Description:BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments herein generally relate to storage system, more particularly to a mechanical vehicle for handling and transporting objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] There are many different industries and areas that use rail-guided vehicles. For instance, they are frequently used to move people effectively and reliably in public transport systems like trains, trams, and subways. They are also utilised in sectors including mining, manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing since they can move bulky goods along predetermined paths. Curved pathways are travelled on by rail-guided vehicles utilising a variety of methods. They use flanged wheels, which have a higher rim on the inside edge, as their first method. These flanges guarantee that during bends, the wheels stay in touch with the inner rail, preventing derailment. Second, certain rail-guided vehicles make use of flexible or articulated frames, particularly when negotiating wider or more acute curves. These frames enable the car to bend or pivot at particular locations, maintaining constant contact between the wheels and tracks even while negotiating tighter turns. Additionally, the railway layout is also important in enabling curving courses. The tracks are set up with a certain radius that corresponds to the desired curve, allowing the vehicle to transition smoothly. In addition, steering devices may be added to rail-guided vehicles to improve their efficiency while negotiating bends. In order to ensure perfect alignment with the curved track and minimise friction and wear, these devices enable modifications in the orientation of the wheels or axles. These methods allow rail-guided vehicles to go along curved courses securely and effectively while staying within the boundaries of the track system. While rail-guided vehicles operate on curved tracks, there are several restrictions to be considered such as a rail-guided vehicle's maximum radius of curvature varies according to the vehicle's design, wheel size, and speed. To guarantee safe and effective operation, steeper or tighter bends needs specialised machinery or extra technical considerations.
[0003] Accordingly, there remains a mechanism that overcome the limitation of operating the rail guided vehicle in curved paths.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments herein disclose a rail guided vehicle for handling and transporting objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations. The rail guided vehicle includes a pair of rails, a work handling unit, a plurality of wheel assembly and a driving assembly. The pair of rails are laid on a ground. The pair of rails includes an outer rail and an inner rail. The work handling unit handles and transports the objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations. The plurality of wheel assembly includes at least one of a plurality of inner wheel assembly that is engaged with the inner rail or a plurality of outer wheel assembly that is engaged with the outer rail. The driving assembly unit that includes (a) a first driving shaft and a first gear assembly that are coupled with the plurality of wheel assembly and (b) a second driving shaft and a second gear assembly that are coupled with a plurality of conveyor assembly of the work handling unit. When in operation, the rail guided vehicle transports the objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations by driving the outer wheel assembly to run on the outer rail using the first gear assembly and handles the objects at the at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations by driving the plurality of conveyor assembly using the second drive shaft. The inner wheel assembly rotates alone when run on the inner rail to turn the rail guided vehicle on a curve path.
[0005] In some embodiments, the inner wheel assembly includes a first main wheel, a plurality of guide wheel, a rotating plate and a slider assembly. The first main wheel is mounted inside a wheel housing. The first main wheel is engaged with a top portion of the inner rail. The plurality of guide wheels is mounted on the wheel housing. The plurality of guide wheel is engaged on side portions of the inner rail. The rotating plate is mounted with the wheel housing and the slider assembly using at least one bearing. The slider assembly that is mounted between the rotating plate and the work handling unit. The slider assembly includes a sliding plate and a slider rail. The sliding plate slides on the slider rail when the rail guided vehicle moves on the rail at the curve path.
[0006] In some embodiments, the outer wheel assembly includes a second main wheel, a plurality of guide wheel and a rotatory plate. The second main wheel is mounted inside a wheel housing. The second main wheel is engaged with a top portion of the outer rail. The plurality of guide wheels is mounted on the wheel housing. The plurality of guide wheel is engaged on side portions of the outer rail. The rotatory plate is mounted with the wheel housing and the work handling unit.
[0007] In some embodiments, the second main wheel is coupled with the first motor using the first driving shaft and the first gear assembly.
[0008] In some embodiments, the work handling unit includes a plurality of side covers, the plurality of chain conveyor assembly and a plurality of supporting channels. The plurality of side covers frame that accommodates a plurality of opening for at least one of a drive shaft. The plurality of chain conveyor assembly mounts on the plurality of side covers. The plurality of conveyor assembly includes a plurality of drive gear, a plurality of tension gear and a drive chain. The plurality of drive gear are coupled with the drive shaft. The plurality of supporting channels are coupled between the plurality of chain conveyor assembly. The plurality of side covers and the plurality of chain conveyor assembly are mounted on the work handling unit. The plurality of side covers and the plurality of chain conveyor assembly include a plurality of slot to accommodate at least one of sensors, control devices or stoppers.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first driving shaft and the first gear assembly are coupled with a first motor to drive the at least one of wheel assembly.
[0010] In some embodiments, the second driving shaft and the second gear assembly are coupled with a second motor to drive the plurality of conveyor assembly.
[0011] In some embodiments, the rail guided vehicle transports and handles at least one object. The working handling device includes at least three conveyor assembly to handle at least two objects at same instance. The rail guided vehicle includes at least three inner wheel assembly and outer assembly to handle at least two objects at the same instance.
[0012] In some embodiments, the curving routes allow numerous rail guided vehicles to run concurrently on different tracks, boosting throughput overall. Each rail-guided vehicle follows its own path, reducing the possibility of collisions and maximizing the flow of supplies or commodities. The rail guided vehicle's inner wheel assembly maneuvers around obstacles and tight turns more successfully when traveling along the curved path. By progressively switching between straight stretches and curves, at least one of the inner wheel assembly and the outer wheel assembly of the rail guided vehicle maintains a constant speed, minimizing wear and tear on the vehicle and the track system. The equipment becomes more durable and reliable as a result.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a rail guided vehicle for handling and transporting objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations according to some embodiments herein;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of a work handling unit of a rail guided vehicle according to some embodiments herein;
[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of an inner wheel assembly according to some embodiments herein;
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of an outer wheel assembly according to some embodiments herein;
[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary view of a driving assembly according to some embodiments herein; and
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view of a rail guided vehicle for handling at least two objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations according to some embodiments herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0021] An objective of the current invention is to provide a mechanism that enables a rail guided vehicle to run on a curved path and that removes or at least lessens the limitations mentioned above. These goals are accomplished using the method described in the appended description. As mentioned, there remains a need for a mechanism that overcome the limitation of operating the rail guided vehicle in curved paths. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, preferred embodiments are shown.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a rail guided vehicle 100 for handling and transporting objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations according to some embodiments herein. The rail guided vehicle 100 includes a work handling unit 104, at least one wheel assembly 106A-N and a driving assembly 108. The rail guided vehicle 100 is run on a pair of rails 102A and 102B. The pair of rails 102A and 102B are laid on a ground. In some embodiments, the pair of rails 102A and 102B forms at least one of a linear path or a curved path. In some embodiments, the rail 102A is an inner rail and the rail 102B is an outer rail. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly 106 run on the inner rail 102A is an inner wheel assembly. In some embodiments, the wheel assembly 106 run on the outer rail 102A is an outer wheel assembly. In some embodiments, a housing 110 that accommodates at least one of the work handling unit 104, the plurality of wheel assembly 106A-N and the driving assembly 108. The working handling unit 104 is coupled with the driving assembly 108. In some embodiments, the work handling unit 104 includes at least one of a conveyor assembly or arms to handle the objects between at least one of (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station. In some embodiments, the rail guided vehicle 100 enables the work handling unit 104 to engage with the driving assembly 108 to handle the objects between at least one of (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station. In some embodiments, the rail guided vehicle 100 enables the plurality of wheel assembly 106A-N to engage with the driving assembly 108 to drive the rail guided vehicle 100 between at least one of (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station on the pair of rails 102A and 102B. The rail guided vehicle 100 transports the objects between at least one of (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station by driving at least one wheel assembly 106. The at least one wheel assembly rotates alone when the rail guided vehicle 100 run on a curve path. In some embodiments, the driving assembly 106 includes a first driving motor assembly and a second driving motor assembly. The first driving motor assembly is coupled with the plurality of wheel assembly 106A-N. The second driving motor assembly is coupled with the work handling unit 104. In some embodiments, an unique code is provide for each loading station and unloading station. In some embodiments, the rail guided vehicle 100 includes a scanning unit that identifies at least one of (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station for handling the objects by scanning the unique code associated with at least one of (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station. In some embodiments, the rail guided vehicle 100 includes at least one sensor for positioning the rail guided vehicle 100 when handling the objects.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the work handling unit 104 of the rail guided vehicle 100 according to some embodiments herein. The work handling unit 104 includes a driving shafts 202, one or more chain conveyor 204A-N, one or more side covers 206A-N, one or more supporting channels 208A-N and one or more mounting plates 210A-N. In some embodiments, the work handling unit 104 includes at least two conveyors for handling the objects between (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station. The conveyor 204 includes one or more chain links, a conveyor drive sprocket and one or more conveyor tension sprocket. The conveyor drive sprocket and the one or more tension sprocket are mounted on a side cover 206A. The chain links are fixed on the conveyor drive sprocket with a required tension that is applied using the one or more tension sprocket. In some embodiments, the conveyor drive sprocket is mounted on a face plate that is mount on the side cover 206A. In some embodiments, the conveyor 204 includes the at least three conveyor drive sprocket and the at least one tension sprocket. In some embodiments, the drive sprockets are mounted on the side cover 206 using one or more radial ball bearing. In some embodiments, the conveyor 204 is covered with conveyor closing plates 212A and 212B and a side cover 206B. In some embodiments, the one or more drive sprockets are duplex sprockets.
[0024] In some embodiments, the work handling unit 104 accommodates a gear assembly of the driving assembly 108 on at least one of the side covers 206A-N using at least one of a L-bracket plate. In some embodiments, the driving shaft 202 is coupled with the one or more chain conveyors 204A-N using a flange bearing. In some embodiments, the work handling unit 104 provides strength to the one or more chain conveyors 204A-N using the one or more supporting channels 208A-N. In some embodiments, the one or more supporting channels 208A-N are coupled between the one or more side covers 206A-N. In some embodiments, the one or more supporting channels 208A-N are perpendicularly coupled on the one or more side covers 206A-N. In some embodiments, the work handling unit 104 is mounted on the rail guided vehicle 100 using one or more mounting plate. In some embodiments, the work handling unit 104 includes at least one forks, roller conveyors, chain conveyors or shuttles.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of an inner wheel assembly according to some embodiments herein. The inner wheel assembly 302 includes a first main wheel 304, one or more guide wheels 306A-N, a top mounting plate 308, a thrust bearing 310, a rotating plate 312, a slider base 314 and a slider plate 316. In some embodiments, the inner wheel assembly 302 includes an inner wheel housing 318 that accommodates the main wheel 304. In some embodiments, the one or more guide wheels 306A-N are mounted on the inner wheel housing 318. The top mounting plate 308 is mounted on the inner wheel housing 318 to couple the rotating plate 312 using the thrust bearing 310. The rotating plate 312 is mounted with the slider base 314 and enables the slider plate 316 to slide on the slider base 314 when the inner wheel assembly 302 run on a curved path. In some embodiments, the slider plate 316 is coupled with the work handling unit 104. In some embodiments, the inner wheel assembly 302 mount on both sides of the rail guided vehicle 100 when the rail guided vehicle 100 is committed to run on “S” type curve path. In some embodiments, the slider base 314 and the slider plate 316 are mount on at least one of the inner wheel assembly or the outer wheel assembly which run on a curved path.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of an outer wheel assembly 402 according to some embodiments herein. The outer wheel assembly 402 includes a second main wheel 402, one or more guide wheels 406A-N, a top mounting plate 408, a thrust bearing 410. In some embodiments, the outer wheel assembly 402 includes an outer wheel housing 412 that accommodates the main wheel 404. In some embodiments, the one or more guide wheels 406A-N are mounted on the inner wheel housing 418. The top mounting plate 408 is mounted on the outer wheel housing 412 to couple the work handling unit 104 using the thrust bearing 310 and one or more mounting plates. In some embodiments, the outer wheel assembly 402 includes a rotatable plate that is mounted on the outer wheel housing 412 and the work handling unit 104. In some embodiments, the rotatable plate that rotates when the rail guided vehicle 100 run on the at least one of the inner rail 102A or the outer rail 102B at the curved path.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary view of the driving assembly 106 according to some embodiments herein. The driving assembly 106 includes a first driving motor assembly 502 and a second driving motor assembly 504. The first driving motor assembly 502 drives the at least one wheel assembly 106 to move the rail guided vehicle 100 between at least one of (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station. The second driving motor assembly 504 drives the work handling unit 104 to handle the objects between at least one of (a) the loading station or (b) the unloading station. The first driving motor assembly 502 includes a first motor 506 and a first gear assembly 508. The first motor 506 is coupled with the at least one wheel assembly using at least one of (a) one or more bearings or (b) one or more driving shafts. In some embodiments, the one or more bearings are load- carrying components that are mounted with the first gear assembly 508 and the first motor 506. In some embodiments, the first driving motor assembly 502 is coupled with the outer wheel assembly 402.
[0028] The second driving motor assembly 504 includes a second motor 510 and a second gear assembly 512. In some embodiments, the second driving motor assembly 504 is accommodate on the work handling unit 104 using a L- bracket plate. The second motor 510 is coupled with the second gear assembly 512 using one or more bearings. The gear assembly is coupled with the driving shaft 202 of the work handling unit 104 to drive the conveyor 204 to handle the objects. In some embodiments, the second driving motor assembly 504 drives at least one of conveyors 204 or one or more arms.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view of the rail guided vehicle 100 for handling at least two objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations according to some embodiments herein. The rail guided vehicle 100 is run on a pair of rails 602A and 602B. The rail guided vehicle 100 is mounted with the working handling unit 104 which includes two or more conveyors 204A-N. Each conveyor from the two or more conveyors 204A-N includes one or more chain links, a conveyor drive sprocket and one or more conveyor tension sprocket. The conveyor drive sprocket and the one or more tension sprocket are mounted on a side cover. The chain links are fixed on the conveyor drive sprocket with a required tension that is applied using the one or more tension sprocket. In some embodiments, the conveyor drive sprocket is mounted on a face plate that is mount on the side cover. In some embodiments, each conveyor from the two or more conveyors 204A-N includes the at least three conveyor drive sprocket and the at least one tension sprocket. In some embodiments, the drive sprockets are mounted on the side cover using one or more radial ball bearing. In some embodiments, the conveyor from the two or more conveyors 204A-N are covered with conveyor closing plates and a side cover. In some embodiments, the one or more drive sprockets are duplex sprockets. The work handling unit 104 drives at least one conveyor from the two or more conveyors 204A-N to handle at least two objects at an instance between two or more loading stations or unloading stations.
[0030] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A rail guided vehicle (100) for handling and transporting objects between at least one of (a) a plurality of loading station or (b) a plurality of unloading station comprising
a pair of rails (102A and 102B) that are laid on a ground, wherein the pair of rails comprises an inner rail (102A) and an outer rail (102B);
a housing that accommodates
a work handling unit (104) that handles and transports the objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations;
a plurality of wheel assembly (106A-N) that comprise at least one of a plurality of inner wheel assembly (302A-N) that is engaged with the inner rail (102A) or a plurality of outer wheel assembly (402A-N) that is engaged with the outer rail (102B); and
a driving assembly unit (108) that comprises
a first driving motor assembly (502) that are coupled with the plurality of wheel assembly (106A-N); and
a second driving motor assembly (504) that are coupled with a plurality of chain conveyor assembly (204A-N) of the work handling unit (104),
wherein when in operation, the rail guided vehicle (100) transports the objects between at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations by driving the outer wheel assembly (402A-N) to run on the outer rail (102B) using the first gear assembly (508) and handles the objects at the at least one of (a) one or more loading stations or (b) one or more unloading stations by driving the plurality of conveyor assembly (204A-N) using the second driving motor assembly (504), wherein at least one wheel assembly of the plurality of wheel assembly (106A-N) rotates alone when run on the inner rail (102A) to turn the rail guided vehicle (100) on a curve path.

2. The rail guided vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner wheel assembly (102A) comprises
a first main wheel (304) that is mounted inside an inner wheel housing (302), wherein the first main wheel (304) is engaged with a top portion of the inner rail (102A);
a plurality of guide wheels (306A-N) that are mounted on the inner wheel housing (302), wherein the plurality of guide wheels (306A-N) are engaged on side portions of the inner rail (102A);
a rotating plate (312) that is mounted with the inner wheel housing (302);
the slider base (314) and a slider plate (316) that are mounted between the rotating plate (312) and the work handling unit (104), wherein the sliding plate (316) slides on the slider base (314) when the rail guided vehicle (100) moves on the rails (102A and 102B) at the curve path.

3. The rail guided vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer wheel assembly (402) comprises
a second main wheel (402) that is mounted inside an outer wheel housing (412), wherein the second main wheel (402) is engaged with a top portion of the outer rail (102B);
a plurality of guide wheels (406A-N) that are mounted on the outer wheel housing (412), wherein the plurality of guide wheels (406A-N) are engaged on side portions of the outer rail (102B);
a rotatable plate that is mounted with the outer wheel housing (412) and the work handling unit (104).

4. The rail guided vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second main wheel (402) is coupled with the first driving motor assembly (502) using the first gear assembly (508).


5. The rail guided vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the work handling unit (104) comprises
a plurality of side covers (206A-N) frame that accommodates a plurality of opening for at least one of a drive shaft (202);
the plurality of chain conveyor assembly (204A-N) that are mount on the plurality of side covers (206A-N), wherein the plurality of conveyor assembly (204A-N) comprises a plurality of drive gear, a plurality of tension gear and a drive chain, wherein the plurality of drive gear are coupled with the drive shaft (202);
a plurality of supporting channels (208A-N) that are coupled between the plurality of chain conveyor assembly (204A-N), wherein the plurality of side covers (206A-N) and the plurality of chain conveyor assembly (204A-N) are mounted on the work handling unit (104), wherein the plurality of side covers (206A-N) and the plurality of chain conveyor assembly (204A-N) comprise a plurality of slot to accommodate at least one of sensors, control devices or stoppers.

6. The rail guided vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first driving motor assembly (502) drives the at least one of wheel assembly (106A-N).

7. The rail guided vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second driving motor assembly (504) drives the plurality of conveyor assembly (204A-N) of the work handling unit (104).

8. The rail guided vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rail guided vehicle (100) transports and handles at least one object, wherein the working handling device (104) comprises at least three conveyor assembly (204A-N) to handle at least two objects at same instance, wherein the rail guided vehicle (100) comprises at least three inner wheel assembly and outer assembly to handle at least two objects at the same instance.