Linear Motor Stator Module With Half-Bridge Coil Chain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stator modules for linear transport systems require complex electronics at the star point when using a star circuit, which increases production costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The stator module employs actuation electronics with a chain configuration of half bridges and drive coils, where half-bridge centers are connected to two drive coils, reducing the number of half bridges needed and eliminating the need for complex star point electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a star circuit is used to connect drive coils with half bridges, then the number of transistors per drive coil is reduced, but complex electronics are required at the star point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive coil actuation system into multiple independent actuation elements, each responsible for a specific subset of drive coils. This segmentation eliminates the need for a centralized star point by distributing the control function across multiple simple actuation elements, thereby reducing transistor count while avoiding complex star point electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of connecting multiple drive coils to a single central star point (convergent approach), the patent inverts the architecture by having each drive coil connected to its own dedicated actuation element (divergent approach). This inversion eliminates the complexity concentration at the star point while maintaining efficient transistor utilization.
2Reliability
If full bridges are used to energize drive coils, then reliable actuation is achieved, but the number of transistors required per drive coil increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive coil actuation into multiple actuation elements, each handling a specific subset of drive coils. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable actuation for each subset while using fewer transistors overall, as each actuation element can be optimized independently rather than requiring a full bridge for every drive coil.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using half bridges instead of full bridges for actuating drive coils. While a full bridge provides complete control, the half bridge configuration in the patent's segmented architecture achieves sufficient actuation reliability for each drive coil subset while reducing the transistor count by approximately 50% compared to full bridge configurations.
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 saves transistors compared to full bridges and eliminates the complexity of star point electronics, resulting in a more cost-effective and simpler production process for the stator module.
Implementation Method 1
drive coils which can be energized and form part of a stator of a linear motor
Data Source
AI summary
A stator module of a linear transport system includes a plurality of drive coils, which are energizable and form part of a stator of a linear motor. The stator module also includes actuation electronics, where the drive coils are actuatable by the actuation electronics. The actuation electronics includes at least an actuation element, which is arranged to energize a number of drive coils. The actuation element has a number of half bridges, each comprising a first half-bridge connection, a second half-bridge connection, and a half-bridge center. The first half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another, and the second half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another. The half bridges and the drive coils form a chain, with the half-bridge centers and drive coils arranged alternately within the chain, at least one half-bridge center being connected to two drive coils.