EP0302878B1 - Switch in a conveyor system with overhead carriages - Google Patents
Switch in a conveyor system with overhead carriages Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0302878B1 EP0302878B1 EP19870902839 EP87902839A EP0302878B1 EP 0302878 B1 EP0302878 B1 EP 0302878B1 EP 19870902839 EP19870902839 EP 19870902839 EP 87902839 A EP87902839 A EP 87902839A EP 0302878 B1 EP0302878 B1 EP 0302878B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- tongue
- switching
- point
- control shaft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
- E01B25/00—Tracks for special kinds of railways
- E01B25/22—Tracks for railways with the vehicle suspended from rigid supporting rails
- E01B25/26—Switches; Crossings
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a switch in a conveyor system with overhead carriages for switching the carriages between a main track and a branch track, and more specifically to a switch of the type defined in the preamble of appended claim 1.
- a switch of this general structure is disclosed in US-A-3,006,287, on which said preamble is based.
- This switch consists of a turntable which is located at the point where switching should be performed between two tracks, and which is mounted on a shaft at right angles to the tracks.
- the turntable carries two track sections whose length and shape are adapted to the discontinuities in the tracks where switching should be effected. By rotating the shaft, one of the track sections of the turntable is brought to a suitable switching position.
- this switch also suffers from the same shortcomings as the switch mentioned above, i.e. it is difficult to operate and has no distinct, reliable switching positions. Also in this turntable-type switch, the carriages may stop unintentionally and even drop from the tracks.
- the object of the present invention therefore is to provide a quick, reliable and easily operated switch having distinct, reliable switching positions.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a switch minimizing the risk that the carriages suspended from the tracks may stop or drop from the track.
- Fig. 1 illustrates a conveyor system using overhead carriages and including switches according to the invention.
- Fig. 2 illustrates the switch according to the invention with certain parts removed, when in a first switching position.
- Fig. 3 illustrates the switch according to the invention with certain parts removed, when in a second switching position.
- Fig. 1 shows a conveyor system employing trolleys or carriages 1 which are suspended by means of wheels 3 from an undriven track 2 and which in a known manner are manually, freely rollable on the track 2.
- Associated with the track 2 are a plurality of branch tracks 4 onto which the carriages 1 can be switched, as desired.
- a switch,5 schematically illustrated in this Figure is provided at each point where branch tracks 4 join the track 2, one of said points being marked with a ring.
- Fig. 2 it is shown how the switch 5 according to the invention is arranged in relation to the track 2 and the branch track 4.
- the carriage 1, of which only part is shown, is suspended from the track 2 by means of the wheel 3 which, as mentioned above, is rolling freely on the track 2.
- the switch 5 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the carriage 1 can be rolled past the switch 5 without being switched onto the branch track 4.
- the switch 5, disposed horizontally in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a U-shaped frame 6 located at the side of the track 2.
- a first switch tongue 7 which is pivotal at a first connecting point 8 and whose free end 9 in the switching position shown is located at a switching point 10. In this switching position, the first switch tongue 7 bridges the space between the first connecting point 8 and the switching point 10 in such a manner that the carriage 1 can be moved through the switch 5 in a direction forming an extension of the track 2.
- the switch 5 further comprises a second switch tongue 11 which is pivotally mounted at a second connecting point 12 and whose free end 13 in the switching position shown is raised from the switching point 10.
- the end of the switch tongue 7 located at the necting point 8 is fixedly connected to an L-shaped link element 14 pivotally mounted on one shank 15 of the frame 6 by means of a shaft 16.
- the end of the switch tongue 11 located at the connecting point 12 is fixedly connected to an L-shaped link element 17 pivotally mounted by means of a shaft 18 on a part 19 of the frame 6.
- the frame part 19 is spaced from and extends substantially parallel to the shank 15 of the frame 6.
- a control shaft 20 comprising a first link system in the form of a link arm 21 one end of which is hingedly connected to the L-shaped link element 14 and the other end of which is hingedly connected to a link 22 fixedly mounted on the control shaft 20.
- the link system 14, 21, 22 controls the pivotal movement of the first switch tongue 7.
- the switch tongue 11 has a similar link system in the form of a link arm 23 one end of which is hingedly connected to the L-shaped link element 17 and the other end of which is hingedly connected to a link 24 fixedly mounted on the control shaft 20.
- the link system 17, 23, 24 controls the pivotal movement of the second switch tongue 11.
- the two link systems 14, 21, 22 and 17, 23, 24 together form a link mechanism which is acutated by the control shaft 20 and by means of which the switch tongues 7, 11 are pivoted about their connecting points 8 and 12, respectively, for performing the switching operation.
- the rotation of the control shaft 20 is brought about manually by means of a control lever 25.
- a safety rail 26 having the same shape as the switch tongue 11 is provided underneath this tongue.
- the rail 26 extends from one location below the switching point 10 to another location below the connecting point 12.
- the safety rail 26 may of course instead be located below the switch tongue 7.
- the switch 5 is shown in its second switching position, i.e. after rotation of the control shaft 20.
- the link mechanism By means of the link mechanism, the free end 9 of the tongue 7 has been pivoted up from the switching point 10, while the free end 13 of the switch tongue 11 has been pivoted down onto the switching point 10.
- the carriage not shown in this Figure, can thus be rolled onto the branch track 4.
- connecting points 8, 12 and the switching point 10 are arranged in a common, substantially horizontal plane at the corners of an imaginary triangle. It further appears that the control shaft 20 and the connecting points 8, 12 are located in a plane substantially at right angles to the horizontal plane in which said triangle is contained.
- the alternate operation of the switch 5, i.e. the pivotal movements of the switch tongues 7, 11 to and from the common switching point 10, is effected in a quick, simple and highly reliable manner.
- the distinct switching positions of the switch tongues 7, 11, which have a U-shaped section in the illustrated embodiment, are further ensured by a rod or pin 27 which is provided at the switching point 10 and by means of which the ends 9 and 13 of the switch tongues 7 and 11, respectively, are engaged in the switching position. Similar rods are provided at the connecting points 8, 12.
- the switch 5 has been described as a manually operable switch, but it is evident that it may as well be automatically operable by means of a schematically illustrated pneumatic or hydraulic unit 28 which is part of the conveyor system and which brings about rotation of the control shaft 20 and is controlled by position transducers 29 arranged along the tracks 2, 4 and sensing the movement of the carriages 1 (see Fig. 1).
- the different parts of the switch 5 are preferably of metal so that the parts to be fixedly interconnected can easily be welded together.
- the different parts may be assembled by screw means and that the parts may wholly or partly consist of plastic.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Chain Conveyers (AREA)
- Railway Tracks (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention generally relates to a switch in a conveyor system with overhead carriages for switching the carriages between a main track and a branch track, and more specifically to a switch of the type defined in the preamble of appended claim 1. A switch of this general structure is disclosed in US-A-3,006,287, on which said preamble is based.
- Currently, there are several different types of systems available for conveying, handling, storing and distributing products suspended from trolleys or carriages which are moved along tracks in the system. These tracks may either be driven or undriven. In the latter case, the carriages are generally suspended from the track by means of one or more wheels rolling freely on the track. In such systems with overhead carriages rolling on undriven tracks, it is often desirable to be able to switch the carriages onto different tracks, for instance to different working stations, buffer store or for delivery. For example, it may be desirable to switch certain carriages from several branch tracks onto a main track and thereafter move these carriages to a location where the products placed in the carriage should be packed, stored, loaded or the like. To ensure efficient switching of the carriages between the tracks, a quickly and conveniently operated switching device is required.
- Different solutions to the above-mentioned problem have been presented. One solution which is close at hand and often used in practice is the provision of a switch having articulated switch tongues which are shifted between different tracks. However, these switch tongues must be relatively long to make the switch operate satisfactorily, which makes the switch very difficult to operate in its entirety. Switches of this type also suffer from the drawback that the carriages may easily stop in the switch because of the absence of distinct positions of the switch tongues. At worst, the entire carriage may drop from the track. A switch of this type is disclosed in US-A-1,078,945.
- Another known solution to the same problem is a switch operating according to the turntable principle. This switch consists of a turntable which is located at the point where switching should be performed between two tracks, and which is mounted on a shaft at right angles to the tracks. The turntable carries two track sections whose length and shape are adapted to the discontinuities in the tracks where switching should be effected. By rotating the shaft, one of the track sections of the turntable is brought to a suitable switching position. However, this switch also suffers from the same shortcomings as the switch mentioned above, i.e. it is difficult to operate and has no distinct, reliable switching positions. Also in this turntable-type switch, the carriages may stop unintentionally and even drop from the tracks.
- The object of the present invention therefore is to provide a quick, reliable and easily operated switch having distinct, reliable switching positions. Another object of the invention is to provide a switch minimizing the risk that the carriages suspended from the tracks may stop or drop from the track.
- These and other objects stated hereinafter have now been achieved by means of a switch which is of the type described by way of introduction and which, according to the invention, has the further features stated in the characterising clause of appended claim 1.
- Preferred embodiments of the switch according to the invention are stated in the appended subclaims.
- The invention and its many advantages will be described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 illustrates a conveyor system using overhead carriages and including switches according to the invention. Fig. 2 illustrates the switch according to the invention with certain parts removed, when in a first switching position. Fig. 3 illustrates the switch according to the invention with certain parts removed, when in a second switching position.
- Fig. 1 shows a conveyor system employing trolleys or carriages 1 which are suspended by means of wheels 3 from an
undriven track 2 and which in a known manner are manually, freely rollable on thetrack 2. Associated with thetrack 2 are a plurality of branch tracks 4 onto which the carriages 1 can be switched, as desired. A switch,5 schematically illustrated in this Figure is provided at each point where branch tracks 4 join thetrack 2, one of said points being marked with a ring. - In Fig. 2, it is shown how the
switch 5 according to the invention is arranged in relation to thetrack 2 and the branch track 4. The carriage 1, of which only part is shown, is suspended from thetrack 2 by means of the wheel 3 which, as mentioned above, is rolling freely on thetrack 2. When theswitch 5 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the carriage 1 can be rolled past theswitch 5 without being switched onto the branch track 4. - The
switch 5, disposed horizontally in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a U-shaped frame 6 located at the side of thetrack 2. In the frame 6, there is mounted a first switch tongue 7 which is pivotal at a first connectingpoint 8 and whose free end 9 in the switching position shown is located at aswitching point 10. In this switching position, the first switch tongue 7 bridges the space between the first connectingpoint 8 and theswitching point 10 in such a manner that the carriage 1 can be moved through theswitch 5 in a direction forming an extension of thetrack 2. - The
switch 5 further comprises asecond switch tongue 11 which is pivotally mounted at a second connecting point 12 and whosefree end 13 in the switching position shown is raised from theswitching point 10. - The end of the switch tongue 7 located at the
necting point 8 is fixedly connected to an L-shaped link element 14 pivotally mounted on oneshank 15 of the frame 6 by means of ashaft 16. The end of theswitch tongue 11 located at the connecting point 12 is fixedly connected to an L-shaped link element 17 pivotally mounted by means of a shaft 18 on apart 19 of the frame 6. Theframe part 19 is spaced from and extends substantially parallel to theshank 15 of the frame 6. - In the frame 6, there is also mounted a
control shaft 20 comprising a first link system in the form of alink arm 21 one end of which is hingedly connected to the L-shaped link element 14 and the other end of which is hingedly connected to alink 22 fixedly mounted on thecontrol shaft 20. Thelink system - The
switch tongue 11 has a similar link system in the form of alink arm 23 one end of which is hingedly connected to the L-shaped link element 17 and the other end of which is hingedly connected to alink 24 fixedly mounted on thecontrol shaft 20. Thelink system second switch tongue 11. - The two
link systems control shaft 20 and by means of which theswitch tongues 7, 11 are pivoted about their connectingpoints 8 and 12, respectively, for performing the switching operation. Thus, it is a matter of alternately bridging the space between the respective connectingpoint 8, 12 and thecommon switching point 10. The rotation of thecontrol shaft 20 is brought about manually by means of acontrol lever 25. - To prevent the carriages 1 from dropping from the
track 2 or the branch track 4, asafety rail 26 having the same shape as theswitch tongue 11 is provided underneath this tongue. Thus, therail 26 extends from one location below theswitching point 10 to another location below the connecting point 12. Under other conditions, thesafety rail 26 may of course instead be located below the switch tongue 7. - In Fig. 3, the
switch 5 is shown in its second switching position, i.e. after rotation of thecontrol shaft 20. By means of the link mechanism, the free end 9 of the tongue 7 has been pivoted up from theswitching point 10, while thefree end 13 of theswitch tongue 11 has been pivoted down onto theswitching point 10. In this switching position, the carriage, not shown in this Figure, can thus be rolled onto the branch track 4. - From Fig. 3, it also clearly appears that the connecting
points 8, 12 and theswitching point 10 are arranged in a common, substantially horizontal plane at the corners of an imaginary triangle. It further appears that thecontrol shaft 20 and the connectingpoints 8, 12 are located in a plane substantially at right angles to the horizontal plane in which said triangle is contained. - The alternate operation of the
switch 5, i.e. the pivotal movements of theswitch tongues 7, 11 to and from thecommon switching point 10, is effected in a quick, simple and highly reliable manner. The distinct switching positions of theswitch tongues 7, 11, which have a U-shaped section in the illustrated embodiment, are further ensured by a rod orpin 27 which is provided at theswitching point 10 and by means of which theends 9 and 13 of theswitch tongues 7 and 11, respectively, are engaged in the switching position. Similar rods are provided at the connectingpoints 8, 12. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
switch 5 has been described as a manually operable switch, but it is evident that it may as well be automatically operable by means of a schematically illustrated pneumatic or hydraulic unit 28 which is part of the conveyor system and which brings about rotation of thecontrol shaft 20 and is controlled byposition transducers 29 arranged along thetracks 2, 4 and sensing the movement of the carriages 1 (see Fig. 1). - The different parts of the
switch 5 are preferably of metal so that the parts to be fixedly interconnected can easily be welded together. However, it will be understood that, as an alternative, the different parts may be assembled by screw means and that the parts may wholly or partly consist of plastic.
Claims (8)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
SE8601850 | 1986-04-22 | ||
SE8601850A SE457246B (en) | 1986-04-22 | 1986-04-22 | SWITCH IN A TRANSPORT TRANSPORT SYSTEM |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0302878A1 EP0302878A1 (en) | 1989-02-15 |
EP0302878B1 true EP0302878B1 (en) | 1991-11-13 |
Family
ID=20364299
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19870902839 Expired - Lifetime EP0302878B1 (en) | 1986-04-22 | 1987-04-22 | Switch in a conveyor system with overhead carriages |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0302878B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3774574D1 (en) |
SE (1) | SE457246B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1987006549A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2220902B (en) * | 1988-04-05 | 1992-03-18 | Stockrail Ltd | Improvements relating to conveyor distribution systems |
US5271333A (en) * | 1992-09-29 | 1993-12-21 | Erie Manufacturing, Inc. | Switching mechanism for trolleys |
FR2702229B1 (en) * | 1993-03-03 | 1995-05-12 | Vens Sa | Switching device for suspended conveyors and handling installations provided with said switching devices. |
GB9625388D0 (en) * | 1996-12-06 | 1997-01-22 | Stockrail Mfg Ltd | Improvements relating to rail switches |
US5784965A (en) * | 1997-04-16 | 1998-07-28 | Knight Industries, Inc. | Interlock mechanism for an overhead trackway system |
DE19804705B4 (en) * | 1998-02-06 | 2006-05-24 | Wf Logistik Gmbh | Turnout for a suspended conveyor system |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
SE179972C1 (en) * | 1962-01-01 | |||
US1078945A (en) * | 1912-02-23 | 1913-11-18 | Christopher K Murray | Overhead switch. |
US2746397A (en) * | 1954-08-30 | 1956-05-22 | Fiell Sidney Le | Automatic switch for overhead track |
US3006287A (en) * | 1958-05-07 | 1961-10-31 | Cincinnati Butchers Supply Co | Automatic track switch |
GB977912A (en) * | 1962-03-01 | 1964-12-16 | Beck & Henkel Maschb Ag | Junction for an overhead conveyor track |
US3839966A (en) * | 1972-08-29 | 1974-10-08 | Cincinnati Butchers Supply Co | Safety means for trolley switches |
US3818836A (en) * | 1973-06-19 | 1974-06-25 | Cincinnati Butchers Supply Co | Switch mechanism for overhead trolley |
-
1986
- 1986-04-22 SE SE8601850A patent/SE457246B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1987
- 1987-04-22 WO PCT/SE1987/000206 patent/WO1987006549A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1987-04-22 EP EP19870902839 patent/EP0302878B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-04-22 DE DE8787902839T patent/DE3774574D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0302878A1 (en) | 1989-02-15 |
SE8601850L (en) | 1987-10-23 |
DE3774574D1 (en) | 1991-12-19 |
SE457246B (en) | 1988-12-12 |
SE8601850D0 (en) | 1986-04-22 |
WO1987006549A1 (en) | 1987-11-05 |
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