VERTICAL BRANCH DEVICE FOR SELF-PROPELLED CARRIAGE

摘要

A branch device for causing a self-propelled carriage (10) to switch over between a horizontal rail (50) and a vertical rail (30, 30') that are arranged in a crossing manner. The self-propelled carriage has, coaxially arranged on its left and right sides, pinion gears (21) for drive wheels, horizontal travel wheels (22, 23) arranged on both sides, in the forward-backward direction, of each pinion gear, vertical travel wheels (24, 25) arranged on both sides, in the vertical direction, of each pinion gear, and a drive mechanism for the pinion gears. A crossover point between the horizontal rail and the vertical rail having a rack (36) surface that meshes with the pinion gears and also having travel surfaces (33, 34) for allowing the vertical wheels to roll on them is divided. In the divided section are provided a curved rail section (70) and a linear rail section (90). In the curved rail section (70), a rack (76) surface and travel surfaces (73, 74) are formed in a substantially L-shaped curve in a side view and a horizontal section of the curve is connected to the vertical rail. In the linear rail section (90), the rack (96) surface and travel surfaces (93, 94) are linearly formed and are connected to the vertical rail. The curved rail section and linear rail section of a branch rail section are selectively connected to the divided rail.