Patent ID: 7455167
Filing Date: 2008-11-25
Classification: B65G

Abstract:
1. A device ( 10 ) for holding a transport unit (W), which moves along a transport path in a transport direction (T), the device following an actuator ( 16 ) equipped with a drive unit ( 16 c / 16 d ) and an actuating element ( 16 a ) switchable by drive unit ( 16 c / 16 d ) to switch between an extended position and a retracted position so that when the actuating element ( 16 a ) is in the extended position, it is possible to bring the device directly or indirectly into a holding engagement with the transport unit (W), but in the retracted position, the actuating element ( 16 a ) allows the transport unit (W) to travel past; a sensor unit ( 22 ) situated before the actuator ( 16 ) in a transport direction (T) and detecting a presence of the transport unit (W) before the actuator ( 16 ); a sensor unit ( 24 ) situated after the actuator ( 16 ) in the transport direction (T) and detecting a presence of the transport unit (W) after the actuator ( 16 ); and a control unit ( 28 ) for receiving detection results of the transport unit sensor units ( 22 , 24 ) and controlling the actuator ( 16 ), wherein the two transport unit sensor units ( 22 , 24 ), the control unit ( 28 ), and at least the drive unit ( 16 c / 16 d ) of the actuator ( 16 ) are integrated into a shared housing ( 12 ).