An article supply apparatus includes an inclined passage which inclines downwardly toward a predetermined direction, a vibration imparting device which vibrates the inclined passage, an article feeding device which feeds a plurality of articles to the upper end side of the inclined passage, a visual sensor which captures images of the articles on the inclined passage and which obtains information for identification of at least a position of each of the articles on the inclined passage, and a robot arm which picks up the articles one by one from the inclined passage by using the information obtained by the visual sensor and which supplies the picked-up articles to a predetermined supply destination.

The vibration device includes a base, a movable bench, a first horizontal excitation unit, a second horizontal excitation unit, and a vertical excitation unit. The vibration device includes a first middle bench and a second middle bench between the base and the movable bench. The vibration device includes first horizontal elastic support units, second horizontal elastic support units, and vertical elastic support units that elastically connect the base, the first middle bench, the second middle bench, and the movable bench sequentially in the first horizontal direction, the second horizontal direction, and the vertical direction. If overall device is supposed as a first mass body, a second mass body, and a third mass body with the first horizontal elastic support units and the second horizontal elastic support units as boundaries, respective barycentric positions of these mass bodies are almost the same in the vertical direction and horizontal direction.

The vibration device includes a base, a movable bench, a first horizontal excitation unit, a second horizontal excitation unit, and a vertical excitation unit. The vibration device includes a first middle bench and a second middle bench between the base and the movable bench. The vibration device includes first horizontal elastic support units, second horizontal elastic support units, and vertical elastic support units that elastically connect the base, the first middle bench, the second middle bench, and the movable bench sequentially in the first horizontal direction, the second horizontal direction, and the vertical direction. If overall device is supposed as a first mass body, a second mass body, and a third mass body with the first horizontal elastic support units and the second horizontal elastic support units as boundaries, respective barycentric positions of these mass bodies are almost the same in the vertical direction and horizontal direction.

A differential impulse conveyor system including detectable markers disposed in a series on a moving component of the conveyor system. A stationary sensor disposed in close proximity to the markers generates a signal when the moving component is in a first range of motion to dispose the markers proximal to the sensor, and the sensor either fails to generate a signal when the moving component is not within the first range of motion. The sensor signal causes a current conditioning device to condition current from a current source to operate a motor to power the conveyor tray at a first rate of acceleration in a first mode, and the lack of the signal causes the current conditioning device to operate the motor to power the conveyor tray at a second rate of acceleration in a second mode. Markers may be positionable to optimize the timing of the current modes.

A differential impulse conveyor system including detectable markers disposed in a series on a moving component of the conveyor system. A stationary sensor disposed in close proximity to the markers generates a signal when the moving component is in a first range of motion to dispose the markers proximal to the sensor, and the sensor either fails to generate a signal when the moving component is not within the first range of motion. The sensor signal causes a current conditioning device to condition current from a current source to operate a motor to power the conveyor tray at a first rate of acceleration in a first mode, and the lack of the signal causes the current conditioning device to operate the motor to power the conveyor tray at a second rate of acceleration in a second mode. Markers may be positionable to optimize the timing of the current modes.

A vibratory conveyor includes a feed tray, an electromagnetic linear actuator and a movable drive train interconnecting the feed tray and the electromagnetic linear actuator such that the electromagnetic linear actuator will move the feed tray during energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A sensor assembly is positioned to detect movement of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A controller connected to receive an output of the sensor assembly and connected to control energization of electromagnetic linear actuator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator based upon the output of the sensor assembly. A vibratory conveyor in which the movable drive train includes at least one parallel spring element therealong is also disclosed.

A vibratory conveyor includes a feed tray, an electromagnetic linear actuator and a movable drive train interconnecting the feed tray and the electromagnetic linear actuator such that the electromagnetic linear actuator will move the feed tray during energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A sensor assembly is positioned to detect movement of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A controller connected to receive an output of the sensor assembly and connected to control energization of electromagnetic linear actuator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator based upon the output of the sensor assembly. A vibratory conveyor in which the movable drive train includes at least one parallel spring element therealong is also disclosed.

The transport device, which serves for the transport of pulverous or granular process material, includes an open or in itself closed transport frame made of metal for transporting process material, is held by a support device and is connected to an ultrasonic device having an ultrasonic generator, an ultrasonic transducer connected to the ultrasonic generator and a coupling rod connected to the ultrasonic transducer and having front and rear end pieces. A flat distributor body made of metal has upper, lower, rear sides and peripherally at least one connection side. The rear end piece of the coupling rod is connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The front end piece of the coupling rod is welded to the rear, upper, or lower side of the distributor body. The at least one connection side of the distributor body is integrally connected with or welded to the at least one transport frame.

The transport device, which serves for the transport of pulverous or granular process material, includes an open or in itself closed transport frame made of metal for transporting process material, is held by a support device and is connected to an ultrasonic device having an ultrasonic generator, an ultrasonic transducer connected to the ultrasonic generator and a coupling rod connected to the ultrasonic transducer and having front and rear end pieces. A flat distributor body made of metal has upper, lower, rear sides and peripherally at least one connection side. The rear end piece of the coupling rod is connected to the ultrasonic transducer. The front end piece of the coupling rod is welded to the rear, upper, or lower side of the distributor body. The at least one connection side of the distributor body is integrally connected with or welded to the at least one transport frame.

The vibration feeder has a drive unit comprising a vibration drive, a carrier arrangement comprising a feeding element for the material to be conveyed and a control for the vibration drive, wherein an acceleration sensor is arranged on the drive unit, which when the vibration feeder is operating, detects the actual acceleration of the drive unit, and wherein the control is configured to use the actual acceleration signal of the acceleration sensor for generating a regulating variable for the vibration drive such that the carrier arrangement vibrates essentially within its resonance frequency (f.sub.res). This makes it possible, during operation, to detect the acceleration of a drive unit of the vibration feeder and to generate therefrom a regulating variable for a vibration drive such that a carrier arrangement of the vibration feeder vibrates closer to its resonance frequency (f.sub.res) or is brought back again to the same. In addition the inventive control may be used to also regulate the amplitude of the carrier arrangement and the associated mass flow m to a required value.