Conveyorized object dimensioning system and related methods

摘要

A method and apparatus for dimensioning and, optionally, weighing an object. A platform with a surface is used for supporting an object. A user selects between two different dimensioning devices of the apparatus. The first device employs three distance sensors to determine a distance between each of the distance sensors and a side of an object. The second device includes a movable gate which is passed over and about an object or objects on the platform. Sensor arrays, such as paired, aligned light emitter and receiver arrays, are used in combination with a plurality of sensed gate positions to determine the dimensions of the object(s) as the gate passes around the object(s) based on whether or not light from an emitter on one side of the gate reaches a light receiver on another, opposing side of the gate. A conveyorized dimensioning system employing multi-row sensor arrays is also disclosed.

主权项

1. An apparatus for determining dimensions of an object, comprising:
a feed conveyor comprising an endless belt having a substantially planar object support surface; a longitudinally adjacent takeaway conveyor comprising an endless belt having a substantially planar object support surface coplanar with the object support surface of the feed conveyor; a dimensioning system including a dimensioning frame located between the feed conveyor and the takeaway conveyor, the dimensioning frame having a horizontal upper arm above the object support surfaces opposite a horizontal lower arm below the object support surfaces and having opposing vertical side supports extending between the upper arm and lower arm, wherein the horizontal arms of the dimensioning frame respectively carry at least one array of mutually aligned emitters and receivers and wherein the vertical side supports of the gate respectively carry at least one array of mutually aligned emitters and receivers; and portions of the endless belt of the feed conveyor and the endless belt of the takeaway conveyor comprising the object support surfaces and proximate the dimensioning frame each extending to locations substantially coincident with edges of the arrays and being rotatably supported on rollers of diameters of about one-half inch or less.