Pallet conveyor apparatus

Abstract

A pallet conveyor apparatus for moving pallets, which carry components of a dynamo-electric machine, along and between routes of a manufacturing line is provided. The pallet conveyor apparatus includes a plurality of pallets, at least one substantially horizontal rail structure, at least one loop-shaped conveyor belt, and a drive for causing the conveyor belt to move along an upper track of the rail structure. The conveyor apparatus may be driven with a drive cartridge that fits within the rail structure. A pallet for use with the apparatus has a platform and a seat portion. The platform has an upper surface that supports the component. The seat portion has a substantially inverted “U” shape. The seat portion of the rail structure has a central surface and two opposing surfaces. The dimensions of the seat portion and the rail structure are such that when the seat portion fits over the rail structure a pallet will be prevented from falling off the rail structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pallet for conveying a component on a pallet conveyor apparatus, said apparatus having (a) at least one substantially horizontal rail structure having a length, an upper track, and two side surfaces, (b) a loop-shaped conveyor belt having an inner belt surface and an outer belt surface, said inner belt surface being at least partially disposed on said upper track, and a drive for causing said conveyor belt to move, said pallet comprising: 
 a platform having an upper surface adapted to at least partially support the component; and    a seat portion having a substantially inverted “U” shape adapted to engage said conveyor belt, said seat portion having a central surface and two opposing surfaces, said opposing surfaces having a first height and being separated by a first width, said side surfaces having a second height and being separated by a second width, wherein said first width is larger than said second width so that said rail structure can fit between said opposing surfaces with gaps between said opposing surfaces and said side surfaces, wherein said first and second heights in conjunction with the gaps are sufficient to prevent a pallet from falling off said rail structure, and wherein said outer belt surface engages said central surface.    
     
     
         2 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein said upper surface of said platform is adapted to support an armature having a lamination stack and at least one shaft, said upper surface comprising: 
 a lamination stack supporting surface; and  
 at least one shaft supporting surface.  
 
     
     
         3 . The pallet of  claim 2  wherein said upper surface of said platform is adapted to support said armature in a substantially horizontal position when supported by said pallet, and wherein said supporting surfaces extend sufficiently to support different size armatures.  
     
     
         4 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein said platform further comprises at least one side wall for preventing said component from falling off said platform.  
     
     
         5 . A pallet for conveying a component on a pallet conveyor apparatus, said apparatus having (a) at least one substantially horizontal rail structure having a length, an upper track, and two side surfaces, (b) a loop-shaped conveyor belt having an inner belt surface and an outer belt surface, said inner belt surface being at least partially disposed on said upper track, and a drive for causing said conveyor belt to move, said pallet comprising: 
 a platform having an upper surface adapted to at least partially support the component, said platform further comprising at least one side wall for preventing said component from falling off said platform, said at least one side wall having an aperture for providing a gripping unit access to said component when said component is supported by said platform; and    a seat portion having a substantially inverted “U” shape adapted to engage said conveyor belt, said seat portion having a central surface and two opposing surfaces, said opposing surfaces having a first height and being separated by a first width, said side surfaces having a second height and being separated by a second width, wherein said first width is larger than said second width so that said rail structure can fit between said opposing surfaces with gaps between said opposing surfaces and said side surfaces, wherein said first and second heights in conjunction with the gaps are sufficient to prevent a pallet from falling off said rail structure, and wherein said outer belt surface engages said central surface.    
     
     
         6 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein said upper surface of said platform is adapted to support a stator.  
     
     
         7 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein said central surface and said belt outer surface have a frictional coefficient formed therebetween that is sufficiently large to ensure that said pallet is conveyed synchronously with said conveyor belt when said conveyor belt moves.  
     
     
         8 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein said two opposing surfaces are substantially vertical.  
     
     
         9 . The pallet of  claim 8  wherein said central surface is substantially horizontal.  
     
     
         10 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein said pallet is adapted to fit on said rail structure when said pallet is in at least a first orientation and a second orientation, said second orientation being 180° rotated from said first orientation.  
     
     
         11 . A pallet for conveying a component on a pallet conveyor apparatus, said apparatus having (a) at least one substantially horizontal rail structure having a length, an upper track, and two side surfaces, (b) a loop-shaped conveyor belt having an inner belt surface and an outer belt surface, said inner belt surface being at least partially disposed on said upper track, and a drive for causing said conveyor belt to move, said pallet comprising: 
 a platform having an upper surface adapted to at least partially support the component; and    a seat portion having a substantially inverted “U” shape adapted to engage said conveyor belt, said seat portion having a central surface and two opposing surfaces, said opposing surfaces having a first height and being separated by a first width, said side surfaces having a second height and being separated by a second width, wherein said first width is larger than said second width so that said rail structure can fit between said opposing surfaces with gaps between said opposing surfaces and said side surfaces, wherein said first and second heights in conjunction with the gaps are sufficient to prevent a pallet from falling off said rail structure, and wherein said outer belt surface engages said central surface;    said pallet adapted to fit on said rail structure when said pallet is in at least a first orientation and a second orientation, said second orientation being 180° rotated from said first orientation;    said pallet further comprising a pin attached thereto so that a pin reader can detect said pin when said pallet is in one of said orientations.    
     
     
         12 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein said pallet has a forward face and a rear face for engaging other pallets in a queue formed along said length of said at least one substantially horizontal rail structure.  
     
     
         13 . The pallet of  claim 12  wherein said forward and rear faces are sufficiently high to ensure sufficient engagement between adjacent pallets in said queue and to avoid an upstream pallet to climb over an adjacent downstream pallet.  
     
     
         14 . A pallet for conveying a component on a pallet conveyor apparatus, said apparatus having (a) at least one substantially horizontal rail structure having a length, an upper track, and two side surfaces, (b) a loop-shaped conveyor belt having an inner belt surface and an outer belt surface, said inner belt surface being at least partially disposed on said upper track, and a drive for causing said conveyor belt to move, said pallet comprising: 
 a platform having an upper surface adapted to at least partially support the component;    a seat portion having a substantially inverted “U” shape adapted to engage said conveyor belt, said seat portion having a central surface and two opposing surfaces, said opposing surfaces having a first height and being separated by a first width, said side surfaces having a second height and being separated by a second width, wherein said first width is larger than said second width so that said rail structure can fit between said opposing surfaces with gaps between said opposing surfaces and said side surfaces, wherein said first and second heights in conjunction with the gaps are sufficient to prevent a pallet from falling off said rail structure, and wherein said outer belt surface engages said central surface; and    at least one bore adapted to receive a lifting rod for moving said pallet from a first position to a second position.