| 摘要 |
A conveyor system ( 10 ) comprises a star wheel ( 32 ) for receiving articles ( 14 ) from a first conveyor ( 12 ) and dispatching the articles to a second conveyor. The star wheel comprises first and second segments ( 44, 46 ) each having a perimeter adapted to receive articles to be conveyed. A first shaft ( 52 ) rotates the first segment ( 44 ) about an axis, and a second shaft ( 60 ) rotates the second segment ( 46 ) about the axis. In one embodiment, a torsion spring ( 64 ) resiliently connects the shafts ( 52, 60 ) together. The first shaft ( 52 ) is connected to a first drive for rotating the first and second shafts ( 52, 60 ) together about the axis. The second shaft ( 60 ) is connected to a clutch ( 72 ) arrangement for selectively connecting the second shaft ( 60 ) to a second drive for rotating the second shaft about the axis at a different speed from the first shaft, for example, in the event that the first drive is switched off. This enables the second segment ( 46 ) to continue to rotate during deceleration of the first segment and thereby to continue to convey articles to the second conveyor. The clutch arrangement ( 72 ) disconnects the second segment ( 46 ) from the second drive before it clashes with the first segment ( 44 ) or any articles ( 14 ) conveyed thereby, the torsion spring ( 64 ) automatically returning the second segment ( 46 ) to a predetermined position relative to the first segment ( 44 ) for subsequent rotation with the first segment when the first drive is switched on again.
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