Patent ID: 7387195
Filing Date: 2008-06-17
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A conveyor control system for controlling a conveyor having an elongated movement surface for transporting a plurality of objects, said conveyor control system comprising: a programmable logic controller configured to at least partially control operation of the conveyor movement surface, said programmable logic controller having a housing and at least one connector supported by said housing; at least one primary cable comprising at least one power line and a plurality of communication lines bundled together and having a first connector on one end configured to releasably connect to the connector of the programmable logic controller and a second connector on another end; at least one distribution device having a housing, said housing supporting a primary connector and a plurality of peripheral connectors, said primary connector configured to releasably connect to the second connector of the at least one primary cable, said peripheral connectors connected within the housing to the primary connector and configured to be in communication with the primary connector; and a plurality of peripheral devices configured to facilitate control of the conveyor movement surface by the programmable logic controller, each of the peripheral devices having a peripheral cable and a connector on one end configured to releasably connect to the peripheral connectors of the distribution device, said peripheral cable comprising at least one power line and at least one communication line bundled together; wherein the connectors allow easy, releasable connection of the peripheral devices via the peripheral cables to the distribution device and the distribution device via the primary cable to the programmable logic controller for communication of conveyor state data from the peripheral devices to the programmable logic controller and communication of operational commands from the programmable logic controller to the peripheral devices.