Rail Transport System

Abstract

A rail transport system comprising at least the following components: A loading/unloading field on each side of the transport system, wherein each loading/unloading field comprises a plurality of two-directional loading/unloading modules with at least two longitudinal shaped profile running rails and at least two lateral shaped profile running rails, wherein the two-directional loading/unloading modules are connected to each other; a transport field, wherein the transport field comprises a large number of uni-directional transport modules, wherein each transport module comprises two longitudinal shaped profile running rails and each unidirectional transport module is connected with a loading/unloading module on each side of the transport system and a transportation cart which is moved along the longitudinal direction.

Claims

1. A rail transport system comprising: a. a loading/unloading field on each side of the transport system, wherein each loading/unloading field comprises a plurality of two-directional loading/unloading modules respectively, wherein each two-directional loading/unloading module comprises at least two longitudinal shaped-profile running rails and at least two lateral shaped-profile running rails, wherein the two-directional loading/unloading modules are connected to each other such that the lateral shaped-profile running rails of one two-directional module are connected with the lateral shaped-profile running rails of the neighboring two-directional module(s); b. a transportation field, wherein the transportation field comprises a plurality of mono-directional transportation modules, wherein each transportation module comprises two longitudinal shaped-profile running rails, and wherein each mono-directional transportation module is connected with one loading/unloading module on each side of the transport system such that the longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of the transportation module are connected with the neighboring longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of the loading/unloading modules respectively; and c. a transport cart, which is moved along the running rails.

2. The rail transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that each loading/unloading field contains two or more rows of the two-directional loading/unloading modules, wherein each two-directional loading/unloading module is connected with the neighboring two-directional loading/unloading module of the neighboring row in a way such that the longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of one loading/unloading module are connected with the longitudinal shaped profile running rails of the neighboring two-directional module(s).

3. The rail transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that each two-directional loading/unloading module further comprises at least one electric motor and at least one gear wheel along the longitudinal direction and at least one gear wheel along the lateral direction, in order to enable the movement of the transport cart in both directions.

4. The rail transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that each mono-directional transportation module comprises further at least one electric motor and at least one gear wheel along the longitudinal direction, in order to enable the movement of the transport cart in the longitudinal direction.

5. The rail transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the rail transport system further comprises a loading ramp, wherein the loading ramp is composed of at least two two-directional loading/unloading modules and the loading ramp is connected with the loading/unloading field in a way such that the longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of each module are connected with the longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of the neighboring two-directional loading/unloading module, and wherein each of the two-directional loading/unloading modules further comprises at least one electric motor and at least one gear wheel along the longitudinal direction and at least one gear wheel along the lateral direction, in order to enable the movement of the transport cart in both directions.

6. The rail transport system according to claim 5, characterized in that the loading ramp is hinged connected with the two-directional loading/unloading module of the loading/unloading field and can be unfolded when used for loading and unloading.

7. The rail transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that all of the shaped-profile running rails are U-shaped running rails with the open top partially covered from both sides.

8. The rail transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that each loading/unloading module and each transportation module are covered with a plate to protect the electric motors, wherein the plate is provided with openings to expose the corresponding gear wheels.

9. The rail transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport cart comprises a plate for carrying trolleys, wherein the bottom of the plate is provided with gear racks that are positioned to match with the gear wheels of the two-directional and mono-directional modules.

10. The rail transport system according to claim 1, characterized in that each mono-directional transportation module comprises a plurality of foldable rail cassettes or a telescopic rail section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figures:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a top view of the rail transport system of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a top view of a two-directional loading/unloading module of the present invention without motors and gear wheels.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a top view of the two-directional loading/unloading module in FIG. 2 filled with a motor and gear wheels in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a top view of the two-directional loading/unloading module in FIG. 3 further filled with a motor and gear wheels in the lateral direction.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a top view of the two-directional loading/unloading module in FIG. 4, wherein the module is covered with a plate with openings to expose the corresponding gear wheels.

[0027] FIG. 6 shows the two-directional loading/unloading modules in FIG. 5 lining together to form the loading/unloading field of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7.1 shows the bottom view of the power unit of the two-directional loading/unloading module in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 7.2 shows the side view of the gear wheel in FIG. 8.1.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the loading ramp of the rail transport system of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 shows the side view of the bottom plate of the transport cart.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows the transport carts carrying trolleys moving on the rail transport system of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 11 shows one of the applications of the rail transport system of the present invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0034] 1, 2: Loading/unloading field

[0035] 3: transportation field

[0036] 4, 5: two-directional loading/unloading module

[0037] 6: mono-directional transportation module

[0038] 7: longitudinal shaped-profile running rail of the two-directional loading/unloading module

[0039] 8: lateral shaped-profile running rail of the two-directional loading/unloading module

[0040] 9: gear wheels in the longitudinal direction

[0041] 10: transmission gear

[0042] 11: gear wheels in the lateral direction

[0043] 12: motor for gear wheels in the longitudinal direction

[0044] 13: drive gears

[0045] 14: cover plate

[0046] 15: longitudinal shaped-profile running rail of the mono-directional transportation module

[0047] 16: motor for gear wheels in the lateral direction

[0048] 17: bottom plate of the transport cart

[0049] 18: crossing of two gear tracks in longitudinal and lateral directions

[0050] 19: loading ramp

[0051] 20: trolley

[0052] 21: transport cart

[0053] 22: truck box

[0054] 23: gear rack

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments

[0055] Further advantages and details of the present invention are illustrated as follows based on the embodiments as shown in the drawings, which are in no way intended to limit the protective scope of the invention.

[0056] FIG. 1 is a top view of the rail transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The rail transport system comprises on each side a loading/unloading field 1, 2, a transportation field 3 and a loading ramp 19. Each loading/unloading field 1, 2 comprises a plurality of two-directional loading/unloading modules 4, 5 respectively. The transportation field comprises a plurality of mono-directional transportation modules 6. Each two-directional loading/unloading module comprises at least two longitudinal shaped-profile running rails and at least two lateral shaped-profile running rails, wherein the two-directional loading/unloading modules are connected to each other such that the lateral shaped-profile running rails of one two-directional module are connected with the lateral shaped-profile running rails of the neighboring two-directional module(s). Each transportation module comprises two longitudinal shaped-profile running rails, wherein each mono-directional transportation module is connected with one loading/unloading module on each side of the transport system such that the longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of the transportation module are connected with the neighboring longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of the loading/unloading modules respectively.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a top view of a two-directional loading/unloading module of the present invention without motors and gear wheels. Each two-directional loading/unloading module comprises at least two longitudinal shaped-profile running rails 7 and at least two lateral shaped-profile running rails 8.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a top view of the two-directional loading/unloading module in FIG. 2 filled with a motor (not clearly illustrated) and gear wheels 9 in the longitudinal direction. The transmission gear 10 increases torque and adjusts the revolution speed of the gear wheels.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a top view of the two-directional loading/unloading module in FIG. 3 further filled with a motor 12 and gear wheels 11 both in the lateral direction. The motor 12 drives the gear wheels 11 through the drive gears 13 of the shafts.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a top view of the two-directional loading/unloading module in FIG. 4, wherein the module is covered with a plate 14 with openings to expose the corresponding gear wheels 9, 11 and drive gears 13.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows the two-directional loading/unloading modules 4 in FIG. 5 lining together to form the loading/unloading field of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 7.1 shows the bottom view of the power unit of the two-directional loading/unloading module in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 4. The module contains gear wheels 9, a motor 16 and transmission gears 10.

[0063] FIG. 7.2 shows the side view of the gear wheel 9 in FIG. 7.1.

[0064] FIG. 8 shows the loading ramp of the rail transport system of the present invention. The loading ramp is composed of at least two two-directional loading/unloading modules 4, wherein each of the two-directional loading/unloading modules 4 further comprises two electric motors (not shown) and one set of gear wheels along the longitudinal direction 9 and at least one gear wheel along the lateral direction 11, in order to enable the movement of the transport cart in both directions. Each two-directional loading/unloading module comprises at least two longitudinal shaped-profile running rails 7 and at least two lateral shaped-profile running rails 8, wherein the two-directional loading/unloading modules are connected to each other such that the lateral shaped-profile running rails 8 of one two-directional module are connected with the lateral shaped-profile running rails 8 of the neighboring two-directional module. Each module is covered with a plate with openings to expose the corresponding gear wheels 9, 11 and drive gears 13.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows the side view of the bottom plate 17 of the transport cart. The bottom of the bottom plate 17 of the transport cart is provided with gear racks 23 that are positioned to match with the gear wheels of the two-directional and mono-directional modules. The figure also shows crossings 18 of two gear tracks in longitudinal and lateral directions.

[0066] FIG. 10 shows the transport carts 21 carrying trolleys 20 moving on the rail transport system of the present invention. Each mono-directional transportation module 6 is connected with one loading/unloading module 4, 5 on each side of the transport system such that the longitudinal shaped-profile running rails 15 of the transportation module are connected with the neighboring longitudinal shaped-profile running rails 7 of the loading/unloading modules respectively, so that the transport cart 21 can move between the loading/unloading field and the transportation field in the longitudinal direction.

[0067] FIG. 11 shows how the rail transport system of the present invention is used for loading and unloading of a truck box 22 with trolleys. The loading ramp 19 is composed of at least two two-directional loading/unloading modules and the loading ramp 19 is connected with the loading/unloading field in a way such that the longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of each module are connected with the longitudinal shaped-profile running rails of the neighboring two-directional loading/unloading module, so that the transport carts can be loaded into and unloaded from the truck box.