Electrostatic Chuck for High-Speed Fuel Cell Component Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrostatic chucks connected to a power source for generating attraction voltage have limited mobility and increase transfer weight when using rechargeable batteries, hindering high-speed transfer of fuel cell components due to the need for charging and the inclusion of power circuits.

Innovation Solution

An electrostatic transfer apparatus with an electrostatic chuck that receives power through a contact with a power supply surface and is grounded via a separate contact, allowing for electrostatic attraction without continuous power supply, thus expanding the movable range without increasing weight, and incorporating a polarity-reversing power supply to maintain attraction force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a rechargeable battery is used as a power source for the electrostatic chuck, then the electrostatic attraction can be maintained, but the transfer weight increases and charging time is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrostatic attraction maintenanceVSAvoidtransfer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrostatic chuck is charged with attraction voltage in advance at the charging position before transfer. This preliminary charging action eliminates the need for continuous power supply or rechargeable batteries during transfer, thereby reducing transfer weight while maintaining electrostatic attraction capability throughout the transfer process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If electrical wires are used to connect the electrostatic chuck to a power source, then attraction voltage can be supplied, but the movable range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattraction voltage supplyVSAvoidmovable range

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The power source is extracted from the movable electrostatic chuck and placed as a stationary facility. The electrostatic chuck receives charge in advance at the charging position and then transfers without wire connections, thereby eliminating the limitation on movable range while maintaining the ability to supply attraction voltage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If conventional vacuum chuck is used for transfer, then the structure is simple, but the transfer speed is slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidtransfer speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional vacuum chuck mechanism is replaced with an electrostatic chuck that uses electrostatic attraction force. This substitution enables high-speed transfer while maintaining relatively simple structure, as the electrostatic attraction can be established and released quickly without complex mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Force

If electrostatic chuck with continuous power supply is used, then attraction force is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattraction forceVSAvoidpower circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous power supply, the electrostatic chuck receives attraction voltage periodically at specific positions (charging position) during its cycle. This periodic charging action simplifies the power circuit requirements while maintaining attraction force during transfer, as the charge is sufficient for the entire transfer duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables high-speed transfer of fuel cell components by breaking electrostatic balance and preventing attraction force degradation, simplifying the electrostatic chuck configuration and maintaining transfer efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an electrostatic electrode disposed at a placement surface and including a power receiving electrode and a ground electrode disposed at a surface different from the placement surface, the electrostatic chuck configured to attract and place a transfer member on the placement surface by electrostatic attraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

an earth configured to ground the electrostatic chuck by coming in contact with the ground electrode when the electrostatic chuck moves on the conveyor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGrounding: Earthing

Data Source

PatentUS10957934B2Transfer apparatus using electrostatic attraction and transfer method using electrostatic attraction

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A transfer apparatus using an electrostatic attraction includes an electrostatic chuck for attracting and placing a workpiece as a transfer member on a placement surface by electrostatic attraction. The electrostatic chuck is grounded by an earth via a ground electrode after the electrostatic chuck receives electric power from a power supply surface of a power source via power receiving electrodes of the electrostatic chuck, so that the electrostatic chuck is configured to attract and place the workpiece on the placement surface by electrostatic attraction in a state where electrostatic balance is broken.