Magnetic Crawler Belt Structure for Strong Wall Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection devices for bridges and viaducts have complex structures, large sizes, reduced magnetic attraction due to indirect magnet interaction with walls, increased weight, and vibration issues when encountering holes and unevenness.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically-attracting crawler moving device with a source device of magnetic force comprising magnets and yokes, a non-magnetic guide, and a crawler belt that runs along the guide, concentrating magnetic flux for strong attraction and minimizing vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traveling belt is used to attract to the wall indirectly, then the device can travel on the wall surface, but the magnetic force for attracting to the wall is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-magnetic guide as an intermediary component between the magnet and the traveling belt. This guide concentrates the magnetic flux lines to pass through the belt, enabling the belt to travel on the wall surface while maintaining strong magnetic attraction force. The non-magnetic guide acts as a flux concentrator that prevents magnetic field dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic flux distribution parameter by introducing the non-magnetic guide structure. The guide modifies the magnetic field parameters to concentrate flux lines through the traveling belt, transforming the magnetic force distribution to achieve both strong attraction and effective wall surface travel.
2Force
If magnets are arranged on the traveling belt to attract to the wall, then strong magnetic force is generated, but the device structure becomes complicated and the whole weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnets from the traveling belt structure and places them in a separate magnet assembly. The non-magnetic guide is also extracted as a distinct component. This separation simplifies the overall device structure by removing the complexity of integrating magnets directly into the belt, while maintaining strong magnetic attraction force through the concentrated flux path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the magnetic attraction system into distinct functional components: the magnet assembly, the non-magnetic guide, and the traveling belt. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall structure compared to a monolithic design where magnets would be embedded in the belt.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a plate is disposed between magnets and traveling belt to suppress vibration, then vibration is reduced, but the device height and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The non-magnetic guide serves as an intermediary component that simultaneously concentrates magnetic flux and suppresses vibration. By positioning the guide between the magnet and traveling belt, it acts as a vibration-damping element while maintaining the magnetic flux path, thereby reducing the need for additional vibration suppression components that would increase device height.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-magnetic guide performs multiple functions: it concentrates magnetic flux lines, suppresses vibration, and maintains the structural integrity of the magnet assembly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate vibration suppression plates, thereby reducing overall device height and complexity.
4Volume of moving object
If the magnet assembly is made compact to reduce device size, then the device becomes more compact, but the magnetic force may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic flux concentration parameter by introducing the non-magnetic guide structure. This allows the magnet assembly to be made compact while maintaining strong magnetic force, as the guide concentrates the flux lines through the traveling belt, preventing flux dispersion in the compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-magnetic guide creates a localized magnetic flux concentration zone between the magnet and traveling belt. This local quality enhancement allows the magnet assembly to be compact while maintaining strong magnetic force in the critical interaction zone, as the flux is concentrated rather than dispersed throughout the entire assembly volume.
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 device is lightweight, compact, and suppresses vibration while maintaining strong magnetic attraction, allowing it to navigate narrow gaps and uneven surfaces effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a source device of magnetic force made of a magnet or a pair of opposite polarity magnets and a yoke disposed in contact with the magnet or a pair of one yoke and other yoke disposed in contact with the magnet or the pair of magnets
Implementation Method 2
a non-magnetic guide disposed so that both of sides of the guide are respectively in contact with the one yoke and the other yoke and a bottom of the guide is in contact with the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetically-attracting crawler moving device has a magnetically-attracting traveling mechanism including a source device of magnetic force provided with a pair of magnets and a yoke disposed on the backside of the magnets or behind the magnet; a crawler belt rotationally running with drive portion thereof in non-contact with the source device of magnetic force; and a guide in contact with the pair of magnets and the yoke and on which surface the crawler belt slides, wherein the drive portion of the crawler belt protrudes from the source device of magnetic force and the guide to travel.