초록 ▼

Self propelled pallet vehicles (12a) are guided along a track network (10) by downwardly projecting guide pins (350, 352) carried by each pallet vehicle (12) which engage slots (354, 358) in the track network and steer the pallet vehicle (12) along the track network (10). The track network has main

Self propelled pallet vehicles (12a) are guided along a track network (10) by downwardly projecting guide pins (350, 352) carried by each pallet vehicle (12) which engage slots (354, 358) in the track network and steer the pallet vehicle (12) along the track network (10). The track network has main (20) and branch (22) track sections, and selective delivery of the vehicles to various destinations along the track network (10) is achieved by controlling the position of the guide pins (350, 352) between alternate rotated raised and lowered positions. In the lowered position the guide pins (350, 352) interact with the track network (10) to guide the pallet vehicle (12) into a branch section (20) of the track. In the raised position, the guide pins (350, 352) cause continued movement of the vehicle (12) along the main track section (22) and past a junction (38). The guide pin position may be controlled by a photoemitter (364) at the junction (38), or by various other alternatives.

대표청구항 ▼

A selective delivery arrangement for self propelled pallet vehicles (12) guided by a track network (10) located on a surface (34), said track network including a slot (32) extending about said track network (10), each of said self-propelled pallet vehicles (12) supported on wheels (54a, 54b) and car

A selective delivery arrangement for self propelled pallet vehicles (12) guided by a track network (10) located on a surface (34), said track network including a slot (32) extending about said track network (10), each of said self-propelled pallet vehicles (12) supported on wheels (54a, 54b) and carrying means for guiding the vehicles along the track including at least one downwardly projecting guide pin (72a, 72b) engageable with said track network (10) with said wheels (54a, 54b) located on said surface (34), said self-propelled pallet vehicles (12) responsive to the engagement of said guide pins (72a, 72b) to steer the direction of movement of said pallet vehicle (12) along said track network (10), with said pallet vehicles (12) disposed on said surface (34); said track network (10) including a main track section (22) and at least one branch track section (20) diverging from said main track section (22) at a junction (38); and control means for selectively steering each of said pallet vehicles (12) into either said main track section (22) or branch track section (20) at said junction (38); said control means characterized by means (234, 238, 250, 252) for selectively positioning said at least one guide pin (72a, 72b) alternatively in one of two different elevations, and said slot (32) of said track network (10) having a cam plate (48) mounted recessed in said slot (32) engageable with said at least one guide pin (72a, 72b) in a first, lowered elevation to steer said pallet vehicle (12) into said branch track section (20), said at least one guide pin (72a, 72b) in a second raised elevation passing over said cam plate (48) to allow continued movement of said vehicles (12) down said main track section (22), whereby said selective delivery of said vehicles (12) is achieved with raising and lowering of said at least one guide pin (72a, 72b).