Multiconnection Coil Structure for Magnetic Clamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing permanent magnet clamping apparatuses for ferrous workpieces face issues with manual soldering and crimping of electric connections, leading to potential short-circuits, high setup times, reliability dependence on operator skill, increased costs, and significant space requirements due to multiple cables.

Innovation Solution

A multiconnection coil structure with non-conductive polymer support and thin metal conductor windings, featuring equipotential electric terminals that eliminate the need for manual soldering and crimping, allowing for quick connections and reduced cable usage by using Faston terminals for power distribution across multiple coils.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual soldering and crimping are used to establish electric connections, then electric connections can be made between coils and power source, but the process requires long time (about five hours for forty pole units) and high operator skill

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching electric connection elements to the coil windings during the coil manufacturing process, rather than establishing connections after coil installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming manual soldering and crimping during apparatus assembly, reducing connection establishment time from five hours to a fraction of that time while ensuring consistent, high-quality connections through automated manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coil structure is designed to be self-sufficient with integrated electric connection elements that are automatically positioned and connected during coil winding. The support structure includes built-in features that guide and secure the connection elements, eliminating the need for external manual intervention and high-skill operations during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Power

If multiple electric cables are laid in the frame for electric connections, then power can be distributed to multiple coils, but a large volume is occupied by the electric connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution capabilityVSAvoidspace occupied by cables
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple electric connection functions into a single integrated coil structure. By incorporating multiple electric connection elements directly on the coil support, the design eliminates the need for separate cables to connect each coil to the power source. This consolidation reduces the volume occupied by electric connections while maintaining full power distribution capability to all coils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coil structure with integrated electric connection elements serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates the magnetic field through winding and provides multiple electric connections for power distribution. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cable infrastructure, reducing overall space requirements while maintaining power distribution to multiple coils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual soldering and crimping processes are used, then electric connections can be established, but the quality and reliability are strictly dependent on operator ability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection manufacturing easeVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coil structure is designed to be self-sufficient with integrated electric connection elements that are automatically positioned and connected during coil winding. The support structure includes built-in features that guide and secure the connection elements, eliminating the need for external manual intervention and high-skill operations during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (soldering and crimping) with an automated integration process where connection elements are attached to the coil windings during manufacturing. This substitution of manual operations with automated manufacturing ensures consistent quality and reliability independent of operator skill level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Power

If separate cables are used for each coil connection, then power can be supplied to individual coils, but the fabrication costs increase proportionally with the number of coils

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual coil power supplyVSAvoidfabrication cost
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple electric connection functions into a single integrated coil structure. By incorporating multiple electric connection elements directly on the coil support, the design eliminates the need for separate cables to connect each coil to the power source. This consolidation reduces the volume occupied by electric connections while maintaining full power distribution capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coil structure with integrated electric connection elements serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates the magnetic field through winding and provides multiple electric connections for power distribution. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cable infrastructure, reducing overall space requirements while maintaining power distribution to multiple coils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 perfect insulation, reduces fabrication time and costs, minimizes storage space, and enhances reliability by eliminating the need for manual connection processes while maintaining efficient power distribution across multiple coils.

Implementation Method 1

a coil, having a bobbin on which an electric conductor is wound to form a winding, said coil being placed around each main magnetic core to activate and/or deactivate each pole unit of the clamping surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a main magnetic core formed of a magnetically reversible permanent magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

a ferromagnetic frame adapted to contain a plurality of pole units

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP2092538A1Multiconnection coil structure
Publication Date: 2009.08.26 TECNOMAGNETE SPA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a multiconnection coil structure (1) comprising a support (2) of predetermined profile (2A) and at least one electric conductor (3) wound on said support (2) to form a winding (4). The multiconnection coil structure (1) has for each winding (4) at least two (5, 6) electric conductor means, each extending between a first (7) and a second (8) points of said profile (2A). Further, each conductor means (5, 6) are electrically connected to one of the terminal ends of the conductor (3), and include at least two distinct electric connection elements (5A, 5B, 6A, 6B), so that when one connection element (5A, 5B) of each conductor means (5, 6) is connected to a power source (V), said power source (V) is also applied to at least another connection element (6A, 6B) of each conductor means (5, 6).