Linear Motor Conveyor Sidecar Actuation Without Wired Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing linear motor conveyor systems lack an efficient method for providing power and actuation to pallets or moving elements without the need for wired connections or inductive power delivery.
Innovation Solution
A linear motor conveyor system with a moving element that includes a sidecar and an actuation mechanism, where relative movement between the sidecar and main body generates energy to actuate devices or mechanisms on the moving element, utilizing a sidecar linkage to provide power to an actuator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If wired connections or inductive power delivery are used to provide power to the moving element, then power can be delivered to the actuator, but the system complexity increases and the design becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power delivery mechanism from external sources (wired connections or inductive power systems) and relocates the energy storage function directly onto the moving element itself through the sidecar assembly. This eliminates the need for complex power transmission infrastructure while maintaining actuator power supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving element serves itself by incorporating the sidecar with energy storage capability directly onto its structure. The sidecar acts as a self-contained power source that eliminates dependence on external power delivery systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining actuation functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a sidecar linkage is used to provide energy to the actuator through relative movement, then wired connections are eliminated, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sidecar linkage is designed as a dynamic mechanism that converts relative movement between the sidecar and main body into actuation energy. This dynamic approach eliminates static wired connections by using motion itself as the power transmission medium, achieving wireless operation through mechanical dynamics.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidecar assembly incorporates periodic motion characteristics where the sidecar moves back and forth relative to the main body, converting this periodic mechanical action into useful actuation energy. This periodic mechanical action replaces continuous wired power delivery with intermittent but sufficient energy transfer cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sidecar and main body are independently moveable, then versatile actuation is enabled, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moving element is segmented into independently controllable components: the main body and the sidecar. This segmentation allows each component to move independently, creating multiple degrees of freedom that enable versatile actuation patterns while simplifying control by treating each segment as a separate controllable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The independently moveable sidecar and main body configuration creates a universal actuation platform that can perform multiple functions through different movement combinations. The same basic structure can generate various actuation patterns (pushing, pulling, rotating, positioning) depending on how the relative movements are coordinated, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mechanisms.
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 independent and efficient actuation of elements on the conveyor system without wired connections, allowing for precise control and versatile actuation based on relative movement between the sidecar and main body.
Implementation Method 1
the sidecar linkage is configured such that movement of the sidecar or the main body relative to the other provides energy to the actuation mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A linear motor conveyor system with actuation and method for actuation including: a track; a moving element configured to move on the track, the moving element including: a main body; a sidecar; and an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism including: an actuator; and a sidecar linkage connecting the sidecar to the actuator, wherein the main body and sidecar are independently moveable relative to each other and the sidecar linkage is configured such that movement of the sidecar and/or main body relative to each other provides energy to the actuation mechanism. A method of actuation for a linear motor conveyor system, the method including providing a sidecar with a sidecar linkage connecting the sidecar to a main body of a moving element; and independently moving the sidecar and/or the main body relative to each other such that the sidecar linkage provides energy to an actuator provided to the moving element.