Article Transport Facility With Vertically Spaced Intersecting Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article transport facilities face issues with vibration due to rail intersections and increased size due to seamless integration of intersecting rails, limiting installation flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The transport vehicle is configured with first and second rails spaced apart in the up-down direction, allowing independent installation and preventing seam-induced vibration by using orientation-changing mechanisms for wheels to switch between rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the first rail and second rail are integrated into a single travel rail in the same horizontal plane, then the transport vehicle can travel along both rails, but a level difference is formed at the intersection portion causing vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the vibration problem by moving the rails from the same horizontal plane to different vertical levels. The first rail and second rail are positioned at different heights, eliminating the level difference issue at intersections. This spatial reconfiguration allows the transport vehicle to access both rails without encountering vibration-causing seams, while maintaining the ability to travel along multiple routes through the orientation changing mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the travel rail is integrally formed to eliminate seams, then vibration is reduced, but the size of the travel rail increases and installation flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the travel rail system into separate first rail and second rail components positioned at different heights. This segmentation allows each rail to be installed independently, providing installation flexibility while eliminating the need for large integral structures. The rails can be separately manufactured and then assembled, avoiding the vibration issues of seamless integration while maintaining structural integrity.
3Area of stationary object
If the first rail and second rail intersect in the same horizontal plane, then the structure is compact, but the transport vehicle experiences vibration and installation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the operation stability issue by repositioning the rails in the vertical dimension. Instead of intersecting in the same horizontal plane, the first rail and second rail are arranged at different heights. This three-dimensional configuration eliminates the vibration problem while maintaining spatial efficiency. The orientation changing mechanism enables the transport vehicle to switch between rails without encountering level differences, ensuring stable operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An article transport facility includes a first rail and a second rail. The second rail is spaced upward relative to the first rail, and intersects the first rail in a view in an up-down direction. The transport vehicle includes a vehicle body disposed between the first rail and the second rail in the up-down direction, a first traveling unit that causes the vehicle body to travel along a first direction, and a second traveling unit that causes the vehicle body to travel along a second direction.