Patent ID: 6615975
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B65G,F16D,H01L

Abstract:
A magnetic coupling assembly to selectively couple a drive element of a longitudinal conveyor to at least one conveyor roller; said coupling assembly comprising:a driving portion configured and sized to be mounted to the conveyor; said driving portion being so configured as to be rotatably driven about a rotation axis by the drive element of the conveyor; a driven portion so linked to said driving portion as to rotate about said rotation axis; said driven portion including an external surface configured and sized to be brought in contact with at least one conveyor roller; an axially movable element mounted to one of said driving and driven portions; said axially movable element being provided with a first friction surface; the other of said driving and driven portions including a second friction surface facing said first friction surface; wherein one of said axially movable element and the other of said driving and driven portions is provided with a magnetic field generating element; the other of said axially movable element and the other of said driving and driven portions being provided with an element made of magnetic material; and wherein said first and second friction surfaces are brought into constant contact by a an adjustable magnetic force present between said magnetic field generating element and said element made of magnetic material, and wherein an increase or decrease in said magnetic force is translated into a corresponding increase or decrease in a frictional force between said first and second friction surfaces.