Patent GB-1132683-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to conveyor systems
IPC: B65G1/00
Filed: 1967-01-13
Abstract: 1,132,683. Endless conveyers. SIEMENS A.G. 13 Jan., 1967 [14 Jan., 1966], No. 1904/67. Heading B8A. A conveyer system for containers employing an endless container conveyer hoist serving several levels ET1, ET2, ET3, and comprising at each level a number of container storage positions W1-W18 and having for each level, a level distribution control system EVS1, EVS2, and EVS3, the operation of which depends upon the storage positions being occupied or vacant, and a central distribution control system ZVS (Fig. 5) associated with a central container store ZSP and operatively associated with the level distribution control systems in such a way that when a storage position is vacant at one of the levels, at least one container is available, either in the central store or in the hoist, to take its place, switching operations being initiated to such effect that a container is fed out from the hoist at the level concerned to fill the vacant position. Operation of the system is described below in respect of three standard operational conditions. Condition (1).-All storage positions W1- W18 are occupied. An empty bin is withdrawn from positions W8, W12, W13 and W18. This results in the requisitioning of further respective empty bins from the store ZSP, to replace those withdrawn. The requisitioning of the bin to fill position W13 is effected by operation of a key T1. The bins for the remaining spaces are requisitioned automatically. The removal of a bin from the position W8 operates contacts (222 VK8) (Fig. 6, not shown) to energize relay AM7. The latter causes (by means not described) the bin at position W7 to move to position W8. This action closes contacts (221 VK7) which energizes relay (AM6) and causes the bin at position W6 to move to position W7. Thereby contacts (220 VK6) are closed to energize relay (AM5) and so on. Similarly bins are transferred from position W9 to W12 and W15 to W18. Positions W5, W9 and W15 are thus left vacant. This results in contacts 1VK5, 2VK9 and 3VK15 being opened in the respective circuits of relays AN1, AN2 and AN3. This condition leads through the relay circuitry to the energization of coil AM4 of a central store ZSP. This results (by means not described) in the release of an empty bin from W4 and its conveyance to the hoist. A pulse is transmitted to a counter circuit ZAK via a contact 92pl, and coil E1 of level EVS1 is de-energized. The bin on leaving the position W4, releases contacts VK4. Thus contacts 8VK4 close and energize coil AM3. This causes the transfer of a bin in position W3 to position W4. Similarly bins are transferred from positions W2 to W3 and W1 to W2, and on each successive transfer, a pulse is fed into the circuit ZAK, and coils E2 and E3, (of levels EVS2 and EVS3 respectively) are successively de-energized. As each bin is successively fed on to the hoist it is lifted by the next ascending pick-up frame 3 from latches (15b) (15c) (Fig. 3, not shown). The first bin to be received by the hoist operates a scanning device B3. This normally energizes a coil Jo but does not do so in this instance (because of open contacts 111s1<SP>1</SP>) in order to prevent a bin issuing from the store ZSP, being returned to store. The device B3 operates contacts 148b13 to energize a coil M and thus causes a pulse to be fed to the counter ZAK via contacts 123m. This results in successive energization and deenergization of relays AB, Y and Z. On the above-mentioned first operation of the device B3, a relay J3 is energized via contacts 147b23 and 148b13. This results (via contacts 174j3) in the energization of a solenoid KM3 which is responsible for feeding an empty bin out at level ET3 with the aid of latches (15) (15a). Opening of contacts 168j3 de-energizes relay Q3 and therefore contacts 155q3 prevent the second bin from causing the scanning element B3 from effectively operating at level ET2. The second bin actuates the scanning element B2 and the bin is fed out of the hoist by similar circuitry and mechanism as at level ET3. Similarly the third bin received on the hoist from the store ZSP is fed to position W5. The fourth bin is fed out of the hoist at level EVS2 and taken by an endless conveyer direct to position W13. Condition (2).-Storage positions W5 to W18 are occupied but positions W1-W4 are unoccupied. Via the conveyer belt at level ET1, fourteen empty bins are introduced into the hoist. Four of these are fed into the central store W-W4 and ten remain in the hoist. Contacts rk are operated by each successive pick up frame 3 of the hoist, and feed corresponding pulses to a hoist monitoring circuit UAU. This has counter solenoids ZE, ZZ and ZK, each of which has ten armatures which respond successively to the pulses. A relay V responds when all the positions W1 to W4 are occupied and opens contact 140v in the circuit of the relay Jo. Condition (3).-The storage positions W1 to W18 are occupied, and ten empty bins are stored in the hoist. Whilst the fifth empty bin is counted off, an empty bin is released from storage position W8. By the means described above, bins are moved successively from position W7 to W8, W6 to W7, and W5 to W6. An empty bin is fed out from position W4 of the central store to the hoist, and awaits the counting of the ten bins by the monitoring system UAœ as they pass by on the hoist. The next frame of the hoist arriving at level EVS3 is thus empty, and the waiting bin from position W4 is fed to it.