Controlled spacing induction from plural lines

摘要

A conveyor system including an induction subassembly for producing a desired spacing between packages as they are discharged from a single induction line or merged from multiple lines. Each induction line includes a conveyor and a speed controller for controlling the running speed of the conveyor in a manner that discharges a package as close as possible to a time necessary to provide a desired gap with a previously-discharged package. A control monitors movement of packages on the conveyor of each line and includes a microcomputer for determining a speed adjustment that would be required for each speed controller to cause the packages on each of the lines to reach the associated discharge conveyor as close as possible to the desired time. The microcomputer determines which of the packages would read the associated discharge conveyor closest to the desired time and causes the speed controller for the associated conveyor to effect its speed adjustment to discharge its package. A new desired time is established for other lines based upon the estimated discharge time of the package that is selected for discharge. Speed adjustments include a constant acceleration to a higher discrete speed or deceleration to a lower discrete speed from a nominal discrete speed with a return to the nominal speed prior to discharging the package.