System and method for aligning an object

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10640300-B2
Application number	US-201816105486-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 20, 2018
Priority date	Aug 21, 2017
Publication date	May 5, 2020
Grant date	May 5, 2020

Abstract

A system and method for defined aligning of an object. A first object with a first alignment is fed. The first alignment is detected and transmitted to a control device. The control device determines a first rotation angle on the basis of the first alignment and a predefined first alignment, and a speed profile of a first translational movement for a first rotor with a differential speed between the guiding device and the first rotor on the basis of the first rotation angle and a predefined speed of the guiding device. The control device controls the first rotor in the first translational movement along the aligning zone on the basis of the determined speed profile, and the first rotor, in interaction with the guiding device, turns the first object to the first predefined alignment in a first rotation about the first rotation angle on the basis of the differential speed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for a defined aligning of at least one object, wherein the system comprises:
a control device, a detector, an aligning device, a guide and an aligning zone,
wherein the aligning device and the guide are arranged at the aligning zone,
wherein the control device is connected to the detector and the aligning device,
wherein the guide has a predefined speed,
wherein the aligning device comprises a linear motor with a first rotor,
wherein a first object with a first alignment can be fed to the aligning zone,
wherein the detector is configured to detect the first alignment of the first object and to transmit the first alignment to the control device,
wherein the control device is configured to determine a first rotation angle on the basis of the first alignment of the first object and a predefined first alignment,
wherein the control device is configured to determine a speed profile of a first translational movement of the first rotor with a first differential speed between the first rotor and the guide on the basis of the determined first rotation angle and the predefined speed,
wherein the control device is configured to control the first rotor in the first translational movement on the basis of the determined speed profile, and
wherein the first rotor in interaction with the guide turns the first object in a first rotation about the first rotation angle to the first predefined alignment on the basis of the first differential speed.

2. The system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the linear motor comprises a second rotor,
wherein the aligning zone can be fed a second object with a second alignment,
wherein the control device is configured to determine a second rotation angle on the basis of the second alignment of the second object and a predefined second alignment,
wherein the control device is configured to determine a second speed profile of a second translational movement for the second rotor with a second differential speed in relation to the guide on the basis of the determined second rotation angle,
wherein the control device is configured to control the second rotor in the second translational movement on the basis of the determined second speed profile,
wherein the second rotor in interaction with the guide turns the second object in a second rotation about the second rotation angle to the second predefined alignment on the basis of the second differential speed,
wherein the second turning of the second object is brought about on the basis of the second differential speed, and
wherein the second translational movement takes place independently of the first translational movement.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to move the first rotor synchronously with the guide at the predefined speed along the aligning zone before turning by the first rotation angle and after turning by the first rotation angle.

4. The system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the linear motor comprises a second rotor,
wherein the aligning zone can be fed a second object with a second alignment,
wherein the control device is configured to determine a second rotation angle on the basis of the second alignment of the second object and a predefined second alignment,
wherein the control device is configured to determine a second speed profile of a second translational movement for the second rotor with a second differential speed in relation to the guide on the basis of the determined second rotation angle,
wherein the control device is configured to control the second rotor in the second translational movement on the basis of the determined second speed profile,
wherein the second rotor in interaction with the guide turns the second object in a second rotation about the second rotation angle to the second predefined alignment on the basis of the second differential speed,
wherein the second turning of the second object is brought about on the basis of the second differential speed,
wherein the second translational movement takes place independently of the first translational movement, and
wherein the control device is configured to move the first rotor synchronously with the guide at the predefined speed along the aligning zone before turning by the first rotation angle and after turning by the first rotation angle.

5. The system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the guide comprises a drive unit and a conveyor unit,
wherein the drive unit is configured to move the conveyor unit at the predefined speed,
wherein the conveyor unit is arranged at the aligning zone, and
wherein the aligning zone is arranged between the conveyor unit and the aligning device.

6. The system according claim 5 , wherein the conveyor unit is arranged on the underside and/or upper side of the aligning zone.

7. The system according to claim 5 ,
wherein the guide comprises a rotary table, and
wherein the rotary table is mounted on the conveyor unit rotatably about a rotary table axis.

8. The system according claim 7 ,
wherein circumferentially on the rotary table a further frictional element is at least partially arranged, and
wherein along the aligning zone the first rotor is coupled with frictional engagement, to the rotary table and turns the rotary table about the rotary table axis.

9. The system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the guide comprises at least one supporting element,
wherein the supporting element is fixedly arranged,
wherein the aligning zone is arranged between the aligning device and the supporting element, and
wherein the first rotor in the first translational movement presses the first object against the supporting element, at least for a time, and the first rotor in the first translational movement rolls the first object on the supporting element.

10. The system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the aligning device comprises a frictional element,
wherein the frictional element is coupled to the first rotor on a side facing away from the aligning zone, and
wherein the frictional element is in operative connection with the object along the aligning zone.

11. The system according to claim 10 , wherein a contact surface of the frictional element is formed flat on a side facing the aligning zone.

12. The system according to claim 1 ,
wherein the aligning device comprises a rotary table, and
wherein the rotary table is mounted on the first rotor rotatably about a rotary table axis.

13. The system according to claim 12 ,
wherein circumferentially on the rotary table a further frictional element is arranged, and
wherein along the aligning zone the further frictional element lies against the guide.

14. The system according to claim 12 ,
wherein the aligning device comprises a holder, a supporting element and a bearing arrangement,
wherein the bearing arrangement is arranged at a first end of the holder and bears the rotary table rotatably on the holder,
wherein the holder is connected to the first rotor on a side facing away from the bearing arrangement,
wherein the supporting element is arranged at a second end of the holder, opposite from the first end,
wherein the supporting element has a receptacle,
wherein the first object engages in the receptacle, and
wherein the supporting element is configured to prevent tipping of the first object being caused by physical contact of the first object at the receptacle.

15. The system according to claim 12 ,
wherein the linear motor comprises a second rotor,
wherein the guide comprises a third rotor and a mechanical coupling that mechanically couples the third rotor t

Assignees

• Beckhoff Automation Gmbh

Inventors

• Achterberg Jan
• Boll Michael
• Sinzenich Andreas

Classifications

• B65G47/244 Primary

  by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane · CPC title

• B65G54/02

  electrostatic, electric, or magnetic · CPC title

• B65G2201/0261

  Puck as article support · CPC title