Transport device in the form of a long-stator linear motor having a turnaround portion

A method for turning around a transport unit of a transport device in the form of a long-stator linear motor comprising a transport route having at least a first transport route portion and a second transport route portion, comprising:

• moving the transport unit in a longitudinal direction along the transport route,
• changing an orientation of the transport unit by 180° in the longitudinal direction along the transport route in a turnaround portion of the transport route, the turnaround portion including an entrance having a first entrance end connected to the first transport route portion and a second open entrance end and an exit having a first exit end connected to the second transport route portion and a second open exit end, wherein the entrance and the exit of the turnaround portion are configured to form, at least in some portions, a common movement path in a region of a first transfer position, along which the transport unit is movable, and
• wherein, the changing of the orientation of the transport unit by 180° in the longitudinal direction along the transport route in the turnaround portion comprises moving the transport unit from the first transport route portion to the entrance of the turnaround portion while a first transport unit end of the transport unit points in the movement direction and a second transport unit end of the transport unit points counter to the movement direction, transferring the transport unit from the entrance to the exit of the turnaround portion at the first transfer position, and moving the transport unit from the exit of the turnaround portion along the movement path to the second transport route portion while the second transport unit end of the transport unit is oriented at a front of the transport unit to point in the movement direction.