Conveyor System With Diverter

This application relates to conveyor systems wherein articles are moved along a generally horizontal path and are diverted as desired at predetermined areas along the path.

It is common in conveyor systems to utilize conveyors such as belts and the like which move articles along a horizontal path and to provide diverters along the path for removing the articles from the conveyor at predetermined points or areas along the path of the conveyor.

In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,366 issued May 8, 1962, there is disclosed and claimed a diverter which includes a paddle that is movable in a cycloid path, as contrasted to a straight transverse path, across the conveyor to remove articles from the conveyor. Such a system works quite effectively since the pusher or paddle portion of the diverter moves in a cycloid path that has an acceleration approaching a sine wave providing a high sorting capacity with lesser impact than a straight line diverter.

Among the objects of the present invention are to provide an improved conveyor system incorporating a diverter of the type disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,366 which incorporates means for holding the paddle member of the diverter in positive position alongside the path, which has improved mechanical advantage, and which can be readily adapted for use along one or the other side of the conveyor.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor system embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the conveyor system.

FIG. 3 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the diverter embodied in the system.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the diverter shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the ratchet clutch device. FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing the different positions of portions of the diverter under different operating conditions.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of the pneumatic circuit under different operating conditions.

FIG. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram.

Referring to FIG. 1, the conveyor system embodying the invention comprises an endless conveyor 10 such as a belt conveyor which is adapted to move articles A in a horizontal path. At one or more places along the conveyor, a diverter device 11 is positioned and includes a paddle 12 that is operable to move in a cycloidal path relative to the conveyor, as shown in FIG. 2, to divert an article A to a roller conveyor 13 or other receiving device such as a chute.

As shown in FIG. 3, the paddle member 12 is supported on arms 14, 15. More specifically, the paddle member 12 includes a sub-frame 16 that is pivoted to the ends of the arms 14, 15. As shown in FIG. 4, arm 14 is fastened to the upper end of a drive shaft 17 while arm 15 is fastened to the upper end of a driven shaft 18. The shafts 17, 18 are journalled in a frame 19 by bearings 20. An endless chain 21 is trained over sprockets 22, 23 between the drive shaft 17 and driven shaft 18 to control the simultaneous drive of the shafts 17 and 18. A crank arm 24 is provided on the lower end of the drive shaft 17 and is connected to the shaft 25 of the piston of an air cylinder 26. The cylinder 26 is mounted on the frame 19 by a simple clevis mount 27. In order to provide an anti-backup for the paddle member 12 when it is in the home position alongside the conveyor, ratchet device 28 is provided and associated with the drive shaft 17. The ratchet device 28 is mounted on the frame 19 by rubber mounts 29. In FIG. 3, the paddle arms 14, 15 are shown at an angle, but in the home position of the paddle 12, the arms 14, 15 are at a right angle to the path of the conveyor. In order to adjust the ratchet 28 so that it is engaged when the arms 14, 15 and paddle 12 are in the home position, the ratchet device 28 is adjustably mounted on frame 19 by bolts 28a that extend through elongated slots 28b in the device 28.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ratchet device comprises a gear 30 having a plurality of teeth mounted in a housing 31 and spaced spring-loaded pawls 32, 33 which are adapted to be selectively engaged by a lever 34 for bi-directional rotation. Such a device is commercially available and sold by Lowell, 97 Temple St., Worchester, Mass. In the position of lever 34 shown in FIG. 5, the top pawl 32 is engaged and rotation of shaft 17 is clockwise as viewed from the top. If lever 34 is moved to the lower position, the bottom pawl 33 is engaged and rotation of shaft 17 is counterclockwise.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the crank arm is provided at an angle, preferably approximately 24.degree. from the top dead center of the air cylinder when the ratchet is engaged in the home position. When the diverter device is to be used on the opposite side of the conveyor, the crank arm is reversed as shown in FIG. 7 and the operating arm of the ratchet device is switched from one position to the other to provide an anti-backup function for the paddle member in the opposite direction.

The control of the operation of the cylinder is by means of a dual solenoid operated valve shown in various positions in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. In the position shown in FIG. 8, the "out" solenoid is operated and the air cylinder is shown approaching its outermost position. In the position shown in FIG. 9, the "in" solenoid has been energized and the cylinder is shown approaching its home or in position. In the position shown in FIG. 10, the stall timer TR-1 has timed out and both solenoids are de-energized causing the air valve to shift to its mid position.

FIG. 11 represents the schematic wiring diagram for the system. The circuit includes the following components:

Control voltage is applied at terminals four (4) and seven (7). Diverter Cycle Control at terminal one (1) should be approximately 50 MS momentary signal. With switch S1 in the ON position and switch S2 in the AUTO position, a mementary external cycle signal will energize relay CR-1. CR-1A contact will seal in relay CR-1, CR-1B contact will energize the OUT solenoid and CR-1C contact will de-energize the IN solenoid.

As the diverter paddle moves from the home position, limit switch LS-2 will start timing relay TR-1 timing. When the paddle is fully extended (FIG. 8), limit switch LS-1 will activate, opening the seal circuit to relay CR-1 through contact CR-1A, de-energizing relay CR-1. Contact CR-1B will open de-energizing the OUT solenoid and contact CR-1C will close energizing the IN solenoid. The diverter paddle will now return to the home position (FIG. 9) activating limit switch LS-2 and resetting relay TR-1 which completes the cycle.

If the diverter paddle does not return to its home position for the duration of time of timing relay TR-1, the TR-1A contact will open removing power to the IN and OUT solenoids which de-energizes timing relay TR-2. Contact TR-2B will close and contact TR-1B will close sealing in timer TR-1 and illuminating indicator light PL-1. An auxiliary contact TR-1C will also open turning off any remote conveyors or equipment associated with the diverter.

To reset this stalled condition, switch S1 is turned to OFF and the push diverter paddle is moved to home position. Switch S1 is turned to ON and the diverter is tested with switch S2 to verify that the diverter is free and working properly. Then switch S2 is placed on AUTO. The diverter is now ready for normal operation.

The time delay for timer TR-2 is always set longer than the time for timer TR-1 so that if the diverter paddle is not in the home position when the switch S1 is turned to the ON position, or when someone re-connects the air supply, the TR-1 stall timer will time out and deactivate the diverter before any air pressure is applied to the cylinder. In this mode, power cannot be applied to the IN or OUT solenoids of the four-way air valve and the valve spool spring centers to the position shown in FIG. 10 which exhausts air pressure from both sides of the air cylinder. This is a significant safety feature of this circuitry.