Digital Position Sensor Bus for Linear Modular Transport Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current linear modular transport systems (LMS) face complexity and commissioning issues due to extensive cabling and analogue signal management, leading to increased chances of faulty connections and prolonged setup times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a digital position sensor bus that connects sensors in a daisy-chained manner directly to a motion controller, eliminating the need for analogue multiplexing and reducing cabling, with digital communication between sensors and the motion control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If analogue multiplexing is used to connect multiple sensors to a motion controller, then sensor signals can be transmitted, but cable complexity and connection errors increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical analogue multiplexing system with a digital communication bus system. Instead of using analogue signals that require complex cabling and multiplexer hardware, the invention uses digital signals transmitted over a simplified bus structure, eliminating the need for analogue multiplexers and reducing cable complexity while improving connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the signal transmission parameter from analogue to digital. By converting analogue sensor signals into digital signals for transmission over the bus, the system achieves better noise immunity, easier signal management, and reduced cable complexity, directly addressing the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Productivity
If extensive cabling is used to connect sensors in traditional LMS systems, then all sensors can be connected to the motion controller, but commissioning time and troubleshooting effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the extensive physical cabling infrastructure with a digital communication bus that requires minimal physical connections. This substitution dramatically reduces the time needed for cable fabrication, connection, and testing during commissioning, while also reducing troubleshooting effort since digital signals are more reliable and easier to diagnose
3Reliability
If analogue signals are used for position sensing, then sensors can communicate position data, but signal management complexity and susceptibility to interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the signal parameter from analogue to digital. Digital signals are inherently more resistant to noise and interference, providing better reliability. Additionally, digital signal management is simpler because it requires no multiplexing hardware and can be easily processed by the motion controller's digital processing unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport system for linear movements, comprising at least two sensors, which are capable and used for determining a position of one or more carriers along a carrier track, each of the sensors being interconnected with each other and being arranged in a daisy-chained manner along the carrier track, wherein said sensors create a position sensor bus by transmitting, in particular only, a digital position sensor signal, the sensor bus being connected to a motion controller, said motion controller controlling at least one position of the carriers along the carrier track.