Identification of movement devices of a linear electric drive conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia, to a method for operating, preferably initializing, a linear electric drive conveyor (10) having a plurality of movement devices (12-18). The method comprises lining up the plurality of movement devices (12-18) such that the plurality of movement devices (12-18) that have been lined up touch one another. Positions of the plurality of movement devices (12-18) that have been lined up are determined. At least one first movement device (12, 16) and / or at least one second movement device (14, 18) is / are identified in the plurality of movement devices (12-18) that have been lined up on the basis of the determined positions. The method advantageously makes it possible to dispense with external sensors for the purpose of identification. The method can also be used particularly flexibly in each section of the linear electric drive conveyor (10).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Identification of moving devices of a linear electric drive conveyor

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The invention relates to a method for operating a linear electric drive conveyor with multiple movement devices. The invention further relates to an industrial plant, preferably a container processing plant, with a linear electric drive conveyor. The invention also relates to a linear electric drive conveyor.

[0005] Technical background

[0006] A current development trend in the transport of containers, such as bottles or cans, in systems and machines for the production, filling, and packaging of beverages and liquid food products is linear motor technology, e.g., in the form of long-stator linear drive systems or short-stator linear drive systems. The movement devices, also called "shuttles" or "mover," can each move one or more containers. A major advantage of linear motor technology is that the movement devices can be controlled and moved individually, separately, and independently of one another.

[0007] Certain applications may require that the motion devices of a conveyor be constructed differently, or that a conveyor have both type A and type B motion devices. This may be necessary, for example, with the concept of a holder and a counterholder, which can hold or clamp a transported item between them. To operate this type of conveyor, it is necessary to identify the type of motion device. The identified motion device can then be operated or controlled according to its type, for example, as a holder or a counterholder. Complex external sensor technology may be required for identification.

[0008] For example, WO 2013 / 189 656 A1 discloses a feed device for feeding products or product stacks to a packaging process of a packaging machine. The feed device comprises a guide unit configured as a closed loop, on which a plurality of arranged conveyor elements are arranged such that they can be driven independently of one another in a speed- and / or position-controlled manner, at least along at least one working section of the guide unit. At least one conveyor element has a holder, and at least one conveyor element following opposite a conveying direction has a counterholder. The invention is based on the object of creating an improved technique for identifying a respective type of movement device of a linear electric drive conveyor.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims and the description.

[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for operating, preferably initializing, a linear electric drive conveyor (for example, for transporting transport goods, preferably containers) having a plurality of movement devices that can be moved electromagnetically and independently of one another. The plurality of movement devices comprises at least one first movement device with a first outer geometry and at least one second movement device with a second outer geometry that differs from the first outer geometry. The method comprises arranging the plurality of movement devices in a row such that the lined-up plurality of movement devices touch one another. The method comprises determining positions of the lined-up plurality of movement devices (e.g., by means of a control unit of the linear electric drive conveyor and / or a sensor system of the linear electric drive conveyor).The method further comprises identifying the at least one first movement device and / or the at least one second movement device in the lined-up plurality of movement devices based on the determined positions (e.g., by means of a control unit of the linear electric drive conveyor).

[0012] Advantageously, the method can enable the identification of different types of movement devices without the need for external sensors. This makes the method particularly cost-effective and reliable. For identification, the method simply uses the differences in positioning that arise due to the different external geometries of the different types of movement devices when the movement devices are lined up. Due to the different external geometries, the different types of movement devices can move together to different distances before touching, which is reflected in the determined positions. Furthermore, the lined-up can take place in any section of the linear electric drive conveyor, which allows for particularly flexible use of the method.

[0013] For example, it may be possible for the linear electric drive conveyor to have a plurality of movement devices and for the steps of lining up, determining positions and identifying to take place in several sections of the linear electric drive conveyor for different groups of a plurality of movement devices, preferably simultaneously.

[0014] It is also possible for the linear electric drive conveyor to have further movement devices in addition to the plurality of movement devices. The method can preferably also be carried out for these further movement devices. Alternatively, the method can not be carried out for these further movement devices and instead, for example, based on the step of identifying the method, it can be deduced which of the further movement devices are first movement devices and which of the further movement devices are second movement devices. Such a procedure is possible, for example, if the first movement devices and the second movement devices are arranged alternately along the entire linear electric drive conveyor.

[0015] Preferably, the lining up can take place without holding the transported goods.

[0016] Preferably, the sequencing can be controlled by a control unit of the linear electric drive conveyor. Alternatively or additionally, the sequencing can be done manually, e.g., during initial commissioning of the linear electric drive conveyor.

[0017] In one embodiment, the identifying is further based on at least one predetermined (e.g., stored or input) piece of geometry information relating to the first outer geometry and / or the second outer geometry and / or a difference between the first outer geometry and the second outer geometry.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the method further comprises determining at least one distance between the determined positions, and the identifying is further based on the determined at least one distance.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the at least one first movement device and the at least one second movement device differ from one another in their outer contours directed in a direction of movement (e.g., forward movement direction, backward movement direction, lateral movement direction). Preferably, the plurality of movement devices can be lined up in the direction of movement.

[0020] In one embodiment, the at least one first movement device comprises a first tool. Additionally, the at least one second movement device may not comprise a tool. Alternatively, the at least one second movement device may comprise a second tool, wherein the first tool and the second tool are differently aligned, differently configured, and / or differently arranged.

[0021] Preferably, the first tool can influence the first outer geometry and the second tool can influence the second outer geometry in such a way that the first outer geometry and the second outer geometry differ from each other.

[0022] In a further embodiment, the at least one first movement device comprises a holder, preferably a container holder. Preferably, the at least one second movement device can comprise a counter-holder, preferably a container counter-holder.

[0023] Preferably, the holder can influence the first outer geometry and the counterholder can influence the second outer geometry in such a way that the first outer geometry and the second outer geometry differ from each other.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the at least one first movement device comprises a spacer. Additionally, the at least one second movement device may have no spacer or may have an additional spacer, wherein the spacer and the additional spacer are differently aligned, differently dimensioned, and / or differently arranged. The method can thus advantageously also be applied to movement devices in which the tools are designed in such a way that they do not influence the positions when arranging the movement devices.

[0025] Preferably, the at least one first movement device and the at least one second movement device can touch each other when lined up via the spacer.

[0026] Preferably, the spacer can influence the first outer geometry such that the first outer geometry and the second outer geometry differ from each other.

[0027] For example, the spacer can be arranged on an outer side of the at least one first movement device, wherein the outer side is directed in a forward direction of travel of the at least one first movement device or opposite to the forward direction of travel.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the positions are determined by means of a sensor system, preferably internal to the linear electric drive conveyor, preferably comprising a plurality of position sensors. Alternatively or additionally, the positions can be determined by detecting electromagnetic induction caused by the plurality of movement devices in at least one coil of the linear electric drive conveyor.

[0029] In one embodiment, the plurality of movement devices can be lined up at a speed that is lower than a normal operating speed of the plurality of movement devices, preferably < 0.5 m / s. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of movement devices can be lined up with a force control that preferably limits a maximum thrust with which the plurality of movement devices press against one another. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of movement devices can be lined up using adapted controller parameterization so that, in the event of contact, a maximum force lies within a predetermined range and preferably an increase in motor temperature is reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the plurality of movement devices can be braked immediately before they touch one another.Advantageously, the procedure can thus be carried out particularly gently and damage to the several movement devices can be prevented.

[0030] In one embodiment, identification takes place without external sensors and / or is purely software-based.

[0031] In a further embodiment, a first movement device and a second movement device are each designed for the joint transport of a transport item, preferably a container, which is preferably clamped or held between them.

[0032] In a further embodiment, the at least one first movement device comprises a plurality of first movement devices, and the at least one second movement device comprises a plurality of second movement devices. Preferably, the plurality of first movement devices and the plurality of second movement devices can be arranged alternately one after the other.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the method further comprises operating the linear electric drive conveyor in a normal operating mode, preferably for transporting transport goods, depending on the identification.

[0034] In one embodiment, the method further comprises outputting an error message (for example, via a user interface) if the identified at least one first movement device and / or the identified at least one second movement device is / are arranged in an order that deviates from a desired order. In a further embodiment, the linear electric drive conveyor is a long-stator linear drive conveyor, a short-stator linear drive conveyor, or a planar linear drive conveyor.

[0035] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a linear electric drive conveyor or an industrial plant, preferably a container processing plant, with a linear electric drive conveyor. The linear electric drive conveyor has a plurality of movement devices that can be moved electromagnetically and independently of one another, wherein the plurality of movement devices comprises at least one first movement device with a first outer geometry and at least one second movement device with a second outer geometry that differs from the first outer geometry. The linear electric drive conveyor further comprises a control unit configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

[0036] Preferably, the container treatment plant can be designed for producing, cleaning, coating, testing, filling, closing, labeling, printing and / or packaging containers for liquid media, preferably beverages or liquid foodstuffs.

[0037] For example, the containers can be designed as bottles, cans, canisters, cartons, flasks, etc.

[0038] Preferably, the term "control unit" can refer to electronics (e.g., implemented as a driver circuit or with microprocessor(s) and data memory) that, depending on its design, can perform control tasks and / or regulation tasks and / or processing tasks. Even if the term "control" is used herein, it can also appropriately include or mean "regulation" or "control with feedback" and / or "processing".

[0039] The previously described preferred embodiments and features of the invention can be combined with one another as desired.

[0040] Short description of the characters

[0041] Further details and advantages of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0042] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a portion of a linear electric drive conveyor in a normal operating mode; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a portion of the linear electric drive conveyor of Figure 1 in an initialization mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a portion of a linear electric drive conveyor in a normal operating mode; and

[0044] Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a portion of the linear electric drive conveyor of Figure 3 in an initialization mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] The embodiments shown in the figures correspond at least partially, so that similar or identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals and for their explanation reference is also made to the description of the other embodiments or figures in order to avoid repetition.

[0046] Detailed description of exemplary embodiments

[0047] Figure 1 shows a linear electric drive conveyor 10 with multiple movement devices 12, 14, 16, 18. For example, the conveyor 10 can be incorporated into an industrial plant for transporting goods 20. The goods 20 can each comprise one or more objects, preferably containers. Preferably, the conveyor 10 can be designed to transport goods 20 in the form of containers. Particularly preferably, the conveyor 10 can be incorporated into a container treatment plant for treating containers, for example, to transport the containers between container treatment devices of the container treatment plant.

[0048] The movement devices 12-18 are electromagnetically movable. The movement devices 12-18 are movable independently of one another. Despite the independent mobility, it is possible for a mechanical coupling to exist between individual movement devices 12-18 (not shown in Figure 1). The plurality of movement devices 12-18 can be individually controlled by a control unit 11 of the conveyor 10, e.g., directly if they themselves have electromagnets, or indirectly if they have permanent magnets.

[0049] Preferably, the conveyor 10 can be a long-stator linear drive conveyor. The long-stator linear drive conveyor can have a plurality of movement devices 12-18, which are guided along a preferably circumferential guideway, e.g., by means of rollers or sliding blocks. The movement devices 12-18 can be driven by magnetic interaction between permanent magnets and electromagnets. In the long-stator linear drive conveyor, a stationary long stator with electromagnets can be included to effect movement of the movement devices 12-18 equipped with permanent magnets.

[0050] However, it is also possible that the conveyor 10 is, for example, a short stator linear drive conveyor or a planar linear drive conveyor.

[0051] The short-stator linear drive conveyor can comprise a plurality of movement devices 12-18, which are guided along a preferably circumferential guideway, e.g., by means of rollers or sliding blocks. The movement devices 12-18 can be driven by magnetic interaction between permanent magnets and electromagnets. In the short-stator linear drive conveyor, the movement devices 12-18 can each comprise a short stator formed by electromagnets, which can enter into magnetic interaction with stationary permanent magnets to move the movement devices 12-18.

[0052] The planar linear drive conveyor or the planar motor linear drive conveyor can comprise a plurality of movement devices 12-18, which can be moved independently of one another with at least two degrees of freedom (x-direction and y-direction) over a preferably planar drive surface by means of magnetic interaction with the drive surface. It is also possible for a lifting movement (z-direction) and / or a tilting movement of the movement devices 12-18 relative to the drive surface to be controllable by means of the magnetic interaction. The drive surface can preferably be oriented horizontally or vertically.

[0053] The movement devices 12-18 comprise first movement devices 12, 16 and second movement devices 14, 18. It is understood that the conveyor 10 may have more than two first movement devices 12, 16 and / or more than two second movement devices 14, 18. It is possible for the conveyor 10 to have only one first movement device 12 or 16 and / or only one second movement device 14 or 18.

[0054] The first movement devices 12, 16 and the second movement devices 14, 18 are preferably arranged alternately one after the other. However, it is also possible for other applications, for example, to have a plurality of first movement devices directly following one another and / or a plurality of second movement devices directly following one another. The first movement device 12 and the second movement device 14 can jointly transport a transport item 20. The transport item 20 can be clamped or held between the first movement device 12 and the second movement device 14. The first movement device 16 and the second movement device 18 can likewise jointly transport a further transport item 20. The further transport item 20 can be clamped or held between the first movement device 16 and the second movement device 18.In general, a first movement device 12, 16 and a second movement device 14, 18 can each transport a transported good 20 together.

[0055] The first movement devices 12, 16 each have an identical first outer geometry. The second movement devices 14, 18 each have an identical second outer geometry. The first outer geometry differs from the second outer geometry.

[0056] The differences between the first outer geometry and the second outer geometry are achieved, for example, by tools 22, 24. The first movement devices 12, 16 can each have a first tool 22. The second movement devices 14, 18 can each have a second tool 24.

[0057] Although the tools 22, 24 can be designed identically in the exemplary embodiment, the tools 22, 24 are oriented in opposite directions. Additionally or alternatively, it is also possible for the first tools 22 and the second tools 24 to differ structurally from one another. Alternatively, it is also possible, for example, for only the first movement devices 12, 16 to each have the first tool 22, and for the second movement devices 14, 18 to have no tool.

[0058] The first tools 22 can project over or protrude beyond a base or base body of the respective first movement device 12, 16, for example, opposite to the forward direction of travel. The second tools 24 can project over or protrude beyond a base or base body of the respective second movement device 14, 18, for example, in the forward direction of travel.

[0059] The first tools 22 can each serve as a holder for a transport item 20. The second tools 24 can each serve as a counter-holder for a transport item 20. If the transport item 20 is, for example, a container, the first tools 22 can each be a container holder and the second tools 24 can each be a container counter-holder. A first tool 22 and a second tool 24 can each cooperate with one another to hold a transport item 20. For example, the first tool 22 of the first movement device 12 and the second tool 24 of the second movement device 14 can cooperate to hold a transport item 20 between them, for example during transport.

[0060] In the exemplary embodiment, when activating or switching on the conveyor 10, the control unit 11 of the conveyor 10 does not know which of the movement devices 12-18 belong to the first movement devices and which of the movement devices 12-18 belong to the second movement devices. However, this knowledge is necessary for normal operation of the conveyor 10, since a transported item 20 can be transported jointly by the first movement device 12 and the second movement device 14, but not jointly by the second movement device 14 and the first movement device 16. It is therefore necessary to identify the movement devices 12-18 according to their type (first or second movement device?).

[0061] For example, in an initialization mode, in which preferably no transport goods 20 are yet being transported, the conveyor 10 can be controlled, preferably by means of the control unit 11, such that the plurality of movement devices 12-18 are lined up, as shown by way of example in Figure 2. The lined-up movement devices 12-18 touch one another, i.e., the directly adjacent movement devices 12-18 touch one another.

[0062] For example, the first movement device 12 and the second movement device 18 can touch at their tools 22, 24. The second movement device 14 and the first movement device 16 can touch at their bases. The first movement device 16 and the second movement device 18 can, in turn, touch at their tools 22, 24.

[0063] The arranging can, for example, take place in such a way that one of the movement devices 12-18, e.g., the movement device 12, is stopped or not moved at all. The other movement devices 14-18 can then be lined up one after the other behind the stopped movement device 12. In principle, the arranging can take place in the forward direction of travel or against the forward direction of travel of the movement devices 12-18. It is also possible for the arranging to take place partly in the forward direction of travel and partly against the forward direction of travel of the movement devices 12-18, for example, to enable particularly short distances for the movement devices 12-18 to be lined up. Preferably, the movement devices 12-18 are moved at a comparatively low speed during arranging. The speed is preferably lower than a normal operating speed of the movement devices 12-18.For example, this speed can be < 0.5 m / s during aligning. It is also possible that the movement devices 12-18 are decelerated immediately before they touch.

[0064] Particularly preferably, the control unit 11 of the conveyor 10 performs a force control or an adapted controller parameterization during the aligning process, which limits the maximum force or thrust with which the multiple movement devices 12-18 can press against each other upon contact. Preferably, a limit value for the maximum force or thrust can be specified, for example, via a user interface of the conveyor 10.

[0065] After the movement devices 12-18 have been lined up, the positions P1-P4 of the movement devices 12-18 are determined. For example, this can be done using a preferably internal sensor system of the conveyor 10. The conveyor 10 can, for example, have a plurality of position sensors arranged along a static part, such as the guideway, the long stator, or the drive surface, of the conveyor 10. It is also possible, for example, for the sensor system to determine the positions P1-P4 by detecting electromagnetic induction in at least one stationary coil of the conveyor 10 caused by the plurality of movement devices 12-18.

[0066] Due to the different external geometries, the movement devices 12-18 can move at different closeness to one another when lined up. For example, the second movement device 14 and the first movement device 16 can move very close together until the bases or main bodies of the movement devices 14, 16 touch, since the tools 22, 24 do not touch beforehand. In contrast, the first movement device 12 and the second movement device 14 cannot move so close together, since the tools 22, 24 touch before the bases or main bodies of the movement devices 12, 14 can touch. The same applies to the first movement device 16 and the second movement device 18.

[0067] Based on the determined positions P1-P4, the movement devices 12-18 can be identified by the control unit 11 of the conveyor 10. Preferably, no external sensors are required. Instead, the control unit 11 can identify the movement devices 12-18, preferably purely based on software. Specifically, the control unit 11 can identify the movement devices 12, 16 as first movement devices. The control unit 11 can identify the movement devices 14, 18 as second movement devices.

[0068] The control unit 11 can preferably access further information to identify the movement devices 12-18. Particularly preferably, geometric information relating to the first movement devices 12, 16 and the second movement devices 14, 18 is stored in the control unit 11. The geometric information can relate, for example, to dimensions of the tools 22, 24, to dimensions of the bases or main bodies of the movement devices 12-18, and / or to overall dimensions of the individual movement devices 12-18. The dimensions are preferably measured relative to a longitudinal axis or the forward direction of travel of the respective movement device 12-18.

[0069] It is possible for control unit 11 to determine distances between positions P1-P4. Control unit 11 can then, for example, analyze or evaluate the determined distances and the geometry information to identify movement devices 12-18. Due to the different external geometries of movement devices 12-18, non-equidistant distances between positions P1-P4 may occur.

[0070] Based on the identification of the movement devices 12-18, the control unit 11 can operate the conveyor 10 in a normal operating mode, for example, for transporting the transport goods 20. In this case, the control unit 11 can, for example, control the conveyor 10 such that, for transporting a transport good 20, one of the first movement devices 12, 16 holds the transport good 20 from the front and one of the second movement devices 14, 18 holds the transport good 20 from the rear.

[0071] Alternatively, the control unit 11 can preferably output an error message via a user interface, for example, a display or a light, if the arrangement sequence of the identified movement devices 12-18 deviates from a desired sequence. This can be the case, for example, if it is detected that two first movement devices or two second movement devices are mistakenly arranged directly one after the other. Such problems can arise, for example, due to an incorrect arrangement of the movement device 12-18 when inserting the movement devices into or onto the conveyor 10.

[0072] Figures 3 and 4 show a modified embodiment. Although the tools 22' and 24' are designed and aligned differently, they do not protrude beyond the bases or main bodies of the movement devices 12'-18'. To nevertheless create a distinguishable external geometry for identifying the movement devices 12'-18', the first movement devices 12', 16' each have a spacer 26', for example.

[0073] The spacer 26' can, for example, be arranged on an outer side of the first movement devices 12', 16' facing opposite to the forward direction of travel. Alternatively, the spacer 26' could, for example, be arranged on an outer side of the first movement devices 12', 16' facing in the forward direction of travel.

[0074] During alignment, the second movement device 14' can contact the first movement device 12' via the spacer 26' of the first movement device 12'. Likewise, the second movement device 18' can contact the first movement device 16' via the spacer 26' of the first movement device 16'. However, the second movement device 14' and the first movement device 16' can contact each other at their bases. Therefore, during alignment, the distances between the positions P1'-P4' are again not equidistant, so that the movement devices 12'-18' can be identified based on the positions P1'-P4.

[0075] Preferably, the second movement devices 14', 18' have no spacers, or at least none that correspond to the spacers 26'. It is possible for the second movement devices 14', 18' to have their own spacers, which, for example, are differently dimensioned or arranged differently than the spacers 26'.

[0076] In the embodiments explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the movement devices 12(') and 14(') are used as holders and counterholders. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. In general, the presently disclosed technique can be applied to any linear electric drive conveyor that has different types of movement devices. The technique can even be applied to linear electric drive conveyors that are actually intended to use only one type of movement device in order to identify incorrectly installed movement devices of the wrong type.

[0077] In the exemplary embodiments explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the different external geometries of the first and second movement devices 12(')-18(') are brought about by different or differently oriented tools 22('), 24(') and by spacers 26'. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. For example, different external geometries can also be brought about by differently dimensioned movement devices. It is also possible for the first and second movement devices to differ from one another in some way in their external contours directed in a movement direction (for example, on their end faces).

[0078] In the embodiments explained with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the conveyors 10(') each comprise only two different types of movement devices, namely the first movement devices 12('), 16(') and the second movement devices 14('), 18('). However, the present disclosure is not limited to these examples. For example, further movement devices, for example third movement devices, could be included, whose external geometries differ from the movement devices 12(')-18('). For example, a transported item could be transported by the interaction of a first movement device, a second movement device, and a third movement device. The third movement devices can also be identified according to the technology disclosed herein.

[0079] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a multitude of variants and modifications are possible, which also utilize the inventive concept and therefore fall within the scope of protection. In particular, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of the subclaims, independent of the claims referred to. In particular, the individual features of independent claim 1 are each disclosed independently of one another. In addition, the features of the subclaims are also disclosed independently of all features of independent claim 1. All ranges indicated herein are to be understood as disclosed in such a way that, as it were, all values ​​falling within the respective range are individually disclosed, e.g., also as preferred, narrower outer limits of the respective range. List of Reference Symbols

[0080] 10(') Linear electric drive conveyor ll(') Control unit

[0081] 12(') first movement device

[0082] 14(') second movement device

[0083] 16(') first movement device

[0084] 18(') second movement device

[0085] 20(') Transport goods

[0086] 22(') first tool

[0087] 24(') second tool

[0088] 26' spacer

[0089] Pl(')-P4(') positions

Claims

Claims: Method for operating, preferably initializing, a linear electric drive conveyor (10) with several motion devices (12-18) that are electromagnetically and independently movable, wherein the several motion devices (12-18) comprise at least one first motion device (12, 16) with a first outer geometry and at least one second motion device (14, 18) with a second outer geometry that differs from the first outer geometry, wherein the method comprises: Arranging the multiple motion devices (12-18) in such a way that the arranged multiple motion devices (12-18) touch each other; Determining the positions of the multiple motion devices arranged in a row (12-18); and Identifying the at least one first motion device (12, 16) and / or the at least one second motion device (14, 18) in the multiple motion devices (12-18) arranged in a row based on the determined positions. A method according to claim 1, wherein: the identification is further based on at least one predetermined geometric piece of information relating to the first outer geometry and the second outer geometry and / or a difference between the first outer geometry and the second outer geometry. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: Determining at least one distance between the determined positions, wherein the identification is further based on the determined at least one distance. A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first motion device (12, 16) and the at least one second motion device (14, 18) differ from each other in their outer contours directed in a direction of movement; and the multiple motion devices (12-18) are arranged in a row in the direction of movement.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the at least one first motion device (12, 16) has a first tool (22); and the at least one second motion device (14, 18) has no tool or a second tool (24), wherein the first tool (22) and the second tool (24) are oriented differently, designed differently and / or arranged differently.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the at least one first movement device (12, 16) has a holder, preferably a container holder; and the at least one second movement device (14, 18) has a counter-holder, preferably a container counter-holder.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: the at least one first motion device (12', 16') has a spacer (26'); and the at least one second motion device (14', 18') has no spacer or a further spacer, wherein the spacer (26') and the further spacer are oriented differently, dimensioned differently and / or arranged differently.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: the determination of the positions is carried out by means of a, preferably internal, sensor system, preferably comprising several position sensors, of the linear electric drive conveyor (10); and / or the determination of the positions is carried out by means of detection of electromagnetic induction caused by the several motion devices (12-18) in at least one coil of the linear electric drive conveyor (10).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the following features is fulfilled: the multiple motion devices (12-18) are lined up at a speed which is less than a normal operating speed of the multiple motion devices (12-18), preferably < 0.5 m / s; The multiple motion devices (12-18) are arranged in a row with a force control system that preferably limits the maximum thrust force with which the multiple motion devices (12-18) press against each other; the multiple motion devices (12-18) are arranged in a row by means of an adapted controller parameterization such that, in the event of contact, a maximum force is within a predetermined range and preferably an increase in motor temperature is reduced; and the multiple motion devices (12-18) are decelerated immediately before they touch each other. A method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: identification is carried out without external sensors and / or purely software-based.A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: a first moving device (12, 16) and a second moving device (14, 18) are each configured for jointly transporting a transport item, preferably a container, which is clamped or held between them. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first moving device (12, 16) comprises several first moving devices (12, 16); the at least one second moving device (14, 18) comprises several second moving devices (14, 18); and the several first moving devices (12, 16) and the several second moving devices (14, 18) are arranged alternately one after the other. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Operating the linear electric drive conveyor (10) in a normal operating mode, preferably for transporting goods (20), depending on the identification; and / or Outputting an error message if the identified at least one first motion device (12, 16) and / or the identified at least one second motion device (14, 18) are arranged in a sequence that deviates from a desired sequence. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein: The linear electric drive conveyor (10) is a long-stator linear drive conveyor, a short-stator linear drive conveyor, or a planar linear drive conveyor. A linear electric drive conveyor (10) or an industrial plant, preferably a container treatment plant, with a linear electric drive conveyor (10), wherein the linear electric drive conveyor (10) comprises: several motion devices (12-18) that are electromagnetically and independently movable, wherein the several motion devices (12-18) comprise at least a first motion device (12, 16) with a first outer geometry and at least a second motion device (14, 18) with a second outer geometry that differs from the first outer geometry; and a control unit (11) configured to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims.

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