Control unit for a conveyor with hardware detection
US11358803B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/45054
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for configuring a control unit in a conveyor, wherein a control unit controls one or more conveyor segments comprising a conveyor drive in signal communication with the control unit via a motor connection socket, and a sensor for detecting an object at a position within the conveyor segment. The conveyor is in signal communication with the control unit via a sensor connection socket. The control unit self-configures itself by: (i) activating a configuration mode in the control unit, (ii) receiving a signal from each motor connection socket or sensor connection socket, (iii) comparing the received signal(s) with a comparative value stored in the control unit, and (iv) determining whether a conveyor drive or a sensor is connected to a motor connection socket or a sensor connection socket of the control unit, respectively, based on the comparison of the signal(s) with the comparative value.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.