Electromagnetic Transport Trajectory Selection for Lower Energy and Wear

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnetic transport systems, such as long stator linear motors and planar motors, face inefficiencies in movement planning that lead to energy waste, increased wear, and collision risks due to maximizing acceleration and speed without considering sustainable trajectories.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining and selecting trajectories in electromagnetic transport systems based on maximum values of movement quantities like speed, acceleration, or jerk, ensuring the chosen trajectory has the smallest maximum value to minimize energy consumption and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If maximum acceleration and speed are used to optimize throughput, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases and wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of movement by selecting trajectories with smaller maximum values of movement quantities (speed, acceleration, jerk) instead of always using maximum possible values. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding alternative movement profiles that maintain productivity while reducing energy consumption and wear through more sustainable acceleration and deceleration patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If maximum acceleration and speed are used to optimize throughput, then productivity is improved, but wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcomponent longevity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting trajectories that limit maximum acceleration and speed values. This reduces mechanical stress and wear on components such as drive coils and movers, thereby extending component longevity and maintenance intervals while still achieving required throughput through optimized movement planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of time

If aggressive movement planning is used to reduce transport time, then loss of time is reduced, but collision risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransport timeVSAvoidcollision avoidance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and selecting appropriate trajectories in advance before movement begins. By evaluating multiple trajectory options and selecting those with suitable maximum movement quantity values beforehand, the system ensures safe and collision-free movement while optimizing transport time, resolving the contradiction between speed and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Use of energy by moving object

If trajectories with smaller maximum movement quantities are selected, then energy consumption is reduced, but transport time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtransport time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by changing movement parameters through intelligent trajectory selection. Instead of using fixed maximum values, the system selects trajectories with optimized maximum speed, acceleration, and jerk values that balance energy consumption with transport time requirements, achieving sustainable operation without excessive time penalties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 energy consumption, wear, and thermal load while avoiding collisions by optimizing movement planning to select the most sustainable trajectory, allowing for both offline and online adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

By controlling the drive coils, a moving magnetic field ('magnetic drive field') can be generated, which interacts with the drive magnets of the movers to move the movers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

drive coils are controlled in particular by means of control units provided for this purpose, which output firing pulses to semiconductor switches, such as, in particular, IGBT modules, in order to apply corresponding coil voltages to the drive coils to generate drive currents in the coils to generate said magnetic drive field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

position sensors (AMR sensors, Hall elements, etc.) are provided on the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4635779A1Sustainable movement planning for an electromagnetic transport system
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP4635779A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4635779A1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4635779A1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

In order to provide a method for sustainably operating an electromagnetic transport system (1) to move at least one mover (3), a first maximum value (amax1, vmax1) of a first trajectory (t1) for at least one movement quantity (x, v, a) of the mover (3) is determined, a second maximum value (amax2, vmax2) of a second trajectory (t2) for said at least one movement quantity (x, v, a) of the mover (3) is determined, the first trajectory (t1) is selected as a target trajectory (t*), if the first maximum value (amax1, vmax1) is equal to or smaller than the second maximum value (amax2, vmax2), the second trajectory (t2) is selected as a target trajectory (t*), if the second maximum value (amax2, vmax2) is smaller than the first maximum value (amax1, vmax1), and the mover (3) is moved in accordance with said target trajectory (t*).