Jason A Harrison

US Patent:

7500435, Mar 10, 2009

Filed:

Mar 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/278235

Inventors:

Samuel Bartlett, Jr. - Marysville OH, US
David Betz - West Jefferson OH, US
Dave Dillard - Marysville OH, US
Jason Harrison - Marysville OH, US
Wayne Hemmelgam - Celina OH, US
Jerry Maynard - Delaware OH, US
Norm Schrake - Prospect OH, US

Assignee:

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

B61B 9/00
B61B 13/00

US Classification:

104165

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 one 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 associated 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).

US Patent:

7168549, Jan 30, 2007

Filed:

Jan 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/032782

Inventors:

Jason C. Harrison - Marysville OH, US
David Dillard - Marysville OH, US

Assignee:

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - Tokyo

International Classification:

B65G 43/08

US Classification:

1983463, 1983462

Abstract:

A conveyor system incorporating a plurality of lift assemblies, wherein the lift assembly includes a platform for supporting an article during manufacture. A cylinder assembly is used for vertically supporting the platform and for moving the platform vertically between any one of a plurality of vertical height positions. A control system is used for actuating the cylinder assembly. The control system monitors the movement of the article along the assembly line, and includes predetermined height/position routines that are used to actuate the cylinder assembly and thereby move the platform vertically to a predetermined platform height corresponding to the location of the article on the line. In this way, the platform heights are selected to provide an ergonomic benefit in performing each operation.