2
0
1
8
-0
6
10
Product Description
Zone coupling
The two interfaces for zone coupling (X1, X2) are used for receiving and transmitting
information to and from neighboring zones. Additional ZPA motor control modules or other
suitable communication partners can be connected via the zone coupling. The electrical
signals are compatible with the standard 24 V IOs of a PLC. Conveyed product can therefore
also be fed in and discharged at both ends of the accumulation conveyor line by a separate
controller.
Figure 2.4
The interfaces for the zone coupling each consist of one signal input and one signal output.
The meaning of the zone coupling signals depends on the selected conveyor direction and
follows a simple principle:
Signal in the conveyor direction (zone sensor)
: A zone is communicating to the
downstream zone whether conveyed product is located at its end. It therefore always
corresponds to the signal of the zone sensor (e.g., light barrier).
Signal against the conveyor direction (release signal)
: A zone is communicating to the
upstream zone whether conveyed product may enter. It thus represents the release signal. The
release signal is determined by the accumulation conveyor logic and also set if no conveyed
product has yet reached the zone sensor of the upstream zone.
The logic in the ZPA motor control modules expects the release signal to last until the conveyed
product has left the zone sensor. If the release signal is withdrawn before the conveyed product
has left the zone, the motor is stopped until the release signal is set again.
This results in the following signal sequences:
The dashed lines show the situation in which the downstream zone withdraws the release
signal for a short period of time. In this case, the DC roller motor is stopped immediately without
any run-on time.
1. Conveyed product reaches the zone sensor before the release signal is set.
IN
OUT
OUT
X2
X2
X1
X1
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
OUT
IN
OUT
IN
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
MOT1
MOT2
IN2
MOT2
IN2
MOT1
IN1
IN
Zone
Upstream
zone
Downstream
zone
Roller motor
Roller motor
Zone sensor
Roller motor
Zone sensor
Conveying direction
Roller motor
Zone sensor
Release
Sensor
Zone coupling
Sensor
Sensor
Release
Release
ZPA motor control module
Zone coupling
Zone coupling
2 zones
ZPA motor control module
1 zone
Release
Sensor
Zone
Zone
Zone
Zone
