Transport device and method for operating a transport device

A method for operating a transport device having at least one transport segment, along which at least one transport unit is moved at least one-dimensionally, and at least one sensor plate having a longitudinal extension parallel to a direction of movement of the at least one transport unit and on which a plurality of position sensors, spaced apart from one another in the direction of movement, are provided, comprising:

• generating sensor signals from each of the position sensors when the transport unit is moved into a sensor range of a corresponding position sensor,
• determining, via a control unit, a transport unit position of the transport unit relative to a defined reference point of the transport device on a basis of the sensor signals received from the position sensors,
• at least one of:
• detecting with a plurality of temperature sensors that are spaced apart from one another in the direction of movement of the transport and that are arranged on the at least one sensor plate a local segment temperature of each transport segment, and/or
• local segment temperatures of the transport segment are determined by a temperature model of the transport segment implemented in the control unit, and
• correcting, via the control unit, the transport unit position based on the at least one of the detected or determined local segment temperatures using a predefined correction model to take into account a thermal expansion of the transport segment.