Overhead Transport Apparatus Guide Rail Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional overhead type transport apparatuses have complex structures due to rail transfer mechanisms at junctions, limiting the addition of transport units and reducing transport efficiency and safety, especially when handling multiple objects.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features multiple transport units traveling along guide rails with a simplified structure, where transport units can move along straight or curved rails without transferring rails at junctions, using carrier units with rotating mechanisms and basket units for efficient object transfer between overhead transport apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rail transfer mechanism is added at junctions to enable transport member transfer between main track and sub track, then the transport apparatus can selectively travel to different destinations, but the structure of the guide rail and transport member becomes relatively complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rail transfer mechanism from the junction area entirely. Instead of having transport members transfer between main track and sub track at junctions, the system provides separate guide rails for each transport member, eliminating the complex transfer mechanism while maintaining the ability to serve multiple destinations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the guide rail system into multiple independent guide rails, each serving a specific transport member. This segmentation allows each transport member to have its own dedicated path, eliminating the need for shared junctions and transfer mechanisms
2Reliability
If one transport member is moving along the guide rail from starting point to destination point, then the transport operation can be performed, but another transport member cannot be added to the guide rail, restricting transport rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides separate guide rails for different transport members, allowing multiple transport members to operate independently and simultaneously on different rails. This eliminates the restriction where only one transport member can occupy the guide rail at a time, thereby increasing transport rate while maintaining operational stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single shared guide rail to multiple parallel guide rails, adding spatial dimension to the system. This allows transport members to operate in parallel on different rails, increasing throughput without interfering with each other's operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design simplifies the structure, enhances transport efficiency by allowing multiple units to operate simultaneously, and minimizes delays and damage by stabilizing object delivery between transport apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a carrier unit 300 that is coupled to a bottom of each transport unit 200 and rotates about a carrier rotating unit 310
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead type transport apparatus includes: a guide rail that includes a main rail and one or more sub rails crossing the main rail and is fixed to a ceiling side; two or more transport units that travel along the guide rail; a carrier unit that is coupled to the bottom of each transport unit and rotates about a carrier rotating unit, one end being inclined upward or downward with respect to the other end; and a basket unit that is attached to and detached from the bottom of each carrier unit.