LINK-ARM-CONNECTED STOP ELEMENTS Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanical stop element for controlling the conveying of articles on a transport path system.

Background of the invention

[0002] A transport path system for conveying articles such as boxes, bags, buckets and the like, is normally designed by coupling together a number of straight or curved transport path sections, each transport path section typically having an electromotor for conveying the articles and a number of sensors, e.g. photocells, for controlling the conveyed articles. Electromotors and sensors are typically connected to a control panel consisting of e.g. a programmable logic controller (PLC). [0003] The PLC must be programmed to start the individual electromotors of the transport path sections based on the sensor feedback to the PLC about the position of the articles on the transport paths. The electromotors thereby control the advancement of the articles on the transport paths by starting and stopping. [0004] For long transport path sections, it is known that the advancing articles may be assembled by the extraction end, where these articles accumulate and create a so- called queue pressure. This queue pressure can make it difficult to remove the articles by the extraction end of the transport path and may also damage the articles exposed to the heaviest queue pressure. Furthermore, the queue pressure may affect the stability of operation on the transport paths, e.g. in connection with a curve section, where there is a great risk of damaging articles and/or articles being forced completely out of the transport paths.

[0005] Today, this is typically remedied e.g. by dividing the transport paths into shorter sections which are controlled individually, or by mounting so-called separation stops which divide long-transport path sections into smaller sections, thus allowing for a reduction in the number of articles on each section. These divisions are typically very costly as regards electromotors, photocells, PLC, cables, solenoid valves, air cylinders, software etc., as well as time-consuming during design and implementation.

[0006] Prior art document US 2,770,350 A discloses a device which feeds articles to predetermined stations. It is described how to automatically refill a section when an article is removed therefrom.

[0007] Prior art document ES 2,264,857 discloses a device for stopping an article on a conveyor belt. Said device consists of a system made of two pedals which, via interaction with a tilting device, may influence each other' s position and thereby either stop or allow the passage of an article.

[0008] The above prior art has at least the following disadvantages. [0009] One disadvantage is that the distance between the arranged stations must be optimized and determined based on the length of the article. The disadvantage in this regard consists of tasks with varying article lengths, wherein the stations must be adjusted based on the longest article and thereby will not be particularly efficient for the shorter articles.

[0010] Another disadvantage is seen in connection with the adjustment of the stations, which must be adapted in the event of changing distances between the arranged stations. [0011] Furthermore, it is a disadvantage that it is time-consuming and difficult to move and adjust these stations.

Summary of the invention

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and reduce costs with this new invention while at the same time simplifying the design and implementation of transport path systems. [0013] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical stop element for mounting on a transport path system to automatically maintain a continuous flow of articles to the extraction end of a transport path system, without having contact between said articles.

[0014] The invention relates to a mechanical stop element for controlling the conveying of articles on a transport path system, wherein the transport path system consists of at least two mechanical stop elements connected via a link arm, the mechanical stop elements being used to automatically convey a number of articles to the extraction end of a transport path system consisting of e.g. chain conveyors, conveyor belts, roller conveyors or the like, wherein subsequent articles are placed in a queue without any contact between said articles, the mechanical stop elements automatically refilling the paths with the subsequent articles when an article is removed therefrom. The stop element has a stop mechanism which, using the energy from the oncoming articles, can be moved out of the position which blocks the articles.

[0015] The invention is advantages in that it has the effect, that a transport path system which does not require any kind of adjustment in connection conveying of articles of varying lengths is facilitated. However, the distance between each of the stop elements must be such that at least one of the stop elements is always activated per article transported. This is advantageous in that there is no requirement for the maximum length of the article, and the requirement for the minimum length of the article is limited only by the longest distance between two stop elements. [0016] The invention is furthermore advantages in that it has the effect, that the mechanical stop elements do not require any form of energy input for activation of the moving parts, except for the energy from the advancing articles.

[0017] The invention is furthermore advantages in that it has the effect, that the mechanical stop elements can be used on transport paths which are driven by e.g. one or more electromotors, and that stop elements can be used on non-driven paths, e.g. gravity paths, or used for any combination of these driven and non-driven paths. [0018] The invention is furthermore advantages in that it has the effect, that it enables a quiet mechanical automatic transport path system which is simple in design and simultaneously effective in operation.

[0019] The invention is furthermore advantages in that it has the effect, that easy access to the mechanical stop elements via a simple mounting bracket, allowing the stop elements to be mounted, replaced and serviced by using only a single tool. [0020] The invention is furthermore advantages in that it has the effect, that the mechanical stop elements can be mounted both horizontally and vertically.

[0021] The invention is furthermore advantages in that it has the effect, that itis to be able to adapt the stop mechanism to each task by adapting the part of the stop elements which is in contact with the article. Blow an example of a stop element is illustrated , which facilitates vertical mounting. This is advantageous for conveying e.g. the following articles: buckets, cans, bottles and the like.

[0022] The invention is furthermore advantages in that it has the effect, that the stop elements can be used for transport paths, suspended paths or the like, which are ascending, descending and curved or the like, or can be used for any combination of these, simply by replacing link arm with e.g. a system with cable winches, wires or the like (not illustrated). [0023] The invention is furthermore advantages in that it has the effect, that that the stop elements can be used for grouping of two or more articles at the extraction end of the conveyer (also referred to as transport path system, transport system, transport path or simply path), which can be very useful in an automatic transport facility, e.g. for feeding articles to robots. [0024] The invention relates to a mechanical stop element for controlling the conveying of articles on a transport path system, wherein the at least two stop elements are connected via a link arm. [0025] In an embodiment, movement is forwarded by the stop mechanism to a first arm via a first mechanical connection, and to a second arm via a second mechanical connection, wherein the first mechanical connection produces an activation/movement of a link arm, and wherein the second mechanical connection produces a retention of the stop mechanism.

[0026] In an embodiment the first mechanical connection is forwarded in the first stop element to the second mechanical connection in the second stop element. This has the advantage that an article cannot pass the second stop element before the second mechanical connection has been unlocked by the first stop element.

[0027] In an embodiment a lock pin with spring force can abut against the base block, this results in the lock pin automatically enters into a locked position when the base block is rotated clockwise back to its resting position against the two base plates. [0028] In an embodiment, the first mechanical connection consists of a base block and arm.

[0029] In an embodiment, the second mechanical connection consists of a lock pin and base block.

[0030] In an embodiment, the stop element has a lock pin which is adapted and mounted so that it can be forced to unlock the base block, when the second arm is rotated clockwise, after which the stop element can be passed by the advancing article on the path. [0031] In an embodiment, clamping brackets can be mounted and removed using a single tool, thereby making the mounting, removal and servicing of the stop elements fast and easy. [0032] In an embodiment, the mechanical stop element is silenced, among other things by the bottom of the stop mechanism being coated with a material selected from the list consisting of: rubber, felt or the like, which have the effect that noise from movement of the base block is reduced. [0033] In an embodiment, the link arm can be embodied as a cable winch. The cable is advantageous in that it facilitates connection of two stop elements in a curve-shaped transport path system.

[0034] In an embodiment, the transport path can be used to group two or more articles by simply removing or unlocking one or more stop elements.

[0035] Moreover, the invention relates to a method of stopping articles on a transport path system, the transport path system comprises a plurality of rollers on which the articles are transported, a plurality of stop elements located between two or more of the roller, wherein the stop elements is connected via a link arm, the method comprises the following steps: a second stop element is activated by an article when the article physically obtains contact with the stop mechanism of the second stop element. The activation of the stop mechanism is mechanically transferred to a third stop element via the link arm. The position of the stop mechanism of the third stop element is locked by the mechanical activation from the link arm thereby facilitating stopping a second article on the transport path system.

[0036] This is advantages in that the interconnection of stop elements by the link arm has the effect that articles are stopped by the stop mechanisms and not bumping into each other. In this way it is easy to queue articles without contact between the articles which facilitates easy pick up of the article from the transport path system. [0037] The size of the articles, determines the location of stop elements distributed over the transport path system i.e. if each space between two rollers has to be equipped with a stop element. Accordingly, this is not always necessary. [0038] According to an embodiment of the invention, the position of the stop mechanism of the third stop element is unlocked when the physical contact between the first article and the stop element of the second stop element ceases. Contact ceases e.g. when the article is removed from the transport path system, thereby letting the second article move forward to the location on the transport path system previously occupied by the first article.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the invention, the position of the stop mechanism of a first stop element is always unlocked. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that an article can always activate the stop mechanism of the first stop element and thereby facilitates initiation of the chain reaction of locking stop elements downstream from the first stop element of the transport path system.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the invention, the position in the transport path system of the first stop element is at a pickup area. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that an article is always allowed to arrive at a pick-up position or end of the transport path system.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the invention, the pickup of articles is made manually or automatically. The automatic pickup of an article is especially advantages in that it has the effect, that a robotic arm is able to pick up an article at the same location of the transport path system each time. The drawings

[0042] The invention will now be described in accordance with various embodiments, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a stop element to illustrate its operation.

Fig. 2 shows two opened stop elements to illustrate their operation.

Fig. 3 shows stop elements mounted horizontally on a roller conveyor.

Fig. 4 shows the same as Fig. 3, only with the path filled automatically.

Fig. 5 shows a section of Fig. 4. in a lateral view.

Fig. 6 shows a section in which the stop elements are used to group articles.

Fig. 7 shows stop elements mounted vertically on a transport path.

Fig. 8 shows finger 9b for replacement by plate 9 during mounting as in Fig. 7.

Detailed description

[0043] Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a stop element to illustrate its operation. This embodiment shows an opened stop elements SI comprising three areas. The stop element further comprises a mounting part MP.

[0044] Area 1 (contact with article) preferably comprise: Stop mechanism 9 is fixed in any suitable way, e.g. using screws, on a respective machined part of base block 10. Base block 10 is rotatably seated around shaft 22, the shaft 22 being attached in any suitable manner to the opposite base plates 25 and 26. Torsion spring 12 is connected between base block 10 and base plate 25, and this torsion spring 12 has sufficient strength to overcome the friction that is created in the preceding stop element between base block 10 and lock pin 14, when the stop mechanism 9 thereof is loaded by an article. See e.g. article A2 of Fig. 4 which, during operation, presses against stop element S3. The two opposite base plates 25 and 26 serve as a mechanical end stop 35 to prevent excessive clockwise rotation of base block 10. Stop mechanism 9 is preferably coated at the bottom 11 with a noise-reducing material such as rubber to reduce occurring noise. [0045] Area 2, first connection (mechanical output) preferably comprise: First arm 20 is rotably seated around shaft 24, the shaft 24 being attached in any suitable manner to the opposite sides in base plates 25 and 26. Arm 19 creates a connection between base block 10 and first arm 20 for transferring the rotational force.

[0046] Area 3, second connection (mechanical input) preferably comprise: Lock pin 14 is rotatably seated around shaft 23, the shaft 23 being attached in any suitable manner to the opposite sides of base plates 25 and 26, furthermore a torsion spring 13 is connected between lock pin 14 and shaft 24, said spring having a strength which can independently keep lock pin 14 engaged in base block 10. Second arm 15 is rotatably seated around shaft 24. Second arm 15 creates a second connection between lock pin 14 and first slider block 16.

[0047] Mounting part MP preferably comprise: Mounting bracket 31 having holes or the like for attachment to the mounting rail 8 (see Fig. 3), and a longitudinal groove matching the two sliding blocks 16 and 21, the two sliding pads 16 and 21 being held in place by the two clamping brackets 29 and 30, the two clamping brackets 29 and 30 furthermore attaching a fully assembled stop element SI to mounting bracket 31. [0048] Fig. 2 shows two opened stop elements to illustrate a method of operation, which, as mentioned, works by each stop element Sl-Sn being linked together by a link arm 32 so that a mechanical signal is transferred from one stop element SI to a subsequent stop element Sn. The mechanical signal is transferred from the output part 21 of a stop element SI to the input part 16 of the preceding stop element Sn through link arm 32.

[0049] First connection: The force from an article in forward movement on the path will activate stop mechanism 9 in such a way that base block 10 will rotate counter clockwise. Arm 19 then creates a connection between base block 10 and first arm 20 in such a way that the aforementioned counter clockwise rotation of base block 10 also causes a counter clockwise rotation of first arm 20. And in a similar manner, if an article leaves stop mechanism 9, torsion spring 12 will cause a clockwise rotation of base block 10, which in turn will cause a clockwise rotation of first arm 20. It should also be noted that the groove 34 in the second slider block 21 converts clockwise rotational force in first arm 20 to a linear pull in the link arm 32 in the direction of the arrow V, and similarly, a counter clockwise rotation of first arm 20 will be translated into a linear push of link arm 32 in the direction of the arrow H.

[0050] Second connection: A linear pull in link arm 32 in the direction of the arrow V is translated via the groove 33 in first slider block 16 to a clockwise rotational force of second arm 15, thereby causing a counter clockwise rotation of lock pin 14, thereby forcing the lock pin 14 to the open position, whereby the base block 10 is unlocked and any article will thus have free passage past the stop element. Similarly, a linear push of link arm 32 in the direction of the arrow H is translated into a counter clockwise rotational force in second arm 15, thereby allowing a clockwise rotation of the lock pin 14. If base block 10 is activated by an article A1-A3, Al 1-A13 (shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6) and thereby is rotated clockwise, the lock pin 14 will, due to torsion spring 13, abut against base block 10. If or when the stop mechanism 9 is free of the article A1-A3, A11-A13 (shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6) and base block 10 thereby is rotated clockwise to its resting position 35 against the two base plates 25 and 26, the lock pin 14 can engage with base block 10, such that base block 10 will be locked in this position. When the stop element is in locked position, said stop element can no longer be passed by an article in forward 2 movement along the path. The article held back awaits unlocking of the stop element, after which the article A1-A3, A11-A13 (shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6) can pass the stop element. [0051] Fig. 3 shows stop elements Sl-Sn mounted horizontally on a roller conveyor.

[0052] This embodiment shows a roller conveyor with a number of stop elements Sl- Sn mounted horizontally, this type of path and setup being applicable for tasks of conveying of e.g. boxes, bags, pallets and the like. This roller conveyor, also called a cumulative roller conveyor, consists of two parallel side members 3 and 4, on which is mounted an end plate 5 that provides a fixed stop against which the front article may come to rest. The side members 3 and 4 are provided with a number of holes, in which the rollers 6 can be attached. Each roller has built-in bearings and through shafts for attaching to the two parallel side members 3 and 4. The individual rollers 6 may be driven by an electromotor (not shown) so that respective boxes Al, A2 and A3 (shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6) are driven in the direction of the arrow 2 along the transport path system. Alternative change in height of the opposite ends of the transport path system may use gravity to move articles along the conveyer.

[0053] On the two parallel side members 3 and 4, transverse side members 7 are preferably attached. The transverse side members 7 are attached at a height such that the respective articles Al, A2 and A3 may pass freely over stop mechanism 9 on the stop elements SI -S8 when said stop mechanisms 9 are in engaged position, seen among others in Fig. 5 at e.g. SI .

[0054] At an appropriate place, e.g. midway between the side members 3 and 4, the mounting rail 8 is attached to the at least two transverse side members 7. Between each of the rollers 6, a mounting bracket 31 is attached to the mounting rail 8. Link arm 32 may be adapted in length based on a formula (not shown) or simple measurements, such that the ends of the link arm 32 are mounted in the output part/second slider block 21 of a first stop element and the input part/first slider block 16 of a second subsequent stop element, respectively. The link connections Ll-Ln (shown in Figs. 5 and 6), each comprising two sliding blocks 16 and 21 and a link arm 32, are placed in the groove in the mounting bracket 31. The stop elements Sl-Sn are preferably placed on each their mounting bracket 31 and attached using clamping brackets 29 and 30. [0055] The formula referred to above is possible to formulate during design of the transport path system in that it requires information of distance e.g. between rollers, article size but most important between stop elements. The distance between the latter subtracted a constant would by an example of the above formula [0056] It should be noted that the last stop SI mounted in the direction of movement 2 should always be unlocked so that the articles always have free passage past this stop element, i.e. stop element SI is only used as a mechanical output signal for the preceding stop element S2. The stop element can be unlocked by removing lock pin 14 or easier by activating the mechanical input 16 of said stop element SI, which may e.g. be done by mounting a link arm on first slider block 16 of stop element SI . The extra link arm is pulled in the direction of the arrow V and fixed in this position, after which this stop element SI is always unlocked.

[0057] On an empty path, all stop elements Sl-Sn will be non-activated, wherein base block 10 with stop mechanism 9 via torsion spring 12 are all rotated clockwise until base block 10 abuts against stop position 35, resulting in that first arm 20 via arm 19 is also rotated clockwise, thereby causing a linear pull in second slider block 21, and link connection Ll-Ln (shown in Figs. 5 and 6) is pulled in the direction of the arrow V, said pull in the link connection L1-L7 (shown in Figs. 5 and 6) in the foregoing stop element S2-S8 pulling in first slider block 16, resulting in the second arm 15 being rotated clockwise, thereby turning lock pin 14 counter clockwise and maintaining it in this position, out of engagement with base block 10, whereby base block 10 may rotate freely counter clockwise and open up for passage when stop mechanism 9 is activated by an article advancing in the direction of movement 2. In other words, this means that all stop elements S1-S8 on an empty path are unlocked. [0058] Figs. 4 and 5 show the same as Fig. 3, only with the path filled automatically with articles.

[0059] By introducing first article box Al on the path at stop element Sn (shown in Fig. 3), said box Al is conveyed by the rollers 6 which are rotated counter clockwise by an electromotor (not shown), box Al moving towards the extraction end of the roller conveyor and passing over the unlocked stop elements SI, S2, ... , Sn and finally stopping and abutting against the fixed stop 5. The first activated stop element in the direction of movement is thereafter stop element S2, and said stop element S2 will, based on the previously described method of operation and link connection L2, send a lock signal to stop element S3. By introducing next article box A2 onto the path at stop element Sn (shown in Fig. 3), said box A2 will also be conveyed by the rollers 6 until stop element S3, which is the first stop element that is locked, and will finally stop and abut against this locked stop element S3. Hereafter, the first activated stop element in the direction of movement is now stop element S6, which will, based on the previously described method of operation and link connection L6, send a lock signal to stop element S7. And so on and so forth.

[0060] When box Al is removed from the path (either automatically or by manual removal), or if a box is e.g. removed at a random location on the path, the stop elements which were activated by the now removed box will be deactivated and thereby unlock the first non-activated stop element in the direction of movement, meaning that any subsequent articles will advance further in the stream, thereby automatically refilling the path, and all that is required for continued operation is to feed new boxes onto the path. It should be noted that when feeding boxes into the plant, there should be at least one non-activated stop element between the boxes before the next box is fed onto the path, in other words, the next box should not be introduced onto the path until first stop element Sn (shown in Fig. 3) is free of the previous box.

[0061] Fig. 6 shows a section in which the stop elements are used to group articles.

[0062] This embodiment shows another application of the same roller conveyor as in Figs. 4 and 5, but here further used for the grouping of boxes, before these are e.g. automatically collected together from the path. The operation is the same as previously described with respect to Figs. 4 and 5, wherein only the two first stop elements SI and S2 are removed and stop element S3 is unlocked. This entails that first box Al 1 passes stop element S3, whereby all stop elements are again non-activated, whereby next box A12 will run all the way up to box Al 1, such that these two boxes are now grouped and may be collected together, e.g. by a robot. At box Al l and box A12 on the roller conveyer, the first activated stop element in the direction of movement will then be stop element S4, and stop element S4 will, based on the previous description of the method of operation, lock stop element S5, and when introducing the next box A13 onto the path, said box A13 will be conveyed to and be stopped by stop element S5. [0063] Fig. 7 shows stop elements mounted vertically on a transport path.

[0064] This embodiment shows stop elements mounted vertically on a path for transport consisting of tasks, e.g. buckets, cans and the like. They are the same stop elements as for horizontal mounting (Fig. 3), only here stop mechanism 9 is replaced by a finger system 9a shown in Fig. 8.

[0065] Fig. 8 shows finger 9a for replacement with stop mechanism 9 during mounting as in Fig. 7.

[0066] The stop mechanism 9a is shown in another embodiment which is appropriate for vertical mounting (Fig. 7), and which is suitable for conveying articles such as: buckets, cans, bottles and the like. [0067] As described above, this embodiment of the invention achieves that the mechanically communicating stop elements, which are mounted on a transport path system, can automatically convey a number of articles to the extraction end of a transport path, wherein the subsequent articles are placed in a queue without any contact between said articles. The stop elements automatically allow refill of the paths with the subsequent articles when an article is removed therefrom.

[0068] With reference to figure 5, interaction between two stop elements (S2 and S3) are as follows. First the article Al activates stop element S2. Then S2 via the link arm L2 transmits a mechanical lock signal to S3. Then the stop element S3 locks / blocks the path upstream for the next article A2. When the article Al is removed from the transport path system 1, the stop element S2 is again inactivated i.e. returns to its upright position. Thereby stop element S2 removes the "lock signal" to stop element S3 by mechanical activation of the link arm L2. This enables the article A2 to pass stop element S3 (and stop elements S2 and SI in that lock signal is transmitted from stop element SI to stop element S2 and stop element SI is always in its unlocked position). [0069] The invention has now been described in accordance with the embodiments shown in the figures, and it should be mentioned that these are not restrictive of the scope of protection since other embodiments (not shown or described) are also covered by the following claims.

[0070] It should also be mentioned that all of the elements described above can be combined in any way to achieve a certain effect or implementation of the invention.

List of reference numbers

1 Transport path system

2 Direction of movement

3 Side member

4 Side member

5 Fixed stop/roller conveyor end piece

6 Rollers with built-in bearings and through shaft

7 Transverse side member

8 Mounting rail

9 An embodiment of the stop mechanism

9b Another embodiment of the stop mechanism

10 Base block

11 Bottom of stop mechanism 9 fitted with a noise-reducing material, e.g. rubber

12 Torsion spring which rotates base block 10 clockwise

13 Torsion spring which holds lock pin 14 rotated clockwise abutting base block 10

14 Lock pin for locking counter clockwise rotation of base block 10

15 Arm for transferring power from slider block 16 (second arm)

16 Slider block at input (first slider block)

17 Bush for arm 19

18 Bush for base block 10

19 Arm for transferring rotational force in base block 10 to first arm 20

20 Arm for transferring power to slider block 21 (first arm)

21 Slider block at output (second slider block)

22 Shaft for base block 10

23 Shaft for lock pin 14

24 Shaft for second arm 15 and first arm 20

25 Base plate

26 Opposite base plate (not shown in Fig. 2 for illustration of the method of operation)

27 Side plate 28 Opposite side plate (not shown in Fig. 2 for illustration of the method of operation)

29 Clamping bracket

30 Clamping bracket

31 Mounting bracket

32 Link arm

33 Grooves in first slider block 16

34 Grooves in second slider block 21

35 End stop in base plate 25 and 26.

A1-A3, A11-A13 Articles/boxes

H Pull/movement in the direction of the arrow

L1-L7 Link arms

S1-S8 Stop elements

V Pull/movement in the direction of the arrow

MP Mounting part