Overhead Transfer Layout for Mixed-Vehicle Transport Facilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport facilities using ground and overhead transport vehicles face inefficiencies due to the need for a loading and unloading device on the floor, which narrows the floor area and limits the travelable region for the ground transport vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A transport facility design that includes an overhead transport vehicle traveling on a ceiling track, a ground transport vehicle on the floor, and a transfer section above the floor, allowing direct transfer between the overhead and ground vehicles without occupying floor space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a loading and unloading device is installed on the floor surface to transfer articles between ground and overhead transport vehicles, then article transfer capability is improved, but floor area is reduced and ground transport vehicle travel region is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer section is moved from the floor surface (2D plane) to the space above the floor surface (3D space), utilizing the vertical dimension. This allows article transfer between overhead and ground transport vehicles without occupying floor area, as the transfer section is positioned in the air space above the floor rather than on the floor surface itself.
2Ease of operation
If a loading and unloading device is installed on the floor surface, then article transfer capability is improved, but ground transport vehicle travelable region is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the transfer section above the floor surface rather than on it, the ground transport vehicle maintains full access to the floor area for travel. The vehicle can approach the transfer section from below and transfer articles vertically, preserving its mobility and travelable region while still enabling article transfer functionality.
3Area of stationary object
If the transfer section is disposed above the floor surface and separated from it, then space utilization efficiency is improved, but transfer section accessibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The overhead transport vehicle serves as an intermediary between the elevated transfer section and the ground transport vehicle. Articles are transferred from the ground vehicle to the overhead vehicle, which then delivers them to the transfer section above, enabling access to the elevated position without requiring direct physical access to the transfer section itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport facility equipped with an overhead transport vehicle, a ground transport vehicle, and a transport device includes a transfer section for an article to be transferred between the overhead transport vehicle and the transport device, the transfer section being on the upper side of a floor surface and separated from the floor surface. The overhead transport vehicle and the ground transport vehicle are configured to directly transfer an article therebetween, and the ground transport vehicle and the transport device are configured to transfer an article therebetween via the overhead transport vehicle and the transfer section.