Crown block rail device and material carrying system

Abstract

The invention discloses a crown block track device and a material carrying system. The crown block track device comprises a first main crown block track and a second main crown block track, the second main crown block track and the first main crown block track are arranged at an interval in the vertical direction; the number of the track switching modules is at least two, each track switching module comprises a first branch crown block track, a second branch crown block track and a lifting unit, the first branch crown block track is connected to the first main crown block track, the second branch crown block track is connected to the second main crown block track, and the lifting unit is connected to the first main crown block track. The lifting unit is arranged between the first branch crown block track and the second branch crown block track, and the position of a crown block can be switched between the first branch crown block track and the second branch crown block track through the lifting unit. According to the crown block rail device and the material carrying system, the carrying efficiency of the crown block can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of semiconductor technology, and more particularly to an overhead travelling crane track device and a material handling system. Background Art

[0002] At present, the overhead crane tracks in the material handling system are all located at the same height. When transporting materials over long distances, no matter which transport path is chosen, the distance between the starting point and the destination is too long, and there will be a large number of divergence points and confluence points (similar to traffic intersections) on the path, and the overhead crane needs to slow down to pass through. In the process of transportation, there will also be traffic jams, failures of other overhead cranes on the transportation path, and other factors that cause the overhead crane to transport materials for a long time, resulting in low transportation efficiency and causing the machine to be idle.

[0003] Therefore, improvements are needed to at least partially solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the Summary of the Invention, which will be further described in detail in the Detailed Description of the Invention. The Summary of the Invention does not mean to attempt to define the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0005] In order to at least partially solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a crane track device, comprising:

[0006] The first main overhead crane track;

[0007] a second main overhead crane track, wherein the second main overhead crane track is spaced apart from the first main overhead crane track in a vertical direction;

[0008] Track switching modules, there are at least two track switching modules, each of the track switching modules includes a first overhead crane track, a second overhead crane track and a lifting unit, the first overhead crane track is connected to the first main overhead crane track, the second overhead crane track is connected to the second main overhead crane track, and the lifting unit is arranged between the first overhead crane track and the second overhead crane track, wherein the overhead crane can switch its position between the first overhead crane track and the second overhead crane track through the lifting unit.

[0009] Exemplarily, the lifting unit includes a lifting mechanism and a lifting trolley track, wherein the lifting mechanism is connected to the lifting trolley track and is used to drive the lifting trolley track to move in a vertical direction to switch between a first position and a second position;

[0010] Wherein, when the lifting crane track is in the first position, the lifting crane track is connected with the first branch crane track;

[0011] When the lifting crane track is in the second position, the lifting crane track is connected with the second crane track.

[0012] Exemplarily, the lifting mechanism includes:

[0013] Support frame;

[0014] an actuating assembly, the actuating assembly being disposed on the supporting frame and connected to the overhead crane track, and being used for driving the overhead crane track to move in a vertical direction so as to switch between the first position and the second position;

[0015] A first sensor, the first sensor is arranged on the supporting frame and / or the overhead travelling vehicle, and is used to detect whether there is an overhead travelling vehicle on the lifting overhead travelling vehicle track;

[0016] A second sensor, the second sensor is arranged on the support frame and / or the lifting crane track, and is used to detect whether the lifting crane track is connected with the first crane track;

[0017] A third sensor is disposed on the support frame and / or the overhead travelling crane track and is used to detect whether the overhead travelling crane track is connected with the second overhead travelling crane track.

[0018] Exemplarily, the actuating assembly includes a motor and a belt, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the lifting crane track through the belt.

[0019] Exemplarily, the first sensor is a proximity sensor or a contact sensor;

[0020] The second sensor is a proximity sensor or a contact sensor;

[0021] The third sensor is a proximity sensor or a contact sensor.

[0022] Exemplarily, the first end of the first branch overhead crane track is connected to the first main overhead crane track;

[0023] The first end of the second branch overhead crane track is connected to the second main overhead crane track;

[0024] When the lifting crane track is in the first position, the first end of the lifting crane track is connected with the second end of the first branch crane track;

[0025] When the lifting crane track is in the second position, the second end of the lifting crane track is connected with the second end of the second branch crane track.

[0026] Exemplarily, the first branch crane track includes a first sub-crane track and a second sub-crane track that are spaced apart, and a first end of the first sub-crane track and a first end of the second sub-crane track are both connected to the first main crane track;

[0027] The second branch crane track includes a third sub-crane track and a fourth sub-crane track arranged at intervals, and the first end of the third sub-crane track and the first end of the fourth sub-crane track are both connected to the second main crane track;

[0028] When the lifting crane track is in the first position, the first end of the lifting crane track and the second end of the lifting crane track are connected with the second end of the first sub-crane track and the second end of the second sub-crane track respectively;

[0029] When the lifting crane track is in the second position, the first end of the lifting crane track and the second end of the lifting crane track are connected with the second end of the third sub-crane track and the second end of the fourth sub-crane track respectively.

[0030] Exemplarily, the first end of the first branch overhead crane track is connected to the first main overhead crane track;

[0031] The first end of the second branch overhead crane track is connected to the second main overhead crane track;

[0032] The lifting unit includes a linear inclined track or a spiral track;

[0033] Wherein, the first end of the linear inclined track and the second end of the linear inclined track are connected to the second end of the first overhead crane track and the second end of the second overhead crane track respectively;

[0034] The first end of the spiral track and the second end of the spiral track are connected to the second end of the first branch overhead crane track and the second end of the second branch overhead crane track respectively.

[0035] Exemplarily, the linear inclined track has an inclination angle of 4°-6° relative to the horizontal direction;

[0036] The spiral track has a spiral pitch angle of 4°-6° relative to the horizontal direction.

[0037] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a material handling system, which comprises an overhead travelling crane and the overhead travelling crane track device as described above.

[0038] According to the overhead crane track device and material handling system of the present invention, the first main overhead crane track and the second main overhead crane track are at different heights in the vertical direction. The first main overhead crane track and the second overhead crane track can be used for short-distance material handling and long-distance material handling respectively. When long-distance material handling is required, the overhead crane located on the first main overhead crane track can be moved to the second main overhead crane track through a track switching module near the starting point, and after quickly moving to the vicinity of the destination through the second main overhead crane track, it can be moved to the first main overhead crane track through a track switching module near the destination, and the material can be placed at the destination. Thereby, the time for long-distance material handling can be significantly shortened and the efficiency of long-distance material handling can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The following drawings of the present application are hereby used as part of the present application for understanding the present application. The drawings show the embodiments of the present application and their descriptions, and are used to explain the device and principle of the present application. In the drawings,

[0040] Figure 1 It is a top view schematic diagram of the overhead travelling vehicle track in the related art;

[0041] Figure 2 is a schematic top view of an overhead travelling vehicle track device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic top view of the first main overhead crane track;

[0043] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic top view of the second main overhead crane track;

[0044] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A top view schematic diagram of a track switching module in FIG.

[0045] Figure 6 for Figure 2 A schematic side view of a track switching module in FIG.

[0046] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A schematic side view of a track switching module in FIG.

[0047] Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a track switching module according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of a track switching module according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig.10 is a schematic side view of a track switching module according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig.11 A schematic side view of a track switching module according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Description of reference numerals:

[0052] 10- overhead crane track, 20- overhead crane, 31- first machine platform, 32- second machine platform;

[0053] 100-first main crane track, 200-second main crane track, 300-track switching module, 310-first branch crane track, 311-first sub-crane track, 312-second sub-crane track, 320-second branch crane track, 321-third sub-crane track, 322-fourth sub-crane track, 330-lifting unit, 331-lifting crane track, 332-lifting mechanism, 3321-support frame, 3322-motor, 3323-belt, 3324-first sensor, 3325-second sensor, 3326-third sensor, 333-linear inclined track. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In the following description, a large number of specific details are provided to provide a more thorough understanding of the present application. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present application can be implemented without one or more of these details. In other examples, in order to avoid confusion with the present application, some technical features well known in the art are not described.

[0055] It should be understood that the present application can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments presented herein. On the contrary, providing these embodiments will make the disclosure thorough and complete and fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals throughout represent the same elements.

[0056] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the present application, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be represented as a second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0057] Spatially relative terms such as "under", "beneath", "below", "under", "above", "above", etc., may be used herein for convenience of description to describe the relationship of one element or feature to other elements or features shown in the figures. It should be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and operation in addition to the orientation shown in the figures.

[0058] The purpose of the terms used herein is only to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. When used herein, the singular forms "one", "an" and "said / the" are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "consisting of" and / or "comprising", when used in this specification, determine the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups. When used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of the relevant listed items.

[0059] Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to cross-sectional views as schematic diagrams of ideal embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the present application. Thus, variations in the shapes shown due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances can be expected. Therefore, embodiments of the present application should not be limited to the specific shapes shown herein, but include shape deviations due to, for example, manufacturing. Therefore, what is shown in the figures is schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to display the actual shape of the device and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0060] See attached Figure 1 In the related art, the overhead crane tracks 10 in the material handling system are usually located at the same height. When carrying out long-distance material transportation, there are problems such as long transportation time and low transportation efficiency. For example, when the overhead crane 20 grabs materials from the first machine 31 and transports them to the second machine 32, its moving path is as follows: Figure 1 As shown by the black arrow in the middle, the crane 20 needs to pass through diverging points and converging points (similar to traffic intersections) along the way, and the crane 20 needs to slow down to pass through. During the transportation process, there may be traffic jams, other crane failures affecting the normal movement of the crane 20, etc., resulting in the crane 20 transporting materials for a long time and low transportation efficiency, causing the second machine 32 to be idle.

[0061] See attached Figure 2-7 An overhead crane track device according to an embodiment of the present application is exemplarily described. The overhead crane track device includes a first main overhead crane track 100 , a second main overhead crane track 200 and a track switching module 300 .

[0062] See attached Figure 2-4, the first main crane track 100 and the second main crane track 200 are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction, that is, the first main crane track 100 and the second main crane track 200 are at different heights in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the height of the first main crane track 100 in the vertical direction is lower than the height of the second main crane track 200 in the vertical direction, and the first main crane track 100 is closer to the machine platform than the second main crane track 200. The first main crane track 100 and the second main crane track 200 are both used for the crane to travel thereon. The first main crane track 100 can be used for the crane to travel at a low speed on it for short-distance material transportation. The crane can pick up and place materials on the first main crane track 100 (grab the materials onto the crane and place the materials on the crane on the machine or other suitable positions); the second main crane track 200 can be used for the crane to travel at a high speed on it for long-distance material transportation. The crane only travels on the second main crane track 200, but does not pick up and place materials on it. Therefore, the crane rarely encounters waiting or traffic jams on the second track, and the crane can travel at a higher speed on it. Exemplarily, the material can be a wafer box or a mask box.

[0063] See attached Figure 5 The track switching module 300 includes a first overhead traveling vehicle track 310 , a second overhead traveling vehicle track 320 and a lifting unit 330 .

[0064] The first branch crane track 310 and the second branch crane track 320 are both tracks for the crane to travel. The first branch crane track 310 is connected to the first main crane track 100, and the second branch crane track 320 is connected to the second main crane track 200. That is, the crane can travel from the first main crane track 100 to the first branch crane track 310, and / or, from the first branch crane track 310 to the first main crane track 100; the crane can travel from the second main crane track 200 to the second branch crane track 320, and / or, from the second branch crane track 320 to the second main crane track 200.

[0065] The lifting unit 330 is disposed between the first branch crane track 310 and the second branch crane track 320, wherein the crane can switch positions between the first branch crane track 310 and the second branch crane track 320 through the lifting unit 330, that is, the crane can move from the first branch crane track 310 to the second branch crane track 320 through the lifting unit 330, and / or the crane can move from the second branch crane track 320 to the first branch crane track 310 through the lifting unit 330. Thus, the crane can move from the first main crane track 100 to the second main crane track 200, and / or from the second main crane track 200 to the first main crane track 100 through the track switching module 300 (the first main crane track 100, the second main crane track 200 and the lifting unit 330).

[0066] There are at least two track switching modules 300. When there are only two track switching modules 300, one of the track switching modules 300 is arranged near the transport starting point, and the other track switching module 300 is arranged near the transport destination. When carrying out long-distance material transportation, after the overhead crane located on the first main overhead crane track 100 grabs the material at the transport starting point, it can first move to the second main overhead crane track 200 through the track switching module 300 near the transport starting point, and then quickly move to the vicinity of the transport destination through the second main overhead crane track 200, and then move from the second main overhead crane track 200 to the first main overhead crane track 100 through the track switching module 300 near the transport destination, and finally move to the transport destination and place the material at the transport destination. Since most of the overhead crane's moving path is located on the second main overhead crane track 200, the time for long-distance material transportation can be significantly shortened and the efficiency of long-distance material transportation can be improved.

[0067] In this embodiment, there are more than two track switching modules 300. When there are more than two track switching modules 300, they can be arranged at a certain interval along the extension direction of the first overhead traveling track 310 and the second overhead traveling track 320. Figure 2 When carrying out long-distance material transportation, for example, when grabbing materials from the first machine 31 and transporting them to the second machine 32, the crane 20 located on the first main crane track 100 grabs the materials at the transportation starting point (i.e., the first machine 31), and then can first move to the second main crane track 200 through the track switching module 300 closest to the transportation starting point, and then quickly move to the vicinity of the transportation destination (i.e., the second machine 32) through the second main crane track 200, and then move from the second main crane track 200 to the first main crane track 100 through the track switching module 300 closest to the transportation destination, and finally move to the transportation destination and place the materials at the transportation destination. Since most of the crane's moving path is located on the second main crane track 200, the time for long-distance material transportation can be significantly shortened, and the efficiency of long-distance material transportation can be improved.

[0068] In addition, since the first branch crane track 310, the second branch crane track 320 and the track switching module 300 are independent of the first main crane track 100 and the second main crane track 200, the crane will not substantially affect the operation of the cranes on the first main crane track 100 and the second main crane track 200 when the crane moves from the first main crane track 100 to the second main crane track 200, or when the crane moves from the second main crane track 200 to the first main crane track 100. In addition, when multiple cranes need to switch tracks through the same track switching module 300, they can queue up and wait on the first branch crane track 310 or the second branch crane track 320, without affecting the operation of the cranes on the first main crane track 100 and the second main crane track 200.

[0069] See attached Figure 6 , 7 In this embodiment, the lifting unit 330 includes a lifting mechanism 332 and a lifting crane track 331. The lifting mechanism 332 is connected to the lifting crane track 331, and is used to drive the lifting crane track 331 to move in the vertical direction to switch between the first position and the second position. When the lifting crane track 331 is in the first position, the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the first branch crane track 310, and the crane located on the first branch crane track 310 can move to the lifting crane track 331, or the crane located on the lifting crane track 331 can move to the first branch crane track 310; when the lifting crane track 331 is in the second position, the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the second branch crane track 320, and at this time, the crane located on the second branch crane track 320 can move to the lifting crane track 331, or the crane located on the lifting crane track 331 can move to the second branch crane track 320. Thus, the overhead crane can switch positions between the first overhead crane track 310 and the second overhead crane track 320 through the lifting unit 330. For example, when the overhead crane needs to move from the first overhead crane track 310 to the second overhead crane track 320, the lifting mechanism 332 can first drive the lifting crane track 331 to move to the first position, the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the first overhead crane track 310, and the overhead crane moves from the first overhead crane track 310 to the lifting crane track 331. Then, the lifting mechanism 332 drives the lifting crane track 331 (and the overhead crane located thereon) to move to the second position, the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the second overhead crane track 320, and the overhead crane moves from the lifting crane track 331 to the second overhead crane track 320. The process of the overhead crane moving from the second overhead crane track 320 to the first overhead crane track 310 is similar to the process of the overhead crane moving from the first overhead crane track 310 to the second overhead crane track 320, and will not be repeated here.

[0070] In this embodiment, the first overhead crane track 310 includes a first sub-overhead crane track 311 and a second sub-overhead crane track 312 that are spaced apart. The first end ( Figure 6 The right end of the first sub-overhead car track 311) and the first end of the second sub-overhead car track 312 ( Figure 6 The left end of the second sub-overhead crane track 312 in the middle) is connected to the first main overhead crane track 100. The second overhead crane track 320 includes a third sub-overhead crane track 321 and a fourth sub-overhead crane track 322 arranged at intervals. The first end of the third sub-overhead crane track 321 ( Figure 6 The right end of the third sub-overhead car track 321) and the first end of the fourth sub-overhead car track 322 ( Figure 6 The left end of the fourth sub-overhead crane track 322 is connected to the second main overhead crane track 200.

[0071] When the lifting crane track 331 is in the first position, the first end ( Figure 6 The right end of the lifting crane track 331) and the second end of the lifting crane track 331 ( Figure 6 The left end of the middle lifting crane track 331 is respectively connected to the second end of the first sub-crane track 311 ( Figure 6 The left end of the first sub-overhead car track 311) and the second end of the second sub-overhead car track 312 ( Figure 6 When the lifting crane track 331 is in the second position, the first end of the lifting crane track 331 and the second end of the lifting crane track 331 are respectively connected to the second end of the third sub-crane track 321 ( Figure 6 The left end of the third sub-overhead car track 321) and the second end of the fourth sub-overhead car track 322 ( Figure 6 The fourth overhead crane track 322 is connected to the right end thereof.

[0072] Thus, for the track switching module 300 of this embodiment, the crane on the first main crane track 100 can be moved to the second main crane track 200 through the first sub-crane track 311, the lifting crane track 331, and the fourth sub-crane track 322 in sequence; the crane on the second main crane track 200 can be moved to the first main crane track 100 through the third sub-crane track 321, the lifting crane track 331, and the second sub-crane track 312 in sequence. That is, the track switching module 300 of this embodiment can realize the bidirectional position switching of the crane on the first main crane track 100 and the second main crane track 200.

[0073] In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 332 includes a supporting frame 3321 , an actuating assembly, a first sensor 3324 , a second sensor 3325 , and a third sensor 3326 .

[0074] The support frame 3321 can be fixedly connected to the ceiling or other suitable location of the building where the overhead travelling vehicle track device is located, and is used to install the actuating assembly.

[0075] The actuating assembly is disposed on the supporting frame 3321 and connected to the lifting trolley track 331, and is used to drive the lifting trolley track 331 to move in the vertical direction to switch between the first position and the second position. In this embodiment, the actuating assembly includes a motor 3322 and a belt 3323, and the output shaft of the motor 3322 is connected to the lifting trolley track 331 through the belt 3323. Exemplarily, when the output shaft of the motor 3322 rotates in the forward direction, the belt 3323 can be driven to wind, thereby driving the lifting trolley track 331 to move from the first position to the second position; when the output shaft of the motor 3322 rotates in the reverse direction, the wound belt 3323 is released, and the lifting trolley track 331 moves from the second position to the first position under the action of gravity. In some other embodiments, the actuating assembly may include a linear actuating device such as a cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder, which is fixedly disposed on the supporting frame 3321, and the output end is connected to the lifting trolley track 331.

[0076] The first sensor 3324 can be arranged on the support frame 3321 and / or the lifting crane track 331, and is used to detect whether there is a crane on the lifting crane track 331. It should be noted that the existence of the crane here means that the crane is completely located on the lifting crane track 331. When the crane moves to the lifting crane track 331 and is completely located on the lifting crane track 331, the first sensor 3324 is triggered. After the first sensor 3324 is triggered, the actuating assembly can drive the lifting crane track 331 to move in the vertical direction to switch between the first position and the second position, so as to avoid the crane falling off due to the lifting of the crane track when the crane is not completely on the lifting crane track 331. The first sensor 3324 can be a proximity sensor or a contact sensor, as long as it can be triggered when the crane moves to the lifting crane track 331 and is completely located on the lifting crane track 331.

[0077] The second sensor 3325 is arranged on the support frame 3321 and / or the lifting crane track 331, and is used to detect whether the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the first crane track 310. It should be noted that the connection mentioned here means that the end of the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the end of the first crane track 310 (it can be in contact or separated by a small distance), and the crane can move normally from one of the lifting crane track 331 and the first crane track 310 to the other. When the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the first crane track 310, the second sensor 3325 is triggered. When the second sensor 3325 is triggered, it means that the lifting crane track 331 is in the first position. The second sensor 3325 can be a proximity sensor or a contact sensor, as long as it can be triggered when the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the first crane track 310.

[0078] The third sensor 3326 is arranged on the support frame 3321 and / or the lifting crane track 331, and is used to detect whether the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the second crane track 320. It should be noted that the connection mentioned here means that the end of the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the end of the second crane track 320 (it can be in contact or separated by a small distance), and the crane can move normally from one of the lifting crane track 331 and the second crane track 320 to the other. When the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the second crane track 320, the third sensor 3326 is triggered. When the third sensor 3326 is triggered, it means that the lifting crane track 331 is in the second position. The second sensor 3325 can be a proximity sensor or a contact sensor, as long as it can be triggered when the lifting crane track 331 is connected with the second crane track 320. The second sensor 3325 and the third sensor 3326 can work in conjunction with the actuating assembly to ensure that the actuating assembly can accurately drive the lifting crane track 331 to move in the vertical direction to switch between the first position and the second position.

[0079] See attached Figure 8 , 9 In some embodiments, the first overhead crane track 310 and the second overhead crane track 320 in the track switching module 300 are both separate overhead crane tracks. Figure 8 , 9 The right end of the first overhead crane track 310) is connected to the first main overhead crane track 100, and the first end of the second overhead crane track 320 ( Figure 8 , 9 The left end of the second branch overhead crane track 320 is connected to the second main overhead crane track 200.

[0080] When the lifting crane track 331 is in the first position, the first end ( Figure 8 , 9 The right end of the middle lifting crane track 331) and the second end of the first crane track 310 ( Figure 8 , 9 When the lifting crane track 331 is in the second position, the second end ( Figure 8 , 9 The left end of the middle lifting crane track 331) and the second end of the second crane track 320 ( Figure 8 , 9 The second overhead crane track 320 is connected to the right end of the second overhead crane track 320.

[0081] like Figure 8 As shown, the crane on the first main crane track 100 can move to the second main crane track 200 through the first branch crane track 310, the lifting crane track 331 (the lifting crane track 331 needs to move from the first position to the second position), and the second branch crane track 320 in sequence. Fig. 9 As shown, the crane on the second main crane track 200 can be moved to the first main crane track 100 through the second branch crane track 320, the lifting crane track 331, and the first branch crane track 310 (the lifting crane track 331 needs to be moved from the second position to the first position). That is, Figure 8 or Fig. 9 The track switching module 300 shown in the figure can realize the one-way position switching of the overhead traveling vehicle on the first main overhead traveling vehicle track 100 and the second main overhead traveling vehicle track 200.

[0082] See attached Fig.10 , 11 In some embodiments, the first overhead crane track 310 and the second overhead crane track 320 in the track switching module 300 are both separate overhead crane tracks. Fig.10 , 11 The right end of the first overhead crane track 310) is connected to the first main overhead crane track 100, and the first end of the second overhead crane track 320 ( Fig.10 , 11 The left end of the second branch overhead crane track 320 is connected to the second main overhead crane track 200.

[0083] The lifting unit 330 in the track switching module 300 includes a linear inclined track 333, a first end ( Fig.10 , 11 The right end of the linear inclined track 333) and the second end of the linear inclined track 333 ( Fig.10 , 11 The left end of the linear inclined track 333 is respectively connected to the second end of the first overhead traveling vehicle track 310 ( Fig.10, 11 The left end of the first overhead crane track 310 and the second end of the second overhead crane track 320 ( Fig.10 , 11 The linear inclined track 333 is a track extending in a straight line and inclined relative to a horizontal plane.

[0084] like Fig.10 As shown, the crane on the first main crane track 100 can move to the second main crane track 200 through the first branch crane track 310, the linear inclined track 333, and the second branch crane track 320 in sequence. Fig.11 As shown, the crane on the second main crane track 200 can move to the first main crane track 100 through the second branch crane track 320, the lifting crane track 331, and the first branch crane track 310 in sequence. That is, Figure 8 or Fig. 9 The track switching module 300 shown in the figure can realize the one-way position switching of the overhead traveling vehicle on the first main overhead traveling vehicle track 100 and the second main overhead traveling vehicle track 200.

[0085] Exemplarily, the inclination angle of the linear inclined track 333 relative to the horizontal direction is 4°-6°. If the inclination angle is too low, the overhead crane will have to climb too long. If the inclination angle is too high, the overhead crane will move too slowly, and the overhead crane and the materials on it will be at risk of tilting and falling, and the overhead crane will also be at risk of slipping and falling backwards.

[0086] In some other embodiments, the linear inclined track 333 can be replaced by a spiral track, and the first end and the second end of the spiral track are respectively connected to the second end of the first overhead crane track 310 and the second end of the second overhead crane track 320. The spiral track is a track extending along a spiral line (e.g., a cylindrical spiral line) and the central axis of the spiral line extends in the vertical direction.

[0087] The crane on the first main crane track 100 can move to the second main crane track 200 through the first branch crane track 310, the spiral track, and the second branch crane track 320 in sequence. Alternatively, the crane on the second main crane track 200 can move to the first main crane track 100 through the second branch crane track 320, the spiral track, and the first branch crane track 310 in sequence.

[0088] Exemplarily, the helix angle of the spiral track relative to the horizontal direction is 4°-6°. If the helix angle is too low, the overhead crane will have to climb too long. If the helix angle is too high, the overhead crane will move too slowly, and the overhead crane and the materials on it will be at risk of tilting and falling, and the overhead crane will also be at risk of slipping and reversing.

[0089] The present application also provides a material handling system, which includes an overhead crane and the overhead crane track device as described above. According to the material handling system of the present application, efficient material handling can be achieved.

[0090] Although example embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above example embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application to this. Those of ordinary skill in the art may make various changes and modifications therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present application. All these changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present application as required by the appended claims.

[0091] In the description provided herein, a large number of specific details are described. However, it is understood that the embodiments of the present application can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques are not shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this description.

[0092] Similarly, it should be understood that in order to streamline the present application and help understand one or more of the various inventive aspects, in the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present application, the various features of the present application are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, the method of the present application should not be interpreted as reflecting the following intention: the claimed application requires more features than the features clearly stated in each claim. More specifically, as reflected in the corresponding claims, the inventive point is that the corresponding technical problem can be solved with features less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the specific embodiment are hereby explicitly incorporated into the specific embodiment, wherein each claim itself serves as a separate embodiment of the present application.

[0093] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, except for mutually exclusive features, all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstracts and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or device disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstracts and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that provides the same, equivalent or similar purpose.

[0094] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, although some embodiments described herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not other features, the combination of features of different embodiments is meant to be within the scope of the present application and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any one of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0095] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention and that those skilled in the art will be able to design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A crane track device, characterized in that: include: The first main overhead crane track; a second main overhead crane track, wherein the second main overhead crane track is spaced apart from the first main overhead crane track in a vertical direction; Track switching modules, there are at least two track switching modules, each of the track switching modules includes a first overhead crane track, a second overhead crane track and a lifting unit, the first overhead crane track is connected to the first main overhead crane track, the second overhead crane track is connected to the second main overhead crane track, and the lifting unit is arranged between the first overhead crane track and the second overhead crane track, wherein the overhead crane can switch its position between the first overhead crane track and the second overhead crane track through the lifting unit.

2. The overhead travelling vehicle track device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting unit comprises a lifting mechanism and a lifting trolley track, wherein the lifting mechanism is connected to the lifting trolley track and is used to drive the lifting trolley track to move in a vertical direction to switch between a first position and a second position; Wherein, when the lifting crane track is in the first position, the lifting crane track is connected with the first branch crane track; When the lifting crane track is in the second position, the lifting crane track is connected with the second crane track.

3. The overhead travelling vehicle track device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism comprises: Support frame; an actuating assembly, the actuating assembly being disposed on the supporting frame and connected to the overhead crane track, and being used for driving the overhead crane track to move in a vertical direction so as to switch between the first position and the second position; A first sensor, wherein the first sensor is disposed on the support frame and / or the overhead travelling vehicle track and is used to detect whether an overhead travelling vehicle exists on the overhead travelling vehicle track; A second sensor, the second sensor is arranged on the support frame and / or the lifting crane track, and is used to detect whether the lifting crane track is connected with the first crane track; A third sensor is disposed on the support frame and / or the overhead travelling crane track and is used to detect whether the overhead travelling crane track is connected with the second overhead travelling crane track.

4. The overhead travelling vehicle track device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The actuating assembly comprises a motor and a belt, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the lifting crane track through the belt.

5. The overhead travelling vehicle track device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first sensor is a proximity sensor or a contact sensor; The second sensor is a proximity sensor or a contact sensor; The third sensor is a proximity sensor or a contact sensor.

6. The overhead travelling vehicle track device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first end of the first branch overhead crane track is connected to the first main overhead crane track; The first end of the second branch overhead crane track is connected to the second main overhead crane track; When the lifting crane track is in the first position, the first end of the lifting crane track is connected with the second end of the first branch crane track; When the lifting crane track is in the second position, the second end of the lifting crane track is connected with the second end of the second branch crane track.

7. The overhead travelling vehicle track device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first branch crane track includes a first sub-crane track and a second sub-crane track arranged at intervals, and a first end of the first sub-crane track and a first end of the second sub-crane track are both connected to the first main crane track; The second overhead crane track includes a third sub-overhead crane track and a fourth sub-overhead crane track that are spaced apart, and the first end of the third sub-overhead crane track and the first end of the fourth sub-overhead crane track are both connected to the second main overhead crane track; When the lifting crane track is in the first position, the first end of the lifting crane track and the second end of the lifting crane track are connected with the second end of the first sub-crane track and the second end of the second sub-crane track respectively; When the lifting crane track is in the second position, the first end of the lifting crane track and the second end of the lifting crane track are connected with the second end of the third sub-crane track and the second end of the fourth sub-crane track respectively.

8. The overhead travelling vehicle track device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first end of the first branch overhead crane track is connected to the first main overhead crane track; The first end of the second branch overhead crane track is connected to the second main overhead crane track; The lifting unit includes a linear inclined track or a spiral track; Wherein, the first end of the linear inclined track and the second end of the linear inclined track are connected to the second end of the first overhead crane track and the second end of the second overhead crane track respectively; The first end of the spiral track and the second end of the spiral track are connected to the second end of the first branch overhead crane track and the second end of the second branch overhead crane track respectively.

9. The overhead travelling vehicle track device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The linear inclined track has an inclination angle of 4°-6° relative to the horizontal direction; The spiral track has a spiral pitch angle of 4°-6° relative to the horizontal direction.

10. A material handling system, characterized in that: The invention comprises an overhead travelling crane and the overhead travelling crane track device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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