Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, and a shuttle configured to move along the track, the shuttle having a conveyor, and a first induction coil. The system may include a second induction coil disposed at a first location along the track, where the second induction coil is configured to interact with the first induction coil to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.

Driverless transport vehicles or DTVs, which are automatically guided vehicles, are gaining importance in the sorting of cargo. A method for loading a driverless transport vehicle with a cargo item in a transfer point, includes loading the DTV with the cargo item by using a known delivery system during the journey of the DTV. In order to prevent cargo items from falling during loading, a higher-level control sets the delivery speed of the cargo item and the speed of travel before the cargo item is transferred to the transport vehicle, such that the delivery speed component of the transport direction is equal to the speed of travel of the transport vehicle. In this way, the continued use of existing delivery systems such as are known under the term HSI (high speed induction) is possible. A system for loading a driverless transport vehicle is also provided.

According to an embodiment, a conveyance assisting apparatus includes a placement portion, a base portion, a support portion, a moving device, and a projecting portion. The placement portion has a placement surface on which a package is placed. The base portion is fixed to a conveyance apparatus including a door portion to be opened/closed between a closed-position and an open-position. The support portion is on the base portion and supports the placement portion so that the placement portion is movable in a first-direction between a first-position where the placement portion covers the door portion and a second-position where the placement portion uncovers the door portion. The moving device is on the base portion and configured to move the placement portion. The projecting portion is on the placement surface and extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

A conveyor system includes multiple carts that move along a rail. The rail includes a top panel upon which a vertical wheel of the cart is supported, along with a first side panel defining a channel within which a horizontal wheel of the cart is retained. One or more connector rails extend along the rail, and the cart is electrically connected to the one or more connector rails.

A conveyor system includes a rail that supports multiple carts that move along a track of the conveyor system. A plurality of sensors is operably connected to the rail and configured to measure vibrations of the rail as the carts move along the track. One or more sensors are operably connected to the cart and configured to take measurements of the cart as the cart moves along the track. A central controller collects data from sensors, and a processor analyzes the data to determine whether the data is within a predetermined range that corresponds to normal operation of the conveyor system. A method of operating the conveyor system includes moving the multiple carts along the rail and collecting data from the sensors. The data is analyzed to determine if it is within a predetermined range.

A drive device for a conveying carriage of a distributing conveyor, preferably, of a transverse-belt sorter, includes a drive source and a roller chain for transferring a drive force of the drive source to a drive means on which the conveying carriage can be attached. With regard to an improved service life of the roller chain and a simultaneous reduction of maintenance effort and the associated costs and system downtimes, the drive device includes a measuring and control unit for monitoring and influencing, as necessary, at least one operating state of the roller chain.

A carrier includes a chassis that is configured to travel from a loading point to an unloading point and a tillable platform is mounted on the chassis. A resilient piston is connected between the chassis and the tillable platform, the piston configured to store energy when the platform is rotated from an unloading orientation to a loading orientation. The platform, when in the loading orientation, is configured to stably support one or more items that are loaded onto the platform at the loading point. A restraining mechanism is configured to maintain the platform in the loading orientation and a triggering mechanism is operable to release the restraining mechanism, releasing the stored energy of the piston to exert a restoring force to tilt the platform from the loading orientation to the unloading orientation.

In an induction system for use with an object processing system, a distribution system is disclosed for providing dissimilar objects into one of a plurality of receiving units. The distribution system includes a conveyor section that travels over a vacuum roller, and the plurality of receiving units arranged generally below the vacuum roller such that an object with a mass will fall toward one of the plurality of receiving units based on both the object's mass and a vacuum force applied to the object through the conveyor section.

A swing arm changes a position of a placement surface of a placement body between a horizontal position and a tilted position by swinging between a reference position at which the swing arm extends along an opposing surface facing a lower surface of the placement body and a standing position at which the swing arm is tilted relative to the opposing surface. The opposing surface is provided with a guide member configured to guide swinging movement of the swing arm, and the guide member is configured to support the swing arm by sandwiching the swing arm from both sides in an axial direction within a prescribed guide range including the reference position in a total swing range of the swing arm.

An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.