Planar Drive Stator Module Locking for Underside Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional planar drive systems face difficulties in the assembly and disassembly of stator modules, which are often cumbersome and require significant effort, especially when cover plates are present, leading to safety risks and increased maintenance complexity, particularly in larger systems where access is restricted and cleaning processes are complicated.
Innovation Solution
A planar drive system with a frame that accommodates stator modules via receptacles, allowing for insertion and locking of modules with their transport surfaces first, enabling easy assembly and disassembly from the underside without needing to deactivate the system or remove movers or cover plates, utilizing a locking mechanism with pivotable elements for secure attachment and quick-release functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If stator modules are surrounded on all sides by other stator modules and connected to a base plate, then the planar drive system achieves a compact structure, but the assembly and disassembly of individual stator modules becomes extremely difficult requiring considerable effort and special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is segmented into multiple receptacles, each independently accommodating a stator module. This segmentation allows individual stator modules to be accessed and serviced independently without requiring disassembly of the entire structure or removal of surrounding modules, thereby maintaining compact structure while enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If a cover plate is applied to the stator module transport surfaces to improve surface properties, then the surface quality is improved, but the assembly and disassembly of individual stator modules becomes even more difficult as the cover plate blocks access from above
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the dimension of access by allowing assembly and disassembly from the horizontal direction (side access through receptacles) rather than requiring vertical access from above through the cover plate. This dimensional change enables stator module replacement while the cover plate remains in place, eliminating the need to remove and reapply the cover plate for each assembly operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If two people are required to assemble/disassemble stator modules for larger surfaces or center locations, then the stator modules can be properly installed, but the complexity and time required for maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacles are designed to enable single-person operation for stator module assembly and disassembly. The modular design with defined insertion directions and locking mechanisms allows one operator to independently service any stator module in the system, including those at center locations or on large surfaces, eliminating the need for multiple operators and reducing maintenance complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the transport surface of the stator modules is not accessible, then the system structure is more compact, but internal stators can only be reached using a crane or similar device
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is divided into multiple accessible receptacles that provide side access to each stator module. This segmentation maintains the compact overall system structure while creating individual access points for each module, eliminating the need for cranes or complex lifting equipment to reach internal stators.
5Reliability
If the entire planar drive system must be deactivated to work on the transport surface, then safety is ensured, but machine shutdown occurs resulting in loss of productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independently serviceable stator modules within receptacles. This segmentation enables localized maintenance of individual modules without requiring system-wide shutdown, allowing the planar drive system to remain operational at full capacity while one or more modules are being serviced, thereby maintaining both safety and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables continuous operation of the planar drive system during maintenance activities. By allowing hot-swapping of stator modules through the receptacles, the system can maintain continuous productive action with only localized interruptions, rather than requiring complete system shutdown for any maintenance task.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a planar drive system (10) comprising at least two stator modules (12) and a frame (14), wherein each of the stator modules (12) has a base body (16) with a transport surface (18) and a rear surface (20) opposite the transport surface (18), and further a mounting plate (22) detachably attached to the rear surface (20) of the base body (16), wherein the frame (14) comprises several receptacles (24) for receiving a stator module (12), wherein the stator modules (12) can be inserted into the receptacles (24) of the frame (14) with the transport surface (18) facing forward and can be locked in the receptacle (24) by means of a locking mechanism (26). The invention also relates to a method for assembling and disassembling stator modules (12) in a planar drive system (10).