Conveyor system and method for accumulating packages of varying lengths
First Claim
1. An accumulation conveyor comprising:
- a conveyor comprising a subject zone disposed adjacent to a downstream zone, the subject zone comprises a first sensor and a first drive system, the downstream zone comprises a second sensor and a second drive system, and wherein the first sensor is configured to be in a first detection state and the second sensor is configured to be in a second detection state; and
logic circuitry disposed in communication with the first sensor, the first drive system, the second sensor, and the second drive system, wherein the logic circuitry is configured to;
monitor the first detection state and the second detection state,determine a sequence by which the first sensor and the second sensor enter the first detection state and the second detection state, respectively, andgenerate a drive output for operating the first drive system and the second drive system substantially simultaneously, or independently, based on the first detection state, the second detection state, and the sequence by which the first sensor and the second sensor enter the first detection state and the second detection state, respectively.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive controller for controlling movement of a plurality of packages by an accumulation conveyor. The drive controller is configured to determine a length of each of the packages and to coordinate driving of a number of zones needed to accommodate the package. For example, a sensor in each of the conveyor zones communicates blockage by the packages to the drive controller. The drive controller determines a sequence of blockage of the sensors in adjacent zones. Blockage of the sensor in an upstream zone before the sensor in a downstream zone indicates an oversized package that extends longer than a zone length of the downstream zone and into the upstream zone. The drive controller is configured to drive the downstream zone and upstream zone simultaneously when detecting the oversized package.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An accumulation conveyor comprising:
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a conveyor comprising a subject zone disposed adjacent to a downstream zone, the subject zone comprises a first sensor and a first drive system, the downstream zone comprises a second sensor and a second drive system, and wherein the first sensor is configured to be in a first detection state and the second sensor is configured to be in a second detection state; and logic circuitry disposed in communication with the first sensor, the first drive system, the second sensor, and the second drive system, wherein the logic circuitry is configured to; monitor the first detection state and the second detection state, determine a sequence by which the first sensor and the second sensor enter the first detection state and the second detection state, respectively, and generate a drive output for operating the first drive system and the second drive system substantially simultaneously, or independently, based on the first detection state, the second detection state, and the sequence by which the first sensor and the second sensor enter the first detection state and the second detection state, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11)
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7. A method of controlling an accumulation conveyor comprising:
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communicating with a first sensor, a first drive system, a second sensor, and a second drive system, wherein the first sensor and the first drive system are associated with a subject zone and wherein the second sensor and second drive system are associated with a downstream zone; monitoring a first detection state of the first sensor and a second detection state of the second sensor; determining a sequence by which the first sensor and the second sensor enter the first detection state and the second detection state, respectively; and generating a drive output for operating the first drive system and the second drive system substantially simultaneously, or independently, based on the detection state of the first sensor, the detection state of the second sensor, and the sequence by which the first sensor and the second sensor enter the first detection state and the second detection state, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 12)
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Specification