Electro-permanent magnet for crawler vehicle attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for holding crawler vehicles on surfaces, such as suction forces and magnetic forces provided by permanent magnets or electromagnets, face limitations including high energy consumption, insufficient holding power, and difficulties in vehicle removal and transportation.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electro-permanent magnet, which can be activated and deactivated to provide a magnetic force for holding the vehicle on a ferromagnetic surface, reducing energy consumption and facilitating easy removal and transportation by only requiring power during state changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If permanent magnets are used to hold the vehicle on the surface, then the holding force is sufficient, but the vehicle becomes difficult to remove and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static permanent magnets to an electro-permanent magnet system that can dynamically change its magnetic state. The electro-permanent magnet can be activated to provide strong holding force during operation and deactivated to release the vehicle for easy removal and transport, making the magnetic attachment dynamic rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic field parameter from a constant state in permanent magnets to a controllable variable state in electro-permanent magnets. By applying electrical current, the magnetic field strength can be adjusted between zero and a sufficient holding level, enabling both strong attachment during use and easy release for transport.
2Ease of operation
If an electromagnet is used to hold the vehicle on the surface, then the vehicle can be easily removed and transported, but the energy consumption is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by applying electrical current only transiently to switch the electro-permanent magnet between states, rather than continuously. Once activated or deactivated, the magnet maintains its state without additional energy input, significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to conventional electromagnets that require continuous power.
Solution Approach 2:
The electro-permanent magnet system provides self-service by maintaining its magnetic state without continuous external energy input. After the initial electrical pulse to switch states, the magnet sustains its holding force or release state autonomously, eliminating the need for continuous power supply required by traditional electromagnets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If suction force is used to hold the vehicle on the surface, then the vehicle can be held on non-ferromagnetic surfaces, but the energy consumption is relatively large and the holding force may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suction system with an electro-permanent magnet system. Instead of using mechanical fans to create suction forces, the system uses electromagnetic fields to provide holding force, eliminating the need for continuous mechanical operation and associated high energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental attachment mechanism from aerodynamic suction to electromagnetic attraction. This parameter change enables the system to achieve sufficient holding force with lower energy consumption by utilizing the strong attractive force of electro-permanent magnets rather than continuously operating suction 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
The electro-permanent magnet effectively holds heavy vehicles on irregular or ferromagnetic surfaces with reduced energy consumption and allows for easy removal and transportation without special packaging, overcoming the limitations of previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
The electro-permanent magnet is operable to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object by a magnetic force between the electro-permanent magnet and the object
Implementation Method 2
An electro-permanent magnet is a type of solid-state permanent magnet-based device in which the strength of the magnetic field can be changed by an electrical input, and then maintained indefinitely in that state without additional electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for attaching a crawler vehicle to the surface of an object. The crawler vehicle may comprise a frame, a number of moveable surface-engaging components attached to the frame, a number of actuators, and an electro-permanent magnet. The number of actuators is operable to move the frame with respect to the object when the number of moveable surface-engaging components is in contact with the surface of the object. The electro-permanent magnet is operable to hold the number of moveable surface-engaging components in contact with the surface of the object by a magnetic force between the electro-permanent magnet and the object when the electro-permanent magnet is activated and to remove the magnetic force when the electro-permanent magnet is deactivated to release the number of moveable surface-engaging components from the surface of the object.