MUTHIAH JAYAGOPI (SG)
LIM YEE MIN (SG)
MUTHIAH JAYAGOPI (SG)
| WO2002018244A1 | 2002-03-07 | |||
| WO1997033820A1 | 1997-09-18 |
| US6105751A | 2000-08-22 |
| 1. | A conveying system for transporting objects, comprising: a. frame; a first drivable endless conveying element, the first conveying element movably supported, at one end of th.e frame on a pivotal axis extending transversely to the direction of movement: of the first conveying element during operation of the conveying system such that the conveying element has a selectively vertically adjustable end; second and third vertically spaced clrivable endless conveying elements positioned one above the other at the other end of frame, the second and third conveying elements movably supported on the frame on pivotal axes extending transversely to the direction of movement of the conveying elements during operation of the conveying system such that the second and third conveying elements liave selectively vertically adjustable ends disposed near the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element, wherein in a first position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the second corxveying element, and in a second position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the third conveying element; a connecting plate pivotally mounted on the frame; a linkage arm pivotally connected at one end to each of the conveying elements, the linkage arms connected at their other distant ends in spaced relation to the connecting plate; and means for pivoting the connecting plate relative to the frame for movement of the conveying elements between the first and second positά_ons such that the second and third conveyors remain approximately equidistant from one another Ln each position. |
| 2. | The conveying system of claim 1, the conveying elements are conveyor belts movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the frame duri_ng operation of the conveying system. |
| 3. | The conveying system of claim 1, wheirein the conveying elements are reversible so that obj ects may be selectively transferred to or from the first conveyor in both positions of the conveying systems. |
| 4. | The conveying system of claim 1, wherein the connecting plate pivoting means comprises a. pivoting linkage assembly operably connected be tween the actuator arm and a drive unit. |
| 5. | The conveying system for transporting objects comprising: a frame; a first drivable endless conveying element,, the first conveying element movably supported at one end of the frame on a pivotal axis extending transversely to the direction of movement of the first conveying element during operation of the conveying system such that the conveying element has a selectively vertically adjustable end; second and third vertically spaced drivable endless conveying elements positioned one above the other at the other end of the frame, the second and third conveying elements movably supported on the frame on pivotal axes extending transversely to the direction of movement of the conveying elements during operation of the conveying system such that the second and third conveying elements have selectively vertically adjustable ends disposed near the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element, where in a first position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the second conveying element, and in a second position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the third conveying element; a shaft journaled in the frame transversely to the direction of movement of the conveying elements during operation of the conveying system; first and second connecting plates attached in spaced relation to the shaft for rotation with the shaft; two linkage arms pivotally connected at one end to each of the conveying elements, one of the linkage arms from each conveying element pivotally connected at their other ends proximate or distant in spaced relation to the first connecting plate and the other linkage arms from each conveying element pivotally connected at their other ends proximate or distant in spaced relation to the second connecting plate; and means for rotating the shaft and the connecting plates relative to the frame for movement of the conveying elements between the first and second positions such that the second and third conveyors remain approximately equidistant from one another in every position. |
| 6. | The conveying system of claim 5, wherein the conveying elements are conveyor belts movable in a longitudinal direction relative to the frame during operation of the conveying system. |
| 7. | The conveying system of claim 5, wherein the conveying elements are reversible so that objects may be selectively transferred to or from the first conveyor in both positions of the conveying systems. |
| 8. | The conveying system of claim 5, wherein the connecting plate pivoting means comprises an actuator arm nonrotatably connected to the shaft and a pivoting linkage assembly operably connected between the actuator arm and a drive unit. |
| 9. | A conveying system for transporting objects, the conveying system comprising: a frame; a first drivable endless conveying element, the first conveying element movably supported at one end of the frame on a pivotal axis extending transversely to the direction of movement of the first conveying element during operation of the conveying system such that the conveying element has a selectively vertically adjustable end; second and third vertically spaced drivable endless conveying elements positioned one above the other at the other end of frame, the second and third conveying elements movably supported on the frame on pivotal axes extending transversely to the direction of movement of the conveying elements during operation of the conveying system such that the second and third conveying elements have selectively vertically adjustable ends disposed near the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element, where in a first position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the second conveying element, and in a second position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the third conveying element; means for pivoting the conveying elements relative to the frame between the first and second positions such that the second and third conveyors remain approximately ecpαidistant from one another in every position; and a plurality of doorrs mounted to the exterior of the frame for enclosing the conveying elements within the frame. |
| 10. | An apparatus for movement of conveying elements in a conveying system for transporting objects, the conveying system including a frame, a first drivable endless conveying element, the first conveying element movably supported at one end of the frame on a pivotal axiis extending transversely to the direction of movenaent of the first conveying element during operation of the conveying system such that the conveying element has a selectively vertically adjustable end, second and third vertically spaced drivable endless conveying elements positioned one above the other at the other end of frame, the second and third conveying elements movably supported, on the frame on pivotal axes extending transversely to the direction of movement of the conveying elements during operation of the conveying system such that the second and third conveying elements have selectively vertically adjustable ends disposed near the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element, wherein in a first position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the second conveying element, and in a second position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the third conveying element, the conveying element moving apparatus comprising: a connecting plate adapted to be pivotally mounted on the frame; linkage arms adapted to be pivotally connected at one end to each of the conveying elements, the linkage arms connected at their other ends in spaced relation to the connecting plate; and means for pivoting the connecting plate for movement of the conveying elements between the first and second positions, wherein the second and third conveyors remain approximately equidistant from one another in every position during movement of the conveying elements. |
| 11. | The conveying system moving apparatus of claim 10, wherein the connecting plate pivoting means comprises a pivoting linkage assembly operably connected between the actuator arm and a drive unit. |
| 12. | An apparatus for movement of conveying elements in a conveying system for transporting objects, the conveying system including a frame, a first drivable endless conveying element, the first conveying element movably supported at one end of the frame on a pivotal axis extending transversely to the direction of movement of the first conveying element during operation of the conveying system such that the conveying element has a selectively vertically adjustable end, second and third vertically spaced drivable endless conveying elements positioned one above the other at the other end of frame, the second and third conveying elements movably supported on the frame on pivotal axes extending transversely to the direction of movement of the conveying elements during operation of the conveying system such tliat the second and thitrd conveying elements have selectively vertically adjustable ends disposed near the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element, wherein in a first position of the conveying elements the vertically adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of the second conveying element, and in a second position of the corweying elements the vert±cally adjustable end of the first conveying element is adjacent to the vertically adjustable end of trie third conveying element, the conveying element moving apparatus comprising: a. shaft adapted to be joumaled in the frame transversely to the direction off movement of the conveying elements during operation of the conveying system; first and second connecting plates attached in spaced relation to the shaft for rotation with the shaft; two linkage arms pivotally connected at one end to each of the conveyzLng elements, one of the linkage arms from each, conveying element pivotally connected at their oth.er ends in spaced relation to the first connecting plate and the other linkage arms from each conveying element pivotally connected at their other ends in. spaced relation to the second connecting plate; and means for rotating the shaft and the connecting plates relative to the frame for movement of the conveying elements between the first and second positions, wherein the second and third conveyors remain approximately equidistant from one another in every position during movement of the conveying elements. |
| 13. | The conveying element moving apparatus of claim 12, wherein the connecting plate pivoting means comprises an actuator arm nonrotatably connected to the shaft and a pivoting 1 inkage assembly operably connected between the actuator arm, and a drive unit . |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a conveying system that functions as a sorter to distribute objects onto two different vertical level conveyors and also as a merger that merges objects at two different vertical levels onto one conveyor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Most of the presently available conveying systems for sorting objects generally follow the configuration shown in Fig. 5 (5A) wherein the top conveyor (2) and the middle conveyor (3) can swing vertically while the bottom conveyor (4) is a fixed type. There are several ways to follow to swing the top and middle conveyors (2 and 3) that are not shown in Fig. 5(5A) for clarity.
During the switching operations, the middle conveyor (3) will come in line with either the top
conveyor (2) or the bottom conveyor (4) depending on its extreme position. This enables the objects on the middle conveyor (3) to be transported either to the top conveyor (2) or the bottom conveyor (4) thus performing a process for sorting objects. By reversing the conveyor direction, the objects on the top and bottom conveyors (2 and 4) can. also be transported onto the middle conveyor (3) thus performing a process for merging objects.
However, the presently available design has a disadvantage of restricted space available below the top conveyor (2) which in turn prevents entry of objects onto the bottom conveyor (4) . The objects have to wait outside the system till the top conveyor (2) swings to the top extreme position which in turn reduces the capacity durring merging process as compared to sorting process for the same system parameters. The capacity of this conveying system is defined by the number of objects that can be sorted or merged per minute which in turn depends on system parameters such as conveyor speed,
dimensions of the objects, switch-ing cycle times and safety gaps between objects.
During the sorting process, an object, for example a bag, enters the system even while the switching operation is in progress . The bag is held back or retained on the middle conveyor (3) if switching is not completed, i.e, the bag travel upto the transfer point on the middle conveyor during switching operation. This enables the system to achieve a higher capacity for the same system parameters.
During the merging process, triere is no problem regarding height restrictions for objects entering the top conveyor (2) . However, objects entering the bottom conveyor (4) have to be cheeked whether the top conveyor (2) is on the upper extreme position and that there is enough headroom a~vailable for the objects to enter the system. These objects are put on hold outside the system till the top conveyor (2) is switched to the upper extreme position to avoid congestion of objects inside the system. Objects travel on the conveyor and the switching operation
are not performed simultaneously. This results in reduction in the number of objects handled by the system for the same parameters during the merging process .
The purpose of this invention is to overcome this deficiency of the present system by allowing all the three conveyors (2, 3, and 4) to switch relative to each other thus maintaining the gap between the top and bottom conveyors (2 and. 4) and which remains same throughout the switching action. Please refer to Fig. 5 (b) .
This invention also simplifies the switching mechanism by using a simple linkage driven system. A modular unit concept was adopted while developing this system.
ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the invention is to develop a more efficient, modular design for a conveyor system that caters for an increased demand in material handling systems.
In accordance with the objective of the invention, a new conveyor system, namely the Bi- Directional Distribution Conveyor System (BDCS) unit has three conveyors that are made to move up and down relatively so that objects can enter the BDCS unit and put on hold inside at all situations. Thus the BDCS unit will have same capacity for both sorting and merging operations for the same system parameters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The BDCS unit is explained using the following drawings.
Fig. 1 shows an overall isometric view of the distribution conveyor.
Fig. 2 shows the elevation view of the distribution conveyor.
Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of the linkage mechanism.
Fig. 4 shows the operational sequence of the linkage mechanism. Fig. 5 shows the difference between present and the new conveyor system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(1) DESCRIPTION
The description of the new conveyor system namely Bi-Directional Distribution Conveyor System (BDCS) unit is explained with the help of Figs. 1-3.
The BDCS unit is designed as a modular single unit and made of single fabricated steel frame (1) , which houses three belt conveyors, namely top, middle and bottom conveyors, with their mechanization, linkages, supporting shafts, actuator arms, and the oscillating drive unit. See the typical BDCS unit shown in Fig.l.
The BDCS main frame (1) holds at pivot points, Pl and P2, two conveyors namely the top conveyor (2) and the bottom conveyor (3) at one end of the frame using the conveyor pulley shaft and flange bearings. Similarly, the middle conveyor (4) is held at pivot
point P3 at the opposite end of the main frame (1) using the conveyor pulley shaft and flange bearings. All these three conveyors (2, 3, and 4) are able to swing up and down using these pivot points (Pl, P2, and P3) and are independently powered by separate motors. These motors can be operated in reversible directions so that the belt can run in either forward or reverse direction for these three conveyors (2, 3, and 4) .
Each conveyor (2, 3, and 4) is supported by two individual supporting rods (5 and 5A, 6 and 6A and 7 and 7A) near one end while the other end is pivoted to the main frame (1) . The supporting rods (5 and 5A, 6 and 6A, 7 and 7A) use swivel bearing at both ends so that they can act as a linkage during the swinging actions of the conveyors. The three supporting rods (5, 6 and 7 and 5A, 6A and 7A) on one side of the conveyor are connected to form a linkage connection using a connecting plate - (8 and 8A) .
These connecting plates (8 and 8A) are integral parts of the main shaft assembly (9) , which is made to rotate at pivot point P4 using flange bearing mountings and an arm plate (10) . The arm plate (10) is made to oscillate back and forth using an actuator arm (11) and crank shaft mechanism. The crank shaft mechanism consists of a crank shaft (12) mounted on the structure using flange bearings with one end connected to drive motor (13) and the other end fitted with a crank arm (14) . This crank arm (14) is attached to one end of the actuator arm (11) using a swivel bearing.
When the drive motor (13) rotates the crank shaft (12) on pivot point P5, the crank arm (14) will also rotate. The arm Plate (10) and crank arm (14) are connected to each other by the actuator arm (11) (as shown in Fig. 4) . The rotational motion of the crank arm (14) is converted into an oscillating motion of the arm Plate (10) on pivot point P4 by the actuator arm (11) . The oscillating motion of arm plate (10) will also make the connecting plate (8
and 8A) oscillate on pivot point P4 through the main shaft (9) .
The oscillating motion of the connecting plate (8 and 8A) will cause the supporting rods to move up and down and which in turn make all the three conveyors (2, 3, and 4) swing relative to each other in a pre-determined path on pivot points Pl, P2, and P3.
(2) OPERATION
The operation of the new conveyon: system design BDCS unit is explained with the help of Fig. 4.
The BDCS unit can function as a sorter, when a supply conveyor feeds the objects to the middle conveyor (3) which in turn feeds ttxese objects to either the bottom conveyor (4) or thie top conveyor (2) depending on the conveyor alignment situation. The objects received at one le^vel are thus distributed onto two different level conveyors.
The BDCS unit can also function as a merger y when two supply conveyors at different levels feed the objects to the top and bottom conveyors (2 and 4) which in turn feed these objects onto the middle conveyor (3), depending on the conveyor alignment situation. During this operation, all the three conveyors will be running in opposite directions . The objects received at two different levels are thus merged onto one conveyor.
The alignment of the middle conveyor (3) in line with either the top conveyor (2) or the bottom conveyor (4) is achieved using a linkage motion as described below: (Refer to Fig. 4.)
When the middle conveyor (3) is aligned witti the bottom conveyor (4) , the linkages and the to;p conveyor (2) positions are as shown in Situation 1 of Fig. 4 (a) . In Situation 1, objects can be transported using the bottom conveyor (4) and the middle conveyor (3) in both directions and also other objects can enter the top conveyor (2) and wait inside the system.
For transporting an obj ect at the top conveyor (2) to the middle conveyor (3) or vice versa, the middle conveyor (3) has to swing and align with the top conveyor (2) from the present in-line position with the bottom conveyor (4) . To achieve this, the dαrive motor (13) will be activated by controls and w±ll rotate the crank shaft (12) which in turn rotates the crank arm (14) on pivot point P5. This rotation of the crank arm (14) creates a pull effect orx the actuator arm (11) and oscillates the connecting plate (8) using an arm plate (10) on pivot axis point P4 as shown in Situation 2 of Fig. 4 (3o) . The supporting rod linkages (5, 6, and 7) will move in a predetermined path -using pivot points Pl, P2 and P3 when connecting plate (8) oscillates. These movements of supporting rods (5, 6, and 7) will make the middle conveyor (3) swing up while the top and bottom conveyors (2 and 4) will swing downwards as shown in Situation 2 of Fig. 4 (b) .
When the crank arm (14) Ls rotated by 180° (half cir-cle) , the drive motor (13) will be switched 'off by control switch and the cranJc shaft rotation stops
using the motor brake. At this situation, the actuator ar ~ m (11) is at its extreme pulled position and the supporting rod linkages position are such that the middle conveyor (3) is in alignment with the top conveyor (2) as shown in Situation 3 of Fig. 4 (c) . At th±s point, objects can be transported using the m±ddle conveyor (3) and the top conveyor (2) in both directions and also another^ object can enter the bottom conveyor (4) and wait on it during this time.
As explained above, for each half (180°) rotation of the crank shaft, the middle conveyor (3) will be aligned either to the top conveyor (2) or the bottom conveyor (3) alternatively to perform sorting and merging functions. The starting and stopping of the drive motor is controlled by the inverter and. brake for the smooth operation of the swinging action and therefore avoiding any vibrations on the conveyor after stopping.