Linear Motor Transport Device with Curved Transition Segment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional continuous conveyors lack flexibility, particularly in transporting individual units over varying planes, and existing long-stator linear motors require complex structures to change movement planes, limiting their ability to move units smoothly between horizontal and vertical planes.
Innovation Solution
A long-stator linear motor with a continuous transition segment and a continuous conveyor having a longitudinally curved axis, allowing smooth movement between transport segments and conveyors, enabling movement in different planes without complex segment structures, and ensuring jerk-free transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional continuous conveyors are used, then they can transport units along a fixed path, but they lack flexibility and cannot transport individual units over varying planes
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is divided into modular transport segments that can be independently configured. Each segment contains drive coils and guide structures that can be selectively activated, allowing individual units to be transported along customized paths through varying planes without requiring a completely different conveyor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static conveyor belt to a dynamic long-stator linear motor configuration where drive coils can be selectively energized to create moving magnetic fields. This allows the transport path to dynamically adapt to different plane transitions and individual unit requirements while maintaining a relatively simple physical structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If long-stator linear motors are used to enable plane transitions, then flexibility is improved, but the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transport segments are designed with multi-functional components that serve multiple purposes. The drive coils generate both propulsive force and guide the units through plane transitions, while the guide structures provide both lateral guidance and vertical support. This universal design reduces the number of specialized components needed for different plane transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetic fields serve as an intermediary between the drive coils and transport units, enabling plane transitions without direct mechanical contact. The magnetic field can be dynamically shaped and redirected to guide units through horizontal and vertical transitions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical guide structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex segment structures are used to change planes, then plane transition capability is improved, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the plane transition capability from complex mechanical segment structures and relocates it to the magnetic field generation system. By taking out the mechanical complexity and replacing it with controllable electromagnetic fields, the physical structures become simpler and more durable, reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical guide structures and moving parts are replaced with an electromagnetic field-based guidance system. The magnetic fields provide contactless guidance through plane transitions, eliminating mechanical wear and friction, thereby significantly reducing maintenance costs while maintaining full plane transition capability.
4Device complexity
If conventional conveyors are used, then structure is simple, but they cannot provide smooth movement between different planes
Solution Approach 1:
The long-stator linear motor configuration provides continuous propulsive force and guidance throughout the entire transport path, including during plane transitions. The magnetic field acts continuously on the transport units, ensuring smooth acceleration, deceleration, and direction changes without the start-stop operation characteristic of conventional conveyors, thereby achieving smooth movement between planes.
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 allows for flexible and efficient movement of transport units between horizontal and vertical planes, reducing complexity and maintenance costs while ensuring smooth, jolt-free operation.
Implementation Method 1
stationary electric drive coils (5) arranged on the transport segments (TSi), which interact with drive magnets (6) of the transport unit (2) to form a long-stator linear motor and generate a propulsive force (Fv)
Implementation Method 2
a continuous conveyor (8) with a longitudinal axis (L8) having a continuous curvature to enable smooth movement between the transport section (3) and the continuous conveyor (8)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1e
Figure 2
AI summary
In order to provide a simple and flexibly deployable transport device (1) in the form of a long stator linear motor, which enables movement of a transport unit (2) of the transport device (1) in several different planes, it is provided according to the invention that a transition segment (7) with a continuous conveyor (8) having a longitudinal axis (L8) for transporting the transport unit (2) in a direction of movement extending along the longitudinal axis (L8) is arranged in the longitudinal direction following the starting point (PA) or end point (PE) of the transport path (3), wherein the continuous conveyor (8) is provided to move the transport unit (2) at least section by section in a conveying plane (F) that differs from the plane of movement (E) of the transport path (3).