Stabilizing carrier backs and transport system and method of stabilizing carrier backs

Abstract

The trolley for stabilizing the loading basket is used for moving on a track of a transporting system for stabilizing the loading basket, and comprises a supporting plate, a trolley body and a trolley body, two dollies for engaging with the track are arranged on a first side of the support plate, and the distance between the pivotable dollies relative to the support plate can be changed during passage along the track through the curve; the object carrying basket is arranged on the second side, opposite to the first side, of the bearing plate, and the object carrying basket is connected to the bearing plate in a pivoted mode; the gear mechanism comprises at least one driving wheel; the at least one first gear is in transmission connection with the driving wheel; the second gear is meshed with the first gear; wherein the driving wheel and the first gear are rotatably mounted on the support plate to rotate about an axis parallel to the pivot; wherein the second gear is non-rotatably connected to the carrying basket; and wherein the driving wheel is designed such that a circumferential surface of the driving wheel is in contact with one side of the rail when the center of the trolley moves a distance relative to the center line of the rail.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a stable cargo basket trolley for moving on a track of a cargo basket transport system as described in the preamble of claim 1, the trolley comprising: a support plate; two trolleys for engaging with the track, the track having a track width, the trolleys being arranged on a first side of the support plate and being pivotable relative to the support plate, wherein the distance between the trolleys changes during passage through a curve along the track so that during operation, the center of the trolley can move a certain distance toward the inside of the curve in the track relative to the center line of the track; and a cargo basket, arranged on a second side of the support plate opposite to the first side, the cargo basket being pivotally connected to the support plate and freely pivotable around a pivot axis perpendicular to the plane of the support plate.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a stabilizing basket transport system and a method for stabilizing a basket in a basket transport system. Background Art

[0003] Such a basket trolley is known from US provisional patent application 63 / 405,155 in the name of the present applicant.

[0004] In addition, EP3533733A1 discloses another conveying system with a carrier basket for transporting packaged food.

[0005] US63 / 405,155 discloses a basket support and stabilization system for a basket having an increased load-bearing capacity, which basket is transported along a conveyor having a path (i.e., a track). The system includes a plurality of carts, which may have wheels and are configured to travel along the track or path, wherein at least some of the support groups include two carts, the carts having a basket support connected thereto. The support group of each two carts includes a first cart and a second cart. The basket support has a support plate connected to the first cart by a pivot connection and to the second cart by a pivot and sliding connection, so that the first cart and the second cart can pivot relative to the support plate, and the distance between the first cart and the second cart can change when passing through a curve along the track or path. A support connector is located on the support plate, and the support plate is configured to connect to the basket on a side away from the track / path. The carrier basket has a back support or back panel, a product support surface extending generally transversely from the back support in a direction opposite to the path, and a mating connector on the back support connected to the support connector.

[0006] By this arrangement, the basket is supported by two of the trolleys, providing a greater load capacity than in the system previously known from EP 3 533 733 A1 where the basket is supported by a single trolley. This arrangement also allows the distance between the first and second trolleys to be varied in a curve and compensates for changes in the angles of the trolleys relative to each other in the horizontal plane when passing through inner and outer curves of the track.

[0007] According to the prior art, the basket is pivotally attached to the trolley and thus remains substantially horizontally balanced under the action of gravity. However, the applicant has noticed that during operation, when the trolley moves through a bend in the track, residual torques may cause the basket to swing, which in turn may cause loss of transported goods, spillage of liquids and increased wear of the components used. Summary of the invention

[0008] In order to further improve the known devices and systems, a method for stabilizing a basket trolley and a basket transport system and a basket in a basket transport system is needed, which helps to avoid the basket from swinging, thereby preventing the loss of transported goods, the spillage of liquids and increased wear of components.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus, system and method.

[0010] The object of the present invention is achieved by a stable basket trolley for moving on a track of a basket transport system as defined in claim 1, a stable basket transport system as defined in claim 15, and a method for stabilizing a basket in a basket transport system as defined in claim 16.

[0011] Advantageous further embodiments of the invention are defined in the respective dependent claims.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a stable basket trolley for moving on a track of a basket transport system comprises: a support plate; two trolleys for engaging with the track, the track having a track width, the trolleys being arranged on a first side of the support plate and being pivotable relative to the support plate, wherein the distance between the trolleys changes during passage through a curve along the track so that during operation, the center of the trolley can move a certain distance toward the inside of the curve in the track relative to the center line of the track; a basket, arranged on a second side of the support plate opposite to the first side, the basket being pivotally connected to the support plate and freely pivotable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the plane of the support plate; a gear A mechanism for actively compensating for the torque acting on the cargo basket when passing through a curve in the track, the gear mechanism comprising: at least one drive wheel; at least one first gear in transmission connection with the drive wheel; a second gear meshing with the first gear; wherein the drive wheel and the first gear are rotatably mounted on the support plate to rotate around an axis parallel to the pivot; wherein the second gear is non-rotatably connected to the cargo basket; and wherein the drive wheel is designed so that when the center of the trolley moves the distance relative to the center line of the track, the circumferential surface of the drive wheel contacts one side of the track, for example, the center of the drive wheel is positioned accordingly and / or the diameter of the drive wheel is selected.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a stable basket transport system comprises: a track having a track width and at least one side; a trolley for moving on the track, the trolley comprising: a support plate; Two trolleys for engaging with the track, the trolleys are arranged on a first side of the support plate and are pivotable relative to the support plate, wherein the distance between the trolleys changes during passage through a curve along the track, so that during operation, the center of the trolley can move a certain distance to the inside of the curve in the track relative to the center line of the track; a loading basket, arranged on a second side of the support plate opposite to the first side, the loading basket is pivotally connected to the support plate and can freely pivot around a pivot axis perpendicular to the plane of the support plate; a gear mechanism for actively compensating when passing through a curve in the track The gear mechanism comprises: at least one driving wheel; at least one first gear connected to the driving wheel in driving relationship; a second gear meshing with the first gear; wherein the driving wheel and the first gear are rotatably mounted on the support plate so as to rotate around an axis parallel to the pivot; wherein the second gear is non-rotatably connected to the loading basket; and wherein the center of the driving wheel is positioned and / or the diameter of the driving wheel is selected so that the circumferential surface of the driving wheel contacts the side of the track when the center of the trolley moves the distance relative to the center line of the track.

[0014] This is equivalent to saying that the stable cargo basket transport system according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises: a track having a track width and at least one side; a trolley for moving on the track, the trolley being designed in the manner defined in the first aspect of the present invention and being engaged with the track through the two trolleys, wherein when the center of the trolley moves the distance relative to the center line of the track, the circumferential surface of the drive wheel contacts the side of the track.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for stabilizing a basket in a basket transport system comprises: placing a trolley on a track having at least one side; transporting the trolley along the track by a variable guide mechanism, in particular according to US63 / 405,155, so that during transport, the center of the trolley moves a certain distance to the inside of a curve in the track relative to the center line of the track; providing the trolley with a pivotally connected basket so that the basket can pivot freely around a horizontal pivot axis; actively compensating for the torque acting on the basket during passage through the curve in the track by contacting the side of the track by at least one drive wheel when the center of the trolley moves the distance relative to the center line of the track; and transmitting the movement of the drive wheel to the basket by a gear mechanism.

[0016] The gear stabilization system described above can eliminate the swing of the carrier basket, and the system generally includes the trolley, gears and the carrier basket. In another embodiment, magnets can be used to further stabilize the carrier basket, especially when moving along a portion of the track without any bends or curves.

[0017] The system is designed so that the basket, under the action of gravity, maintains a horizontal orientation throughout the entire path of travel on the basket transport system, which path may include inner and outer corners, as well as right and left turns. The horizontal orientation of the basket can remain unchanged despite changes in momentum acting on the basket, which would otherwise be free to rotate about the pivot connection to the trolley.

[0018] In another embodiment, the basket can be maintained in a horizontal orientation despite any potentially unevenly distributed load on the basket, and the basket can have multiple support fingers. To this end, the gear stabilization system can include a combination of two mechanisms: one mechanism uses magnets to maintain the orientation of the basket in any horizontal, vertical, inner turn and outer turn track segment, and another mechanism uses the gears to maintain the orientation of the basket in a right or left curve of the track. The momentum and / or torque about the pivot that the system is able to overcome depends on the strength of the magnets and the ability of the drive wheels to maintain grip on the side of the track.

[0019] As described in the prior application US63 / 405,155, the trolley is attached to two carriages which are guided on / along the track by wheels or any other suitable guide mechanism (e.g. by slides). Thus, during operation, the central part of the trolley moves towards the inside of a bend or curve (right or left) relative to the centerline of the track. The proposed gear stabilization system takes advantage of the fact that drive wheels are advantageously mounted on each side of the trolley so that the wheel just outside a given bend or curve approaches the track and eventually comes into contact with the side of the track when turning, thereby engaging the drive. The drive wheels are positioned so that they do not come into contact with the track when the trolley moves along a straight section of the track.

[0020] Preferably, only one driving wheel is in contact with the track at a time and is driven by the friction of the track. In one embodiment, the driving wheels are connected to respective gears (the first gear or respective first gears) via shafts or axles. In another embodiment, as previously described, the gear mechanism may include two pinions (first gears) and a large gear (second gear). The pinions are connected to the driving wheels via respective shafts. The large gear (second gear) is connected to the carrier basket in a non-rotatable manner, for example, by a carrier bracket having a special shape adapted to the cutout on the large gear.

[0021] The gear mechanism is designed to allow the drive wheel to pass the outside of the track in a 90-degree turn, causing the carrier basket to rotate proportionally in a direction opposite to the action of the torque to maintain the horizontal orientation of the carrier basket.

[0022] All wheels (gear and drive wheels) are preferably attached to the trolley by bearings, such as roller bearings.

[0023] In one embodiment, the carrier basket is pivotably mounted on a central bearing on the trolley.

[0024] In another embodiment, additional stabilization can be achieved in the vertical and horizontal straight sections of the track by magnets placed on the support plate at different positions relative to the pivot (e.g., every 90°). The position of the magnets interacting with the basket and / or the second gear can prevent the basket from tilting due to uneven loading.

[0025] With such an embodiment, slight errors in the rotation of the gears and / or slippage through the corners are not of much concern and do not need to be compensated for, since after exiting each corner the basket is leveled again by the magnets. On the other hand, when entering a corner, the drive wheel must overcome the resistance of the magnets.

[0026] The following embodiments of the invention have proven to be particularly useful: In one embodiment of the trolley according to the present invention, two preferably identical drive wheels and two preferably identical first gears are used, each first gear is transmission-connected to a corresponding one of the drive wheels and meshes with the second gear, wherein the two drive wheels are located in diametrically opposite positions relative to the center of the trolley, and the two first gears are located in diametrically opposite positions relative to the second gear.

[0027] In this way, one of the drive wheels is actuated, ie contacts the track, when turning left, while the other is actuated when turning right.

[0028] In an embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, one of the first gears or the first gears is an external gear and the second gear is an internal gear or an external gear.

[0029] This enables a wide range of designs to be realized which are adapted to the respective structural conditions.

[0030] In an embodiment of the carriage according to the present invention, in the case where the second gear is an external gear, the support plate includes a plurality of support rollers which engage with an inner circumferential surface of the second gear.

[0031] This results in a defined and safely guided rotational movement of the second gear wheel or of the load basket relative to the support plate.

[0032] In an embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, one or more of the first gear and the second gear are helical gears.

[0033] Helical gears are more sophisticated than spur gears because the leading edge of the teeth is not parallel to the axis of rotation but is set at an angle. The meshing of the angled teeth is more gradual than that of spur gear teeth, resulting in smoother and quieter operation.

[0034] In a highly preferred embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, the support plate comprises at least one magnetic region, the second gear comprises at least one complementary magnetic region, preferably, in the case of an external gear, the complementary magnetic regions are on a circular structure or housing circumferentially surrounding the second gear, in the case of an internal gear, the complementary magnetic regions are on the outside of the second gear itself, the complementary magnetic regions extend over a limited portion of the circumference of the second gear and are located at a first distance from the pivot, the magnetic regions are located at a second distance from the pivot, the second distance being greater than or equal to the first distance.

[0035] Such an embodiment may be used to achieve the above-mentioned additional stabilization by positioning the respective magnetic regions (or magnets) so that they magnetically interact with each other to prevent pivoting movement of the carrier basket when it is in its intended horizontal orientation. When negotiating a curve in the track, the magnetic force will continue to hold the carrier basket in its position until the drive wheel contacts and actuates the gear mechanism.

[0036] Here and below, a "magnetic region" may describe a magnet, in particular a permanent magnet or an electrodynamic (solenoid) magnet, but may also refer to a region with magnetizable material. A "complementary magnetic region" describes its appropriate corresponding magnetic region, so that an attractive magnetic force can act between the two regions.

[0037] In another embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, said magnetic area is flush with said plane of said support plate when said second distance is equal to said first distance.

[0038] In other words, the magnetic regions are arranged at the same distance from the pivot axis, but in different planes, so that when they overlap, they interact magnetically as intended.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, in case the second distance is greater than the first distance, the magnetic area is located outside the plane of the support plate.

[0040] By such an embodiment, the magnetic regions will interact with each other when they face each other in a common plane.

[0041] In another embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, the trolley comprises: a plurality of magnetic regions and a corresponding number of complementary magnetic regions, preferably four, the magnetic regions and complementary magnetic regions being most preferably located at equidistant and equiangular positions around the pivot, for example, each being spaced 90° apart.

[0042] This can amplify the magnetic stabilization effect since there are multiple magnetic interaction areas for maintaining the position of the carrier basket.

[0043] In another embodiment of the trolley according to the present invention, the cargo basket is connected to the support plate so that in the absence of any motion-induced torque acting on the cargo basket, that is, when the cargo basket is placed horizontally and moves in a horizontal or vertical direction, at least one magnetic region and at least one complementary magnetic region overlap or face each other, so that a stable magnetic force exists between the magnetic region and the complementary magnetic region to act on the cargo basket.

[0044] This has the positive effect of mounting the carrier basket in a particular pivot orientation until the retaining force created by the magnetic force is overcome by gravity or the action of the gear mechanism.

[0045] In a respective further embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, the driving force generated by the driving wheel is designed to overcome the mutual attractive force between the magnetic area and the complementary magnetic area.

[0046] This can be achieved by suitable selection of the magnetic strength of the magnetic region relative to the driving force generated by the drive wheel, which selection depends in particular on the transport speed of the trolley and the friction between the drive wheel and the rail.

[0047] In another embodiment of the trolley according to the present invention, the pivot connection between the support plate and the loading basket comprises at least one roller bearing, preferably arranged on the support plate, and a mating connector, preferably arranged on the loading basket, the mating connector comprising a shell having a partial circular track enclosing more than 180°, the roller bearing being engaged in the partial circular track so that the loading basket can pivot under the action of gravity.

[0048] In this way, the carrier basket is securely attached to the support plate and the product support surface of the carrier basket remains substantially horizontal during movement of the carrier basket along the path or track.

[0049] In another embodiment of the trolley according to the present invention, the second gear advantageously includes a central cutout, the size of which corresponds to the size of the shell, for engaging with the shell, so that the second gear is simply placed on the shell through the cutout to achieve the non-rotatable connection between the second gear and the loading basket.

[0050] More preferably, the cutout and the housing have respective geometries and dimensions that allow for mutual engagement in only a limited number of ways (preferably one) to properly determine and set the desired relative orientation of the load basket and the second gear.

[0051] Most preferably, both the cutout and the housing are of rectangular shape (cross-section), only one of the two dimensions (width and length) of each being compatible. However, the invention is not limited to this geometry.

[0052] In yet another embodiment of the trolley according to the present invention, the driving wheel is designed as a friction wheel, such as a rubber wheel or a silicone wheel.

[0053] This is a very simple way of actuating the gear mechanism without excessive wear and noise. If necessary, the drive wheel can be easily replaced.

[0054] In another embodiment of the method according to the invention, the pivoting movement of the carrier basket is prevented by attractive magnetic forces between magnetic areas respectively provided on the carrier basket and another part of the trolley in the absence of any motion-generated torque acting on the carrier basket.

[0055] As previously mentioned, this may advantageously compensate for uneven loading of the cargo basket.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the attractive magnetic force is overcome by a torque generated by the drive wheel.

[0057] This allows active compensation of swaying movements caused, for example, by the movement of the load basket. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

[0059] Figure 1 An overview of basket transport systems known in the prior art is given; Figure 2 showing a perspective view of a cargo basket with a second gear attached; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Rear view of the middle cargo basket; Figure 4 A first gear having a shaft and a drive wheel attached thereto is shown; Figure 5 Details of the gear mechanism are shown; Figure 6 Shows Figure 2 The loading basket in the embodiment of the present invention, wherein the trolley support plate is connected to the back plate through a gear assembly; Figure 7 Provided Figure 6 A rear view of the assembly; Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 A front view of a loading basket; Fig. 9 Demonstrated magnetically stabilizing interactions between a magnet and a complementary magnet; Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 A perspective view of the components in the Fig.11 Shown with Fig.10 a front view of the same assembly; Fig.12 Demonstrates the actuation of the gear stabilizing mechanism when the dolly negotiates a curve or side bend in the track; Fig.13 Shows Fig.12 More details on the right side of the ; Fig.14 Shows Fig.12 A front view of the situation; and Fig.15 A magnified view of the magnet is provided. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Figure 1An exemplary arrangement of a conveyor system for the transport of packaged food is shown. The system uses a profiled track 10 made of lightweight aluminum track segments connected to form a closed loop. Although this is a preferred configuration, the invention is not limited to a closed loop configuration in principle. The track can be arranged to meander through a building from a loading point to an unloading point and back again. The track can run straight in a horizontal direction, at corners (such as at X) and in a vertical direction.

[0061] It should be understood that Figure 1 The configuration in is just a simplified example to show the functionality of the system. For more details, see EP3533733A1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0062] The profiled track 10 is formed as a longitudinal cage or cage rail for use as Figure 1 A plurality of small wheeled trolleys 20 are shown, which are held on and guided by the profiled track 10. The wheeled trolleys 20 are connected together to form a continuous train of trolleys. A train of trolleys 20 in the track system is pulled by an electric drive system that uses a motor with a direct drive sprocket that is connected to teeth on the bottom of the trolleys 20 through a back opening in the track (not shown here, see Figure 7 ) engagement. Other drive systems may also be used. The trolley 20 need not have wheels, but may slide or glide on the track 10.

[0063] The front side of the wheeled dollies 20 can be used to attach a carrier 30 with a rack or basket on which the food to be transported can be placed. The carrier 30 can be pivotally attached to one of the wheeled dollies 20 so that the carrier can pivot or swing about a pivot pin to maintain a horizontal position while traveling along the track, regardless of the direction of the track.

[0064] Figure 1 On the left side of the conveyor system is a food loading point 40, which has a funnel-shaped slide 41, and the end of the slide 41 is a comb-like structure 42. The prepared packaged food can be placed on the slide 41 and then slide down onto the comb-like structure 42. The carrier 30 from below will pick up and transport the food.

[0065] according to Figure 1 In the description, only one trolley 20 supports the carrier 30 (or the basket), which may not be sufficient to transport heavier weights. Therefore, US63 / 405,155 suggests using two trolleys in groups to support each carrier, which method can also be used in the context of the present invention.

[0066] After Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, these embodiments utilize the perfected in US63 / 405,155 Figure 1The track system and basic transport concept were developed with the additional implementation of a stabilization system.

[0067] Figure 2 Shown with Figure 1 The object basket 1 corresponds to the carrier 30. The object basket 1 has a Figure 1 The comb structure 42 interacts with the fingers 2 for picking up (food) items.

[0068] The carrier basket 1 also has a back plate 3 which supports a mating connector 4 which is pivotally connected to the trolley support plate, which will be described later. The mating connector includes a housing 4a having a part-circular track 4b which circumscribes more than 180° so that a roller bearing (not shown) or a pivot pin which is part of the trolley support plate can engage with the part-circular track, thereby allowing the carrier basket to pivot under the action of gravity. In this way, the product support surface defined by the fingers 2 remains substantially horizontal during the movement of the carrier basket along the track.

[0069] On the back plate 3 there is also arranged a (second) helical gear 5 in the form of an external gear or gear, which constitutes a (necessary) part of a cylindrical housing 6, so that it is surrounded at a constant distance by a circular structure or wall 6a. On the bottom wall 6b of the housing 6 facing the back plate 3 there is a rectangular cutout 6c, the width W of which corresponds to the width of the housing 4a. In this way, the housing 4a can engage with the cutout 6c as shown in the figure, thereby achieving a non-rotatable connection between the housing 6 and the gear 5 on the one hand, and between the housing 6 and the load basket 1 (via the back plate 3) on the other hand. The gear 5 is centered with respect to the axis of the above-mentioned pivot connection.

[0070] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the cutout 6c does not have to be rectangular and any cutout having a shape that prevents the case 6 from rotating relative to the housing 4a may be used.

[0071] Figure 3 1 is a rear view of the carrier basket 1. Here and in all other figures, the same reference numerals denote the same elements or at least elements having a similar function.

[0072] Figure 4 A perspective view is shown of a drive wheel 7, preferably at least partially made of rubber or other elastic material, which is connected to a helical gear 9 (first gear) via a shaft or axle 8. If the drive wheel 7 is driven, i.e. rotated about the axis of the shaft 8, the gear 9 will also rotate likewise.

[0073] Figure 5The first gear 9 (connected to the shaft 8 and the driving wheel 7) and the second gear 5 are shown to be meshed in the gap between the second gear 5 and the circumferential wall 6a. If the driving wheel 7 is driven, the force will be transmitted to the gear 5 through the shaft 8 and the gear 9, so that the box 6 and the loading basket 1 connected thereto (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ) rotates about the axis of the pivot connection between the loading basket 1 and its counterpart, see below.

[0074] The gears 5 and 9 need not necessarily be helical, although such an embodiment may be preferred.

[0075] Figure 6 Shown with Figure 2 The same carrier basket 1 but with a trolley support plate 11 connected to the back plate 3 via the above-mentioned box gear assembly (including elements 5 and 6).

[0076] The trolley support plate 11 has bearings 12 for supporting a corresponding shaft (not visible) connected to each of the two drive wheels 7, which are arranged on the support plate 11 with sufficient clearance C. In particular, the clearance C is greater than the width of the track 10, see Figure 1 The support plate 11 also has additional bearings 13, 14 for connection with two (wheeled) trolleys (not shown) for guiding the support plate in the form of a trolley along the track 10. The drive axles extend through the support plate 11 so that the respective first gear (not shown) can mesh with the second gear, such as Figure 5 As shown, the second gear is located between the support plate 11 and the back plate 3 .

[0077] Reference symbol PA denotes the aforementioned pivot axis.

[0078] Figure 7 Provided Figure 6 With trolleys 15, 16 (see Figure 1 20), the trolleys 15, 16 as known from EP3533733A1 and as further described in US63 / 405,155, are attached to the bearings 13, 14 (see Figure 6). As mentioned above, the support plate 11 is connected to the first trolley 15 by a pivot connection and to the second trolley 16 by a pivot and sliding connection, so that the first and second trolleys 15, 16 are pivotable relative to the support plate 11, and the distance between the first trolley 15 and the second trolley 16 can be changed during the passage through the curve along the track. This makes it possible to transport the trolley including at least the support plate 11 and the trolleys 15, 16 along the track 10 by a variable guide mechanism, so that during the transportation process, the center of the trolley moves laterally to the inside of the curve in the track by a certain distance relative to the center line of the track 10 (refer to Fig.12 ).

[0079] like Figure 7 As shown, a flexible connector 17 is provided extending between the first trolley 15 and the second trolley 16. The flexible connector 17 may be formed of a polymer material and may have an undulating form to allow the flexible connector 17 to move freely as the set of two trolleys 15, 16 and the basket support plate 11 pass through horizontal and / or vertical curves (e.g., Figure 1 The gap C is larger than the track width TW of the trolleys 15 and 16 so that the drive wheel 7 does not usually contact the track when the trolley moves along the straight track section.

[0080] Please note that the support plate 11 is Figure 6 is rotated 90°. This corresponds to a horizontal movement, while Figure 6 Corresponds to vertical movement.

[0081] Reference numeral 18 denotes magnets for further stabilization, which will be described in detail below. These magnets are arranged at 90° intervals around the pivot axis PA (see Figure 6 ) and arranged slightly behind the plane of the support plate 11, that is, Figure 7 Behind the drawing.

[0082] Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 A front view of the middle load basket 1. Reference numeral 10 is as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The rails are shown again, which extend approximately in the horizontal direction at least at the location of the carrier basket 1 .

[0083] As mentioned above, the object basket 1 is pivotally connected to the bearing or pivot pin on the support plate 11, and the indexing plunger 19 on the front side is used to lock the pivot connection so that the object basket 1 cannot fall off.

[0084] The magnets 18 on the support plate 11 have been mentioned above. Figure 8, their respective circumferential positions around the pivot correspond to the respective circumferential positions of the complementary magnets 21 (or magnetic areas, see the introduction) on the side wall 6a of the box 6, and these complementary magnets 21 can interact magnetically with the magnets 18, thereby fixing the support plate 11 and the box 6 in place. Figure 8 Due to the angular arrangement of the magnets 18 and 21, the housing 6 can also be fixed in a position that is a multiple of 90° rotated relative to the support plate 11. In this way, the housing 6 moves with the movement of the support plate 11. This allows for horizontal and vertical movements of the basket 1 along the track 10 and in particular allows for compensation of uneven load distribution inside the basket 1, since the basket 1 will always be positioned relative to the support plate 11 under the influence of the magnets, e.g. Figure 6 for vertical movement (or for horizontal movement after rotating 90° relative to the support plate 11, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 ).

[0085] It should be noted that in Figure 8 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the drive wheel 7 is not in contact with the track 10, i.e. the gear mechanism described above is not activated. Therefore, if the trolley (support plate 11 with trolleys 15, 16) moves along the track 10, the box 6 will move with it due to the magnetic interaction. In particular, as shown in the figure, the box 6 will not rotate, but will maintain its horizontal position along the straight part of the track.

[0086] Fig. 9 Another view showing this magnetic interaction between magnet 18 and complementary magnet 21 is shown, with the carrier basket omitted for clarity.

[0087] Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 A perspective view of the assembly in FIG. 1 , without the bottom wall 6 b of the housing 6 (or shown in a perspective sectional view in the plane of the bottom wall).

[0088] It can be seen that both first gears 9 mesh with the second gear 5 on radially opposite sides. Figure 2 ) is engaged with a roller bearing 22 for pivoting movement around the pivot axis PA. The support plate 11 also includes four roller pins 23 for engaging with an inner circumferential track 24 on the gear 5, thereby guiding the rotational movement of the gear 5 and the housing 6 relative to the support plate 11.

[0089] from Fig.10 As can be seen, in the position shown in the figure, the box body 6 (and the attached back plate 3 with the loading basket 1, see Figures 6 to 8) is held on the support plate 11 by magnets 18, 21. Once the drive wheel 7 (or other drive wheels, not shown) is actuated, the gear wheel 9 transmits its rotational movement to the gear wheel 5, and if the corresponding torque is sufficient to overcome the magnetic interaction, the gear wheel 5 and the housing 6 as well as any attached elements will start to rotate about the axis PA, since the support plate 11 itself cannot rotate due to the guidance of the rails.

[0090] Fig.11 Shown with Fig.10 The same assembly, but in front view along the pivot axis so that both drive wheels are visible.

[0091] Fig.12 The actuation of the gear stabilization mechanism described above is shown when the trolley is passing through a curve or a side bend in the track 10. Fig.12 The left side of the Figure 8 As described. The carrier basket 1 is pivotally mounted relative to the support plate 11 under magnetic interaction, but this is optional because the carrier basket can also be oriented under the action of gravity alone. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, the magnetic interaction can compensate for any unequal load effects. Please note that the drive wheel 7 is located at a certain distance from the track (i.e. the corresponding side 10a of the track). The assumed center CT of the trolley (support plate 11) moves along the center line CL of the track 10, and the distance D of each drive wheel 7 from the center line CL is greater than the corresponding half track width TW / 2 of the track 10, i.e. the drive wheel 7 does not contact the track 10.

[0092] exist Fig.12 The right-hand side of the diagram depicts the trolley passing through a curve (from left to right and upwards, and the reverse direction is also possible). As mentioned above, the distance between the two trolleys connected to the support plate changes when passing through a curve along the track, so that during operation, the center CT of the trolley moves a certain distance M to the inside of the curve in the track 10 relative to the track centerline CL, as shown in the figure. Therefore, the outer drive wheel 7 moves the same distance M to the track 10 and comes into mechanical contact with the side 10a of the track 10. Fig.12 As shown, the track 10 may have grooves along its sides, which as shown engage with the drive wheel 7. However, in the present invention, such grooves are not necessary.

[0093] In other words: when the center CT of the trolley moves the distance M relative to the center line CL of the track 10, the position of the center of the drive wheel 7 and the selection of the diameter of the drive wheel 7 make the circumferential surface of the drive wheel 7 contact the side surface 10a of the track 10.

[0094] As previously mentioned, once the drive wheels 7 are in contact, the movement of the trolley will cause the rotation of said drive wheels 7, which will then be transmitted to said first and second gears, thereby causing the load basket 1 to rotate after overcoming said magnetic interaction, in order to actively compensate for any oscillating movement thereof, see Fig.14 .

[0095] At the latest when the trolley reaches another straight section of the track 10 (for example Fig.12 The magnets will again interact and further stabilize the basket 1. However, the relative orientation of the support plate 11 and the back plate 3 will be relative to Fig.12 The configuration on the left is rotated 90°.

[0096] Fig.13 Shows Fig.12 More details on the right. It is easy to see from the figure that, due to the rotation of the support plate 11 relative to the back plate 3, or vice versa, the magnet 21 (see Fig.11 ) has been separated from the magnet 18.

[0097] Fig.14 Shown with Fig.12 The same situation, but from the other side (front view). The magnets 18, 21 are engaged during horizontal movement (right side) and disengaged during curve movement (left side).

[0098] Fig.15 An enlarged view of the previously described magnet 18 and complementary magnet 21 is provided. As previously described, they can also be arranged overlappingly, seen in the direction of the pivot axis. The advantage of the arrangement shown is that the distance between the magnets and the interaction between them can be easily adjusted by moving the magnet 18 in the direction of arrow A.

Claims

1. A stable basket trolley, used for moving on a track (10) of a basket transport system, the trolley comprising: Support plate (11); two trolleys (15, 16) for engaging with the track (10), the track (10) having a track width (TW), the trolleys (15, 16) being arranged on a first side of the support plate (11) and being pivotable relative to the support plate (11), wherein the distance between the trolleys (15, 16) can be changed during passage through a curve along the track (10), so that during operation, the center (CT) of the trolley can be moved a distance (M) to the inside of the curve in the track (10) relative to the center line (CL) of the track (10); A load basket (1) is arranged on a second side of the support plate (11) opposite to the first side, the load basket (1) being pivotally connected to the support plate (11) and freely pivotable about a pivot axis (PA) perpendicular to the plane of the support plate (11); It is characterized in that The trolley further comprises a gear mechanism for actively compensating for the torque acting on the object basket (1) when passing through a curve in the track (10), the gear mechanism comprising: at least one drive wheel (7); At least one first gear (9) drivingly connected to the driving wheel (7); A second gear (5) meshing with the first gear (9); wherein the driving wheel (7) and the first gear (9) are rotatably mounted on the support plate (11) so as to rotate about an axis parallel to the pivot axis (PA); wherein the second gear (5) is non-rotatably connected to the loading basket (1); and The driving wheel (7) is designed such that when the center (CT) of the trolley moves the distance (M) relative to the center line (CL) of the track (10), the circumferential surface of the driving wheel (7) contacts one side of the track.

2. The trolley according to claim 1, wherein: include: Two driving wheels (7) and two first gears (9), each first gear (9) being in driving connection with a corresponding one of the driving wheels (7) and meshing with the second gear (5), wherein the two driving wheels (7) are located at radially opposite positions relative to the center (CT) of the trolley, and the two first gears (9) are located at radially opposite positions relative to the second gear (5).

3. The trolley according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first gear (9) is an external gear, and the second gear (5) is an internal gear or an external gear.

4. The trolley according to claim 3, wherein: In the case where the second gear (5) is an external gear, the support plate (11) includes a plurality of support rollers (23) which engage with an inner circumferential track (24) of the second gear (5).

5. The trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The first gear (9) and the second gear (5) are helical gears.

6. The trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The support plate (11) comprises at least one magnetic region (18), and the second gear (5) comprises at least one complementary magnetic region (21). Preferably, when the second gear (5) is an external gear, the complementary magnetic region (21) is on a circular structure (6) circumferentially surrounding the second gear (5), and when the second gear (5) is an internal gear, the complementary magnetic region (21) is on the outside of the second gear (5) itself, and the complementary magnetic region (21) extends over a limited part of the circumference of the second gear and is located at a first distance from the pivot (PA), and the magnetic region (18) is located at a second distance from the pivot (PA), and the second distance is greater than or equal to the first distance.

7. The trolley according to claim 6, wherein: When the second distance is equal to the first distance, the magnetic region (18) is flush with the plane of the support plate (11).

8. The trolley according to claim 6, wherein: In the case where the second distance is greater than the first distance, the magnetic region (18) is located outside the plane of the support plate (11).

9. The trolley according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: include: A plurality of magnetic regions (18) and a corresponding number of complementary magnetic regions (21), preferably four, said magnetic regions (18) and said complementary magnetic regions, respectively, most preferably being located at equidistant and equiangular positions about said pivot axis (PA).

10. The trolley according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein: The object basket (1) is connected to the support plate (11) so that, in the absence of any motion-induced torque acting on the object basket, at least one of the magnetic regions (18) and at least one of the complementary magnetic regions (21) overlap or face each other, so that a stable magnetic force exists between the magnetic region (18) and the complementary magnetic region (21) to act on the object basket (1).

11. The trolley according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein: The driving force generated by the driving wheel (7) is capable of overcoming the mutual attraction between the magnetic region (18) and the complementary magnetic region (21).

12. The trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The pivot connection between the support plate (11) and the cargo basket (1) comprises at least one roller bearing (22) and a mating connector (4). Preferably, the roller bearing (22) is arranged on the support plate (11). Preferably, the mating connector (4) is arranged on the cargo basket (1). The mating connector (4) comprises a shell (4a), wherein the shell (4a) has a partial circular track (4b) extending over 180°. The roller bearing (22) is engaged in the partial circular track (4b) so that the cargo basket (1) can pivot under the action of gravity.

13. The trolley according to claim 12, wherein: The second gear (5) comprises a central cutout (6c), the size (W) of the cutout (6c) corresponding to the size of the housing (4a) so as to engage with the housing (4a), thereby achieving a non-rotatable connection between the second gear (5) and the loading basket (1).

14. The trolley according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The driving wheel (7) is designed as a friction wheel.

15. A stable cargo basket transport system, characterized in that: include: A track (10) having a track width (TW) and at least one side (10a); A trolley for moving on the track (10), the trolley for moving on the track, the trolley being designed as a trolley as claimed in any one of the above claims and being engaged with the track (10) through the two trolleys (15, 16), wherein when the center (CT) of the trolley moves the distance (M) relative to the center line (CL) of the track (10), the circumferential surface of the driving wheel (7) contacts the side surface (10a) of the track (10).

16. A method of stabilizing a basket in a basket transport system, comprising: placing a trolley on a track (10), wherein the track (10) has at least one side (10a); The trolley is conveyed along the track (10) by a variable guide mechanism so that during the conveying process, the center (CT) of the trolley moves a distance (M) toward the inside of the curve in the track (10) relative to the center line (CL) of the track (10); Providing the trolley with a pivotally connected load basket (1) so that the load basket (1) can freely pivot around a horizontal pivot axis (PA); It is characterized in that During the passage through the curve in the track (10), the moment acting on the load basket (1) is actively compensated by: When the center (CT) of the trolley moves the distance (M) relative to the center line (CL) of the track (10), at least one driving wheel (7) is brought into contact with the side surface (10a) of the track (10); The movement of the driving wheel (7) is transmitted to the object carrying basket (1) via a gear mechanism.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: include: In the absence of any torque generated by movement acting on the object basket (1), the pivotal movement of the object basket (1) is prevented by the magnetic attraction between the magnetic regions (18, 21), the magnetic regions (18, 21) being respectively arranged on the object basket (1) and other parts of the trolley.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: include: The magnetic attraction force is overcome by the torque generated by the drive wheel (7).

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