SE1350523A1 - transfer device - Google Patents

transfer device Download PDF

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Publication number
SE1350523A1
SE1350523A1 SE1350523A SE1350523A SE1350523A1 SE 1350523 A1 SE1350523 A1 SE 1350523A1 SE 1350523 A SE1350523 A SE 1350523A SE 1350523 A SE1350523 A SE 1350523A SE 1350523 A1 SE1350523 A1 SE 1350523A1
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
objects
conveyor belt
outfeed
diverter
transition device
Prior art date
Application number
SE1350523A
Other languages
Swedish (sv)
Inventor
Marko Salmi
Linus Bokesand
Hans Östergren
Original Assignee
Flexlink Components Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Flexlink Components Ab filed Critical Flexlink Components Ab
Priority to SE1350523A priority Critical patent/SE1350523A1/en
Priority to PCT/SE2014/050522 priority patent/WO2014178784A1/en
Publication of SE1350523A1 publication Critical patent/SE1350523A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
    • B65G47/26—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
    • B65G47/30—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors
    • B65G47/31—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors by varying the relative speeds of the conveyors forming the series
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/44—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G21/00—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors
    • B65G21/10—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors movable, or having interchangeable or relatively movable parts; Devices for moving framework or parts thereof
    • B65G21/14—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors movable, or having interchangeable or relatively movable parts; Devices for moving framework or parts thereof to allow adjustment of length or configuration of load-carrier or traction element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/02—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors
    • B65G47/04—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles
    • B65G47/06—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines
    • B65G47/08—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding
    • B65G47/082—Devices for feeding articles or materials to conveyors for feeding articles from a single group of articles arranged in orderly pattern, e.g. workpieces in magazines spacing or grouping the articles during feeding grouping articles in rows
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
    • B65G47/26—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
    • B65G47/30—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
    • B65G47/64—Switching conveyors
    • B65G47/644—Switching conveyors by a pivoting displacement of the switching conveyor
    • B65G47/645—Switching conveyors by a pivoting displacement of the switching conveyor about a horizontal axis
    • B65G47/647—Switching conveyors by a pivoting displacement of the switching conveyor about a horizontal axis the axis being perpendicular to the conveying direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
    • B65G47/64—Switching conveyors
    • B65G47/644—Switching conveyors by a pivoting displacement of the switching conveyor
    • B65G47/648—Switching conveyors by a pivoting displacement of the switching conveyor about a vertical axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/52—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices
    • B65G47/68—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor
    • B65G47/71—Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor lane and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor lane or to one broader conveyor lane, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged or distributed to several distinct separate conveyors or to a broader conveyor lane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
    • B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
    • B65G47/76—Fixed or adjustable ploughs or transverse scrapers
    • B65G47/766—Adjustable ploughs or transverse scrapers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2811/00—Indexing codes relating to common features for more than one conveyor kind or type
    • B65G2811/06—Devices controlling the relative position of articles
    • B65G2811/0605—Devices controlling the relative position of articles by arranging articles in groups or arranging grouped articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2812/00—Indexing codes relating to the kind or type of conveyors
    • B65G2812/01—Conveyors composed of several types of conveyors
    • B65G2812/012—Conveyors composed of several types of conveyors for conveying material successively by a series of conveyors
    • B65G2812/014—Conveyors composed of several types of conveyors for conveying material successively by a series of conveyors with relative movement between conveyors
    • B65G2812/015—Conveyors composed of several types of conveyors for conveying material successively by a series of conveyors with relative movement between conveyors the conveyors being movably linked

Abstract

19 ABSTRACT High speed transition device adapted to receive objects from a horizontalinfeed conveyor belt and to forward the objects to at least two secondhorizontal outfeed conveyor belts, where the transition device comprises atransfer function and a diverter function, where the transfer function isadapted to group the objects into spaced apart groups comprising apredefined number of objects in a non-stationary fashion, where the timeinterval between two groups exceeds the change-over time for the diverterfunction such that each group can be diverted to respective outfeed conveyorbelt. The advantage of the invention is that objects can be transferred fromone infeed conveyor belt to at least two outfeed conveyor belts at a highspeed in a non-stationary fashion such that the objects does not have to stopduring the transition. The invention is especially advantageous for sensitiveor soft objects or objects having a irregular shape. (Figure 1)

Description

P41301393 130429 Dynamic moving transfer prio text.docTRANSITION DEVICETECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement forcontrolling a flow of objects from an infeed conveyor to at least twooutfeed conveyors. The arrangement is adapted to be used in a conveyorsystem.
BACKGROUND ART Conveyor systems are known, which handles, diverts, rotates, pushesand/or accumulates products in the manufacturing processes. Suchsystems can for instance be used in packaging, filling, machining orassembly processes. Particular conveyor systems can comprise divertersdesigned to distribute products from one to several lanes. Such diverterspreferably enable distribution in a continuous motion flow from theincoming lane to the outgoing lanes. A diverter preferably distributesproducts to the outgoing lanes following a given ratio such as an equalamount of products to each outgoing lane or the distribution may becontrolled by external signals such as the actual consumption or the status of surrounding machinery.
One known diverter solution involves accelerating the product flow so thatessentially constant distances between products are created. Thedistances or gaps between the products are then used for switching adiverter means between different outgoing lanes. Such solutions work finefor slow and medium speed flows, having a throughput speed ofapproximately 50 to 300 objects per minute. For higher throughputspeeds, it is not possible to use conventional diverter solutions. Onereason is that the distance between the objects is too short, which meansthat the diverter does not have enough time to switch between the outgoing lanes. Another reason is that too much side force will act on theobjects, which may harm the package or the product contained inside the package. ln another known diverter solution, distances or gaps are created betweenproducts by the use of stops, brakes or conveyor belts that slows down theincoming products. lt is also possible to create groups of products havingpredefined gaps between the groups in this way. With this method, largeenough distances or gaps between products or groups can be createdalso at relatively high production rates. One problem with this method isthat the incoming flow must be restricted or stopped each time a gap is tobe created. ln order to compensate for the lost throughput during thisrestriction period, either the conveyor speeds or the quantity of products ineach group or both needs to be increased. Further, such a solutionrequires long buffer zones before and after the diverter.
The distance between the products of the incoming flow of products mayvary from zero to a predefined spacing, and the distance may further beeither equidistance or the distance may vary.
Such systems may work fine for some types of objects, but arenevertheless depending on a limited speed of the incoming objects of the feeding conveyor. There is thus still room for improvements.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION An object of the invention is therefore to provide a transition device that isadapted to group incoming objects in groups spaced apart with apredefined time interval, and divert the groups to at least two outfeedconveyor belts. Another object of the invention is to provide a method thatcan divert a high speed product flow into at least two outfeed flows.
The solution to the problem according to the invention is described in thecharacterizing part of claim 1 with regards to the transition device and in claim 12 regarding the method. The other claims contain advantageousembodiments and further developments of the transition device andmethod. ln a high speed transition device adapted to receive objects from ahorizontal infeed conveyor belt and to forward the objects to at least twosecond horizontal outfeed conveyor belts, where the transition devicecomprises a transfer function consisting of a transfer device and a diverterfunction, the object of the invention is achieved in that the transfer deviceis adapted to group the objects into spaced apart groups comprising apredefined number of objects in a non-stationary fashion, where the timeinterval between two groups exceeds the change-over time for the diverterfunction such that each group can be diverted to respective outfeed conveyor belt.
By this first embodiment of the transition device according to the invention,it is possible to divert a high speed object flow into at least two objectflows. During the transition, the objects do not have to stop which allows ahigh trough-put. The spacing of the incoming objects may either be equalor may vary, or the incoming objects may also bear on each other. Theobjects are received by a transfer function consisting of a transfer device.The transfer device will group the objects into groups having a predefinednumber of objects in a non-stationary fashion, i.e. the objects are notstopped or grouped using a stop member where the objects in the groupbear against each other. The number of objects that can be allowed in agroup depends e.g. on the length of the transfer device, the size of theobjects, the speed of the infeed conveyor belt and the change-over time ofthe diverter function. A suitable number of objects in a group is preferablyin the range of 2 - 15. The speed of the infeed conveyor belt is preferablyin the range between 50 - 150 meters per minute, but may varydepending on the size of the objects. Each group of objects is spacedapart with a time interval that is longer than the change-over time of the diverter function. ln this way, the diverter function will have time to changeoutfeed position such that each group of objects can be diverted safely tothe desired outfeed conveyor belt. Normally, every second group isdiverted to one outfeed conveyor belt and the other groups to the otherconveyor belt when two outfeed conveyor belts are used, but otherdistribution ratios of the objects is also possible. lf there are more than twooutfeed conveyor belts, the groups may be divided equally to the outfeedconveyor belts. lt is also possible to use one outfeed conveyor belt as adiscard output, to which a group containing a defect object is directed. Thedefect object is later removed from the group and the rest of the objectsare recirculated to the infeed conveyor. An outfeed conveyor may also beused as a temporary buffer, to which groups of objects are directed whene.g. the packing machine situated at another outfeed conveyor istemporarily overloaded. This may be advantageous when the nominalpacking rate of the packing machine matches the infeed flow, but where the inflow rate varies over time.
The transfer device comprises two conveyor belts interconnected by twocarriages. Each conveyor belt is driven by an individual motor such thateach conveyor belt may be driven by a different speed. The speed of thefirst conveyor belt can thus e.g. be adapted to the speed of the infeedconveyor belt. The speed of the second conveyor belt can e.g. be adaptedto the outfeed conveyor belt. A third motor is arranged to position thecarriage that interconnects the conveying surfaces of the first and secondconveyor belt in a horizontal direction. ln this way, the ratio of theconveying surfaces of the first and second conveyor belt can be changed.By selecting the speeds of the first and second conveyor belt and thehorizontal speed and direction of the carriage, the transfer device can beused to group a selected number of objects into a group. The distancebetween two groups can also be set to a predefined distance or time. ln a group, the objects must not bear against each other, but they arepreferably arranged close to each other. The distance between the objectsmay be dependent on the type of object. For some rigid products, a smalldistance may be preferred in order to prevent the products from touchingeach other. For softer products, such as frozen vegetables packed inbags, the bags may even extend over each other to some extent withoutinterfering with the product flow. Soft or sensitive products are preferablyalso arranged with a small spacing between them in a group. Especially,sensitive products that cannot be pushed, squeezed or handled roughlycan be groped without bearing against each other.
The transition device also comprises a diverter function adapted to divertthe groups of objects to at least two outfeed conveyor belts. Since adiverter function requires some time to change position from one outfeedposition to the other, it is important that the diverter function has changedposition before a new group of objects is to be diverted. The distancebetween two groups that is set by the transfer device is selected such thatthe time interval between two groups exceeds the change-over time of thediverter function. ln this way, it is secured that each group of objects willbe diverted to the selected outfeed conveyor belt in a secure way withoutinterfering with a moving diverter function. This allows an uninterruptedflow of objects to the two outfeed conveyor belts. lt is also possible to combine the transfer device with the diverter functionsuch that the complete transfer device swings from one delivery position to another. ln an advantageous development of the invention, a second transferdevice is arranged at each outfeed conveyor belt. These transfer devicesare similar to the first transfer device, but the speeds of the conveyor beltsand the horizontal speed and direction of the carriage is set such that thegroup of objects is divided into a flow of separated objects, preferably spaced apart with an equal distance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will be described in greater detail in the following, withreference to the embodiments that are shown in the attached drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a transition device accordingto the invention, Fig. 2 shows an infeed flow and a grouping action by the transferdevice according to the invention, Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of a diverter function from abovecomprised in the transition device according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a diverter function from abovecomprised in the transition device according to the invention, Fig. 5 shows a side view of a third embodiment of a diverter functioncomprised in the transition device according to the invention,and Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a diverter function from above comprised in the transition device according to the invention.MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The embodiments of the invention with further developments described inthe following are to be regarded only as examples and are in no way tolimit the scope of the protection provided by the patent claims.
Fig. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a high speed transition deviceaccording to the invention. The transition device 1 comprises an infeedconveyor belt 2, at least two outfeed conveyor belts 3, 4, a transferfunction consisting of a transfer device 5 and a diverter function 6positioned between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyors. The speed of the infeed conveyor belt may be constant or may vary dependingon the requirements on the total system. The speed may vary if e.g. theobjects on the infeed conveyor belt are spaced apart with a varyingdistance such that the objects can be delivered to the transfer device at aconstant pace. The speed is also dependent on the number of objects thatis to be handled during a specific time period. The speed of the outfeedconveyor belts may also be constant or may vary depending on therequirements on the total system. The speed of the conveyor belts ishowever preferably substantially constant during the transfer of objectsfrom the infeed conveyor belt to the outfeed conveyor belts. The infeedconveyor belt transports objects 8 with a first speed vo from a production line or the like.
The invention is especially suitable for high capacity production lines, witha product rate from more than 500 objects per minute up to 1000 objectsper minute or more. The invention is further especially suitable forsensitive or soft objects that should not bear against each other, and forirregular objects which cannot bear against each other. However, theinvention also suitable for more rigid and regularly shaped objects such ase.g. cardboard boxes, poly-wrapped packs or bags. The objects travellingon the infeed conveyor belt are supplied with a first flow rate, which maybe constant or may vary and the spacing between the objects may eitherbe constant or may vary.
The transition device comprises a transfer device 5 adapted to receive theobjects from the infeed conveyor belt and to group the objects such thatthey can be diverted to at least two outfeed conveyor belts by a diverterfunction 6 which is adapted to divert the objects to the outfeed conveyorbelts. The transfer device 5 is adapted to group the objects into spacedapart groups comprising a predefined number of objects. The distancebetween two groups, i.e. the time interval between two groups for a given speed, is selected such that the time interval between two groups exceeds the change-over time for the diverter function 6 such that each group canbe diverted to respective outfeed conveyor belts 3, 4 in a reliable way. Thediverter function 6 comprises in one example a diverter conveyor belt 7.
The transfer device 5 comprises in one example a first conveyor belt 9 anda second conveyor belt 10 which are interconnected by an upper carriage11 and a lower carriage 12. Each carriage comprises two rollers aroundwhich the first and the second conveyor belt runs. The first conveyor beltis driven by a first powered roller 13 and the first conveyor belt also runsaround a first deflection roller 14. The first powered roller and the firstdeflection roller are stationery. The first conveyor belt 9 is powered by aseparate motor which enables the first conveyor belt to run at an individualspeed if required. Preferably, the first conveyor belt is run at substantiallythe same speed as the infeed conveyor belt in order to reduce the strainon the conveyed objects.
The second conveyor belt 10 is driven by a second powered roller 15 andthe second conveyor belt also runs around a second deflection roller 16.The second conveyor belt is powered by a separate motor which enablesthe second conveyor belt to run at an individual speed if required. Thespeed of the second conveyor belt is varied such that the objects can begrouped. The second powered roller and the second deflection roller arestationery.
The upper carriage 11 is driven in the horizontal direction by a separatemotor. The upper carriage is preferably arranged on a rail or similar thatallows the upper carriage to slide or roll only in the horizontal direction.The motor may drive the upper carriage by e.g. a toothed wheel or chain,but other solutions such as a linear motor or a threaded shaft is alsopossible. The lower carriage is also arranged in a similar way on a passiverail and is not driven by a motor. The lower carriage will follow the uppercarriage such that the first and the second conveyor belts have the sametension at all times. The lower carriage is preferably attached to the upper carriage by one or two wire cables or the like running over pulleys, suchthat the upper and lower carriage can move in opposite directionssimultaneously. When the upper carriage moves in one direction, thelower carriage will move in the opposite direction. The support surfaces ofthe first and the second conveyor belts may be supported by a slidingsurface if the objects are relatively heavy or the conveyor belts are relatively long.
By moving the upper carriage in one direction, the gap between the firstand the second conveyor belt is moved in that direction. Depending on thespeed of the first conveyor belt, the second conveyor belt and the speed ofthe upper carriage, the transfer device can be used to either separateobjects or to group objects. ln the described example, the transfer deviceis used to group the incoming objects into groups. This can be seen in Fig.2, where a grouping action of the transfer device is shown. ln thisdescribed example, the objects on the infeed conveyor belt are spacedwith an equal distance. The speed v0 of the infeed conveyor belt 2 isconstant with a speed of 2 m/s, the speed vg of the diverter conveyor belt 7and the speed v4 of the outfeed conveyor belts 3, 4 are constant at 3 m/s.Further, the speed vi of the first conveyor belt 9 of the transfer device isset to a constant speed of 2 m/s which corresponds to the speed of theinfeed conveyor belt. ln Fig. 2a, the forming of a first group 23 with a first leading object 20 hasstarted. The objects in the first group are in this moment all conveyed bythe second conveyor belt 10 of the transfer device and the distancebetween the objects of the first group are somewhat reduced. Thedistance between the objects is reduced since the speed v2 of the secondconveyor belt has been lower than the speed of the first conveyor, as willbe described below. The distance between the objects in the first groupcan be set in dependency of the speeds of the first and second conveyorbelt and the speed of the upper carriage. The leading object 20 of the first group is about to enter the outfeed conveyor belts. The leading object 21of the second group has just entered the infeed conveyor belt. The speedvt of the upper carriage 11 is now set to 2 m/s which correspond to thespeed of the infeed conveyor belt and the first conveyor belt. The speed ofthe second conveyor belt is set to a speed that is higher than the speed ofthe diverter conveyor belt. ln this way, the distance between the objectstransferred from the second conveyor belt to the diverter conveyor belt willbe reduced further. The speed of the diverter conveyor belt can beselected such that the distance between the objects corresponds to apredefined distance. Hard or solid objects may bear on each other whilesofter objects may require a short distance between them. lt is possible touse sensors or vision systems to detect the position of the objects in thetransition device in order to control and fine tune e.g. the exact speeds ofthe conveyor belts. ln the described example, the diverter function 6comprises a diverter conveyor belt 7 and a diverter gate 17. ln Fig. 2b, the forming of the first group 23 continues and the objects thathave entered the diverter conveyor belt bear on each other. The distancebetween the objects that will form the second group 24 has not changed.The second leading object 21 is still conveyed on the first conveyor belt. ln Fig. 2c, the first group is completed and is now conveyed on the diverterconveyor belt, where it will be diverted to either the first or the secondoutfeed conveyor belt by the diverter function 6. Due to the grouping of theobjects, a time gap is created between the groups. This time gap isselected such that is longer than the change-over time for the divertermechanism of the diverter function. ln this way, the diverter can be set todirect the group of objects to the selected outfeed conveyor belt withoutinterfering with the conveyed objects. When all objects have left thesecond conveyor belt, the speed v2 is lowered to a speed lower than thespeed v1 of the first conveyor belt, in order to reduce the distance betweenthe objects when they enter the second conveyor belt. ln this example, the 11 speed V2 is set to 1 m/s. At the same time, the speed vt of the uppercarriage is set to -1 m/s, i.e. to a speed of 1 m/s in the opposite direction.
A result of the upper carriage travelling in the opposite direction can beseen in Fig. 2d, where some objects of the second group 24 have enteredthe second conveyor belt. The upper carriage continues backwards to aposition close to the infeed conveyor belt, which can be seen in Fig. 2e.Here, all objects belonging to the second group 24 are now conveyed bythe second conveyor belt. This situation resembles Fig. 2a, but with thesecond group ready to be grouped and conveyed to the diverter conveyorbelt. At the same time, the leading object 22 of a third group 25 hasentered the first conveyor belt. Preferably, the second group will bediverted to the other outfeed conveyor belt, i.e. not the same as the firstgroup. Due to the created time gap, the diverter gate will have time tochange diverter position to the selected outfeed conveyor belt.
When a group of objects has been diverted to one of the outfeed conveyorbelts, each outfeed conveyor belt may comprise a second transfer device,similar to the transfer device 5. Such a transfer device is adapted to dividethe group of objects into spaced apart objects in order to allow for furtherprocessing, such as packing or the like. The transfer device may alsoregroup the group of objects to smaller groups comprising a few of theobjects. lt may e.g. be that a packing size should comprise five objects.Each diverted group can then be divided into three groups that are spacedapart such that the packing machine has time to handle each group. lt is also possible to vary the design of the transfer device. lt is e.g.possible to drive the powered rollers in other ways. ln one example, thefirst and the second powered rollers are connected with a mechanicaltransmission driven by one motor. ln this case, the speed ratio betweenthe first and the second conveyor belt of the transfer device is fixed andpredefined. lt is also be possible to e.g. let the first conveyor belt bepowered by the first infeed conveyor belt, if these are to be driven at the 12 same speed. lt is also possible to connect the second powered roller ofthe second conveyor belt and the movement of the upper carriage with amechanical transmission that drives both at the same time. ln such a case,the speed ratio between the two is predefined and fixed. Such solutionsthat require less drive motors may be utilized when the product flow ispredefined and stable, when the transition device must not be adaptable todifferent product flow rates and/or different products.
The diverter function 6 may have different designs. Different types ofdiverter functions are schematically shown in Figs. 3 to 6. ln Fig. 3, thediverter function comprises a diverter conveyor belt 7 and a commonpivotable diverter gate 17 which is pivotable around a vertical axle. Thegate will direct the group of objects to the selected outfeed conveyor belt.The gate can be in a first position 26 which directs the group of objects tothe first outfeed conveyor belt 3 or in a second position 27 which directsthe group of objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt 4. The distancebetween the groups, i.e. the time interval between the groups, must begreater than the time it takes for the gate to swing from one position to theother. Since the objects will bear against the gate, this type of divertersolution is mostly suitable for hard or rigid objects. ln Fig. 4, another diverter solution is shown from above. ln this solution, adiverter conveyor belt 7 is pivotable around a vertical axle. The diverterconveyor belt can thus be positioned in two positions, a first position 26which directs the group of objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt 3 and asecond position 27 which directs the group of objects to the secondoutfeed conveyor belt 4. The distance between the groups, i.e. the timeinterval between the groups, must be greater than the time it takes for thediverter conveyor belt to swing from one position to the other. ln thissolution, the objects are conveyed without the objects sliding against anysurfaces. This solution is thus suitable also for sensitive or soft objectssuch as bags or the like. lt is of course also possible to swing the diverter 13 conveyor belt between more than two positions if more than two outfeedconveyor belts are used. ln Fig. 5, a side view of a further diverter solution is shown. ln this solution,a diverter conveyor belt 7 is pivotable around a horizontal axle. The twooutfeed conveyor belts are here positioned above each other. The diverterconveyor belt can be positioned in two positions, a first position 26 whichdirects the group of objects up to the first outfeed conveyor belt 3 and asecond position 27 which directs the group of objects to the lower secondoutfeed conveyor belt 4. The distance between the groups, i.e. the timeinterval between the groups, must be greater than the time it takes for thediverter conveyor belt to swing from one position to the other. Also in thissolution, the objects are conveyed without the objects sliding against anysurfaces. This solution is thus suitable also for sensitive or soft objectssuch as bags or the like. lt is of course also possible to swing the diverterconveyor belt between more than two positions if more than two outfeedconveyor belts are used. At least three outfeed positions above each other are plausible. ln Fig. 6, another diverter solution is shown from above. ln this solution,the diverter function is obtained by arranging the transfer device 5pivotable around a vertical axle. The transfer device can in this examplebe positioned in three positions, a first position 26 which directs the groupof objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt 3, a second position 27 whichdirects the group of objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt 4 and athird intermediate position 28 which directs the group of objects to anintermediate outfeed conveyor belt 29. The distance between the groups,i.e. the time interval between the groups, must be greater than the time ittakes for the transfer device 5 to swing from one position to anotherposition. ln this solution, the objects are conveyed without the objectssliding against any surfaces. This solution is thus suitable also forsensitive or soft objects such as bags or the like. lt is of course also 14 possible to swing the transfer device between more than three positions ifmore than three outfeed conveyor belts are used. lt would also be possibleto use one outfeed position as a discard position in which discarded groups of objects are discarded.
The invention is not to be regarded as being limited to the embodimentsdescribed above, a number of additional variants and modifications being possible within the scope of the subsequent patent claims.
REFERENCE SIGNS Transition devicelnfeed conveyor beltOutfeed conveyor beltOutfeed conveyor beltTransfer deviceDiverter functionDiverter conveyor beltObject First conveyor beltSecond conveyor beltUpper carriage Lower carriage First powered rollerFirst defiection rollerSecond powered rollerSecond deflection rollerDiverter gate First leading objectSecond leading objectThird leading objectFirst group Second group Third group First position Second positionIntermediate positionIntermediate outfeed conveyor belt

Claims (1)

1. _ _ Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 High speed transition device (1) adapted to receive objects (8) froma horizontal infeed conveyor belt (2) and to forward the objects to atleast two second horizontal outfeed conveyor belts (3, 4), where thetransition device (1) comprises a transfer function consisting of adevice (5) (6),c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the transfer device (5) is adapted to transfer and a diverter functiongroup the objects (8) into spaced apart groups (23, 24, 25)comprising a predefined number of objects in a non-stationaryfashion, where the time interval between two groups exceeds thechange-over time for the diverter function (6) such that each group can be diverted to respective outfeed conveyor belt (3, 4). Transition device (1 ) according to claim 1,c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the transition device (1) is adapted to handle over 500 objects per minute. Transition device (1) according to claim 1 or 2,c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the transition device (1) is adapted to handle over 1000 objects per minute. to 3,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the transfer device (5) comprises abelt belt (10)interconnected with two carriages (11, 12). first conveyor (9) and a second conveyor Transition device (1) according to claim 4,c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the transfer device (5) comprisesthree motors, where the first motor drives the first conveyor belt (9),the second motor drives the second conveyor belt (10) and the third motor drives one carriage (11; 12) in a horizontal direction. 17 _ Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the diverter function (6) comprises agate (16) which is adapted to switch between a first position (26)and a second position (27), where the first position directs objectsto the first outfeed conveyor belt (3) and the second position directsobjects to the second outfeed conveyor belt (4). _ Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the diverter function (6) comprises adiverter conveyor belt (7) that is adapted to swing between a firstposition (26) and a second position (27), where the first positiondirects objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt (3) and the second position directs objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt (4). _ Transition device (1) according to claim 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the diverter conveyor belt (7) ispivotab|e in a horizontal direction, such that the first and the second position are positioned adjacent each other in the same plane. _ Transition device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the diverter conveyor belt (7) ispivotab|e in a vertical direction, such that the first position is positioned above the second position. 10_Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the diverter function (6) is obtainedin that the transfer device (5) is adapted to swing between a firstposition (26) and a second position (27), where the first positiondirects objects to the first outfeed conveyor belt (3) and the secondposition directs objects to the second outfeed conveyor belt (4). 11_Transition device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the transition device (1) comprises asecond transfer devices arranged at each outfeed conveyor belt, 18 where each second transfer device is adapted to divide each groupof objects to a flow of objects spaced apart with a predefined time interva|. 12.Method for diverting objects from an infeed conveyor be|t (1) to at least two outfeed conveyor be|ts (3, 4), comprising the steps ofreceiving the objects by a transfer device (5), grouping the objectsinto groups comprising a predefined number of objects by thetransfer device (5) in a non-stationary fashion, where each group isspaced apart with a predefined time interva|, where the time interva|exceeds the change-over time for a diverter function (6), anddiverting each group to respective outfeed conveyor be|t by the diverter function (6). 13.Method according to c|aim 12, further comprising the step of dividing each group of objects into a flow of objects spaced apartwith a predefined time interva| at each outfeed conveyor be|t byusing a second transfer device arranged at each outfeed conveyorbe|t.
SE1350523A 2013-04-29 2013-04-29 transfer device SE1350523A1 (en)

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CN110294309A (en) * 2019-07-03 2019-10-01 江阴宏恒机电科技有限公司 A kind of material arranging apparatus and its reason material method
CN111591508A (en) * 2020-05-22 2020-08-28 浙江新余宏智能装备有限公司 High-speed finished product mask machine reason piece conveyor and reason piece conveying method thereof
DE102021113902A1 (en) * 2021-05-28 2022-12-01 Syntegon Packaging Systems Ag Conveyor device for conveying products, in particular packaged and/or unpackaged foodstuffs, and production system and method with such a conveyor device for conveying products
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