The present invention relates to a cross rail structure for an OHT system and an OHT system using the same.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cross rail structure for an OHT system, that is a point at which two orthogonal rails among rails that are installed in an OHT system and transport vehicles intersect with each other. The cross rail structure includes a pair of auxiliary rails that are installed at substantially the same height as the rail at the point at which the rails intersect with each other, and disposed parallel to each other at a predetermined distance; a movement unit that moves the auxiliary rails up and down; a rotation unit that rotates the auxiliary rail so that the auxiliary rails are disposed in any one of two directions orthogonal to each other; and a distance holding unit that holds a distance between the pair of auxiliary rails without an interference with the vehicle.

A method for controlling a movement of a load in a workspace by a control device, including a) acquiring target coordinates to be set of a target point in the workspace towards which a load pick-up apparatus is to be moved, b) determining a load measured value by measuring the weight of the load using a load measuring device, c) determining actual cable lengths of positioning cables, d) determining desired cable lengths to be set by the respective positioning cable winch, for the positioning cables for the target coordinates of the target point to be set and for the current load measured value, and for each of the positioning cables, the control device searches a database for a data set that matches the target coordinates of the target point that are to be set and the current load measured value, and determines the desired cable length to be set.

A method for controlling a movement of a load in a workspace by a control device, including a) acquiring target coordinates to be set of a target point in the workspace towards which a load pick-up apparatus is to be moved, b) determining a load measured value by measuring the weight of the load using a load measuring device, c) determining actual cable lengths of positioning cables, d) determining desired cable lengths to be set by the respective positioning cable winch, for the positioning cables for the target coordinates of the target point to be set and for the current load measured value, and for each of the positioning cables, the control device searches a database for a data set that matches the target coordinates of the target point that are to be set and the current load measured value, and determines the desired cable length to be set.

A hoist transport and replacement frame, in one example includes, among other things, a base structure, at least one vertical support extending upward from the base structure, and at least one horizontal beam fixed to the at least one vertical support. The at least one horizontal beam includes a hoist support structure configured to mount a trolley hoist. The base structure, the at least one vertical support, and the at least one horizontal beam are selectively moveable together as a unit to transport trolley hoists.

A hoist transport and replacement frame, in one example includes, among other things, a base structure, at least one vertical support extending upward from the base structure, and at least one horizontal beam fixed to the at least one vertical support. The at least one horizontal beam includes a hoist support structure configured to mount a trolley hoist. The base structure, the at least one vertical support, and the at least one horizontal beam are selectively moveable together as a unit to transport trolley hoists.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus and a differential overhead trolley thereof are provided. The OHT apparatus includes a rail module and a differential overhead trolley. The rail module includes a main rail and a first rail, and defines a turning path extending from the main rail to the first rail. The differential overhead trolley is movably disposed on the rail module, and includes a walking mechanism and a carrying body that is hung on the rail module by being connected to the walking mechanism. The walking mechanism includes two differential wheels and a driving unit that is connected to the two differential wheels. When the differential overhead trolley is moved along the turning path, the driving unit is configured to drive the two differential wheels to move along the first rail by different rolling velocities.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus and a differential overhead trolley thereof are provided. The OHT apparatus includes a rail module and a differential overhead trolley. The rail module includes a main rail and a first rail, and defines a turning path extending from the main rail to the first rail. The differential overhead trolley is movably disposed on the rail module, and includes a walking mechanism and a carrying body that is hung on the rail module by being connected to the walking mechanism. The walking mechanism includes two differential wheels and a driving unit that is connected to the two differential wheels. When the differential overhead trolley is moved along the turning path, the driving unit is configured to drive the two differential wheels to move along the first rail by different rolling velocities.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus, a guiding device of the OHT apparatus, and a direction maintaining module of the OHT apparatus are provided. The direction maintaining module includes a main channel, a first retaining channel and a second retaining channel that are spaced apart from the main channel, a switch channel, and a switching mechanism connected to the switch channel. The switch channel is disposed among the main channel, the first channel, and the second channel. The switching mechanism is configured to drive the switch channel to move between a turning position and a straight position. When the switch channel is at the turning position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the first retaining channel. When the switch channel is at the straight position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the second retaining channel.

An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus, a guiding device of the OHT apparatus, and a direction maintaining module of the OHT apparatus are provided. The direction maintaining module includes a main channel, a first retaining channel and a second retaining channel that are spaced apart from the main channel, a switch channel, and a switching mechanism connected to the switch channel. The switch channel is disposed among the main channel, the first channel, and the second channel. The switching mechanism is configured to drive the switch channel to move between a turning position and a straight position. When the switch channel is at the turning position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the first retaining channel. When the switch channel is at the straight position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the second retaining channel.

A gate system that includes a first gate that couples to a first rail, the first rail partially defining a travel path for a lifting carriage and the first gate including a first ramp having a slope that is angled relative to the first rail when coupled thereto. The system includes a second gate that couples to a second rail, the second rail partially defining the travel path for the lifting carriage and the second gate including a second ramp having a slope that is angled relative to the second rail when coupled thereto. The first ramp and the second ramp provide a switch location when coupled to the first rail and the second rail where the lifting carriage translates between the first rail and the second rail.