Switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems

Abstract

A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems includes a turntable provided with a single straight rail and a single curved rail integral with said turntable, said turntable being rotatable about a rotating shaft, said rotating shaft being arranged such that it is shifted with respect to said straight rail and said curved rail. The switch system is simple and economical and prevents vehicles from stopping as they approach the switch system when the switch system changes its position, and allows the free passage of the vehicle, without the rails hindering the passage of the wheels of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems, comprising: a turntable provided with a single straight rail and a single curved rail integral with said turntable, said turntable being rotatable about a rotating shaft, said rotating shaft being arranged such that it is shifted with respect to said straight rail and said curved rail, and wherein said rotating shaft is arranged between the straight rail and the curved rail and is arranged equidistantly from respective midpoints of the straight rail and of the curved rail.

2. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 1, further comprising a motor driving the turntable, said motor being mounted on the turntable.

3. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 2, wherein the turntable has a rectangular layout defining first and second long sides and first and second short sides, the straight rail being arranged next to the first long side and the curved rail being placed such that it passes through the corners defined by the second long side and the first and second short sides.

4. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 2, wherein the motor is mounted on the second long side.

5. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 1, wherein said turntable comprises a plurality of wheels.

6. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of wheels are oriented towards the rotating shaft.

7. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 5, wherein the turntable has a rectangular layout defining first and second long sides and first and second short sides, the straight rail being arranged next to the first long side and the curved rail being placed such that it passes through the corners defined by the second long side and the first and second short sides and wherein the plurality of wheels of the turntable are arranged on the long sides of the turntable.

8. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 1, wherein said turntable is rotatable between a plurality of positions, each position of said plurality of positions being shifted 45° from each other position of the plurality of positions.

9. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 1, further comprising a motor driving the turntable, said motor being mounted on the turntable.

10. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 1, further comprising a motor driving the turntable, said motor being mounted on the turntable.

11. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 1, wherein the turntable has a rectangular layout defining first and second long sides and first and second short sides, the straight rail being arranged next to the first long side and the curved rail being placed such that it passes through the corners defined by the second long side and the first and second short sides.

12. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 1, wherein the turntable has a rectangular layout defining first and second long sides and first and second short sides, the straight rail being arranged next to the first long side and the curved rail being placed such that it passes through the corners defined by the second long side and the first and second short sides.

13. A switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to claim 1, wherein the turntable has a rectangular layout defining first and second long sides and first and second short sides, the straight rail being arranged next to the first long side and the curved rail being placed such that it passes through the corners defined by the second long side and the first and second short sides.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) To better understand the preceding description, a set of drawings is attached in which a practical embodiment is shown schematically and merely by way of non-limiting example.

(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of the switch system according to the present invention, in a first position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a plan view of the switch system according to the present invention, in a second position; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a plan view of the switch system according to the present invention, in a third position.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(5) As is shown in the drawings, the switch system for rail-guided vehicle-based transport systems according to the present invention comprises a turntable 1 provided with a single straight rail 2 and a single curved rail 3 which are integral in rotation with said turntable, such that they rotate as the turntable 1 rotates.

(6) Said turntable 1 is rotatable about a rotating shaft 4 which, in the usage position, is substantially vertical, since the turntable is supported on the floor, for example, of a warehouse.

(7) Said rotating shaft 4 is arranged such that it is shifted with respect to said rails; particularly, it is arranged between said straight rail 2 and said curved rail 3, more specifically at the same distance from both rails 2, 3 and aligned with the midpoints of the straight rail 2 and of the curved rail 3, as can be seen in the drawings.

(8) The turntable 1 according to the depicted embodiment has a rectangular layout, although it could be of any other suitable shape, and defines a first long side 11, a second long side 13, and two short sides 12.

(9) According to this embodiment, the straight rail 2 is arranged next to the first long side 11, whereas the curved rail 3 is arranged such that it passes through the corners defined by the second long side 13 and the short sides 12 of the turntable 1.

(10) In order to rotate, the turntable 1 comprises a motor 5 mounted thereon, which rotates with the turntable 1 as it is integral therewith. Said motor 5 according to the depicted embodiment is mounted on the second long side 13 of the turntable 1.

(11) The turntable 1 also comprises a plurality of wheels 6 in order to rotate. These wheels are arranged on the long sides 11, 13 of the turntable, according to the depicted embodiment.

(12) Particularly, the wheels 6 are grouped in pairs and aligned with the rotating shaft 4 of the turntable 1, i.e., the extension of the rotating shaft of each pair of wheels 6 crosses the rotating shaft 4 of the turntable 1, the assembly of wheels 6 defining a path circular when said turntable 1 rotates.

(13) It must be indicated that the switch system according to the present invention is specifically designed to be used with rail-guided self-propelled vehicles (not depicted in the drawings), comprising four wheels, two of which are guided by the rails and the other two travel along the floor. This type of vehicle is not described in detail because it is not part of the present invention and because they are known by those skilled in the art.

(14) The switch system according to the present invention can be placed in a plurality of positions; specifically, it can be placed in the three positions that are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

(15) A first position of the switch system is shown in FIG. 1, and in this position the straight rail is used 2 for guiding the corresponding vehicle. As shown in this drawing, the straight rail 2 will be aligned and connect with first rails 20 that are fixed in the transport installation.

(16) A second position of the switch system is shown in FIG. 2, and in this position the curved rail is used 3 for guiding the corresponding vehicle. In this position, the curved rail 3 connects one of said first fixed rails 20 with a second, also fixed rail 21 of the installation. With respect to the first position shown in FIG. 1, this second position has been shifted 45° clockwise.

(17) A third position of the switch system is shown in FIG. 3, and in this position the curved rail is used 3 for guiding the corresponding vehicle. In this position, the curved rail 3 connects one of said first fixed rails 20 with another second, also fixed rail 21 of the installation. With respect to the first position shown in FIG. 1, this second position has been shifted 45° counter-clockwise.

(18) Evidently, the switch system also comprises computerized control means to control the path the vehicles are to describe, without having to stop prior to changing the path by means of the switch system according to the present invention.

(19) Despite having referred to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is evident for one skilled in the art that the switch system that has been described may be subject to a number of variations and modifications, and that all the details that have been mentioned can be replaced with other technically equivalent ones without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.