A brake is operationally coupled by gear engagement to an axle of a device, whereby turning on the brake prevents the axle from rotating. Monitoring condition of the brake includes driving the axle of the device in a first rotation direction when the brake has been turned on. The axle of the device is driven in a second rotation direction when the brake has been turned on. A first position angle of the axle of the device, which follows from driving the axle of the device in the first rotation direction, is measured. A second position angle of the axle of the device, which follows from driving the axle of the device in the second rotation direction, is measured. A clearance of the gear engagement of the brake is determined on the basis of a difference of the first and the second position angles.

A crane vehicle includes: an operation unit; a winch device configured to operate at a speed corresponding to an operation amount of the operation unit; a weight detection unit; a storage unit configured to store a time-weight target characteristic indicating a target in temporal change of a detected value at the weight detection unit for a maximum operation amount input from the operation unit; and a control unit configured to perform feedback control of an operation speed of the winch device such that the detected value follows the time-weight target characteristic in a case where the maximum operation amount is input from the operation unit, the control unit being configured to set the operation speed of the winch device at the speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation unit, in a case where fluctuation of the detected value has converged in a predetermined range.

A crane vehicle includes: an operation unit; a winch device configured to operate at a speed corresponding to an operation amount of the operation unit; a weight detection unit; a storage unit configured to store a time-weight target characteristic indicating a target in temporal change of a detected value at the weight detection unit for a maximum operation amount input from the operation unit; and a control unit configured to perform feedback control of an operation speed of the winch device such that the detected value follows the time-weight target characteristic in a case where the maximum operation amount is input from the operation unit, the control unit being configured to set the operation speed of the winch device at the speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation unit, in a case where fluctuation of the detected value has converged in a predetermined range.

An overhead transport vehicle includes a lift stage to transfer an article, a winding drum to overlap and wind a suspension attached to the lift stage, and a controller to control a rotation amount of the winding drum to control a lifting/lowering amount of the lift stage. The controller is configured or programmed to execute a first processing including calculating, as individual values of the overhead transport vehicle, an individual value of an entire length of the suspension, an individual value of a diameter of the winding drum, and an individual value of a thickness of the suspension, and a second processing including calculating a rotation amount of the winding drum with respect to a lifting/lowering amount of the lift stage based on the individual value of the entire length of the suspension, the individual value of the diameter of the winding drum, and the individual value of the thickness of the suspension calculated in the first processing.

An overhead transport vehicle includes a lift stage to transfer an article, a winding drum to overlap and wind a suspension attached to the lift stage, and a controller to control a rotation amount of the winding drum to control a lifting/lowering amount of the lift stage. The controller is configured or programmed to execute a first processing including calculating, as individual values of the overhead transport vehicle, an individual value of an entire length of the suspension, an individual value of a diameter of the winding drum, and an individual value of a thickness of the suspension, and a second processing including calculating a rotation amount of the winding drum with respect to a lifting/lowering amount of the lift stage based on the individual value of the entire length of the suspension, the individual value of the diameter of the winding drum, and the individual value of the thickness of the suspension calculated in the first processing.

An overhead subject lift includes a lift assembly configured to be movably engaged with an overhead rail, the lift assembly including a coupler for coupling a subject to the lift assembly, an extendable member coupled to the coupler, an actuator for moving the coupler and the extendable member, and a sensor that detects a position of at least one of the extendable member and the coupler in at least one of a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction.

A method for operating a conveying system is provided. An overhead hoist transport (OHT) vehicle is provided, wherein the OHT vehicle includes a gripping member configured to grip and hold a carrier, and a receiver configured to receive a signal. The signal is transmitted to the receiver of the OHT vehicle. The OHT vehicle is moved toward the carrier, and the carrier is gripped by the gripping member of the OHT vehicle. A lifting force is determined based on a weight of a carrier, a number of workpieces in the carrier, or a vertical distance between the OHT vehicle and the carrier, and the lifting force is applied to the carrier.

A method for operating a conveying system is provided. An overhead hoist transport (OHT) vehicle is provided, wherein the OHT vehicle includes a gripping member configured to grip and hold a carrier, and a receiver configured to receive a signal. The signal is transmitted to the receiver of the OHT vehicle. The OHT vehicle is moved toward the carrier, and the carrier is gripped by the gripping member of the OHT vehicle. A lifting force is determined based on a weight of a carrier, a number of workpieces in the carrier, or a vertical distance between the OHT vehicle and the carrier, and the lifting force is applied to the carrier.

Provided is a crane and a control method capable of preventing an irregular winding from being caused, without significant deterioration in work efficiency. The crane includes an allowable deceleration rate derivation unit and a winch control unit. The allowable deceleration rate derivation unit derives an allowable deceleration rate representing an allowable value of the deceleration rate of the winding of a suspension rope, from a measured load that is a suspension load measured by a load measurement device. The allowable deceleration rate derivation unit derives the allowable deceleration rate that is decreased with a decrease in the measured load. The winch control unit makes the winding of the suspension rope by a winch device decelerated at a deceleration rate limited within a range equal to or less than the allowable deceleration rate.

Provided is a crane and a control method capable of preventing an irregular winding from being caused, without significant deterioration in work efficiency. The crane includes an allowable deceleration rate derivation unit and a winch control unit. The allowable deceleration rate derivation unit derives an allowable deceleration rate representing an allowable value of the deceleration rate of the winding of a suspension rope, from a measured load that is a suspension load measured by a load measurement device. The allowable deceleration rate derivation unit derives the allowable deceleration rate that is decreased with a decrease in the measured load. The winch control unit makes the winding of the suspension rope by a winch device decelerated at a deceleration rate limited within a range equal to or less than the allowable deceleration rate.