Electromagnet Demagnetization for Magnetizable Article Picking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for picking magnetizable articles often leave residual magnetism, causing attraction issues and difficulties in subsequent processing steps, and may result in articles falling during separation.
Innovation Solution
The device employs an electromagnet with a central hole and an article holder that moves the article away from the magnet while generating an alternating magnetic field to demagnetize and detach the article, reducing the risk of residual magnetism and preventing article fall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electromagnet is used to attract and hold magnetizable articles during picking, then the article can be securely held and transported, but residual magnetism remains in the article after picking, causing attraction issues and disturbing subsequent processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using alternating current to generate an alternating magnetic field that periodically reverses direction. This causes the magnetic domains in the article to flip back and forth, progressively reducing residual magnetism through demagnetization while the article is being moved away from the electromagnet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the magnetic field from direct current (constant polarity) to alternating current (reversing polarity). This parameter change enables the electromagnet to both attract the article during picking and demagnetize it during transport, resolving the contradiction between reliable holding and residual magnetism elimination.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If alternating current is used to demagnetize and detach the article from the electromagnet, then residual magnetism is reduced, but the article may fall down inadvertently during separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the article holder take hold of the article before the alternating current is activated. This ensures the article is securely gripped before demagnetization begins, preventing it from falling during the detachment process. The holder then moves the article away while the alternating field demagnetizes it.
Solution Approach 2:
The article holder acts as an intermediary between the electromagnet and the article during detachment. It provides mechanical support to prevent falling while the electromagnet applies the alternating magnetic field for demagnetization, allowing both functions to occur simultaneously without conflict.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the article is moved away from the electromagnet during demagnetization, then the risk of remaining magnetism from the electromagnet is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to the additional article holder mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The article holder is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to mechanically support the article during detachment (preventing falls) and to position/move the article away from the electromagnet during demagnetization. This consolidation of functions reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
Effectively demagnetizes and detaches articles, reducing the risk of residual magnetism and ensuring safe handling by moving the article away from the electromagnet during demagnetization, thus improving the efficiency and reliability of the picking process.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet arranged to generate a magnetic field for attracting one of the articles during picking of the article
Implementation Method 2
the article is demagnetized by an alternating magnetic field generated by the same electromagnet which generated the magnetic field which attracted the article during picking of the article
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a~4f
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device and a method for picking articles including a magnetizable material. The device comprises an electromagnet (14) arranged to generate a magnetic field for attracting one of the articles during picking of the article, and a control unit configured to control a magnetizing current supplied to the electromagnet. The control unit is configured to generate an alternating current to the electromagnet so that the electromagnet generates a variable magnetic field adapted to demagnetize and detach the article from the electromagnet, and the device further comprises an article holder (20) arranged to take hold of the article and to move the detached article away from the electromagnet during generation of the alternating current.