Linear Motor Guide Rail Alignment for Precise Magnet Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing linear motor systems require complex and costly alignment and maintenance processes due to the need for precise positioning of guide rails relative to guide tracks, which involves additional alignment tools and procedures.
Innovation Solution
The guide rail is aligned and fastened using a contact surface with a normal component parallel to the y direction, eliminating the need for additional alignment tools and simplifying assembly, dismantling, and maintenance by automatically defining the y-position and allowing for precise magnet spacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If guide rails are fastened to the guide track using conventional methods with normals perpendicular to the guide direction, then the guide rail can be securely attached, but additional alignment tools and procedures are required to achieve precise y-direction positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is designed with its normal extending with at least one component in parallel with the y direction, enabling the guide rail to automatically align itself in the y direction during assembly. This self-aligning mechanism eliminates the need for external alignment tools and complex alignment procedures, while ensuring precise positioning of the guide rail relative to the guide track.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional alignment tools and procedures are used to position the guide rail, then precise magnet spacing can be achieved, but the assembly and maintenance processes become more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface geometry is pre-designed with the normal extending in a direction with at least one component in parallel with the y direction. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures that when the guide rail is fastened to the guide track, the y-direction alignment is automatically established, eliminating the need for subsequent alignment adjustments and reducing assembly time.
3Ease of operation
If the contact surface normal is perpendicular to the guide track surface, then fastening is simplified, but alignment in the y direction cannot be automatically provided
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is designed with an asymmetric orientation where its normal extends with at least one component in parallel with the y direction, rather than being perpendicular to the guide track surface. This asymmetric configuration simultaneously achieves simple fastening operations and automatic y-direction alignment, as the geometric relationship between the contact surfaces inherently guides the guide rail into the correct position.
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 approach simplifies the assembly and maintenance of linear motor systems by eliminating the need for additional alignment tools, reduces tolerance errors, and allows for precise alignment and positioning of magnets, enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet is provided at the carrier and a magnet is provided at the guide track for driving the carrier along the guide track and/or for holding the carrier at the guide track
Implementation Method 2
the attractive force in particular acts such that a force is exerted against the contact surface, which the guide rail contacts, by the attractive force via the carrier and via the guide rail
Data Source
AI summary
A linear motor system, in particular a transport system, having a carrier, having a guide track for the carrier, having a guide rail arranged at the guide track, and having a guide element arranged at the carrier, wherein the guide rail and the guide element cooperate to guide the carrier at the guide track, a magnet is provided at the carrier and a magnet is provided at the guide track for driving the carrier along the guide track and/or for holding the carrier at the guide track, a y direction extends in parallel with a spacing between the magnets, the guide track comprises a contact surface which the guide rail contacts, and a normal of the contact surface extends with at least one component in parallel with the y direction.