Electrodynamic Contactless Braking With Alternating Eddy-Current Fields
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for musculoskeletal disorders, particularly neck and low back pain, are inadequate in effectively increasing rotational strength and mobility, leading to increased disability and medical costs, and often rely on trial and error strategies.
Innovation Solution
An electrodynamic contactless braking system with alternating magnetic field orientations and a controller to operate electromagnets in parallel, providing variable resistance and torque to enhance rotational strength and mobility through a conductive disk, allowing for balanced strengthening in multiple axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional contact-based braking systems are used, then braking force can be effectively applied, but mechanical wear and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based braking system with an electrodynamic braking system that uses electromagnetic fields to generate braking force. The electromagnets create alternating magnetic fields that induce eddy currents in the conductive disk, producing contactless braking force. This eliminates mechanical wear between braking surfaces while maintaining effective braking capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the electromagnets and the conductive disk. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the magnetic field serves as the mediator to transfer energy and generate braking force through eddy currents. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for physical contact while maintaining braking effectiveness, reducing wear and maintenance needs.
2Force
If electromagnets operate in parallel, then braking force is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braking system is divided into multiple independent electromagnet units arranged around the conductive disk. Each electromagnet can be controlled independently or in coordinated groups, allowing the braking force to be distributed and adjusted. This segmentation enables enhanced total braking force while managing system complexity through modular design, where each unit follows the same control pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnets operate with alternating magnetic field orientations in a periodic sequence, creating alternating poles that move around the disk. This periodic action generates continuous eddy currents and sustained braking force. The coordinated switching of multiple electromagnets in parallel follows a periodic pattern that enhances braking force while maintaining manageable control complexity through repetitive control cycles.
3Productivity
If alternating magnetic field orientations are used, then eddy current induction is optimized, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic alternation of magnetic field orientations in the electromagnets, creating a sequence of alternating poles that move around the conductive disk. This periodic action optimizes eddy current induction by continuously changing the magnetic field direction, maximizing the rate of change of magnetic flux through the disk. The control follows a repetitive periodic pattern that enhances productivity while keeping control complexity manageable through standardized timing sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field orientations are dynamically adjusted by switching the polarity of electromagnets in sequence. This dynamic alternation creates moving magnetic poles that continuously induce eddy currents in the conductive disk. The dynamic control of field orientations optimizes induction efficiency by maintaining constant relative motion between magnetic fields and the disk, while the systematic switching pattern keeps control complexity manageable.
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 effectively increases rotational strength and mobility, facilitating quicker recovery from injuries and preventing traumatic injuries by providing controlled resistance in both clockwise and counterclockwise motions, enhancing neck range of motion and reducing the risk of neck and head injuries.
Implementation Method 1
each electromagnet is configured to generate a magnetic field of a character and for a duration sufficient to induce eddy currents on an electrically-conductive element moving within the air gap
Implementation Method 2
induce eddy currents on an electrically-conductive element moving within the air gap of each of the plurality of electromagnets
Implementation Method 3
means for applying a contactless drag force on an electrically-conductive element forming part of a spinal resistance assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, an electrodynamic contactless braking system. In an embodiment, the electrodynamic contactless braking system may include plurality of electromagnet assemblies arranged and configured to have alternating magnetic field orientations. In an embodiment, each electromagnet assembly may include an air gap formed between a first electromagnet pole and a second electromagnet pole. In an embodiment, each electromagnet assembly is configured to generate a magnetic field of a character and for a duration sufficient to induce eddy currents on an electrically-conductive element moving within the air gap of each of the plurality of electromagnets. In an embodiment, the electrodynamic contactless braking system may include a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of electromagnets, the controller configured operate the plurality of electromagnets in parallel.