Patent ID: 8322287
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: B65G,H01L

Abstract:
1. An article transport facility comprising: a travel path defined by one or more rails installed on a ceiling; a plurality of article transport vehicles configured to travel along the travel path, the travel path including: a primary path forming a loop and including a portion on one side and a portion on the other side which is a side opposite from the one side; a first secondary path arranged to extend by at least one article transport location, the first secondary path being located outside of, and on the one side with respect to, the primary path; a second secondary path arranged to extend by at least one article transport location, the second secondary path being located outside of, and on the other side with respect to, the primary path; a first connecting path for the first secondary path for connecting the one side portion of the primary path and the first secondary path to allow the article transport vehicles to travel between the primary path and the first secondary path; a first connecting path for the second secondary path for connecting the other side portion of the primary path and the second secondary path to allow the article transport vehicles to travel between the primary path and the second secondary path; a second connecting path, provided separately from the first connecting paths, with one end portion of the second connecting path connected to the first secondary path located on the one side of the primary path, the other end portion connected to the second secondary path located on the other side of the primary path, and an intermediate portion of the second connecting path crossing the primary path, wherein the second connecting path allows the article transport vehicles to travel from the first secondary path located on the one side of the primary path to the second secondary path located on the other side of the primary path through a crossing portion with the primary path without traveling on the primary path.