Electromagnetic Work Device

Abstract

Provided is a device comprising a plurality of electromagnetic members (15) configured to generate one or more electromagnetic fields, said plurality of electromagnetic members (15) being supported by a support base (16) and covered by a flat drive coat (21) on which an electromagnetic moving body (100) slides in a contactless manner by magnetically cooperating with said electromagnetic members (15).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic working device having an electromagnetic base surface on which an electromagnetic moving body is present, which can be used in machines in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, healthcare, chemical, and / or food industries where sanitary and / or decontaminated environments are required. [Background technology]

[0002] In the pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, and / or food manufacturing industries, machines are known that include an electromagnetic working device having an electromagnetic base plane to which a plurality of electromagnetic moving bodies are operatively associated to move one or more objects, such as containers.

[0003] The base surface is mounted on a fixed support frame and includes a plurality of interconnected, coplanar electromagnetic members, each of which is provided with one or more current-carrying means for selectively generating one or more magnetic fields. For example, the current-carrying means may be coils. In particular, each of the electromagnetic members has a flat upper surface and is interconnected with each other to collectively form a flat base surface of the work surface.

[0004] The electromagnetic movers each comprise magnetic means configured to generate one or more magnetic fields that interact with the magnetic field of the working surface to determine their respective motion, which can be achieved by non-contact sliding without direction or path constraints and without the generation of particles due to friction, for example by using technology known as "planar motors."

[0005] This type of configuration is described in Chinese Utility Model No. 216180697 and involves a box with work gloves, typically used in the fields of biomedicine, chemical engineering or atomic physics, where the electromagnetic element is located outside the box, or more precisely underneath the box itself, and the electromagnetic mover is movable within the box.

[0006] In some cases, an upper coating plate, e.g., made of stainless steel, is associated with the base surface and positioned over the electromagnetic member to form a substantially uninterrupted, uniform upper reference surface. Examples of this type of base surface are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0113496 or U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 348898.

[0007] The coated plate has the property of not affecting the magnetic field generated by the electrical and magnetic means and serves to ensure a liquid-tight insulation between the area below it and the upper working environment defined by the controlled atmosphere chamber in which the electromagnetic drive moves, for example, the chamber can be subjected to a decontamination cycle using VHP (Vapor Hydrogen Peroxide).

[0008] Generally, the electromagnetic components on the base plate are complex components with a maximum service life of around 10 years. When these components need to be replaced or maintained, the attachments underneath must first be accessed, which can be difficult to do because the base plate is fixed to the frame. This requires access to certain electromagnetic components from above, which requires disassembly of the coating plate, which lengthens the maintenance time.

[0009] This also has the disadvantage that the working environment in which the electromagnetic drive moves is not a protected atmosphere but is exposed to external contamination.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to develop an electromagnetic working device that can overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the state of the art.

[0011] To achieve this, it is necessary to solve at least the technical problem of providing an electromagnetic working device that allows maintenance of the electromagnetic base surface without removing the coating plate.

[0012] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic working device in which maintenance of electromagnetic components is simple and quick.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic working device that maintains a decontaminated environment in an electromagnetic moving body even during maintenance or replacement of electromagnetic members.

[0014] Applicant has invented, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The invention is set out and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the invention or variations of the main inventive idea.

[0016] In accordance with the above objectives, and also achieving significant advantages over the prior art, an electromagnetic working device according to the present invention includes a plurality of electromagnetic members configured to generate one or more electromagnetic fields, the plurality of electromagnetic members being supported by a support base and covered by a flat drive coat.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the working device further includes a moving unit configured to selectively move the support base and / or the flat drive coat between an operating position and a maintenance position, wherein in the operating position, the plurality of electromagnetic members are closer to the flat drive coat and magnetically cooperate with the plurality of electromagnetic members to allow an electromagnetic moving body to slide contactlessly thereon, and in the maintenance position, the plurality of electromagnetic members are spaced apart from the flat drive coat to allow maintenance intervention on the plurality of electromagnetic members.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, in the operating position, the electromagnetic members contact the flat drive coat at their lower surfaces.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, the movement unit is connected to the support base to move the support base and, consequently, the supported electromagnetic members relative to the flat drive coat.

[0020] According to another aspect of the invention, the flat drive coat includes a uniform layer configured to hermetically isolate a work environment above the flat drive coat from a maintenance location environment below it.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the working device further includes a positioning jig disposed around the flat drive coat and configured to maintain the plurality of electromagnetic members in precise positions in the operating positions and to cooperate with the flat drive coat to maintain the working environment in an airtightly isolated state.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the movement unit moves the support base and / or the flat drive coat in a movement direction perpendicular to the flat drive coat.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the moving unit includes a lifting unit configured to cooperate with the support base and vertically move the plurality of electromagnetic members between the operating position and the maintenance position.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the lifting unit is located within the maintenance environment.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the lifting unit includes at least one movement device having at least one drive shaft driven by means of at least one drive member located outside the maintenance environment.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the lifting unit includes a rack and pinion system.

[0027] The present invention also relates to an electromagnetic working machine including the working device as described above and one or more electromagnetic moving bodies configured to slide contactlessly on the flat drive coat by magnetically cooperating with the plurality of electromagnetic members.

[0028] According to another aspect of the present invention, the machine further includes a working chamber that houses the working device in its upper portion.

[0029] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view, partially in section, of an electromagnetic working device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic side view, partially in section, of the working device of FIG. 1, with the electromagnetic base surface in a maintenance position; [Figure 3] 2 is a simplified three-dimensional schematic view of a portion of the working device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3A] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a modification of FIG. 3. [Figure 4] 2 is a simplified schematic representation of an electromagnetic working machine including the electromagnetic working device of FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] It must be made clear that the phraseology and terms used in this specification, as well as the symbols in the accompanying drawings, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the invention, the scope of protection of which is defined by the claims, and that their function is to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself.

[0032] For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals have been used wherever possible to identify identical common elements in the drawings, it being understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be conveniently combined or incorporated in other embodiments without further description.

[0033] Referring to the figure, an electromagnetic working device 10 according to the present invention comprises an electromagnetic base surface 11, on which one or more operations can be performed on a movable object (e.g., a container) by one or more mobile bodies (hereinafter defined as electromagnetic mobile bodies 100) operably associated with the base surface 11.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the work device 10 is part of an electromagnetic work machine 200 (see FIG. 4).

[0035] The working machine 200 includes a working chamber 201 with a controlled atmosphere and / or a protected atmosphere connected to the upper part of the working device 10, in which the electromagnetic moving body 100 can move and the above-mentioned work is performed. For example, in the working chamber 201, the environment is purified using VHP (vaporized hydrogen peroxide).

[0036] To better understand the present invention, we will briefly describe the electromagnetic vehicle 100.

[0037] Each electromagnetic mobile 100 has a substantially square, flat shape and comprises one or more magnetic means, for example permanent magnets, each generating a magnetic field, preferably a static magnetic field, which interacts with and allows selective movement on the electromagnetic base surface 11. In this way, the electromagnetic mobiles 100 can move independently relative to the base surface 11 while maintaining a constant distance from it, i.e. without contact, and advantageously have multiple degrees of freedom.

[0038] The working device 10 (see Figures 1 to 3) comprises a first fixed frame, or first frame 12, configured to support a base surface 11. A moving unit 13 is slidably associated with the first frame 12 and selectively moves the electromagnetic base surface 11 along a movement direction Y between an operating, or raised, position PO, in cooperation with the electromagnetic moving body 100, and a lowered, or maintenance, position PM, allowing maintenance thereof.

[0039] In particular, the direction of movement Y (see Figures 1 and 2) is perpendicular to the arrangement or orientation of the base surface 11. In the example shown here, the base surface is placed in a horizontal plane and the direction of movement Y is vertical.

[0040] According to a possible embodiment, the first frame 12 is configured to have one or more lateral openings that are selectively re-closable to allow access to its interior, in particular to allow maintenance of the base surface 11 to be performed when the base surface 11 is in the maintenance position PM.

[0041] The base surface 11 (see Figures 1, 2 and 3) comprises a plurality of electromagnetic members 15 arranged side by side and interconnected to one another on a plate or support base 16 connected to a moving unit 13.

[0042] Each of the electromagnetic members 15 comprises electrical energization means 17 configured to generate one or more magnetic fields, preferably low frequency, that can interact with the magnetic fields generated by the electromagnetic mobile bodies 100 to determine the actuation of these selectively moving bodies 100. For example, the electrical energization means 17 comprise a number of electric coils or windings that, in use, are connected to an electric energy supply network having appropriate voltage and current values.

[0043] In particular, each electromagnetic member 15 has a top surface 19 that is substantially parallelepiped in shape and that combines with the top surfaces 19 of the other electromagnetic members 15 to define a corresponding plane 20 of the base surface 11 .

[0044] A coating plate is provided on the upper part of the first frame 12, which will be hereinafter defined as a flat driving coat 21.

[0045] We need to clarify here that the expression "flat drive coat" is used because this surface is interposed between the electromagnetic member 15 configured as a drive member for the electromagnetic mobile 100 below it and the electromagnetic mobile 100 which is moved or driven precisely on this surface.

[0046] The flat drive coat 21 is operatively coupled to the base surface 11 and in particular contacts its planar surface 20. Specifically, the flat drive coat 21 comprises a uniform layer that functions to effectively provide fluid-tight isolation between an upper work environment 202 defined by a work chamber 201 and a lower maintenance environment 203 in which the base surface 11 and the moving unit 13 reside.

[0047] For example, the flat drive coat 21 may be a sheet of stainless steel, which has the property of being substantially inert to the aforementioned magnetic fields, which can have a destabilizing effect on the movement of the electromagnetic vehicle 100 .

[0048] We need to clarify that in the operating position PO, the electromagnetic member 15 is in contact with the flat drive coat 21 on its underside.

[0049] Furthermore, a positioning jig 23 can be associated with the first frame 12 and positioned around the flat drive coat 21 and configured to both correctly position the electromagnetic member 15 and cooperate with the flat drive coat 21 to form the aforementioned isolation.

[0050] The moving unit 13 includes a lifting unit 24 configured to cooperate with the support base 16 and move the plurality of electromagnetic members 15 vertically between an operating position PO and a maintenance position PM.

[0051] The lifting unit 24 is disposed within the maintenance environment 203, i.e., below the flat driving court 21.

[0052] The lifting unit 24 includes or is configured with a moving means 25 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) that vertically moves a second movable frame or second frame 26 connected to the support base 16 by a plurality of connecting elements 27. Specifically, the moving means 25 is configured to lower or raise the second frame 26 in the movement direction Y to selectively move the support base 16, i.e., the base surface 11, to the maintenance position PM or the operating position PO.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the movement means 25 comprise at least one movement device 30 attached to the lower part of the first frame 12 .

[0054] 3, the movement device 30 comprises a central drive shaft 31 connected to two coaxial and perpendicular angled bevel gears 32a, 32b, which can transmit the rotational motion of the drive shaft 31 to corresponding transmission and movement members 33a, 33b configured as worm screws that can move the second frame 26. The transmission and movement members 33a, 33b are provided with vertical rotation axes 35a, 35b, respectively, and their rotation can slide respective movable elements 36a, 36b attached to the second frame 26 in the movement direction Y.

[0055] Specifically, relative to the rotation direction of the drive shaft 31, the two transmission and movement members 33a, 33b can rotate the corresponding rotation shafts 35a, 35b to move the respective movable elements 36a, 36b downward or upward in order to lower or raise the second frame 26, and therefore the same base surface 12, between the operating position PO and the maintenance position PM.

[0056] The rotating shafts 35a and 35b are opposite to and mirror-symmetrical with respect to the drive shaft 31, and the movable elements 36a and 36b are attached to the second frame 26 in the circumferential direction.

[0057] According to a possible embodiment, the drive shaft 31 is driven by at least one drive member 37 , 38 that is outside the maintenance environment 203 .

[0058] In particular, the drive shaft 31 is connected to a manually driven crank 37. Alternatively, the drive shaft 31 is connected to a drive member 38 (see FIG. 3A), in particular an electric motor.

[0059] Furthermore, the moving means 25 can include four vertical guide rods 39 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) for stably guiding the sliding of the second frame 26, and the second frame 26 is provided with hollow connecting elements 40 that can cooperate with each guide rod 39. In the example shown here, the guide rods 39 are arranged close to the four corners of the first frame 12.

[0060] According to some embodiments, the lifting unit 24, or moving means 25, can include two or more, preferably four, rack members forming a rack and pinion system 41 (FIG. 3). The rack members of the rack and pinion system 41 are disposed at the corners of the second frame 26 and slidably coupled to the first frame 12. The rack members of the rack and pinion system 41 are operatively coupled to each other and operate simultaneously to maintain the second frame 26, and thus the base surface 11, parallel to the horizontal reference plane PR (FIGS. 1 and 2). Specifically, when the base surface 11 is in the operating position PO, parallelism with the horizontal reference plane PR is important, so that the electromagnetic members 15, each having a flat upper surface 19, contact the flat drive coat 21, thereby ensuring uniformity of the generated electromagnetic field.

[0061] In particular, the rack and pinion system 41 comprises idler gears 42 mounted at the corners of the second frame 26 and gears 43 mounted on the first frame 12 and configured to slide with the corresponding gears 42. To ensure the horizontal flatness of the base surface 11, the gears 42 are connected to each other two by respective connecting rods 45 arranged coaxially with the rotation axes of the two gears 42 to be connected.

[0062] According to a possible embodiment, the first frame 12 is provided on each side with one or more support brackets 46 (see Figures 1, 2 and 3) which can be attached to the first frame 12 by means of adjustable screws 47 and which are configured to support the base surface 11 and prevent it from accidentally falling, in particular when it is in the operating position PO.

[0063] Furthermore, the second frame 26 can be fixed at the top and bottom by the adjusting screws 47, so that the base surface 11 can also be fixed in a stable fixed position relative to the first frame 12.

[0064] It will be apparent that modifications and / or additions of parts may be made to the work apparatus 10 thus far described without departing from the field and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described with reference to some particular examples, it is clear to those skilled in the art that many other equivalent forms of electromagnetic working devices can certainly be realised which have the characteristics set out in the claims and which therefore all fall within the field of protection defined by the claims.

[0066] In the following claims, references in parentheses have the sole purpose of improving readability and shall not be considered as limiting factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the same claims.

Claims

1. 1. An electromagnetic working device (10) comprising a plurality of electromagnetic members (15) configured to generate one or more electromagnetic fields, the plurality of electromagnetic members (15) being supported by a support base (16) and covered by a flat drive coat (21), a moving unit (13) configured to selectively move the support base (16) and / or the flat drive coat (21) between an operating position (PO) and a maintenance position (PM); In the operating position (PO), the plurality of electromagnetic members (15) are closer to the flat driving coat (21) and magnetically cooperate with the plurality of electromagnetic members (15), thereby allowing the electromagnetic moving body (100) to slide thereon without contact; In the maintenance position (PM), the electromagnetic members (15) are spaced apart from the flat drive coat (21) to allow maintenance intervention on the electromagnetic members (15).

2. 2. The working device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the operating position (PO), the electromagnetic members (15) are in contact with the flat driving coat (21) at their lower surfaces.

3. 3. The working device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the moving unit (13) is connected to the support base (16) so as to move the support base (16) and, consequently, to move the supported electromagnetic members (15) relative to the flat drive coat (21).

4. 4. The working device (10) of claim 1, wherein the flat driving coat (21) comprises a uniform layer configured to airtightly isolate a working environment (202) above the flat driving coat (21) from a maintenance location environment (203) below it.

5. 5. The working device (10) according to claim 4, further comprising a positioning jig (23) arranged around the flat drive coat (21) and configured to keep the plurality of electromagnetic members (15) at accurate positions in the operating positions (PO) and to cooperate with the flat drive coat (21) to keep the working environment (202) airtightly isolated.

6. 6. The working device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the moving unit (13) is configured to move the support base (16) and / or the flat driving coat (21) in a moving direction (Y) perpendicular to the flat driving coat (21).

7. 7. The working device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the moving unit (13) includes a lifting unit (24) configured to cooperate with the support base (16) and move the plurality of electromagnetic members (15) vertically between the operating position (PO) and the maintenance position (PM).

8. The work device (10) according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the lifting unit (24) is located within the maintenance environment (203).

9. The working device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the lifting unit (24) includes at least one moving device (30) having at least one drive shaft (31) driven by means of at least one drive member (37, 38) arranged outside the maintenance environment (203).

10. 10. A working device (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the lifting unit (24) comprises a rack and pinion system (41).

11. A working device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; one or more electromagnetic moving bodies (100) configured to slide contactlessly on the flat driving coat (21) by magnetically cooperating with the plurality of electromagnetic members (15); An electromagnetic work machine (200) comprising:

12. 12. The electromagnetic working machine (200) according to claim 11, further comprising a working chamber (201) containing the working device (10) in its upper portion.

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