Planar Drive Platforms With Integrated Pressure Chamber Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing planar drive devices with electromagnetically coupled platforms lack simple and efficient mechanisms for controlling the pressure state of a medium within a storage chamber, limiting their operational flexibility and effectiveness in handling various objects.

Innovation Solution

The storage chamber is integrated on the platforms, allowing for autonomous control of the pressure state by adjusting the distance between the platforms, enabling direct transfer of the pressure state to a working tool through a fluid line, and utilizing a piston-cylinder or bellows structure for volume and pressure adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the storage chamber is integrated on the platforms with autonomous control, then the pressure state control flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure state control flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage chamber is integrated directly on the platforms, merging the storage function with the platform structure. This allows autonomous control of the pressure state by adjusting the distance between platforms, eliminating the need for separate external pressure control systems and reducing overall device complexity while improving flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The platforms serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable movement across the drive surface, and simultaneously act as containers for the storage chamber with autonomous pressure control. This multi-functionality improves adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between platforms is adjusted to control pressure, then the pressure state adjustment range is improved, but the control mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure state adjustment rangeVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the platforms' own relative movement to control the pressure state. By adjusting the distance between platforms through their inherent mobility function, the system achieves pressure control without requiring separate control mechanisms, valves, or pumps. The platforms essentially control their own pressure state through self-service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure control is achieved through pneumatic principles by varying the volume of the storage chamber through platform distance adjustment. This allows continuous pressure adjustment ranging from vacuum to overpressure states using the existing electromagnetic coupling and mobility infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Measurement precision

If the storage chamber volume is changed by platform distance adjustment, then the pressure control precision is improved, but the mechanical stability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure control precisionVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure control systems (pistons, valves, seals) with an electromagnetic field-based approach. The electromagnetic coupling between platforms and drive surface enables precise position control through field interaction, allowing accurate volume adjustment of the storage chamber without complex mechanical components that would compromise stability.

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 enables flexible and efficient transfer of vacuum or overpressure to the working tool, facilitating object pickup, holding, and repelling, with enhanced mobility and adaptability to different objects.

Implementation Method 1

a first platform (16) and a second platform (18), which are electromagnetically coupled to a drive surface (12) and can be moved independently of each other parallel to the drive surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the volume of the storage space (30) and a pressure state of a medium (50) arranged in the storage space can be changed by changing a distance between the first platform and the second platform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure state change through volume change: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP4253288B1Planar drive device and method for operating a planar drive device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SYNTEGON TECHNOLOGY GMBH
  • EP4253288B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4253288B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4253288B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a planar drive device (10) with a first platform (16) and with a second platform (18), which are electromagnetically coupled to a drive surface (12) and can be moved independently of each other parallel to the drive surface, wherein the first platform comprises a working device (24) with a working tool (26), wherein the planar drive device has a storage space (30), with a first storage space boundary (28) which is coupled to the first platform in terms of movement and with a second storage space boundary (48) which is coupled to the second platform in terms of movement, such that the volume of the storage space and a pressure state of a medium (50) arranged in the storage space can be changed by changing a distance (52) between the first platform and the second platform, and wherein the storage space is coupled to the working tool in a medium-effective manner.The invention further relates to a method for operating the planar drive device.