A system and an apparatus capable of independently driving movers are described herein. The system and apparatus includes: a track that forms a path for movers; a plurality of movers movably mounted on the track for moving along the path; and a plurality of drive elements fixedly arranged along the track. The drive elements each have a surface that is oriented to contact a driven member of the movers. The drive elements are configured to sequentially engage the driven member of a plurality of the movers to provide controlled independent motion of the movers along the track. The drive elements may be driven by rotary motors. A method of independently driving movers is also described herein.

A motor-driven conveying roller comprises a roller body which extends along a longitudinal axis, an axle element, a bearing unit for rotatably mounting the roller body in relation to the axle element, a drive motor which is arranged within the roller body and is mechanically coupled to the axle element and to the roller body for generating a torque between the axle element and the roller body, an electrical plug-in connection which is arranged in a cavity in the axle element and which comprises a plug and a socket that may be coupled to one another in a releasable manner to establish a single- to multiple-pole electrical plug-in connection, and an electrical connecting line between the electrical plug-in connection and the drive motor.

A motor-driven conveying roller comprises a roller body which extends along a longitudinal axis, an axle element, a bearing unit for rotatably mounting the roller body in relation to the axle element, a drive motor which is arranged within the roller body and is mechanically coupled to the axle element and to the roller body for generating a torque between the axle element and the roller body, an electrical plug-in connection which is arranged in a cavity in the axle element and which comprises a plug and a socket that may be coupled to one another in a releasable manner to establish a single- to multiple-pole electrical plug-in connection, and an electrical connecting line between the electrical plug-in connection and the drive motor.

An integrated direct drive motor system for industrial use includes an outer rotor motor axially aligned with, and coupled to, a rotating drum, with no transmission or clutch mechanism between the two so that the drum is effectively an extension of the outer rotor of the motor. An adapter coupler attaches to the motor and the drum to allow the motor to directly drive the drum. In one exemplary embodiment, a flexible curtain is spooled vertically by the drum to control an industrial high-speed roll-up door. In another exemplary embodiment, an endless-loop belt is driven by a horizontally-oriented drum to control an industrial conveyor system. Various embodiments of the integrated direct drive motor system and various method of operation are disclosed.

A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.

A conveyor controller for being implemented into a conveyor system includes control circuitry and one or more network interfaces for coupling with other conveyor controllers. In one embodiment, the control circuitry configured for detecting whether another conveyor controller is connected and to determine which network interface is used in order to set the direction of the conveyor system. In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured, to receive configuration data from a conveyor controller connected to a network interface, and to detect if another conveyor controller is and to transmit configuration message to another conveyor controller that includes additional configuration data associated with the conveyor controller. In still another embodiment, the control circuitry transmits configuration data to a replacement conveyor controller upon getting a request from the replacement conveyor controller that has been connected to a network interface.

A motor-driven conveyor roller comprises a conveyor roller tube, a first axle unit inserted into a first end of the conveyor roller tube, a first bearing unit at the first end, around which the conveyor roller tube is mounted so as to be correspondingly rotatable around the first axle unit, a drive unit, and a first gearing arranged in the conveyor roller tube and which transmits a torque, generated by the drive unit, between the conveyor roller tube and the first axle unit. An end cap is connected fixedly in terms of torque to the conveyor roller tube at the first end and to which the first gearing is connected fixedly in terms of torque at a first gearing connection section of the end cap, wherein the end cap has a second gearing connection section, which is different from the first gearing connection section.

A motor-driven conveyor roller comprises a conveyor roller tube, a first axle unit inserted into a first end of the conveyor roller tube, a first bearing unit at the first end, around which the conveyor roller tube is mounted so as to be correspondingly rotatable around the first axle unit, a drive unit, and a first gearing arranged in the conveyor roller tube and which transmits a torque, generated by the drive unit, between the conveyor roller tube and the first axle unit. An end cap is connected fixedly in terms of torque to the conveyor roller tube at the first end and to which the first gearing is connected fixedly in terms of torque at a first gearing connection section of the end cap, wherein the end cap has a second gearing connection section, which is different from the first gearing connection section.

A conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link. The first link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The second link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The coupler link couples the first link to the second link, and the coupler link is positioned laterally between the first sprocket-engaging portion and the second sprocket-engaging portion of each link. The coupler link includes a first joint pivotably coupled to the first link and a second joint pivotably coupled to the second link. The first joint permits pivoting movement of the first link about a plurality of axes, and the second joint permits pivoting movement of the second link about a plurality of axes.

A conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link. The first link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The second link includes a first sprocket-engaging portion and a second sprocket-engaging portion, each protruding laterally away from one another. The coupler link couples the first link to the second link, and the coupler link is positioned laterally between the first sprocket-engaging portion and the second sprocket-engaging portion of each link. The coupler link includes a first joint pivotably coupled to the first link and a second joint pivotably coupled to the second link. The first joint permits pivoting movement of the first link about a plurality of axes, and the second joint permits pivoting movement of the second link about a plurality of axes.