JP7720910B2 - Center guided rail transit system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a center guided track-based transportation system.
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-087746, filed on May 25, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As a new mode of transportation other than buses and trains, track-based transportation systems, which run on tracks using running wheels fitted with rubber tires, are known. One type of track-based transportation system is a center-guided track-based transportation system, in which a guide wheel is located in the center of the vehicle. In such center-guided track-based transportation systems, a branching area is formed where the track branches into two. A branching device that moves a guide that guides the vehicle is located in this branching area. An example of a branching device that can be used in such a center-guided track-based transportation system is the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

Patent Document 1 describes a switch device equipped with a main line movable rail and a branch line movable rail that rotate between a guide position and a retracted position relative to a fixed rail that serves as a guide located at the center of the width of the travel path. In this switch device, the main line movable rail is positioned in the guide position and the branch line movable rail is positioned in the retracted position, allowing vehicles to travel straight and be guided onto the main line travel path. Meanwhile, the main line movable rail is positioned in the retracted position and the branch line movable rail is positioned in the guide position, allowing vehicles to be guided onto a branch line travel path that branches off from the main line travel path.

Patent No. 5693294

However, with the above structure, depending on the shape of the junction area, the movable guides, the main line movable rail and the branch line movable rail, may become very long. As a result, if the movable guides are long, a large space is required in the junction area to move the movable guides so that they do not interfere with the movement of vehicles.

The present disclosure provides a center guide rail transportation system that can reduce the space required for branching areas regardless of the shape of the branching area.

The center guided track transportation system according to the present disclosure comprises a main track having a main track extending in a first direction and having a running surface that is contactable with the running wheels of a vehicle, and a main track guide arranged on a first virtual center line located at the center in the width direction of the main track to guide the vehicle, a branch track having a branch track extending in a second direction different from the first direction so as to branch off from the main track and having the running surface, and a branch guide arranged on a second virtual center line located at the center in the width direction of the branch track to guide the vehicle, and a turnout device arranged in a junction area between the main track and the branch track. the branch device includes a first main line movable guide and a second main line movable guide that are movable between a main line guide position where the vehicle can be guided from a first main line track to a second main line track and a main line retraction position where the vehicle cannot be guided from the first main line track to the second main line track; a first branch movable guide and a second branch movable guide that are movable between a branch guide position where the vehicle can be guided from the first main line track to the branch track and a branch retraction position where the vehicle cannot be guided from the first main line track to the branch track; and a first main line movable guide, a second main line movable guide, a first branch movable guide, and a second branch movable guide. and a movable device for moving the guide , wherein the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are formed to extend on the first imaginary center line at the main line guiding position, the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are formed to extend on the second imaginary center line at the branch guiding position, and the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are rotatable around one end portion located on the first imaginary center line as a rotation center, and the other end portion is located on the first imaginary center line at the main line guiding position, and the other end portion is located at a position deviated from the first imaginary center line at the main line retracting position. The first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are rotatable around one end located on the second imaginary center line as a rotation center, and at the branch guide position, the other end is located on the second imaginary center line, and at the branch retract position, the other end is located at a position deviated from the second imaginary center line, one end of the first main line movable guide and one end of the second main line movable guide are located apart from each other on the first imaginary center line, and one end of the first branch movable guide and one end of the second branch movable guide are located apart from each other on the second imaginary center line .

The turnout device and center guide rail transportation system disclosed herein can reduce the space required for the turnout area regardless of its shape.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a center guide type track-based transportation system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a vehicle is running on a main track in the center guide type track-based transportation system according to the present embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. 1 is a plan view showing a state in which a vehicle is traveling on a branch track in a center guide type track-based transportation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a center guide type track-based transportation system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of a center guide type track-based transportation system according to a third embodiment.

First Embodiment
Hereinafter, a first embodiment, which is one of modes for implementing a center guided track-based transportation system 1 according to the present disclosure, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to only this first embodiment.

(Configuration of rail-based transportation system)
The center guided track-based transportation system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a system in which center guided vehicles 100 run along a track 10 .

(Configuration of vehicle 100)
As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle 100 running on a track 10 in an embodiment of the present disclosure is a vehicle 100 for a guide rail-type new transit system. The vehicle 100 is operated in a train consisting of one or more cars. When a train consists of multiple cars 100, the cars 100 are coupled to each other by a coupling device (not shown). Each vehicle 100 includes a car body 101, running wheels 102, guide wheels 103, and a current collector 104.

Multiple running wheels 102 are arranged on the bottom of the vehicle body 101. The running wheels 102 are made of rubber tires and are driven to rotate by an electric motor (not shown). The vehicle 100 runs along a guide 12 (described below) by steering the running wheels 102 relative to the running path 11 of the track 10.

As shown in Figure 3, multiple guide wheels 103 are arranged at the bottom of the vehicle body 101. The outer periphery of the guide wheels 103 is formed from an elastic material such as urethane rubber. In this embodiment, a pair of guide wheels 103 are arranged in the center of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 101 so as to sandwich the rail-shaped guide 12 described below. The guide wheels 103 are arranged at the bottom center of the vehicle body 101 so as to be sandwiched between a pair of running wheels 102 in the vehicle width direction. Two pairs of guide wheels 103 are arranged on one vehicle body 101, spaced apart in the front and rear.

As shown in Figure 1, the current collector 104 comes into contact with the electric rail 13 (described later) to supply power to the electric motor that rotates the running wheels 102. In this embodiment, a pair of current collectors 104 are arranged on the outer side of the car body 101 in the vehicle width direction. Two sets of current collectors 104 are arranged on one car body 101, for example, spaced apart at the front and rear.

In the center guide type track-based transportation system 1, a guide 12 for guiding the vehicle 100 is arranged in the center of the track 11 on which the vehicle 100 travels. The center guide type track-based transportation system 1 of the first embodiment mainly comprises a track 10 and a switch device 4.

(Orbital configuration)
The track 10 is configured so that the vehicle 100 can travel on it. The track 10 extends along a predetermined route. The track 10 has formed thereon runways 11 along which the vehicle 100 travels. The runways 11 extend in an extension direction De. Here, the extension direction De is a direction that intersects (is perpendicular to, in this embodiment) a vertical direction Dv (see FIG. 3 ), and is the direction in which the track 10 extends. A running surface 11a is formed on each runway 11. The running surface 11a is a flat surface that the running wheels 102 can roll against and come into contact with when the vehicle 100 travels on the runway 11. Therefore, a pair of the running surfaces 11a are formed at an interval in a width direction Dw that intersects (is perpendicular to, in this embodiment) the extension direction De and the vertical direction Dv so as to correspond to the positions of the pair of running wheels 102 of the vehicle 100. The running surface 11a is flat across its entire surface and is formed so that running wheels 102 equipped with rubber tires of the vehicle 100 can roll on it. The running wheels 102 roll on the running surface 11a, causing the vehicle 100 to run on the running path 11.

In this embodiment, the running surface 11a is not actually formed separately in the width direction Dw, but is instead connected in the width direction Dw and integrally formed as part of the flat upper surface of the runway 11 across the left and right sides. Therefore, in this embodiment, the running surface 11a is the area of the upper surface of the runway 11 facing upward in the vertical direction Dv that is expected to come into contact with the running wheels 102 when the vehicle 100 travels on the runway 11. Furthermore, the surface of the running surface 11a is grooved or roughened to a degree that does not impair its flatness. This ensures a high coefficient of friction with the tire tread during rainfall, etc., and prevents slipping.

As shown in Figure 1, the track 10 of this embodiment further includes a guide 12 that guides the vehicle 100 and an electric line 13 that supplies electricity to the vehicle 100.

The guide 12 is contactable by the guide wheel 103 and guides the vehicle 100 in the direction of travel so that it moves along the runway 11. The guide 12 extends in the extension direction De over the entire length of the track 10. The guide 12 is a rail-shaped member formed from an H-beam or I-beam. The guide 12 is positioned in the center of the width direction Dw relative to the surface along the runway 11a (the upper surface of the runway 11). The guide 12 extends in the extension direction De at the same height from the upper surface of the runway 11. In other words, the guide 12 is positioned so that it protrudes upward in the vertical direction Dv relative to the runway 11a.

The electric wires 13 supply power to the vehicle 100 by coming into contact with the current collector 104 of the vehicle 100. The electric wires 13 extend in the extension direction De. The electric wires 13 are arranged outside the running surface 11a in the width direction Dw. The electric wires 13 extend in the extension direction De at the same height as the top surface of the running track 11, at a position higher than the guide 12 in the vertical direction Dv. Depending on the type of power source, two electric wires 13 are arranged in the case of a DC power source, and three electric wires 13 are arranged in the case of an AC power source.

The track 10 of this embodiment also includes a main track 2 and a branch track 3 branching off from the main track 2. Within the extension direction De, the direction in which the main track 2 extends is referred to as the first direction D1, and the direction in which the branch track 3 extends is referred to as the second direction D2. The second direction D2 is a direction that intersects with the first direction D1 in an imaginary plane parallel to the running surface 11a. Furthermore, the width direction Dw is perpendicular to the extension direction De, and therefore is a different direction between the main track 2 and the branch track 3.

In the following, the area where the main track 2 begins to branch off to the branch track 3 is referred to as the branch area A. In the branch area A, a portion of the main track 2 and a portion of the branch track 3 overlap. A branching device 4 is located in the branch area A. In addition, in the branch area A of this embodiment, only one branch track 3 extending in a different direction from the main track 2 is connected.

Here, the near side of the branch area A in the direction of travel of the vehicle 100 traveling on the main track 2 (the side where the vehicle 100 is located in FIG. 1) is referred to as the first side of the first direction D1. Furthermore, the far side of the branch area A in the direction of travel of the vehicle 100 traveling on the main track 2 (the side where the vehicle 100 is not located in FIG. 1) is referred to as the second side of the first direction D1. The main track 2 has a first main track 2A located on the first side of the first direction D1 relative to the branch area A, and a second main track 2B located on the second side of the first direction D1 opposite the first main track 2A relative to the branch area A. Furthermore, the near side of the branch area A in the direction of travel of the vehicle 100 traveling from the first main track 2A to the branch track 3 (the side where the first main track 2A is located relative to the branch track 3 in FIG. 1) is referred to as the first side of the second direction D2. The forward side of the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 heading from the first main track 2A to the branch track 3 relative to the branch area A (the side where the branch track 3 is located relative to the first main track 2A in Figure 1) is referred to as the second side of the second direction D2.

(Main track configuration)
The main line track 2 has a main line running track 21 which is a part of the running track 11, a main line guide 22 which is a part of the guide 12, and a main line contact line 23 which is a part of the contact line 13. Therefore, the first main line track 2A and the second main line track 2B each have a main line running track 21, a main line guide 22, and a main line contact line 23.

The main track 21 extends in a first direction D1, allowing the vehicle 100 to travel on it. The main track 21 has a running surface 11a on which the running wheels 102 of the vehicle 100 roll and come into contact. The upper surface of the main track 21 is formed to be continuous in the width direction Dw, and is integrally formed across the left and right. Therefore, a portion of the upper surface of the main track 21 forms the running surface 11a.

The main line guide 22, with which the guide wheel 103 comes into contact, guides the vehicle 100 in the direction of travel so that it moves along the main line traveling path 21. The main line guide 22 is arranged on a first imaginary center line O1 located in the center of the width direction Dw of the main line traveling path 21. The first imaginary center line O1 is an imaginary line that indicates the center of the width direction Dw of the main line traveling path 21, sandwiched between the traveling surfaces 11a of the main line traveling path 21, and extends in the first direction D1. Therefore, the first imaginary center line O1 extends so as not to overlap with the traveling surfaces 11a of the main line traveling path 21.

The main line electric wires 23 extend in the first direction D1. The main line electric wires 23 are disposed outside the main line travel path 21 in the width direction Dw. That is, the main line electric wires 23 are disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle 100 in the traveling direction when the vehicle 100 travels from the first main line track 2A to the second main line track 2B. When the vehicle 100 travels from the first main line track 2A to the second main line track 2B, the main line electric wire 23 disposed on the right side of the vehicle 100 (the side where the branch track 3 is located) is disposed on the first side of the first direction D1 in the branching area A, but not on the second side. When the vehicle 100 travels from the first main line track 2A to the second main line track 2B, the main line electric wire 23 disposed on the left side of the vehicle 100 (the side where the branch track 3 is not located) extends in the first direction D1 without interruption, even in the branching area A. The main line electric wire 23 extends in the extension direction De at the same height as the upper surface of the main line traveling path 21 at a position higher than the main line guide 22 in the vertical direction Dv.

(Configuration of branch tracks)
The branch track 3 has a branch running track 31 which is a part of the running track 11 , a branch guide 32 which is a part of the guide 12 , and a branch electric wire 33 which is a part of the electric wire 13 .

The branching track 31 extends in the second direction D2 from the middle of the main track 21, branching off from it. The branching track 31 connects to the main track 21 while curving in the branching area A. The branching track 31 has a running surface 11a with which the running wheels 102 of the vehicle 100 roll and come into contact. The upper surface of the branching track 31 is connected in the width direction Dw and is integrally formed across the left and right. Therefore, a portion of the upper surface of the branching track 31 forms the running surface 11a.

The branch guide 32, with which the guide wheel 103 comes into contact, guides the traveling direction of the vehicle 100 so that it moves along the branch running path 31. The branch guide 32 is positioned on a second imaginary center line O2 located at the center of the branch running path 31 in the width direction Dw. The second imaginary center line O2 is an imaginary line that indicates the center of the branch running path 31 in the width direction Dw, sandwiched between the running surfaces 11a of the branch running path 31, and extends in the second direction D2. Therefore, the second imaginary center line O2 extends so as not to overlap with the running surfaces 11a of the branch running path 31. The branch guide 32 is a rail-shaped member formed with the same cross-sectional shape as the main line guide 22.

The branch electric train line 33 extends in the second direction D2. The branch electric train line 33 is disposed outside the branch running track 31 in the width direction Dw. That is, the branch electric train lines 33 are disposed on the left and right sides of the vehicle 100 in the traveling direction when the vehicle 100 travels from the first main line track 2A to the branch track 3. When the vehicle 100 travels from the first main line track 2A to the branch track 3, the branch electric train line 33 disposed on the right side of the vehicle 100 (the side where the second main line track 2B is not located) is continuously connected to the main line electric train line 23 in the branch area A. When the vehicle 100 travels from the first main line track 2A to the branch track 3, no branch electric train line 33 is disposed on the left side of the vehicle 100 (the side where the second main line track 2B is located). The branch electric train line 33 extends in the extension direction De at the same height as the top surface of the branch running track 31, at a position higher than the branch guide 32 in the vertical direction Dv.

(Configuration of branching device)
The turnout device 4 is a device that switches the track 10 on which the vehicle 100 travels between the main track 2 and the branch track 3. Therefore, the turnout device 4, for example, guides the vehicle 100 traveling on the first main track 2A to the second main track 2B or the branch track 3. Here, a state in which the turnout device 4 is switched so as to guide the vehicle 100 traveling on the first main track 2A to the second main track 2B is referred to as a first state. Also, a state in which the turnout device 4 is switched so as to guide the vehicle 100 traveling on the first main track 2A to the branch track 3 is referred to as a second state. The turnout device 4 of this embodiment has a first main track movable guide 41, a second main track movable guide 42, a main track fixed guide 43, a first branch movable guide 51, a second branch movable guide 52, a branch fixed guide 53, and a movable device 6. The first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the main line fixed guide 43, the first branch movable guide 51, the second branch movable guide 52, and the branch fixed guide 53 are part of the guide 12 in the branch area A.

The first main line movable guide 41, together with the second main line movable guide 42, guides the vehicle 100 traveling on the main line track 2 in the branching area A. The first main line movable guide 41, together with the second main line movable guide 42, is movable between a main line guide position where it can guide the vehicle 100 from the first main line track 2A to the second main line track 2B, and a main line retraction position where it cannot guide the vehicle 100 from the first main line track 2A to the second main line track 2B. The main line guide position is a position where it can come into contact with the guide wheel 103 of a passing vehicle 100 and guides the vehicle 100 to the second main line track 2B. The main line retraction position is a position where it cannot come into contact with the guide wheel 103 of a passing vehicle 100. The first main line movable guide 41 is located in the branching area A. The first main track movable guide 41 is positioned closer to the first main track 2A in the first direction D1 than the second main track movable guide 42 when viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv. The first main track movable guide 41 is a rail-shaped member formed with the same cross-sectional shape as the main track guide 22. The first main track movable guide 41 is rotatably supported on the running surface 11a. Specifically, the first main track movable guide 41 in this embodiment is rotatable around a rotation axis located at one end, which is the base end. Here, the one end (first end) of the first main track movable guide 41 is the end on the first side in the first direction D1. The other end (second end) of the first main track movable guide 41 is the end opposite to the one end and is the end on the second side in the first direction D1. The one end of the first main track movable guide 41 is positioned so as to overlap the first imaginary center line O1 when viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv. Therefore, the first main line movable guide 41 is rotatable about one end on the first imaginary center line O1 as the center of rotation so as to move the other end between the main line guiding position and the main line retracting position. In this embodiment, the other end, which is the tip of the first main line movable guide 41, moves clockwise relative to the first imaginary center line O1 so as to move away from the branch track 3 when moving from the main line guiding position to the main line retracting position. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , at the main line guiding position, the other end of the first main line movable guide 41 is disposed on the first imaginary center line O1. As a result, at the main line guiding position, the first main line movable guide 41 extends straight on the first imaginary center line O1 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. At the main line guiding position, the other end of the first main line movable guide 41 contacts the end of the main line guide 22 of the first main track 2A in the width direction Dw. 4 and 5 , at the main line retraction position, the other end of the first main line movable guide 41 is disposed at a position deviated from the first imaginary center line O1 and at a position deviated from the running surface 11 a of the branch running path 31. In the present embodiment, at the main line retraction position, the other end of the first main line movable guide 41 is disposed at a position deviated from the running surface 11 a of the main line running path 21. As a result, at the main line retraction position, the first main line movable guide 41 is inclined with respect to the first imaginary center line O1 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the second main line movable guide 42 is positioned away from the first main line movable guide 41 in the branching area A. When viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv, the second main line movable guide 42 is positioned closer to the second main line track 2B than the first main line movable guide 41 in the first direction D1. The second main line movable guide 42 is a rail-shaped member formed with the same cross-sectional shape as the main line guide 22. The second main line movable guide 42 is rotatably supported on the running surface 11a. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second main line movable guide 42, like the first main line movable guide 41, is rotatable around a rotation axis located at one end, which is the base end. Here, one end (first end) of the second main line movable guide 42 is the end on the first side in the first direction D1. The other end (second end) of the second main line movable guide 42 is the end opposite to the one end and is the end on the second side in the first direction D1. One end of the second main line movable guide 42 is positioned so as to overlap the first imaginary center line O1 when viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv. When viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv, the one end of the second main line movable guide 42 is positioned so as to be adjacent to the end of the main line guide 22 of the second main track 2B in the first direction D1. Therefore, the second main line movable guide 42 is rotatable around the one end on the first imaginary center line O1 as a rotation center so as to move the other end between the main line guiding position and the main line retracting position. In this embodiment, the other end, which is the tip of the second main line movable guide 42, moves clockwise relative to the first imaginary center line O1 so as to move away from the branch track 3 when moving from the main line guiding position to the main line retracting position. As shown in FIG. 2 , at the main line guiding position, the other end of the second main line movable guide 42 is positioned on the first imaginary center line O1. As a result, at the main line guiding position, the second main line movable guide 42 extends straight on the first imaginary center line O1 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, at the main line retraction position, the other end of the second main line movable guide 42 is disposed at a position deviated from the first imaginary center line O1 and from the running surface 11a of the branching running path 31. In this embodiment, at the main line retraction position, the other end of the second main line movable guide 42 is disposed at a position deviated from the running surface 11a of the branching running path 31. As a result, at the main line retraction position, the second main line movable guide 42 is inclined with respect to the first imaginary center line O1 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main line fixed guide 43, together with the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42, guides the vehicle 100 traveling on the main line track 2 in the branching area A. The main line fixed guide 43 is arranged in a state where it cannot move in the branching area A. In other words, the main line fixed guide 43 is fixed to the main line traveling path 21. The main line fixed guide 43 is arranged between the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 in the first direction D1. The main line fixed guide 43 is arranged in a position off the traveling surface 11a of the branching traveling path 31. The main line fixed guide 43 is formed in a straight line so as to extend on the first imaginary center line O1. The main line fixed guide 43 is a rail-shaped member formed with the same cross-sectional shape as the main line guide 22. The main line fixed guide 43 is shorter than the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42. The main line fixed guide 43 is capable of contacting at least one of the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 when the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 are positioned at their main line guiding positions. In this embodiment, one end of the main line fixed guide 43 is disposed at a position that contacts the other end of the second main line movable guide 42 in the width direction Dw when the second main line movable guide 42 is positioned at its main line guiding position. The other end of the main line fixed guide 43 is adjacent to one end of the first main line movable guide 41 in the first direction D1.

The first branch movable guide 51, together with the second branch movable guide 52, guides the vehicle 100 traveling on the branch track 3 in the branch area A. The first branch movable guide 51, together with the second branch movable guide 52, is movable between a branch guide position where it can guide the vehicle 100 from the first main track 2A to the branch track 3, and a branch retract position where it cannot guide the vehicle 100 from the first main track 2A to the branch track 3. The branch guide position is a position where it can come into contact with the guide wheel 103 of a passing vehicle 100 and guides the vehicle 100 onto the branch track 3. The branch retract position is a position where it cannot come into contact with the guide wheel 103 of a passing vehicle 100. The first branch movable guide 51 is located in the branch area A. When viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv, the first branch movable guide 51 is located closer to the first main track 2A than the second branch movable guide 52 in the second direction D2. The first branch movable guide 51 is a rail-shaped member formed with the same cross-sectional shape as the main line guide 22. The first branch movable guide 51 is rotatably supported with respect to the running surface 11a. Specifically, the first branch movable guide 51 in this embodiment is rotatable around a rotation axis disposed at one end, which is the base end. Here, the one end (first end) of the first branch movable guide 51 is the end on the first side in the second direction D2. The other end (second end) of the first branch movable guide 51 is the end opposite to the one end and is the end on the second side in the second direction D2. When viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv, the one end of the first branch movable guide 51 is positioned so as to overlap with the second imaginary center line O2. When viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv, the one end of the first branch movable guide 51 is positioned so as to be offset from both the running surface 11a of the main line running path 21 and the running surface 11a of the branch running path 31. The first branch movable guide 51 is rotatable about one end on the second imaginary center line O2 as a rotation center so as to move the other end between the branch guide position and the branch retract position. In this embodiment, the other end, which is the tip of the first branch movable guide 51, moves counterclockwise away from the first imaginary center line O1 when moving from the branch guide position to the branch retract position. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , at the branch guide position, the other end of the first branch movable guide 51 is positioned on the first imaginary center line O1 and the second imaginary center line O2. As a result, at the branch guide position, the first branch movable guide 51 is curved and extended on the second imaginary center line O2 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. At the branch guide position, the other end of the first branch movable guide 51 contacts the end of the main line guide 22 of the first main track 2A in the width direction Dw. 2 and 3 , at the branch retraction position, the other end of the first branch movable guide 51 is positioned off the first imaginary center line O1 and the second imaginary center line O2. In the present embodiment, at the branch retraction position, the other end of the first branch movable guide 51 is positioned off the running surface 11 a of the main running path 21 and off the running surface 11 a of the branch running path 31. As a result, at the branch retraction position, the first branch movable guide 51 is inclined with respect to the second imaginary center line O2 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the second branch movable guide 52 is positioned away from the first branch movable guide 51 in the branch region A. When viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv, the second branch movable guide 52 is positioned closer to the branch track 3 than the first branch movable guide 51 in the second direction D2. The second branch movable guide 52 is a rail-shaped member formed with the same cross-sectional shape as the main line guide 22. The second branch movable guide 52 is rotatably supported on the running surface 11a. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second branch movable guide 52 is rotatable around a rotation axis located at one end, which is the base end, similar to the first branch movable guide 51. Here, the one end (first end) of the second branch movable guide 52 is the end on the first side in the second direction D2. The other end (second end) of the second branch movable guide 52 is the end opposite to the one end and is the end on the second side in the second direction D2. One end of the second branch movable guide 52 is positioned so as to overlap the second imaginary center line O2 when viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv. When viewed from above in the vertical direction Dv, the one end of the second branch movable guide 52 is positioned so as to be adjacent to the end of the branch guide 32 of the branch track 3 in the second direction D2. Therefore, the second branch movable guide 52 is rotatable around one end on the second imaginary center line O2 as a rotation center so as to move the other end between the branch guide position and the branch retract position. In this embodiment, when moving from the branch guide position to the retract position, the other end of the second branch movable guide 52 moves counterclockwise relative to the second imaginary center line O2 so as to move away from the first imaginary center line O1. As shown in FIG. 4 , at the branch guide position, the other end of the second branch movable guide 52 is positioned on the second imaginary center line O2. As a result, at the branch guide position, the second branch movable guide 52 is extended on the second imaginary center line O2 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv. 2, at the branch retraction position, the other end of the second branch movable guide 52 is disposed at a position offset from the second imaginary center line O2 and from the running surface 11a of the branch running path 31. In this embodiment, the other end, which is the tip of the second branch movable guide 52, is disposed at a position offset from the running surface 11a of the main running path 21 at the branch retraction position. As a result, at the branch retraction position, the second branch movable guide 52 is inclined with respect to the second imaginary center line O2 when viewed from the vertical direction Dv.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the branch fixed guide 53, together with the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52, guides the vehicle 100 traveling on the branch track 3 in the branch area A. The branch fixed guide 53 is arranged in an immovable state in the branch area A. In this embodiment, the branch fixed guide 53 is fixed to the branch travelway 31. The branch fixed guide 53 is arranged between the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 in the second direction D2. The branch fixed guide 53 is arranged at a position offset from the travel surface 11a of the main line travelway 21. The branch fixed guide 53 is curved to extend on the second imaginary center line O2. The branch fixed guide 53 is a rail-shaped member formed with the same cross-sectional shape as the main line guide 22. The branch fixed guide 53 is shorter than the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52. The branch fixed guide 53 is capable of contacting at least one of the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 when the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are positioned at the branch guide position. In this embodiment, one end of the branch fixed guide 53 is disposed at a position that contacts the other end of the second branch movable guide 52 in the width direction Dw when the second branch movable guide 52 is positioned at the branch guide position. The other end of the branch fixed guide 53 is adjacent to one end of the first branch movable guide 51 in the second direction D2.

The movable device 6 moves the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52. The movable device 6 moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 between a main line guide position and a main line retraction position. The movable device 6 moves the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 between a branch guide position and a branch retraction position. The movable device 6 is capable of temporarily fixing the positions of the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 at each of the main line guide position and the main line retraction position. The movable device 6 is capable of temporarily fixing the positions of the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 at each of the branch guide position and the branch retraction position. The movable device 6 of this embodiment simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52. Specifically, in the first state, the movable device 6 simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 from the main line retraction position to the main line guide position, and simultaneously moves the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 from the branch guide position to the branch retraction position. In addition, in the second state, the movable device 6 simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 from the main line guide position to the main line retraction position, and simultaneously moves the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 from the branch retraction position to the branch guide position. The movable device 6 of this embodiment has a lever main body 60, a first rod 61, a second rod 62, and a lever drive unit 7.

The lever body 60 rotates around one end to simultaneously move the first rod 61 and the second rod 62. The lever body 60 is a rod-shaped member extending in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the lever body 60 is positioned outside the main track 2, opposite the position where the branch track 3 extends in the width direction Dw. The lever body 60 extends parallel to the main track guide 22. One end of the lever body 60 is supported rotatably with respect to the main track 2. Therefore, the lever body 60 is supported so that its tip moves around that one end. One end of the lever body 60 is positioned outside the first main track 2A in the width direction Dw.

The first rod 61 connects the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 to the lever body 60. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first rod 61 is a rod-shaped member extending in the width direction Dw. As shown in FIG. 3, the first rod 61 is disposed in a groove formed below the running surface 11a. As shown in FIG. 1, one end of the first rod 61 is rotatably connected to the lever body 60 near the middle in the first direction D1. The other end of the first rod 61 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first branch movable guide 51. The middle portion of the first rod 61 is rotatably connected to the other end of the first main line movable guide 41. As a result, the first rod 61 moves the other end of the first main line movable guide 41 and the other end of the first branch movable guide 51 to follow the movement of the lever body 60. In other words, the first rod 61 rotates the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 simultaneously as the lever body 60 rotates.

The second rod 62 connects the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 to the lever body 60. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second rod 62 is a rod-shaped member extending in the width direction Dw. Like the first rod 61, the second rod 62 is disposed in a groove formed below the running surface 11a. The second rod 62 is disposed on the second side, closer to the second main line track 2B in the first direction D1, relative to the first rod 61. One end of the second rod 62 is rotatably connected to the tip of the lever body 60. The tip of the lever body 60 is the end opposite the one end of the rotatably supported lever body 60 in the first direction D1. The other end of the second rod 62 is rotatably connected to the other end of the second branch movable guide 52. The middle portion of the second rod 62 is rotatably connected to the other end of the second main line movable guide 42. As a result, the second rod 62 moves the other end of the second main line movable guide 42 and the other end of the second branch movable guide 52 so as to follow the movement of the lever body 60. In other words, the second rod 62 rotates the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 simultaneously as the lever body 60 rotates.

The lever driver 7 presses the lever body 60 in a direction intersecting the first direction D1, rotating the lever body 60. In this embodiment, the lever driver 7 moves the lever body 60 to rotate it between a first position and a second position offset from the first position. In the first position, the lever body 60 is parallel to the main line guide 22. Also, in the first position, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 are in a first state. In the second position, the lever body 60 is tilted relative to the main line guide 22. In the second position, the tip of the lever body 60, to which the second rod 62 is connected, is farthest from the first imaginary center line O1 in the width direction Dw. Also, in the second position, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 are in a second state. The lever drive unit 7 of this embodiment has a switch 71 , a drive bar 72 , and a lock bar 73 .

The switch 71 is a drive source for operating the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 in the switch device 4. The switch 71 moves the drive bar 72 in the width direction Dw. The switch 71 is located outside the main track 2, opposite the position where the lever body 60 is located. The switch 71 has a hydraulic cylinder, an electromagnetic cylinder, an electric motor, or the like. In this embodiment, only one switch 71 is located in the switch device 4.

The drive bar 72 is connected to the lever body 60. The drive bar 72 rotates the lever body 60 by being moved in the width direction Dw by the switch 71. In this embodiment, the drive bar 72 is a rod-shaped member extending in the width direction Dw. Like the first rod 61, the drive bar 72 is disposed in a groove formed below the running surface 11a. The drive bar 72 is disposed between the first rod 61 and the second rod 62 in the first direction D1. The tip of the drive bar 72 is rotatably connected to the lever body 60 between the position where the first rod 61 and the lever body 60 are connected and the position where the second rod 62 and the lever body 60 are connected in the first direction D1. The drive bar 72 rotates the lever body 60 to the first position by being moved by the switch 71 to a position closest to the switch 71 in the width direction Dw. In addition, the drive bar 72 rotates the lever body 60 to the second position by the switch 71 moving the tip of the drive bar 72 to the position farthest from the switch 71 in the width direction Dw.

The locking bar 73 is connected to the lever body 60. In this embodiment, the locking bar 73 is a member that expands and contracts in the width direction Dw. Like the first rod 61, the locking bar 73 is disposed in a groove formed below the running surface 11a. The locking bar 73 is disposed between the first rod 61 and the drive bar 72 in the first direction D1. The tip of the locking bar 73 is rotatably connected to the lever body 60 in the first direction D1 between the position where the first rod 61 and the lever body 60 are connected and the position where the drive bar 72 and the lever body 60 are connected. The locking bar 73 is locked so that it cannot expand or contract based on a signal from the switch 71 when the drive bar 72 rotates the lever body 60 to the first position or the second position. Furthermore, when the drive bar 72 rotates the lever body 60 from the first position or the second position, the locking bar 73 is unlocked so that it can expand or contract based on a signal from the switch 71.

Here, it is preferable that each member of the movable device 6 is configured so as to satisfy the following two formulas.
X1=(M1/L1)×(TS×R1/RT)...(Formula 1)
X2=(M2/L2)×(TS×R2/RT)...(Formula 2)

X1 is a stroke (amount of movement) in the width direction Dw of the tip of the first main track movable guide 41. X1 is determined by the shapes of the main track 2 and the branch track 3.
X2 is the stroke (movement amount) of the tip of the second main track movable guide 42 in the width direction Dw. X2 is determined by the shapes of the main track 2 and the branch track 3.
M1 is the length of the first main track movable guide 41 in the first direction D1. M1 is determined by the shapes of the main track 2 and the branch track 3.
M2 is the length of the second main track movable guide 42 in the first direction D1. M2 is determined by the shapes of the main track 2 and the branch track 3.
L1 is the length in the first direction D1 between the base end of the first main line movable guide 41 and the position where force is applied to the first main line movable guide 41. In this embodiment, the position where force is applied to the first main line movable guide 41 is the connection position between the first rod 61 and the first main line movable guide 41. L1 is determined based on M1 and M2 within a range where the first main line movable guide 41 does not interfere with the main line traveling path 21.
L2 is the length in the first direction D1 between the base end of the second main line movable guide 42 and the position where force is applied to the second main line movable guide 42. In this embodiment, the position where force is applied to the second main line movable guide 42 is the connection position between the second rod 62 and the second main line movable guide 42. L2 is determined based on M1 and M2 within a range where the second main line movable guide 42 does not interfere with the main line traveling path 21.
TS is the stroke of the drive bar 72 in the width direction Dw. TS is determined depending on the type of switch 71 used.
R1 is the length in the width direction Dw between one end of the lever body 60 and the connection position between the lever body 60 and the first rod 61.
R2 is the length in the width direction Dw between one end of the lever body 60 and the connection position between the lever body 60 and the second rod 62.
RT is the length in the width direction Dw between one end of the lever body 60 and the connection position between the lever body 60 and the drive bar 72. RT is determined depending on the type (output) of the switch 71 used.

Next, we will explain how the vehicle 100 travels on the main track 2 in the center-guided track-based transportation system 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, when the vehicle 100 travels from the first main track 2A to the second main track 2B, the switch device 4 is switched to the first state. Specifically, the point 71 moves the tip of the drive bar 72 to a position closest to the point 71 in the width direction Dw. As the drive bar 72 moves, the lever body 60 becomes parallel to the main track guide 22. As a result, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first rod 61 and the second rod 62 move the first main track movable guide 41, the second main track movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 to the first state. This moves the first main track movable guide 41 and the second main track movable guide 42 from the main track retracted position to the main track guide position. At the same time, the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are moved from the branch guide position to the branch retract position. Therefore, the main line guide 22 of the first main line track 2A and the main line guide 22 of the second main line track 2B are connected by the first main line movable guide 41, the main line fixed guide 43, and the second main line movable guide 42. The vehicle 100 that has entered the branch area A from the first main line track 2A travels through the branch area A with its guide wheels 103 in contact with the first main line movable guide 41, the main line fixed guide 43, and the second main line movable guide 42, and is guided onto the second main line track 2B.

Next, we will explain the case where a vehicle 100 travels on a branch track 3 in the center-guided track-based transportation system 1 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, when a vehicle 100 travels from the first main track 2A toward the branch track 3, the switch device 4 is switched to the second state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the point 71 moves the tip of the drive bar 72 to the farthest position from the point 71 in the width direction Dw. As the drive bar 72 moves, the lever body 60 tilts so that its tip moves away from the main track guide 22. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first rod 61 and the second rod 62 move the first main track movable guide 41, the second main track movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 to the second state. This moves the first main track movable guide 41 and the second main track movable guide 42 from the main track guide position to the main track retraction position. At the same time, the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are moved from the branch retraction position to the branch guide position. As a result, the main line guide 22 of the first main track 2A and the branch guide 32 of the branch track 3 are connected by the first branch movable guide 51, the branch fixed guide 53, and the second branch movable guide 52. The vehicle 100 that has entered the branch area A from the first main track 2A travels through the branch area A with its guide wheels 103 in contact with the first branch movable guide 51, the branch fixed guide 53, and the second branch movable guide 52, and is guided onto the branch track 3.

(Action and effect)
The center-guided track-based transportation system 1 of the first embodiment has, in a junction area A between the main track 2 and the branch track 3, a first main track movable guide 41 and a second main track movable guide 42 that guide the vehicle 100 so that it continues traveling on the main track 2, and a first branch movable guide 51 and a second branch movable guide 52 that guide the vehicle 100 so that it proceeds onto the branch track 3. In other words, whether the vehicle 100 is guided onto the main track 2 or the branch track 3, two movable guides are arranged in the junction area A. Therefore, compared to a case in which only one movable guide is arranged in the same area, such as when the first main track movable guide 41 and the second main track movable guide 42 are integrally formed, the lengths of the first main track movable guide 41 and the second main track movable guide 42 and the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are shorter. As a result, the range of movement of the first main track movable guide 41, the second main track movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the space required to install the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52. As a result, the space required for the branch area A can be reduced regardless of the shape of the branch area A. Furthermore, by reducing the space required for the branch area A, the width of the track 10 as a whole can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of forming the track 10. Furthermore, by reducing the width of the track 10, even if the track 10 is formed on an elevated structure, the elevated structure can be prevented from becoming too large.

Furthermore, the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 are positioned so as to be off the running surface 11a of the branching running path 31 when they are moved to a main line evacuation position where they do not guide the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the first branching movable guide 51 and the second branching movable guide 52 are positioned so as to be off the running surface 11a of the main line running path 21 when they are moved to a branching evacuation position where they do not guide the vehicle 100. Therefore, when the movable guides are moved to a position where they do not guide the vehicle 100, they do not overlap with the running surface 11a on which the vehicle 100 travels. Therefore, even if the guides are positioned so that they protrude above the running surface 11a, the turnout device 4 can be positioned without interfering with the progress of the vehicle 100.

Furthermore, when the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 are positioned in the main line guide position, the main line fixed guide 43, which contacts at least one of the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 (in this embodiment, the second main line movable guide 42), is fixed to the main line travel path 21 between the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42. Therefore, when the vehicle 100 travels toward the second main line track 2B, the load generated when the guide wheel 103 contacts the second main line movable guide 42 can be borne not only by the second main line movable guide 42 but also by the main line fixed guide 43. This prevents a large load from being applied to the second main line movable guide 42. Therefore, the guide 12 in the branch area A can easily ensure the rigidity and strength required when the vehicle 100 travels toward the second main line track 2B.

Similarly, when the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are positioned at the branch guide position, the branch fixed guide 53, which contacts at least one of the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 (in this embodiment, the second branch movable guide 52), is fixed to the branch track 31 between the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52. Therefore, when the vehicle 100 travels toward the branch track 3, the load generated when the guide wheel 103 comes into contact with the second branch movable guide 52 can be borne not only by the second branch movable guide 52 but also by the branch fixed guide 53. This prevents a large load from being applied to the second branch movable guide 52. In particular, when the vehicle 100 travels while turning to change its direction from the main track 2, as in the case of the branch track 3, centrifugal force is generated, and the load that the guide 12 receives from the guide wheel 103 becomes very large. However, since the branch fixed guide 53 can support the second branch movable guide 52 from the width direction Dw, the rigidity and strength required when the vehicle 100 passes toward the branch track 3 can easily be ensured as the guide 12 in the branch area A.

The locking bar 73 of the movable device 6 can temporarily fix the lever body 60 in a first position or a second position. By temporarily fixing the position of the lever body 60, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 in the branch device 4 can be maintained in a first state or a second state. In other words, the locking bar 73 can fix the positions of the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 in the main line guide position or the main line retracted position, and can fix the positions of the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 in the branch retracted position or the branch guide position. Furthermore, since a locking structure is provided in the movable device 6, there is no need to provide locking structures to the guides themselves, which are positioned on the travel path 11, such as the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52. This simplifies the structure of the branching device 4 compared to when a locking structure is provided for each of the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branching movable guide 51, and the second branching movable guide 52. This improves the reliability of the branching device 4 and reduces costs.

In addition, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 are simultaneously moved by the movable device 6. Therefore, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 move in conjunction with each other. In other words, the time lag during switching is reduced, and the track 10 on which the vehicle 100 travels can be switched stably between the main line track 2 and the branch track 3.

The lever drive unit 7 moves the lever main body 60 to the first position and the second position, while the first rod 61 rotates the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51, and the second rod 62 rotates the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52. This allows the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 to move simultaneously in conjunction with the movement of the lever main body 60. In other words, simply rotating the lever main body 60 can move the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 in conjunction with each other. With this simple structure, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 can be moved simultaneously. This simple structure improves the reliability and reduces costs of the turnout device 4.

In this embodiment, the range of movement of the first main line movable guide 41, second main line movable guide 42, first branch movable guide 51, and second branch movable guide 52 can be reduced compared to when the movable guides are a single long rail-shaped member. As a result, the stroke required to move the drive bar 72 to rotate the lever body 60 between the first and second positions can also be reduced. Furthermore, the driving force required for the switch 71 that drives the drive bar 72 can be reduced. This allows the use of proven switches 71, such as those traditionally used on railways, etc., resulting in improved reliability and reduced costs for the turnout device 4. Furthermore, in the turnout device 4 of this embodiment, only one switch 71 is used as the driving source. Therefore, when controlling the turnout device 4, only one switch 71 needs to be controlled. This improves the reliability of control of the turnout device 4.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment of the center guided track-based transportation system 1 according to the present disclosure will be described. In the center guided track-based transportation system 1 described below, components common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

(Configuration of the moving device)
As shown in FIG. 6 , the center-guided track-based transportation system 1 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the structure of the movable device. Similar to the movable device 6 of the first embodiment, the movable device 6A of the second embodiment simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 from the main line retraction position to the main line guide position, and simultaneously moves the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 from the branch guide position to the branch retraction position, in a first state. Furthermore, the movable device 6A of the second embodiment simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 from the main line guide position to the main line retraction position, and simultaneously moves the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 from the branch retraction position to the branch guide position, in a second state . The movable device 6A of the second embodiment includes a slide unit 60A, a first rod 61A, a second rod 62A, and a slide driver 7A.

The slide portion 60A moves in a direction intersecting the first direction D1 relative to the main track 2, thereby simultaneously moving the first rod 61A and the second rod 62A. In this embodiment, the slide portion 60A moves in the width direction Dw relative to the main track 2. The slide portion 60A has a slide main body 601 and a pair of slide support portions 602.

The slide body 601 is a rod-shaped member extending straight in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the slide body 601 extends parallel to the main track guide 22, outside the main track 2, opposite the position where the branch track 3 extends. The slide body 601 is arranged so that both ends thereof can move on the slide support portions 602.

The slide support portions 602 are rail-shaped members that extend straight in the width direction Dw relative to the main track 2. A pair of slide support portions 602 are arranged spaced apart in the first direction D1. The slide body 601 is capable of translational movement on the pair of slide support portions 602 so as to be perpendicular to the first direction D1.

The first rod 61A connects the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 to the slide portion 60A. One end of the first rod 61A is rotatably connected to the slide body 601 in the first direction D1 at a position close to one of the slide support portions 602. The first rod 61A of the second embodiment has a structure similar to the first rod 61 of the first embodiment, except for being connected to the slide body 601. The first rod 61A moves the other end of the first main line movable guide 41 and the other end of the first branch movable guide 51 to follow the movement of the slide portion 60A. As a result, the first rod 61A simultaneously rotates the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 in accordance with the parallel movement of the slide body 601 in the width direction Dw.

The second rod 62A connects the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 to the slide portion 60A. One end of the second rod 62A is rotatably connected to the slide body 601 at a position near the slide support portion 602 on one side opposite the position to which the first rod 61 is connected in the first direction D1. The second rod 62A in the second embodiment has a structure similar to the second rod 62 in the first embodiment, except for its connection to the slide body 601. The second rod 62A moves the other end of the second main line movable guide 42 and the other end of the second branch movable guide 52 to follow the movement of the slide portion 60A. As a result, the second rod 62A simultaneously rotates the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 in accordance with the parallel movement of the slide body 601 in the width direction Dw.

The slide drive unit 7A moves the slide unit 60A in a direction intersecting the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the slide drive unit 7A translates the slide body 601 between a first position and a second position offset from the first position. In the first position, the slide body 601 is closest to the main line guide 22 in the width direction Dw. Also, in the first position, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 are in their first states. In the second position, the slide body 601 is farthest from the main line guide 22 in the width direction Dw. Also, in the second position, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 are in their second states. In this embodiment, the slide drive unit 7A includes a switch 71, a drive bar 72A, and a lock bar 73A.

The drive bar 72A and lock bar 73A have their tips connected to the slide body 601. The drive bar 72A and lock bar 73A are connected to the slide body 601 in the first direction D1 between the position where the first rod 61A is connected and the position where the second rod 62A is connected. The drive bar 72A and lock bar 73A have the same structure as the drive bar 72 and lock bar 73 of the first embodiment, except that they are connected to the slide body 601. The switch 71 has the same structure as the first embodiment.

Here, it is preferable that the movable device 6A of the second embodiment is configured such that each member satisfies the following two formulas.
X1=(M1/L1)×TS...(Formula 3)
X2=(M2/L2)×TS...(Formula 4)

Next, in the second embodiment, when the vehicle 100 travels from the first main track 2A to the second main track 2B, the switch device 4 is switched to the first state. Specifically, the point 71 moves the tip of the drive bar 72A to a position closest to the point 71 in the width direction Dw. As the drive bar 72A moves, the slide body 601 moves to a position closest to the main track guide 22. As a result, the first rod 61A and the second rod 62A move the first main track movable guide 41, the second main track movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 to the first state. This moves the first main track movable guide 41 and the second main track movable guide 42 from the main track retraction position to the main track guide position. At the same time, the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 move from the branch guide position to the branch retraction position.

Furthermore, when the vehicle 100 travels from the first main track 2A toward the branch track 3, the switch device 4 is switched to the second state. Specifically, the point 71 moves the tip of the drive bar 72A to the position farthest from the point 71 in the width direction Dw. As the drive bar 72A moves, the slide body 601 moves to the position farthest from the main track guide 22. As a result, the first rod 61A and the second rod 62A move the first main track movable guide 41, the second main track movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 to the second state. This moves the first main track movable guide 41 and the second main track movable guide 42 from the main track guide position to the main track retract position. At the same time, the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 move from the branch retract position to the branch guide position.

(Action and effect)
In the center-guided track-based transportation system 1 of the second embodiment, the slide drive unit 7A moves the slide body 601 to the first position and the second position, the first rod 61A rotates the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51, and the second rod 62A rotates the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52. This allows the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 to move simultaneously in conjunction with the movement of the slide body 601. In other words, simply translating the slide body 601 allows the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 to move simultaneously. With this simple structure, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 can be moved simultaneously. This simple structure improves the reliability and reduces costs of the turnout device 4.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the center guided track-based transportation system 1 according to the present disclosure will be described. Note that in the center guided track-based transportation system 1 described below, components common to the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

(Configuration of the moving device)
As shown in FIG. 7 , the center-guided track-based transportation system 1 of the third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in the structure of the movable device. In the first state, the movable device 6B of the third embodiment moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 separately from the main line retraction position to the main line guide position, and moves the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 separately from the branch guide position to the branch retraction position. Furthermore, in the second state, the movable device 6B of the third embodiment moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 separately from the main line guide position to the main line retraction position, and moves the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 separately from the branch retraction position to the branch guide position . The movable device 6B of the third embodiment includes a first movable device 81 and a second movable device 82.

The first movable device 81 simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51. Specifically, in the first state, the first movable device 81 moves the first main line movable guide 41 from the main line retraction position to the main line guide position, and simultaneously moves the first branch movable guide 51 from the branch guide position to the branch retraction position. In addition, in the second state, the first movable device 81 moves the first main line movable guide 41 from the main line guide position to the main line retraction position, and simultaneously moves the first branch movable guide 51 from the branch retraction position to the branch guide position. The first movable device 81 in this embodiment has a switch 71, a drive bar 72B, and a lock bar 73B.

The second movable device 82 can be driven independently of the first movable device 81. The second movable device 82 simultaneously moves the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52. In a first state, the second movable device 82 moves the second main line movable guide 42 from the main line retraction position to the main line guide position, and simultaneously moves the second branch movable guide 52 from the branch guide position to the branch retraction position. In a second state, the second movable device 82 moves the second main line movable guide 42 from the main line guide position to the main line retraction position, and simultaneously moves the second branch movable guide 52 from the branch retraction position to the branch guide position. The second movable device 82 of this embodiment has a switch 71, drive bar 72B, and lock bar 73B, which are configured the same as the first movable device 81.

The switch 71 has a structure similar to that of the switch 71 of the first embodiment. The switch 71 of the first movable device 81 corresponds to the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51. The switch 71 of the first movable device 81 is arranged on the outside of the main line track 2 so as to be closer to the first branch movable guide 51 than the first main line movable guide 41 in the width direction Dw.

The point 71 of the second movable device 82 corresponds to the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52. The point 71 of the second movable device 82 is arranged away from the point 71 of the first movable device 81 in the first direction D1. The point 71 of the second movable device 82 is arranged outside the main line track 2 so as to be on the same side as the point 71 of the first movable device 81 in the width direction Dw.

The drive bar 72B and lock bar 73B have the same structure as the drive bar 72 and lock bar 73 of the first embodiment, except for the destinations to which they are connected. The drive bar 72B and lock bar 73B of the first movable device 81 are connected to the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51. The tips of the drive bar 72B and lock bar 73B of the first movable device 81 are rotatably connected to the other end of the first main line movable guide 41. The drive bar 72B and lock bar 73B of the first movable device 81 are rotatably connected to the other end of the first branch movable guide 51 at a position close to the switch 71.

The drive bar 72B and lock bar 73B of the second movable device 82 are connected to the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52. The tips of the drive bar 72B and lock bar 73B of the second movable device 82 are rotatably connected to the other end of the second main line movable guide 42. The drive bar 72B and lock bar 73B of the second movable device 82 are rotatably connected to the other end of the second branch movable guide 52 at a position close to the switch 71.

Here, in the movable device 6B of the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, it is preferable that each member is configured so as to satisfy the following two formulas.
X1=(M1/L1)×TS...(Formula 5)
X2=(M2/L2)×TS...(Formula 6)
L1 is the length in the first direction D1 between the base end of the first main line movable guide 41 and the position where force is applied to the first main line movable guide 41. In the third embodiment, the position where force is applied to the first main line movable guide 41 is the connection position between the lock bar 73B and the first main line movable guide 41.
L2 is the length in the first direction D1 between the base end of the second main line movable guide 42 and the position where force is applied to the second main line movable guide 42. In the third embodiment, the position where force is applied to the second main line movable guide 42 is the connection position between the lock bar 73B and the second main line movable guide 42. L2 is determined based on M1 and M2 within a range where the second main line movable guide 42 does not interfere with the main line traveling path 21.

Next, in the third embodiment, when the vehicle 100 travels from the first main track 2A to the second main track 2B, the switch device 4 is switched to the first state. Specifically, the point 71 of the first movable device 81 moves the tip of the drive bar 72B of the first movable device 81 to a position closest to the point 71 in the width direction Dw. As the drive bar 72B moves, the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 move to the first state. As a result, the first main line movable guide 41 is moved from the main line retraction position to the main line guide position, and at the same time, the first branch movable guide 51 is moved from the branch guide position to the branch retraction position. Furthermore, the point 71 of the second movable device 82 moves the tip of the drive bar 72B of the second movable device 82 to a position closest to the point 71 in the width direction Dw. As the drive bar 72B moves, the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 move to the first state, whereby the second main line movable guide 42 is moved from the main line retraction position to the main line guiding position, and the second branch movable guide 52 is moved from the branch guiding position to the branch retraction position.

When the vehicle 100 travels from the first main track 2A toward the branch track 3, the branch device 4 is switched to the second state. Specifically, the point 71 of the first movable device 81 moves the tip of the drive bar 72B of the first movable device 81 to the position farthest from the point 71 in the width direction Dw. As the drive bar 72B moves, the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 move to the second state. As a result, the first main line movable guide 41 moves from the main line guide position to the main line retraction position, and at the same time, the first branch movable guide 51 moves from the branch retraction position to the branch guide position. Furthermore, the point 71 of the second movable device 82 moves the tip of the drive bar 72B of the second movable device 82 to the position farthest from the point 71 in the width direction Dw. As the drive bar 72B moves, the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 move to the second state. As a result, the second main line movable guide 42 is moved from the main line guiding position to the main line retracting position, and at the same time, the second branch movable guide 52 is moved from the branch retracting position to the branch guide position.

(Action and effect)
In the center guide track-based transportation system 1 of the third embodiment, the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51, and the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 are independently moved by the first movable device 81 and the second movable device 82, each having a switch 71. By not simultaneously moving the four movable guides, the first main line movable guide 41, the first branch movable guide 51, the second main line movable guide 42, and the second branch movable guide 52, a simple structure with a small number of parts can be used to move the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52. The simple structure with a small number of parts improves maintainability and reduces maintenance costs.

(Other embodiments)
The above describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure.

In the above embodiment, the branching device 4 has a main line fixed guide 43 and a branch fixed guide 53, but is not limited to this structure. Depending on the shape of the branching area A, the branching device 4 may not have a main line fixed guide 43 or a branch fixed guide 53. Furthermore, the branching device 4 may have only one of the main line fixed guide 43 and the branch fixed guide 53.

Furthermore, the main line fixed guide 43 is not limited to a structure in which it contacts only the second main line movable guide 42 arranged in the main line guiding position as in this embodiment. The main line fixed guide 43 may be structured to contact only the first main line movable guide 41 arranged in the main line guiding position, or may be structured to contact both the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 arranged in the main line guiding position.

Similarly, the branch fixed guide 53 is not limited to a structure in which it contacts only the second branch movable guide 52 positioned at the branch guidance position, as in this embodiment. The branch fixed guide 53 may be structured to contact only the first branch movable guide 51 positioned at the branch guidance position, or may be structured to contact both the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 positioned at the branch guidance position.

Furthermore, the movable devices 6, 6A, and 6B are not limited to the structure of this embodiment. The movable device 6 may have any structure as long as it can move the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52.

<Additional Notes>
The center guide type track-based transportation system 1 described in the embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

(1) The branch device 4 of the first aspect is a branch device 4 arranged in a branch area A between a main line track 2 and a branch track 3, and has a first main line movable guide 41 and a second main line movable guide 42 that are movable between a main line guide position where the vehicle 100 can be guided from a first main line track 2A to a second main line track 2B and a main line retraction position where the vehicle 100 cannot be guided from the first main line track 2A to the second main line track 2B, a first branch movable guide 51 and a second branch movable guide 52 that are movable between a branch guide position where the vehicle 100 can be guided from the first main line track 2A to the branch track 3 and a branch retraction position where the vehicle 100 cannot be guided from the first main line track 2A to the branch track 3, and a movable device 6 that moves the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52.

(2) The branching device 4 of the second aspect is the branching device 4 of (1), wherein the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 are formed to extend on a first virtual center line O1 at the main line guiding position, and the first branching movable guide 51 and the second branching movable guide 52 are formed to extend on a second virtual center line O2 at the branching guiding position.

(3) The branching device 4 of the third aspect is the branching device 4 of (2), wherein the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 are rotatable around one end located on the first virtual center line O1 as the center of rotation, and in the main line guide position, the other end is located on the first virtual center line O1, and in the main line retraction position, the other end is located at a position offset from the first virtual center line O1; the first branching movable guide 51 and the second branching movable guide 52 are rotatable around one end located on the second virtual center line O2 as the center of rotation, and in the branching guide position, the other end is located on the second virtual center line O2, and in the branching retraction position, the other end is located at a position offset from the second virtual center line O2.

In this branch device 4, two movable guides are arranged in the branch area A, regardless of whether the vehicle 100 is guided onto the main track 2 or the branch track 3. Therefore, compared to when only one movable guide is arranged in the same area, such as when the first main track movable guide 41 and the second main track movable guide 42 are integrally formed, the lengths of the first main track movable guide 41 and the second main track movable guide 42 and the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are shorter. As a result, the range of movement when moving the first main track movable guide 41, the second main track movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 can be reduced. This reduces the space required to install the first main track movable guide 41, the second main track movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52. As a result, the space required for the branch area A can be reduced regardless of the shape of the branch area A.

(4) The branching device 4 relating to the fourth aspect is any one of the branching devices 4 of (1) to (3), and has a main line fixed guide 43 arranged between the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 to guide the vehicle 100, and a branch fixed guide 53 arranged between the first branching movable guide 51 and the second branching movable guide 52 to guide the vehicle 100.

(5) The branch device 4 of the fifth aspect is a branch device 4 of (2) or (3), and has a main line fixed guide 43 arranged between the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 to guide the vehicle 100, and a branch fixed guide 53 arranged between the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 to guide the vehicle 100, wherein the main line fixed guide 43 is formed to extend on the first virtual center line O1 and contacts at least one of the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 when the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 are positioned at the main line guidance position, and the branch fixed guide 53 is formed to extend on the second virtual center line O2 and contacts at least one of the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 when the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are positioned at the branch guidance position.

As a result, when the vehicle 100 travels toward the second main track 2B, the load generated when the guide wheel 103 comes into contact with the first main track movable guide 41 or the second main track movable guide 42 can be borne not only by the first main track movable guide 41 or the second main track movable guide 42, but also by the main track fixed guide 43. This prevents a large load from being applied to the first main track movable guide 41 or the second main track movable guide 42. Similarly, when the vehicle 100 travels toward the branch track 3, the load generated when the guide wheel 103 comes into contact with the first branch movable guide 51 or the second branch movable guide 52 can be borne not only by the first branch movable guide 51 or the second branch movable guide 52, but also by the branch fixed guide 53. This prevents a large load from being applied to the first branch movable guide 51 or the second branch movable guide 52. Therefore, the rigidity and strength required for the vehicle 100 to travel toward the second main track 2B or the branch track 3 can be easily ensured as a guide for the branch area A.

(6) The branching device 4 of the sixth aspect is any one of the branching devices 4 of (1) to (5), wherein the movable device 6 is capable of moving the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 between the main line guiding position and the main line retracting position, and fixing the positions of the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 at each of the main line guiding position and the main line retracting position, and is capable of moving the first branching movable guide 51 and the second branching movable guide 52 between the branching guide position and the branch retracting position, and fixing the positions of the first branching movable guide 51 and the second branching movable guide 52 at each of the branching guide position and the branch retracting position.

This allows the positions of the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 to be fixed in the main line guide position or the main line retracted position, and the positions of the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 to be fixed in the branch retracted position or the branch guide position. Furthermore, since a locking structure is provided in the movable device 6, there is no need to provide locking structures to the guides themselves that are placed on the travel path 11, such as the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52. This allows for a simpler structure of the turnout device 4 than if locking structures were provided in each of the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52. This improves the reliability of the turnout device 4 and reduces costs.

(7) The branching device 4 relating to the seventh aspect is any one of the branching devices 4 of (1) to (6), and the movable device 6 may simultaneously move the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52.

As a result, the first main line movable guide 41, the second main line movable guide 42, the first branch movable guide 51, and the second branch movable guide 52 move in unison. This means that the time lag during switching is reduced, allowing the track 10 on which the vehicle 100 travels to be switched stably between the main line track 2 and the branch track 3.

(8) The branching device 4 according to the eighth aspect is the branching device 4 of (7), wherein the movable device 6 comprises a lever body 60 having one end rotatably supported relative to the main track 2, a first rod 61 connecting the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 to the lever body 60 and rotating the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 as the lever body 60 rotates, and a second rod 62 connecting the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 to the lever body 60 and rotating the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 as the lever body 60 rotates. and a lever drive unit 7 that presses the lever main body 60 and rotates the lever main body 60, and the lever drive unit 7 rotates the lever main body 60 between a first position and a second position shifted from the first position, and at the first position, the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 are arranged at the main line guide position, and the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are arranged at the branch retraction position, and at the second position, the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 are arranged at the main line retraction position, and the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 are arranged at the branch guide position.

This allows the first main line movable guide 41, second main line movable guide 42, first branch movable guide 51, and second branch movable guide 52 to move simultaneously in conjunction with the movement of the lever body 60. In other words, simply by moving the lever body 60, the first main line movable guide 41, second main line movable guide 42, first branch movable guide 51, and second branch movable guide 52 can be moved simultaneously. With this simple structure, the first main line movable guide 41, second main line movable guide 42, first branch movable guide 51, and second branch movable guide 52 can be moved simultaneously. This simple structure improves the reliability of the branching device 4 and reduces costs.

(9) The branching device 4 according to the ninth aspect is the branching device 4 of (7), wherein the movable device 6A comprises a slide body 601 that is movable parallel to the main track 2, a first rod 61A that connects the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 to the slide body 601 and rotates the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51 as the slide body 601 moves, and a second rod 61A that connects the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 to the slide body 601 and rotates the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52 as the slide body 601 moves. The slide drive unit 7A may have a first position and a second position shifted from the first position, and at the first position, the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 may be arranged at the main line guide position, and the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 may be arranged at the branch retraction position, and at the second position, the first main line movable guide 41 and the second main line movable guide 42 may be arranged at the main line retraction position, and the first branch movable guide 51 and the second branch movable guide 52 may be arranged at the branch guide position.

This allows the first main line movable guide 41, second main line movable guide 42, first branch movable guide 51, and second branch movable guide 52 to move simultaneously in conjunction with the movement of the slide body 601. In other words, simply by moving the slide body 601 in parallel, the first main line movable guide 41, second main line movable guide 42, first branch movable guide 51, and second branch movable guide 52 can be moved simultaneously. With this simple structure, the first main line movable guide 41, second main line movable guide 42, first branch movable guide 51, and second branch movable guide 52 can be moved simultaneously. This simple structure improves the reliability of the branching device 4 and reduces costs.

(10) The branching device 4 relating to the tenth aspect may be any one of the branching devices 4 of (1) to (6), and the movable device 6B may have a first movable device 81 that simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide 41 and the first branch movable guide 51, and a second movable device 82 that is drivable independently of the first movable device 81 and simultaneously moves the second main line movable guide 42 and the second branch movable guide 52.

As a result, the first main line movable guide 41 and first branch movable guide 51, and the second main line movable guide 42 and second branch movable guide 52 are moved independently by the first movable device 81 and second movable device 82. By not using a structure that simultaneously moves the four movable guides, the first main line movable guide 41, first branch movable guide 51, second main line movable guide 42, and second branch movable guide 52, it is possible to move the first main line movable guide 41, second main line movable guide 42, first branch movable guide 51, and second branch movable guide 52 with a simple structure that has a small number of parts. Using a simple structure with a small number of parts improves maintainability and reduces maintenance costs.

(11) The branching device 4 relating to the eleventh aspect is any one of the branching devices 4 (1) to (10), and the movable device 6 may have a switch 71.

This allows the use of switch 71, thereby improving the reliability of branch device 4 and reducing costs.

(12) A center-guided track-based transportation system 1 relating to the 12th aspect comprises a branching device 4 of any one of (1) to (11); a main line running path 2 having a running surface 11a that is contactable by the running wheels 102 of the vehicle 100 and extending in a first direction D1; a main line guide 22 arranged on a first virtual center line O1 located in the center of the width direction Dw of the main line running path 21 and guiding the vehicle 100; and a branching track 3 having a branching running path 31 that extends in a second direction D2 different from the first direction D1 so as to branch off from the main line running path 21 and has the running surface 11a; and a branching guide 32 arranged on a second virtual center line O2 located in the center of the width direction Dw of the branching running path 31 and guiding the vehicle 100.

The turnout device and center guide rail transportation system disclosed herein can reduce the space required for the turnout area regardless of its shape.

1 Track-based transportation system 100 Vehicle 101 Car body 102 Running wheel 103 Guide wheel 104 Current collector 10 Track 11 Running path 11a Running surface 12 Guide 13 Contact line 2 Main line track 21 Main line running path 22 Main line guide O1 First virtual center line 23 Main line contact line 2A First main line track 2B Second main line track 3 Branch track 31 Branch running path 32 Branch guide O2 Second virtual center line 33 Branch contact line A Branch area De Extension direction D1 First direction D2 Second direction Dw Width direction Dv Vertical direction 4 Branch device 41 First main line movable guide 42 Second main line movable guide 43 Main line fixed guide 51 First branch movable guide 52 Second branch movable guide 53 Branch fixed guide 6, 6A, 6B Movable device 60 Lever main body 61, 61A First rod 62, 62A Second rod 7 Lever drive unit 71 Switches 72, 72A, 72B Drive bars 73, 73A, 73B Lock bar 60A Slide unit 601 Slide body 602 Slide support unit 7A Slide drive unit 71 Switches 81 First movable device 82 Second movable device 71 Switches

Claims (9)

a main track including a main track extending in a first direction and having a running surface that can be contacted by running wheels of a vehicle, and a main track guide disposed on a first imaginary center line that is located at the center in the width direction of the main track and that guides the vehicle;
a branch track including a branch traveling path that extends in a second direction different from the first direction so as to branch off from the main traveling path and has the traveling surface, and a branch guide that is arranged on a second imaginary center line that is located at the center in the width direction of the branch traveling path and guides the vehicle;
a branching device disposed in a branching area between the main track and the branch track,
The branching device is
a first main line movable guide and a second main line movable guide that are movable between a main line guide position where the vehicle can be guided from a first main line track to a second main line track and a main line retraction position where the vehicle cannot be guided from the first main line track to the second main line track;
a first branch movable guide and a second branch movable guide that are movable between a branch guide position where the vehicle can be guided from the first main track to the branch track and a branch retract position where the vehicle cannot be guided from the first main track to the branch track;
a movable device that moves the first main line movable guide, the second main line movable guide, the first branch movable guide, and the second branch movable guide ,
the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are formed to extend on the first virtual center line at the main line guiding position,
the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are formed to extend on the second imaginary center line at the branch guide position,
the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are rotatable around one end located on the first imaginary center line as a rotation center, and at the main line guiding position, the other end is located on the first imaginary center line, and at the main line retracting position, the other end is located at a position deviated from the first imaginary center line,
the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are rotatable about one end thereof located on the second imaginary center line, and at the branch guide position, the other end is located on the second imaginary center line, and at the branch retract position, the other end is located at a position deviated from the second imaginary center line,
one end of the first main line movable guide and one end of the second main line movable guide are spaced apart from each other and disposed on the first virtual center line;
A center guided track transportation system, wherein one end of the first branch movable guide and one end of the second branch movable guide are spaced apart from each other and positioned on the second virtual center line . a main line fixed guide disposed between the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide to guide the vehicle;
2. The center guided track transportation system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a branch fixed guide disposed between the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide to guide the vehicle. a main line fixed guide disposed between the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide to guide the vehicle;
a branch fixed guide disposed between the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide to guide the vehicle,
the main line fixed guide is formed to extend on the first virtual center line, and contacts at least one of the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide when the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are positioned at the main line guiding position;
2. The center-guided track-based transportation system of claim 1, wherein the branch fixed guide is formed to extend on the second virtual center line and contacts at least one of the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide when the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are positioned at the branch guide position . The movable device is
the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are movable between the main line guiding position and the main line retracting position, and the positions of the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are fixable at each of the main line guiding position and the main line retracting position,
3. A center-guided track-based transportation system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are movable between the branch guide position and the branch retract position, and the positions of the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide can be fixed at each of the branch guide position and the branch retract position . 3. The center guided track transportation system according to claim 1, wherein the movable device simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide, the second main line movable guide, the first branch movable guide , and the second branch movable guide . The movable device is
a lever body having one end rotatably supported relative to the main track;
a first rod that connects the first main line movable guide and the first branch movable guide to the lever body and rotates the first main line movable guide and the first branch movable guide in accordance with rotation of the lever body;
a second rod that connects the second main line movable guide and the second branch movable guide to the lever body and rotates the second main line movable guide and the second branch movable guide in accordance with rotation of the lever body;
a lever drive unit that presses the lever body and rotates the lever body,
the lever drive portion rotates the lever body portion between a first position and a second position offset from the first position,
In the first position, the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are disposed at the main line guiding position, and the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are disposed at the branch retraction position,
6. The center-guided track-based transportation system of claim 5, wherein, in the second position, the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are disposed at the main line retraction position, and the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are disposed at the branch guide position. The movable device is
a slide body that is movable parallel to the main track;
a first rod that connects the first main line movable guide and the first branch movable guide to the slide body and rotates the first main line movable guide and the first branch movable guide in accordance with the movement of the slide body;
a second rod that connects the second main line movable guide and the second branch movable guide to the slide body and rotates the second main line movable guide and the second branch movable guide in accordance with the movement of the slide body;
a slide drive unit that moves the slide body,
the slide driving unit moves the slide body in parallel between a first position and a second position shifted from the first position,
In the first position, the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are disposed at the main line guiding position, and the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are disposed at the branch retraction position,
6. The center-guided track-based transportation system of claim 5, wherein, in the second position, the first main line movable guide and the second main line movable guide are disposed at the main line retraction position, and the first branch movable guide and the second branch movable guide are disposed at the branch guide position. The movable device is
a first movable device that simultaneously moves the first main line movable guide and the first branch movable guide;
3. A central guided track transportation system as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second movable device that is drivable independently of the first movable device and that simultaneously moves the second main line movable guide and the second branch movable guide . 3. The center guided track transportation system according to claim 1 , wherein the movable device includes a switch.