Vibratory feeder for transporting objects in a curved path

摘要

A bidirectional vibratory feeder for transporting objects in a curved path has a trough assembly including an elongated, generally horizontal bed defining the curved path. An exciter mass assembly (62) includes an exciter frame (64) and a vibration generator (66) coupled to the exciter frame (64) for generating vibratory forces. At least one horizontally disposed resilient coupling (82) is connected between the exciter mass assembly (62) and the trough assembly, and at least one vertically disposed link (80) is connected between the exciter mass assembly (62) and the trough assembly. The vibratory forces generated by the vibration generator (66) include a vertical component to cause each point on the trough assembly to translate vertically upward. The vibratory forces also include a horizontal component to cause each point on the trough assembly to rotate along a path lying on an arc of a circle in a horizontal plane. The vibration generator (66) is operable in a first mode to advance the objects in a first direction along the curved path and, in a second mode to advance the objects in a second, generally opposite direction along the curved path. IMAGE