Electrostatic Pad Voltage Control for Stable Sheet Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for managing electrostatic adhesion between carbon fiber sheets and electrostatic pads often result in loss of adhesion during pick-and-place operations, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the application of a voltage across an electrostatic pad to establish a baseline electrostatic potential, monitoring the capacitance between the pad and the sheet, and increasing the voltage to an elevated level if capacitance drops below a predetermined limit to restore adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a voltage is applied across the electrostatic pad to generate electrostatic adhesion potential, then the sheet adheres to the pad, but the adhesion may be lost during movement due to capacitance drops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic adhesion stabilityVSAvoidpick-and-place operation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors capacitance between the electrostatic pad and the sheet during pick-and-place operations. When capacitance drops below a threshold indicating adhesion loss, the system automatically responds by adjusting voltage levels to restore adhesion, creating a closed-loop feedback control system that maintains reliable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage applied to the electrostatic pad is made dynamic rather than static. The system adjusts voltage levels in real-time based on monitored capacitance conditions, increasing voltage when adhesion is lost and decreasing it when adhesion is sufficient, allowing the system to adapt to changing operational conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the voltage is increased to restore electrostatic adhesion when capacitance drops, then adhesion is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic adhesion maintenanceVSAvoidenergy consumption of electrostatic pad
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies voltage increases periodically and temporarily only when capacitance drops indicate adhesion loss. Once adhesion is restored (capacitance returns to threshold), the voltage is reduced back to baseline levels, creating a periodic on-demand voltage application pattern rather than continuous high voltage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the voltage parameter based on monitored capacitance conditions. Voltage is increased from baseline to an elevated level only when needed to restore adhesion, and then decreased back to baseline, optimizing the balance between maintaining reliable adhesion and minimizing energy consumption

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 effectively maintains electrostatic adhesion between the sheet and the pad, reducing the likelihood of sheet separation and enhancing operational reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

A voltage may be applied across the pads to create an electrostatic adhesion potential across the pads, and the pads may then be moved to a position near or in contact with a carbon sheet. With the pad positioned near or in contact with the sheet, the electrostatic adhesion potential may be used to attract and electrostatically adhere the sheet to the pad.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic adhesion: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

monitoring a capacitance between the sheet and the electrostatic pad

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP4560914A1System and method for managing electrostatic adhesion between a sheet of material and an electrostatic pad
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 THE BOEING CO
  • EP4560914A1 patent drawingFigure 1~1e
  • EP4560914A1 patent drawingFigure 2~2f
  • EP4560914A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for managing adhesion between a sheet of material and an electrostatic pad. The method includes applying a voltage across the electrostatic pad to establish a baseline voltage level thereacross and to generate an electrostatic potential across the electrostatic pad, bringing the electrostatic pad near or into contact with the sheet so that the sheet electrostatically adheres to the electrostatic pad, and monitoring a capacitance between the sheet and the electrostatic pad. If a drop in the capacitance occurs that is below a predetermined capacitance limit, then the voltage is increased to an elevated voltage level so as to increase the electrostatic adhesion between the electrostatic pad and the sheet. The system includes a voltage module, a monitoring module and a control module.