IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,522,433
Granted Patent B2
US 12,522,433 · App. 18/120,508 · Granted Jan 13, 2026

Overhead transport vehicle

Inventor: Makoto Kobayashi (Ise, JP)
Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
B65G1/0457B65G47/90B65G2201/0235B65G2203/044
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,522,433
App. No.
18/120,508
Granted
Jan 13, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An overhead transport vehicle includes a gripper unit that grips an article, a hoist unit that lifts and lowers the gripper unit, and a hoist support unit supporting the hoist unit. The hoist unit is vertically movably mounted on the hoist support unit, and an anti-vibration member is interposed between the hoist support unit and the hoist unit.

Claims (26)

1 . An overhead transport vehicle comprising:

a gripper unit configured to grip an article;

a hoist unit configured to lift and lower the gripper unit; and

a hoist support unit supporting the hoist unit, wherein

the hoist unit is vertically movably mounted on the hoist support unit, and

an anti-vibration member is interposed between the hoist support unit and the hoist unit, wherein the hoist unit is vertically movably mounted on the hoist support unit with a parallel link interposed between the hoist unit and the hoist support unit.

2 . The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein

the parallel link includes a first end mounted on the hoist support unit with a first shaft and a second end mounted on the hoist unit with a second shaft, and

a rubber bushing serving as the anti-vibration member is provided in at least one of a space between the first end and the first shaft and a space between the second end and the second shaft.

3 . The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 2 ,

further comprising:

a lateral movement mechanism configured to laterally move the hoist unit, wherein the hoist unit is equipped with a sensor configured to detect whether the article is placed on a storage shelf based on projected-light onto and received-light from a reflecting plate mounted on the storage shelf, and

the lateral movement mechanism laterally moves the hoist unit when the received-light from the reflecting plate is not detected.

4 . The overhead transport vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a lateral movement mechanism configured to laterally move the hoist unit, wherein

the hoist unit is equipped with a sensor configured to detect whether the article is placed on a storage shelf based on projected-light onto and received-light from a reflecting plate mounted on the storage shelf, and

the lateral movement mechanism laterally moves the hoist unit when the received-light from the reflecting plate is not detected.

5 . An overhead transport vehicle comprising:

a gripper unit configured to grip an article;

a hoist unit configured to lift and lower the gripper unit; and

a hoist support unit supporting the hoist unit, wherein

the hoist unit is vertically movably mounted on the hoist support unit, and

an anti-vibration member is interposed between the hoist support unit and the hoist unit;

a lateral movement mechanism configured to laterally move the hoist unit, wherein

the hoist unit is equipped with a sensor configured to detect whether the article is placed on a storage shelf based on projected-light onto and received-light from a reflecting plate mounted on the storage shelf, and

the lateral movement mechanism laterally moves the hoist unit when the received-light from the reflecting plate is not detected.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2023
From: KOBAYASHI, MAKOTO
To: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
Reel/Frame 062958/0854 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-042698 · Mar 17, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230294917A1 · Sep 21, 2023
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