US Patent:
20070283839, Dec 13, 2007
Inventors:
Samuel Bartlett - Marysville OH, US
David Betz - West Jefferson OH, US
David Dillard - Marysville OH, US
Jason Harrison - Marysville OH, US
Wayne Hemmelgarn - Celina OH, US
Jerry Maynard - Delaware OH, US
Norm Schrake - Prospect OH, US
Assignee:
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Tokyo
International Classification:
B61B 13/00
Abstract:
A modular friction drive system and method for use with a palletized conveyor. The drive system includes drive assemblies located at opposite sides of both a load end and unload end of the palletized conveyor. Each drive assembly comprises at least one drive unit and at least on take-up unit, which are connected by a drive belt. One or more idler units may reside between the drive unit(s) and take-up unit(s). Each drive assembly is provided with an actuating means for pressing the drive belt tightly against the side walls of the conveyor pallets. Each of the drive unit, take-up unit, and idler unit is preferably modular in nature and can, therefore, be added to or removed from a drive assembly independently of the other unit(s).