Segmented Linear Drive Bridge Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In segmented transport systems for printing materials, especially in the graphics industry, the reliable separation of gripper bridges that collide during machine startup, emergency stops, or maintenance is challenging, requiring manual intervention that is time-consuming and lacks safety assurance.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for a segmented electric linear drive system where collided bridges are jointly moved to separate segments, allowing individual control and separation, with features like alignment, locking, and controlled acceleration to ensure safe and efficient disconnection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual separation of collided bridges is performed, then the bridges can be separated, but it requires a lot of time and additional visual checks for safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical separation with an automated control system that uses the electric linear drive's magnetic field to automatically separate collided bridges. The control device detects bridge positions and activates specific stator segments to move bridges apart without manual intervention, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual operations while maintaining safety through automated detection and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service separation where the transport system automatically detects and separates collided bridges using its own control device and electric linear drive mechanism. The control device monitors bridge positions and autonomously initiates separation by controlling the movement of individual bridges back to their respective segments, making the system self-correcting without external manual assistance.
2Ease of operation
If bridges are moved individually for separation, then separation control is achieved, but complex control mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stator into multiple independently controllable segments, allowing individual control of specific stator sections to move individual bridges. This segmentation enables precise control of bridge separation by activating only the necessary stator segments, simplifying the control logic compared to controlling the entire drive system, as each segment can be independently activated to achieve the desired separation.
3Ease of operation
If bridges are kept in the same segment during startup, then the system is simple to operate, but reliable separation becomes difficult when collisions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control device incorporates feedback by continuously monitoring the positions of bridges and detecting when multiple bridges occupy the same segment. Upon detection of a collision condition, the control device automatically initiates separation by controlling the electric linear drive to move the bridges apart. This feedback mechanism maintains operational simplicity while ensuring reliable separation, as the system automatically responds to collision conditions without complex pre-programming or manual intervention.
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
Enables safe and efficient separation of collided bridges, reducing manual intervention time and ensuring safety by allowing individual control of bridges post-separation, facilitating smoother machine operation.
Implementation Method 1
electric linear drives, i.e. systems in which a runner or carriage moves along a stator according to the dynamo-electric interaction between the runner and a magnetic field that moves along the stator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The method involves locating two bridges (11a, 11b) in segments (3a, 5a) of a transport system (1), where the transport system includes a segmented, electrical linear drive (2). The linear drive is provided with two primary parts (3, 5) i.e. long stator, and secondary parts. The secondary parts are designed as carriages. The bridge (11a) ends up in segments (3b, 5b) by a common controlled movement. The bridge is moved in an individually controlled manner and separated from the bridge (11b), so that the bridges are located in different segments (3a, 5a, 3b, 5b) during a movement. An independent claim is also included for a device for separating two bridges of a segmented transport system for a printing substrate, comprising a separating device.