Magnet with Movable Slide for Stepless Holding Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bi-stable magnet has a fixed holding force with two fixed values, requiring constant electric current or complex structures to maintain the second position, leading to high power consumption or structural complications.
Innovation Solution
A magnet design featuring a body with magnetic and non-magnetic sections, a movable slide with adjustable position, and a medium transfer system to steplessly adjust the holding force, allowing the magnet to maintain a constant force with minimal energy consumption and a simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant electric current is supplied to the coil to maintain the movable part in the second position, then the movable part stays in position, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using a coil that receives pulsed or intermittent electric current rather than constant current. The coil is activated only when needed to transition the movable part between positions, and then de-activated to maintain the position passively through magnetic attraction/repulsion forces. This periodic activation significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining position stability.
2Reliability
If springs or other means are used to push the movable part towards the second position, then the movable part stays in position, but the structure becomes complicated and more prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for mechanical spring mechanisms or other physical means to maintain the movable part's position. Instead, it relies solely on electromagnetic forces generated by the coil and permanent magnets to achieve position stability, thereby simplifying the overall structure and reducing the number of moving parts that could fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning systems (springs, physical stoppers, etc.) with an electromagnetic field-based system. The coil and permanent magnets create magnetic fields that hold the movable part in position without mechanical contact, reducing structural complexity and improving reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the magnet is designed as bi-stable with fixed positions, then the structure is simple, but the holding force cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics to the magnet structure by making the position of the movable part continuously adjustable rather than fixed at two discrete positions. The movable part can be positioned anywhere along its travel path by controlling the coil current, enabling continuous adjustment of the holding force while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the electric current supplied to the coil to control the position of the movable part. By changing the current parameter, the magnetic field strength changes, which in turn adjusts the position of the movable part and the resulting holding force, providing adaptability without complex mechanical adjustments.
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 magnet achieves a steplessly adjustable holding force with low energy consumption, maintaining robustness and reliability, and can lift metal sheets efficiently without constant power or complex structures.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnet may be directed through the body to an object to be attached
Implementation Method 2
A magnet is typically provided with a certain functionality to change its magnetic state
Implementation Method 3
A magnet may comprise, for example, a coil which produces a magnetic field that is dependent on the amount and the direction of the electric current supplied to the coil
Implementation Method 4
The movable part is moved between the two positions by supplying a sufficient amount of electric current through the coil in a suitable direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a magnet (100), which comprises a body (101) and a slide (110) that is arranged to be movable relative to the body (101). The slide (110) comprises a permanent magnet (111), and a first and a second pole piece (112, 113) that are attached to opposite magnetic pole surfaces of the permanent magnet (111). The body (101) comprises a first and a second section (103, 104) made of magnetic material for directing magnetic flux to an object (200) to be attached. The first and the second section (103, 104) are separated and attached to a third section (105) of the body (101), which third section (105) is made of non-magnetic material. The first section (103) comprises a hole (106) that opens at a first end into a first cavity (107) and at a second end into a second cavity (108) of the body (101), the first and the second cavity (107, 108) containing a medium. The magnet (100) further comprises means (116, 117, 118, 119, 120) for transferring the medium into and out of the first and the second cavity (107, 108) in order to move the slide (110) that is movably arranged in the hole (106). The invention also relates to a method for handling metal sheets (200).