Apparatus that controls motion of proximate independent movers along a path
US10696488B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 29, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jun 30, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/45054
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system and an apparatus capable of independently driving movers are described herein. The system and apparatus includes: a track that forms a path for movers; a plurality of movers movably mounted on the track for moving along the path; and a plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the track. The drive elements each have a surface that is oriented to contact a driven member of the movers. The drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the driven member of a plurality of the movers to provide controlled independent motion of the movers along the track. The drive elements may be driven by rotary motors. A method of independently driving movers is also described herein.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.