Magnetic Levitation Control for Stable Contact-to-Levitation Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic levitation transport apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing large and low-rigidity movers during transitions from contact to non-contact states, leading to potential oscillation and impact on transported objects due to natural vibrations and resonance.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic levitation apparatus with a control system that includes a mover, opposed magnetic force units, a guide unit, and a control unit to manage current flow through coils, enabling stable levitation by transitioning from position control to zero power control, thereby suppressing oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If zero power control is used to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the mover cannot be controlled during contact state transitions leading to oscillation
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically switches between position control mode and zero power control mode based on the mover's state. During transition from contact to non-contact state, position control is used to maintain stability; once levitation is achieved, zero power control is activated to minimize energy consumption. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between reliability during transition and energy efficiency during stable levitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary position control to establish stable levitation conditions before switching to zero power control. By pre-positioning the mover in the non-contact state with position control, the system ensures that when zero power control begins, the mover is already in a stable configuration, preventing oscillation while enabling energy savings.
2Productivity
If the mover is levitated at high speed, then productivity is improved, but friction increases and the life of the guide is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based guide system with a magnetic levitation system. The mover is suspended and propelled using electromagnetic forces between permanent magnets and coils, eliminating mechanical contact between the mover and guide. This substitution allows high-speed transport without friction-induced wear, simultaneously improving productivity and extending guide life.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a linear guide with mechanical contact is used, then the mover can be supported stably, but contaminants are generated that degrade productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linear guide system with a magnetic levitation system. Instead of using sliding contacts that generate contaminants, the mover is supported and moved through electromagnetic forces in a non-contact manner. This eliminates the generation of lubricating oil, volatilized matter, and other contaminants, thereby maintaining production efficiency while providing stable mover support.
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
Ensures stable levitation of large and low-rigidity movers by controlling the transition from contact to non-contact states, preventing oscillations and ensuring smooth transport.
Implementation Method 1
the mover is levitated and transported by an electromagnetic force generated between a permanent magnet group arranged along a transport direction of the mover and a coil group opposed thereto by supplying a current to the coil group
Implementation Method 2
a second magnetic force unit positioned opposed to the first magnetic force unit, for a magnetic force to act between the second magnetic force unit and the first magnetic force unit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a magnetic levitation apparatus that includes a mover including first and second magnetic force units for a magnetic force to act therebetween; a guide unit for supporting the mover; and a control unit. One of the first and second magnetic force units includes a coil, and the other includes a permanent magnet. The control unit controls a current flowing through the coil to control a position and attitude of the mover. When the mover is in contact with the guide unit, the control unit starts position control with respect to the mover in a levitation direction in which the mover is levitated from the guide unit and, when the mover is in contact with the guide unit after the position control, starts zero power control with respect to the mover to levitate the mover from the guide unit.