Inductive Transport System with Pivotable Pick-up and Optical Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems with inductive energy transfer face issues such as mechanical guidance leading to track abrasion and high maintenance costs, and optical guidance requiring complex sensor control, which results in system downtime and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A transport system with an underfloor high-frequency AC primary conductor for inductive energy transfer, featuring pivotable pick-up units with idle rollers, a sensor unit for floor track signal sensing, and individually controllable drive wheels to maintain optimal energy transfer within the electromagnetic field, along with an insulating track body for easy adjustment and reduced wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical guidance with guide bolts and guide channels is used, then the transport vehicle can be guided along the track system, but the track body is abraded during use requiring regular replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical guidance system (guide bolts in guide channels) with an optical guidance system using sensor units that detect floor track signals. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact between the vehicle and track body, preventing abrasion and extending track service life while maintaining guidance reliability through optical field-based positioning.
2Reliability
If optical guidance with three sensor units is used, then the vehicle can be guided contact-less, but difficult and complicated control of signals is necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex signal control requirement by using a simplified optical guidance system where the sensor unit detects pre-encoded floor track signals. The complexity is removed from the active control system and replaced with passive signal detection, reducing control complexity while maintaining contact-less guidance reliability.
3Reliability
If rod guided axles, wheels, and pick-up units are used, then the vehicle can be guided within the electromagnetic field, but the system is unreliable and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical rod-guided axle system with a simplified pivotable pick-up unit that uses idle rollers for support. This mechanical substitution reduces system complexity and cost while improving reliability by eliminating the intricate rod-guided mechanisms, maintaining effective energy transfer through the simplified roller-supported pivotable structure.
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 solution enables reliable, contact-less guidance of electric transport vehicles with reduced maintenance needs, improved energy transfer efficiency, and simplified control, minimizing downtime and production costs while handling heavy loads and navigating curves.
Implementation Method 1
an underfloor high frequency alternate current primary conductor for providing an electromagnetic field extending along said primary conductor for inductive energy transfer
Implementation Method 2
at least one pick-up unit with a secondary conductor for said inductive energy transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system is provided, comprising an underfloor high frequency alternate current primary conductor for providing an electromagnetic field extending along the primary conductor for inductive energy transfer. The transport system includes at least one electric transport vehicle comprising two individually controllable and individually drivable drive wheels. At least one pick-up unit with a secondary conductor for the inductive energy transfer is pivotable relative to the vehicle and comprises at least one idle roller adapted for being continuously contacted with the travel surface. The electric transport vehicle includes a sensor unit adapted for sensing continuously a floor track signal. A control unit is provided to control the two drive wheels in response to signals of the sensor unit for minimizing a deviation of the vehicle from the floor track signal.