A turnout for an overhead rail system

Abstract

The application relates to the field of overhead rail systems, and relates to a turnout for an overhead rail system, which comprises a cross rail, a vertical rail and a guide rail; the vertical rail is communicated with the cross rail through an arc-shaped rail, the guide rail is located at the connection of the cross rail and the arc-shaped rail, and the guide rail is driven by a power mechanism inside the cross rail and the arc-shaped rail; the power mechanism comprises a rotating shaft and a driving assembly; the rotating shaft is rotatably installed in a shaft sleeve; one end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected with the guide rail, and the other end is sleeved with a limiting block; the driving assembly comprises an action rod fixedly connected with the side surface of the rotating shaft; the other end of the action rod is hingedly connected with a driving rod; one end of the driving rod close to the action rod is provided with a limiting support frame; one end of the driving rod away from the action rod is on a swing mechanism; and the swing mechanism is used for driving the driving rod to drive the action rod and the rotating shaft to rotate around the rotating shaft shaft center with the limiting support frame as a fulcrum. The application reduces the wear and tear and the risk of jamming of the turnout under the scene of high-frequency switching, significantly reduces the maintenance frequency and cost, guarantees the smooth operation of the conveying carrier, and improves the overall reliability of the turnout.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of overhead rail systems, and in particular to a turnout for overhead rail systems. Background Technology

[0002] In logistics, warehousing and sorting, smart factories, and amusement facilities, overhead rail systems have become an important solution for transporting materials and personnel due to their ability to fully utilize space, reduce ground occupancy, and improve transportation efficiency. As the core component of the overhead rail system for track switching, the turnout's operational stability, switching flexibility, and structural reliability directly determine the overall transport efficiency and safety performance of the entire overhead rail system.

[0003] The turnouts used in current overhead rail systems generally suffer from the following technical pain points: First, track switching often relies on complex mechanical transmission structures, such as gear meshing and chain drives. These structures not only have a large number of parts and are difficult to assemble, but are also prone to failure due to wear and jamming during long-term operation. This is especially true in high-frequency switching scenarios, where maintenance frequency and costs increase significantly. Second, the guide mechanism is poorly designed. Most turnouts lack precise limiting and smooth transition structures at the connection between the guide components and the horizontal and vertical rails. This can easily lead to problems such as rail surface misalignment and vibration noise during switching, which not only affects the stable operation of the transport vehicle but may also cause collision damage to the vehicle or goods. Third, the power drive components lack effective protection and stable support. The drive components are exposed to the elements and are susceptible to corrosion from environmental factors such as dust and moisture, shortening their service life. At the same time, the fulcrum structure of the drive rod is mostly a rigid connection without buffering or adaptive adjustment capabilities. The impact force during switching is large, which can easily cause component deformation and further reduce the overall reliability of the turnout.

[0004] Furthermore, although some turnouts use motor-driven automated switching, the coordination between motor control and mechanical transmission is insufficient, making it difficult to guarantee switching accuracy. They also lack visual status monitoring and fault early warning designs, meaning that minor jamming or limit deviations in the turnout cannot be detected and adjusted in time, potentially leading to more serious system failures. Simultaneously, the reinforcement structures of existing turnouts are mostly concentrated on the track body, while the connections between the guide rails and cross rails, as well as curved rails, lack targeted reinforcement designs. After long-term exposure to the impact loads of the transport vehicle, these connections are prone to weld cracking and rail surface deformation, severely impacting the turnout's service life and operational safety.

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technologies, there is an urgent need to develop a turnout for the overhead rail system that is structurally simplified, precise in switching, stable in operation, convenient in maintenance, and has excellent protective performance. This would solve the technical defects of current turnouts in terms of flexibility, reliability, durability, and maintenance costs, meet the needs of the overhead rail system to develop towards higher frequency, higher stability, and lower maintenance, and promote the widespread application of the overhead rail system in more high-end fields. Utility Model Content

[0006] In order to overcome the problems existing in the prior art, this application provides a turnout for a skyrail system.

[0007] The technical solution for a turnout used in a overhead rail system provided in this application is as follows:

[0008] A turnout for a track control system includes a horizontal rail, a vertical rail, and a guide rail. The vertical rail is connected to the horizontal rail via an arc-shaped rail. The guide rail is located at the connection between the horizontal rail and the arc-shaped rail and is driven by a power mechanism inside the horizontal rail and the arc-shaped rail. The power mechanism includes a rotating shaft and a drive assembly for rotating the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is rotatably mounted in a bushing. One end of the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the guide rail, and the other end is fitted with a limit block. The drive assembly includes an action rod fixedly connected to the side of the rotating shaft. The other end of the action rod is hinged to a drive rod. A limit support frame is provided at the end of the drive rod near the action rod, and the end of the drive rod away from the action rod is placed on a swing mechanism. The swing mechanism is used to drive the drive rod to rotate the rotating shaft around the axis of the rotating shaft with the limit support frame as the fulcrum.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, when track switching is required, the swing mechanism is activated and drives the drive rod, causing the drive rod to swing with the limit support frame as a fixed fulcrum. During the swing of the drive rod, its hinged end with the action rod will drive the action rod to move synchronously. Since the action rod is fixedly connected to the side of the rotating shaft, it will drive the rotating shaft to rotate around its own axis within the bushing. The guide rail, which is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft, rotates with the rotating shaft and is adjusted to a position that precisely connects with the horizontal rail or the arc rail. At the same time, the limit block at the other end of the rotating shaft can help limit the rotation angle of the rotating shaft, ensuring that the guide rail is switched into place, and finally realizing the smooth track switching of the conveyor between the horizontal rail and the vertical rail.

[0010] Preferably, the swing mechanism includes a W-shaped fixed frame and a servo motor installed on one side of the W-shaped fixed frame. A V-shaped action plate is installed at the output end of the servo motor. The V-shaped action plate can move the drive rod on the W-shaped fixed frame between the two slots under the drive of the servo motor.

[0011] Preferably, the height of the V-shaped action plate is greater than that of the W-shaped fixing frame, its width is less than that of the W-shaped plate, and the servo motor is externally connected to a controller.

[0012] Preferably, the limiting support frame adopts a U-shaped frame with an opening at the top, and the inner surface of the U-shaped frame is provided with an arc-shaped surface.

[0013] Preferably, a protective cover is also installed on the outside of the drive assembly, wherein the top of the protective cover is provided with a cover body, which is fixedly connected to the top of the horizontal rails on both sides and the arc-shaped rail, wherein a limit ring is fitted between the limiting block at the end of the rotating shaft and the cover body.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, when the turnout needs to be driven for track switching, the controller sends a command to the servo motor of the swing mechanism. After the servo motor starts, it drives the V-shaped action plate at the output end to rotate. Because the height of the V-shaped action plate is greater than that of the W-shaped fixed frame and the width is smaller than that of the W-shaped fixed frame, it will contact the drive rod located in the slot of the W-shaped fixed frame during its rotation, moving the drive rod placed in the slot from the current slot to another slot, so that the drive rod swings with the U-shaped frame with the opening at the top of the limit support frame as the fulcrum. The arc surface of the inner surface of the U-shaped frame can reduce the friction when the drive rod swings. The swing of the drive rod drives the action rod and the rotating shaft to rotate, thereby realizing the switching of the guide rail. At the same time, the protective cover and top cover on the outside of the drive component can isolate dust and moisture to protect the internal components. The limiting ring between the limiting block at the end of the rotating shaft and the cover helps to limit the rotation range of the rotating shaft, ensuring accurate and stable switching.

[0015] Preferably, a reinforcing plate is installed at the bottom of the connection between the horizontal rail and the curved rail, and a guide rail is rotatably installed on the inner side of the reinforcing plate, and the guide rail can switch at the bottom opening of the horizontal rail and the curved rail.

[0016] Preferably, the two sides of the guide rail extending outward from the end of the rotating shaft are respectively adapted to the arc surface and the plane at the bottom opening of the horizontal rail and the arc-shaped rail.

[0017] Preferably, the bottom opening side of the horizontal rail and the arc rail is provided with a positioning groove that is adapted to the guide rail, and a limiting plate for limiting the guide rail is installed at the bottom of the positioning groove.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, when switching tracks, the guide rail rotates inside the reinforcing plate at the bottom of the connection between the horizontal rail and the curved rail under the drive of the power mechanism. Since the two sides of the guide rail extending outward from the end of the rotating shaft are respectively the arc surface and the plane that are adapted to the bottom opening of the horizontal rail and the curved rail, it will gradually extend into the bottom opening of the horizontal rail or the curved rail during the rotation process. At the same time, the positioning groove on the side of the bottom opening of the horizontal rail and the curved rail plays a guiding role for the guide rail. After the guide rail rotates to the target position, the limiting plate at the bottom of the positioning groove will limit and fix the guide rail, ensuring that the guide rail is accurately adapted to the bottom opening of the horizontal rail or the longitudinal rail, and realizing the smooth passage and switching of the conveying carrier.

[0019] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0020] 1. The power mechanism in this application drives the drive rod through a swing mechanism, and then the drive rod drives the shaft to rotate in conjunction with the action rod. This replaces the traditional complex mechanical transmission, reduces the number of parts and assembly difficulty, reduces the risk of wear and jamming in high-frequency switching scenarios, and significantly reduces maintenance frequency and cost.

[0021] 2. The guide rail of this application is designed with curved and flat surfaces that are compatible with horizontal rails and curved rails. The connection between the horizontal rails and curved rails is provided with positioning grooves and limiting plates. With the reinforcement plate to strengthen the connection, it can achieve precise limiting and smooth transition when switching rails, effectively avoid rail surface misalignment, vibration and abnormal noise, ensure the stable operation of the conveying carrier, and prevent collision damage to the carrier or goods.

[0022] 3. This application adds a protective cover to the outside of the drive assembly, which can isolate the drive components from the corrosion of dust and moisture, and extend their service life. At the same time, the limit support frame adopts a U-shaped frame with an arc surface, which can buffer the impact force when the drive rod is switched, avoid deformation caused by rigid connection of components, and improve the overall reliability of the turnout.

[0023] 4. The swing mechanism of this application adopts a servo motor to drive the V-shaped action plate and connects to an external controller. Combined with the matching design of the guide rail and the positioning groove, it improves the coordination between motor control and mechanical transmission, ensures switching accuracy, and facilitates the integration of status monitoring functions to help detect and adjust slight jamming or limit deviation in a timely manner and prevent serious system failures. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the top side structure of a turnout used in a skyrail system;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of a turnout used in a skyrail system;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the top side structure of a turnout concealment cover for a skyrail system.

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of the central power mechanism;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the top side of the cover for a turnout concealed by a skyrail system, taken from another perspective.

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Horizontal rail; 11. Reinforcing plate; 12. Limiting plate; 2. Vertical rail; 3. Guide rail; 4. Arc rail; 5. Power mechanism; 51. Rotating shaft; 511. Limiting block; 512. Limiting ring; 52. Drive assembly; 521. Actuating rod; 522. Drive rod; 523. Limiting support frame; 524. Swinging mechanism; 5241. W-shaped fixing frame; 5242. Servo motor; 5243. V-shaped actuating plate; 525. Protective cover; 526. Cover body; 53. Bushing. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-6 This application will be described in further detail.

[0032] This application discloses a turnout for a skyrail system.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 A turnout for a trackless rail system includes a horizontal rail 1, a vertical rail 2, and a guide rail 3. The vertical rail 2 is connected to the horizontal rail 1 via an arc-shaped rail 4. The guide rail 3 is located at the connection between the horizontal rail 1 and the arc-shaped rail 4, and is driven by a power mechanism 5 inside the horizontal rail 1 and the arc-shaped rail 4. The power mechanism 5 includes a rotating shaft 51 and a drive assembly 52 for rotating the rotating shaft 51. The rotating shaft 51 is rotatably mounted in a bushing 53. One end of the rotating shaft 51 is fixedly connected to the guide rail 3, and a limit block is fitted onto the other end. 511, the drive assembly 52 includes an action rod 521 fixedly connected to the side of the rotating shaft 51. The other end of the action rod 521 is hinged to the drive rod 522. The end of the drive rod 522 near the action rod 521 is provided with a limiting support frame 523. The end of the drive rod 522 away from the action rod 521 is placed on the swing mechanism 524. The swing mechanism 524 is used to drive the drive rod 522 to drive the action rod 521 to rotate the rotating shaft 51 around the axis of the rotating shaft 51 with the limiting support frame 523 as the fulcrum. When track switching is required, the swing mechanism 524 is activated and drives the drive rod 522, causing the drive rod 522 to swing with the limit support frame 523 as a fixed fulcrum. During the swinging process, the hinged end of the drive rod 522 and the action rod 521 will drive the action rod 521 to move synchronously. Since the action rod 521 is fixedly connected to the side of the rotating shaft 51, it will drive the rotating shaft 51 to rotate around its own axis within the bushing 53. The guide rail 3, which is fixedly connected to one end of the rotating shaft 51, rotates with the rotating shaft 51 and is adjusted to a position that precisely connects with the horizontal rail 1 or the arc rail 4. At the same time, the limit block 511 at the other end of the rotating shaft 51 can help limit the rotation angle of the rotating shaft 51, ensuring that the guide rail 3 is switched into place, and finally realizing the smooth track switching of the conveyor between the horizontal rail 1 and the vertical rail 2.

[0034] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6The swing mechanism 524 includes a W-shaped fixed frame 5241 and a servo motor 5242 mounted on one side of the W-shaped fixed frame 5241. A V-shaped action plate 5243 is mounted on the output end of the servo motor 5242. The V-shaped action plate 5243 can move the drive rod 522 on the W-shaped fixed frame 5241 between two slots under the drive of the servo motor 5242. The height of the V-shaped action plate 5243 is greater than that of the W-shaped fixed frame 5241, and its width is smaller than that of the W-shaped plate. The servo motor 5242 is externally connected to a controller. The limiting support frame 523 adopts a U-shaped frame with an open top, and the inner surface of the U-shaped frame has an arc surface. A protective cover 525 is also installed on the outside of the drive assembly 52. ​​The top of the protective cover 525 is provided with a cover 526. The cover 526 is fixedly connected to the top of the horizontal rails 1 and the arc rails 4 on both sides. A limiting ring 512 is fitted between the limiting block 511 at the end of the rotating shaft 51 and the cover 526. When a turnout needs to be driven for track switching, the controller sends a command to the servo motor 5242 of the swing mechanism 524. After the servo motor 5242 starts, it drives the V-shaped action plate 5243 at the output end to rotate. Because the height of the V-shaped action plate 5243 is greater than that of the W-shaped fixing frame 5241 and the width is smaller than that of the W-shaped fixing frame 5241, it will contact the drive rod 522 located in the slot of the W-shaped fixing frame 5241 during its rotation, thus moving the drive rod 522 from the current slot to another slot, causing the drive rod 522 to... The U-shaped frame with an opening at the top of the limiting support frame 523 acts as a fulcrum for swinging. The arc-shaped surface on the inner surface of the U-shaped frame can reduce friction when the drive rod 522 swings. The swing of the drive rod 522 drives the action rod 521 and the rotating shaft 51 to rotate, thereby realizing the switching of the guide rail 3. At the same time, the protective cover 525 and the top cover 526 on the outside of the drive assembly 52 can isolate dust and moisture to protect the internal components. The limiting ring 512 between the limiting block 511 at the end of the rotating shaft 51 and the cover 526 helps to limit the rotation range of the rotating shaft 51, ensuring accurate and stable switching.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6A reinforcing plate 11 is installed at the bottom of the connection between the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4, and a guide rail 3 is rotatably installed inside the reinforcing plate 11. The guide rail 3 can switch between the bottom openings of the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4. The two sides of the guide rail 3 extending outward from the end of the rotating shaft 51 are respectively adapted to the arc surface and the flat surface of the bottom opening of the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4. The bottom opening sides of the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4 are provided with positioning grooves adapted to the guide rail 3, and a limiting plate 12 for limiting the guide rail 3 is installed at the bottom of the positioning groove. During track switching, driven by the power mechanism 5, the guide rail 3 rotates inside the reinforcing plate 11 at the bottom of the connection between the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4. Since the two sides of the guide rail 3 extending outward from the end of the rotating shaft 51 are respectively the arc surface and the plane that are adapted to the bottom opening of the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4, it will gradually extend into the bottom opening of the horizontal rail 1 or the arc rail 4 during the rotation process. At the same time, the positioning groove on the side of the bottom opening of the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4 plays a guiding role for the guide rail 3. After the guide rail 3 rotates to the target position, the limiting plate 12 at the bottom of the positioning groove will limit and fix the guide rail 3, ensuring that the guide rail 3 is accurately adapted to the bottom opening of the horizontal rail 1 or the longitudinal rail, so as to realize the smooth passage and switching of the conveying carrier.

[0036] Working principle: When the turnout needs to switch tracks, the controller issues a command to drive the external servo motor 5242 to run. The V-shaped action plate 5243 at the output end of the servo motor 5242 rotates accordingly, which moves the drive rod 522 placed between the two slots of the W-shaped fixed frame 5241, so that the drive rod 522 swings with the limit support frame 523 as the fulcrum. The limit support frame 523 is a U-shaped frame with an open top and an arc-shaped inner surface. When the drive rod 522 swings, it drives the action rod 521 that is hinged to it. The action rod 521 then drives the rotating shaft 51, which is fixedly connected to itself, to rotate around the axis in the bushing 53. Since one end of the rotating shaft 51 is fixedly connected to the guide rail 3, the guide rail 3 will rotate with the rotating shaft 51. It switches at the bottom opening of the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4. The two sides of the guide rail 3 that extend outward from the end of the rotating shaft 51 are respectively the arc surface and the plane that are adapted to the bottom opening of the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4, which can ensure the smoothness of its connection with the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4. In addition, the guide rail 3 is rotatably installed on the inner side of the reinforcing plate 11 at the bottom of the connection between the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4. The bottom opening side of the horizontal rail 1 and the arc rail 4 is provided with a positioning groove that is compatible with the guide rail 3. The limiting plate 12 at the bottom of the groove can limit the guide rail 3 to ensure the precise position of the guide rail 3. At the same time, the limiting ring 512 between the limiting block 511 fitted at the end of the rotating shaft 51 and the protective cover 525 cover 526 further limits the rotation range of the rotating shaft 51 to ensure the switching accuracy. The protective cover 525 can protect the internal power mechanism 5 from corrosion by external environmental factors.

[0037] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A turnout for a skyrail system, characterized in that: It includes horizontal rail (1), vertical rail (2) and guide rail (3); The vertical rail (2) is connected to the horizontal rail (1) through the arc rail (4), wherein the guide rail (3) is located at the connection between the horizontal rail (1) and the arc rail (4), and the guide rail (3) is driven by the power mechanism (5) inside the horizontal rail (1) and the arc rail (4). The power mechanism (5) includes a rotating shaft (51) and a drive assembly (52) for driving the rotating shaft (51) to rotate. The rotating shaft (51) is rotatably installed in a bushing (53). One end of the rotating shaft (51) is fixedly connected to the guide rail (3), and the other end is fitted with a limit block (511). The drive assembly (52) includes an action rod (521) fixedly connected to the side of the rotating shaft (51). The other end of the action rod (521) is hinged to the drive rod (522). The end of the drive rod (522) near the action rod (521) is provided with a limit support frame (523). The end of the drive rod (522) away from the action rod (521) is placed on a swing mechanism (524). The swing mechanism (524) is used to drive the drive rod (522) to drive the action rod (521) to rotate the rotating shaft (51) around the axis of the rotating shaft (51) with the limit support frame (523) as the fulcrum.

2. A turnout for a skyrail system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The swing mechanism (524) includes a W-shaped fixed frame (5241) and a servo motor (5242) installed on one side of the W-shaped fixed frame (5241). A V-shaped action plate (5243) is installed at the output end of the servo motor (5242). The V-shaped action plate (5243) can move the drive rod (522) on the W-shaped fixed frame (5241) between the two slots under the drive of the servo motor (5242).

3. A turnout for a skyrail system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The height of the V-shaped action plate (5243) is greater than that of the W-shaped fixing frame (5241), and its width is less than that of the W-shaped plate. The servo motor (5242) is externally connected to a controller.

4. A turnout for a skyrail system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The limiting support frame (523) adopts a U-shaped frame with an opening at the top, and the inner surface of the U-shaped frame is provided with an arc-shaped surface.

5. A turnout for a skyrail system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The drive assembly (52) is also equipped with a protective cover (525), the top of which is provided with a cover (526). The cover (526) is fixedly connected to the top of the horizontal rail (1) and the arc rail (4) on both sides. A limit ring (512) is fitted between the limiting block (511) at the end of the rotating shaft (51) and the cover (526).

6. A turnout for a skyrail system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A reinforcing plate (11) is installed at the bottom of the connection between the horizontal rail (1) and the arc rail (4), and a guide rail (3) is rotatably installed on the inner side of the reinforcing plate (11). The guide rail (3) can switch between the bottom opening of the horizontal rail (1) and the arc rail (4).

7. A turnout for a skyrail system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The guide rail (3) extends outward from the end of the rotating shaft (51) on two sides that are respectively adapted to the arc surface and plane of the bottom opening of the horizontal rail (1) and the arc-shaped rail (4).

8. A turnout for a skyrail system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The bottom opening sides of the horizontal rail (1) and the arc rail (4) are provided with positioning grooves that are adapted to the guide rail (3), and a limiting plate (12) for limiting the guide rail (3) is installed at the bottom of the positioning groove.

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