Transverse Flux Drive Unit for High Dynamic Short Strokes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive units face challenges in performing a large number of dynamic, high-force, and short-stroke movements with minimal maintenance, especially in applications requiring repeated routes at high speeds and reduced mass inertia.

Innovation Solution

A drive unit design featuring a primary part with layered metal sheets and permanent magnets, a transverse flux machine configuration, and a secondary part with ferromagnetic flux-guiding elements, utilizing coils to generate forces and reduce wear through targeted activation and regulation, and incorporating low-maintenance bearings for extended operational intervals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If magnets are provided in both primary and secondary parts, then the drive unit can generate sufficient force for high dynamic movements, but the moving mass increases which reduces dynamic performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce generationVSAvoidmoving mass
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the magnets from the secondary part (moving component) and relocates them exclusively to the primary part (stationary component). This extraction eliminates the weight penalty of magnets in the moving mass while preserving force generation capability through the interaction between primary part magnets and secondary part ferromagnetic elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the conventional arrangement where both stator and rotor have magnets, the patent inverts the configuration by placing magnets only in the primary part and ferromagnetic flux guide elements only in the secondary part. This inversion maintains the magnetic interaction necessary for force generation while optimizing the mass distribution for high dynamic performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the drive unit is designed for short strokes with high frequency operations, then productivity increases, but wear on moving parts accelerates reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of strokesVSAvoidmaintenance intervals
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between magnetized components with a magnetic field interaction system. The ferromagnetic flux guide elements in the secondary part interact with magnets in the primary part through magnetic fields rather than mechanical contact, eliminating wear from friction and impact during high-frequency short-stroke operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

By extracting magnets from the secondary part, the patent eliminates the wear mechanism that would occur between magnetized surfaces during repeated contactless magnetic interactions, enabling high-frequency operations with extended maintenance intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Force

If magnets are arranged with alternating polarities in the axial direction, then the magnetic flux distribution is optimized for high force generation, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux distributionVSAvoidmagnet arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the magnetic system into distinct functional zones: magnets with alternating polarities are confined to the primary part where they can be systematically arranged in modular slots, while the secondary part contains simpler ferromagnetic flux guide elements. This segmentation allows complex alternating polarity patterns to be manufactured using standardized processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The drive unit achieves high dynamic performance with extended maintenance intervals, capable of generating high forces and short strokes efficiently, reducing wear and backlash, and can be used in applications like test devices and energy generation systems.

Implementation Method 1

a coil wound around each tooth... Magnets, in particular permanent magnets, are arranged on the laminations... the coil extends at least partially, and preferably predominantly, in an axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 2

the secondary part is provided with ferromagnetic flux guide elements, which are mounted on a circumferential surface of the secondary part's shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3823143A1Drive unit for generating a translatory movement
Publication Date: 2021.05.19 FERTIGUNGSGERATEBAU A STEINBACH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3823143A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3823143A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3823143A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive unit for generating a translational movement, comprising: a housing that accommodates a primary part, a secondary part, wherein the primary part has a plurality of axially layered laminations forming teeth, each with a coil wound around a tooth, and magnets are arranged on the laminations on a side of the primary part facing the secondary part.