Switchable Vehicle Guidance for Flexible Linear Motor Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guidance systems in production plants, particularly linear motor systems, face challenges in achieving flexibility and high process speed due to the need for rigid mechanical guides, which restrict the ability to separate and merge material flows efficiently, leading to low process speeds and limitations on product size and material type.
Innovation Solution
A guidance system design that allows for the activation and cancellation of the guidance function along specific sections of the route, using vehicle guidance elements and an electromagnetic or pneumatic drive to enable carrier vehicles to change routes and interact with magnetic linear motor paths, allowing for flexible and precise handling of materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid mechanical guides are used throughout the entire linear motor system, then high repeatability and precision are achieved, but the ability to separate and merge material flows is significantly reduced, requiring speed reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The guidance system transitions from static rigid mechanical guides to dynamic electromagnetic guidance where the guidance function can be activated or canceled in different sections. This allows the system to adapt its guidance characteristics dynamically - providing rigid guidance where precision is needed and allowing freedom of movement where route switching occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear motor system is divided into multiple sections along the travel path, with each section having independently controllable guidance functions. This segmentation allows different portions of the system to have different guidance characteristics - some sections with active guidance for precision and others with canceled guidance for flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If traditional handling devices such as pickers or mechanical systems are used for product transfer, then product transfer is achieved, but processing speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Traditional mechanical handling devices like pickers are replaced with an electromagnetic carrier vehicle system. The carrier vehicles are magnetically accelerated and decelerated by linear motor sections, eliminating the need for mechanical contact during product transfer while maintaining high speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
Carrier vehicles serve as intermediaries between different routes and processing stations. They magnetically couple with the linear motor system for acceleration and deceleration, enabling high-speed product transfer without direct mechanical interaction between transfer devices.
3Ease of operation
If products are transferred by clamping between carrier vehicles or using holding devices, then product transfer is achieved, but the system requires minimum product size and excludes flexible materials
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical clamping and holding devices are replaced with electromagnetic interaction. The linear motor sections create magnetic fields that accelerate and decelerate carrier vehicles without physical contact, eliminating size and material constraints associated with mechanical gripping.
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
Enables efficient, rapid, and precise handling of workpieces with flexible batch sizes, including small batches, by allowing carrier vehicles to change routes and engage with multiple guidance systems, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional systems in terms of speed and product constraints.
Implementation Method 1
a linear motor section is formed along the travel path, which interacts magnetically with magnets attached to the carrier vehicle, so that the carrier vehicle can be driven along the travel path
Implementation Method 2
When a carrier vehicle needs to change tracks, a magnetic field-weakening current is applied to one side and a field-strengthening current to the other. The carrier vehicle is thus magnetically pulled to the other side.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement (ARR) comprising a guidance system (GDS) and a carrier vehicle (VHC), wherein the guidance system (GDS) has a track layout (GDE) extending along a travel path (PTH) for the carrier vehicle (VHC). To ensure a flexible and rapid material flow in production, it is proposed that the guidance system (GDS) has vehicle guidance elements (GVE) on the carrier vehicle (VHC), wherein the guidance system (GDS) is designed such that a guidance function (GFC) of the guidance system (GDS) restricts the degree of freedom of translational mobility of the carrier vehicle (VHC) during the interaction of the track layout (GDE) with the vehicle guidance elements (GVE) to a limited range of motion along the travel path (PTH).- the guidance function (GFC) can be (a) deactivated at least sectionally along the route (PTH) by means of a movement of the vehicle guidance elements (GVE) and/or the track guidance (GDE) out of a guidance position and (b) activated by means of a movement of the vehicle guidance elements (GVE) or the track guidance (GDE) into the guidance position.