Magnetic Mover for Flexible Container Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current container transport systems for filling stations lack flexibility, leading to increased particle emissions, mechanical wear, and difficulty in cleaning, while also requiring fixed mechanical routes and arrangements that can disrupt the filling process.

Innovation Solution

A device with a magnetic coupling system allows the container to move in two degrees of freedom and rotate, reducing contact with the drive surface, enabling flexible container placement and movement without additional mechanical means, which minimizes particle emissions and enhances cleanability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mechanical drive means are used to transport containers, then the containers can be moved to the filling station, but particle emissions and mechanical wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer transport reliabilityVSAvoidparticle emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical drive means (rollers, belts, chains) with a magnetic field-based mover system. The mover contains permanent magnets that interact with a magnetizable plate on the container carrier, enabling contactless transport. This substitution eliminates mechanical friction and particle generation while maintaining reliable container movement through magnetic coupling forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional mechanical drive means are used to transport containers, then the containers can be moved to the filling station, but mechanical wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer transport reliabilityVSAvoidservice life of drive components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If fixed mechanical routes are used for container transport, then the filling process can be maintained, but flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling process stabilityVSAvoidcontainer transport flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the mover system, allowing real-time adjustment of transport paths, speeds, and positioning. The control unit can dynamically route containers to different filling stations or adjust positions based on process requirements, replacing fixed mechanical routes with flexible, programmable magnetic transport while maintaining filling process stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mover system serves multiple functions: transporting containers, positioning them at different filling stations, adjusting orientations, and coordinating with various filling processes. This universal magnetic transport platform replaces specialized fixed mechanical routes, enabling a single system to adapt to different filling configurations and requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If mechanical connections between drive and container transport are used, then the containers can be transported, but cleanability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer transport functionalityVSAvoidsystem cleanability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical connections between drive and container transport with a contactless magnetic field interaction. The mover uses permanent magnets to couple with the magnetizable plate on the container carrier without physical contact, eliminating complex mechanical linkages that are difficult to clean. This enables easy cleaning of the transport surface while maintaining reliable container transport functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution improves the flexibility and efficiency of container transport, reduces mechanical wear, and enhances the cleanliness of the system, allowing for more precise control over the filling process and reducing sloshing of filled products.

Implementation Method 1

at least one mover which can be magnetically coupled to the drive surface for transporting a container into a filling position at which the filling station is located

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

the flexible drive concept with superimposition of a rotary movement of the mover can have a direct influence on the sloshing behavior of a filled but not yet closed container, in that the mover generates a rotary movement in an expedient development that counteracts the sloshing of the filled product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational movement:

Data Source

PatentEP3172134B1Apparatus for transporting a container relative to a filling station

Publication Date: 2018.08.15 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

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AI summary

The invention proposes an apparatus for transporting a container relative to a filling station, comprising at least one filling station (48) for filling at least one container (36), and also comprising at least one container mount (38) for transporting the container (36) relative to the filling station (48), characterized in that at least one drive surface (13) and at least one mover (20), which can be coupled in particular magnetically to the drive surface (13), are provided, wherein the mover (20) is arranged on the drive surface (13) such that it can be displaced and/or rotated in at least two degrees of freedom, and in that the container mount (38) is connected to the mover (20).