The present disclosure relates to drive assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a self-adjustable friction wheel drive assembly.

BACKGROUND
There are certain driving assemblies to drive trolleys or conveyor belts within the industries. Conveyor belts or trolleys are widely used to transport and sort packages or other items from one location to another location. The conveyor belts and sorter trays are driven by various drive assemblies that incorporate a number of components and thereby making the drive assemblies complex.
There are certain situations such as off-loading of the packages on the conveyor belt or sorter tray due to which there are chances that a fin of the drive assembly becomes meander from the designated path of run. The meandering of the fin is caused due to the uneven loading of the material on to the conveyor belts or sorter trays and manufacturing or installation errors, which results in tilting of the fin that affects the operations being carried out in industries. Package sorting conveyor/tray provides an effective means of transmitting drive force when properly installed, finding and maintaining the correct balance of position and pressure is often a difficult and uncertain process. Conversely, if the installation has too much pressure, the life of the material is compensated by heat build-up and wear and tear stress is increase during the line operation.
The problems as mentioned hereinabove necessitate the requirement of a simple driving mechanism that is able to compensate for the offsetting of the fin used with the drive assembly.

SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing, a friction-wheel drive assembly including; a main frame provided with a central hinge wheel mounted on both sides of the main frame in X-X direction of the main frame; a base plate pivotally supports on the main frame by virtue of a supporting member of the base plate being supported on the central hinge wheel of the main frame; and a pair of linear guides distally arranged to each other on the base plate such that a first roller plate and a second roller plate slidably mounts on the pair of linear guides. The supporting member projects outwardly from both sides of the base plate in X-X direction of the main frame. The pivoting of the base plate is limited by a number of transverse guide wheels in X-X direction and a number of lateral guide wheels in Y-Y direction of the main frame and the pivoting of the base plate in vertical direction Z-Z is limited by a number of compression springs positioned beneath the corners of the base plate and are mounted on the main frame. A first pressure spring is biasingly engaged with a first compression spring screw and a second pressure spring is biasingly engaged with a second compression spring screw such that the first compression screw and the second compression screw are configured to adjust the distance between the first roller plate and second roller plate. A first friction roller is configured to be driven by a first drive motor and a second friction roller is configured to be driven by a second drive motor.
In an aspect, a conveyor belt sorter system including; a main frame provided with a central hinge wheel mounted on both sides of the main frame in X-X direction of the main frame; a base plate pivotally supported on the main frame by virtue of a supporting member of the base plate being supported on the central hinge wheel of the main frame; a pair of linear guides distally arranged to each other on the base plate such that a first roller plate and a second roller plate slidably mounted on the pair of linear guides; and a conveyor belt sorter tray provided with a fin sandwiched between a first friction roller and a second friction roller such that the first friction roller mounted on the first roller plate and the second friction roller mounted on the second roller plate. The first friction roller and the second friction roller are configured to rotate in opposite direction to each other to traverse the conveyor belt sorter tray in X-X direction of the main frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention becomes apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
Fig 1A illustrates an isometric view of a friction-wheel drive assembly, according to an embodiment herein;
Fig. 1B illustrates a zoomed view (A) of the friction-wheel drive assembly, according to another embodiment herein;
Fig. 2 illustrates a top view of the friction-wheel drive assembly, according to another embodiment herein; and
Fig. 3 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a conveyor belt sorter system, according to another embodiment herein.
To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various embodiment of the present invention provides a self-adjustable friction wheel drive assembly. The following description provides specific details of certain embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings to provide a thorough understanding of those embodiments. It should be recognized, however, that the present invention can be reflected in additional embodiments and the invention may be practiced without some of the details in the following description.
The various embodiments including the example embodiments are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.
It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Spatially relative terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is to be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the structure in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
Embodiments described herein refer to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending on simplistic assembling or manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views but include modifications in configurations formed on basis of assembling process. Therefore, regions exemplified in the figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in the figures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do not limit the various embodiments including the example embodiments.
The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the Applicant has contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies.
As mentioned there remains a need to provide a self-adjustable friction wheel drive assembly with lesser number of components, therefore: the present disclosure provides a friction wheel drive assembly provided with a pivotable base plate and slidable roller plates.
The direction index as shown in FIG. 1A represents X-X direction, Y-Y direction, and Z-Z direction of the main frame of the friction wheel drive assembly of the present disclosure.
The symbol “N” as used herein the description denotes the unit of force i.e., Newton.
The symbol “mm” as used herein the description denotes the unit of distance i.e., milli-meter.
FIG. 1A illustrates a friction-wheel drive assembly (100) according to an embodiment herein. The friction-wheel drive assembly (100) includes a first friction roller (102), a second friction roller (104), a base plate (105), a number of transverse guide wheels (106) (hereinafter referred to as a transverse guide wheel for single component), a plurality of lateral guide wheels (107) (hereinafter referred to as a lateral guide wheel for single component), a pair of central hinge wheel (108A, 108 B) (hereinafter referred to as a central hinge wheel 108 for single component), a supporting member (109), a pair of linear guides (110A, 110B) (hereinafter referred to as a linear guide 110 for single component), a main frame (112), a first drive motor (114), a second drive motor (116), a first roller plate (118), and a second roller plate (120).
The number of transverse guide wheels (106) are coupled to the main frame (112) as shown in FIG. 1A such that the axis of rotation of the transverse guide wheel (106) is X-X direction of the main frame (112). The number of lateral guide wheels (107) are coupled to the main frame (112) as shown in FIG. 1A such that the axis of rotation of the lateral guide wheel (107) is Y-Y direction of the main frame (112). The central hinge wheels (108A, 108B) are coupled to the main frame (112) and are positioned between the lateral guide wheels (107) of the main frame (112). The supporting member (109) projects outwardly from either side of the base plate (105) such that the supporting member (109) is supported on the central hinge wheels (108A, 108B) that are mounted on the main frame (112).
The first drive motor (114) is mounted on the first roller plate (118) and the second drive motor (116) is mounted on the second roller plate (120). The first roller plate (118) and the second roller plate (120) are mounted on the linear guides (110A, 110B) each with the help of a linear block (not shown). The linear guides (110A, 110B) are distally arranged to each other on the base plate (105). The linear guides (110A, 110B) allow the first roller plate (118) and the second roller plate (120) to slide in Y-Y direction of the main frame (112). The first friction roller (102) and the second friction roller (104) are operatively coupled to the first drive motor (114) and the second drive motor (116) respectively. The first drive motor (114) and the second drive motor (116) are configured to rotate in opposite direction to each other due to which the first friction roller (102) and the second friction roller (104) rotates in opposite direction to each other.
By virtue of the supporting member (109) of the base plate (105) being supported on the central hinge wheels (108A, 108B), therefore: enabling the pivoting of the base plate (105). The central hinge wheel (108) allows pivoting of the base plate (105) about X-X direction of the main frame (112) by partially rotating the base plate (105) with respect to the main frame (112).
FIG. 1B illustrates a zoomed view (A) of the friction-wheel drive assembly (100) showing a compression spring (122). The compression spring (122) is coupled to the main frame (112) and is positioned beneath each corner of the base plate (105).
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the friction-wheel drive assembly (100) illustrating a first pressure spring (202A), a first compression spring screw (204A), a first adjustment screw (206A), a second pressure spring (202B), a second compression spring screw (204B), and a second adjustment screw (206B).
The first pressure spring (202A) is twisted around the first compression spring screw (204A) to prevent loosening of the first compression spring screw (204A) and the second pressure spring (202B) is twisted around the second compression spring screw (204B) to prevent loosening of the second compression spring screw (204B).
The first pressure spring (202A) and the first compression spring screw (204A) are connected with the first roller plate (118). The second pressure spring (202B) and the second compression spring screw (204B) are connected with the second roller plate (120). The first adjustment screw (206A) is connected to the first roller plate (118) and the second adjustment screw (206B) is connected to the second roller plate (120).
The first compression spring screw (204A) and the second compression spring screw (204B) are adapted to enable initial adjustment at the time of installation of the friction wheel drive assembly (100) i.e., the distance between the first roller plate (118) and the second roller plate (120) is adjusted by loosening or tightening of the first compression spring screw (204A) and the second compression spring screw (204B). The first compression spring screw (204A) and the second compression spring screw (204B) thus maintain the pressure to be applied on a fin (not shown), which is sandwiched between the first friction roller (102) and the second friction roller (104).
In operation, the friction wheel drive assembly (100) is configured to advance the fin in forward or backward in X-X direction of the main frame (112) such that the fin is sandwiched between the first friction roller (102) and the friction roller (104). The base plate (105) is configured to pivot on the main frame (112) by virtue of the engagement of the supporting member (109) onto the central hinge wheel (108). The pivoting of the base plate (105) is limited by a number of transverse guide wheels (106) in Y-Y direction of the main frame (112) and by a number of lateral guide wheels (107) in X-X direction of the main frame (112). The pivoting of the base plate (105) is limited by the compression spring (122) in Z-Z direction of the main frame (112).
During advancement of the fin in forward or backward direction, there may be meandering of the fin from the designated path of run, which is compensated by pivoting of the base plate (105) on the main frame (112) and sliding of the first roller plate (118) and the second roller plate (120) on the liner guides (110A, 110B). The pivoting of the base plate (105) is controlled by the compression springs (122) that enables self-alignment of the base plate (105). The central hinge wheel (108), the linear guide (110) and the compression springs (122) therefore add flexibility in the friction wheel drive assembly (100). This flexibility of the friction wheel drive assembly (100), which is achieved by the central hinge wheel (108), the linear guide (110) and the compression spring (122) compensates for the uneven forces being exerted on the fin.
In an embodiment, the first drive motor (114) and the second drive motor (116) provide direct drive (rotation) to the first friction roller (102) and the second friction roller (104).
In another embodiment, the first drive motor (114) and the second drive motor (116) are a type of a synchronous motor, a direct drive motor or a servo motor.
In another embodiment, the maximum load bearing capacity of the first pressure spring (202A) and the second pressure spring (202B) is 500N to 800 N.
In another embodiment, the maximum dynamic load bearing capacity of the central hinge wheel (108) is 8,000 N to 10,000 N.
In another embodiment, the material of the base plate (105) and the main frame (112) is mild steel.
In another embodiment, the preferred range of distance between the first friction roller (102) and the second friction roller (104) is almost 3 mm to 5 mm.
In another embodiment, the preferred thickness of the fin is 3mm to 5 mm.
In another embodiment, there can be multiple central hinge wheels (108) mounted on the main frame (112).
In another embodiment, the friction-wheel drive assembly (100) is employed in any kind of conveyor system or trolleys that are adapted to convey the material from one location to another location.
Fig. 3 illustrates an isometric exploded view of the conveyor belt sorter system (300). The conveyor belt sorter system (300) includes a friction wheel drive assembly (100), a conveyor belt tray (302), a fin (304), a first drive motor (114), and a second drive motor (116). The fin (304) projects downwardly from the conveyor belt tray (302). The conveyor belt tray (302) is operatively coupled to the friction wheel drive assembly (100) through the fin (304) that is sandwiched between a first friction roller (102) and a second friction roller (104). The first drive motor (114) and the second drive motor (116) are configured to rotate in opposite direction to each other due to which the first friction roller (102) and the second friction roller (104) rotates in opposite direction to each other. A pair of linear guides (110A, 110B) that are distally arranged to each other on the base plate (105) allow a first roller plate (118) and a second roller plate (120) to slide in Y-Y direction of the main frame (112).
In operation, the conveyor belt tray (302) is loaded with a material to be conveyed from one location to the another. The friction wheel drive assembly (100) is configured to advance the fin (304) in forward or backward direction in X-X direction of the main frame (112) such that the fin (304) is sandwiched between a first friction roller (102) and a second friction roller (104). A base plate (105) is configured to pivot on a main frame (112) by virtue of engagement of a supporting member (109) projecting from the base plate (105) onto the central hinge wheel (108) mounted on the main frame (112).
During advancement of the conveyor belt tray (302) in forward or backward direction, there may be meandering of the conveyor belt tray (302) from the designated path of run, which is compensated by pivoting of the base plate (105) on the main frame (112) and sliding of the first roller plate (118) and the second roller plate (120) on the liner guides (110A, 110B). The pivoting of the base plate (105) is controlled by a number compression springs (122) coupled on the main frame (112) and beneath each corner of the base plate (105). The compression springs (122) therefore enables self-alignment of the base plate (105) in case the base plate (105) becomes off-set from the designated position due to uneven loading exerted on the friction wheel drive assembly (100). The central hinge wheel (108), the linear guide (110) and the compression springs (122) therefore add flexibility in the friction wheel drive assembly (100). This flexibility of the friction wheel drive assembly (100), which is achieved by the central hinge wheel (108), the linear guide (110) and the compression spring (122) compensates for the uneven forces being exerted on the conveyor belt tray (302).
Certain advantages of the friction wheel drive assembly (100) are listed as below: -
- The friction wheel dive assembly (100) is designed in a way that if the verticality and/or continuity of the base plate (105) is not maintained due to some uneven loading or installation errors, the friction wheel drive assembly (100) is self-adjusted that further enables a continuous drive to the chain or trolleys without any delay or speed variation.
- The flexibility in the structure of the friction wheel drive assembly (100) eliminates the risk of wear and tear of the friction wheel drive assembly (100) while being employed in an industry.
- The friction wheel drive assembly (100) enables easy maintenance and repair whenever required.
- The friction wheel-drive assembly (100) produces low noise during operation.
- The friction wheel-drive assembly (100) consumes less power to operate.
- The angle and offset of the fin plate (304) of the conveyor belt sorter system (300) is adjusted very smoothly.
- The friction wheel-drive assembly (100) incorporates a smaller number of components and thereby simplifying the structure of the drive assembly.

The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present invention are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of the present invention.
Moreover, though the description of the present disclosure has included description of one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present invention, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative embodiments, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.

We Claim:

1. A friction-wheel drive assembly (100) comprising;
a main frame (112) provided with a central hinge wheel (108) mounted on both sides of the main frame (112) in X-X direction of the main frame (112); wherein
a base plate (105) pivotally supported on the main frame (112) by virtue of a supporting member (109) of the base plate (105) being supported on the central hinge wheel (108) of the main frame (112); and
a pair of linear guides (110A, 110B) distally arranged to each other on the base plate (105) such that a first roller plate (118) and a second roller plate (120) slidably mounted on the pair of linear guides (110A, 110B).

2. The friction-wheel drive assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting member (109) projects outwardly from both sides of the base plate (105) in X-X direction of the main frame (105).

3. The friction-wheel drive assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein pivoting of the base plate (105) is limited by a plurality of transverse guide wheels (106) in X-X direction of the main frame (112) and a plurality of lateral guide wheels (107) in Y-Y direction of the main frame (112).

4. The friction-wheel drive assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein pivoting of the base plate (105) in vertical direction (Z-Z) is limited by a plurality of compression springs (122) positioned beneath the corners of the base plate (105) and are mounted on the main frame (112).

5. The friction drive assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein a first pressure spring (202A) is biasingly engaged with a first compression spring screw (204A) and a second pressure spring (202B) is biasingly engaged with a second compression spring screw (204B) such that the first compression screw (204A) and the second compression screw (204B) are configured to adjust the distance between the first roller plate (118) and second roller plate (122).

6. The friction-wheel drive assembly (100) as claimed in clam 1, wherein a first friction roller (102) is configured to be driven by a first drive motor (114) and a second friction roller (104) is configured to be driven by a second drive motor (116).

7. A conveyor belt sorter system (300) comprising;
a main frame (112) provided with a central hinge wheel (108) mounted on both sides of the main frame (112) in X-X direction of the main frame (112); wherein
a base plate (105) pivotally supported on the main frame (112) by virtue of a supporting member (109) of the base plate (105) being supported on the central hinge wheel (108) of the main frame (112);
a pair of linear guides (110A, 110B) distally arranged to each other on the base plate (105) such that a first roller plate (118) and a second roller plate (120) slidably mounted on the pair of linear guides (110A, 110B); and
a conveyor belt sorter tray (302) provided with a fin (304) sandwiched between a first friction roller (102) and a second friction roller (104) such that the first friction roller (102) mounted on the first roller plate (118) and the second friction roller (104) mounted on the second roller plate (120).

8. The conveyor belt sorter system (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein pivoting of the base plate (105) is limited by a plurality of transverse guide wheels (106) in X-X direction and a plurality of lateral guide wheels (107) in Y-Y direction of the main frame (112).

9. The conveyor belt sorter system (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein pivoting of the base plate (105) in vertical direction (Z-Z) is limited by a plurality of compression springs (122) positioned beneath the corners of the base plate (105) and are mounted on the main frame (112).

10. The conveyor belt sorter system (300) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first friction roller (102) and the second friction roller (104) are configured to rotate in opposite direction to each other to traverse the conveyor belt sorter tray (302) in X-X direction of the main frame (112).