Linear-Motor Chain Conveyor for Smooth Low-Wear Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chain conveyor systems with motor elements comprising gear reducers and pinions face issues such as mechanical coupling hindering fluid movement, wear on chain links due to friction, and sensitivity to dirt accumulation, leading to potential article instability and conveyor inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system driven by a linear electric motor with permanent magnets in chain links and electromagnets on the guide structure, utilizing alternating magnetic fields to propel the transport chain, eliminating the need for toothed couplings and reducing wear and dirt accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a mechanical drive with pinion and gear reducer is used, then the conveyor can transmit force to move the chain, but the mechanical coupling hinders fluid movement and causes wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pinion-gear drive system with an electromagnetic propulsion system. Electromagnets mounted on the guide structure interact with permanent magnets in the chain links to propel the chain forward, eliminating mechanical teeth coupling and reducing friction-induced wear on chain hinges while maintaining effective force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the drive system and the transport chain. Electromagnets generate magnetic fields that interact with permanent magnets in the chain links, providing a non-contact force transmission mechanism that avoids direct mechanical coupling and its associated wear problems.
2Force
If toothed coupling is used to drive the chain, then force transmission is achieved, but wear on chain links increases due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical toothed coupling system with an electromagnetic interaction system. Electromagnets on the guide structure create magnetic fields that interact with permanent magnets in the chain links, providing force transmission without direct mechanical contact and thereby eliminating friction-induced wear on chain links and hinges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the toothed coupling mechanism from the drive system, replacing it with a non-contact electromagnetic propulsion system. This extraction eliminates the source of friction and wear on chain components while maintaining the essential function of force transmission.
3Ease of operation
If conventional motor elements are used, then the conveyor can operate, but sensitivity to dirt accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical motor elements with an electromagnetic propulsion system. Since the electromagnetic interaction occurs through magnetic fields rather than direct mechanical contact, the system is less sensitive to dirt accumulation on the chain and guide structure, maintaining operational reliability in less clean environments.
4Reliability
If linear electric motor is used, then smoother chain movement is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the propulsion function into distributed electromagnets mounted on the guide structure, each interacting with permanent magnets in individual chain links. This segmentation allows for smoother, more distributed force application along the chain while using relatively simple electromagnetic components rather than a complex centralized motor system.
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 smoother chain movement, reduces wear on chain links, and minimizes dust and noise, enhancing the reliability and longevity of the conveyor system.
Implementation Method 1
a linear electric motor, or so-called linear motor or simply motor, comprising permanent magnets located in the chain links and electromagnets located on the guide structure
Implementation Method 2
driving the transport chain in motion by means of a linear electric motor, or so-called linear motor or simply motor, comprising permanent magnets located in the chain links and electromagnets located on the guide structure
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A conveyor system (100) is proposed, comprising: - at least one transport chain (105) comprising a sequence of interconnected chain links (110, 410); - a guide structure (120) for slidingly supporting said at least one transport chain so that chain links of the at least one transport chain define a substantially flat support surface for supporting articles to be transported, and - motor means for causing the at least one transport chain to move with respect to the guide structure along a first direction parallel to said support surface, characterized in that: - the motor means comprise an electric linear motor comprising: - a plurality of magnets (210(1), 210(2); 310(1), 310(2)) each one located in a respective chain link, and - a plurality of propulsion electromagnets (230(1), 230(3), 230(3); 330(1), 330(2), 330(3)) located on the guide structure.