Planar Motor Transport Unit Coupling for Heavier Load Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Planar motors used in transport devices face limitations in versatility due to the restricted ability to manage complex movement profiles and handle larger loads or objects, as they typically rely on a single transport unit with limited magnetic field interaction.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a coupling unit and coupling apparatuses that allow transport units to be coupled temporarily, forming an assembly that can move jointly in the transport plane, enabling the limitation of relative movement in at least one degree of freedom and enhancing the generation of forces for transporting heavier loads or larger objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single transport unit is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to handle larger loads and complex movement profiles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transport units are coupled together to form a coupled transport unit assembly, merging their magnetic fields and drive capabilities. This allows the generation of greater driving forces and levitation forces than a single transport unit could produce alone, enabling the handling of larger loads and more complex movement profiles.
2Force
If multiple transport units are coupled to form an assembly, then the driving force and levitation force are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed as a modular coupling apparatus with coupling elements that can be selectively engaged and disengaged. This segmented approach allows transport units to be coupled or decoupled independently, managing the complexity of multiple units while maintaining the ability to form assemblies when needed for enhanced force generation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transport units are coupled to form an assembly, then the versatility for complex movement profiles is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling apparatus is designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the coupling elements to be selectively engaged or disengaged based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt between single unit and coupled assembly configurations, facilitating complex movement profiles when needed while maintaining operational simplicity when single units suffice.
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 increases the versatility of planar motor-based transport devices by allowing the transport of heavier loads and larger objects, while also enabling more complex movement profiles, as the coupled transport units can generate greater driving and levitation forces, and facilitate the exchange of object carriers.
Implementation Method 1
drive coils or movable permanent magnets being arranged on the transport segment and drive magnets being arranged on the transport unit, or vice versa, the drive coils or the movable permanent magnets interacting magnetically with the drive magnets in order to move the transport unit at least two-dimensionally in the transport plane
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
Data Source
AI summary
A transport device in the form of a planar motor having at least one transport segment which forms a transport plane and having at least one transport unit, which can be moved at least two-dimensionally in the transport plane, to allow more versatile process management, is provided in the transport device. At least one coupling apparatus for releasably coupling the transport unit to the coupling unit is arranged on the transport unit and, on the coupling unit in each case, the transport unit and the coupling unit can be coupled, at least temporarily, by the coupling apparatuses to form an assembly by way of a relative movement in the transport plane. The coupling apparatuses interact in the coupled assembly in order to limit a relative movement between the transport unit and the coupling unit in at least one degree of freedom of movement.