Adjustable Magnetic Attraction in Linear Transport Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-carrier transport systems face limitations in flexibility and adaptability due to fixed attraction forces, making it difficult to change or upgrade the system without significant effort and requiring additional tools for removing transport elements from the guideway.

Innovation Solution

The transport system dynamically adjusts the magnetic attraction force by generating a control command to either strengthen or weaken the force, allowing for flexible operation and reduced maintenance through the use of a matching magnetic field or additional magnets, enabling independent movement and easy removal of transport elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the attractive force is increased to enable faster movement through curves by compensating centrifugal force, then cornering speed is improved, but the force required to remove the transport element from the guideway increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecornering speedVSAvoidforce required to remove transport element
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the attractive force adjustable rather than fixed. The control system dynamically modifies the attractive force generated by the magnet based on operational requirements - increasing it during curve traversal to compensate for centrifugal force and enable higher cornering speeds, then decreasing it when removal of the transport element is needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving high cornering speed and enabling easy removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of attractive force from a constant value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted in response to control commands. This allows the system to optimize performance for different operational modes - maintaining high attractive force for stable curve navigation and reducing it for easy element removal, thus resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the attractive force is decreased to enable easier manual removal of the transport element from the guideway, then ease of operation is improved, but the transport element cannot maintain stable contact with the guideway during high-speed movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of removalVSAvoidstable contact during movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic adjustment of the attractive force to resolve this contradiction. The control system detects when removal is desired and decreases the attractive force accordingly, enabling easy manual removal. Conversely, during normal operation and curve traversal, the attractive force is increased to ensure stable contact and reliable movement, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of removal and stable contact during movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attractive force parameter is changed from a fixed value to a controllable variable. The system can switch between high force modes (for stable transport) and low force modes (for easy removal) based on operational context, thereby achieving both reliable movement and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the attractive force is fixed, then the system structure is simple, but the adaptability to different industrial processes and changes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidadaptability to different processes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic controllability to the attractive force while maintaining relatively simple system structure. The control system allows the attractive force to be adjusted in response to different operational requirements and process changes, significantly enhancing adaptability without requiring complete system redesign, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By making the attractive force a variable parameter that can be adjusted through control commands, the system gains flexibility to adapt to different industrial processes and changing requirements while maintaining the same physical infrastructure, thereby resolving the contradiction between fixed structure and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances the system's flexibility and range of applications by allowing higher cornering speeds, reducing maintenance and conversion efforts, and eliminating the need for tools during element removal, while maintaining precise control over the attraction force.

Implementation Method 1

The attractive force is usually generated by the magnet of the transport element being drawn towards metallic or magnetic components of the linear motor and/or the guide track

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The permanent magnets are driven by a changing and/or moving magnetic field generated by the linear motor, thereby causing the transport element to move along the guide track

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3569528B1Transport system
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP3569528B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3569528B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3569528B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a transport system, in particular a multi-carrier system, with at least one transport element which is movable by means of at least one linear motor, wherein the transport element rests on a guide track of the linear motor during movement by the linear motor, and wherein the transport element comprises at least one magnet which generates an attractive force by which the transport element is pressed against the guide track. The transport system according to the invention is configured to increase and/or decrease the attractive force generated by the magnet in response to a control command.