Rail trolley system

Abstract

The present invention provides a rail trolley system. The rail trolley system (1) is a rail trolley system (1) having a descending track (T21) for connecting floors with a height difference and moving a traveling trolley (6) downward. The descending track (T21) of the rail trolley system (1) is configured in a spiral shape and has a track (4) forming a first section (71) that generates energy when a brake (53) provided on the traveling trolley (6) is actuated; and a track (4) forming a second section (72) that consumes the energy generated when traveling in the first section (71).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a rail-mounted trolley system. Background Art

[0002] There is a known system that uses a traveling vehicle that can move along a traveling track to transport articles such as a FOUP (Front Opening Unified Pod) storing a plurality of semiconductor wafers, a container storing a glass substrate, a reticle container, and general parts. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rail-mounted vehicle system that uses an elevator with a lifting function when transporting articles between multiple layers of tracks laid in the height direction.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-261145

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional rail-mounted trolley system having an elevator with a lifting function, there are problems such as a heavy maintenance burden on the elevator and congestion of the traveling trolley on the upstream side of the elevator. Therefore, a solution is considered to directly connect floors with a height difference by rails. However, a slope needs to be set on such a track, and the brakes of the traveling trolley descending on the slope need to be properly operated. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a rail-guided vehicle system capable of appropriately operating the brakes of a traveling vehicle on a descending track connecting floors having a height difference.

[0006] A rail trolley system according to one aspect of the present invention is a rail trolley system having a descending track for connecting floors having a height difference and moving a traveling trolley downward, wherein the descending track is configured in a spiral shape and has a first section of track for generating heat energy or electrical energy converted from kinetic energy by actuating a brake provided on the traveling trolley, and a second section of track for releasing heat energy generated in the first section or consuming electrical energy generated in the first section.

[0007] The term "releasing heat energy" as used herein includes a state where the released heat energy is greater than the supplied heat energy. The term "consuming electric energy" as used herein includes a state where the consumed electric energy is greater than the supplied electric energy.

[0008] In the rail trolley system of this structure, by configuring the down track in a spiral shape, it is possible to adjust the slope to be appropriate (capable of controlling the speed of the traveling trolley) for the traveling trolley on the down track, and the down track can be formed in a compact plane space. In addition, the down track is not only provided with a track for forming a first section that generates heat energy or electric energy converted from kinetic energy when the brake is actuated, but also provided with a track for forming a second section that releases the heat energy generated in the first section or consumes the electric energy generated in the first section. Thus, the heat energy or electric energy generated in the first section can be released or consumed in the second section, so that the occurrence of adverse conditions of the brake caused by overcharging or heating can be prevented. As a result, in the down track connecting the layers with a height difference, the brake of the traveling trolley can be properly actuated.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the traveling vehicle may also have: a regenerative brake serving as a brake, and a battery that stores the electric energy generated in the regenerative brake or a resistor that converts the electric energy generated in the regenerative brake into thermal energy. The first section may also be a section in which the electric energy is converted into thermal energy in the resistor or a section in which the electric energy is stored in the battery. The second section may also be a section in which the heat energy converted in the resistor is released or a section in which the electric energy stored in the battery is consumed.

[0010] In the rail-guided vehicle system of this structure, the descending track is provided with not only a first section of track for generating heat energy or electric energy converted from kinetic energy when the regenerative brake is actuated, but also a second section of track for releasing the heat energy generated in the first section or consuming the electric energy generated in the first section. As a result, the heat energy or electric energy generated in the first section can be released or consumed in the second section, so that, for example, regenerative failure caused by excessive heating of the resistor or malfunction of the regenerative brake caused by damage, etc. can be prevented, for example, regenerative failure caused by overcharging of the battery or malfunction of the regenerative brake caused by reduced battery life can be prevented. As a result, in the descending track connecting the layers with a height difference, the regenerative brake of the traveling vehicle can be properly actuated.

[0011] In the rail-guided vehicle system of one aspect of the present invention, the track forming the second section may also extend in the horizontal direction. In this structure, the second section for releasing heat energy generated when traveling in the first section or consuming electric energy can be formed with a simple structure. In addition, in such a horizontal section, the traveling vehicle can load articles on the loading portion from various directions.

[0012] In the rail-guided vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, a branching portion and / or a merging portion may be provided in the second section. In this structure, downward movement to multiple floors can be easily performed.

[0013] In a rail vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, the downward slope of the track forming the first section may be greater than the downward slope of the track forming the second section. The slope of the second section as a comparison object of the first section also includes a case where it extends in the horizontal direction, that is, a case where the slope is 0. In this structure, the second section that consumes the energy generated when traveling in the first section can be formed with a simple structure.

[0014] In the rail-guided vehicle system according to one aspect of the present invention, in a top view viewed from above in the vertical direction, the down track may include a track forming a straight section arranged substantially parallel to each other, and a track forming a curved section provided at the end of the track forming the straight section. In this structure, the down track can be easily installed in a narrow and long space such as between buildings.

[0015] In one aspect of the present invention, the rail-guided vehicle system may further include an upward rail for connecting floors with a height difference and moving the traveling vehicle upward, and the upward rail may be configured to overlap with the downward rail in a top view viewed from above in a vertical direction. In this structure, the upward rail and the downward rail can be integrally provided in a narrow space such as between buildings.

[0016] In one aspect of the rail-guided vehicle system of the present invention, the descending track and the ascending track may also have a section extending radially from the spiral center of the descending track and the ascending track configured in a spiral shape. In this structure, the length of the descending track and the ascending track can be adjusted, and the height interval between the descending track and the ascending track can be increased.

[0017] In the rail-guided vehicle system of one aspect of the present invention, a pedal for an operator to perform maintenance may be provided in an area surrounded by the spirally arranged descending rail. In this structure, space can be effectively utilized and maintenance work on the descending rail can be easily performed.

[0018] According to one aspect of the present invention, the brake of the traveling vehicle can be appropriately operated on the descending rail connecting floors having a height difference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic front view of a traveling vehicle used in a rail-guided vehicle system according to an embodiment, as viewed from the traveling direction.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a simplified configuration diagram for when a rail-mounted trolley system is used for transportation between buildings.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the down track and up track of the rail-guided vehicle system.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the down rail and the up rail of Modification Example 1.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing the down rail and the up rail of Modification Example 2.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the down track and the up track of Modification Example 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of one aspect of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the rail-guided vehicle system 1 uses a traveling vehicle 6 that can move along a traveling track (track) 4 between the loading sections 9 and 9 (see Figure 2 ) is a system for transporting articles 10. Articles 10 include, for example, FOUPs (Front Opening Unified Pods) for storing a plurality of semiconductor wafers, containers for storing glass substrates, reticle containers, and general components. The rail-mounted vehicle system 1 includes a plurality of traveling vehicles 6, travel rails 4, and a plurality of loading units 9.

[0027] The traveling trolley 6 travels on the traveling rail 4 to transport the article 10. The traveling trolley 6 is configured to be able to transfer the article 10. The traveling trolley 6 is a bridge-type unmanned traveling vehicle. The number of traveling trolleys 6 provided in the rail-guided trolley system 1 is not particularly limited, and there are a plurality of traveling trolleys 6. The traveling trolley 6 includes a main body 7, a traveling part 50, and a control part 35. The main body 7 includes a main frame 22, a lateral conveying part 24, a θ driver 26, a lifting drive part 28, a lifting platform 30, and a cover 33.

[0028] The main frame 22 is connected to the travel section 50, and supports the transverse conveying section 24, the θ driver 26, the lifting drive section 28, the lifting platform 30, and the cover 33. The transverse conveying section 24 transports the θ driver 26, the lifting drive section 28, and the lifting platform 30 together in a direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the travel rail 4. The θ driver 26 rotates at least one of the lifting drive section 28 and the lifting platform 30 within a predetermined angle range in a horizontal plane. The lifting drive section 28 raises and lowers the lifting platform 30 by winding or releasing a hanging member such as a wire, a rope, or a belt. A chuck is provided on the lifting platform 30, which can hold or release the article 10. For example, a pair of covers 33 are provided in front and behind the travel direction of the travel trolley 6. The cover 33 retracts and retracts claws, etc., not shown, to prevent the article 10 from falling during transportation.

[0029] The travel unit 50 allows the travel vehicle 6 to travel along the travel rail 4. The travel unit 50 mainly includes travel rollers 51, side rollers 52, a regenerative brake (brake) 53, a resistor 54, a power supply core 57, and an LDM (Linear DC Motor) 59.

[0030] The travel roller 51 rolls on the lower surface portion 40B of the travel rail 4. The travel roller 51 is arranged at both ends of the travel portion 50, front and rear, left and right. The side rollers 52 are provided so as to be able to contact the side surface portion 40C of the travel rail 4. The regenerative brake 53 is a device for braking the travel vehicle 6 by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy, and is composed of, for example, the control unit 35 for controlling the LDM 59 and a driver not shown. The resistor 54 converts the electrical energy generated by the regenerative brake 53 into heat energy and releases it into the atmosphere.

[0031] The power supply core 57 is arranged to sandwich the LDM59 in the left-right direction before and after the travel section 50. The power supply core 57 performs non-contact power supply with the power supply unit 40E arranged on the travel track 4, and performs non-contact transmission and reception of various signals. The power supply core 57 exchanges signals with the control unit 35. The LDM59 is arranged before and after the travel section 50. The electromagnet provided in the LDM59 generates a magnetic force for accelerating or braking the travel vehicle 6 between the electromagnet and the magnetic plate 40F arranged on the upper surface of the travel track 4.

[0032] The travel rail 4 is a predetermined travel path for the travel vehicle 6 to travel. The travel rail 4 has a cylindrical rail body 40 composed of a pair of lower surface portions 40B, 40B, a pair of side portions 40C, 40C and a top surface portion 40D; a power supply portion 40E; and a magnetic plate 40F. The rail body 40 accommodates (encloses) the travel portion 50 of the travel vehicle 6. The lower surface portion 40B extends in the travel direction of the travel vehicle 6 and constitutes the lower surface of the rail body 40. The lower surface portion 40B is a plate-shaped member that allows the travel rollers 51 of the travel vehicle 6 to roll and travel. The side portion 40C extends in the travel direction of the travel vehicle 6 and constitutes the side of the rail body 40. The side portion 40C is a plate-shaped member that allows the side rollers 52 of the travel vehicle 6 to roll. The top surface portion 40D extends in the travel direction of the travel vehicle 6 and constitutes the upper surface of the rail body 40.

[0033] The power supply unit 40E supplies power to the power supply core 57 of the traveling vehicle 6 and transmits and receives signals with the power supply core 57. The power supply unit 40E is fixed to each of the pair of side portions 40C and 40C and extends along the traveling direction. The power supply unit 40E supplies power to the power supply core 57 in a non-contact state. The magnetic plate 40F causes the LDM 59 of the traveling vehicle 6 to generate a magnetic force for traveling or stopping. The magnetic plate 40F is fixed to the top surface portion 40D and extends along the traveling direction.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the travel track 4 is composed of an in-building transport section T1 disposed on each floor (storey) of the building (the first building B1 and the second building B2), and an inter-building transport section T2 connecting the first building B1 and the second building B2. In the in-building transport section T1, the travel track 4 is, for example, laid above the head space of the operator, that is, near the ceiling. The travel track 4 is, for example, suspended and supported by pillars 40A, 40A on the ceiling of the building (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 ).

[0035] The inter-building transport section T2 includes a down rail T21, an up rail T22, and a connecting rail T23. The down rail T21 is provided to connect the floors having a height difference in the vertical direction and to move the travel vehicle 6 downward. The up rail T22 is provided to connect the floors having a height difference in the vertical direction and to move the travel vehicle 6 upward. The down rail T21 and the up rail T22 connect the lowest position where the connecting rail T23 is arranged and the highest position on the highest floor of the first building B1. The connecting rail T23 is provided to connect the positions having no height difference in the vertical direction and to move the travel vehicle 6 horizontally.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the descending track T21 is configured in a spiral shape. Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the down track T21 has: a traveling track 4 that forms a first section 71 for converting the electrical energy generated when the regenerative brake 53 provided on the traveling vehicle 6 is activated into thermal energy in the resistor 54; and a traveling track 4 that forms a second section 72 for releasing the thermal energy converted in the first section 71 from the resistor 54.

[0037] The downward slope of the travel track 4 forming the first section 71 is greater than the downward slope of the travel track 4 forming the second section 72. In the present embodiment, the travel track 4 forming the second section 72 extends in the horizontal direction. In addition, the downward track T21 has a travel track 4 forming a straight section 73 arranged in a substantially parallel manner in a top view observed from above in the vertical direction, and a travel track 4 forming a curved section 74 provided at the end of the travel track 4 forming the straight section 73.

[0038] The upward rail T22 is configured in a spiral shape, and has a travel rail 4 forming a third section 75 with an upward slope, and a travel rail 4 forming a fourth section 76 extending in the horizontal direction. In addition, the upward rail T22 has a travel rail 4 forming a straight section 73 arranged in a substantially parallel manner in a top view viewed from above in the vertical direction, and a travel rail 4 forming a curved section 74 provided at the end of the travel rail 4 forming the straight section 73. The upward rail T22 is configured to overlap with the downward rail T21 in a top view viewed from above in the vertical direction.

[0039] The down rail T21 and the up rail T22 are supported by the frame 81. The frame 81 includes a horizontal frame 81A and a vertical frame 81B. The down rail T21 and the up rail T22 are supported by, for example, a support member 40G (see Figure 1 ) and is supported on the frame 81. The frame 81 is set in an area surrounded by the descending rail T21 and the ascending rail T22 configured in a spiral shape. In addition, a plurality of pedals (stepping platforms) 85 for operators to maintain the traveling trolley 6 or the traveling rail 4 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction on the frame 81. That is, the pedals 85 are arranged in an area surrounded by the descending rail T21 and the ascending rail T22 configured in a spiral shape. A ladder 87 for operators to go up and down is provided between the pedals 85 on the ground and the lowest layer, and between the pedals 85, 85 adjacent to each other.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the loading portion 9 is arranged along the travel track 4 and is set at a position where the article 10 can be delivered to the travel trolley 6. The loading portion 9 includes a buffer zone and a delivery port. The buffer zone is a loading portion for temporarily loading the article 10. The buffer zone is, for example, a loading portion for temporarily placing the article 10 when the article 10 transported by the travel trolley 6 cannot be loaded on the delivery port as the destination due to reasons such as other articles 10 being loaded on the port. The delivery port is, for example, a loading portion for delivering the article 10 to a semiconductor processing device (not shown) represented by a cleaning device, a film forming device, a photolithography device, an etching device, a heat treatment device, and a flattening device. In addition, the processing device is not particularly limited and may be various devices.

[0041] Figure 1The control unit 35 shown is an electronic control unit composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit 35 controls various actions of the traveling vehicle 6. Specifically, the control unit 35 controls the traveling unit 50, the lateral conveying unit 24, the θ driver 26, the lifting drive unit 28, and the lifting platform 30. The control unit 35 can be configured as software that loads the program stored in the ROM onto the RAM and is executed by the CPU. The control unit 35 can also be configured as hardware based on an electronic circuit. The control unit 35 communicates with the controller 90 using the power supply unit 40E (or feeder) of the traveling track 4.

[0042] The control unit 30 of this embodiment is configured to control the traveling vehicle 6 in the first section 71 (see FIG. 1 ) of the downward slope. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 ) when traveling, the regenerative brake 53 is actuated by controlling the driver, etc., and the traveling vehicle 6 is driven at a predetermined safe speed. In addition, the control unit 35 causes the traveling vehicle 6 to travel in the second section 72 (refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 ) when traveling, the regenerative brake 53 is released by controlling the driver, etc., and the LDM 59 is controlled to make the traveling vehicle 6 travel at a predetermined speed. The control unit 35 controls the traveling vehicle 6 in the third section 75 and the fourth section 76 (see Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 ) When traveling, the regenerative brake 53 is released by controlling the driver, etc., and the traveling vehicle 6 is caused to travel at a predetermined speed by controlling the LDM59.

[0043] The controller 90 is an electronic control unit composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The controller 90 can be configured as software that loads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and is executed by the CPU. The controller 90 can also be configured as hardware based on an electronic circuit or the like. The controller 90 sends a conveying instruction to cause the traveling vehicle 6 to convey the article 10.

[0044] The effects of the rail-guided vehicle system 1 according to the above embodiment will be described. Figure 3As shown, in the rail vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, the descending rail T21 is configured in a spiral shape, thereby being able to adjust to an appropriate descending slope for the traveling vehicle 6 to travel on the descending rail T21, and being able to form the descending rail T21 in a compact plane space. In addition, in the descending rail T21 of the rail vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, not only is there provided a traveling rail 4 forming a first section 71 for generating heat energy converted from kinetic energy when the regenerative brake 53 is actuated, but there is also provided a traveling rail 4 forming a second section 72 for releasing the heat energy generated in the first section 71. Thus, the heat energy or electric energy generated in the first section 71 can be released or consumed in the second section 72, so that the occurrence of a malfunction of the regenerative brake 53 caused by regeneration failure or damage due to excessive heating of the resistor 54 can be prevented. As a result, in the descending rail T21 connecting the floors having a height difference, the regenerative brake 53 of the traveling vehicle 6 can be properly actuated.

[0045] In the rail-guided vehicle system 1 of the above-described embodiment, since the travel rails 4 forming the second section 72 extend in the horizontal direction, the second section 72 for releasing the heat energy generated when traveling in the first section 71 can be formed with a simple structure. In addition, in such a horizontal section, the traveling vehicle 6 can load the articles 10 on the loading section 9 from various directions, and can also easily branch and merge.

[0046] In the rail vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, the downward slope of the travel track 4 forming the first section 71 is greater than the downward slope of the travel track forming the second section 72, so the second section 72 that consumes the heat energy generated when traveling in the first section 71 can be formed with a simple structure.

[0047] In the rail vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, the down track T21 has the travel track 4 of the straight section 73 arranged in a substantially parallel manner in the top view viewed from the vertical direction, and the travel track 4 of the curved section 74 provided at the end of the travel track 4 forming the straight section 73. In addition, in the rail vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, the up track T22 is arranged to overlap with the down track T21 in the top view viewed from the vertical direction. In the rail vehicle system 1 having such a structure, the up track and the down track can be integrally provided in a narrow and long space such as between buildings.

[0048] In the rail vehicle system 1 of the above embodiment, a step 85 for maintenance is provided in the area surrounded by the spirally arranged descending rail T21 and ascending rail T22. Thus, space can be effectively utilized and maintenance work on the descending rail T21 and ascending rail T22 can be easily performed.

[0049] Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0050] (Variant 1)

[0051] For example, in the railcar system 1 of the modification 1, Figure 4 As shown, in addition to the structure of the rail vehicle system 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, a branch portion 91 and a merging portion 92 are provided between the above-mentioned lowest position and the above-mentioned highest position. The branch portion 91 is a portion where the main line track branches into a track set on each floor, that is, a branch line track when the down track T21 or the up track T22 is used as the main line track. The merging portion 92 is a portion where the branch line track merges into the main line track when the down track T21 or the up track T22 is used as the main line track. When the first building B1 is composed of multiple floors, the branch portion 91 and the merging portion 92 are provided corresponding to each floor. The above-mentioned branch portion 91 and the merging portion 92 are provided on the travel track 4 extending in the horizontal direction.

[0052] In the rail-guided vehicle system 1 of the first modification, movement downward and upward can be easily performed. As a result, the traveling vehicle 6 can be used to transport the articles 10 to the processing devices installed on each floor of the first building B1.

[0053] (Variant 2)

[0054] In the above-mentioned embodiment and the rail-guided trolley system 1 of the modification 1, as Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, although an example is given in which the down rail T21 and the up rail T22 have a travel rail 4 that forms a straight section 73 arranged in a manner substantially parallel to each other in the top view viewed from above the vertical direction, and a travel rail 4 that forms a curved section 74 provided at the end of the travel rail 4 that forms the straight section 73, the invention is not limited to this.

[0055] like Figure 5As shown, the down track T21 of the rail vehicle system 1 of the modification example 2 has, for example, a travel track 4 extending radially from the spiral center C of the down track T21 configured in a spiral shape. The down track T21 of the modification example 2 extends the travel track 4 radially from the spiral center C by providing a curved track 78. The down track T21 of the rail vehicle system 1 of the modification example 2 is the same as the rail vehicle system 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment and the modification example 1, and has the travel track 4 forming a first section 71 for converting the electric energy generated when the regenerative brake 53 provided on the travel vehicle 6 is operated into heat energy in the resistor 54, and the travel track 4 forming a second section 72 for releasing the heat energy converted in the first section 71 from the resistor 54.

[0056] In the rail vehicle system 1 of Modification 2, a curved section 74 is provided at the turn-back portion of the radially extending travel rail 4. The curved section 74 is formed by the horizontally extending travel rail 4, and similarly to Modification 1, a branching section 91 and a merging section 92 are provided.

[0057] In the rail-guided vehicle system 1 of the second modification, downward movement for multiple floors and upward movement for multiple floors can be easily performed. As a result, the traveling vehicle 6 can be used to transport the articles 10 to the processing devices installed on each floor of the first building B1. In addition, in this structure, the length of the traveling rail 4 can be easily adjusted, and the height interval of the descending rail T21 can be increased.

[0058] (Variant 3)

[0059] like Figure 6 As shown, the rail vehicle system 1 of the modification example 3 is provided with an upward rail T22 in addition to the structure of the downward rail T21 of the modification example 2. The upward rail T22 is configured to overlap with the downward rail T21 in the top view viewed from above in the vertical direction. The rail vehicle system 1 of the modification example 3 can also obtain the same effect as the rail vehicle system 1 of the modification example 2.

[0060] (Other Modifications)

[0061] Although the traveling vehicle 6 used in the track-guided vehicle system 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment and the modified example is described as an example in which the electric energy generated when the regenerative brake 53 is operated is converted into heat energy in the resistor 54, the traveling vehicle 6 may be provided with a storage battery 54A instead of the resistor 54. The traveling vehicle 6 having the storage battery 54A can store the electric energy generated when the regenerative brake 53 is operated in the storage battery 54A.

[0062] In the rail vehicle system 1 having the traveling vehicle 6 of such a structure, in the first section 71 of the descending track T21, the electric energy generated when the regenerative brake 53 is operated is stored in the battery 54A, and in the second section 72, the electric energy stored in the first section 71 is consumed from the battery 54A. In the present embodiment, the electric energy is used in order to cause the LDM 59 to generate a magnetic force between the LDM 59 and the magnetic plate 40F disposed on the upper surface of the traveling track 4 for traveling the traveling vehicle 6. In such a structure, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of malfunctions of the regenerative brake 53 caused by overcharging of the battery 54A or by a reduction in the life of the battery 54A. As a result, in the descending track T21 connecting the layers with a height difference, the regenerative brake 53 of the traveling vehicle 6 can be properly operated.

[0063] In the above modification, although the example in which each traveling vehicle 6 is equipped with the battery 54A is described, for example, a battery may be provided at at least one location along the descending track T21, and the electric energy generated in each traveling vehicle 6 may be transmitted via the traveling track 4 or a conductive member arranged along the extending direction of the traveling track 4. In such a configuration, when traveling in the second section 72, the traveling vehicle 6 uses the electric energy stored in the battery provided along the descending track T21, thereby being able to obtain the same effect as in the above modification.

[0064] In the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, although the example of applying the regenerative brake 53 of the power conversion method as the brake used in the traveling vehicle 6 is described, for example, a brake of the heat exchange method may be applied. In this case, by releasing the heat generated by the brake of the heat exchange method in the first section 71 in the second section 72, the same effect as the above-mentioned embodiment and modification can be obtained.

[0065] The number of floors of the first building B1 and the direction in which the travel rails 4 extend in the radial direction, which are exemplified in the above-described embodiment and modified examples, are not limited to the above-described ones and can be appropriately set.

[0066] Description of Reference Numerals

[0067] 1…railway trolley system, 4…travel track (track), 6…travel trolley, 10…article, 50…travel section, 53…regenerative brake (brake), 54…resistor, 54A…battery, 71…first section, 72…second section, 73…straight section, 74…curved section, 75…third section, 76…fourth section, 78…curved track, 81…frame, 85…pedal, 91…branch section, 92…merging section, T1…intra-building transport section, T2…inter-building transport section, T21…downward track, T22…upward track.

Claims

1. A rail-guided vehicle system comprising a down track for connecting floors having a height difference and allowing a traveling vehicle to move downward, and an up track for connecting floors having a height difference and allowing the traveling vehicle to move upward, wherein: The descending track is configured in a spiral shape and has a first section of the track for generating heat energy or electric energy converted from kinetic energy by actuation of a brake provided on the traveling vehicle, and a second section of the track for releasing the heat energy generated in the first section or consuming the electric energy generated in the first section. The upward rail is arranged to overlap with the downward rail in a plan view viewed from above in a vertical direction.

2. The rail-guided trolley system according to claim 1, wherein: The travel vehicle includes: a regenerative brake as the brake, and a battery for storing the electric energy generated by the regenerative brake or a resistor for converting the electric energy generated by the regenerative brake into the thermal energy. The first section is a section in which the electrical energy is converted into the thermal energy in the resistor or a section in which the electrical energy is stored in the battery. The second section is a section in which the thermal energy converted in the resistor is released or a section in which the electric energy stored in the battery is consumed.

3. The rail-guided trolley system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The track forming the second section extends in the horizontal direction.

4. The rail-guided trolley system according to claim 3, wherein: A branching portion and / or a merging portion is provided in the second section.

5. The rail-guided trolley system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The downward slope of the track forming the first section is greater than the downward slope of the track forming the second section.

6. The rail-guided trolley system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In a plan view viewed from above in a vertical direction, the down track includes a track forming a straight section arranged substantially parallel to each other, and a track forming a curved section provided at an end of the track forming the straight section.

7. The rail-guided trolley system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The descending track and the ascending track have sections radially extending from the centers of the descending track and the ascending track arranged in the spiral shape.

8. The rail-guided trolley system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A step for workers to perform maintenance is provided in an area surrounded by the spirally arranged descending rail.

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