Cargo transport system, control unit, construction kit, simulation program product and use of active component of planar motor

By using linear motors and steering modules in the cargo transmission system, the active components and electromagnets of the planar motors can be used to achieve flexible steering and movement of the workpiece carrier, which solves the problem of insufficient transmission throughput speed and versatility in the existing system, and achieves efficient, flexible and economical cargo transmission.

CN119731100APending Publication Date: 2025-03-28SIEMENS AG
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202380062447.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-08-30
Filing Date
2023-07-26
Publication Date
2025-03-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing cargo transmission systems are difficult to improve transmission throughput speed in automation equipment and logistics systems, and are not versatile and economical.

Method used

A cargo transmission system is designed, using a linear motor as the supply rail and the delivery rail, and a steering module is introduced into the system, and the active members and electromagnets of the planar motor are used to achieve flexible steering and movement of the workpiece carrier.

Benefits of technology

It improves the throughput speed of the cargo transmission system, enhances versatility, reduces dependence on expensive manipulators, and improves the system's wear resistance and reliability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a cargo transport system (10) comprising a supply rail (12) and a shipping rail (14), each of which is configured as a linear motor (25). The supply rail and the discharge rail are configured for linear movement of the workpiece carrier (16). Furthermore, a deflection module (20) is arranged between the supply rail (12) and the discharge rail (14), which deflection module is configured for a specified movement of the workpiece carrier (16). According to the invention, the steering module (20) is configured as an active member (22) of a planar motor (24). The invention further relates to a control unit (30) for operating such a cargo transport system (10) and to a construction kit 45 for producing such a cargo transport system (10). The invention also relates to a simulation program product (50) for adjusting the operating behavior of such a cargo transport system (10).
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cargo transport system and a corresponding control unit. The invention also relates to a construction kit, which is configured for manufacturing a corresponding cargo transport system. The invention also relates to a simulation program product, which is configured to simulate the operating behavior of a corresponding cargo transport system. Background Art

[0002] International patent application WO 2022 / 063848 A1 discloses an electromagnetic transmission system having a plurality of transmission units that can be moved along transmission paths via drive coils. These transmission paths can be provided with long stator linear motors, planar motors or a combination thereof.

[0003] Patent application US 2021 / 0336522 A1 discloses a transport system having a plurality of planar motors on which goods can be moved on flat transport carriages. The transport carriages can be controlled by the planar motors in such a way that their direction of movement can be changed. Summary of the invention

[0004] Goods transport systems are used in many automated systems, in particular manufacturing systems or logistics systems. There is a need to increase the transport capacity, in particular the throughput rate of the goods transport system. At the same time, there is an increasing demand for versatility in order to run different transport routes within the goods transport system. At the same time, there is a demand for improved economy. The object of the present invention is to provide a feasible solution which provides an improvement in at least one of the described aspects.

[0005] This object is achieved by a cargo transport system according to the present invention, which can be used in automated equipment, such as manufacturing equipment or logistics systems. The cargo transport system includes at least one supply track and a delivery track, each of which is configured as a linear motor. A workpiece carrier can be moved in a specified manner on the supply track. Here, the movement of the workpiece carrier is basically a contactless sliding by an electromagnetic field. In the operation of the cargo transport system according to regulations, the workpiece carrier for transporting the goods can move linearly in a specified direction, speed and acceleration. Similarly, the supply track is used to make the workpiece carrier move linearly in a specified manner. In the sense of the cargo transport system according to the present invention, the supply track is used to supply the workpiece carrier, and the delivery track is used to send out the workpiece carrier, and the goods can be transported on the supply track and the delivery track.

[0006] The cargo transport system has a steering module, which is arranged between a supply track and a delivery track. The steering module is arranged so that the workpiece carrier slides across the steering module on the way from the supply track to the delivery track. The steering module is configured to act on the movement of the workpiece carrier. According to the present invention, for this purpose, the steering module is configured as an active component of a planar motor. The steering module is provided with a controllable electromagnetic component, in particular an electromagnet, which is configured to act on the workpiece carrier. Therefore, the workpiece carrier can move along and transverse to the direction that can be specified by the supply track. Here, the direction defined by the supply track and / or the transport track can be understood as the main transport direction.

[0007] When the cargo transport system according to the present invention is in operation, the steering module can be used as a switch, by which the workpiece carrier can be turned to the delivery track, and the switch can be oriented basically at will. This makes it possible to deflect the workpiece carrier with a reduced radius of curvature, for example. It is also possible to achieve a more geometrically complex turn of the workpiece. Therefore, the cargo transport system according to the present invention allows a compact configuration of complex automation equipment. At the same time, an increased transmission speed, i.e., an increased throughput speed in the cargo transport system, can be achieved by using linear motors as supply tracks and as delivery tracks. There is no need to use expensive manipulators, such as robotic arms, in order to turn the workpiece carrier and / or the transported goods to other cargo transport systems. Therefore, the cargo transport system according to the present invention is efficient and is also suitable for goods that are easily damaged when handled by manipulators. Linear motors and planar motors have a smaller number of movable parts, thereby providing an increased robustness against wear. Thus, the cargo transport system according to the present invention also has higher reliability.

[0008] According to the invention, the workpiece carrier can be rotated in a predeterminable manner about a rotation axis by means of a steering module. Here, the rotation axis is substantially perpendicular to a main plane of the steering module, which crosses the workpiece carrier during the intended operation. Here, the direction of rotation can be specified by correspondingly driving the steering module, i.e. the active component. For this purpose, the workpiece carrier can be transferred from the supply track to the delivery track under the condition of adapting its orientation. In particular, the workpiece carrier is mounted on the steering module in an orientation that enables simplified feeding on the delivery track. As a result, in an automated device using a cargo transport system, additional processing is made dispensable or at least simplified.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the invention, the supply track and / or the discharge track are provided with mechanical guide elements, by means of which the splitting and / or merging of the workpiece carriers is supported, thereby further supporting the turning of the workpiece carriers.

[0010] In one embodiment of the desired cargo transport system, for example, a linear motor used as a supply track and / or a delivery track can be configured for only linear movement of the workpiece. Thus, the workpiece can only be moved one-dimensionally on the supply track and / or the delivery track. Such a linear motor is simpler and more efficient than a planar motor, which allows at least two-dimensional movement of the workpiece carrier, in particular along a second linear axis. Thus, the use of complex and expensive planar motors is reduced in the desired cargo transport system.

[0011] Likewise, the steering module can be configured to have no mechanical guide elements at least in the central area. Here, the central area of ​​the steering module can be the area where the workpiece is turned during operation according to the regulations. In particular, the central area can be an area on the steering module in which the possible routes of the workpiece carrier intersect and / or fork. The steering of the workpiece carrier can thus be specified via control instructions that can be output by the control unit of the cargo transport system. By configuring the steering module to have no mechanical guide elements at least in the central area, the degrees of freedom of the workpiece carrier on the steering module are utilized as much as possible. This makes it possible to properly fully utilize the technical potential of the steering module. Optionally, the steering module can be provided with a mechanical guide element in at least one edge area, for example in order to avoid that the workpiece carrier leaves the transformation module and therefore the cargo transport system. Alternatively, the steering module can be configured to have no mechanical guide elements.

[0012] In the embodiment of the required cargo transport system, the workpiece carrier can be provided with at least one passive component of the planar motor. Here, the passive component is understood to be a matching part of the active component, which cannot be directly controlled and has only passive components. The workpiece carrier can be provided with a single passive component, thereby making the workpiece carrier controllable in a simple manner. In particular, the acquisition of the position and / or orientation of the workpiece is simplified. Alternatively, the workpiece carrier is provided with a plurality of passive components. The passive component can be arranged spaced apart from the center of gravity of the workpiece carrier, the center of gravity of the transported goods, or the center of gravity of the combination of the workpiece carrier and the transported goods. The resulting increased lever length allows for accelerated rotation of the workpiece carrier. The speed loss and the resulting time loss on the steering module can thereby be reduced. This allows for more efficient use of the speed that the workpiece carrier can achieve on the supply track.

[0013] In another embodiment of the required cargo transport system, the supply track and the delivery track can be arranged offset from each other relative to their main transmission axis. Accordingly, the workpiece carrier will stagger the delivery track when it continues to move linearly along the main transmission axis of the supply track. Therefore, the steering module is configured to transfer the path of the workpiece carrier parallel to its main plane, that is, for example, to turn in a curved or S-shaped manner. The supply track and the delivery track can present basically any orientation to each other. Therefore, the required cargo transport system can match existing automation equipment and can be installed during reconstruction or upgrading. In particular, the versatility of existing automation equipment can be increased by the required cargo transport system.

[0014] Furthermore, the active components of the planar motor have a pole pair width which substantially corresponds to the pole pair width of a linear motor, i.e., for example, a supply track and / or a delivery track. Alternatively, the active components of the planar motor have a pole pair width which substantially corresponds to an integer multiple or integer fraction of the pole pair width of the corresponding planar motor. To this end, the active components of the planar motor and the coils in the linear motor respectively have a suitable pole pair width. The coils in the linear motor can be arranged in coil rows and the coils in the active components of the planar motor can be arranged in the form of a grid or an array. Due to the correspondingly adjusted pole pair width, the workpiece carrier can also be controlled, i.e. can be turned simultaneously on the steering module and the supply track and / or the delivery track.

[0015] Furthermore, the workpiece carrier in the required cargo transport system can be provided with a mechanical guide element spaced apart from the main plane of the diverting module. The mechanical guide element does not contact the main plane. The guide element can be configured, for example, as a roller, a lip rubber seal, a shock absorber or a rail.

[0016] In another embodiment of the required cargo transport system, at least the linear motor used as the supply track or the delivery track comprises a plurality of coil rows arranged in parallel, which can be independently controlled. Here, the parallel arrangement relates to the corresponding main transmission direction of the supply track or the delivery track. Correspondingly, the magnet package can be arranged on the workpiece carrier in the region of the parallel edge of the workpiece carrier. Therefore, the corresponding linear motor, i.e., the precise electromagnetic intervention between its active component and the workpiece carrier can be realized by means of the coil rows arranged in parallel. This can realize the accelerated movement of the workpiece carrier on the supply track or the delivery track and the precise guidance of the workpiece carrier. Similarly, on the workpiece carrier, angular momentum can be applied by controlling the coil rows differently when arriving at the steering module. Thus, the complex steering of the workpiece carrier on the steering module can be realized and / or supported.

[0017] In addition, in the required cargo transport system, a collection tool can be set in the area of ​​the steering module, and the collection tool is configured to collect the position and / or orientation of the workpiece carrier. The collection tool can be at least an electrical collection tool, which collects at least one electrical parameter on the coil of the active component of the planar motor, that is, on the steering module. The electrical collection tool can be configured as a Hall sensor, for example, which can be configured to be structurally identical. Such an electrical collection tool can be arranged in a series arrangement or array arrangement. The collection tool can also be an optical collection tool, such as an optical sensor, which is installed on the active component of the planar motor or the linear motor, and is configured to collect the position of the workpiece carrier. Such an optical sensor can also be configured in an arrangement or array arrangement and configured to be structurally identical. In addition, the collection tool can be, for example, a camera, which is coupled to an image processing unit. The camera can be positioned on the planar motor, for example. With the help of the image processing unit, for example, the workpiece carrier and / or the transported goods to which it belongs can be identified. As a result, the operation of the required cargo transport system can be monitored and adjusted in a simple manner. In particular, the position and / or orientation of the workpiece carrier can be stored during the operation of the cargo transport system and provided as a training data set for artificial intelligence, such as a neural network. The artificial intelligence can be part of a computer program product for controlling the goods transport system, which can be implemented, for example, on a control unit, which can be coupled to the goods transport system. The invention is also based on the surprising realization that the claimed goods transport system can be improved in a particularly simple manner by means of a training data set obtained during operation.

[0018] In addition, at least three delivery tracks can be arranged on the steering module in the required cargo transport system. These at least three delivery tracks can be arranged on the steering module in essentially any form. The dedicated line module is easily applicable to complex switches or intersections used as workpiece carriers. Therefore, the workpiece carrier and the associated transported goods can reach at least three separate processing stations in the automation system in a simple manner after the steering module. Therefore, in particular in cargo transport systems with a plurality of steering modules, an increased number of combinations can be achieved, at which the workpiece carrier and the transported goods can reach the processing stations of these combinations when passing through the automation system. Therefore, essentially parallel manufacturing of different terminal products in the automation system can be achieved, thereby increasing productivity.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the desired cargo transport system, the workpiece carrier can be arranged to be tilted in a predeterminable manner when crossing the steering module. The active component of the planar motor used as the steering module can be appropriately driven to generate a corresponding electromagnetic field, which causes the workpiece carrier to tilt. Tilting is understood here as a rotational movement around an axis of rotation that is essentially parallel to the main plane of the steering module. For this purpose, for example, it is possible to resist tipping over of the transported goods when the acceleration is increased. Alternatively or in addition, the transported goods can be tilted to suit their processing. Thus, the versatility of the desired cargo transport system is further increased.

[0020] In addition, the workpiece carrier in the required cargo transport system can have at least two pairs of magnet packs. Here, the magnet pack pairs are arranged in a cross arrangement. It is understood that along the circumferential direction of the workpiece carrier, the magnet packs of the first pair are respectively between the magnet packs of the second team. The workpiece carrier can be configured essentially as a rectangle or square, and the magnet packs are respectively in the area of ​​the edge of the workpiece carrier. As a result, the workpiece carrier can be moved linearly and rotationally in a simple manner quickly and accurately.

[0021] Likewise, the aforementioned purpose is achieved by a control unit according to the present invention, which is configured to output control instructions to the planar motor. The control unit is provided for the prescriptive movement of the workpiece carrier on the active component. According to the present invention, the control unit is provided so that the workpiece carrier moves from the supply track to the delivery track via the active component in a sliding manner. The control unit can be coupled to the cargo transport system according to one of the embodiments shown above, or be part of the corresponding cargo transport system. In addition, the control unit can be provided with a computer program product, which can be implemented on the control unit. The computer program product can be configured to operate the cargo transport system according to one of the embodiments shown above. The computer program product and / or the control unit can include artificial intelligence, in particular a neural network, which can be trained with the aid of a training data set. The training data set can be obtained in the operation of the cargo transport system or a cargo transport system with the same structure as described above. The characteristics of the required cargo transport system can be transmitted to the control unit according to the present invention.

[0022] Likewise, the above-mentioned objects are achieved by a construction kit for manufacturing a cargo transport system according to the present invention. The construction kit comprises at least one supply track, a plurality of delivery tracks and at least one steering module. The steering module is configured as an active component of a planar motor. According to the present invention, the construction kit is configured to manufacture a cargo transport system according to at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments. This includes at least one mechanical compatibility between the steering module, the supply track and the delivery track. Likewise, it can include electrical compatibility between these components, which can be operated, for example, via a common control unit. The characteristics of the required cargo transport system can be easily transferred to the construction kit according to the present invention.

[0023] Likewise, this object is achieved by a simulation program product according to the invention, which is configured to simulate the operating behavior of a cargo transport system. To this end, the simulation program product has instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to simulate the operating behavior of a cargo transport system. According to the invention, the cargo transport system to be simulated is configured according to one of the embodiments shown above. The simulation program product can include at least a diverting module and a digital image of a workpiece carrier, which moves via the diverting module in a prescribable manner.

[0024] The simulation program product can provide a physical module for simulation, in which the workpiece carrier is at least partially mapped. In particular, the physical module can be used to establish an electromagnetic force on the workpiece carrier through the corresponding drive control of the active component of the planar motor, and the active component is used as a steering module. In addition, the physical module can be used to measure the motion behavior of the workpiece carrier due to the current speed, rotation, straight line, rotational inertia moment, gravity and / or torque. Gravity or torque can be applied by the workpiece carrier itself and / or the transported goods belonging to it. Replaceable or supplementary, the workpiece carrier can also be stored in the physical module as a calculation model. The physical module is also configured to adjust the operating conditions that can be set. Belonging to it is the drive control behavior of the active component. The simulation program product can have a data interface, through which the corresponding data input by the user can be specified, the data connection to the actual cargo transport system and / or other simulation-oriented computer programs. Similarly, the simulation program product can have a data interface for outputting simulation results to the user and / or other simulation-oriented computer programs. With the help of the simulation program product, for example, damaged components in the steering module, the supply track and / or the delivery track can be identified. Likewise, control strategies for a cargo transport system developed with the aid of artificial intelligence can be tested with the aid of a simulation program product. Alternatively, control strategies for a cargo transport system can be developed on the basis of a simulation program product according to the invention by simulation coordinated by artificial intelligence. In particular, this can be done on the basis of so-called machine learning.

[0025] The current cargo transport system can be described in a substantially complete manner using control data, that is, control instructions sent to the active components of the steering module, the supply track and / or the delivery track, and the position and / or location of the workpiece carrier. These data can be precisely matched to each other by so-called upsampling or downsampling in a simple manner. In addition, the present invention is based on an unexpected realization, that is, these data allow the current cargo transport system to be simulated quickly. Thus, the real-time monitoring of the cargo transport product can be realized by a simulation program product, which can achieve reliable and safe operation. Here, the concept of real-time is understood according to the corresponding application, in particular the way of the automation system, in which the cargo transport system is adopted. In addition, the simulation program product can be designed as a so-called digital twin, as described in, for example, the publication US 2017 / 286582 A1. The disclosure of US 2017 / 286582 A1 is included in the current application by reference. The simulation program product can be configured as a whole, that is, it can be implemented completely on a hardware platform. Alternatively or additionally, the simulation program product can also be designed modularly and include multiple subprograms, which can be implemented on a separate hardware platform and act together via a communication data connection. Such a communication data connection can be a network connection, an internet connection and / or a wireless connection. The individual features of the desired cargo transport system can be easily transferred to the simulation program product.

[0026] Likewise, the object is achieved by a method according to the invention for simulating the operating behavior of a cargo transport system. The method comprises a first step, wherein a data set is provided, by which the functions of the cargo transport system can be at least partially adjusted, which are simulated by the method. In addition, the method comprises a second step, wherein at least one operating parameter is specified, by which the operating behavior to be simulated is described. At least one operating parameter can, for example, be a description of a plurality of workpiece carriers used on the cargo transport system, their loading, their starting position, their target position, the control of the supply track and / or the delivery track, the arrangement of the transport tasks to be met and / or the operating behavior of the cargo transport system, such as the speed limit of the workpiece carrier. In addition, the method comprises a third step, wherein a simulation program product is implemented, which is configured to adjust the operating behavior of the cargo transport system. The adjustment of the operating behavior is carried out on the basis of the data set from the first step and at least one operating parameter from the second step. At least one performance parameter is determined by the simulation program product, for example, for meeting the duration of at least one transport task or the energy demand therefor. According to the invention, the cargo transport system whose operating behavior is simulated by the claimed method is configured according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments. The features of the above-mentioned simulation program product can optionally be transferred to the claimed method. In particular, the object is achieved by a simulation program product which is configured to execute a method according to one of the embodiments presented above.

[0027] Furthermore, the above-mentioned objects are achieved by the use of an active component of a planar motor according to the invention in a cargo transport system. The cargo transport system has a linear motor, which serves as at least one supply track and a discharge track. According to the invention, the active component serves as a switch or intersection for workpiece carriers between the supply track and the discharge track. In this case, the cargo transport system can be configured according to one of the embodiments shown above. Therefore, the required features of the cargo transport system can be easily transferred to the use of the active component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Next, the invention is described in detail in the accompanying drawings according to various embodiments. Since these drawings are complementary to each other, the same reference numerals in different drawings have the same technical meaning. The features of the various embodiments can also be combined with each other. In addition, the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings can be combined with the above-mentioned features. Here, respectively:

[0029] Figure 1 schematically showing a plan view of an embodiment of the claimed cargo transport system;

[0030] Figure 2 An embodiment of a workpiece carrier is shown schematically. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 The plan view of the first embodiment of the required cargo transport system 10 is schematically shown. The cargo transport system 10 includes a supply track 12, by which a workpiece carrier 16 can be linearly moved in a specified manner. Similarly, the cargo transport system 10 includes a delivery track 14, by which a workpiece carrier 16 can also be linearly moved in a specified manner. A steering module 20 is arranged between the supply track 12 and the delivery track 14, and the steering module crosses the workpiece carrier 16 so as to reach one of the delivery track 14 from one of the supply track 12. The supply track 12 and the delivery track 14 are respectively configured as active components 22 of a linear motor 25. The active component 22 is configured as a coil row 28, and the coil row is configured to be individually controlled. The workpiece carrier 16 is provided with a plurality of magnet packages 18, and a passive component is formed thereby. When the workpiece carrier 16 is located on the supply track 12, the coil row 18 and the workpiece carrier 16 form a linear motor 25. Correspondingly, the individually controllable coil row 28 on the delivery track 14 also forms the active component 22 of the linear motor 25. When the workpiece carrier 22 is located on the supply track 14, a linear motor 25 is thus formed. The supply track 12 and the delivery track 14 are each provided with a mechanical guide element 13, which supports the guidance of the workpiece carrier 16.

[0032] The steering module 20 is configured as an active component 22, which includes a plurality of coils 21. When the workpiece carrier 16 is located on the steering module 20, a planar motor 24 is formed by means of the steering module 20. The workpiece carrier 16 as a passive component forms a functional counterpart to the steering module 20 configured as an active component 22. The coils 21 of the steering module 20 can be individually controlled. Thus, the magnet package 18 on the workpiece carrier 16 can be influenced in a specified manner. The workpiece carrier 16 leaving the supply track 12 is controlled by the steering module 20 so that the workpiece carrier moves substantially transversely to the main transport direction 15. Similarly, a rotation 19 about a rotation axis 23 is applied to the workpiece carrier 16 by the steering module 20. The rotation axis 23 is substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the steering module 20, i.e. perpendicular to the main plane of the steering module 20. Figure 1 The workpiece carrier 16 enters the drawing plane with a changed orientation through the steering module 20. Figure 1 In the delivery track 14 shown at the bottom, the workpiece carrier 16 follows a substantially S-shaped path 17. Figure 1 The lower supply rail 14 is a rail track along which the workpiece carriers 16 are moved substantially in their main transport direction 15 . The diverting modules 20 serve as switches or crossings for the workpiece carriers 16 in the goods transport system 10 .

[0033] The cargo transport system 10 also includes a control unit 30, which is connected to the supply track 12, the delivery track 14 and the steering module 20. The coil row 28 and the coil 21 of the supply track 12, the delivery track 14 and / or the steering module 20 can be driven by the control unit 30 individually via a control instruction 31. Thus, the workpiece carrier 16 can be moved in a specified manner on the steering module in any direction. To this end, the control unit 30 is equipped with a computer program product 40, and the control instruction 31 can be specified by the computer program product. The control unit 30 is also coupled to the acquisition tool 26, which is arranged in the area of ​​the steering module 20. The acquisition tool 26 is configured as a camera, and the position and orientation of the workpiece carrier 16 can be collected by the acquisition tool. The position data 27 collected by the acquisition tool 26 can be transmitted to the control unit 40 for further evaluation. The computer program product 40 can form a regulating system and / or can monitor the operation of the cargo transport system 10 using the acquisition tool 26. The position data 27 can include its orientation in addition to the position of the workpiece carrier 16. The computer program product 40 is equipped with an artificial intelligence 42 which is configured as a neural network. The position data 27 together with the associated control instructions 31 are provided as a training data set. The artificial intelligence 42 can be further trained. Based on the artificial intelligence 42 thus further trained, a control strategy for the goods transport system 10 can be developed. In addition, the goods transport system 10 can be further trained according to the artificial intelligence 42. Figure 1The simulation program product 60 is mapped in a simulation program product 60 (not shown in detail) which is configured as a digital twin. The simulation program product 60 is configured to monitor the operation of the goods transport system 10. Alternatively or additionally, the simulation program product 60 is suitable for simulating the operating behavior of the goods transport system 10. Therefore, in cooperation with the artificial intelligence 42, each simulation can automatically develop a control strategy for the goods transport system 10. The goods transport system 10 is manufactured from a construction kit 45, which includes a steering module 20, a supply track 12 and a delivery track 14.

[0034] Figure 2 Schematically, an embodiment of a workpiece carrier 16 is shown from the bottom. The workpiece carrier 16 is configured essentially in a square shape and has a plurality of magnet packages 18 arranged on its bottom side. The arrangement of the magnet packages 18 represents a suitable arrangement for a linear motor 25 and / or a planar motor 24, such as, for example, Figure 1 The passive component 26 shown in FIG. 1 is a magnet package 18 positioned on the workpiece carrier 16 in the region of its edge 36, the magnet package being configured substantially in a rectangular shape. The magnet package 18 forms a first magnet package pair 33 and a second magnet package pair 35 on the opposite edge 34. Accordingly, the first and second magnet package pairs 33, 35 are arranged in a cross arrangement. The arrangement of the magnet package pairs 33, 35 allows the workpiece carrier 16 to be rotated around the rotation axis 23 in a predeterminable manner.

Claims

1. A cargo transport system (10), comprising a supply track (12) and a delivery track (14), each of the supply track and the delivery track being configured as a linear motor (25) and each of the supply track and the delivery track being configured for linear movement of a workpiece carrier (16), wherein: A steering module (20) is arranged between the supply track (12) and the delivery track (14) and is configured to move the workpiece carrier (16) in a predeterminable manner, and the workpiece carrier can be rotated in a predeterminable manner around a rotation axis (23) perpendicular to the main plane of the steering module (20) through the steering module (20), characterized in that the steering module (20) is configured as an active component (22) of a planar motor (24), wherein the supply track (12) and / or the delivery track (14) are respectively provided with mechanical guide elements (13), which support the guidance of the workpiece carrier (16).

2. The cargo transport system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linear motor (25) is configured for a purely linear movement of the workpiece carrier (16).

3. The cargo transport system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The steering module (20) is configured to be free of the mechanical guide element (13) at least in a central region.

4. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The workpiece carrier (16) is provided with at least one passive component (36) of a planar motor (24).

5. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The supply track (14) and the delivery track (14) are arranged offset from one another relative to a main transport axis (15) of the supply track and the delivery track.

6. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The active component (22) of the planar motor (24) has a pole pair width, which corresponds to the pole pair width of the linear motor (25) or an integer multiple or integer fraction of the pole pair width of the linear motor (25).

7. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The workpiece carrier (16) is provided with the mechanical guide element (13) which is spaced apart from a main plane of the steering module (20).

8. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The linear motor (25) of the supply track (12) and / or the delivery track (14) comprises a plurality of coil rows (28) arranged in parallel, and the coil rows can be driven independently.

9. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: At least one detection tool (26) for detecting the position and / or orientation of the workpiece carrier (16) is provided in the region of the steering module (20).

10. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: At least three of the delivery rails (14) are arranged on the steering module (20).

11. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The workpiece carrier (16) can be tilted in a predeterminable manner when traversing the diverting module (20).

12. The cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The workpiece carrier (16) has at least two pairs of magnet packages (18), which are arranged in a cross arrangement.

13. A control unit (30) for outputting a control command (31) to at least one active component (22) of a planar motor (24), the control unit being configured for a predeterminable movement of a workpiece carrier (16), and the control unit being configured for moving the workpiece carrier (16) from a supply track (12) via the active component (22) to a delivery track (14) in a sliding manner, characterized in that: The control unit (30) is configured to operate the cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A construction kit (45) for manufacturing a cargo transport system (10), the construction kit comprising at least one supply track (12), a plurality of delivery tracks (14) and at least one steering module (20), the steering module being configured as an active component (22) of a planar motor (24), characterized in that: The construction kit (45) is configured for producing a cargo transport system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A simulation program product (50) for simulating the operating behavior of a cargo transport system (10), the simulation program product having a digital image of the cargo transport system (10), characterized in that: The cargo transport system (10) is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. Use of an active component (22) of a planar motor (24) in a goods transport system (10) having a linear motor (25), the linear motor serving as at least one supply track (12) and at least one discharge track (14), the active component serving as a switch and / or crossing between the supply track (12) and the discharge track (14) for a workpiece carrier (16), characterized in that: The cargo transport system (10) is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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