Vertical Moving Unit with Biasing Force and Low-Thrust Motor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vertical moving apparatuses in production facilities require extensive safety measures and significant facility costs due to the need for high-output motors and safety systems, which decrease production efficiency, and existing safety measures are unnecessary when the motor can be stopped by low thrust contact.
Innovation Solution
A vertical moving method and apparatus that utilize a non-electric biasing unit, an electric motor unit, and an electromagnetic brake unit to control thrust and braking forces independently of the conveyance target object's weight, allowing the system to stop when an external overload force is detected, eliminating the need for additional safety facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a high-output motor is used to vertically move a heavy conveyance target object, then the lifting capability is improved, but safety measure facilities (safety fences, sensors) are required which increase facility cost and decrease production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thrust parameter of the motor to be low (low-output motor) while using a biasing unit to provide the necessary lifting force. This parameter change eliminates the need for high-output motors and their associated safety facilities, resolving the contradiction between power capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a biasing unit that generates a biasing force to counterbalance the weight of the conveyance target object. This anti-weight mechanism allows the use of a low-output motor while still achieving the lifting function, thereby eliminating the need for extensive safety measure facilities.
2Reliability
If safety measure facilities (sensors, safety fences) are provided around each vertical moving apparatus, then operator safety is improved, but facility cost increases enormously and production efficiency decreases due to frequent automatic stops
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical moving apparatus is designed to be inherently safe through its low-thrust motor and biasing unit configuration, which automatically stop movement when external force is applied. This self-service safety mechanism eliminates the need for external safety facilities that would cause production interruptions, thereby maintaining high productivity while ensuring operator safety.
3Device complexity
If a low-thrust motor is used in the vertical moving apparatus, then safety measure facilities become unnecessary and facility cost is reduced, but the lifting capability for heavy objects is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing unit generates a biasing force that counterbalances the weight of the conveyance target object, enabling a low-thrust motor to achieve the lifting function. This anti-weight mechanism resolves the contradiction between using low-thrust motors (reducing facility cost) and maintaining lifting capability for heavy objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing unit serves multiple functions: it counterbalances the weight of the conveyance target object, enables low-thrust motor operation, and provides inherent safety by automatically stopping movement when external force is applied. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between device simplicity and lifting capability.
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 facility costs by eliminating the need for safety measures and ensures operator safety by automatically stopping the vertical moving unit with low thrust contact, maintaining production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a non-electric biasing unit configured to generate a biasing force to raise the vertical moving unit
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic brake unit configured to apply a braking force to the vertical movement of the support unit
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical moving method of a vertical moving unit on which a conveyance target object is mounted includes steps of causing a non-electric biasing unit to generate a biasing force to raise the vertical moving unit, causing an electric motor unit to generate a thrust in a direction to raise the vertical moving unit or a thrust in a direction to lower the vertical moving unit, and causing an electromagnetic brake unit to generate a braking force to resist a movement of the vertical moving unit. Independently of presence/absence of the object and a weight of the object, the thrust and/or the braking force is controlled such that the vertical moving unit stops when an external force of overload more than a predetermined value acts on the vertical moving unit during a vertical movement.