NETWORK CONTROLLED SORTER CONVEYOR

摘要

The present invention relates to a sorter conveyor having a plurality of conveyor units with article-supporting means, such as tilt trays or cross-belts, equipped with discharge means for discharging articles conveyed on the article-supporting means, which discharge means are driven by means, typically electric motors, controlled from the moving part of the conveyor. The control signals for controlling the operation of each of the discharge means are communicated by means of a common data communication network situated on the moving part of the conveyor so that control signals for each of the discharge means may be communicated to the moving part of the conveyor from one stationary position along the path of the conveyor. The invention further relates to a method of controlling the operation of such sorter conveyor.