AU708565B2

AU708565B2 - Rail-mounted conveyor system and method of operating it

Info

Publication number: AU708565B2
Application number: AU74945/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Dirk Brunnengraber; Jacques Fajeau
Original assignee: Telelift GmbH
Current assignee: Telelift GmbH
Priority date: 1995-11-09
Filing date: 1996-10-29
Publication date: 1999-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-29
Also published as: AU7494596A; BR9611395A; EP0859716B1; JP2000500412A; WO1997017242A1; ATE182294T1; DE59602500D1; EP0859716A1; DK0859716T3; NZ321585A; KR19990067451A; PL325643A1; ES2135933T3; CN1201426A

Abstract

The conveyor system proposed has self-propelled carriages (22) which travel on rails (12). To simplify and improve the conveyor system, the carriages (22) are fitted with a rigidly mounted container (24) having a cavity in which boxes (26) intended for the conveyance of goods can be placed and held. The boxes (26) are loaded into the container and unloaded again at loading and unloading stations (10).

Description

20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 RAIL-MOUNTED CONVEYOR SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING

IT

Technical Field The invention relates to a rail-mounted conveyor system according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as a method to operate the same according to claim 18.

State of the Art Rail-mounted conveyor systems of the above-mentioned type are known, for instance from the EP 0 513 460 Bl. In this rail-mounted system the conveyor carriage has connection means in the form of coupling means, which are arranged on the upper side of the conveyor carriage and act together with the bottom portion of a transport box to be conveyed. These coupling means consist of profiled lateral components running parallelly with the rails, wherein the transport box is movable in the travel direction, or they can swing in and out in transverse direction against the bottom portion of a transport box. The drawback is that in a vertical track arrangement, no stations can be arranged on top of each other. A station can be arranged only at the end of a horizontally running track, since at the station a ramp for receiving the box has always to be 2 provided underneath the box. Even then the transport box can be released only when the conveyor carriage has left the station moving upwards. This way the desired versatility in using the conveyor carriage for several transport boxes is strictly limited.

The US Patent 4 015 537 describes a further rail-mounted conveyor system, wherein a vertically positioned container is pivotally mounted on the container carriage. In this conveyor system no means are provided for the separation of the transport box from the conveyor carriage at a station.

Therefore each transport box requires its own conveyor carriage, which makes the conveyor system very expensive.

Description of the Invention It is the object of the invention to create a rail-mounted conveyor system of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which makes possible the arrangement of stations at any point in the vertical track runs of a track system and which always insures the release of a transport box from the conveyor carriage.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a railmounted conveyor system with self-propelled conveyor carriages running on rails, which have connection means for temporarily receiving and holding of transport boxes intended for the conveyance of goods, as well as loading and/or unloading stations for loading and/or unloading of the conveyor carriages in which the connection means includes: a receiving container provided with a receiving opening for a transport box and being rigidly connected with the conveyor carriage; or 25 a receiving platform for a transport box pivotable about a swivel axis running perpendicularly to a plane in which the rails lie, which is pivotably connected with the conveyor carriage via a support arm, whereby the receiving opening of the receiving container or the receiving platform can be brought into register with a loading/unloading 30 ramp of a station.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for operating a rail-mounted conveyor system, in which the rails are arranged in a closed circuit and the conveyor carriages are set to circulate at equal distances.

Due to the fact that the transport box can be arranged either in a receiving container rigidly mounted on a conveyor carriage or on a receiving 3 platform pivotally mounted on a conveyor carriage, whereby the inlet opening of the receiving container, as well as the receiving platform can be synchronised with a loading and/or unloading ramp of a station, such a station can be provided at any point of a vertical track run, since now it is no longer necessary for a receiving ramp to project through the stations into the conveying profile of a conveyor system, in order to be able to receive a transport box. Further no special discharge switches and discharge tracks are required. The construction of the conveyor carriage according to the invention is particularly suited for vertical track runs. In certain embodiments the conveyor carriage is also suited for other track runs.

Advantageous embodiments of the conveyor system are described in claims 2 to 22 and of the method for its operation in the claims 24 to 26.

o o o a:

S..

S oa oS.

o o S

*SS

20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 In simple track runs it can be sufficient to arrange the transport box in the receiving container, without securing it. In more complicated conveying tasks, such as in overhead transport, it is absolutely necessary to provide the receiving container according to claim 2 with locking means for securing the transport box in the receiving container. Thereby the securing means according to claim 3 can be a mechanical snap-action member, which in simpler cases can be released by hand, but preferably by a motor, for instance electromagnetically. A further particularly preferred embodiment of the securing means is described in claim 4, with a permanent-magnet holder which can be deactivated by electrically, thereby releasing the transport box.

In the most simple case, the transport box can rest against the lateral walls of the receiving container. The loading and unloading of the receiving container is facilitated by the design according to claim 5, and thereby the transport device can be inactive and can consist of a roller conveyor according to claim 6, so that the transport box is automatically released from the receiving container when the securing means are released. More advantageous is an embodiment according to claim 7, whereby the transport 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 device actively performs the loading and unloading of the transport box at one station.

When the conveyor carriage has a receiving platform, for simple conveying tasks the latter can be a simple plate. Thereby the receiving platform can be loaded, respectively unloaded, in that the transport box is moved transversely to its longitudinal direction, but preferably in its longitudinal direction, in order to avoid a tilting of the transport box. For the guidance of the transport box on the receiving platform and for partial securing, the conveyor system is preferably designed according to claim 8. However its design according to claim 9 is more advantageous for preventing the transport box to slip down during transport. Numerous examples are offered for the design of the safety device, whereby a design analogous to claims 3 and 4 is possible. Such safety devices can be released manually, but are preferably motor-driven.

A

safety device particularly advantageous for a receiving platform is described in claim The receiving platform can be manually loaded with a transport box, and/or unloaded, however more suitable is the embodiment according to claim 11,

UJI

;Y

I

20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 particularly when the conveyor system is intended to be automatically operated.

It serves the purpose to provide means for eliminating the pivotability of the receiving platform at a station, in order to insure a safe loading and unloading of the receiving platform at the station. For this purpose members of the receiving platform can be equipped with stationary feeding and discharge guides at a station.

Claim 12 describes a particularly simple solution.

For the construction of the station for loading and unloading of a container carriage with a transport box a great variety of solutions is available, whereby the respective ramps can be simple slides on which the transport boxes are moved by hand, in order to load or unload a conveyor carriage.. However more advantageous is a design of the station according to claim 13, with a transport device for loading, respectively unloading the conveyor carriage. Thereby the transport device can be inactive, for instance consisting of a simple roller bottom or an endless transport belt. However it is more advantageous when the transport device for loading, respectively unloading is equipped with a corresponding 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 driving device.

A station construction according to claim 14 is advantageous for unloading the conveyor carriage. The loading of the conveyor carriage can be improved by a station construction according to claim 15. When at one loading station more than one transport box are at the same time in a waiting position, a construction of the conveyor system according to claim 16 proves to be advantageous.

The arresting element or elements can be operated from the conveyor carriage, whereby there for instance a telescopic pusher is provided which cooperates with a corresponding actuation member for the arresting element. But it is also possible that a corresponding driving device for instance an electromagnet, be arranged directly at the station. The actuation can be done manually via corresponding switch or automatically at the arrival of a conveyor carriage via a corresponding control unit of the conveyor system.

Claim 17 describes a particularly advantageous transport device, which makes possible to insure an overlapping transport between the conveyor carriage and the station ramp for loading and unloading of a conveyor carriage.

7 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 For the control of the conveyor system and the loading, respectively unloading, there are a great variety of possibilities exist, from the simple manual operation to a semi-automatic, up to a fully automatic operation, via corresponding control systems. Such control systems are known in principle, so that they need not be closer described. Thereby the control of the conveyor system can be simplified through a method of operation according to claim 18. For preventing the conveyor carriages from roll derailment a further development of the method according to claims 19 and/or 20 is advantageous. Claim 21 describes an advantageous control of the conveyor system.

Brief Description of the Drawing Embodiment examples of the invention are subsequently closer described with the aid of a schematic drawing, which shows: Figure 1 a loading and an unloading station on two vertical track runs of a conveyor system, in a plan view; Figure 2 an unloading station in a diagrammatic representation; 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/0468 7 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 a transport device at a station for unloading, respectively loading of a conveyor carriage with a transport box, in a view transversely to the loading, respectively unloading direction.

the transport device system of Figure 3 in a plan view and partially sectioned; a further transport device at a station, in a plan view; the transport device of Figure 5 with a view on the entrainment pin in cutout; a conveyor carriage with a receiving container and a transport box with securing means for the same, in a side view and transversely to the travel direction; the securing means of Figure 7 in detail at a larger scale; a second safety device, in a cutout and at a

(A"

cv- v~ 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 larger scale; Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 a third safety device, in a cutout and at a larger scale; a loading station with a conveyor carriage, in a side view and transversely to the travel direction; an unloading station with a conveyor carriage in a side view and transversely to the travel direction; a further conveyor system in a cutout with a conveyor carriage with a receiving platform for a transport box at a station, in a transverse view with respect to the travel direction and to the rail plane; the conveyor system of Figure 13 in the view XV-XV of Figure 13; the conveyor system of Figure 13 in section

XV-XV;

20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18 Figure 19 a loading station and an unloading station arranged underneath it, in a transverse view with respect to the travel direction and the rail plane; Loading and unloading stations arranged next to each other in a view transversely to the travel direction and the rail plane; a diagram of a conveyor system with a closed-circuit rail system and guide rail segments; and the diagram of the conveyor system according to Figure 18, but with a communication rail.

Ways to Implement the Invention Figure 1 shows a conveyor system with two vertical rail tracks 2, 4 arranged in a shaft 6 and a connected loading station 8 for the rail track 2 and an unloading station 10 for the rail track 4. A rail 12 of such a conveyor system has a base part 14 and lateral parts 16, whereby the latter contain mutually facing flange parts 18, which surround in a C-like fashion the running or driving 11 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 wheels 20 of a conveyor carriage 22. The rails comprise live rails which are not closer described and optionally a guide rail and toothed racks, and the conveyor carriage 22 has a driving toothed wheel. Further the conveyor carriage is equipped with a motor, so that it can move on its own.

Such a conveyor carriage and the pertaining rails are designed for instance according to the US Patent 3 636 883.

The conveyor carriage 22 further comprises a rigidly mounted receiving container 24 for a transport box 26, which is introduced into the receiving container 24 of a conveyor carriage stopped at a loading station 8 via a loading ramp 28. At an unloading station 10 the transport box 26 can be discharged at an unloading ramp 30. Thereby the arrangement is made so that the loading station 8 and the unloading station 10 border on the conveying profile of the conveyor system and do not hinder the free circulation of the conveyor carriage with the receiving container.

Figure 2 shows in a diagrammatic representation an unloading station 10 containing a transport device 32, which has an entrainment pin 36 arranged on an actuatable revolving member 34, which by means of the revolving member 34 and the guide rollers 38 travels through an active zone in the lower stand of the revolving member and through a 12 i 13 return area in the upper stretch. The transport device 32 located at the transition area projects from the unloading ramp 30 into the conveying area of the conveyor carriage 22, namely so that the entrainment pin 36 can seize a catch 40 of the transport box 26 which is arranged in the receiving container 24 of a conveyor carriage 22 and stop it in front of the unloading station. Then by means of the revolving member 34, the entrainment pin 36 pulls the transport box 26 from the receiving container 24 of the conveyor carriage 22 onto the unloading ramp 30. The latter comprises a roller conveyor formed by rollers 42 and lateral guides 44. When the revolving member 34 of the transport device 32 is driven in the opposite direction of rotation, the entrainment pin 34 can serve for the transfer of a transport box 26 into the receiving container 24 of a conveyor carriage 22 stopped at the station.

Figures 3 and 4 show a further transport device 46 for the transfer of a transport box between a receiving container 24 of a conveyor carriage and a ramp 48 of a station. For this purpose the transport device 46 comprises a swinging arm 50 fastened to a shaft 52 and corotationally connected with a toothed wheel 54 which meshes with a toothed rack 56, e* '0 9* 9* *99

_'I

20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 stationarily connected with the ramp 48. A motor 58 serves for driving the shaft 52 via a gear 60, so that the toothed wheel 54 is driven and moves forward via the toothed rack 56. Thereby the shaft 52 is also moved at the same time and the swinging arm 50 is swung from the position shown in Figure 3 on the right to the position shown in Figure 3 to the left in dash-dot lines. The entire mechanism is guided to slide back and forth on a guide rod 62. When the swinging arm 50 is swung, an entrainment pin 64 comes into engagement with a catch 66 on the transport box 26, and at a further motion of the swinging arm 50, pulls the transport box 26 from the receiving container 24 onto the ramp 48 of the unloading station. A reverse motion of the transport device 46 can serve for loading a receiving container 24 with the transport box 26.

Figures 5 and 6 show a third transport device 68, which at a loading and/or unloading station serves for the transfer of a transport box 26 from the receiving container 24 of a conveyor carriage 22 at the ramp 70 of the station, respectively vice versa. The transport device 68 comprises a lift-thrust rod 72, which by means of a drive 74 can be moved back and forth in the loading, respectively unloading direction 76. At the free end the lift-thrust rod 72 14 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 comprises an entrainment pin 78 which can swing back and forth between an entrainment position shown in Figure 6 for a catch 80 of the transport box 26 and a free position shown in dash-dot lines in Figure 6. The loading and unloading of a transport box 26 takes place in manner analogous to the above-described examples.

Figures 7 and 8 show a safety device 82 which insures a firm hold of the transport box 26 in the receiving container 24 of the conveyor carriage 22. For this purpose the safety device comprises a catch spring 84 made of spring steel fastened on the receiving container 24 and a cam-shaped head portion 86, which when the transport box 26 is inserted reaches over a rim 88 of the same. The spring force of the catch spring 84 is calculated so that the catch spring 84 will lock or release the transport box 26 as intended, while at the same time a release of the transport box 26 from the receiving container 24 is avoided during the conveying process under normal loads.

Figure 9 shows a further safety device 90 with a rocker 94 supported on the receiving container 24 so that it can swing about an axle 92. On one side the rocker 94 has a locking nose 96 which interacts with a recess 98 in 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 the transport box 26. An abutting surface 100 insures the automatic locking of the lockingnose 96 at the recess 98, when the transport box 26 is inserted in the receiving container 24. A pressure spring 102 serves for prestressing the rocker 94, and therewith the locking nose 96 into the locking position shown in Figure 9. For the release of the safety device 90 serves an actuation device 104, for instance a piston/cylinder unit or a lifting magnet, whereby a plunger 106 moves the rocker 94 against the prestressing force of the pressure spring 102 into the open position, as indicated by the arrow 107 in Figure 9.

Figure 10 shows yet another safety device 108, which has two angled arms 112 swingable about an axis 110, The angled arms are arranged so that the arms 114 point towards each other and are connected via a swivel joint 116 with a plunger 118 of an actuation device 120. The free arms 122 of the angled arms 112 have locking noses 124 pointing outwardly away from each other with abutting surfaces 126, which engage from behind in corresponding restraining elements 128, arranged on a transport box. A pressure spring 130 stresses the arms 122 outward, and therewith the locking nose 124. By means of the actuation device 120, by pulling the plunger 118 the engagement can be released, as 16 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 shown in dash-dot lines in Figure Figures 11 and 12 show a conveyor carriage 22 with a modified receiving container 132 at a loading station 134 and an unloading station 136. The receiving container 132 comprises at its contact side a transport device 140 for the transport box 26. The transport device 140 has a receiving platform 142 for the transport box 26, whereby this receiving platform 142 is designed as a rocker 144, which is arranged swingably about an swivel axle 146 floatingly supported in the receiving container 132.

Between the rocker 144 and the contact side 138 of the receiving container 132 a turntable 148 is arranged, which has a wedge 150 imparting the corresponding inclination to the rocker 144. The turntable 148 is rotated by means of a drive 152, whereby limit switches 154, 156 determine the end positions of the turntable 148. Free-running or optionally driven rollers 158 are arranged on the rocker 144.

In Figure 11 the rocker 144 is arranged so that it is inclined towards the rear end of the receiving container and serves for receiving a transport box 26 coming from a loading ramp 160. The loading ramp can be a chute or a 17 R4 clr'C 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 roller train with rollers 161. At the inner end of the rocker a catch 162 is provided, which can optionally serve for securing the transport box 26 in the receiving container 132. For this purpose the catch 162 is designed as a permanent magnet and can be electrically deactivated.

At the upper end of the receiving container a limit switch 164 is arranged, which signals the orderly arrival of a transport box in the receiving container 132. A further safety device 166 is arranged in the proximity of the opening 168 of the receiving container 132 and has a safety catch 170 which prevents the transport box 26 from sliding out of the receiving container 132 in the lower position shown in Figure 11. In the position shown in Figure 11 the conveyor carriage 22 and therewith the receiving container 132 is at the loading ramp 160 of the loading station 134, whereby the loading ramp is inclined towards the receiving container 132 and the transport boxes 26 are already stationed for transfer at the stop members 172, 174, which prevents the transport boxes 26 from sliding unintentionally into the receiving container 132 or from falling off the loading ramp 160 in the absence of the conveyor carriage 22. The stop members can be actuated mechanically by hand or by the approach of a conveyor carriage, as further described in Fig. 16, or electrically, 18 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 e.g. by means of an electromagnet, in a manner which is not closer described.

In Figure 12 the conveyor carriage 22 with its receiving container 132 is shown at an unloading station 136, which comprises a downwardly sloped unloading ramp 176, in order to receive a transport box coming from the receiving container 132. A retractable stop member 178 prevents an uncontrolled run of the transport boxes unto the unloading ramp 176, which similar to the loading ramp is provided with rollers 161. At the unloading station 136 the rocker 144 of the transport device 140 in the receiving container 132 is inclined towards the unloading ramp 176, so that a transport box 26 can freely roll down towards the unloading ramp 176.

Figures 13 to 15 show a further system with a rail track 180 which runs from a vertical segment through a curved portion into a horizontal segment. The rail track 180 comprises again the initially described rail 12 with a base part 14, the lateral parts 16 and the flange parts 18, which reach over the wheels 20 of the conveyor carriage 182. Live rails 184 serve for the supply of driving electrical power to the conveyor carriage 182 and as 19 t K; Nr 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 control rails for the connection and control of the system components. On the base part 14 of the rail 12 also a rack 186 is arranged, which cooperates with a drive pinion of the conveyor carriage 182. The conveyor carriage 182 further comprises a bow-like member 190 which reaches up to the lateral parts 16 of the rail 12 and there it has support rollers 192 which run on the outer side of the lateral parts 16. The bow-like member 190 further comprises a swivel axle 194 to which a support arm 196 is fastened, at whose free end a receiving platform 198 is arranged for receiving a transport box 26. On the side facing away from the support arm 196, the receiving platform 198 is equipped with a guide bolt 200 which is axially parallel to the swivel axle 194 and which at a loading and/or unloading station 202 cooperates with a stationary guide slot 204, in order to stabilize the receiving platform 198 in its position at the station 202.

The guide slot 204 is provided at its access side with a funnel-shaped enlargement 206.

The receiving platform 198 comprises lateral guides 208, which are oriented in the loading, respectively unloading position which in the present example corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the transport V L/ v /1 /N box 26. Seen in the loading, respectively unloading direction, the receiving platform has at both ends safety pins 210, which project into the sliding path of the transport boxes arranged on the receiving platform. The extended, respectively blocking position of the safety pins 210 corresponds to their basic position. These safety pins can be withdrawn in a manner which is not closer described, by hand and/or actuation devices into the free position, wherein they do not hinder the transfer of the transport box from the receiving platform at a ramp 212 of the station 202. Further on the receiving platform a transport device 214 is arranged, which has two endless conveyor belts 216, which in a manner not closer described can be driven by means of an actuator back and forth in transfer direction, in order to deliver a transport box 26 from the receiving platform 198 at the ramp 212 of the station 202 or to receive it therefrom. The ramp 212 of the station 202 is also equipped with a transport device 218 which comprises rollers 220, which can be either freely rotatable for moving the container by hand, or driven in order to receive the transport box 26 automatically from the receiving platform 198 or to deliver it to the same.

Figure 16 shows a conveyor system of the kind i" °e 0 ii.

o* S

S..

20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 illustrated in Figures 13 to 15, whereby a rail track 180 runs in a shaft 222 which in the area of the loading station 224 and of an unloading station 226 arranged therebelow is provided with a wall opening 228 which can be closed by a fire door 230. The loading station 224 is equipped with a loading ramp 232 sloping downwards towards the conveyor carriage 182 and which has rollers 234. At the transfer point, the loading ramp 232 has a stop member 236 which projects into the moving path of the transport box 26 and can be retracted by means of a sliding plate 238 which can be actuated by a corresponding plunger 240 at the receiving platform 198 of the conveyor carriage 182. For this purpose the receiving platform 198 comprises an actuator 242 in the form of an electromagnet, in order to push the plunger 240 against the sliding plate 238, as shown in Figure 16. The sliding plate 238 comprises a first setting cam 244 for the stop member 236, as well as a further setting cam 246 for a further stop member 248, which is arranged on the rear of the waiting transport box and cooperates with a following transport box, in order to retain the latter when the first transport box is transferred at a receiving platform 198 of a conveyor carriage 182 stopped at the station. For this purpose the sliding plate 238 with the setting cams 244, 246 is built 22 IN, so that the setting cams operate alternately. By means of a prestressed spring 250 the sliding plate 238 is prestressed in the basic position, wherein the frontal stop member 236 is in locked position.

The unloading station 226 arranged underneath the loading station 224 is provided with an unloading ramp 252, which receives a transport box delivered from the receiving platform 198, so that the former is conveyed against an end stop 254.

Figure 17 shows a further conveyor system wherein the loading station 224a and the unloading station 226a are designed analogously to the loading station 224 and the unloading station 226 of Fig. 16, however these stations are not arranged one on top of the other but next to one another, and correspondingly serve two rail tracks running next to each other, analogously to the embodiment example in Fig. 1. The conveyor carriage 182a is basically analogous to the conveyor carriage 182, however the receiving platform 198a is built so that a loading and unloading direction, and therewith also the longitudinal direction, of the transport box 26 extend parallel to the *e 9 500

A

S

#4 A R -o r~ 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 swivel axis 194a of the conveyor carriage 182a.

In the construction of the conveyor system according to Figure 16 the receiving platform 198 is suited only for loading stations 224, as well as unloading stations 226, which are arranged on vertical rail tracks. In the construction of the conveyor system according to Figure 17 the receiving platform 198a, the. loading station 244a and the unloading station 226a can be used on any, also horizontally arranged rail tracks. On an optionally horizontal rail track the stations 224a and 225a are not serviced parallelly, as shown in Figure 17 or i, but in succession, as indicated for the vertical rail track in Figure 16.

Figure 18 shows the diagram of a conveyor system for vertical transport in a building over four floors S1, S2, S3, S4. An upward rail track 260 and a downward rail track 262 are connected at the upper and lower ends to a loop by respective reverse shunts 264, 266. In addition in their middle area the rail tracks are connected via a transverse shunt 268. Along the upward rail track 260 loading stations B01, B02, B03, B04 are arranged and along the downward rail track 262 unloading stations E05, E06, E07, 24 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 E08 are arranged. Within the conveyor system circulate conveyor carriages F01, F02, F03, etc., which preferably are at equal distances from each other, which correspond approximately to the height of one floor. This means that in the present example six conveyor carriages are provided, whereby however only three are shown in the drawing for the sake of simplicity. The system components such as stations, rails, control rail segments 270 and shunts are separately connected via corresponding lines with a control unit containing a computer R. Various not closer described reading devices are arranged at the stations and along the tracks, which serve for reading of an identification code F01, F02, F03, etc. of the conveyor carriages and of a target code 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 on the transport boxes to be moved. The conveyor carriages search independently for their target based on the target code and thereby control individual system components. Thereby the control unit R serves for the coordination and monitoring of the conveyor system.

Figure 19 shows the conveyor system of Figure 18, whereby however the control rail segments 270 are replaced by a continuous communication rail 272. By means of the communication rail the individual system components are i 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 connected with the control unit R, which controls the individual system components and directs the conveyor carriage to the target based on the target code set at the sender station. The control is thereby preferably performed according to the principles disclosed in CH-A-677 469. The control of the conveyor system is performed according to the CH-A-677 469 in such a manner that in the control unit R for the pertaining track network a preprogrammed program table is installed, with at least all decision and control commands for all conveying tasks and all system components actively participating therein and that along the track network at least in the decision points position codes 274 are arranged, which are read by the conveyor carriages. Each conveyor carriage communicates by means of the communication rail 272 which extends continuously along the track network with the control unit R. The latter controls at each decision point the conveyor carriage and/or a pertaining component with the aid of the respectively communicated position code in connection with the identification code and the target code, by means of the same control rail, until the conveyor carriage reaches the receiving station.

26 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 Further the control of the conveyor system takes place advantageously in the case of Figures 18 and 19 in such a manner that the conveyor carriages F01, F02, F03 pass through the conveyor system approximately at equal distances. If one conveyor carriage stops at a station, for instance the conveyor carriage F01 at the loading station B03 in order to receive a loaded receiving container, then the remaining circulating conveyor carriages also stop immediately or at least the speed at which they are driven is reduced, in order not to crash into the stopped conveyor carriage.

27 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 List of Reference Numerals B loading station E unloading station F conveyor carriage R control unit S floor 2 rail track 4 rail track 6 shaft 8 loading station unloading station 12 rail 14 base part 16 lateral part 18 flange part wheel 22 conveyor carriage 24 receiving container 26 transport box 28 loading ramp unloading ramp 32 transport device 34 revolving member 36 entrainment pin 38 guide roller catch 42 roller 44 guide 46 transport device 48 ramp swinging arm 52 shaft 54 pinion 56 toothed rack 58 motor gear 62 guide rod 64 entrainment pin 66 catch 68 transport device ramp 72 lift-thrust rod 74 drive 76 loading, respectively unloading station 28 i ii 20625 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 78 entrainment pin catch 82 safety device 84 catch spring 86 cam-shaped head portion safety device 92 axle 94 rocker 96 locking nose 98 recess 100 abutting surface 102 pressure spring 104 actuation device 106 plunger 107 arrow 108 safety device 110 axis 112 angled arm 114 arm 116 swivel joint 118 plunger 120 actuation device 122 arm 124 locking nose 126 abutting surface 128 restraining element 130 pressure spring 132 receiving container 134 loading station 136 unloading station 138 contact side 140 transport device 142 receiving container [sic, should be receiving platform, translator's note] 144 rocker 146 swivel axle 148 turntable 150 wedge 152 actuator 154 limit switch 156 limit switch 158 roller 160 loading ramp 161 roller 162 catch 164 limit switch 166 safety device 29 K~ 20625 WO 97/17242 WO 97/17242 PCT/EP96/04687 168 opening 170 safety catch 172 stop member 174 stop member 176 unloading ramp 178 stop member 180 rail track 182 conveyor carriage 182a conveyor carriage 184 live rail 186 toothed rack 188 driving pinion 190 bow-like member 192 support roller 194 swivel axis 194a swivel axis 196 support arm 198 receiving platform 198a receiving platform 200 guide bolt 202 station 204 guide slot 206 enlargement 208 lateral guide 210 safety pin 212 ramp 214 transport device 216 conveyor belt 218 transport device 220 roller 222 shaft 224 loading station 226 unloading station 226a unloading station 228 wall opening 230 fire door 232 loading ramp 234 roller 236 stop member 238 slide plate 240 plunger 242 actuator 244 adjusting cam 246 adjusting cam 248 stopping member 250 prestressed spring 252 unloading ramp <y 20625 WO 97/17242 254 260 262 264 266 268 270 272 274 PCT/EP96/046 8 7 end stop upward rail track downward rail track upper reverse shunt lower reverse shunt transverse shunt control rail segment communication rail position code r'

C

Claims

1. Rail-mounted conveyor system with self-propelled conveyor carriages running on rails, which have connection means for temporarily receiving and holding of transport boxes intended for the conveyance of goods, as well as loading and/or unloading stations for loading and/or unloading of the conveyor carriages in which the connection means includes: a receiving container provided with a receiving opening for a transport box and being rigidly connected with the conveyor carriage; or a receiving platform for a transport box pivotable about a swivel axis running perpendicularly to a plane in which the rails lie, which is pivotably connected with the conveyor carriage via a support arm, whereby the receiving opening of the receiving container or the receiving platform can be brought into register with a loading/unloading ramp of a station.

2. Conveyor system according to claim 1, in which the receiving container has at least one releasable safety device for securing the transport box in the receiving container.

3. Conveyor system according to claim 2, in which the safety device has at least one releasable mechanical catch element.

4. Conveyor system according to claim 3, in which the catch element is motor-operated.

Conveyor system according to claim 2, in which the safety device has 'at least one permanently magnetic holding magnet cooperating with the transport box. 25

6. Conveyor system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the receiving container is provided with a transport device on which the transport box is receivable.

7. Conveyor system according to claim 6, in which the transport device has an inclined receiving member, the inclination of which is adjustable 30 from sloping downwards towards an entrance opening of the receiving container to sloping downwards towards a rear wall, opposite the entrance opening, of the receiving container.

8. Conveyor system according to claim 7, in which the receiving member includes a rocker, the inclination of which is adjustable by means of an actuator.

9. Conveyor system according to claim 8, in which the actuator includes a turntable.

Conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the receiving platform has lateral guides arranged on opposite sides of the receiving platform between which the transport box is received, the guides extending in a loading/unloading direction of the transport box.

11. Conveyor system according to claim 9, in which the receiving platform has at least one releasable safety device for securing the transport box on the receiving platform.

12. Conveyor system according to claim 11, in which the safety device includes two safety pins which are arranged at opposed ends of the receiving platform when seen in the loading/unloading direction of the transport box, each pin, in its rest position, projecting into a path of the transport box and each pin being retractable into a release position.

13. Conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the receiving platform includes a conveying device actuatable in the loading/unloading direction of the transport box for loading the transport box on to, or unloading the transport box from, the receiving platform.

14. Conveyor system according to claim 13, in which the conveying device includes at least one revolving member.

Conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, on its side facing away from the support arm, the receiving platform has a guide bolt which is axially parallel to the swivel axis and which at each station is received in a guide slot having a funnel-shaped enlargement on its 25 access side. o

16. Conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, at each station, a displacing device is provided for loading or unloading the conveyor carriage.

17. Conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, in 30 which, at each unloading station, an unloading ramp for at least one transport box is arranged, the unloading ramp sloping downwardly away 1* from the conveyor carriage, in use.

18. Conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, at each loading station, a loading ramp for at least one transport box is arranged, the loading ramp sloping downwardly towards the conveyer Al) carriage, in use, the loading ramp, at a transfer point between the ramp and the conveyor carriage, comprising a stop member which is retractable from a path of the transport box.

19. Conveyor system according to claim 18, in which the stop member is actuatable by a conveyor carriage present at the loading station.

Conveyor system according to claim 18 or 19, in which the stop member, being a first stop member, cooperates with a control slide plate slidably supported in the loading ramp, the plate, in turn, interacting with a further stop member, spaced from the first stop member, so that when the first stop member is operative, the further stop member is inoperative, and vice versa.

21. Conveyor system according to claim 20, in which the control slide plate is actuatable by the conveyor carriage.

22. Conveyor system according to claim 16, in which the displacing device of the station includes an engagement pin which is configured to protrude into the path of the transport box so that, in one direction of movement of the transport box, the engagement pin unloads the transport box from the conveyor carriage and, in the opposite direction of movement of the transport box, the engagement pin loads the transport box on to the conveyor carriage.

23. Method for operating a rail-mounted conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rails are arranged in a closed circuit and the conveyor carriages are set to circulate at equal distances.

24. Method according to claim 23, in which, when a conveyor carriage is stopped at a station, the remaining circulating conveyor carriages are stopped S. 25 or at least slowed down.

25. Method according to claim 23 or 24, in which, in the circuit, parts thereof are connected via a transverse shunt.

26. Method according to any one of claims 23 to 25, in which all system components are connected via a communication bar with a common control 30 unit. S.

27. Rail-mounted conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. i

28. Method for operating a rail-mounted conveyor system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, Dated this fourth day of June 1999. TELELIFT GmbH Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F BRICE CO C. C. C C S C t tee. OCCC 0* C CC S S.. C OC@@ 0q C C C. Ce,. C C. CC 'S C C C C