Planar Motor Transport Units With Overlapping Engagement Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planar motors have limitations in throughput due to the square design of transport units, which restricts the minimum distance between objects, leading to reduced efficiency in main process flow directions, especially during dynamic movements.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of engagement sections on transport units allows for overlapping and flexible positioning, enabling multiple units to be moved in a form-fitting manner, reducing the total extension in the direction of movement and increasing throughput by allowing units to be positioned closer together.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transport units are designed with square base areas for stable movement, then movement stability is improved, but the minimum distance between objects increases, reducing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The transport unit is divided into a base body and separate engagement sections. The base body maintains the square shape for stable movement, while the engagement sections (protrusions and recesses) are added as separate elements that enable form-fitting connections between units, allowing them to overlap and reduce the minimum object distance without affecting the stability of the base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement sections are designed to nest within each other when transport units are connected. The protrusion of one unit fits into the recess of the adjacent unit, creating a nested arrangement that allows the units to overlap in the direction of movement. This nesting reduces the total extension of connected units compared to the sum of individual unit extensions, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining the square base body for stability.
2Productivity
If transport units are positioned closer together to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but the mechanical stability during dynamic movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement sections provide localized form-fitting connections at specific points on the transport units, while the majority of the base body maintains its square shape and independent movement capability. This local modification allows units to connect stably when needed for throughput improvement while preserving the overall mechanical stability of each unit during dynamic movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement sections enable dynamic configuration of the transport system. Units can be connected in chains with form-fitting engagement to increase throughput in main process flow directions, or they can move independently when individual positioning is required. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize for either throughput or stability depending on the operational requirements.
3Productivity
If engagement sections are added to transport units for overlapping positioning, then throughput is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement sections feature asymmetric protrusions and complementary recesses that provide form-fitting connections. These asymmetric elements are simple geometric shapes that are easy to manufacture and assemble, adding minimal structural complexity while enabling the overlapping positioning of transport units to improve throughput.
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 enhances throughput by reducing the average object distance between transported objects, allowing for more efficient movement in main process flow directions without compromising unit movement, even with conventional square or rectangular base units.
Implementation Method 1
drive coils or movable permanent magnets being arranged on the transport segment and drive magnets being arranged on the transport units or vice versa, with the drive coils or the movable permanent magnets interacting magnetically with the drive magnets in order to move the transport units
Implementation Method 2
A driving force acting on the transport units is generated by the interaction of the magnetic fields of the transport segments and the transport units
Implementation Method 3
By means of the levitation force, for example, an air gap can be generated and maintained between the transport unit and the transport segments and/or process forces or moments can be compensated
Data Source
AI summary
In order to at least temporarily increase, in a simple manner, the throughput of transported objects (O) in a transport device (1) in the form of a planar motor, without negatively influencing the movement of the transport units (3i), according to the invention at least one engagement portion (EA) is provided on each of the at least two transport units (3A, 3B), wherein the at least two transport units (3A, 3B) can be moved in succession in the transport plane (TE) in a direction of movement (BR) into an engagement position in which the engagement portions (EA) of the transport units (3A, 3B) are at least partially engaged, wherein the engagement portions (EA) are designed to overlap with one another in the engagement position at least in the direction of movement (BR) such that a total extent (LG) of the transport units (3A, 3B) in the movement direction (BR) is smaller than the sum of the individual extents (LTEi) of the transport units (3A, 3B) in the direction of movement (BR).