Present embodiments include a linear drive transport system. The system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. Further, present embodiments include a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.

A transport conveyor and a transport unit including such a transport conveyor are provided in which the transport conveyor can be made compact in the lateral direction while being compatible with a downstream conveyor whose transport direction is different from that of the transport conveyor. A second transport winding member (9), a first relaying winding member (10), and a second relaying winding member are supported to be swingable about a vertical axis (X1) extending along the vertical direction and located on the other side end portion, along a transport direction, of the transport conveyor (5). An operatively connecting mechanism is provided for causing the second transport winding member (9), the first relaying winding member (10), and the second relaying winding member to swing in an operatively connected manner, to cause the second transport winding member (9) and the second relaying winding member to swing integrally about a vertical axis (X1) and to cause the first relaying winding member (10) to swing about the vertical axis (X1) in the direction in which the second transport winding member (9) and the second relaying winding member swing and by an amount of swing that is greater than the amount of swing of the second transport winding member (9) and the second relaying winding member.

There is disclosed a distributing system for distributing articles, comprising a channel for conveying articles and which extends from an input opening to an output opening adapted to output articles along a first direction; channel comprises a first portion which defines input opening; and a second portion which defines output opening and is articulated with respect to first portion; output opening is movable along a second direction transversal to first direction; first portion may be arranged, in use, sloped relative to first direction as a result of the movement of output opening along second direction; distributing system comprises a pair of first conveyors and a pair of respective second conveyors which define first portion of channel; each first conveyor is free to slide with respect to respective second conveyor.

Present embodiments include a linear drive transport system. The system includes a plurality of fixed tracks and a junction track disposed on a conveyor configured to align the junction track with each of the plurality of fixed tracks. The plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track include one of electromagnetic coils or permanent magnets arranged in series along the respective plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track. Further, present embodiments include a plurality of movers configured to move along the fixed tracks and configured to transition between each of the plurality of fixed tracks and the junction track when aligned, wherein the movers comprise the other of the electromagnetic coils or the permanent magnets.

A system and method for rail management of an overhead transport (OHT) system of an associated automated material handing system (AMHS) that includes a controller in communication with the OHT system, including vehicles traveling on rails of the OHT. The rail management system also includes a turntable located on a portion of the OHT and equipped with a set of fixed rails. Upon receipt of a request to rotate the turntable from a first run-through direction to a second run-through direction, the controller engages at least one stopper sensor located near the turntable. The controller then directs the turntable to rotate from the first run-through direction to the second run-through direction. After completion, the controller disengages the at least one stopper to enable vehicles to travel directly in the second run-through direction.

A system and method for rail management of an overhead transport (OHT) system of an associated automated material handing system (AMHS) that includes a controller in communication with the OHT system, including vehicles traveling on rails of the OHT. The rail management system also includes a turntable located on a portion of the OHT and equipped with a set of fixed rails. Upon receipt of a request to rotate the turntable from a first run-through direction to a second run-through direction, the controller engages at least one stopper sensor located near the turntable. The controller then directs the turntable to rotate from the first run-through direction to the second run-through direction. After completion, the controller disengages the at least one stopper to enable vehicles to travel directly in the second run-through direction.

An automatic distribution wall is provided, comprising: at least one sorting and conveying assembly which is arranged linearly, wherein the sorting and conveying assembly comprises a carrying part and a rotating part, the carrying part is used for carrying and conveying articles, and the rotating part is connected to a base of the carrying part to drive the carrying part to rotate about a vertical direction so as to adjust the direction of conveyance of articles by the carrying part to a storage position facing the articles.

Shuttles moving on a linear motor conveyor track can be diverted to another track by a rotating diverter. The rotating diverter has a stationary frame that is coupled to the track. A rotating assembly is rotatably mounted within the stationary frame and comprises a diverter arm rotatably mounted within the rotating assembly to allow an angle of the diverter head relative to the rotating assembly to change as the rotating assembly rotates within the stationary frame and a diverter head comprising a switchable magnet engageable with a shuttle on the track, the diverter head arranged at a first end of the diverter arm.