Magnetic Levitation Conveyance for Flexible Processing Routes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conveyance systems face inefficiencies due to fixed routes and processing steps, leading to reduced processing efficiency and difficulties in maintaining or replacing devices, especially when irregular events occur or when handling items with varying dimensions and orientations.

Innovation Solution

A processing system featuring a conveyance system with a movable body that floats above the conveyance surface, controlled by a conveyance control unit to adjust movement trajectory, rotation state, speed, time, and posture, allowing for flexible routing and processing of items with variable dimensions and orientations, and enabling the placement of drive and power source devices on movable bodies for easier maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a predetermined route and mechanical processing steps are used for conveyance, then the processing flow is stable and predictable, but processing efficiency decreases when irregular events occur and the system lacks flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing flow stabilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed mechanical conveyance to a dynamic magnetic field-based control system. The conveyance control unit adjusts magnetic field strength and distribution in real-time based on sensor feedback, enabling the movable body to dynamically change its trajectory, speed, and processing sequence according to actual conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters by using variable magnetic field intensity and distribution to control the movable body's motion. The conveyance control unit modifies magnetic field parameters (strength, direction, distribution) to achieve flexible routing and speed adjustment without mechanical constraints, allowing efficient response to irregular events while maintaining reliable processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If maglev technology is used to enable speed changes on a predetermined route, then movement flexibility improves, but the degree of freedom for changing operating state of each individual movable body is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement speed variabilityVSAvoidoperating state flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends control from one-dimensional speed adjustment to multi-dimensional state control by utilizing magnetic field's ability to influence position, orientation, rotation, and acceleration simultaneously. The conveyance control unit independently controls multiple spatial dimensions and operational parameters of the movable body, achieving comprehensive adaptability beyond simple speed changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field-based conveyance system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it propels the movable body, controls its position, adjusts its orientation, and regulates its speed without requiring separate mechanical systems for each function. This multi-functionality provides comprehensive operating state flexibility while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If drive source device and power source device are provided in place in a fixed manner, then device structure is simple, but replacement and maintenance are time-consuming and troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drive source device and power source device from their conventional fixed installation and relocates them onto the movable body. This extraction allows these components to be easily removed and replaced by simply detaching the movable body, dramatically improving maintenance ease while adding minimal structural complexity to the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If movable body moves along a predetermined route, then routing is simple to control, but flexible routing and processing of items with varying dimensions and orientations is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting control simplicityVSAvoidrouting flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic routing control where the conveyance control unit continuously adjusts the magnetic field configuration based on real-time position feedback and processing requirements. This enables the movable body to dynamically change its trajectory, pause at arbitrary locations, and adjust its path according to item characteristics, achieving routing flexibility with manageable control complexity through automated feedback loops

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 system enhances processing efficiency by allowing flexible routing and processing of items, preventing content spillage or leakage, and simplifying device maintenance by enabling movable placement of power and drive sources, thus improving overall system convenience and adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

a conveyance control unit controlling a magnetism acting between the movable body and the conveyance body unit, wherein the movable body moves along the conveyance surface in a floating state where the movable body is separated from the conveyance surface due to the magnetism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP4324773A1Processing system
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 PACRAFT CO LTD
  • EP4324773A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4324773A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4324773A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A processing system includes a conveyance system including: a conveyance body unit having a conveyance surface; a movable body moving along the conveyance surface; and a conveyance control unit controlling a magnetism acting between the movable body and the conveyance body unit, wherein the movable body moves along the conveyance surface in a floating state where the movable body is separated from the conveyance surface due to the magnetism, wherein the conveyance control unit controls the magnetism to variably adjust one or more of a movement trajectory, a rotation state, a movement speed, a movement time and a posture of the movable body.