Linear Motor Divider for High-Acceleration Product Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dividers for dividing products into parallel lanes suffer from energy wastage and limited acceleration capabilities due to the movement of stator parts during operation, and have a large footprint, making them unsuitable for high production rates and more than four or five lanes.
Innovation Solution
A divider design with a fixed support frame and guide channel, where the guide channel is moved using electric linear motors with only the cursor elements as movable parts, reducing mass in motion and eliminating the need to move stator parts, allowing for increased acceleration and a smaller footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the guide channel is moved using electric linear motors with permanent magnets on the support element, then the guide channel can be displaced parallel to the transversal direction, but part of the energy is wasted moving the stator parts and the maximum motion speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The linear motor system is segmented into two independent motors: first linear motor moves only the cursor element along the fixed guide element for transversal displacement, while second linear motor moves only the cursor element along the fixed support element for longitudinal displacement. This segmentation eliminates the need to move permanent magnets, reducing mass in motion and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing permanent magnets on the movable support element as in prior art, the invention inverts the configuration by placing permanent magnets on the fixed guide element and support element, while only the cursor elements (with coils) move. This reverses which parts are stationary and which are movable, eliminating the energy waste of moving the stator assembly.
2Productivity
If the support element with permanent magnets is moved by the first linear motor, then the guide channel can be positioned in parallel lanes, but the mass in motion increases and acceleration capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent linear motors with separate functions. The first linear motor only moves the cursor element (with coil) along the fixed guide element, while the second linear motor only moves the cursor element along the fixed support element. This segmentation drastically reduces the mass in motion from the entire support element assembly to just the small cursor elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional linear motor configuration by making the coil-containing cursor elements the movable parts while the permanent magnet-containing guide elements and support elements remain fixed. This reduces the movable mass significantly, enabling higher acceleration and productivity.
3Area of stationary object
If a conrod is used to connect the first cursor to the first transversal beam, then the support element can be moved along the transversal direction, but the plant surface area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the conrod mechanism from the system. Instead of using a conrod to connect the cursor to the transversal beam for indirect movement, the system directly moves the cursor element along the fixed guide element using the first linear motor, achieving the same positioning function without the intermediate mechanical linkage and reduced footprint.
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 configuration enhances the acceleration capability of the guide channel, enabling high production rates and efficient division into multiple lanes with reduced energy consumption and a compact design, suitable for the 'butterfly concept' to minimize idle times and ensure uniform diverting flow.
Implementation Method 1
The means for moving comprise first actuating means for displacing the guide channel parallel to the transversal direction, and second actuating means for displacing the second channel portion relative to the first channel portion along the sliding direction
Implementation Method 2
the support element comprises a plurality of permanent magnets, whilst the first and second cursor are provided with respective coils, which, when supplied with electrical currents, induce respective magnetic fields interacting with the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets; following the interaction of attraction and repulsion between the magnetic field induced by each coil and the magnetic field created by the permanent magnets, the relative cursor is moved along the support element
Data Source
AI summary
A divider dividing products into parallel lanes comprises a support frame; at least one guide channel for receiving the products, carried by the frame and extending parallel to a longitudinal direction; a fixed first guide connected to the frame and extending parallel to a transversal direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction; second guide carried by the frame and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction; first actuator for moving the guide channel parallel to the transversal direction; and second actuator for moving one of two telescopically coupled channel portions of the guide channel relative to the other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction; the second guide connected to the frame in a fixed position; the first/second actuators comprising a first/second motorized cursor slidably coupled to the first/second guide and connected to the guide channel/one of the two channel portions to move it parallel to the transversal/longitudinal direction.