Contactless direction of sortation shuttles along a track
Systems and methods are disclosed for contactless direction of sortation shuttles along a track. An example system for contactless direction of sortation shuttles may include a track having a linear path, and a curved path that intersects the linear path. The system may include a shuttle with a first ferrous block and a second ferrous block, the shuttle configured to move along the track, and a first set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the curved path. Electromagnets of the first set of electromagnets may be configured to be individually energized. Energizing the first set of electromagnets may cause the shuttle to merge onto the curved path via interaction with at least one of the first ferrous block or the second ferrous block.
1 . A system comprising:
a set of rails that form a track having a central axis, the set of rails comprising a first rail segment on a first side of the central axis and a second rail segment on a second side of the central axis, wherein the track comprises a linear path and a curved path that intersects the linear path;
a shuttle configured to transport items from a first location to a second location using the set of rails, the shuttle comprising:
a first ferrous block;
a second ferrous block;
a first set of wheels;
a first conveyor assembly having a central axis that is transverse to the central axis of the track;
a first set of electromagnets disposed along the central axis of the track;
a second set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the linear path, wherein electromagnets of the second set of electromagnets are configured to be individually energized; and
a third set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the curved path, wherein electromagnets of the third set of electromagnets are configured to be individually energized;
wherein energizing the third set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to merge onto the curved path via interaction with at least one of the first ferrous block or the second ferrous block,
one or more heatsinks disposed adjacent to a curved steel plate; and
one or more active cooling devices disposed adjacent to the curved steel plate.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the shuttle is configured to move along both the linear path and the curved path, and wherein the track is devoid of mechanical switching components to direct the shuttle along the linear path or the curved path.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first set of electromagnets is disposed at a first end of the curved path, the system further comprising:
a set of permanent magnets disposed adjacent to the first set of electromagnets, the set of permanent magnets disposed at a second end of the curved path.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cover plate disposed on a first side of the first set of electromagnets, the cover plate configured to separate the first set of electromagnets from the shuttle;
wherein the curved steel plate is disposed on a second side of the first set of electromagnets.
5 . A system comprising:
a track comprising:
a linear path; and
a curved path that intersects the linear path;
a shuttle comprising a first ferrous block and a second ferrous block, the shuttle configured to move along the track;
a first set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the curved path, wherein electromagnets of the first set of electromagnets are configured to be individually energized;
wherein energizing the first set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to merge onto the curved path via interaction with at least one of the first ferrous block or the second ferrous block,
one or more heatsinks disposed adjacent to a curved steel plate; and
one or more active cooling devices disposed adjacent to the curved steel plate.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the shuttle is configured to move along both the linear path and the curved path, and wherein the track is devoid of mechanical switching components to direct the shuttle along the linear path or the curved path.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the first set of electromagnets is disposed at a first end of the curved path, the system further comprising:
a set of permanent magnets disposed adjacent to the first set of electromagnets, the set of permanent magnets disposed at a second end of the curved path.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the set of permanent magnets is disposed in an alternating polarity arrangement.
9 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a second set of electromagnets disposed along a side of the linear path, wherein electromagnets of the second set of electromagnets are configured to be individually energized;
wherein energizing the second set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to bypass the curved path via interaction with at least one of the first ferrous block or the second ferrous block.
10 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a cover plate disposed on a first side of the first set of electromagnets, the cover plate configured to separate the first set of electromagnets from the shuttle; and
wherein the curved steel plate is disposed on a second side of the first set of electromagnets.
11 . The system of claim 5 , wherein electromagnets of the first set of electromagnets are individually energized in a sequential order.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein an individual electromagnet is de-energized after an adjacent electromagnet is energized.
13 . The system of claim 5 , wherein each electromagnet of the first set of electromagnets is energized at a substantially same time.
14 . The system of claim 5 , further comprising:
a second set of electromagnets disposed along the track;
wherein the shuttle comprises a permanent magnet, and the shuttle is propelled along the track via interaction between the permanent magnet and the second set of electromagnets.
15 . A system comprising:
a track having a linear path and a branched path;
a first set of electromagnets disposed along a first side of the linear path;
a second set of electromagnets disposed along a second side of the branched path;
a shuttle comprising one or more ferrous blocks configured to interact with the first set of electromagnets and the second set of electromagnets;
wherein energizing of the first set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to bypass the branched path, and energizing of the second set of electromagnets causes the shuttle to merge onto the branched path;
one or more heatsinks disposed adjacent to a curved steel plate; and
one or more active cooling devices disposed adjacent to the curved steel plate.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the track is devoid of mechanical switching components to direct the shuttle along the linear path or the branched path.
17 . The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
a controller configured to:
cause the first set of electromagnets to be energized to guide the shuttle along the linear path; and
cause the second set of electromagnets to be energized to guide the shuttle from the linear path to the branched path.
18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the shuttle moves in one direction along the track.
19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the shuttle further comprises a permanent magnet disposed under the shuttle, and the one or more ferrous blocks comprises a first ferrous block on a first side of the shuttle, and a second ferrous block on a second side of the shuttle.