Lifting and Rotating Unit with Segmented Rotor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lifting and rotating units are bulky and inefficient in terms of mass, as they require multiple components to achieve combined rotary and linear movements, which complicates their design and increases their size.

Innovation Solution

A compact lifting and rotating unit with a single rotor and two primary parts, where the rotor is concentrically arranged to rotate and move linearly based on the energization of the primary parts, utilizing alternately magnetized rotor segments and magnetic strips to interact with both primary parts, allowing for simultaneous rotary and longitudinal movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used to achieve combined rotary and linear movements, then the required movements can be achieved, but the device size and mass increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombined rotary and linear movementsVSAvoidmass to be moved
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate actuators (one for rotary movement, one for linear movement) into a single integrated actuator that can produce both types of movement. The stator contains both radial windings (for rotary movement) and axial windings (for linear movement), while the rotor contains magnetized segments that interact with both winding types, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and reducing overall device mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single rotor-stator assembly serves multiple functions: it can produce rotary movement when radial windings are energized, linear movement when axial windings are energized, and combined movements when both are energized simultaneously. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate dedicated actuators for each movement type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used to achieve combined rotary and linear movements, then the required movements can be achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecombined rotary and linear movementsVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functional elements of two separate actuators into one integrated structure. The stator contains both radial and axial windings, the rotor contains alternately magnetized segments, and a single control system manages both movement types, significantly reducing the number of separate components and interconnections required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor is segmented into multiple sections with alternating magnetic polarization (north-south-north-south). This segmentation allows different portions of the rotor to interact with different winding types simultaneously, enabling both rotary and linear movements from a single actuator structure without requiring complex mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Weight of moving object

If a compact design with single rotor is used, then the device size and mass are reduced, but achieving both rotary and linear movements becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass to be movedVSAvoidcombined rotary and linear movements
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the rotor have different magnetic properties (alternating north and south poles), and different portions of the stator have different winding configurations (radial vs. axial). This local differentiation allows the single rotor-stator assembly to produce different types of movement depending on which local elements are energized, achieving versatility without increasing overall size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a second dimension of control by incorporating both radial and axial windings in the stator. The radial windings control rotary movement while axial windings control linear movement, allowing independent control of two movement dimensions from a single actuator, thereby achieving combined movements in a compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution enables a compact and economical design that achieves both rotary and longitudinal movements with a single rotor, reducing the overall mass and complexity of the unit while allowing for superimposed movements when both primary parts are energized.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor has rotor segments that run parallel or at an angle to the rotor axis, with adjacent rotor segments being magnetically polarized differently

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

when current is supplied to the longitudinal primary part, a longitudinal movement of the rotor can be achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

The rotor has rotor segments that run parallel or at an angle to the rotor axis, with adjacent rotor segments being magnetically polarized differently

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 4

when current is supplied to the rotary primary part, a rotary movement can be achieved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3484030B1Lifting and rotating unit
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 SCHUNK ELECTRONICS SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP3484030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3484030B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3484030B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A lifting and rotating unit (10) comprising a primary part and a rotor (14) concentrically surrounding the primary part and rotatably arranged about an axis of rotation (18), wherein a further primary part concentrically surrounding the rotor (14) is provided, wherein one primary part is designed as a rotary primary part (12) and one primary part as a longitudinal primary part (16), and wherein the rotor (14) is arranged to be movable longitudinally along the axis of rotation (18) and is designed such that when the rotary primary part (12) is energized, it is set into a rotational movement about the axis of rotation (18) and that when the longitudinal primary part (16) is energized, it is set into a longitudinal movement along the axis of rotation (18), characterized in that the rotor (14) has rotor segments (28, 30) extending parallel or obliquely to the rotor axis (18), wherein adjacent rotor segments (28, 30) are magnetically polarized differently.