WAGON WITH AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY

Abstract

A conveying car comprises at least one support frame in which at least one driven conveying element is arranged, and a current collector for energizing drive means for driving the at least one conveying element and driving the conveying car; said conveying car is characterized in that same has its own power supply that is independent of the central power supply used for normal operation of the conveying car.

Claims

1. A wagon comprising: at least one support frame; at least one drive element on the support frame; a current collector on the support frame; drive means for driving at least one drive element and thereby moving the wagon itself; and a separate power source on the support frame and independent of the central power source for the normal operation of the wagon.

2. The wagon defined in claim 1, wherein the separate power source is a rechargeable battery.

3. The wagon defined in claim 1, wherein the separate power source is at least one capacitor.

4. The wagon defined in claim 1, 2, wherein the separate power source of the wagon is installed permanently therein.

5. The wagon defined in claim 1, wherein the separate power source of the wagon is arranged exchangeably therein.

6. A method for operating a wagon having at least one support frame carrying at least one drive element, as well as a current collector for energizing drive means for driving the at least one drive element and for displacing the wagon itself, the method comprising the step of: providing the wagon with a separate power source that is designed so as to be independent of the central power source for the normal operation of the wagon and that sensors are present on the wagon and/or outside of same to identify an emergency situation and activate means for responding to the emergency situation.

7. The method defined in claim 6, wherein the means is a switching means that switches the separate power source of the wagon to its drive means when the central power source from the outside has failed.

8. The method defined in claim 6, wherein the means identifies the type of emergency situation and, on that basis, enacts continued travel of the wagon or an emergency braking operation.

Description

[0019] Insofar as illustrated in detail, FIGS. 1 to 3 show a vehicle in which mechanically interconnected support frames form a wagon. The wagon contains a number of mechanically and detachably interconnected support frames 31, 32, 33, 34, of which the frames 32 and 34 that are embodied as main frames contain the drive motors 4 for the drive elements 3. In the embodiment, four support frames 31 to 34 are present. The drive elements 3 are preferably circumferential link conveyors that can be driven by drive shafts 5, 35 in the directions of the double arrow 11 and form a flat conveying surface. As can be seen from the view from below in FIG. 2, two conveying devices are arranged next to one another, and each consists of a main frame 32, 34 and an additional support frame 31, 33 that is connected on the long side to the respective main frame 32, 34. In addition, the two inner frames 32, 33 are interconnected on the other long side, so that a support structure is created in which a respective main frame 32, 34 is connected to an additional support frame 31, 33. In addition, the support frame 31 is connected on one side to an additional support frame 36, on which control consoles 37 and retaining and protective elements 38 are fastened. As can be seen, the control console is box-shaped, so that the at least one power supply (not shown) of the wagon for emergency situations (if the external power feed via current collectors (which are present but not shown) to the wagon is interrupted from the outside) can be accommodated permanently or exchangeably within the box-shaped housing of the control console 37, for example.

[0020] Each of the main frames 32, 34 and the frames 36 has a drive wheel 40 on each long side that is driven by a traction drive 41. The wagon, which consists of four conveying devices 31 to 34, can thus be moved transversely to the direction of conveyance 11 of the drive elements 3 in the directions of the double arrow 43. The goods to be transported can thus be transported in two mutually perpendicular directions.

[0021] Preferably, all of the support frames 31 to 34 are embodied as self-supporting frames in which all functional frame parts also contribute to the stability. Preferably, the frame parts are provided with elements that enable a plug connection between neighboring frame parts. Neighboring frame parts can thus be easily positioned relative to one another and interconnected via a plug connection. Elements for such plug connections can be tongues or bolts that are fitted in exactly fitting holes of the other frame part. The same applies to electrical plug connections and cabling in the event that the separate power supply of the wagon is only present against, in, or on one of the support frames 31 to 34 and the drive means of the other support frames must be supplied with power in the emergency situation. Alternatively, the wagon can also have only one single support frame.