Transport Unit Carrier Encoder Alignment Service Station

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electromagnetic transportation systems, deviations in the position of carrier units due to manufacturing tolerances and inaccurate mounting can lead to errors in object processing and increased risk of collisions, as the position of objects transported is fixed by the holding device of the carrier unit.

Innovation Solution

A method and service station for adjusting transport units, where the transport unit is moved into an adjustment area, positioned at an adjustment position, and aligned using a positioning device to precisely align the carrier unit and encoder track relative to each other, ensuring the object maintains a predetermined position during processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manufacturing tolerances and inaccurate mounting are present in transport units, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates leading to position deviations of carrier units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing alignment of the carrier unit and encoder track at a specific adjustment position before the transport unit enters normal operation. The method involves moving the transport unit to an adjustment area, positioning it at a predetermined adjustment position, and then aligning the carrier unit and encoder track relative to each other. This preliminary alignment compensates for manufacturing tolerances and mounting inaccuracies, ensuring precise object positioning without requiring higher manufacturing precision throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If alignment adjustment is implemented for transport units, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional positioning mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing the existing encoder track and carrier unit components to perform their own alignment relative to each other at the adjustment position, without requiring external measurement or automation equipment. The transport unit itself is moved to the adjustment area and positioned using its own drive mechanism, and the alignment is achieved by releasing connections and allowing the carrier unit and encoder track to be positioned relative to each other using the existing holding device and encoder components already present in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If carrier unit position deviations occur, then manufacturing precision is reduced, but loss of time increases due to processing errors and collision risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prevents processing errors and collision risks by performing preliminary alignment of the carrier unit and encoder track before normal operation begins. By ensuring accurate positioning at the adjustment position beforehand, the system avoids time losses that would result from processing errors, repositioning operations, or collision incidents during production. The alignment is performed once during setup or maintenance, eliminating the need for repeated corrections during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250051107A1Method and service station for adjusting a transport unit
Publication Date: 2025.02.13 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • US20250051107A1 patent drawing
  • US20250051107A1 patent drawing
  • US20250051107A1 patent drawing

AI summary

In one embodiment, a service station for adjusting a transport unit of an electromagnetic transportation system is provided. The transport unit includes a base body, an encoder track connected to the base body for position determination, and a carrier unit for transporting objects, which is detachably connected to the base body of the transport unit. During usage in the transportation system, the transport unit is moved along a stator of the transportation system to move an object arranged on the carrier unit for processing between workstations of a production process. For the adjustment, the transport unit is moved into an adjustment area which is formed by an adjustment segment of the service station. The transport unit is positioned at an adjustment position in the adjustment area, and using a positioning device of the service station, the carrier unit and the encoder track are aligned relative to one another.