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(11) | EP 2 431 321 A1 |
(12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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(54) | Drive system for movable platforms |
(57) The present invention relates to a drive system for movable platforms (2, 3) having
a bearing structure (1), independent movement subsystems (4, 5, 10, 11) having a drive
chain (4) for being guided between chain guides (7) along a trajectory, a lifting
subsystem (5) in the loading area and a lifting subsystem (5') in the unloading area
for moving movable platforms (2, 3), a plurality of linear motors (10) for horizontally
moving the movable platforms (2, 3), platforms (2, 3) having horizontal movement devices
having front rollers (61'), rear rollers (62'), drive devices having a plurality of
connectors (8) and drive equipment (12, 13) for moving the drive chain (4) according
to a reversible, point-to-point, discontinuous movement.
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Field of the Invention
Background of the Invention
Description of the Invention
are horizontally moved toward the elevators:
from the mechanical drive subsystem of the inclined sector coming from the return path in the loading area;
from the mechanical drive subsystem of the inclined sector coming from the useful or transport path in the unloading area;
are horizontally moved from the elevators:
to the mechanical drive subsystem of the inclined sector going to the transport path in the loading area;
to the mechanical drive subsystem of the inclined sector going to the return path in the unloading area.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows a side view of the entire system.
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the central part of the system.
Figure 3A shows a detailed view of the lifting system of the lower part of the system and Figure 3B shows a detailed view of the horizontal movement of the lower part of the system.
Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
1a) a bearing structure (1):
1a1) comprising a plurality of fixings configured for supporting a plurality of guides (7, 61, 62, 63) fastened by fastening means (9);
independent movement subsystems (4, 5, 10, 11) comprising:1b) a drive chain (4) configured for being guided between chain guides (7) along a trajectory comprising:
1b1) a transport path from a loading position (22) at the beginning of the transport path, to an unloading position.(23) at the end of the transport path;
1b2) a return path from a post-unloading position (32) at the beginning of the return path, to a pre-loading position (33) at the end of the return path;
1c) a lifting subsystem (5) in the loading area and a lifting subsystem (5') in the unloading area for moving movable platforms (2, 3):
1c1) from an (34) at a return path level to an ascended position (21) at a transport path level;
1c2) from a (24) at a transport path level to a (31) at a return path level;
the lifting subsystems (5, 5') comprise a lifting motor (51), a lifting column (52), a lifting structure (53) and lifting guides (54) for moving the movable platforms (2, 3) between levels;1d) a plurality of linear motors (10) configured for horizontally moving the movable platforms (2, 3):
in the loading area:
1d1) from a pre-loading position (33) to an (34) or position for entering the lifting subsystem (5);
1d2) from an (21) or position for exiting from the lifting subsystem (5) to a loading
position (22);
in the unloading area:
1d3) from an unloading position (23) to a (24) or position for entering the lifting subsystem (5);
1d4) from a (31) or position for exiting from the lifting subsystem (5') to a post-unloading position (32);
1e) a plurality of platforms (2, 3) comprising:
1e1) horizontal movement means comprising a plurality of magnetic plates (11) below
a floor of the platform;
rolling means (61', 62') comprising:
1e2) front rollers (61') configured for being guided by:
1e2a) front platform guides (61) in the useful path;
1e2b) return platform guides (63) in the return path;
1e3) rear rollers (62') configured for being guided by:
1e3a) rear platform guides (62) in the useful path;
1e3b) return platform guides (63) in the return path;
1e4) drive means comprising a plurality of connectors (8) configured for being moved between a connected position where the platform (2, 3) is driven by the drive chain (4), and a disconnected position where the platform (2, 3) is not driven by the drive chain(4);
1f) drive equipment (12, 13) configured for moving the drive chain (4) according to
a reversible, point-to-point, discontinuous movement;
wherein:
1g) the front platform guides (61) and the rear platform guides (62) are arranged for guiding the platforms (2, 3) in the horizontal position along the transport path.
2a) The return platform guides (63) are arranged for guiding the platforms (2, 3) in a position parallel to the transport path along the return path from a post-unloading position at the beginning of the return path to a pre-loading position at the end of the return path for reducing pit depth.
1a) a bearing structure (1):
1a1) comprising a plurality of fixings configured for supporting a plurality of guides
(7, 61, 62, 63);
independent movement subsystems (4, 5, 10, 11) comprising:
1b) a drive chain (4) configured for being guided between chain guides (7) along a trajectory comprising:
1b1) a transport path from a loading position (22) at the beginning of the transport path, to an unloading position (23) at the end of the transport path;
1b2) a return path from a post-unloading position (32) at the beginning of the return path, to a pre-loading position (33) at the end of the return path;
1c) a lifting subsystem (5) in the loading area and a lifting subsystem (5') in the unloading area for moving movable platforms (2, 3):
1c1) from an (34) at a return path level to an ascended position (21) at a transport path level;
1c2) from a (24) at a transport path level to a (31) at a return path level;
1d) a plurality of linear motors (10) configured for horizontally moving the movable
platforms (2, 3):
in the loading area:
1d1) from a pre-loading position (33) to an (34);
1d2) from an (21) to a loading position (22);
in the unloading area:1d3) from an unloading position (23) to a (24);
1d4) from a (31) to a post-unloading position (32);
1e) a plurality of platforms (2, 3) comprising:
1e1) horizontal movement means comprising a plurality of magnetic plates (11) below
a floor of the platform;
rolling means (61', 62') comprising:
1e2) front rollers (61') configured for being guided by:
1e2a) front platform guides (61) in the useful path;
1e2b) return platform guides (63) in the return path;
1e3) rear rollers (62') configured for being guided by:
1e3a) rear platform guides (62) in the useful path;
1e3b) return platform guides (63) in the return path;
1e4) drive means comprising a plurality of connectors (8) configured for being moved between a connected position where the platform (2, 3) is driven by the drive chain (4), and a disconnected position where the platform (2, 3) is not driven by the drive chain(4);
1f) drive equipment (12, 13) configured for moving the drive chain (4) according to
a reversible, point-to-point, discontinuous movement;
wherein:
1g) the front platform guides (61) and the rear platform guides (62) are arranged for guiding the platforms (2, 3) in the horizontal position along the transport path.