Permanent Magnet Anchoring Control With Reduced Cabling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electropermanent magnetic anchoring systems require complex electrical control topologies and numerous power cables for activation and deactivation of multiple magnetic chucks, leading to increased complexity and installation time due to the need for custom multi-channel control units and extensive cabling.

Innovation Solution

The anchoring system employs independent magnetic sections with shared power relays and a centralized control unit connected via a data bus, allowing for simplified electrical control and reduced cabling by using solid-state relays and a power supply backbone, where each magnetic section can be magnetized or demagnetized independently with stored parameters transmitted asynchronously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional electropermanent magnetic anchoring systems use multiple independent control units for each magnetic chuck, then each magnetic section can be controlled independently, but the electrical control topology becomes complex and requires numerous power cables

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent control of magnetic sectionsVSAvoidElectrical control topology and cabling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independent control functions into a single centralized control unit that manages all magnetic sections through a data bus. Instead of having separate control units for each magnetic chuck, one control unit coordinates all sections, dramatically reducing the number of power cables and control connections required while maintaining independent control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized control unit performs multiple functions: it controls magnetization and demagnetization of all magnetic sections, manages power distribution through solid-state relays, and communicates with all magnetic chucks via a single data bus. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated control units for each section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If custom multi-channel control units are used to manage multiple magnetic chucks, then activation and deactivation can be controlled, but installation time increases due to extensive cabling

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveActivation and deactivation controlVSAvoidInstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cabling system with an electronic data bus communication system. Instead of requiring separate power cables and control wires for each magnetic section, the system uses a single data bus for communication and control, dramatically reducing installation complexity and time while maintaining full control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The data bus acts as an intermediary between the centralized control unit and all magnetic sections. Rather than requiring direct point-to-point connections between the control unit and each magnetic chuck, the data bus mediates all communications, simplifying the physical installation while preserving control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If numerous power cables are used to connect control units to magnetic chucks, then each section can be powered independently, but system complexity and installation burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent power supply to magnetic sectionsVSAvoidNumber of power cables

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple power cable connections into a single power supply backbone that serves all magnetic sections. The centralized control unit distributes power through this shared backbone, using solid-state relays to independently control power delivery to each magnetic section without requiring separate power cables for each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the electrical control topology, reduces the number of power cables needed, and allows for flexible installation by decentralizing control logic near each magnetic module, enabling efficient and flexible activation of multiple magnetic sections with reduced system complexity and installation time.

Implementation Method 1

Anchoring systems with permanent magnet are intended to anchor ferromagnetic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

materials such as alnico are materials whose magnetic state is electrically modifiable by means of stress applied by solenoids with a current flowing therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetism: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS20240186045A1Anchoring system with permanent magnets and operating method therefor

Publication Date: 2024.06.06 SPD

AI summary

An anchoring system (1) with permanent magnets comprising at least two independent magnetic sections (MM1A, MM1B, MM2, . . . , MMm), each magnetic section comprising, in proximity thereto, at least one power relay (CH1A-S, CH1B-S, CH2-S, CHM-S) for the activation of each magnetic section, a control unit (10) which is interfaced, for the activation thereof, with the said power relays (CH1A-S, CH1B-S, CH2S . . . ), and at least one power supply backbone (11)—powered by the control unit (10)—to which the said power relays (CH1A-S, CH1B-S, CH2-S, . . . , CHM-S) are connected in parallel.