Electromagnetic Transfer System Speed Control for Reduced Object Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic transfer systems face challenges in delivering objects with sizes significantly smaller than the transport elements, resulting in excessive distance between objects due to the difference in length, which limits efficient transfer to a downstream conveyor device.
Innovation Solution
The method involves varying the feed speed of the downstream conveyor device and the transport elements on the carrier web to create a quasi-excess speed at the transfer point, allowing objects to be delivered closer together than the length of the transport elements, with the transport elements accelerating before the transfer area and maintaining a minimum distance to prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If objects with length significantly smaller than transport element length are transferred using conventional electromagnetic transfer systems, then objects are transferred with excessive distance between them (determined by the difference in length), but this limits efficient transfer and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by continuously varying the speed of transport elements along their path. Transport elements are accelerated in a first region before the transfer point and decelerated in a second region after the transfer point, allowing objects to be delivered with minimal spacing while maintaining gentle handling. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling high productivity through reduced object spacing while adapting the transport element speed to match the object size rather than being constrained by the full transport element length.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If transport element speed is increased continuously up to the transfer point, then mechanical loads on objects are reduced, but this requires complex speed control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier web into multiple transport elements that can be independently controlled. Each transport element's speed can be individually adjusted through segmentation of the control system, allowing continuous acceleration before the transfer point and deceleration after, thereby reducing mechanical loads on objects while maintaining manageable control complexity through modular independent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by accelerating transport elements continuously in a first region before reaching the transfer point. This pre-acceleration ensures that objects are gently placed onto the downstream conveyor at the optimal moment with minimal impact forces, reducing mechanical loads before the actual transfer occurs rather than attempting to manage the loading dynamically at the transfer point itself.
3Productivity
If multiple transport elements are arranged on the carrier web to maximize performance, then system productivity increases, but maintaining minimum distance between transport elements to prevent collisions becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic speed control to maintain safe distances between multiple transport elements. By continuously adjusting the speed of each transport element based on its position and the objects it carries, the system can maximize the number of parallel transport elements while dynamically preventing collisions through real-time speed modulation, thus achieving both high productivity and reliability.
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
This approach reduces mechanical loads, enables efficient transfer of objects with reduced distance between them, and maximizes system performance by allowing objects to be delivered closer together than previously possible, potentially achieving direct contact.
Implementation Method 1
linear motor drive device for driving the conveying element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating an electromagnetic transfer system (10) which is used to convey items (1; 1a) to a downstream conveyor device (15), and which comprises a carrier path (20), preferably designed to be closed, on which there is at least one moveable transport element (22) for an item (1; 1a) that is moved along on a transport surface (24) by said transport element (22), said transport element (22) having at least one permanent magnet element (32) that is arranged to be functionally connected to individually-energisable inductor coils (31) which are arranged along the carrier path (20). Position-detecting means (35) are provided to ascertain the position of the transport element (22) on said carrier path (20) and, in a delivery region (37), the item (1; 1a) is delivered from the transport surface (24) to the downstream conveyor device (15), said conveyor device having a separate drive (38). According to the invention, in order to reduce the spacing (A, A1, A2) between individual items (1; 1a) on the downstream conveyor device (15), the conveyor speed (v4) of said conveyor device (15) is reduced intermittently at the point of delivery from the transport surface (24) to the conveyor device (15), in relation to the speed (v2) of the transport element (22), and/or the speed (v2) of the transport element (22) is increased at the point of delivery in relation to the conveyor speed (v4) of the conveyor device (15).