Linear Induction Can Mover Eliminates Mechanical Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional can conveyors with rails and pushers often tip or dent aluminum cans due to direct contact, which is problematic for thin-walled and fragile items that require gentle handling during operations like coating, decorating, and load-leveling.
Innovation Solution
A linear induction conveyor system using a stator with overlapping coils that produce electromagnetic flux waves to induce currents in cans, creating forces that divert and align them without direct contact, allowing for gentle handling and precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional can conveyors with rails and pushers are used, then cans can be conveyed along the conveying path, but cans are tipped or dented due to direct contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based conveyor system (rails and pushers) with an electromagnetic field-based linear induction motor system. The stator coils generate electromagnetic flux waves that induce currents in the conductive cans, creating forces that propel and guide the cans without any physical contact, thereby eliminating tipping and denting while maintaining effective conveyance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic flux waves are used to propel cans, then gentle handling is achieved, but direct mechanical control for positioning is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple independent coil sets (first set, second set, and third set) positioned at different locations across the conveyor width. Each coil set can be independently controlled to create localized electromagnetic field variations, enabling precise lateral positioning and alignment of cans at different stages of the conveying path without mechanical contact
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 system effectively prevents tipping and denting of cans by using electromagnetic forces to guide and align them, ensuring safe and efficient handling throughout various manufacturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
The stator includes two or more overlapping sets of coils that produce electromagnetic flux waves that induce currents in the cans passing the stator along the conveying path
Implementation Method 2
The currents interact with the electromagnetic flux waves to produce forces that divert the cans toward at least one of the first and second sides
Data Source
AI summary
Can conveyors using various stator coil configurations to spread, gap, align, lane, reject, singulate, and rotate aluminum cans as they are propelled along the length of the conveyor. The electrically conductive cans acting as rotors form linear-induction motors (LIMs) with the stators to move the cans.