Stator Tile Segmentation for Multi-Stage Displacement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing displacement devices face challenges in controllably moving multiple moveable stages relative to a stator due to cross-coupling forces, which affect the efficient movement and positioning of stages in manufacturing and inspection processes.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a stator with independently addressable coil trace groups and moveable stages equipped with magnetization elements, where controllers and amplifiers manage currents in the coil traces to create magnetic forces that control the movement of stages, minimizing cross-coupling by optimizing the layout and orientation of magnet arrays and coil traces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple moveable stages are moved in a displacement device, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but cross-coupling forces between stages increase causing control difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of moving multiple stagesVSAvoidcontrollability of stages
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stator is divided into multiple independently addressable coil trace groups, where each group can be controlled separately to move specific moveable stages. This segmentation allows independent control of each stage while maintaining the ability to move multiple stages simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and control difficulty caused by cross-coupling forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If coil traces are arranged to move multiple moveable stages, then the ability to control multiple stages is improved, but cross-coupling forces between stages worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to move multiple stagesVSAvoidcross-coupling forces
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The coil traces are configured with specific local characteristics - each coil trace group is designed to generate magnetic forces primarily in a specific direction and location. By optimizing the local quality of each coil trace group's magnetic field generation, the system achieves versatile control of multiple stages while minimizing unwanted cross-coupling forces between adjacent stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enables precise and efficient movement of multiple stages with reduced cross-coupling forces, allowing for independent control of each stage's position and orientation in six degrees of freedom, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of displacement devices in manufacturing and inspection processes.

Implementation Method 1

controllers and amplifiers manage currents in the coil traces to create magnetic forces that control the movement of stages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

employ a stator with independently addressable coil trace groups and moveable stages equipped with magnetization elements, where controllers and amplifiers manage currents in the coil traces to create magnetic forces that control the movement of stages

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3320606B1Method and system for controllably moving one or more moveable stages in a displacement device
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 THE UNIV OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
  • EP3320606B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3320606B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3320606B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

Aspects of the invention provide methods and systems for moving moveable stages relative to a stator. A stator is operationally divided into multiple stator tiles. The movement of the one or more moveable stages is controlled by a plurality of controllers (each assigned particular control responsibilities). A controller is provided for each stator sector, where each stator sector comprises a group of one or more stator tiles. Controllers from neighboring sectors share various information to facilitate controllable movement of one or more moveable stages relative to the stator.