Linear Motor Loading for Stable Vacuum Pickup Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing secondary battery manufacturing facilities have a complicated configuration and lack control over the individual position and speed of objects, leading to instability in object adsorption and transfer.

Innovation Solution

An object loading facility utilizing a linear motor system (LMS) with a stator and mover configuration, including a loading device with an adsorption plate and pressing part to ensure stable adsorption and transfer of objects, using a pressing member and stopper mechanism to maintain close contact with the object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a conveyor is used to transfer radical units, then the transfer process can be automated, but the facility configuration becomes complicated and individual position and speed control of objects is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of transfer processVSAvoidfacility configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor system is segmented into multiple independent suction cups that can be individually controlled. Each suction cup acts as an independent module capable of separate position and speed control, allowing precise manipulation of individual radical units while maintaining overall system automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cups are designed with dynamic control capabilities, where the position and speed of each suction cup can be independently adjusted during operation. This dynamic control enables precise placement of radical units at different locations and speeds, resolving the contradiction between automation and control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a conveyor is used for transferring radical units, then continuous transfer is possible, but stable adsorption of objects cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous transfer capabilityVSAvoidadsorption stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the conveyor system have different adsorption characteristics. The suction cups are designed with varying suction forces and contact areas depending on their specific function and position, allowing optimized adsorption for each local requirement while maintaining continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cups establish preliminary contact with the radical units before full transfer begins. This preliminary action ensures stable adsorption is achieved before the transfer process commences, preventing instability during the transition while maintaining continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the loading part moves toward the object using elastic force, then the adsorption plate can make close contact with the object, but additional components are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclose contact between adsorption plate and objectVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member provides self-service by automatically pushing the loading part toward the object using stored elastic force. This eliminates the need for separate actuators or motors for each loading action, achieving precise contact while minimizing additional components through the self-propelled mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The facility simplifies the configuration, controls object position and speed, and ensures stable adsorption, preventing accidental drops during transfer.

Implementation Method 1

a mover that is repeatedly circulated between the supply section and the loading section by an interaction with magnetic fields generated in the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a loading part continuously passing through the supply section and the loading section together with the mover and provided with an adsorption plate configured to adsorb the object in the supply section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4667396A1Object loading facility
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
  • EP4667396A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4667396A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4667396A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object loading facility of the present invention includes a loading device configured to adsorb an object disposed in a supply section and load the object in a loading section, wherein the loading device includes: a stator provided as an electromagnet and having a circular traveling path that sequentially passes through the supply section and the loading section; a mover that is repeatedly circulated between the supply section and the loading section by an interaction with magnetic fields generated in the stator; a loading part continuously passing through the supply section and the loading section together with the mover and provided with an adsorption plate configured to adsorb the object in the supply section and load the object in the loading section; and a pressing part configured to allow the loading part passing through the supply section to move toward the object so that the adsorption plate of the loading part is in close contact with the object.