Planar Drive Rotor Positioning With Smooth Travel and Rotation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Planar drive systems with round coil groups are inefficient in linear translational movement, leading to restless and jerky travel movements, while those with rectangular coil groups are limited in rotor rotation and positioning flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A planar drive system with rectangular and elongated coil groups and magnet units arranged at right angles, allowing for vector superimposition of movements for free positioning of the rotor, combined with a control unit for precise control of the rotor's rotation and movement, enabling flexible processing of objects through interaction with a processing element during rotor rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If round coil groups are used in planar drive systems, then rotor rotation capability is improved, but linear translational movement becomes erratic and jerky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor rotation capabilityVSAvoidlinear translational movement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coil system is divided into multiple independent rectangular coil groups arranged in a grid pattern, with each coil group capable of being independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to generate forces in multiple directions simultaneously, enabling both smooth linear movement and rotation without the instability associated with round coil groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Rectangular coil groups with different dimensions in orthogonal directions create asymmetric force characteristics that are optimized for linear motion. The elongated shape provides better force linearity compared to round coils, while the asymmetric arrangement of multiple rectangular coils enables rotational capability through differential activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If rectangular and elongated coil groups are used in planar drive systems, then linear translational movement is improved, but rotor rotation capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelinear translational movement qualityVSAvoidrotor rotation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple rectangular coil groups are merged into a unified grid arrangement, combining the linear motion advantages of rectangular coils with the rotational capability achieved through coordinated activation of adjacent coils. The merging of multiple coil groups creates a composite system that delivers both smooth translation and rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from single-direction force generation to multi-dimensional force control by arranging rectangular coil groups in a two-dimensional grid. This dimensional expansion allows independent control of forces in x and y directions, enabling both linear movement and rotation through vector superposition of forces from different coil groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If rectangular coil groups with two different main directions are used, then free positioning of rotor is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefree positioning capabilityVSAvoidcoil group arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rectangular coil groups serve multiple functions simultaneously: they generate forces for linear movement in x and y directions, produce rotational torque through differential activation, and enable positioning control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each degree of freedom, managing complexity through functional integration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs dynamic control of coil activation patterns, where different subsets of rectangular coil groups are energized based on the desired motion trajectory. This dynamic switching between different coil activation modes enables flexible positioning and motion control without requiring permanent mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 configuration allows for flexible and precise processing of objects, including screwing, labeling, and stirring, by enabling the rotor to rotate and move relative to the processing element in various positions, overcoming the limitations of existing systems in both linear and rotational movements.

Implementation Method 1

a driving force is exerted on the rotor by energized coil groups of the stator unit magnetically interacting with drive magnets of several magnet arrangements of the rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

In a permanently excited electromagnetic planar motor, a driving force is exerted on the rotor by energized coil groups of the stator unit magnetically interacting with drive magnets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP4320718B1Object processing using a planar drive system
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 BECKHOFF AUTOMATION GMBH
  • EP4320718B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4320718B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4320718B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for processing an object (20) by means of a planar drive system (1). The planar drive system (1) has - at least one stator unit (3), each unit having a plurality of coil groups (4) for generating a stator magnetic field; - a stator surface (5) above the stator unit (3); and - at least one rotor (10) having a plurality of magnet units (11) for generating a rotor magnetic field. A processing element (100) is positioned above the stator surface (5). The planar drive system (1) has at least one rotation position (7), the rotor (10) being rotatable in the rotation position (7) about an axis of rotation (13) perpendicular to the stator surface (5). A spatial arrangement of the processing element (100) is predetermined by the rotation position (7). The method comprises the following steps: - energising the coil groups (4) in such a way that the rotor (10) moves with the object (20) located on the rotor (10) into the rotation position (7); - energising the coil groups (4) in such a way that the rotor (20) rotates; - processing the object (20) by means of the rotor rotation, the processing element (100) acting on the object (20).