllers is provided on a combination of said number of combinations, wherein each said plurality of controllers are arranged to be operative in an operating state when empowered.

[0017] A power converter circuit is provided which is arranged for providing power to any of said further displacing devices and for providing power to said plurality of controllers.

[0018] A power pickup module is provided at a combination of said number of combinations, wherein said power pickup module is arranged to receive power from a stationary power provision mechanism and for providing a supply voltage to a voltage mode select module.

[0019] The voltage mode select module is provided which is arranged for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold and for, triggered by said detection, disable said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting device, wherein power provision to said plurality of controllers is not affected such that said plurality of controller remain in said operating state.

[0020] The inventors have found that it may be beneficial to reduce the voltage that is being transferred between the stationary power provision mechanism and the power pickup module for indicating that the system should go into a safe state. This is explained in more detail as follows.

[0021] The inventors have realized that a communication mechanism may not be sufficiently reliable for ensuring that the system it to go into a safe state. In essence, the system for sorting products comprises moveable parts. The main movement is caused by the displacing device which moves the combinations in the direction of movement along the path. Perpendicular thereto, deflecting means are provided for sorting any product in a direction perpendicularly to this direction of movement along the path.

[0022] The above entails that - if a communication mechanism is utilized - the communication should be initiated from a stationary device to the a receiving device that is provided on the moving part of the system, for example the combinations of elongated carrying bodies and deflecting means. The stationary device could, for example, be any device that comprises a transmitter: A computer, a server, a dedicated button, etc. The transmitter should then sent a message to the receiver of the receiving device located on the moving part of the system.

[0023] As mentioned above, the inventors have realized that such a communication scheme may not provide the reliability, or robustness, that is required for ensuring that the system will go into a safe state. Any transmitted message may get lost, may perceive interference, or may be delayed for any particular reason. This is undesired.

[0024] As such, the inventors have found that - in stead of using a communication mechanism - it may be useful to directly amend the voltage level that is being transferred from the stationary part of the system, e.g. the stationary power provision mechanism, to the moving part of the system, e.g. the power pickup module. Means are provided at the moving part of the system for detecting that a provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold and for, triggered by said detection, disabling said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting device.

[0025] Using such a concept, a user of the system may then ensure that the system will go into a safe state by reducing the voltage that is transferred from the stationary part of the system to the moving part of the system.

[0026] On top of the above, the inventors have realized that the safe state may at least be realized by ensuring that the deflecting means are disabled. These deflecting means are typically realized by mechanical parts that push, tilt, transport, the product of the carrying body. This is realized by disabling the power converter circuit(s) that provide the power to the deflecting devices.

[0027] In other words: To address the communication mechanism issue, the inventors have found an improved approach: Reducing the voltage transferred from the stationary part of the system to the moving part to signal that the system must enter a safe state. The power reduction is detected by the voltage mode select module, which then disables the power converter circuit, effectively stopping the operation of the deflecting devices.

[0028] By directly manipulating the power supply, this concept offers a more reliable means of ensuring that the system enters a safe state, especially by ensuring that the deflecting mechanisms, which are responsible for moving products off the carrying bodies, are effectively disabled.

[0029] On top of the above it is noted that the inventors have found that it is beneficial if the power provision to the plurality of controllers is not affected by the detection that said provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold. This means that these controllers will stay in the operating state.

[0030] The controllers may, for example, be micro controllers, FPGAs, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, ASICs, or anything alike.

[0031] One of the advantages is that these controllers will not need to reboot, re-initiate, re-commission, or anything like that, whenever the system returns to its full operating state. That is, when the voltage received is back to the normal operating voltage. The inventors have found that it is not necessary to also shut down all these controllers. Keeping the controllers in the operating state will not affect any hazardous situation that may occur.

[0032] The hazardous situation may only occur with respect to mechanical actuators in the moving world: for example the deflection mechanisms as discussed above. As such, the inventors have found that it may be beneficial to only shut down those mechanical actuators and to not shut down all communication, or control, aspects of the system. These may be left in the operating state.

[0033] In an example: said deflecting means comprise a pusher body for pushing said product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body, and the deflecting device comprises a further displacing device for moving said pusher body in said sorting direction along said carrying body.

[0034] It is noted that, typically, the length of a system may range from tens of meters to even hundreds of meters. Each of the elongated carrying bodies may be coupled to one another, or may be situated next to one another, to form a closed circuit. The result is that thousands of elongated carrying bodies may be provided, given typical dimensions for the elongated carrying body in the direction of movement, for example 50 to 200 mm.

[0035] For example, in one example discussed with respect to the figures it is assumed that a system comprises 3200 elongated carrying bodies. Other possibilities may also be applicable, for example a system having 1600 or 2000 elongated carrying bodies.

[0036] Products to be sorted may be pushed onto, or placed on top of, the elongated carrying bodies. The dimensions of the elongated carrying bodies may be such that a product may span multiple consecutively situated elongated carrying bodies.

[0037] An elongated carrying body is, in an example, provided with a pusher body, wherein the pusher body is able to move, with respect to the carrying body, in the sorting direction. An electric motor being a deflecting device, for example a Direct Current, DC, motor, may be provided for each combination of elongated carrying body with its pusher body for moving the pusher body in the sorting direction along the carrying body. In operation, the pusher body is pushed against the product to be sorted such that the product to be sorted is pushed from its corresponding elongated carrying body.

[0038] As an alternative to, or in addition to, the pusher body, other types of deflecting means can also be implemented within the system. For example, a conveyor belt could be used as the deflecting mechanism, allowing products to be transported off the carrying body in a controlled manner.

[0039] Alternatively, a container that can be tilted sideways may be employed as the deflecting means. In this scenario, the tilting action of the container would cause the product to slide off the carrying body and into its appropriate sorting location. These alternative deflecting mechanisms offer flexibility in the design and operation of the sorting system, allowing it to accommodate different types of products and sorting requirements.

[0040] In an example, the power pickup module comprises a sliding contact for receiving said power from said stationary power provision mechanism.

[0041] This sliding contact may serve as a component that ensures continuous power delivery to the moving parts of the system as they traverse along the sorting path. The sliding contact is designed to maintain a stable electrical connection between the stationary power provision mechanism, such as a power rail or conductive strip, and the power pickup module located on the moving combinations of carrying bodies and deflecting devices.

[0042] The sliding contact operates by physically touching or gliding along the stationary power source as the system moves. This setup allows for a consistent transfer of electrical power, even when the carrying bodies and deflecting means are in motion. The continuous contact ensures that the pusher bodies and other deflecting mechanisms receive uninterrupted power, enabling them to perform their sorting functions efficiently.

[0043] In an example, the power pickup module comprises a wireless power receiving module for inductively receiving power from said stationary power provision mechanism, and wherein said power pickup module is further arranged for converting an Alternating Current, AC, voltage to a Direct Current, DC, voltage for provisioning said DC voltage to said voltage mode select module.

[0044] This wireless power transfer method utilizes inductive coupling, allowing power to be transmitted without the need for direct physical contact between the stationary power source and the moving parts of the system. As the combinations of carrying bodies and deflecting devices move along the sorting path, the inductive power transfer ensures a continuous and efficient supply of electrical energy.

[0045] Once the power is received wirelessly, the power pickup module is designed to convert the incoming Alternating Current, AC, voltage into Direct Current, DC, voltage. This conversion may be of importance because the deflecting devices typically operate on DC voltage. The converted DC voltage is then supplied to the voltage mode select module, which may be arranged for monitoring and managing the power supply to ensure the system operates safely and efficiently.

[0046] This wireless power transfer approach offers several advantages, particularly in terms of system flexibility and maintenance. Without the need for sliding contacts or other physical connectors, the risk of wear and tear on the power transfer components is significantly reduced, leading to lower maintenance requirements and longer system lifespan. Additionally, the absence of physical connections allows for smoother operation, as there is no friction or potential disruption in power transfer due to mechanical contact. This makes the system more robust, especially in environments where high-speed sorting and frequent movement are required. In a further example, the system further comprises: a controller arranged for also receiving said power from said power pickup module, wherein said controller is further arranged for disabling said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said further displacing devices.

[0047] In a further example, said voltage mode select module comprises a comparator arranged for comparing a down-converted supply voltage to a known reference voltage for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below said predefined threshold.

[0048] More specifically, the system may comprise a reference voltage supply converter arranged for generating said reference voltage based on said input voltage.

[0049] The inventors have found that it may be beneficial to create an output signal that is either HIGH or LOW based on the input voltage received via the power pickup module. A signal HIGH may, for example, indicate that the input voltage is high. A signal LOW may, for example, indicate that the input voltage is low, for example below the predefined threshold.

[0050] This may be realized by using a comparator, for example an Operational Amplifier. One input of the operational amplifier may be connected to a down- converted version of the input voltage. The other input of the operational amplifier may be connected to a stable reference voltage. The output of the Operational Amplifier then reflects whether the input voltage is HIGH or LOW.

[0051] In a further example, the system further comprises: a redundant voltage mode select module arranged for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold and for, triggered by said detection, disable said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said further displaying devices.

[0052] The inventors have found that it may be beneficial to provide two, parallel operating, voltage mode select modules. The output of both voltage mode select modules may be combined using an AND-gate, or OR-gate, or something similar. This provides extra safety and redundancy.

[0053] More specifically, the system further comprises: a logical OR-circuit arranged for receiving input from said voltage mode select module and from said redundant voltage mode select module, wherein an output of said logical OR-circuit is arranged to disable said power converter circuit.

[0054] In yet another example, the system further comprises: a logical gate circuit arranged for receiving said output of said logical OR-circuit and arranged for receiving an output of said controller, wherein said logical gate circuit is arranged to disable said power converter circuit when at least one of said inputs indicate that said power converter circuit is to be disabled.

[0055] In yet another example, the power converter circuit comprises a half bridge and a switch controller for controlling switches of said half bridge, wherein said voltage mode select module is arranged for disabling said switch controller such that said power half bridge is disabled for providing said power to any of said further displaying devices.

[0056] A half-bridge circuit is a component in power electronics. The half-bridge consists of two switches, typically transistors like Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors, MOSFETs, connected in series across a DC supply voltage.

[0057] The junction between the two switches is the output node that is provided to the displacing device. The operation of the half-bridge involves alternating the conduction of these two switches to control the voltage at the output and, consequently, the power delivered to the displacing device.

[0058] In operation, the controller for the half-bridge manages the switching of the two transistors. It ensures that the switches are never on simultaneously, which would create a short circuit across the supply voltage, leading to failure. The controller typically generates Pulse Width Modulation, PWM, signals that drive the gates of the transistors. By adjusting the duty cycle of the PWM signals, the controller can vary the average voltage at the output node, thus regulating the power supplied to the load.

[0059] In accordance with the present disclosure, that controller may be disabled such that the MOSFETs of the half-bridge are not operated. Both MOSFETs may be turned off. This will ensure that the displacing device will not operate. This is what is considered to be a safe state.

[0060] In an example, the predetermined threshold is between 20V - 28V. In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a system in accordance with any of the previous examples, wherein said method comprises the steps of: detecting, by said voltage mode select module, that said provided supply voltage is below said predefined threshold and, triggered by said detection, disabling said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting devices.

[0061] It is noted that the advantages as explained with reference to the first aspect of the present disclosure, being the system, are also applicable to the second aspect of the present disclosure, being the method of operating such a system.

[0062] In an example of the method, the system further comprises a controller, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: receiving, by said controller, said power from said power pickup module, and disabling, by said controller, said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting devices.

[0063] In a further example, the voltage mode select module comprises a comparator, wherein said method comprises the step of: comparing, by said comparator, a down-converted supply voltage to a known reference voltage for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below said predefined threshold.

[0064] In yet another example, the system further comprises a redundant voltage mode select module, wherein said method further comprises the step of: detecting, by said redundant voltage mode select module, that said provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold and triggered by said detection, disabling said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting devices.

[0065] In the appended figures, similar components and / or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0066] The above and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the examples described hereinafter.

[0067] Brief description of the figures

[0068] Fig. 1A-C show different views of a system for sorting products

[0069] Fig. 2 show an example of a block diagram of a safety mechanism implemented on a moving part of the system for sorting products, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

[0070] Fig. 3 discloses an example of the voltage mode select module in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0071] Fig. 4 discloses an example of a Pulse Width Modulation, PWM, enable circuitry for providing an enabling / disabling signal for enabling / disabling the power converter circuit in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0072] Fig. 5 discloses an example of a Pulse Width Modulation, PWM, disable circuitry for disabling the control of the power converter circuit.

[0073] Detailed description

[0074] It is noted that in the description of the figures, same reference numerals refer to the same of similar components performing a same of essentially similar function.

[0075] A more detailed description is made with reference to particular examples, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings, such that the features of the present disclosure may be understood in more detail. It is noted that the drawings only illustrate typical examples and are therefore not to be considered to limit the scope of the subject matter of the claims. The drawings are incorporated for facilitating an understanding of the disclosure and are thus not necessarily drawn to scale. Advantages of the subject matter as claimed will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0076] The ensuing description above provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiment(s) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements, including combinations of features from different embodiments, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0077] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise," "comprising," and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to." As used herein, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, electromagnetic, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words "herein," "above," "below," and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word "or" in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

[0078] These and other changes can be made to the technology considering the following detailed description. While the description describes certain examples of the technology, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the description appears, the technology can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the technology disclosed herein.

[0079] Figures 1A - 1C show a system 10 for sorting products.

[0080] The system 10 may comprise a number of combinations of an elongated carrying body 110 and displacing means, for example a pusher body 120, which combinations are located one after another and are movable in a direction of movement following a path along which a number of sorting locations are provided.

[0081] The elongated carrying bodies extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement. The elongated carrying bodies are configured for carrying the products to be sorted 30, wherein the pusher body is arranged for pushing a product carried by the elongated carrying body off of the elongated carrying body towards any of the sorting locations 11.

[0082] Referring to figures 1A-1 D, products 30 are placed on top of the elongated carrying bodies 110. A product may span one, or multiple, elongated carrying bodies. Figure 1A discloses products that are associated with five elongated carrying bodies. This may require five pusher bodies to push a received product off of the corresponding elongated carrying bodies.

[0083] The dimensions of the products 30 may thus be such that a product 30 may span multiple consecutively situated elongated carrying bodies 110. In those particular cases multiple pusher bodies 120, corresponding to the multiple elongated carrying bodies 110 onto which the product 30 is placed, are needed to push off the product 30 towards the sorting location 11.

[0084] The pusher bodies may be aligned with a product 30, once a product 30 has been received on top of the elongated carrying bodies 110. In an example, the product 30 may be rotated slightly by the corresponding pusher bodies such that the corresponding product 30 may be efficiently pushed off at a location direction 11 . This is shown in Figure 1A, wherein the product indicated with reference numeral 30 is “straightened” before it is actually pushed off of the corresponding elongated carrying bodies. This is just an example of how things could work.

[0085] The displacing devices 130 are, for example, electronic motors, stepper motors, brushless motors, brushed motors, servomotors, etc. The displacing devices 130 may thus actuate the pusher bodies 120.

[0086] Fig. 2 show an example of a block diagram of a safety mechanism implemented on a moving part of the system for sorting products, in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.

[0087] The block diagram corresponds to functionality implemented in the system for sorting product. The block diagram illustrates three power converter circuits arranged for providing power to any of the deflecting means. In this particular case, the three power converters are embodied as half bridges. It is encompassed that other types of power converters exist, and may equally be applicable to the present disclosure.

[0088] A power pickup module is provided (not shown) which is arranged to receive power from a stationary power provision mechanism and for providing a supply voltage to a voltage mode select module.

[0089] In this particular case, a DC voltage of 48Vdc is the normal operating voltage. This means that, when receiving 48Vdc, the system should operate as normal. The underlying aspect of the present disclosure, is that this received voltage may be reduced to about 24 Vdc or the like. This may be detected and the half bridges, as mentioned above, should then be disabled. This will is explained in more detail further below.

[0090] Even further, two voltage mode select modules are provided, which are both arranged for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold and for, triggered by said detection, disable said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting device.

[0091] Two voltage mode select modules are provided for improving the robustness and the life span of the system.

[0092] Finally, a controller is provided, over current protection block is provided and a Pulse Width Modulation, PWM, circuitry, PEC, is provided.

[0093] On top of the blocks mentioned above, three PWM disable circuitry blocks are provided. All these blocks are now explained in a bit more detail.

[0094] First, the three PWM disable circuitry blocks. These three blocks will ensure that the half-bridges are no longer controlled, i.e. these are disabled, based on a combination of input signals. The input signal comprise a PWM_EN signal as well as a VMS_OUT_1 signal.

[0095] The VMS_OUT_1 signal is provided by the Voltage Mode Select 1 module. This means that when the Voltage Mode Select 1 module detects that the input signal is above a particular voltage threshold, it will output a HIGH signal. If the Voltage Mode Select 1 module detect that the input signal is below a particular voltage threshold, it will output a LOW signal. The PWM_EN signal is generated by the PEC. The PEC is an additional circuitry that may also take into account so-called over current protection. The input of the PEC is the VMS_OUT_2 signal which is provided by the Voltage Module Select 2 module, and is the BLDC_PWM_EN signal which is provided by the controller. The controller may, for example, have some software programming that is included to determine whether the half-bridges should be enabled or disabled. This allows the user to disable the control of the power converters also based on software settings, next to the reduced power aspect of the present disclosure.

[0096] The PWM_EN signal may also be based on a LATCH_OUT signal which is provided by the over current protection block to indicate that there is no over current situation occurring.

[0097] Following the above, the PWM_EN signal and the VMS_OUT_1 signal are created on the basis of which the PWM disable circuitry determine whether the power converters should be enabled or disabled.

[0098] Some of the above described blocks are now explained in a bit more detail for a better understanding of their working principle.

[0099] Fig. 3 discloses an example of the voltage mode select module in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0100] The voltage mode select module comprises an comparator with two inputs. A first input is connected to the received power (voltage). The received voltage is thus a measure for the power that is being transferred from the stationary part of the system to the moving part of the system.

[0101] A second input is connected to a stable reference voltage. The stable reference voltage is, preferably, lower than 10V such that it can be ensured that that stable reference voltage can still be created even in situations wherein only half of the power is being transferred from the stationary part of the system to the moving part of the system.

[0102] Based on the comparison, the comparator will either output a HIGH signal or a LOW signal. The output of the comparator is the VMS_OUT_1 , or the VMS_OUT_2, signal, on the basis of which it is decided whether or not to disable to the power converters.

[0103] In other words, The minus input of the comparator is connected to a resistor voltage divider supplied with, for example, a 3V3 supply. The plus input of the comparator is connected to a voltage divider of the input voltage, i.e. the motor supply voltage +48VDC_BLDC. The ever of the digital output of the comparator changes depending on the plus input referred to the minus input.

[0104] The resistance R160 adds a hysteresis to the switch level to prevent fast switching on the trip level. The comparator has an open collector output and needs therefore a pull-up resistor to pull it to a high ( for example 3V3) level.

[0105] The build-up of this pull-up resistor is by the series and parallel circuit of R18, R162, R22, R138. So, when one of these resistors becomes an open, the pull- up function still works. Also, when one of these four resistors becomes a short the pull- up function still works.

[0106] The +48VDC_BLDC input is connected to the comparator input via two series resistors (R157 and R149). When one of these two resistors becomes a short still the plus input of the comparator does not need to have the 48V creepage demands. The 48V creepage demand is applicable for the 48V supply traces, not for signal traces.

[0107] Fig. 4 discloses an example of a Pulse Width Modulation, PWM, enable circuitry for providing an enabling / disabling signal for enabling / disabling the power converter circuit in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0108] A three-input AND gate is shown having thus three input. One of the inputs is the VMS_OUT_2 signal that is provided by the (redundant) Voltage Mode Select 2 module. Another input is the BLDC_PWM_EN signal that is provided by the controller which, as stated before, is used for allowing a user to additionally input that the power converters should be disabled. This is helpful to control the power converters not only based on the received input power but also on other measures.

[0109] Finally, A LATCH_OUT signal is input to the three-input AND gate. The output of the three-input AND gate is the PWM_EN signal which, next to the VSM_OUT_1 signal, is used for determining whether the power converters should be disabled.

[0110] In other words, This circuit mainly consists of an AND port and is used to combine the VMS_OUT_2, BLDC_PWM_EN and LATCH_OUT into the PWM_EN signal. The BLDC_PWM_EN signal is a digital output of the microcontroller to disable the BLDC power stage. The LATCH_OUT signal is the output of a flipflop of the supply current protection of the BLDC power stage. Fig. 5 discloses an example of a Pulse Width Modulation, PWM, disable circuitry for disabling the control of the power converter circuit

[0111] As shown here, two three-input ANDs are provided. One for controlling the high-side switch of the power converter and one for controlling the low-side switch of the power converter.

[0112] One of the two three-input ANDs has three inputs: the High Side (HS) control signal, the PWM_EN and the VMS_OUT_1.

[0113] The other of the two three-input ANDs has three inputs: the Low Side (LS) control signa, the PWM_EN and the VMS_OUT_1.

[0114] As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the technology should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the technology with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the technology to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the technology encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the technology under the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. System for sorting products comprising: a number of combinations of an elongated carrying body and deflecting means, located one after another, which combinations are movable in a direction of movement following a path along which a number of sorting locations are provided, wherein the carrying bodies extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of movement and wherein the carrying bodies are configured for carrying the products to be sorted, a displacing device for moving the combinations in the direction of movement along the path, wherein each combination is further provided with a deflecting device for deflecting the deflecting means in a sorting direction along the carrying body, the sorting direction extending perpendicularly to the direction of movement, for deflecting a product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body with the deflecting means, a plurality of controllers, wherein each of said plurality of controllers is provided on a combination of said number of combinations, wherein each said plurality of controllers are arranged to be operative in an operating state when empowered; a power converter circuit arranged for providing power to any of said further displacing devices and for providing power to said plurality of controllers; a power pickup module provided at a combination of said number of combinations, wherein said power pickup module is arranged to receive power from a stationary power provision mechanism and for providing a supply voltage to a voltage mode select module; said voltage mode select module arranged for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold and for, triggered by said detection, disable said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting device, wherein power provision to said plurality of controllers is not affected such that said plurality of controller remain in said operating state.

2. System in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said deflecting means comprise a pusher body for pushing said product carried by the carrying body off of the carrying body, and the deflecting device comprises a further displacing device for moving said pusher body in said sorting direction along said carrying body.

3. System in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said power pickup module comprises a sliding contact for receiving said power from said stationary power provision mechanism.

4. System in accordance with any of the claims 1-2, wherein said power pickup module comprises a wireless power receiving module for inductively receiving power from said stationary power provision mechanism, and wherein said power pickup module is further arranged for converting an Alternating Current, AC, voltage to a Direct Current, DC, voltage for provisioning said DC voltage to said voltage mode select module.

5. System in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said system further comprises: a controller arranged for also receiving said power from said power pickup module, wherein said controller is further arranged for disabling said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said further displacing devices.

6. System in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said voltage mode select module comprises a comparator arranged for comparing a down-converted supply voltage to a known reference voltage for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below said predefined threshold.

7. System in accordance with claim 6, wherein said system further comprises:a reference voltage supply converter arranged for generating said reference voltage based on said input voltage.

8. System in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said system further comprises: a redundant voltage mode select module arranged for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold and for, triggered by said detection, disable said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said further displaying devices.

9. System in accordance with claim 8, wherein said system further comprises: a logical OR-circuit arranged for receiving input from said voltage mode select module and from said redundant voltage mode select module, wherein an output of said logical OR-circuit is arranged to disable said power converter circuit.

10. System in accordance with claim 9 and claim 5, wherein said system further comprises: a logical gate circuit arranged for receiving said output of said logical OR-circuit and arranged for receiving an output of said controller, wherein said logical gate circuit is arranged to disable said power converter circuit when at least one of said inputs indicate that said power converter circuit is to be disabled.

11. System in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said power converter circuit comprises a half bridge and a switch controller for controlling switches of said half bridge, wherein said voltage mode select module is arranged for disabling said switch controller such that said power half bridge is disabled for providing said power to any of said further displaying devices.

12. System in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said predetermined threshold is between 20V - 28V.

13. A method of operating a system in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said method comprises the steps of: detecting, by said voltage mode select module, that said provided supply voltage is below said predefined threshold and, triggered by said detection, disabling said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting devices.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said system further comprises a controller, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: receiving, by said controller, said power from said power pickup module, and disabling, by said controller, said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting devices.

15. A method in accordance with any of the claims 13 - 14, wherein said voltage mode select module comprises a comparator, wherein said method comprises the step of: comparing, by said comparator, a down-converted supply voltage to a known reference voltage for detecting that said provided supply voltage is below said predefined threshold.

16. A method in accordance with any of the claims 13 - 15, wherein said system further comprises a redundant voltage mode select module, wherein said method further comprises the step of: detecting, by said redundant voltage mode select module, that said provided supply voltage is below a predefined threshold and triggered by said detection, disabling said power converter circuit such that said power converter circuit is disabled for providing said power to any of said deflecting devices.

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