Dual power motorized roller
First Claim
1. A conveying system for conveying articles, said system comprising:
- a frame having a first side and a second side;
a plurality of rollers supported by said frame and extending from said first side to said second side, said plurality of rollers adapted to support the articles traveling on said conveying system, each of said rollers adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis;
a motorized roller, said motorized roller including an outer cylindrical shell, a first motor positioned within said shell at a first end of said motorized roller, and a second motor positioned within said shell at a second end of said motorized roller, said first and second motors adapted to rotate said outer cylindrical shell; and
a controller, said controller adapted to control both said first and said second motors, wherein said controller is adapted to control said first motor in a four quadrant mode and said second motor in a two quadrant mode wherein said second motor is allowed to freewheel when needed.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A conveying system may include a frame that supports a plurality of rollers which carry articles thereon. At least one of the rollers may be a motorized roller with first and second motors adapted to rotate an outer cylindrical shell of the motorized roller. A controller external to the motorized roller may send speed control commands to the motorized roller to control both the first and second motors in a manner that increases torque of the motorized roller. The motors may be controlled in four quadrant mode, or two quadrant mode, or a combination thereof. The motorized roller may be used in a right angle transfer mechanism, or in other components of a conveying system.
62 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A conveying system for conveying articles, said system comprising:
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a frame having a first side and a second side; a plurality of rollers supported by said frame and extending from said first side to said second side, said plurality of rollers adapted to support the articles traveling on said conveying system, each of said rollers adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis; a motorized roller, said motorized roller including an outer cylindrical shell, a first motor positioned within said shell at a first end of said motorized roller, and a second motor positioned within said shell at a second end of said motorized roller, said first and second motors adapted to rotate said outer cylindrical shell; and a controller, said controller adapted to control both said first and said second motors, wherein said controller is adapted to control said first motor in a four quadrant mode and said second motor in a two quadrant mode wherein said second motor is allowed to freewheel when needed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A conveying system for conveying articles, said system comprising:
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a frame having a first side and a second side; a plurality of rollers supported by said frame and extending from said first side to said second side, said plurality of rollers adapted to support the articles traveling on said conveying system, each of said rollers adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis; a motorized roller, said motorized roller including an outer cylindrical shell, a first motor positioned within said shell at a first end of said motorized roller, and a second motor positioned within said shell at a second end of said motorized roller, said first and second motors adapted to rotate said outer cylindrical shell; and a controller, said controller adapted to control both said first and said second motors, wherein said controller is adapted to send speed commands of equal magnitude but opposite sign to said first and second motors, respectively and wherein said controller is adapted to control at least one of said first and second motors in a two-quadrant mode wherein said at least one of said first and second motors is allowed to freewheel when needed. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A conveying system for conveying articles, said system comprising:
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a frame having a first side and a second side; a plurality of rollers supported by said frame and extending from said first side to said second side, said plurality of rollers adapted to support the articles traveling on said conveying system, each of said rollers adapted to rotate about a longitudinal axis; a motorized roller, said motorized roller including an outer cylindrical shell, a first motor positioned within said shell at a first end of said motorized roller, and a second motor positioned within said shell at a second end of said motorized roller, said first and second motors adapted to rotate said outer cylindrical shell; and a controller, said controller adapted to control both said first and said second motors, wherein said controller includes; a main processor; a first motor controller in communication with said main processor and adapted to control said first motor based upon speed commands received from said main processor; a second motor controller in communication with said main processor and adapted to control said second motor based upon speed commands received from said main processor; wherein said main processor is adapted to send a negative speed command to said first and second motor controllers when slowing a speed of said motorized roller from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed, said main processor terminating said negative speed command when said second rotational speed is reached.
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13. A method of conveying articles along a conveyor having a conveying surface upon which articles are conveyed by a plurality of transverse divert members adapted to change a direction of movement of articles being conveyed, said method comprising;
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providing a motorized roller having an outer cylindrical shell surrounding a first motor and a second motor; coupling said motorized roller to said plurality of transverse divert members such that said plurality of transverse divert members are activated when said motorized roller rotates; sending a first speed command having a first sign and a first magnitude to said first motor; and sending a second speed command having a second sign and a second magnitude to said second motor, said second sign opposite said first sign, and said second magnitude substantially equal to said second magnitude further including controlling said first motor in a four quadrant mode and said second motor in a two-quadrant mode wherein said second motor is allowed to freewheel when needed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification