Conveyor Motor with Network Control Feature

An integrated network motor for use in a zone-type conveyor system having a plurality of conveyor zones, wherein each conveyor zone includes a support structure and a series of rollers rotatably supported by the support structure, comprising:

• a rotatable motor output member that adapted to be drivingly interconnected with one or more driven rollers and to impart rotation to the driven roller in response to operation of the integrated network motor;
• a motor control arrangement configured to control operation of the integrated network motor and thereby rotation of the motor output member;
• and a zone control arrangement;
• wherein the motor control arrangement is configured to control operation of the integrated network motor in response to inputs from the zone control arrangement;
• and wherein the zone control arrangement is adapted to communicate with and receive signals from one more other zones in the conveyor system and to provide outputs to the motor control arrangement in response thereto for controlling operation of the integrated network motor and thereby the flow of items through the zone.

A conveyor assembly, comprising:

• a support structure;
• a series of rollers rotatably supported by the support structure;
• and
• an integrated network motor interconnected with the support structure, wherein each integrated network motor includes a rotatable motor output member that is drivingly interconnected with one or more driven rollers for imparting rotation to the driven roller in response to operation of the integrated network motor;
• wherein the integrated network motor includes a board having a network interface, a motor control arrangement and a zone control arrangement, wherein the motor control arrangement is configured to control operation of the integrated network motor in response to inputs from the zone control arrangement, and wherein the zone control arrangement is configured to receive inputs via the network interface and to provide outputs to the motor control arrangement in response thereto for controlling operation of the integrated network motor.