System and method for providing power to a moving element on a conveyor and accessory driven by power provided to a moving element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems face challenges in providing power to moving elements and accessories without the need for bulky batteries or complex cabling, which often results in power leakage and limited accessory functionality due to conventional inductive power transfer systems.
Innovation Solution
A system with interlaced power pick-up and inductive panels along the track allows for consistent power transfer to moving elements, eliminating the need for battery storage and enabling reliable power delivery to accessories, along with a method to selectively activate power transfer based on the position of moving elements and accessory needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional inductive power transfer systems use a high frequency alternate current primary conductor extending along the entire motion path, then power can be provided to moving elements, but electromagnetic field radiation occurs along the entire motion path causing power leakage and potential damage to unshielded electronic equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous primary conductor is divided into discrete inductive panels that are selectively activated. Each panel operates independently as a segmented unit, allowing power to be transferred only to specific moving elements at specific locations rather than radiating along the entire motion path.
Solution Approach 2:
The inductive panels are selectively activated and deactivated in periodic cycles based on the presence and position of moving elements. This periodic activation ensures power is provided only when needed and only to the specific location where a moving element is present, preventing continuous electromagnetic radiation.
2Ease of operation
If a single fixed frequency power supply is used to energize the primary conductor, then the system is simple to operate, but intelligent pick-up units are required to provide on/off control and variable power output
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having the moving element control the power transfer through intelligent pick-up units, the stationary inductive panels are controlled to actively transfer power to the moving element. This inverts the control architecture, placing intelligence in the stationary infrastructure rather than the moving component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from sensors that detect the presence and position of moving elements to control the activation of inductive panels. This feedback mechanism enables automatic on/off control and variable power output without requiring intelligent processing in the pick-up units.
3Use of energy by moving object
If inductive power transfer is used to provide power to moving elements, then batteries are eliminated, but power leakage and damage to unshielded electronic equipment can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic field is concentrated locally at each inductive panel location rather than being distributed along the entire motion path. This local quality ensures that energy transfer occurs only at the specific interface between the inductive panel and the moving element, preventing power leakage to surrounding unshielded equipment.
4Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are used to provide power to moving elements, then power is available without external sources, but the batteries are bulky and require regular recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical battery system is replaced with an electromagnetic field-based inductive power transfer system. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy battery packs and recharging infrastructure by using wireless energy transfer through the interlaced inductive panels and pick-up panels.
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 provides consistent and reliable power to moving elements and accessories, enabling advanced operations and wireless communication, while reducing the risk of power leakage and increasing the range of motion without the need for external power sources.
Implementation Method 1
at least one track section with which the plurality of moving elements are associated, the track section including: a track on which the plurality of moving elements move; and a track power system including a plurality of inductive panels
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing power to moving elements on a conveyor system while the moving elements are moving. An accessory for mounting on one or more of the moving elements, which receives power from the system. Various accessories for using the power provided. In one case, the accessory is a rotary gripper that includes a body; a gripper motor; a rotation motor; and a plurality of grippers, wherein the gripper motor is mechanically connected with and configured to open and close the plurality of grippers, the rotation motor is mechanically connected with and configured to rotate the plurality of grippers. Other accessories include a gripper, a vacuum system, a heater, and a cooler.