Electromagnetic switch for sliding shoe sorter conveyor system utilizing multiple electromagnetic coils

An electromagnetic switch for selectively directing a shoe on a conveyor from an input path to one of a non-diverting path and a diverting path, the electromagnetic switch comprising:

• a first electromagnetic coil;
• a second electromagnetic coil positioned downstream of the first electromagnetic coil;
• and
• a drive circuit coupled to the first and second electromagnetic coils, the drive circuit configured to energize the first electromagnetic coil while the shoe is adjacent the first electromagnetic coil to generate a first magnetic field urging the shoe towards the diverting path and after energizing the first electromagnetic coil, energize the second electromagnetic coil while the shoe is adjacent the second electromagnetic coil to generate a second magnetic field further urging the shoe towards the diverting path, wherein energization of the first and second electromagnetic coils by the drive circuit positions the shoe adjacent a permanent magnet disposed downstream of the second electromagnetic coil and proximate the diverting path such that a third magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet further urges the shoe towards the diverting path.

A controller for an electromagnetic switch configured to selectively direct a shoe on a conveyor from an input path to one of a non-diverting path and a diverting path, the controller comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• program code executable by the one or more processors to:
• sense a portion of the shoe approaching the electromagnetic switch;
• in response to sensing the portion of the shoe approaching the electromagnetic switch, energize a first electromagnetic coil of the electromagnetic switch while the shoe is adjacent the first electromagnetic coil to generate a first magnetic field urging the shoe towards the diverting path;
• and
• after energizing the first electromagnetic coil, energize a second electromagnetic coil positioned downstream of the first electromagnetic coil in the electromagnetic switch while the shoe is adjacent the second electromagnetic coil to generate a second magnetic field further urging the shoe towards the diverting path;
• wherein energizing the first and second electromagnetic coils positions the shoe adjacent a permanent magnet disposed downstream of the second electromagnetic coil and proximate the diverting path such that a third magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet further urges the shoe towards the diverting path.