U.S. patent application number 11/121759 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-13 for accumulation conveyor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Intelligrated, Inc.. Invention is credited to David M. Trice, Ronald G. Wagner.
Application Number | 20060076216 11/121759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34555400 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060076216 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wagner; Ronald G. ; et
al. |
April 13, 2006 |
Accumulation conveyor
Abstract
An accumulation conveyor has discrete zones which may be
selectively actuated by pressurizing an interior cavity, urging
diaphragms against spreaders which carry two spaced apart frame
members. The frame members carry respective axle retainers which
support the ends of axles on which pressure rollers are rotatably
disposed. The pressure rollers urge the drive belt against the
conveyor rollers.
Inventors: |
Wagner; Ronald G.; (Mason,
OH) ; Trice; David M.; (Mason, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FROST BROWN TODD, LLC
2200 PNC CENTER
201 E. FIFTH STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
Intelligrated, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34555400 |
Appl. No.: |
11/121759 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10409771 |
Apr 8, 2003 |
6889822 |
|
|
11121759 |
May 4, 2005 |
|
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60371083 |
Apr 8, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
198/790 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65G 47/261
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
198/790 |
International
Class: |
B65G 13/07 20060101
B65G013/07 |
Claims
1. An accumulator actuator for an accumulation conveyor, said
conveyor having two spaced apart conveyor frame members, a
plurality of spaced apart conveyor rollers carried by said frame
members and defining an upper conveying surface, an endless drive
belt underlying said drive rollers, said accumulator actuator
comprising: a) a pair of spaced apart frame members, each of said
frame members carrying a respective axle retainer, each said axle
retainer comprising a plurality of openings configured to receive a
respective axle end, each of said openings of a respective axle
retainer being spaced apart a predetermined distance, each of said
openings being generally aligned with a respective opening of said
axle retainer carried by the other of the pair of frame members; b)
at least one spreader member connected to each of said frame
members, said at least one member maintaining said frame members in
said spaced apart relationship; c) a plurality of pressure rollers
rotatably carried on a respective axle, each end of said respective
axle being supported by a respective axle retainer; d) at least one
support carried by one of said conveyor frame members, each said at
least one support including a flexible diaphragm defining an
interior cavity, said interior cavity being selectively connectable
to a source of fluid pressure; e) each spreader member being
supported and guided for generally vertical linear movement by a
respective one of said at least one support, said diaphragm of said
respective one of said at least one support being in operable
contact with said spreader member such that when said diaphragm is
actuated by connecting it to a source of fluid pressure, said
spaced apart frame members urge said pressure rollers against said
drive belt, thereby urging said drive belt against said conveyor
rollers.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority benefit of and incorporates
by reference the disclosure of U.S. provisional patent application
60/371,083 for Accumulation Conveyor, filed Apr. 8, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to accumulation conveyors, and is
specifically directed to an actuator assembly for urging the drive
belt into engagement with the conveying rollers of individual zones
so as to control the movement of articles located on the upper
conveying surface defined by the conveying rollers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0003] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part
of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present
invention, and together with the description serve to explain the
principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a portion of an
accumulation conveyor.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of one end of the portion
of the accumulation conveyor shown in FIG. 1.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of an individual section of
the accumulation conveyor shown in FIG. 1, with all but one
conveying roller removed.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of zone 14a and a portion
of zone 14b of the accumulation conveyor section shown in FIG.
3.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of zone 14d and a portion
of zone 14c of the accumulation conveyor section shown in FIG. 3,
with the support legs omitted.
[0009] FIG. 6 is top perspective view of zone 14d a similar to FIG.
5, with the top run of the drive belt omitted.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of zone
14d.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a close up top perspective view of one end of zone
14c, showing the details of the actuator including the shoe support
bracket and shoe spreader, with the top and bottom run of the drive
belt omitted.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a close up bottom perspective view of one end of
zone 14d showing the details of the actuator including the shoe
support bracket and shoe spreader.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a side view taken at line 10-10 of FIG. 5,
showing a section through the drive belt, and side views of the
other components.
[0014] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken in zone 14d through
the shoe support bracket and shoe spreader in the disengaged
position.
[0015] FIG. 12 is a similar view as FIG. 11 with the drive belt
engaging the lower surface of the conveying rollers, but without
the diaphragm not extended.
[0016] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional top perspective view taken
through the shoe support bracket and shoe spreader similar to FIG.
12.
[0017] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the shoe support
bracket without the diaphragm and retaining ring.
[0018] FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the shoe spreader.
[0019] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of a pressure roller.
[0020] FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the pressure roller
axle.
[0021] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary top perspective view of the axle
retainer.
[0022] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken through the center
of the pressure roller assembly.
[0023] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional top perspective view taken
through the center of the pressure roller assembly.
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 is a
perspective view of a portion of an accumulation conveyor generally
indicated at 2. The portion depicted has a single drive belt (not
seen in FIG. 1), driven by a single power source (not shown), which
drives all zones within the depicted portion of the accumulation
conveyor 2. As can be seen in both FIGS. 1 and 2, there is a
bracket 4 at either end which allows multiple sections to be
secured together to form a continuous conveyor.
[0026] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, accumulation conveyor 2 includes
two spaced apart frame members or sides 6 which support a plurality
of conveyor rollers 8 extending transversely between the frame
sides 6. As is well known, the conveyor rollers 8 are supported at
each end by a hex shaped axle, each of which engages a
complementarily shaped opening formed in the frame sides 6. The
conveyor rollers 8 are rotatably supported by the axle, with the
shape of the openings in the frame sides 6 preventing rotation of
the axle. The upper edge of the conveyor rollers 8 define an upper
conveying surface on which articles being transported are
located.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a section 10 of
the accumulation conveyor portion shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. With
reference also to FIG. 4, section 10 is shown including a portion
of drive belt 12 which is a single, endless belt within the portion
of the accumulation conveyor 2 driven by a single power source.
Drive belt 12 includes upper run 12a, of which a portion is, upon
actuation of a zone urged into driving contact with the lower
tangent edge of the rollers 8 in that zone, and lower run (not
seen), which is the lower, return portion of the endless drive belt
12. Additional accumulation sections may be attached to either end
of section 10 to form a single power source, single drive belt
accumulation conveyor having the desired overall length and number
of controlled zones.
[0028] As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, accumulation conveyor section 10
comprises a plurality of individually controllable zones 14,
identified in FIG. 3 as individual zones 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d.
Each zone is defined by a respective actuator assembly 16,
identified in FIG. 3 as 16a, 16b, 16c and 16d, each of which is
controllable independent of the other actuator assemblies, making
each zone individually controllable. Although the length of a zone
may vary, in the embodiment depicted, the zones were 36 inches
long.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, various views and
portions of an actuator assembly 16 are shown. As depicted,
actuator assembly 16 includes an accumulator shoe assembly 18
supported by two or more shoe support brackets 20 extending from
frame side 6. Each accumulator shoe assembly 18 includes two spaced
apart shoe frame members 22 which carry respective axle retainers
24. In the depicted embodiment, frame members 22 are made of
aluminum, although any sufficiently rigid material may be used.
Each axle retainer 24 includes a plurality of preferably uniformly
spaced axle receiving slots 26. Accumulator shoe assembly 18
further includes a plurality of spaced apart pressure rollers 28,
rotatably supported by respective pressure roller axles 30.
Pressure roller axles 30 are received by axle receiving slots 26,
which have an entrance 26a which lead to a larger opening 26b
shaped complementary to the ends of the pressure roller axles 30.
Preferably, but not absolutely, pressure roller axles 30 do not
rotate. Axle retainer 24 is made of Santoprene.RTM., although any
suitably flexible/elastic material may be used, which permits
entrance 26a, which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the
end of the pressure roller axle 30, to flex sufficiently to allow
the axle end to pass therethrough into opening 26b, which engages
the axle end sufficiently to keep the pressure roller axle 30
retained.
[0030] In the depicted embodiment, axle receiving slots 26 have the
same spacing as the openings in the frame sides 6 that receive the
conveyor roller 8 axles, and are aligned therewith. The plurality
of axle receiving slots 26 provides a modular, adjustable
accumulation shoe which can easily be field fit to the exact
configuration required. For example, with conveying rollers 8
disposed on three inch centers, a pressure roller assembly is
disposed in-between respective pairs of conveying rollers 8, one
inch off center from one of the two conveying rollers 8 and two
inches off center from the other. If the conveying rollers 8 are
disposed on two inch centers, the pressure rollers 28 are disposed
one inch off center of each of the pair of conveying rollers 8. In
the depicted embodiment, one pressure roller assembly is used for
each pair of conveying rollers 8.
[0031] Shoe frame members 22 are supported in their spaced apart,
generally parallel relationship by two spaced apart members 32,
also known as a shoe spreader. Shoe spreader 32 includes two pairs
of spaced apart extensions 32a (see FIG. 15) which extend in
opposite directions and engage a respective axle receiving slot 26
as seen best in FIG. 8. Shoe frame members 22 are secured to shoe
spreader 32 by self taping screws 34 which are threaded into
extension 32a. Of course, any appropriate fastening and support
structure may be used.
[0032] As seen in FIGS. 8 and 15, shoe spreader 32 has a central
web member 36 from which respective vertical walls 38 depend.
Gussets 40 provide structural rigidity between walls 38 and web 36.
Each vertical wall 38 includes a respective horizontally extending
wall 42 which terminates in a downwardly extending vertical guide
portion 44. Gussets 46 provide structural rigidity between
horizontal wall 42 and guide portion 44. Horizontal extending wall
42 and guide portion 44 includes a guide slot or track 48.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 8, 11 and 13, in the retracted,
non-actuated position, shoe spreader 32 is supported by the top of
diaphragm 52. Central member 36 overlies flexible diaphragm 52
which is secured by ring 54 to the annular wall 56 (see also FIG.
14) of shoe support bracket 20. As seen in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13,
central member 36 includes a stiffening rib 36a extending upwards
therefrom. Stiffening rib 36a may be omitted if central web 36 is
sufficiently rigid without it.
[0034] Flexible diaphragm 52 forms an internal cavity 60. Dome 20a
reduces the internal volume of internal cavity 60. Internal cavity
60 is in fluid communication with port 62 (see FIG. 9), into which
an appropriate fitting 63 is connected, which is in turn connected
to tubing (not shown) which can be routed through any of openings
20b in shoe support bracket 20. The internal cavity 60 is
selectively connected to a source of pneumatic pressure when the
accumulator shoe assembly 18 is to be moved upward to urge top run
12a of drive belt 12 into driving contact with the conveyor rollers
8 by pressure rollers 28, as seen in FIG. 12. When pressure is
delivered to internal cavity 60 of both spaced apart shoe support
brackets 20, flexible diaphragm 52 pushes against central web 36,
moving shoe spreader 32 and accumulator shoe assembly 18
upwardly.
[0035] Guide pin 50 includes head 50a which functions to locate and
retain one of the vertical guide portions 44. Shoe support bracket
20 includes a retention surface 64 against which is disposed spacer
65 which functions to locate and retain the other of the vertical
guide portions 44. Retention surface 64 is also engaged by the
shoulder 50b of guide pin 50, which functions to secure shoe
support bracket 20 to frame side 6. The vertical portion 48b of the
guide track 48 guides the shoe spreader 32 during vertical
movement.
[0036] Shoe support bracket 20 as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13
includes a hook shaped extension 20c which extends through an
opening in side member 6 and engages the outer surface thereof.
Alternatively, the extension may have any suitable shape, such as a
round protrusion, to retain the lower portion of shoe support
bracket 20.
[0037] As seen in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, lower run 12b is supported
by a pair of spaced apart bearings 66, supported by shaft 68 by
bracket 70 depending downwardly from frame cross member 72. Shaft
68 also supports a larger pair of spaced apart bearings 74 with
outer diameters sufficiently large enough to retain lower run 12b
on the sides, providing rolling action when contacted thereby. Both
pairs of bearings are precision bearings to reduce noise.
[0038] Drive belt 12 includes a centrally located rib 12c which is
shaped complementarily to the notch 28a in pressure roller 28, with
adequate root and side clearance as may be needed for proper
tracking. Rib 12c may be affixed to drive belt 12 in any suitable
manner, such as lamination. Of course, if possible to manufacture,
rib 12c can be of unitary construction with drive belt 12. Rib 12c
can also be of any profile or configuration suitable for
maintaining the desired position of drive belt 12. In the depicted
embodiment, for example, drive belt 12 is two inches wide, with the
pressure roller 28 extending about three-eighths of an inch beyond
on either side, although any suitable belt and roller widths may be
used. Drive belt is made from typical know materials for drive
belts. In the depicted embodiment, in the non-actuated position,
the upper surface of drive belt 12 is about three sixteenths of an
inch from the lower surface of conveying rollers 8, minimizing the
necessary travel of diaphragm 52.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 16, 17, 19 and 20, pressure roller 28 is
shown formed as a pair of generally hollow cylindrical walls 76
extending in opposite directions from a central hub 78 including a
reduced diameter. The generally hollow cylindrical walls 76 reduce
the mass of pressure rollers 28. In the depicted embodiment,
pressure roller 28 is made of Delrin.RTM., although any other
suitable material may be used which provides sufficient rigidity.
Central hub 78 includes circumferential notch 28a which receives
rib 12c. Pressure roller 28 is rotatably supported by pressure
roller axle 30 by bearing 80. Pressure roller axle 30 includes a
diameter 82 for receiving the inner race of bearing 80, with step
84 and rib 86 locating bearing 80. The inner surface of central hub
78 includes diameter 88 for receiving the outer diameter of bearing
80, and rib 90 for retaining bearing 80 against locating surface
92.
[0040] Ends 30a of pressure roller axle 30 each include a larger
diameter locating shoulder 30b which locate adjacent each
respective axle retainer 24 to locate pressure roller axle 30
there-between.
[0041] The accumulator shoe assembly 18 of actuator assembly 16
provides significant flexibility for sizing the shoe assembly, as
well as allows easy modifications to be made in the field. For
example, the length of accumulator shoe assembly 18 may be easily
adjusted by cutting it down to the desired length. The multiple
openings for holding the pressure roller axle provide significant
flexibility to accommodate various conveying roller spacing. As
seen in FIG. 18, one end of axle retainer 24 includes a dove tail
notch 24a. As can be seen in FIG. 8, at an opposite end of axle
retainer 24 is a complementarily shaped dove tail 24b, allowing
sections of axle retainer 24 to be interconnected.
[0042] When accumulator shoe assembly 18 is actuated, it is
translated linearly upwardly to urge pressure rollers 28 against
top run 12a of belt 12, urging run 12a into driving engagement with
rollers 8 sufficiently to provide positive drive to every roller 8.
Shoe spreader 32 carries the load, there being no metal to metal
contact between any moving parts. Axle 30 is isolated by axle
retainer 24 from shoe frame members 22.
[0043] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the
principles of the invention and its practical application to
thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the
invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as
are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that
the scope of the invention be defined by the claims submitted with
a regular utility application based on this provisional
application.
* * * * *