Power-assisted movable rack system

Abstract

The invention provides a relatively simple and inexpensive power-assisted movable rack system, movement of which is controlled by an operator. The movable rack system comprises a plurality of movable racks, each of which includes a plurality of wheels, a DC motor turning forward or backward and reciprocating the movable rack, a pair of direction switches provided at opposite positions in moving directions of the movable rack, and an actuating circuit rotating the DC motor in one direction during the operation of one of the direction switches and rotating the DC motor in an opposite direction during the operation of the other direction switch. The DC motor applies dynamic braking force, so that movable racks can be stopped with a short braking distance.

1 . A power-assisted movable rack system comprising a plurality of movable racks, each movable rack including: 
 a plurality of wheels;    a DC motor turning configured to turn forward or backward and to reciprocate the movable rack;    a pair of direction switches provided at opposite positions of a side panel in moving directions of the movable rack; and    an actuating circuit and a power source configured to rotate the DC motor in one direction during operation of one of the direction switches and to rotate the DC motor in an opposite direction during operation of the other direction switch,    wherein the plurality of movable racks are juxtaposed and each movable rack is configured to move other movable racks.    
   
   
       2 . A power-assisted movable rack system comprising a plurality of movable racks, each movable rack including: 
 a plurality of wheels;    a DC motor configured to turn forward or backward and to reciprocate the movable rack;    a direction switch provided on the movable rack and pushed to a direction in which the movable rack is moved; and    an actuating circuit and a power source configured to rotate the DC motor in one direction during operation of the direction switch and to rotate the DC motor in an opposite direction during operation of the direction switch in the other direction,    wherein the plurality of movable racks are juxtaposed, and each movable rack is configured to move other movable racks.    
   
   
       3 . The movable rack system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuating circuit enables the movable racks to move simultaneously in opposite directions and are separated from each other while direction switches of adjacent movable racks are simultaneously operated.  
   
   
       4 . The movable rack system of  claim 1 , further comprising a safety device configured to detect an emergency and to issue an emergency stop signal so that maximum dynamic braking is applied to the DC motor.  
   
   
       5 . The movable rack system of  claim 2 , further comprising a safety device configured to detect an emergency and to issue an emergency stop signal so that maximum dynamic braking is applied to the DC motor.