CPC B65G 21/22 (2013.01) [B65G 17/08 (2013.01); B65G 17/30 (2013.01); B65G 17/40 (2013.01); B65G 23/06 (2013.01); B65G 23/36 (2013.01); B65G 23/38 (2013.01); B65G 23/44 (2013.01); B65G 2812/02089 (2013.01); B65G 2812/02287 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A link conveyor for an assembly machine comprising:
a frame having a first end and a second end;
an upper rail assembly, supported by the frame and comprising a first upper rail and a second upper rail, the upper rail assembly defining an upper channel;
a lower rail assembly, supported by the frame and comprising a first lower rail and a second lower rail, the lower rail assembly defining a second channel;
a chain comprising a plurality of interconnected links, each link having a body with a first bearing, a second bearing, and a third bearing disposed therein, the plurality of links being interconnected via a plurality of link pins disposed in the bearings, wherein each of the plurality of link pins comprises a first roller and a second roller sized to roll within the upper channel and the lower channel;
wherein the upper channel and the lower channel cooperatively receive the chain;
the upper rail assembly comprising a first upper chordal compensation cam, positioned at the first end of the frame, the first upper chordal compensation cam comprising a first upper deflection surface disposed on the first upper rail and a second upper deflection surface disposed on the second upper rail, wherein the first upper deflection surface and the second upper deflection surface cooperate to deflect the chain by a first upper variable deflection amount;
the lower rail assembly comprising a first lower chordal compensation cam, positioned at the first end of the frame, the first lower chordal compensation cam comprising a first lower deflection surface disposed on the first lower rail and a second lower deflection surface disposed on the second lower rail, wherein the first lower deflection surface and the second lower deflection surface cooperate to deflect the chain by a first lower variable deflection amount;
wherein the first upper variable deflection amount and the first lower variable deflection amount reduce a deviation between a first velocity of the chain at the first end of the frame and a second velocity of the chain at the second end of the frame;
a first sprocket, positioned at the first end of the frame and engaging the chain;
a first motor drivingly engaging the first sprocket;
a second sprocket, positioned at the second end of the frame and engaging the chain;
a second motor drivingly engaging the second sprocket; and
a controller comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the second motor to drive the second sprocket at about the second velocity.
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