Linear Motor Transport Path Control at Module Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport systems face challenges in controlling the movement of moving bodies with high accuracy at the boundaries between adjacent linear motor modules, leading to potential halving of driving force and increased costs due to the need for high-cost electric circuits, and frequent system stoppages when the number of carriages exceeds the number of control sections.
Innovation Solution
A transport system with adjacent transport path units connected by a communication network, utilizing a communication master station, subordinate stations, and generators to generate and transmit command values for precise control of moving bodies, reducing the need for high-cost electric circuits and preventing system stoppages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If one control section is allocated to one carriage in each linear motor module, then control accuracy of carriage movement is improved, but system stoppages occur when the number of carriages exceeds the number of control sections
Solution Approach 1:
The control section is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls carriages within its own linear motor module and also controls carriages at the boundary positions between adjacent linear motor modules. This multi-functionality allows a limited number of control sections to manage a larger number of carriages across multiple modules, preventing system stoppages while maintaining control accuracy through selective activation based on carriage position.
2Force
If high-cost electric circuits are prepared for one coil unit to supply the expected driving force, then driving force adequacy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically activates coil units based on the carriage position and the operational status of adjacent linear motor modules. When a carriage is near a boundary and the adjacent module is inactive, the control section activates coil units in both the current and adjacent modules to provide adequate driving force. This dynamic activation strategy ensures sufficient driving force without requiring permanently oversized electric circuits, thereby reducing system cost while maintaining performance.
3Measurement precision
If control is performed by one control section for a carriage near the boundary, then control accuracy is improved, but driving force is halved in one linear motor module
Solution Approach 1:
The control section acts as an intermediary that coordinates between adjacent linear motor modules when a carriage is positioned near their boundary. It monitors the operational status of adjacent modules and selectively activates coil units across module boundaries to ensure adequate driving force is supplied, while maintaining unified control to preserve control accuracy. This intermediary function resolves the conflict between single-section control accuracy and multi-module driving force requirements.
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 achieves high-accuracy control of moving bodies at boundaries between transport path units while minimizing electric circuit costs and preventing system stoppages, enhancing production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of linear motor modules that serve as drive elements and apply a driving force to the moving body
Data Source
AI summary
A transport system includes: a plurality of transport path units that apply a driving force to a plurality of moving bodies; a communication master station communicably connected to a transport path communication subordinate station of the transport path unit; a communication subordinate station communicably connected to the communication master station; a position command generator connected to the communication master station; a position generator connected to the communication master station; a position controller connected to the communication subordinate station and allocated to the moving body; and a current command generator to generate a current command value of the transport path unit.