TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND USE OF A TRANSPORT SYSTEM TO TRANSPORT LOADS WITHIN A STORAGE SYSTEM

Description

2 thebeamfordirectionalguidance;andthevehiclefurthercomprisesatleasttworear wheelsconfiguredtoreston,andrunalong,asupportingsurface,wherebysaid supportingsurfaceispositionedlowerthanthebeam. Thetransportsystem’stricycle-likedesign,incorporatingafrontguidewheel5 engagingamonorailbeamandtworearwheelsonasupportingsurface,allowsfor directinstallationonfactoryorwarehousefloorswithoutadditionalstructural components.Thisconfigurationfacilitatesscalability,flexibility,andefficient adjustmentstotracklayouts,enablingthesystemtomeetevolvingoperational needs.Reducedrollingresistancesupportsenergy-efficientoperation,andthesingle-10 beamguidanceprovidesprecisedirectionalcontrol,stability,andreliablepower transfer,enablinghigh-speedperformance. Thedesignallowsforeffectivenavigationinconfinedspaces,optimizingfloor utilization,whileminimizingnoiseandwearoncomponents,whichreduces15 maintenancerequirementsandensuresconsistentoperationovertime.Thesupport platform,equippedwithanintegratedconveyor,simplifiesloadtransfer,reduces spatialdemands,andaccommodatesvariousloadtypes,enhancingthesystem’s adaptability.Thesecharacteristicsmakethesystemwell-suitedforwarehousesand factoriesthatrequiredynamicrouting,highthroughput,andcontinuousoperation.20 DESCRIPTIONOFFIGURES Thefollowingdescriptionofthefiguresofspecificembodimentsoftheinventionis merelyexemplaryinnatureandisnotintendedtolimitthepresentteachings,their25 applicationoruses.Throughoutthedrawings,correspondingreferencenumerals indicatelikeorcorrespondingpartsandfeatures. Fig.1illustratesasideviewofthevehicleontheplanartrack. 30 Fig.2illustratesafrontviewofthevehicleontheplanertrack. Fig.3illustratesavehiclewithasupportplatformcomprisingarollerconveyor. Fig.4illustratesavehiclewithasupportplatformcomprisingabeltorchainconveyor35 andarollerconveyor. BE2024 / 5956 3 Fig.5illustratesabottomviewofthevehicle. Fig.6illustratesacross-sectionoftheplanartrack. Fig.7illustratesasideviewoftheplanartrack.5 Fig.8illustratesafrontviewseveralinteractingcomponentsofthevehicleandthe planartrack. Fig.9illustratesabackviewofavehiclewithatiltablesupportplatformonplanar10 track. Fig.10illustratesatopviewofalinearplanartrack. Fig.11illustratestopviewofavehiclewithasupportplatformthatcompriseschain15 orbeltconveyors. Fig.12illustratesatopviewofaloopplanartrack. Fig.13illustratesatopviewofanexchanger.20 Fig.14illustratesasideviewofanexchangerintegratedinaplanartrack. DETAILEDDESCRIPTIONOFTHEINVENTION 25 Unlessotherwisedefined,alltermsusedindisclosingtheinvention,including technicalandscientificterms,havethemeaningascommonlyunderstoodbyoneof ordinaryskillinthearttowhichthisinventionbelongs.Bymeansoffurtherguidance, termdefinitionsareincludedtobetterappreciatetheteachingofthepresent invention.30 Referencethroughoutthisspecificationto"oneembodiment"or"anembodiment" meansthataparticularfeature,structureorcharacteristicdescribedinconnection withtheembodimentisincludedinatleastoneembodimentofthepresentinvention. Thus,appearancesofthephrases"inoneembodiment"or"inanembodiment"in35 variousplacesthroughoutthisspecificationarenotnecessarilyallreferringtothe sameembodiment,butmay.Furthermore,theparticularfeatures,structuresor BE2024 / 5956 4 characteristicsmaybecombinedinanysuitablemanner,aswouldbeapparenttoa personskilledintheartfromthisdisclosure,inoneormoreembodiments. Furthermore,whilesomeembodimentsdescribedhereinincludesomebutnotother featuresincludedinotherembodiments,combinationsoffeaturesofdifferent embodimentsaremeanttobewithinthescopeoftheinvention,andformdifferent5 embodiments,aswouldbeunderstoodbythoseintheart.Forexample,inthe followingclaims,anyoftheclaimedembodimentscanbeusedinanycombination.Bytheterm"vehicle"ismeantinthepresentinventionanapparatuscapableof carryingloadsandmovingalongatrackorsurface.10 Bytheterm"frontguidewheel"ismeantinthepresentinventionawheelconfigured toengagewithabeam,providingdirectionalstabilityandguidanceforthevehicle's movement. 15 Theterm"beam"refersinthepresentinventiontoastructuralelementthatserves asaguideforthefrontguidewheel,typicallyactingasamonorailtodirectthe vehicle'spath. Bytheterm"supportplatform"ismeantinthepresentinventionastructureofthe20 vehicle,designedtosupportloadsduringtransport. Theterm"supportingsurface"refersinthepresentinventiontothesurfaceonwhich therearwheelsofthevehiclerest,providingastablebaseforvehicleoperation. 25 Inafirstaspecttheinventionpertainstoatransportsystemfortransportingloads inastoragesystemaccordingtoclaim1. Storagesystemsoftenencounterchallengessuchasinefficienciesinloadtransport, vehiclemisalignment,andinflexibilityinadaptingtooperationaldemands.Traditional30 systems,suchasconveyors,tendtohaverigiddesigns,leadingtobottlenecks,higher costs,andmaintenancecomplexities.Additionally,ensuringstableandprecise vehiclemovementwhileaccommodatingdiverseloadtypesposesasignificant logisticalchallenge. 35 Thecombinationofthebeamasamonorail,theatleastonefrontguidewheel engagingwiththebeam,andtheatleasttworearwheelsrestingonasupporting BE2024 / 5956 5 surfacecreatesatricycle-likevehicledesignthatofferssignificantadvantages.This configuration,withthefrontwheelpositionedhigherthanthetworearwheels,allows thetracktobeinstalleddirectlyonafactoryorwarehousefloorwithoutrequiring additionalstructuralcomponentsorrunningrails.Thestraightforwardinstallation enablesquickadjustmentsorexpansionstothetracklayout,allowingthesystemto5 adapttoevolvingoperationalneedswithminimaldisruption.Whether accommodatingincreasedthroughputormodifyingroutestosuitchanging workflows,thisflexibilityensuresthesystemremainsscalableandcost-effective.Additionally,thetricycledesignreducesrollingresistance,contributingtoenergy- efficientoperation,whichisparticularlybeneficialinhigh-throughputenvironments.10 Theengagementofthefrontwheelwiththemonorailbeamprovidesprecise directionalguidance,enhancingstabilityandensuringsmootheroperation.This single-beamguidancealsoallowsforamoreefficientandreliablepowertransferto thevehicle,supportinghigheroperatingspeedswhilemaintainingstability.The15 inherentmaneuverabilityofthetricycleconfigurationenablesefficientnavigation throughtightspaces,optimizingtheuseofavailablefloorareaindynamic environments.Furthermore,thedesignpromotessilentandsmoothvehicle movement,minimizingnoiseandimprovingworkplaceconditions.Byreducingwear onboththevehicleandtrack,thesystemalsolowersmaintenancedemands,20 enhancinglong-termoperationalreliability.Theseattributescollectivelyensurea robust,adaptable,andefficientsolutionformoderntransportrequirementsin factoriesandwarehouses.Thesupportplatform,equippedwithatleastoneconveyor,facilitatesefficientload25 transferonandofftheplatformwithoutrequiringexternalhandlingequipment.This designminimizesspatialrequirementsattransferpointsandacceleratesload handlingprocesses.Theconveyor’sversatilityinmanagingdifferentloadtypes enhancesthesystem’sadaptabilitytodiversestorageandtransportapplications. 30 Inanembodiment,thetransportsystemcomprisesavehiclewithafrontsection definedbytheportionofthevehiclecontainingtheatleastonefrontguidewheel, andarearsectiondefinedbytheportionofthevehiclecontainingtheatleasttwo rearwheels,whereinthedrivemechanismislocatedinthefrontsectionandthe supportplatformislocatedintherearsection.35 BE2024 / 5956 6 Locatingthedrivemechanisminthefrontsection,directlyassociatedwiththefront guidewheel,enhancestheefficiencyandstabilityofthevehicle'spropulsion.By placingthedrivemechanismatthepointofengagementwiththemonorailbeam, thesystemachievesmoredirectandpowerfultransmissionofdrivingforce.This reducesenergylossesandensuressmootheraccelerationanddeceleration,allowing5 forhigherspeeds.Additionally,theplacementofthedrivemechanisminthefront sectionallowsforeasieraccessduringmaintenanceoperations.Byisolating propulsioncomponentsfromtheload-handlingsystemsintherearsection, maintenancetaskscanbeperformedmoreefficientlywithoutdisruptingthevehicle's load-carryingfunctionality.10 Therearsectionhousingthesupportplatformcreatesabalancedweightdistribution, improvingstabilityduringtransport,especiallywhennavigatingcurvesorcarrying heavierloads.Withtheloadpositioneddirectlyovertheatleasttworearwheels,the designminimizesvibrationandensuresconsistentstability,enhancingsafetywhen15 transportingsensitiveorunstableloads.Theseparationofthedrivemechanismand loadplatformalsocontributestoamorecompactvehicledesign,optimizingspace usageinstoragesystems.Thisisparticularlybeneficialattransferpoints,where multiplevehiclesmayoperateincloseproximity.20 Furthermore,theplacementofthesupportplatformintherearsectionmaximizes theavailableareaforaccommodatingdiverseloadtypes,supportingefficient integrationwithload-handlingequipmentlikeconveyorsortiltmechanisms.The separationoffunctionsbetweenthefrontandrearsectionsalsoenhances maneuverability,allowingprecisedirectionalcontrolfromthefrontguidewheeland25 thedrivemechanism.Thisdesignmakesthevehicleparticularlyeffectiveintight spacesorcomplextracklayouts,whereprecisionandagilityareessential. Inafurtherembodiment,thetransportsystemcomprisesafrontsectionconfigured aseitheraleft-handedorright-handedmodule,andthisfrontsectionisdetachable30 fromtherearsection. Bydesigningthefrontsectionasaleft-handedorright-handedmodule,thesystem gainsflexibilityinadaptingtodifferenttracklayouts.Forexample,thefrontsection canbetailoredtonavigateclockwiseorcounterclockwiseturns,enhancingthe35 system'sabilitytohandlecomplexloopconfigurationswithvaryingdirectional requirements.Thisadaptabilitymakesthesystemsuitableforawiderangeofstorage BE2024 / 5956 7 andfactorylayouts,accommodatingoperationalneedswithoutrequiringextensive redesigns. Thedetachablenatureofthefrontsectionprovidesadditionalbenefits.Maintenance andservicingofthefrontsection,whichhousescriticalcomponentslikethedrive5 mechanismandfrontguidewheel,canbeconductedindependentlyoftherear section.Thismodulardesignminimizesdowntime,astherearsection,includingthe supportplatform,doesnotneedtobedisassembledorremovedduringfront-section maintenance.Additionally,thismodularitysimplifiesreplacementprocedures;a damagedormalfunctioningfrontsectioncanbeswappedoutwithoutimpactingthe10 functionalityoftherearsection. Theabilitytodetachandconfigurethefrontsectionasleft-orright-handedalso facilitatescost-effectivescalability.Operatorscanstockinterchangeablefront modulestailoredforspecifictrackorientations,enablingrapidadjustmentsto15 changingoperationaldemands.Thismodularapproachsupportsoperational efficiencybyreducingtheneedforspecializedvehiclesfordifferenttracks,thus loweringinventoryandproductioncosts. Inaalternativeorfurtherembodiment,thefrontsectionispivotallyconnectedtothe20 rearsection,enablingittoadjustindependentlytocurvesintheplanartrack.This designallowsthefrontsection,includingthefrontguidewheel,topivotrelativeto therearsection,ensuringsmoothnavigationthroughcurvedsectionsofthetrack whilemaintainingthestabilityoftherearsection.Byisolatingthemotionofthefront section,therearsection,housingthesupportplatformandload,remainsalignedand25 stable,reducingwearonthevehicleandtrack. Inanembodiment,thetransportsystemincludesatleastonefrontguidewheel configuredtorunontopofthebeam,withtheguidemeansfurthercomprisingat leastonesetofstabilizingsidewheelspositionedinaperpendicularorientation30 relativetothefrontguidewheel.Thisconfigurationenhancesstabilitybypreventinglateralmovement,ensuring consistentalignmentwiththebeam,particularlyduringsharpturnsorhigh-speed operation.Thestabilizingsidewheels,byflankingthebeam,counterbalancelateral35 forcesthatcouldcausethevehicletotiltorshift,reducingtheriskofderailmentand improvingoperationalreliability.Theirpositioningperpendiculartothefrontguide BE2024 / 5956 8 wheeldistributesmechanicalstressesmoreevenlyacrossthebeamandwheels, minimizingwearandextendingthelifespanofbothcomponents. Thesidewheelsfurthercontributetosmoothandquietoperationbyreducing vibrationscausedbyunevenforcesduringmovement.Thisdesignminimizesnoise5 levels,makingthesystemidealfornoise-sensitiveenvironmentssuchasindoor warehousesorfactories.Theirabilitytomaintainprecisealignmentensuresthe vehiclecannavigatecomplextracklayoutswithsharpturnsorvariableorientations effectively,supportingfacilitieswithdynamicandhigh-densitydesigns.By maintainingconsistentengagementwiththebeam,thesidewheelsalsoreducethe10 riskofcollisionswithadjacentvehiclesorpersonnel,enhancingoverallsafety. Additionally,thisstabilizationoptimizestheenergyefficiencyofthepropulsion system.Withlesseffortrequiredtocorrectdeviations,thevehicleconsumesless energyduringoperation,whichisparticularlybeneficialinhigh-throughput15 environments.Thecombinationofthefrontguidewheelrunningontopofthebeam andthestabilizingsidewheelsflankingitensuresthatthesystemoperatesreliably athighspeedswhilemaintainingdurabilityandadaptabilityfordemandinglogistical applications. 20 Inafurtherembodiment,thetransportsystemcomprisesatleasttwosetsof stabilizingsidewheels,wherethefirstsetflanksthefrontguidewheelandthesecond setispositionedbetweenthetworearwheels.Thisconfigurationfurtherenhances stabilitybydistributinglateralforcesalongboththefrontandrearsectionsofthe vehicle.Thefirstsetimprovesdirectionalcontrolatthefront,reducingderailment25 risksduringsharpturnsorhigh-speedoperation,whilethesecondsetprovides additionalsupportfortheload-carryingrearsection,ensuringstabilityevenwith heavyorunevenloads. Inanembodiment,theaplanartrackisconfiguredasaloop.Thecontinuouspath30 ensuresefficientcirculationofloadswithoutinterruptionsorbacktracking,allowing multiplevehiclestooperatesimultaneously.Thismaximizesthroughputby dynamicallyallocatingvehiclestospecifictasksorsectionsbasedonreal-time demands,reducingidletimeandimprovingworkflow. 35 Theredundancyinherentinaloopdesignfurtherensuresreliableoperation;ifone vehiclerequiresmaintenanceorrepair,otherscancontinueseamlesslyonthetrack, BE2024 / 5956 9 preventingsystem-widedisruptions.Thesefeaturescollectivelymakethelooptrack highlyefficient,adaptable,androbustfordynamicanddemandinglogistical applications.Inanembodiment,thetransportsystemfeaturesabeamwithbarcodesalongits5 lengthandavehicleequippedwithabarcodereaderconfiguredtoreadthese barcodesasthefrontguidewheelengageswiththebeam,witheachbarcode containingpositionaldatacorrespondingtoaspecificpositionontheplanartrack. Thebarcodesystemoffersapreciseandreliablemethodforpositionaltracking,10 ensuringaccuratereal-timeupdatesonthevehicle'slocationasitmovesalongthe track.Thishighlevelofaccuracynotonlyoptimizesroutingandtaskallocationbut alsoenhancesthesafetyofthetransportsystem.Byprovidingprecisepositional data,thesystemcanensurethatvehiclesmaintainsafedistancesfromoneanother andfrompersonnel,reducingtheriskofcollisionsormisalignments,allowingfor15 high-speedandhigh-throughputoperation. Additionally,theuseofbarcodesisacost-effectivesolution,eliminatingtheneedfor complexorexpensivetrackingmechanismswhilemaintainingrobustperformance.Theeaseofinstallationaddsfurtherpracticality,asself-adhesivebarcodestripscan20 bestraightforwardlyattachedtothebeamandexpandedalongsidenewtrack sections,makingthesystemhighlyscalableandadaptabletoevolvingoperational needs.Maintenanceisalsosimplified,asdamagedbarcodestripscanbeeasily replaced,minimizingdowntime. 25 Inafurtherembodiment,thetransportsystemincludesabarcodereaderwitha scanningwindowatleast50%,andpreferably100%,largerthanthebarcodesurface area.Thislargerscanningwindowensuresreliablepositionaltracking,evenif barcodesarepartiallyobstructed,misaligned,ordamaged,reducingmissedreadings andensuringuninterruptedoperation.Itsimplifiesinstallationbytoleratingminor30 placementerrorsandlowersmaintenancedemandsbyremainingfunctionaldespite wearordebris.Theenhancedreliabilitydirectlyimprovessafety,maintaining accuratevehiclepositioningandproperspacingtopreventcollisionsindynamic environments.35 Inanalternativeorfurtherembodiment,thebarcodescontainredundantpositional data,witheachpositionencodedinoverlappingoradjacentbarcodes.This BE2024 / 5956 10 redundancyensuresaccuratepositionaltrackingevenifsomebarcodesaredamaged orobstructed,maintaininguninterruptedoperation.Itenhancessafetybyproviding consistentdataforvehiclespacingandcollisionavoidancewhilereducingtheurgency forimmediatemaintenance. 5 Inanembodiment,theplanartrackincludesmultipleexpansionjoints,isentirely detachedfromthesupportingsurface,andthepointsofcontactbetweentheplanar trackandthesupportingsurfacepreferablyincludeaflexiblelayer.Expansionjoints accommodatethermalexpansionandcontraction,preventingstressand misalignmentinthetrackovertime.Detachingthetrackfromthesupportingsurface10 furtherminimizesstressanddeformation,ensuringlong-termstructuralintegrity. Theflexiblelayeratcontactpointsisolatesthetrackfromsurfacevibrations,enabling smoothervehicleoperationandreducingwearonboththetrackandvehicles.Additionally,theflexiblelayercompensatesforminorirregularitiesinthesupporting15 surface,simplifyinginstallationbyreducingtheneedforpreciseleveling.Together, thesefeaturesensurearobust,reliable,andlow-maintenancetransportsystem capableofmaintainingperformanceundervaryingenvironmentalandoperational conditions. 20 Inanembodiment,theplanartrackincludesapowerrailalongitslength,andthe vehicleisequippedwithapowercollectorconfiguredtoengagewiththepowerrail whenthefrontwheelengageswiththebeam.Thepowercollectorcanbeconfigured ineitheraleft-handedorright-handedconfiguration. 25 Thisdesignensuresacontinuouspowersupplytothevehicle,enablinguninterrupted operationalongthetrack.Theengagementofthepowercollectorwiththerailatthe frontensuresefficientenergytransferatthepointofpropulsion,enhancing operationalreliability.Theleft-orright-handedconfigurabilityofthepowercollector providesflexibility,allowingthesystemtoadapttovarioustracklayouts,including30 clockwiseandcounterclockwiseloopsorsectionswithuniquespatialconstraints. Byeliminatingtheneedforonboardbatteriesorexternalchargingstations,thepower railreducesthevehicle'sweightandcomplexity,resultinginimprovedenergy efficiencyandeasiermaintenance.Thisdirectpowerdeliverysystemalsosupports35 high-speedoperation,astherearenointerruptionsinenergyflow,andensures consistentperformanceeveninhigh-throughputenvironments.Thesefeatures BE2024 / 5956 11 collectivelyenhancethescalability,adaptability,andefficiencyofthetransport systemwhilemaintainingrobustandreliableoperation. Inanembodiment,theplanartrackincludesaWi-Ficableextendingalongitslength, andthevehicleisequippedwithawirelessantennapositionedadjacenttothebeam5 whenthefrontguidewheelengageswithit.Thewirelessantennaisconfiguredto communicatewiththeWi-Ficable.Inanembodiment,theplanartrackincludesaWi-Ficableextendingalongitslength, andthevehicleisequippedwithawirelessantennapositionedadjacenttothebeam10 whenthefrontguidewheelengageswithit.Thewirelessantennaisconfiguredto communicatewiththeWi-Ficable.Theproximityofthewirelessantennatothebeam minimizesinterferencefromothernetworksorequipment,ensuringstable communicationandoperationinfacilitieswithoverlappingwirelesssystems. 15 Inanembodiment,thetransportsystemincludesasegmentoftheplanartrack configuredasanexchanger,comprisingapivotpointlocatedatapointalongthe segment,anactuatorconfiguredtorotatethesegmentrelativetothepivotpoint withintheplaneoftheplanartrackbetweenajoinedconfiguration,inwhichthe segmentisjoinedwiththeplanartrack,andadisjoinedconfiguration,inwhichthe20 segmentisdisjoinedfromtheplanartrackandjoinedwithanexchangetrack.Thisconfigurationenablestheexchangertoprovideefficientredirectionofvehicles betweentheplanartrackandtheexchangetrack,allowingoperationssuchas maintenanceoralternateroutingwithoutdisruptingthemaintrack.Thesegment’s25 abilitytoalternatebetweenconfigurationsenhancesthescalabilityofthetransport systembyenablingtheintegrationofadditionalexchangetrackstomeetchanging operationalneeds.Additionally,thepivotingcapabilityoftheactuatorfacilitates flexiblerouting,optimizingtaskallocationandvehiclemovementwithinthesystem. Furthermore,theexchangerallowsvehiclestobebroughtinandoutofreserveby30 linkingtoatrackcomprisingstandbyvehicles.Thisallowsforflexibleadjustmentsin accordancewithfluctuatingdemandandfastvehiclereplacementincaseoftechnical issues. Inasecondaspecttheinventionpertainstotheuseofthetransportsystemaccording35 toclaim1to14,fortransportingloadsinawarehouseorfactory.Thesystem’s flexibility,scalability,andabilitytohandlecomplexlayoutsmakeitidealfor BE2024 / 5956 12 transportingdiverseloads,suchaspallets,totes,orcartons,acrossvarious operationalzonesinwarehousesandfactories.Featureslikedynamicrouting,high- speedoperation,andcontinuouscommunicationensureefficientworkflows, minimizingbottlenecksandoptimizingload-handlingprocesses.Thetransport system’srobustness,duetoitstricycle-likedesign,wheretherearsectionis5 stabilizedbyatleasttwowheels,combinedwiththefrontguidewheelengagingwith abeamactingasamonorail,isparticularlycriticalinwarehouseandfactory environments,wherehighthroughputandcontinuousoperationinareessential. Theinventionisfurtherdescribedbythefollowingnon-limitingexampleswhich10 furtherillustratetheinvention,andarenotintendedto,norshouldtheybe interpretedto,limitthescopeoftheinvention. EXAMPLESAND / ORDESCRIPTIONOFFIGURES 15 Fig.1and2showrespectivelyasideandfrontviewofthevehicleontheplanartrack (1).Thefixedplanartrack(1)comprisesabeam(5)thatservesasaguideforthe vehicle.Thevehiclecomprisestworearwheels(7)andonefrontguidewheel(6). Thebeam(5)ispositionedabovethesupportingsurface(16)thatsupportstherear wheels(7),andthefrontguidewheel(6)isthereforepositionedhigherthanthetwo20 rearwheels(7).Here,theheightdifferencebetweentherearwheels(7)andthe frontguidewheel(6)correspondstotheheightofthebeam(5)relativetothe supportingsurface(16),sothatthesupportplatform(3)islevel.Thebeam(5)has arectangular-shapedcross-section,andthefrontguidewheel(6)isconfiguredto runontopoftheflatsurfaceofthebeam(5).Thefrontguidewheel(6)ispositioned25 centrallyrelativetothewidthofthevehiclesothatthevehicleextendssideways fromtheplanartrack(1)substantiallyequallyonbothsides.However,dependingon thespecificsofthestoragesystem,anpossiblythedirectionofmotionofthevehicle, thesupportplatform(3)mayextentasymmetricallytoeithersideoftheplanartrack (1).30 Thesupportingsurface(16)cantakedifferentformsdependingontheapplication.Inonecase,thesupportingsurface(16)isafloor,whereboththeplanartrack(1) andtherearwheelsofthevehiclearesupportedbythesamesurface. 35 Alternatively,inamulti-levelstoragesystem,thesupportingsurfacemaybea platformatahigherlevel.Inthisconfiguration,thesurfacesupportingtheplanar BE2024 / 5956 13 track(1)andthesurfacesupportingtherearwheelscaneitherbethesamesurface ortwoseparatesupportingstructures,dependingonthedesignofthesystem.This flexibilityallowsthetransportsystemtoadapttovariousstoragesetups,including single-levelandmulti-levelenvironments. Thevehicleisoptimizedforcompactnesssothatitisapplicableinbothopenand5 confinedspaces. Thebeam(5)maybecoveredwithahigh-frictionsurfacelayer,suchasrubberized orelastomericcoatings,toensuregrippyinteractionwiththefrontguidewheel(6). Alternatively,theflatsurfaceofthebeam(5)mayincludeembeddedorintegrated10 traction-enhancingfeatures,suchasgrooves,ridges,orabrasivefinishes,which increasefrictionbetweenthefrontguidewheel(6)andthebeam(5)during operation.Thefrontguidewheel(6)mayalsoincludeatreadedortexturedsurface,suchas15 rubber-coatedwheelswithapatternedgrip,tofurtherimprovetraction.Thefront guidewheel(6)maybespring-mountedorincludeadampingmechanismthat ensuresconsistentcontactpressurewiththebeam(5),compensatingforvariations inthebeam's(5)surfaceordynamicforcesduringmovement. 20 Thebeam(5)mayfeaturelateralgroovesalongitsedges,andthefrontguidewheel (6)mayincludematchingridgesorribsdesignedtointerlockwiththebeam's(5) grooves. Thevehicleisdividedintoafrontsection(14)andarearsection(15),asindicated25 inFig.1.Thefrontsection(14)comprisesthedrivemechanism(2),whichismounted atthefrontofthevehicle,abovethefrontguidewheel(6).Therearsection(15) comprisesasupportplatform(3),ontowhichaconveyor(4)ismounted.Thefront section(14)andtherearsection(15)arepivotablyconnected,toallowforthetwo sectionstoindependentlyadjustincorrespondencewiththecurvatureoftheplanar30 track(1).Thisconnectioncomprisesaconnectingsegment(17).Thewidthofthe connectingsegment(17)isconfiguredtorealizeenoughdistancebetweenthefront section(14)andtherearsection(15)toallowforfreepivotalmotioninaccordance withthecurvatureoftheplanartrack(1). 35 Thesupportplatform(3)mightcomprisemultipleconveyors(4).Theseconveyors (4)maybeorientatedparalleltoeachotherandextendalongalengthofthesupport BE2024 / 5956 14 platform(3),asmoreclearlyshowninFig.11,whichillustratesatopviewofthe vehicle.Multipleconveyorsmayalsobepositionedinparallelrowsofapluralityof sequentiallypositionedconveyorsthatextendalongthelengthofthesupport platform(3)tobothsidesofthevehicle,whereinsequentiallypositionedconveyors operateinseries.Theconveyors(4)maybechainconveyors,whicharewell-suited5 forhandlinglargeandheavyitemsduetotheirdurabilityandgrippingability,orbelt conveyors,whichprovideasmoothsurfaceforthemovementofsmallerormore fragileloads.Themultipleconveyors(4)maybepoweredindependentlyor synchronizedtoensureseamlessmaterialflow,withcontrolsystemsintegratedinto thevehicleforpreciseloadhandling.10 Alternatively,thesupportplatform(3)mightcompriseasingleconveyorplatform thatcoversasubstantialportionofthesurfaceofthevehicle.Forexample,aroller conveyor(31)couldbeused,asshowninFig.3,wherecylindricalrollersspanthe widthoftheplatform,allowingforminimalfrictionandefficientloadmovement.Such15 aconfigurationisidealforsystemswhereloadsneedtobemanuallyormechanically pushedorpulledacrosstheplatform.Therollerconveyor(31)maycomprisealock thatpreventstherollersfromrotating.Thislockcanbeactivatedwhenthevehicle isinmotiontopreventunintendedmovementoftheloadduringturnsoracceleration. Aslatconveyor,featuringinterlinkedslatsformingadurablesurface,couldalsobe20 employedfortransportingheavyorunevenlyshapedloads,providinggreatersupport andreducingtheriskofloadstippingover.Theconveyorsystem(4)mayalsoinclude sideextensionsoradjustablesectionstoincreasetheloadingareawhenrequired. Thesupportplatform(3)maycompriseamodularplatform,suchasarollerconveyor25 (31)positionedonopofmultiplechainorbeltconveyors(41),asshowninFig.4. Themodularplatformcaneasilybetransferredonoroffthesupportingplatform(3) bymeansofthemultiplechainorbeltconveyors(41).Thismodularplatformmay alsobeabeltorslatconveyor,butitmayalsobeatiltableplatform,telescopicfork platform,rotatableplatform,vacuumorsuctionplatform,magneticplatform30 clamping,oragrippingplatform.Thechainorbeltconveyors(41)maybeconfigured toextendthemodularplatformtoasideofthevehicle. Fig.9showsthevehiclewithatiltableplatform.Onesideofthevehiclecomprisesa camshaft,orientatedinparallelwiththesideofthesupportplatform(3).Whenthe35 camshaftrotatesarounditsaxis(92),anupwardmotionistransferredtothesupport platform(3)viaanactuator(93),pushingthesupportingplatform(3)upward,as BE2024 / 5956 15 indicatedbythearrow(94),causingthesupportingplatform(3)totilt.Thissystem maybeemployedtotransfergoodsontoanadjacentconveyor(95),borderingthe planartrack(1).Morethanonesideofthevehiclemaybetiltablebymeansofthe describedsystem,orbymeansofanalternativesystem,allowingfortransferring loadsoffthevehicletodifferentsidesbymeansofgravity.5 ThevehicleshowninFig.1furtherincludeshingableguardrails(13)providedontop ofthesupportplatform'sframe(3).Thesehangableguardrails(13)are automaticallyhingabletoallowforloadstobetransferredonoroffthesupport platform(3).Thehingableguardrails(13)areconfiguredtoadjusttheirpositionto10 anopenorclosedpositionduringloadingandunloadingoperations.Adjustingtoan openpositionmaycomprisefoldingdownormovingasideautomaticallytoallow unobstructedaccesstothesupportplatform(3)forloadingorunloading.Oncethe loadingorunloadingprocessiscomplete,theguardrails(13)returntotheirupright positiontosecuretheloadduringtransport.Thisautomationensuresthattheguard15 rails(13)adaptdynamicallytooperationalrequirementswithoutrequiringmanual adjustment,enhancingefficiencyandsafety. Thesupportplatform(3)mayalsocomprisefixedguardrails(32)borderingthe conveyingdirectiontopreventtransferredloadsfromfallingoffthevehicleonthe20 wrongside.ThisisshowninanembodimentillustratedinFig.3and4,wherethe rollerconveyor(31)isborderedbyfixedguardrails(32). Additionally,theconveyors(4)andhangableguardrails(13)areautomatedto cooperateduringoperation.Thevehicle'scontrolsystemsynchronizesthemovement25 oftheconveyors(4)withthehingingmotionoftheguardrails(13).Forinstance, whenaloadreachestheedgeofthesupportplatform(3)duringunloading,the correspondingsectionoftheguardrails(13)automaticallyfoldsdowntoprovidean unobstructedpathfortheloadtoexittheplatform(3).Similarly,duringloading,the hangableguardrails(13)adjustinreal-timetocreatesufficientclearanceforthe30 incomingload.Sensorsintegratedintotheconveyorsystem(4)andhangableguard rails(13)detectthepositionandmovementoftheload,enablingprecisetimingand coordinationbetweenthetwosystems. Theconveyor(4)mayalsofeaturesensorstomonitorthepositioningandmovement35 ofloads.Thesesensors,integratedatkeypointsalongtheconveyor(4),detectwhen aloadisapproachingthehangableguardrails(13),promptingtheguardrails(13) BE2024 / 5956 16 toadjustautomatically.Additionally,theconveyors(4)mayoperateatadjustable speeds,allowingthesystemtoadapttovaryingloadtypesandoperationaldemands. Forexample,theconveyorspeedmayslowdownwhenhandlingfragileloadsto minimizetheriskofdamage,whiletheguardrails(13)movesmoothlyandin synchronizationtoaccommodatetheload.5 Thesupportplatform(3)andhingableguardrails(13)mayincluderedundantsafety mechanismstopreventaccidentaldisplacementoftheload.Forexample,thesystem maylocktheguardrails(13)inplaceoncethevehicleisinmotion,ensuringthat theyremainuprightandsecureduringtransport.Thesynchronizedoperationofthe10 conveyors(4)andguardrails(13)ensuresefficientandsafehandlingofloads,while theirautomatedfunctionalityreducestheneedformanualintervention,makingthe systemwell-suitedforhigh-speedandhigh-precisionmaterialhandlingapplications. Thevehiclemaycomprisesstabilizingguidewheels(8),asshowninFig.1to4.These15 stabilizingguidewheels(8)arelocatedunderthevehicle,ataheightjustbelowthe frontguidewheel(6),andareperpendicularlyorientatedrelativetothefrontguide wheel(6),sothattheyengagewithbothsidesofthebeam(5)whenthefrontguide wheel(6)engageswiththetopofthebeam(5).Thevehiclecomprisestwosetsof fourstabilizingguidewheels(8),whereineachsetcomprisestwostabilizingguide20 wheels(8)oneitherside.Onesetispositionedadjacenttothefrontguidewheel(6), andonesetispositionedinbetweentherearwheels(7),asshowninFig.5 illustratingabottomviewofthevehicle. Fig.6illustratesacross-sectionoftheplanartrack(1).Thebeam(5)issecurely25 mountedtoatrackframe(62),whichinturnisaffixedtoabase(63).Positioned betweenthebase(63)andasupportingsurface(16)isanelastomericlayer(64). Notably,thereisnofixedconnectionbetweentheelastomericlayer(64)andthe supportingsurface(16),allowingforslightmovementtoaccommodatethermal expansionorstructuralshifts.30 Apowerrail(9)ismountedalongthesideofthetrackframe(62),extending continuouslyalongthelengthofthetrack,asmoreclearlyshowninFig.7.Thepower collector(10),locatedontheundersideofthevehicleandadjacenttothebeam(5) whenthefrontguidewheel(6)engageswiththebeam(5),maintainsconsistent35 contactwiththepowerrail(9)tosupplyelectricitytothedrivemechanism(2)and auxiliarysystems,asshowninFig.1andmoreclearlyinFig.8.Toensurereliable BE2024 / 5956 17 anduninterruptedpowertransfer,thepowercollector(10)maybespring-loadedand designedtoadapttominormisalignments.Possibly,redundantpowercollectors(10) maybeincludedtofurtherenhanceoperationalreliabilityandminimizetheriskof powerinterruptions. 5 Acommunicationsystemisequippedwithmultiplecomponentstoensuredata exchangeandprecisevehiclepositioning.AWi-Ficable(11)runsparalleltothe powerrail(9),asillustratedinFig.7and8.Anantenna(12)ismountedonthe vehiclebeneaththefrontguidewheel(6).Whenthefrontwheelguide(6)engages withthetopofthebeam,theantennaisadjacenttothetrackframe(62)and10 optimallyalignedwiththeWi-Ficable(11),asdepictedinFig.8,ensuringconsistent andreliabledatatransmission. Abarcodeadhesivestrip(61)isaffixedtothesideofthebeam(5)alongthelength oftheplanartrack(1),asshowninFig.6and7.Thebarcodesonthisstrip(61)15 encodepositionalinformationcorrespondingtospecificlocationsalongtheplanar track(1).Thevehicleisequippedwithabarcodereader,mountedbeneaththe vehicletoalignwiththebarcodeadhesivestrip(61)onthebeam(5)whenthefront guidewheel(6)engageswiththebeam(5).Thisalignmentensuresthatthebarcode readermaintainsaclearandunobstructedviewofthebarcodesontheadhesivestrip20 (61)throughoutthevehicle'smotion,allowingforprecisescanningandaccuratereal- timepositionaldataacquisition. Theplanartrack(1)canbealinear,asshowninFig.10,whereatopviewofthe planartrack(1)andtwovehicles(100)isillustrated.Onthelinearplanartrack(1)25 multiplevehicles(100)canbeactivewithpickingupanddroppingloadsoffatdrop- offandpick-uplocations(101).Twoouterendsofthelinearplanartrack(1)maybe reservedforamaintenancearea(102)forthevehicles(100).Thesemaintenance areasmaybeseparatedfromthemaintrackbyagate(103). 30 Alternatively,theplanartrack(1)maybeconfiguredasaloop,asillustratedinFig. 12.Alongtheloop,multipledrop-offandpick-uplocations(101)canbepositioned onbothsidesofthetrack.Oneormorevehiclescanoperatesimultaneouslyona singlelooptrack,witheachvehicleequippedwithasupportplatform(3)specifically designedtointeractseamlesslywiththedrop-offandpick-uplocations(101).35 BE2024 / 5956 18 Theplanartrack(1)mayincludeanexchanger(104)fortransferringavehicle(100) toanotherplanartrack(1).Thisexchanger(104)isasegmentoftheplanartrack (1)thatcanberotatedrelativetoapivotpoint(105)toconnecttwootherwise unconnectedplanartracks.ThisfunctionalityisillustratedinFig.13and14.Fig.13 providesatopviewoftheexchanger(104)andshowsitsrotationalmovement,with5 arrow(106)indicatingthedirectionofrotation.Toensureprecisealignmentand preventexcessiverotation,twostops(107)areincorporated,whichlimittherotation oftheexchanger(104)andfacilitateitsjunctionwiththeotherplanartrack. Fig.14offersasideviewoftheexchanger(104)inthecontextofafirstplanartrack10 (A)andasecondplanartrack(B).Theexchanger(104)canrotatetoeitherjoinor disengagefromthesetracks.Thelengthoftheexchanger(104)isdesignedtobeat leastequaltothelengthofavehicle(100),allowingthevehicletobefullypositioned ontheexchanger(104)whileittransitionsfromoneplanartrack(A)toanother(B).Thisdesignensuressmoothandefficientvehicletransferbetweenthetracks.15 Theplanertrack(1)canbeusedinawarehouseorfactory,andcanbeplacedonthe floororhigherup,integratedinamulti-levelstoragesystem. Thepresentinventionisinnowaylimitedtotheembodimentsdescribedinthe20 examplesand / orshowninth.