Cleanroom Shuttle Steerable Wheels Reduce Particle Emissions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clean room shuttles suffer from particle emissions due to friction and abrasion, particularly in curves, and require large curve radii and active track elements, limiting their flexibility and expandability in production environments.
Innovation Solution
A clean room shuttle system with steerable wheels that move in at least two dimensions, using passive track elements and independent wheel steering to minimize friction and abrasion, allowing for flexible navigation without the need for complex curve radii or active elements, and incorporating a lifting device with cable-based communication and energy transmission to reduce particle emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If rail-bound vehicles with traditional wheel-rail contact are used, then the shuttle can transport goods in clean rooms, but friction and abrasion occur leading to particle emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical wheel-rail contact system with a magnetic field-based propulsion system. The shuttle vehicle contains magnets that interact with a magnetic track to achieve movement without physical contact, thereby eliminating friction and abrasion that cause particle emissions in clean room environments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental interaction parameter from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By using magnetic attraction and repulsion forces instead of physical wheel-rail contact, the system achieves propulsion while maintaining the particle-free requirement of clean rooms
2Adaptability or versatility
If rail-bound vehicles with fixed track geometry are used, then the shuttle can operate on defined routes, but large curve radii are required limiting flexibility in production environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic steering of the shuttle vehicle by allowing the magnetic interaction points to be shifted laterally along the track. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the vehicle to navigate sharp curves and change directions flexibly without requiring large fixed curve radii, adapting to various production environment layouts
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic track system serves multiple functions: it provides propulsion through magnetic attraction, enables steering through lateral shift of magnetic interaction points, and allows for flexible routing configurations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for complex separate steering mechanisms and accommodates various production layouts
3Adaptability or versatility
If active track elements such as points are used in the route, then the shuttle can navigate junctions and intersections, but particle emissions occur from these active elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical track switches and points with a programmable magnetic field system. The magnetic track can be electronically controlled to direct the shuttle along different paths by adjusting the magnetic interaction points, eliminating mechanical moving parts that generate particles at junctions and intersections
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional clean room shuttles with friction-based wheel contact are used, then the shuttle can be manufactured with standard components, but expandability is limited due to particle emissions from active elements
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic propulsion and steering system provides a universal platform that can be expanded and reconfigured without adding particle-emitting components. The same magnetic track infrastructure supports propulsion, steering, and routing functions, allowing systematic expansion of the shuttle network while maintaining clean room standards
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing all active mechanical elements with magnetic field control, the system eliminates the particle emission source that would limit expansion. The magnetic track can be extended and reconfigured to accommodate growing production requirements without introducing new particle-generating components
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
The system significantly reduces particle emissions, enables flexible use in various production environments, and can be retrofitted into existing plants without significant costs or downtimes, ensuring compliance with stringent clean room standards.
Implementation Method 1
The point at which the wheel makes contact with the roadway may be eccentric to the axis about which the wheel is pivoted during a steering movement. This ensures that the wheel is rolled during a steering movement, which avoids friction and thus abrasion with particle emission.
Implementation Method 2
The wheel can move on the roadway in at least two dimensions, which means that the wheel can move in a first translational direction and in a second translational direction that is at an angle to the first translational direction. The first translational direction and the second translational direction may be perpendicular to each other.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleanroom shuttle system (1) which is designed to transport objects (66) in a cleanroom and to meet requirements concerning the maximum particle emission of the cleanroom. The cleanroom shuttle system (1) comprises: a track (2, 2a, 2b) on which a wheel (16, 18) can move in at least two dimensions and which is disposed higher than the room floor upper edge (12) of the cleanroom; and a cleanroom shuttle (14) which has at least three steerable wheels (16, 18) which move on the track (2, 2a, 2b) and contact the latter.