A roller is provided which has a roller body extending between a first roller end and a second roller end, the roller body defining a motor cartridge seat therein, and a motor cartridge having an elongated cartridge body extending along an axial direction between a first cartridge body end and a second cartridge body end, and a motor unit supported at the first cartridge body end. The motor cartridge is connected to the roller exclusively by the first cartridge body end leaving the cartridge body projecting in a cantilever manner. The motor unit transmits a rotation torque to the roller by shape coupling exclusively through the first cartridge body end.

Apparatus for orienting objects, including a conveying apparatus, wherein the conveying apparatus has an inlet for receiving the objects and an outlet and is configured to convey the objects in a conveying direction. In this case, the conveying apparatus has an orienting apparatus which at least partially extends along the conveying direction. The orienting apparatus has a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged next to one another along the conveying direction. At least one of the first portion and the second portion is configured as a roller conveyor. The objects are subjected to a different acceleration/braking action by the first portion and the second portion for orientation purposes.

The invention relates to an omnidirectional wheel (10) with a center shaft that extends along a center shaft rotational axis (A.sub.12) and a bearing drum (24) that can be rotated about a bearing drum rotational axis, at least three first-set rollers that are mounted on the bearing drum (24) such that they can be rotated about a first-set roller rotational axis (A.sub.14.i), which extends transversely to the center shaft rotational axis (A.sub.12), are arranged around the center shaft (12) at an angular distance from each other and each have a helical-toothed first-set roller outer thread (18), at least three second-set rollers (16.i), which are mounted on the bearing drum (24) such that they can be rotated about a respective second-set roller rotational axis, which extends transversely to the center shaft rotational axis (A.sub.12), are arranged around the center shaft (12) at an angular distance from each other, in particular with a respective angular offset () to the first-set rollers (14.i) and each have a helical-toothed second-set roller outer thread (20), wherein the rollers at least partially protrude above the bearing drum (24) and wherein the omnidirectional wheel (10) is configured in such a way that a rotation of the center shaft (12) about the center shaft rotational axis (A.sub.12) relative to the bearing drum (24) effects a rotational movement of the rollers about their respective rotational axis in the same direction of rotation in each case, wherein the center shaft (12) comprises a drive worm (22) that engages with the outer threads.

The invention relates to an omnidirectional wheel (10) with a center shaft that extends along a center shaft rotational axis (A.sub.12) and a bearing drum (24) that can be rotated about a bearing drum rotational axis, at least three first-set rollers that are mounted on the bearing drum (24) such that they can be rotated about a first-set roller rotational axis (A.sub.14.i), which extends transversely to the center shaft rotational axis (A.sub.12), are arranged around the center shaft (12) at an angular distance from each other and each have a helical-toothed first-set roller outer thread (18), at least three second-set rollers (16.i), which are mounted on the bearing drum (24) such that they can be rotated about a respective second-set roller rotational axis, which extends transversely to the center shaft rotational axis (A.sub.12), are arranged around the center shaft (12) at an angular distance from each other, in particular with a respective angular offset () to the first-set rollers (14.i) and each have a helical-toothed second-set roller outer thread (20), wherein the rollers at least partially protrude above the bearing drum (24) and wherein the omnidirectional wheel (10) is configured in such a way that a rotation of the center shaft (12) about the center shaft rotational axis (A.sub.12) relative to the bearing drum (24) effects a rotational movement of the rollers about their respective rotational axis in the same direction of rotation in each case, wherein the center shaft (12) comprises a drive worm (22) that engages with the outer threads.

A roller detection system has been developed in which a controller card is configured to automatically detect the type of motorized drive roller being used in the conveyor system. With this automatic detection capability, the controller card is able to automatically control the motorized drive roller without the need for manual reprogramming or reconfiguration. For instance, the controller card can detect whether the motorized drive roller is controlled through an analog or digital signal as well as the voltage required to control or power the motorized drive roller, and based on this roller type detection, the controller card is automatically configured to control the motorized drive roller. The system is further adapted to facilitate a sensor-less or photoeye-less zero pressure (ZP) conveyor system. The controller card is configured to support a secondary power source that allows the motorized drive roller settings during e-stop and other power loss conditions.

A roller detection system has been developed in which a controller card is configured to automatically detect the type of motorized drive roller being used in the conveyor system. With this automatic detection capability, the controller card is able to automatically control the motorized drive roller without the need for manual reprogramming or reconfiguration. For instance, the controller card can detect whether the motorized drive roller is controlled through an analog or digital signal as well as the voltage required to control or power the motorized drive roller, and based on this roller type detection, the controller card is automatically configured to control the motorized drive roller. The system is further adapted to facilitate a sensor-less or photoeye-less zero pressure (ZP) conveyor system. The controller card is configured to support a secondary power source that allows the motorized drive roller settings during e-stop and other power loss conditions.

A motor driven roller transmission system for a conveyance assembly includes a transmission assembly connected between a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member, in which the first and second rotatable members are oriented at an angle from one another. The transmission assembly is adapted to efficiently transfer rotational motion of the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member. Rotation of the second rotatable member causes a conveyance surface to move in order to convey an object. The transmission assembly decreases the power required to drive the first rotatable member in order to move the conveyance surface by increasing the torque output of the first rotatable member, while also reducing the rotational speed required of the first rotatable member to drive the conveyance surface at a desired speed, thus extending the operational life of the first rotatable member.

A motor driven roller transmission system for a conveyance assembly includes a transmission assembly connected between a first rotatable member and a second rotatable member, in which the first and second rotatable members are oriented at an angle from one another. The transmission assembly is adapted to efficiently transfer rotational motion of the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member. Rotation of the second rotatable member causes a conveyance surface to move in order to convey an object. The transmission assembly decreases the power required to drive the first rotatable member in order to move the conveyance surface by increasing the torque output of the first rotatable member, while also reducing the rotational speed required of the first rotatable member to drive the conveyance surface at a desired speed, thus extending the operational life of the first rotatable member.

A conveying apparatus comprises a plurality of driving rollers, configured to rotate to convey an object provided onto the plurality of driving rollers along a conveying direction a plurality of motors each motor configured to drive a respective driving roller to rotate; and at least one motor controller configured to control a subset of motors among the plurality of motors According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure, no belts or gears are required connect the driving roller to the motor. By changing sliding friction into rolling friction in this way, the number of particles and debris caused by the frictions can be reduced significantly.

A conveying apparatus comprises a plurality of driving rollers, configured to rotate to convey an object provided onto the plurality of driving rollers along a conveying direction a plurality of motors each motor configured to drive a respective driving roller to rotate; and at least one motor controller configured to control a subset of motors among the plurality of motors According to the example embodiments of the present disclosure, no belts or gears are required connect the driving roller to the motor. By changing sliding friction into rolling friction in this way, the number of particles and debris caused by the frictions can be reduced significantly.