Systems and methods for providing an improved timing conveyor

[0001] The invention relates generally to mechanically driven conveyors.

BASES [0002] When moving objects with a transport system, it is often necessary to place objects in designated positions relative to each other, or to keep a minimum distance between them on the conveyor belt. Prior art devices meeting these needs were equipped with a plurality of sensors in combination with positioning components of the conveyor retaining packaging. One such device is described in US 6,648,125 (Berschadsky). Other ways of maintaining the distance of packages on the conveyor include conveyor belts having either top or bottom spacers mounted, moving at different, usually slower speeds relative to the belt speed. These devices are complicated and reduce conveyor efficiency as a result of slowing or stopping packages along the transport route. Thus, in industry there is still the general need to avoid these drawbacks and inadequacies.

[0003] WO 01/32533 (Laitram) describes a conveyor belt having a plurality of load-supporting rollers positioned in the cavities of the conveyor belt and retracted from cooperating with the load to leave the load in the high-friction belt zone.

SUMMARY [0004] Solutions of the present invention provide a transport system for regulating the spacing of transported items, including a conveyor designed to transport multiple items in the first direction. The conveyor is equipped with: a conveyor belt having many wells and many rollers, each roller is placed in a well and has an axis perpendicular to the first direction, and a positioning component located adjacent to the rollers. The transport system also includes a drive component of the conveyor coupled to the transport system, the drive component of the conveyor being adapted to actuate the conveyor belt, and a roller actuating surface located close to the conveyor belt and designed to rotate a plurality of rollers, characterized in that the positioning part the component has the form of a bumper designed to stop the movement of objects relative to the conveyor belt.

[0005] Solutions of the present invention can also be seen as representing a method of forming a conveyor, comprising placing the rollers in the recesses of the conveyor belt, the rollers having a diameter greater than the thickness of the conveyor belt, attaching the component positioning the object to the conveyor belt, the component positioning the object has a shape that allows objects to be retained along the conveyor belt, placing the roller actuating surface close to the conveyor belt and contacting it with the rollers, thanks to which the linear movement of the conveyor belt rotates the rollers, and the coupling of the drive component of the conveyor with the conveyor belt.

[0006] Solutions of the present invention can also be seen as representing a method of transporting objects, including driving the conveyor belt in the direction of belt travel, the conveyor belt having first rollers disposed therein, and contacting the first rollers with the roller actuating surface.

[0007] Solutions of the present invention can also be seen as representing a method of positioning objects, including: accelerating the object along the conveyor belt in such a way that the object movement speed is greater than the conveyor belt movement speed, and stopping the object by means of the positioning component of the conveyor belt, wherein the stopping involves contacting the object with the bumper along the conveyor belt in such a way, that the object travels on the conveyor belt at the same speed as the conveyor belt and is held in the desired position along the conveyor belt.

[0008] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the present invention will or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the accompanying drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all additional systems, methods, features and advantages related to this description are within the scope of the present invention and are protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The solutions of the invention may become better understood after reviewing the attached drawings. The elements in the drawings are not to scale, but the emphasis is on a clear illustration of the essence of the present invention. In addition, the drawings show the designations of the respective parts in different views. For example:

Fig. 1 is a schematic top view of a transport system using the rhythm conveyor described herein but not forming the solution of the claimed invention, Fig. 2A and 2B are schematic side views of the rhythm conveyor described herein in two different transport stages but not forming a solution according to of the claimed invention, Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of a fragment of the conveyor described herein, but not forming the solution of the claimed invention, Fig. 4 is a schematic top view of a portion of the conveyor described herein forming the solution of the invention described here, Figs. 5A and 5B are schematic side views of the rhythm conveyor described herein in an embodiment of the invention in two different stages transport, Fig. 6 is a schematic top view of a portion of the conveyor described herein, but not forming the solution of the claimed invention, Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the conveyor of Fig. 6, Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the conveyor of the invention described herein, Fig. 9 is a side view of a portion of the linearly displaced herein described bumper according to the invention, in retracted position, fig. 10 is a side view of a fragment of the linearly displaceable bumper according to the invention described here, in the extended position, Fig. 11 is a side view of a fragment of the rotatably displaced bumper of the invention described herein in a retracted position, Fig. 12 is a side view of a fragment of the rotatably displaced bumper of the invention described herein in an extended position, Fig. 13 is a side view of a fragment of an alternative embodiment the rotatably displaceable bumper of the invention described herein in a retracted position, Fig. 14 is a side view of a fragment of an alternative embodiment of the rotatably displaced bumper of the invention described herein in an extended position, Fig. 15 is a schematic top view of a fragment of a transport system using the rhythmizing conveyor described herein but not forming the solution of the claimed invention, Fig. 16 a schematic plan view of a fragment of an alternative solution according to the invention of the rhythmizing section shown in Fig. 13, Fig. 17 is a schematic plan view of a portion of an embodiment of the inventive conveyor used for the solution of Fig. 14, Fig. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a method for creating a conveyor but not forming the solution of the claimed invention, Fig. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a method for transporting objects but not forming the solution of the claimed invention, and Fig. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a method for positioning objects but not forming the solution of the claimed invention.

Detailed description [0010] Summarizing the various features of the present invention, a detailed description of the invention illustrated in the drawings will be given below. Although the invention is described with reference to these drawings, it is not considered to be limited to the solution described herein or to the solutions described herein. On the contrary, it is understood that all variations, modifications, or replacements are included within the scope and idea of ​​the invention in accordance with the appended claims.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a transport system using a rhythm conveyor. Transport system 100 includes a feed conveyor 102, rhythm conveyor 104, and a take-up conveyor 106. Each of these conveyors is used to transport objects 108 in the direction of belt 110. Objects on the supply conveyor 102 can be transported at random intervals or at random distances from each other. The objects 108 that pass from the supply conveyor 102 to the rhythm conveyor 104 are moved relative to each other by the rhythm conveyor 104 in such a way that the objects 108 are transferred to the receiving conveyor 106 at predetermined intervals, i.e. in the same rhythm. The set time intervals make it easier for the next conveyor to act as a single-band rhythmizer, as a lateral phase rhythmizer, as a phase shifted rhythmizer, and as a non-parallel merge rhythmizer.

[0012] Figs. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing side views of the rhythm conveyor in two different transport stages. The rhythm conveyor 104 generally includes accelerating components and positioning components. In this embodiment, the rhythm conveyor 104 includes a conveyor belt 120 having depressions (not shown) in which rollers 122 are positioned to accelerate the components. A non-limiting embodiment of the conveyor belt 120 is the modular Mattop chain belt described in US-6,494,312 (Constanzo), which is used here. The rollers 122 are sized and positioned in such a way that each roll projects above the top surface 121 of the conveyor belt 120 and below the bottom surface 123 of the conveyor belt 120. The rollers 122 may be arranged in a non-limiting arrangement of columns and rows. Rollers 122 are in line with the belt run, accelerating objects in the 110 belt direction. The rhythm conveyor 104 also includes, as examples of positioning components, friction pads 128 that are spaced along the top surface 121 of the conveyor belt 120. The roller actuating surface 124 is located underneath the conveyor belt 120 in such a way that the rollers 122 are in contact with the surface 124 by actuating the rollers. The roller actuating surface 124 may be a generally flat component of the conveyor and may have a high coefficient of friction. Rubber or a rubber-like composite is a non-limiting example of a high friction material. The rhythm conveyor 104 also includes a drive component 126 for transporting objects or a conveyor drive. Although the drive component 126 shown in Figs. 2A and 2B is shown as an externally arranged rotary drive assembly mechanically connected to the conveyor belt 120 by means of a belt or chain link 127, the drive component 126 of the conveyor may have various forms without departing from the scope and idea of ​​the invention. For example, the drive component 126 of the conveyor may be coupled directly to the rhythmic conveyor 104, or may be mechanically coupled by other mechanisms, including but not limited to gears, drive shafts and cardan joints.

As shown in Figure 2A, when the conveyor belt 120 moves in the direction of belt travel 110, the rollers 122 are in contact with the roller actuating surface 124. The friction cooperation of the rollers 122 with the roller actuating surface 124 ensures rotation of the rollers in the direction 132. Gd object 108 lies on the rollers 122, the rotation of the rollers in the direction 132 causes the object to move relative to the conveyor belt 120 at a speed 130, which is equal to the speed of the conveyor belt 120 relative to the surface 124 of the roller actuator, so that the object 108 moves at twice the speed from conveyor belt speed 120. The object travels along conveyor belt 120 until it reaches friction pad 128. In this way, each object 108 moves to the designated position 134 shown in Fig. 2B. The designated position 134 is generally consistent with the position of the friction pad 128. The friction pad 128 is a non-limiting example of various types of positioning components not exceeding the scope and idea of ​​the present invention. In addition, the rhythm conveyor 104 may have different lengths and may contain different amounts of designated positions 134.

[0014] Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a conveyor belt. In Fig. 3, the conveyor belt 120 is in the form of a Mattop modular chain, consisting of a plurality of chain segments 119 connected to each other by hinge joints, forming an endless chain. Chain segments 119, which may be in the form of Mattop chain segments, have a plurality of depressions 140 in which rollers 122 may be arranged, e.g. rollers rotating about axis 142. Chain segments 119 may also include friction pads 128. As described above in connection with Figs. 2A and 2B, rollers 122, as a result of contact with the roller actuating surface 124, cause the object to move relative to conveyor belt 120 in the direction of belt run 110. When the object reaches chain segments 119 equipped with friction pads 128, movement of the object relative to conveyor belt 120 is stopped. In this way, the positions of the friction pads 128, or alternatively the positions of other positioning components of the conveyor, determine the final spacing between the transported objects.

[0015] Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a conveyor according to the invention. In this embodiment, the component defining the position of the object on the conveyor belt 120 is the bumper 144. The bumper 144 can generally be defined as a movement stop placed on the conveyor that affects the movement of the object relative to the conveyor at a particular point along the conveyor. Contrary to the friction washer described above with reference to Fig. 3, the driver 144 does not lie in the same plane as the surface formed by the rollers 122, but protrudes above the flat surface formed by the tops of the rollers 122. The protruding above the surface created by the tops of the rollers, the bumper 144 is relatively non-elastic surface that stops the movement of the object on the conveyor. The bumper 144, unlike friction pads, can more accurately provide a designated position. In addition, unlike the friction pads 128, the position of the object marked by the bumper 144 is less sensitive to changes in this position due to the speed of the conveyor. Depending on the nature of the items transported by the conveyor, the friction pad 128 may possibly be more desirable, since the amount of delay is then smaller than when the bumper 144 is used. The positioning component of the conveyor used may be a friction pad, bumper, combination thereof, or other suitable component of the conveyor.

[0016] Figures 5A and 5B schematically show a side view of another embodiment of a rhythm conveyor according to the invention, in two different transporting steps. As shown in Fig. 5A, the roller-actuated object 122 travels at a relative speed of 130. As shown in Fig. 5B, when the object 108 reaches the determined position 134, the determined position 134, the object is stopped relative to the conveyor belt 120. In this way, each of the transported items leaves the rhythm conveyor at intervals determined by the distance between the buffers 144.

[0017] Fig. 6 is a schematic top view of a portion of another embodiment of the conveyor. The conveyor belt 120 may include a plurality of chain segments 119 that may have either rollers or positioning elements, e.g., friction pads 128. The conveyor belt 120 includes a strong coupling zone 151 and a weak coupling zone 153. The strong coupling zone 151 is generally generally characterized by such frictional cooperation between the rollers 150 and the transported object 108 such that the slip between the rollers 150 and the transported object 108 is reduced or eliminated. Similarly, the weak coupling zone 153 is generally characterized by the level of frictional cooperation between the rollers 150 and the transported object 108, reduced relative to the strong coupling zone 151. Correspondingly, the slip between the rollers 152 and the transported object 108 is increased relative to the slip in the strong coupling zone 151.

[0018] The strong coupling zone 151 is equipped with rollers 150 intended to increase friction coupling with the transported object 108 and reduce slip between the rollers 150 and the transported object 108. One technique used to reduce slip is to use large rollers 150. Additionally or alternatively, the strong coupling zone 151 may use rollers 150 having a relatively high coefficient of friction surface providing greater frictional engagement between the rollers 150 and the transported object 108. Similarly, the weak coupling zone 153 may use small rollers 152 and / or rollers having a relatively small surface coefficient of friction. Small rollers 152 and / or a small coefficient of friction allow the transported object 108 to slide on the rollers in both cases, while delaying movement and after the transported object 108 stops on the conveyor. Alternatively, conveyor belt 120 may contain more than two levels of coupling in which different levels of coupling can be obtained by using different sizes of rollers, rollers having different coefficients of friction, and any combination thereof.

[0019] Fig. 7 schematically shows a side view of the conveyor of Fig. 6. The conveyor belt 120 includes a strong coupling zone 151 in which large rollers 150 are located and a weak coupling zone 153 in which small rollers 152 are located. As described above with reference to Fig. 6, the poor engagement zone 153 may also have rollers with a low coefficient of friction thereby allowing slip between the roller and the object when the object slows down by contact with the friction pad. As shown, the flexibility of the conveyor belt 120 allows both large rollers 150 and small rollers 152 to contact the roller actuating surface 124. In this way, the rollers 150, 152, in the strong coupling zone 151 as well as in the weak coupling zone 153, rotate due to contact with the roller actuating surface 124. As shown in Fig. 8, which is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a conveyor belt 120 according to the invention, the idea of ​​different coupling zones can also be applied using a stop 144 constituting the positioning component. The bumper can be used in various ways. For example, the bumper 144 may be in the form of a fixed structure that protrudes from the conveyor. Alternatively, the bumper 144 may be in the form of a movable structure that is moved, for example, in one or more specific positions along a transport road.

[0020] Fig. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the linearly moved bumper of the invention in a retracted position. The linearly displaced stop 160 is attached to the conveyor belt 120 and does not protrude above the surface of the conveyor belt 120 in the retracted position. The linear displaced stop 160 has a control roller 162 and possibly a spring 166 holding the control roller in the retracted position when the displaced stop 160 is not activated. When the conveyor belt 120 moves in the direction of belt run 110, the control roller 162 contacts the control surface 164 and moves the bumper 160 vertically to the extended position, whereby it protrudes above the surface formed by the tops of adjacent rollers 152. In a non-limiting embodiment the control surface 164 may be a roller actuating surface, or a surface parallel to the roller actuating surface. Alternatively, the control surface 164 may be located on a particular structure actuating the bumper 160, which further may be adjustable, allowing independent control of the bumper position. As shown in Figure 10, which is a side view of a portion of the linearly moved bumper in the extended position, the control roller 162 cooperates with the control surface 164 and moves the linearly moved bumper to the extended position above the conveyor belt 120. Since the pressure of the control roller 162 is sufficient to extend the linearly moved stop 160 when it does not cause braking of the transported object, the activation of the stop 160 cannot be carried out with the force necessary to extend it when the transported object is above the linearly moved stop 160. Alternatively (which is not shown) the linear displacement bumper 160 may be provided with a multi-piece telescopic assembly having an internal spring, the multi-piece telescopic assembly being assembled when the linearly displaceable bumper 160 is located under the transported object.

[0021] Fig. 11 is a side view of a portion of the rotatably displaceable bumper of the invention in a retracted position. Rotatably displaced stop 170 is rotatably mounted in the recess of conveyor belt 120 by means of a pivot pin or axle 176. The pivotally displaced stop 170 extends from the pivot pin 176 in two directions. The rotatably displaced stop 170 is located in a first direction which is generally parallel to the upper surface 121 of the conveyor formed by the tops of the rollers, and when it is retracted it is deflected from this surface. The rotatably displaced stop 170 is located in a second direction below the bottom surface 123 of the conveyor belt 120. In this second direction, the rotatably displaceable stop 170 is equipped with a control roller 172. When the conveyor belt 120 moves in the direction of belt 110, the control roller 172 cooperates with the control surface 174. As shown in FIG. 12, which is a side view of a portion of the rotatably displaced bumper of the invention in an extended position, cooperation between the control roller 172 and the control surface 174 causes the rotatably displaced stop 170 to rotate about the stem 176. This rotation causes the rotatably displaced stop 170 to protrude above the upper surface 121 of the conveyor belt 120.

[0022] Fig. 13 is a side view of a fragment of an alternative embodiment of the rotatably displaceable bumper of the invention in a retracted position. The pivotably displaced bumper 240 is pivotally mounted in the recess of the conveyor belt 120 by means of a pivot pin or axle 244. The pivotally displaced bumper 240 includes a roller 241 having a flat 236 and a protruding member 242. In the retracted position, the protruding member 242 lies on the upper surface 121 of the conveyor belt 120 below the plane or in the plane defined by the tops of the conveyor belt rollers 120. When the conveyor belt moves in the direction of belt run 110, the roller 241 cooperates with the control surface 174. As shown in Fig. 14, which is a side view of a portion of an alternative embodiment of the rotatably displaced bumper of the invention in an extended position, cooperation between the roller 241 and the control surface 174 causes the rotatably displaced bumper 240 to rotate around the stem 176. This rotation causes the the protruding member 242 of the pivotable bumper projects over the upper surface 121 of the conveyor belt 120. When the object moving along the upper surface of the rollers comes into contact with the protruding bumper member 242, the roller 241 continues to the position where the flattening of the roller 246 241 is close to the control surface 174. When the flattening 246 is close to the control surface 174, it moves the bumper rotationally does not interact with the friction surfaces control 174 and no slip occurs. [0023] The linearly and rotatably displaced bumpers are only examples of the bumpers considered in the context of this invention and are not intended to limit the scope or idea of ​​the invention. For example, the activated bumper can be configured in such a way that it has the form of several bumpers cooperating with one or several control surfaces, the control surface, although not limiting, being in the form of, among others, a control roller, an eccentric projection on the surface of the rotating control surface , and the control surface itself. Fig. 15 is a schematic view from above of a fragment of a transport system using a rhythm conveyor. The transport system 200 includes an infeed section 180, a rhythmizing section 184, a section 188 dividing objects into individual units and another processing section 190.

The feed section 180 includes a first feed conveyor 181 and a second feed conveyor 182. Each of the feed conveyors 181, 182 can transfer items to the rhythm section 184 at irregular intervals and at irregular positions across the belt. The rhythm section 184 includes a first rhythm conveyor 185 and a second rhythm conveyor 186, respectively in accordance with the first and second delivery conveyors 181, 182.

The objects 108 that are fed to the rhythm section 184 are accelerated to a relative speed of 130 until they reach the designated positions on the first and second rhythm conveyor 185, 186. In this non-limiting embodiment, the determined positions on the first and second rhythm conveyor 185, 186 are positioned in such a way that the objects 108 leave the rhythmizing section 184 shifted in phase. In other words, the item leaving the first rhythm conveyor 185 arrives at section 188 dividing the items into individual units positioned between successive items leaving the second rhythm conveyor 186.

[0024] In other embodiments, the rhythmizing section 184 is used to transfer objects 108 to the next process conveyor in substantially identical positions or in phase positions. When the items 108 are fed to the section 188 for item scheduling into individual units, they are moved in a transverse direction 192 towards the center of the section 188 item scheduling for individual items. By positioning the objects on the first and second conveyors 185, 186, respectively, in an off-phase arrangement, the objects arranged into individual units are configured in one line at even intervals for subsequent transport. When the objects 108 are taken over by the conveyor 190 for subsequent transport, they are arranged in line with constant and equal spacing between the objects. The transport system shown in Fig. 15 is only an example and is not intended to limit the scope and idea of ​​the invention in any way. For example, the first and second rhythm conveyors can be used in parallel side by side and phase-aligned so that two objects can be brought side by side for further transport. In addition, several rhythmic conveyors may be used in a non-parallel arrangement, for example in an assembly operation, to ensure that transported items never come into contact with each other during assembly.

[0025] Fig. 16 schematically shows a side view of a fragment of an alternative embodiment of the rhythmizing section 184 according to the invention shown in Fig. 15. Instead of the rhythm section 184 comprising several rhythm conveyors 185, 186, realizing the desired phase relationship between several feed conveyors, the rhythm section 184 includes one rhythm conveyor 187. The rhythm conveyor 187 has several bumpers 144 positioned over a portion of the width of the belt and spaced apart, creating the desired phase relationship between several delivery conveyors. For example, as shown, the bumpers 144 are configured to separate transported objects on the left side of the conveyor in an out-of-phase arrangement relative to objects on the right side of the conveyor. In an alternative embodiment, if simultaneous arrival of objects is desired, the left and right bumpers are located close to each other. In addition, instead of bumpers, friction pads or other positioning components may be used.

[0026] Fig. 17 is a schematic view from above of an embodiment of a conveyor according to the invention used in the embodiments of Fig. 16. The conveyor belt 120 includes a plurality of bumpers 144 positioned over a portion of the width of the conveyor belt 120. In this way, items brought to different portions of the conveyor belt 120 can be arranged such that they are fed to the next component of the transport system in an out-of-phase arrangement. The conveyor belt 120 may be provided with bumpers 144 or other positioning components located in the lid cavities 140 or above them. Alternatively, bumpers 144 or other positioning components can be attached to conveyor belt 120 without removing rollers 122 from cavities 140. The ability to easily configure the positioning system of components significantly increases the flexibility and usability of the rhythm conveyor.

[0027] Fig. 18 is a block diagram of a method for forming a conveyor as described above. In block 212, rollers are placed in the grooves of the chain segment. In block 214, the positioning conveyor component is attached to the conveyor belt. In block 216, the roller actuating surface is placed close to the conveyor belt, and in block 218, the drive component of the conveyor is coupled to the conveyor belt.

[0028] The conveyor may optionally include rollers of different sizes and having different friction properties. Different roller configurations can be arranged to create functional zones at different levels of cooperation with the transported object. For example, large rollers with a high coefficient of friction can be used in a strong coupling zone, increasing the acceleration of transported objects. Similarly, smaller rollers with a lower coefficient of friction can be used in a weak coupling zone, where slipping between the transported object and the rollers is a desirable property.

[0029] The transport system may also use various positioning components. For example, one or more friction pads may be used to provide relatively gentle release. Alternatively, fixed or actuated bumpers can be used to achieve a more accurate stop position. In addition, the number of positioning components and the distance between them can be configured in relation to the conveyor speed to determine the final distance or distance between the transported objects. In addition, the conveyor can be driven by various types of couplings, which has already been discussed above.

[0030] Fig. 19 is a block diagram of a method for transporting objects equally spaced apart. In block 220, the conveyor belt with rollers is driven, and in block 222, the roller actuating surface contacts the rollers. As the conveyor belt moves along the roller actuating surface, the rollers rotate. In block 226, the object is accelerated relative to the conveyor belt due to its contact with the rotating rollers. In block 228, the object is stopped on the conveyor belt to obtain a designated distance from the second object. Similarly, with reference to Fig. 20, some solutions according to the present description may be considered as a method of positioning objects. This method starts when in block 230 the object is accelerated along the conveyor belt. To achieve the desired position, in block 232 the object is stopped by the positioning component of the conveyor. Moving the object relative to the conveyor allows achieving the desired distance between objects without reducing the conveyor speed, thereby increasing the efficiency and thus the efficiency of the transport operation.

[0031] It should be emphasized that the above-mentioned solutions of the present invention, in particular all of the illustrated solutions, are only examples of embodiment presented for a good understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments of the invention without, however, substantially departing from the scope of the appended claims. All such modifications and variations should be included and should be within the scope of this description and the present invention, and should be protected by the following claims.