Vehicle Simulation Unit Using Magnetic Levitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional simulation units for vehicle movement are costly due to heavy and expensive support devices made of rails and steel wheels, which result in high power consumption and noise, and are difficult to upgrade for large two-dimensional motion systems.

Innovation Solution

A simulation unit with a support device featuring a sliding carriage on a low-friction surface, such as a 2.5 cm thick ice layer or fluoroplastics, allowing for two-dimensional movement with reduced power consumption and noise, and incorporating a drive system with rotating sliding surfaces for continuous polishing to maintain surface smoothness and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional rails and steel wheels are used for support devices, then structural stiffness and accuracy are improved, but weight and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural accuracyVSAvoidsupport device weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical rail-and-wheel support system with a magnetic levitation system that uses magnetic fields for contactless support and propulsion. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy steel structures while maintaining positional accuracy through magnetic field control, directly resolving the contradiction between structural accuracy and support device weight.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters by transitioning from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By adjusting magnetic field strength and distribution, the system achieves both light weight and high precision positioning, transforming the support mechanism from a mechanically-constrained system to a field-based controllable system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If heavy structures are used for high stiffness, then motion stability is improved, but power consumption increases due to high mass and acceleration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion stabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic levitation system replaces heavy mechanical structures with lightweight components supported by magnetic fields. The active magnetic control provides motion stability without requiring massive structures, and the electromagnetic propulsion system achieves high acceleration with lower power consumption compared to conventional motor-driven wheel systems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamic magnetic field adjustment to maintain stability during motion. By continuously adjusting magnetic field parameters in response to motion state changes, the system achieves stable motion control with lightweight structures, avoiding the need for heavy static support structures that would increase power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If conventional rail systems are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but noise and friction increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidnoise and friction
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic levitation system replaces mechanical contact between rails and wheels with contactless magnetic field interaction. This eliminates friction entirely and dramatically reduces noise by removing mechanical contact, wear, and vibration sources while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through the use of electromagnetic actuators and sensors.

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

4Speed

If high acceleration capabilities are achieved, then speed specifications are improved, but power consumption increases due to large installed power units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration capabilityVSAvoidinstalled power unit size
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The electromagnetic propulsion system replaces conventional mechanical drive systems with motors and transmissions. By using magnetic fields for direct propulsion and control, the system achieves high acceleration capabilities with more compact and efficient power units, reducing overall power consumption through precise electromagnetic control and regenerative braking capabilities.

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

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 solution reduces power consumption and noise while maintaining high acceleration and speed capabilities, and allows for more efficient and cost-effective production and maintenance of simulation units with improved motion control and stability.

Implementation Method 1

the support surface is formed by a layer of ice, preferred a layer of a thickness of about 2.5 cm... Ice has the lowest possible static and dynamic friction coefficient in nature with respect to other relevant materials like steel or plastics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a drive system with rotating sliding surfaces for continuous polishing to maintain surface smoothness and stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3493181B1Simulation unit for simulating a vehicle's movement
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3493181B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3493181B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3493181B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A simulation unit to simulate a vehicle's movement, comprising a support device and a carriage being two-dimensionally movable on the support device.