Patent ID: 11970373
Assignee: MIRLE AUTOMATION CORPORATION
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  G | IPC B  G

Claim 0:
1. An overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus, comprising:
a rail module including:
a main rail;
a first rail curvedly connected to the main rail, wherein the rail module defines a turning path extending from the main rail to the first rail; and
a second rail connected to the main rail, wherein the rail module defines a straight path extending from the main rail to the second rail;

a direction maintaining module assembled in the rail module and including:
a main channel disposed in and extending along the main rail;
a first retaining channel disposed in and extending along the first rail;
a second retaining channel disposed in and extending along the second rail, wherein the main channel is spaced apart from the first retaining channel and the second retaining channel by a gap;
a switch channel arranged in the gap and disposed among the main channel, the first channel, and the second channel, wherein the main channel is discontinuous from the switch channel; and
a switching mechanism connected to the switch channel and configured to drive the switch channel to move between a turning position and a straight position, wherein, when the switch channel is at the turning position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the first retaining channel, and wherein, when the switch channel is at the straight position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the second retaining channel; and

an overhead trolley movably assembled to the rail module and the direction maintaining module and including:
a first walking mechanism including two driving wheels movably disposed on the rail module, a driving unit connected to the two driving wheels, and a first retainer that is movably coupled to the direction maintaining module; and
a carrying body connected to the first walking mechanism and hung on the rail module;

wherein, when the overhead trolley is moved from the main rail to the first rail along the turning path, the switch channel is arranged at the turning position, so that the first retainer is moved from the main channel to the first retaining channel through the switch channel; and
wherein, when the overhead trolley is moved from the main rail to the second rail along the straight path, the switch channel is arranged at the straight position, so that the first retainer is moved from the main channel to the second retaining channel through the switch channel.