Linear Motor Assembly With Magnetic Position Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linear motor systems in industrial applications, such as packaging assemblies, face issues with imprecise position control of movable members due to mechanical play and wear, leading to potential handling errors and premature degradation, which can result in defective products and sterility issues.

Innovation Solution

A linear motor system with integrated movement detectors, including magnets and magnetometers, that monitor the position and vibration patterns of movable members in real-time, allowing for early detection of faults and precise control, and a processing unit that calculates and adjusts positions based on detected signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If movement detectors and processing units are integrated into movable members, then position control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable member is equipped with its own movement detector and processing unit, enabling it to autonomously detect its position and control its movement without external intervention. This self-service approach improves measurement precision while distributing system complexity across multiple independent units rather than requiring a complex centralized control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical position sensing and control mechanisms with electronic movement detectors and processing units. This substitution improves measurement precision through electronic detection while reducing mechanical complexity by eliminating complex mechanical linkages and manual adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If real-time monitoring of movable member positions is implemented, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiduse of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The processing unit receives signals from the movement detector and uses this feedback to continuously monitor and adjust the position of the movable member. This feedback mechanism improves reliability by enabling real-time detection and correction of position deviations, while the energy consumption is managed through efficient signal processing and selective actuation only when position correction is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 accurate monitoring and correction of movable member positions, reducing handling errors and detecting mechanical faults early, thereby improving the quality and sterility of formed packages.

Implementation Method 1

a movement detector configured to transmit a movement signal indicative of movement of the movable member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetometer

Implementation Method 2

The linear motor system comprises a track and a movable member coupled to the track

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4130909B1A linear motor system, corresponding forming assembly and method
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA
  • EP4130909B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4130909B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4130909B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

There is described a linear motor system, comprising: - a track (1); - at least one movable member (2) coupled to the track (1) and configured to move along said track (1), the at least one movable member (2) comprising: - a first element (20), - a second element (21), relatively movable with respect to the first element (20), and - at least one movement detector (22) configured to transmit a movement signal (M), wherein the movement detector (22) comprises at least one magnet (226) positioned at one of the first (20) or second element (21), and at least one magnetometer (224) positioned at the other of the first (20) or the second element (21); and - a processing unit (5, 23), configured to calculate a movement of the second element (21) with respect to the first element (20) as a function of the movement signal (M) received from the movement detector (22).