Linear Motor Conveyor With Contactless Power for Flexible Box Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conveying apparatuses face challenges in maintaining flexibility and minimizing maintenance, particularly when handling packaging items of varying sizes, as they require frequent tooling changes or suffer from detachment issues due to interrupted suction pressure.
Innovation Solution
A conveying apparatus utilizing a linear magnetic motor and contactless power supply system with integrated suction means, allowing for the secure movement of packaging items of various shapes and sizes without the need for mechanical hook changes, and minimizing maintenance through contactless energy transfer and independent conveyor control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical hooks with templates are used to retain cardboard boxes, then the boxes can be securely held during conveyance, but the template must be changed when altering box size, causing tooling downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hook system with a magnetic field-based retention system. The linear motor uses magnetic fields to hold and convey packages, eliminating the need for physical templates and hooks. This allows flexible adjustment to different package sizes by simply modifying magnetic field parameters rather than changing mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters (magnetic field strength, pressure, temperature) to adapt to different package sizes and types. By adjusting these parameters, the system can securely handle various box dimensions without mechanical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between secure holding and adaptability.
2Ease of repair
If contactless power supply is implemented, then maintenance is minimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements contactless power transfer using electromagnetic fields to eliminate mechanical contacts and sliding connections. This reduces wear and maintenance requirements despite the increased complexity of the electromagnetic power transfer system, as there are no physical components requiring lubrication or replacement.
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
Enables flexible operation with reduced maintenance by securely conveying items of different sizes and shapes, eliminating the need for frequent tooling changes and minimizing wear, while maintaining stable energy supply and efficient movement along curvilinear paths.
Implementation Method 1
A linear electric motor is built into a base of the path and interacts with a permanent magnet placed on the carriage. This enables the carriage to be moved along the path.
Implementation Method 2
The linear motor 30 interacts with the first magnetic field generating means 21 in order to cause a linear displacement of the first conveyor 2 along the path 3.
Implementation Method 3
The contactless means 41 in turn comprises stator means 40 which extends along the path 3 and a cursor 400 that is solidly constrained to the first conveyor 2 and that interacts with the stator means 40.
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
A conveying apparatus for conveying a packaging item comprising: a first conveyor (2) intended to move said packaging item and comprising first magnetic field generating means (21) and an electrical utility (22); a path (3) along which the first conveyor (2) is movable, said path (3) comprising a linear motor (30) which interacts with said first magnetic field generating means (21) so as to determine a linear displacement of the first conveyor (2) along said path (3); electrical power supply means (4) for powering said electrical utility (22) comprising electrical power supply contactless means (41) for powering the first conveyor (2).