Wireless Power Transport Members for Sterile Magnetic Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport apparatuses for packaging chemical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products are unsuitable due to contamination risks, stringent sterility requirements, and inefficiencies in providing electric power to on-board devices in non-contact transport systems.
Innovation Solution
A transport apparatus with a support wall and transport members that move in two degrees of freedom using magnetic fields, equipped with a wireless power transmitter and receiver to supply electric energy to on-board devices without contact, ensuring sterility and efficient power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-contact electromagnetic transport is used to reduce contamination risks and human intervention, then sterility and safety are improved, but reliable and fast power supply to on-board devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless power transmission system acts as an intermediary between the stationary power source and the moving transport member. The system comprises a transmitter unit coupled to the power source and a receiver unit on the transport member, enabling contactless energy transfer through electromagnetic fields while maintaining the sterile environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based power transmission (such as sliding contacts or plug-socket connections) with electromagnetic field-based wireless power transmission. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear, contamination risks, and complexity while providing reliable and fast power supply to on-board devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If planar motors with magnetic means are used for versatile and contactless transport, then adaptability and sterility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport member integrates multiple functions including magnetic means for movement, support means for holding objects, gripping means for securing objects, sensors for detection, and wireless power reception. This multi-functional integration provides versatility while managing complexity through coordinated design of all components working together
3Productivity
If electric devices are integrated on-board transport members for object manipulation and processing, then productivity and automation are improved, but power supply reliability and sterility maintenance become conflicting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless power transmission system serves as an intermediary that delivers power across the sterile barrier. The transmitter remains in the sterile environment while the receiver on the transport member receives power contactlessly, enabling automated operations without compromising sterility
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical power transmission methods that would require breaking sterile barriers are replaced with electromagnetic wireless power transmission. This enables continuous automated operation of on-board devices while maintaining the integrity of the sterile environment
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 safe, sterile, and efficient power supply to on-board devices, meeting stringent sterility requirements and reducing human intervention, while maintaining a clean and quiet operating environment.
Implementation Method 1
energization electric means configured to selectively generate one or several magnetic fields associated with the reference surface, wherein the at least one transport member comprises magnetic means configured to interact with the energization electric means and consequently cause the selective displacement of the at least one transport member
Implementation Method 2
magnetic means configured to interact with the energization electric means and consequently cause the selective displacement of the at least one transport member
Implementation Method 3
a wireless power receiver associated with the transport member in order to move integrally therewith and provided with a wireless power receiver coil able to magnetically couple to the wireless power transmitter coil in order to receive electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
Transport apparatus (10) for transporting objects (11) which comprises a reference surface (13), at least one transport member (18) for supporting and transporting the objects (11) with respect to the reference surface (13), magnetic members (23) and energization electric members (15), configured to interact with the magnetic members (23) and consequently cause the selective displacement of the transport member (18), wherein at least one wireless power transmitter (28) selectively transmits energy to at least one wireless power receiver (30).