Overhead hoist transfer (OHT) apparatus, guiding device of OHT apparatus, and direction maintaining module of OHT apparatus

A guiding device of an overhead hoist transfer apparatus, comprising:

• a rail module including:
• a main rail;
• a first rail curvedly connected to the main rail, wherein the rail module defines a turning path extending from the main rail to the first rail;
• and
• a second rail connected to the main rail, wherein the rail module defines a straight path extending from the main rail to the second rail;
• and
• a direction maintaining module assembled in the rail module and including:
• a main channel disposed in and extending along the main rail;
• a first retaining channel disposed in and extending along the first rail;
• a second retaining channel disposed in and extending along the second rail, wherein the main channel is spaced apart from the first retaining channel and the second retaining channel by a gap;
• a switch channel arranged in the gap and disposed among the main channel, the first channel, and the second channel, wherein the main channel is discontinuous from the switch channel;
• and
• a switching mechanism connected to the switch channel and configured to drive the switch channel to move between a turning position and a straight position, wherein, when the switch channel is arranged at the turning position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the first retaining channel, and wherein, when the switch channel is arranged at the straight position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the second retaining channel.

A direction maintaining module of an overhead hoist transfer apparatus for being assembled in a rail module, the direction maintaining module comprising:

• a main channel;
• a first retaining channel;
• a second retaining channel, wherein the main channel is spaced apart from the first retaining channel and the second retaining channel by a gap;
• a switch channel arranged in the gap and disposed among the main channel, the first channel, and the second channel, wherein the main channel is discontinuous from the switch channel;
• and
• a switching mechanism connected to the switch channel and configured to drive the switch channel to move between a turning position and a straight position, wherein, when the switch channel is arranged at the turning position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the first retaining channel, and wherein, when the switch channel is arranged at the straight position, the switch channel connects the main channel and the second retaining channel.