LINEAR TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND MOVABLE UNIT OF A LINEAR TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

A linear transport system comprises a stationary unit and a movable unit. The linear transport system also comprises a drive for driving the movable unit, the drive comprising a linear motor, the linear motor comprising a stator and a rotor. The stator comprises the one or the plurality of stationary units, and the rotor is arranged on the movable unit and comprises one or a plurality of magnets. The stationary unit comprises an energy sending coil. The movable unit comprises an energy receiving coil. The movable unit comprises a fixing device, where the fixing device is set up to fix the movable unit in the linear transport system. The fixing device comprises a movable element, where the movable element can be moved between a first position and a second position, where in the first position the movable element initiates a mechanical fixing of the movable unit.

Claims

1. A linear transport system, wherein the linear transport system comprises: at least a stationary unit and at least a movable unit, wherein the linear transport system further comprises a drive for driving said movable unit, wherein the drive comprises a linear motor, and wherein the linear motor comprises a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator comprises one or a plurality of said stationary unit, and wherein the rotor is arranged on said movable unit and comprises one or a plurality of magnets; wherein said maystationary unit comprises an energy transmitting coil, wherein said movable unit comprises an energy receiving coil, wherein said movable unit comprises a fixing device, wherein the fixing device is arranged to fix said movable unit in the linear transport system, wherein the fixing device comprises a movable element, wherein the movable element is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the movable element triggers a mechanical fixing of the movable element in the first position.

2. The linear transport system according to claim 1, wherein the energy receiving coil is equipped to receive an energy from the energy transmitting coil.

3. The linear transport system according to claim 1, wherein the movable element is configured to be held in the second position with the aid of an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet is configured to be supplied with a current with the aid of the energy transmitting coil and energy receiving coil, respectively, wherein a reset element acts against a force generated by the electromagnet, and wherein movement of the movable element into the first position is adapted to be effected by the reset element.

4. The linear transport system according to claim 1, wherein the linear transport system comprises a guide rail, wherein the movable are movable along the guide rail by the drive, wherein the movable unit comprises rollers, wherein the rollers roll on running surfaces of the guide rail, and wherein movement along the guide rail is impeded by the fixing device.

5. The linear transport system according to claim 4, wherein said guide rail comprises bore holes for engaging the movable element, wherein the movable element is at least partially arranged in one of the bore holes in the first position.

6. The linear transport system according to claim 5, wherein the movable element is configured to fix the movable unit to withstand movements triggered by the drive.

7. The linear transport system according to claim 4, wherein the movable element comprises a first brake pad, wherein the first brake pad contacts the guide rail when the movable element is arranged in the first position.

8. The linear transport system according to claim 4, wherein the movable element comprises a second brake pad, wherein the second brake pad contacts one of the rollers when the movable element is arranged in the first position.

9. The linear transport system according to claim 1, wherein the stationary unit comprises a stationary antenna and the movable unit comprises a movable antenna, wherein the movable unit comprises a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the fixing device based on a signal transmitted from the stationary antenna to the movable antenna.

10. A movable unit of a linear transport system, wherein a rotor is arranged on said movable unit and comprises one or a plurality of magnets, wherein the movable unit comprises an energy receiving coil, wherein the movable unit comprises a fixing device, wherein the fixing device is configured to fix fixing the movable unit in the linear transport system wherein the fixing device comprises a movable element, wherein the movable element is movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the movable element triggers a mechanical fixing of the movable unit in the first position.

11. The movable unit according to claim 10, wherein the energy receiving coil is equipped to receive an energy from an energy transmitting coil.

12. The movable unit according to claim 10, wherein the movable element is configured to be held in the second position with the aid of an electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet is configure to be supplied with a current with the aid of the energy receiving coil, wherein a reset element acts against a force generated by the electromagnet, and wherein movement of the movable element to the first position is adapted to be effected by the reset element.

13. The movable unit according to claim 10, wherein the movable unit is movable along a guide rail of the linear transport system by a drive, wherein the movable unit comprises rollers, wherein the rollers roll on running surfaces of the guide rail, and wherein movement along the guide rail is impeded by the fixing device.

14. The movable unit according to claim 13, wherein the movable element is configured to at least partially engage a bore hole of the guide rail in the first position.

15. The movable unit according to claim 14, wherein the movable element is configured to fix the movable unit to withstand movements triggered by the drive.

16. The movable unit of claim 13, wherein the movable element comprises a first brake pad, wherein the first brake pad is movable towards the guide rail when the movable element is moved towards the first position.

17. The movable unit according to claim 13, wherein the movable element comprises a second brake pad, wherein the second brake pad contacts one of the rollers when the movable element is arranged in the first position.

18. The movable unit according to claim 10, wherein the movable unit comprises a movable antenna, and wherein the movable unit comprises a controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the fixing device based on a signal received from the movable antenna.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will be discussed in more detail below with the aid of embodiment examples and with reference to figures. Here, in a schematic illustration in each case

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a linear transport system;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a section of the linear transport system;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a further section of the linear transport system;

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a guide rail with bore holes;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through a guide rail and a movable unit;

[0028] FIG. 6 shows a further cross-section through a guide rail and a movable unit;

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a further section of a linear transport system;

[0030] FIG. 8 shows a movable unit having a first brake pad;

[0031] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of a movable unit having a first brake pad;

[0032] FIG. 10 shows a movable unit having a first brake pad without the guide rail being shown;

[0033] FIG. 11 shows a movable unit having a second brake pad;

[0034] FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the movable unit having a second brake pad; and

[0035] FIG. 13 shows a schematic depiction of a fixing device having a second brake pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a linear transport system 1 comprising a plurality of stationary units 10 and a plurality of movable units 100. Embodiments with only one stationary unit 10 and/or one movable unit 100 are conceivable, as well. The stationary units 10 comprise straight stationary units 11 and curved stationary units 12, wherein the stationary units 10 are arranged in such a way that a closed path of movement results. This means that the movable units 100 may be moved along the stationary units 10 in a closed path curve. Furthermore, guide rails 50 are arranged at the stationary units 10, wherein the guide rails 50 comprise straight guide rails 51 and curved guide rails 52. The movable units 100 may be moved along the guide rails 50 along a closed path. To drive the movable units 100, the linear transport system 1 comprises a drive 20. The drive 20 comprises a linear motor 21 consisting of a stator 22 and a rotor 110. The stator 22 is in this context arranged at the stationary units 10, while the rotor 110 is arranged at the movable units 100. For clarity, the rotor 110 is depicted only in one of the movable units 100, but is also present on the other movable units 100. Via the drive 20, the movable units 100 may be moved along the guide rails 50.

[0037] The movable units 100 comprise a fixing device 120. The fixing device 120 comprises a movable element 121. The movable element 121 may be moved between a first position and a second position, wherein the movable element triggers a mechanical fixation of the movable unit 100 in the first position. Energy sending coils 30 are arranged within the stationary units 10, and may be used to transfer energy from the stationary units 10 to the movable units 100.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a section of the linear transport system 1 of FIG. 1. One of the straight stationary units 11, one of the straight guide rails 51 and a movable unit 100 arranged at the guide rail 51 are shown. The movable unit 100 comprises a frame 101 on which guide rollers 190 are arranged. The guide rollers 190 may roll on running surfaces 55 of the guide rail 50. Thus, the movable unit 100 may be moved along the guide rail 50 while being driven with the aid of the drive 20. The movable unit 100 further comprises a switch-on unit 102, wherein the switch-on unit 102 may comprise an energy receiving coil. Thus, energy may be transmitted to the energy receiving coil of the switch-on unit 102 via the energy transmitting coil 30. The fixing device 120 comprises the movable unit 121 and an electromagnet 122. In this context, the movable unit 121 may be moved away from the guide rail 50 with the aid of the electromagnet 122. As a result, the movable unit 121 is arranged in the first position. A reset element 124, which is herein embodied as a spring, is used to move the movable element 121 back in the direction of the guide rail 50 when the electromagnet 122 is no longer supplied with electrical current and thus to move the movable element 121 into a second position in the direction of the guide rail 50.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the section of the linear transport system 1 of FIG. 2. Within the switch-on unit 102, the energy receiving coil 103 is arranged such that it faces the energy transmitting coil 30 of the stationary unit 10. Furthermore, an optional controller 104 is arranged within the switch-on unit 102. The controller 104 may be used to move the movable element 121 in a controlled manner with the aid of the electromagnet 122.

[0040] Instead of the electromagnet 122, another device with the aid of which the movable element 121 may be moved may also be used, e.g. the movable element may be moved with the aid of a servo motor or with the aid of a stepper motor. In this case, a gearbox may also be provided.

[0041] The stationary unit 10 comprises an optional stationary antenna 31. The switch-on unit 102 of the movable unit 100 comprises an optional movable antenna 105, wherein the movable antenna 105 has a fixed position relative to the movable unit 100 and is moved along with the movable unit 100. The stationary antenna 31 and the movable antenna 105, respectively, may be used to transmit data from the stationary unit 10 to the movable unit 100 and vice versa, and the controller 104 may then control the electromagnet 122 and thus the movable element 121.

[0042] The energy receiving coil 103, the controller 104 and the movable antenna 105 are shown as part of the switch-on unit 102, but may also be arranged on the movable unit 100 without being part of a switch-on unit 102. This also applies to the following embodiments.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the guide rail 50 of the section of the linear transport system of FIGS. 2 and 3. The guide rail has bore holes 57, and the movable element 121 may engage in the bore holes 57. In the first position, the movable element 121 is at least partially arranged in one of the bore holes 57.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section through the movable unit 100 and the guide rail 50, while the movable unit 121 is arranged at least partially in the bore hole 57. In this case, the movable unit 121 projects over the frame 101 of the movable unit 100 in such a way that the movable element 121 is arranged in the bore hole 57. Thereby, the movable unit 121 is arranged in a first position 131. The fixing device 120 again comprises the electromagnet 122 and the reset element 124 in the form of a spring. In the first position 131, the reset element 124 is without tension. If current is now transmitted to the movable unit 100 via the energy transmitting coil 30 and the energy receiving coil 103, the electromagnet 122 may be energized, thereby generating a magnetic field and thereby moving the movable element 121 out of the bore hole 57. This movement occurs against a resetting force of the reset element 124. Thus, in the embodiment shown, the reset element 124 is stretched and, once the electromagnet 122 ceases to apply further force, may move the movable element 121 back to the first position 131.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows the cross-section of FIG. 5 after the electromagnet 122 has been activated and the movable element 121 has been moved out of the bore hole 57. In this second position 132 of the movable element 121, the movable unit 100 may be moved along the guide rail 50. If the power supply fails, for example, the movable element 121 is moved back towards the first position 131 due to the reset element 124 and engages in one of the bore holes 57, so that the movable unit 100 is now fixed. In this case, the deactivation of the electromagnet may be carried out, on the one hand, by a power failure and, on the other hand, also by a signal from a controller 104 actuated in the switch-on unit 102. In a further movement of the movable unit 100, the movable element 121 engages in the next bore hole 57 which is reached at the latest.

[0046] In the fixing device 120 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the movable element 121 is moved perpendicular with regard to the guide rail 50 towards the guide rail 50. The aim is that the movable element 121 may engage in the bore holes 57 and thereby achieve a fixation of the movable unit 100 withstanding further movement along the guide rail 50. On the one hand, this may be done in the context of the described emergency brake, so that after a power failure the movable units 100 are prevented from further movement by a movement of the movable elements 121 into the bore holes 57. Furthermore, this may also be used to hold the movable units 100 in place while a product placed on the movable unit 100 is being processed in a processing station.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows a movable unit 100 at a guide rail 50, in which the fixing device 120 has a different design. In this embodiment, the movable unit 121 may be moved in parallel to the guide rail 50 with the aid of the electromagnet 122, rather than perpendicular to the guide rail 50. A first brake pad 141 may be moved against a running surface 55 of the guide rail 50 via a movement converter 140 connected to the movable unit 121. In this context, the movement converter 140 may be rotated about an axis 143, the axis 143 being fixed relative to the frame 101 of the movable unit 100. When the movable element 121 is moved, this movement is converted via the movement converter 140 and the first brake pad 141 is pressed against the running surface 55 of the guide rail 50. This is the case in the first position. In a second position of the movable element 121, the first brake pad 141 is moved away from the guide rail 50 or the running surface 55 with the aid of the movement converter 140. This fixing device 120 of FIG. 7 may e.g. be used as a brake if a controller 104 is arranged within the switch-on unit 102 for controlling the electromagnet 122 of the fixing unit 120. However, it may also be provided to use the fixing device 120 of FIG. 7 as an emergency brake if no controller is provided in the switch-on unit 102 and, in the event of a power failure, the first brake pad 141 is moved in the direction of the guide rail 50 and thus results in slowing down of the movable unit 100.

[0048] FIG. 8 shows a rear view of the movable unit 100 of FIG. 7. The switch-on unit 102 may be connected to the electromagnet 122, thereby providing current to the electromagnet 122. On the one hand, this may be a permanent provision of a current for the electromagnet 122 so that the reset element 124 only moves the movable unit 121 when the current fails and thus a movement of the first brake pad 141 in the direction of the guide rail 50 is triggered. However, the switch-on unit 102 may also comprise an optional controller 104 that may be used to provide a power supply to the electromagnet 122.

[0049] The fixing device 120 comprises two first brake pads 141, one on each side of the guide rail 50. A different number of first brake pads 141 may also be provided, in particular only one first brake pad 141.

[0050] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the braking device 120 of FIGS. 7 and 8. The movable element 121 is arranged in a frame element 125 with the aid of the electromagnet 122 and the reset device 124. When the movable element 121 moves in a direction 129, the movement converter 140 is moved in such a way that the first brake pad 141 is pressed against the running surface 55 of the guide rail 50, thereby fixing the movable unit 100. By moving the movable element 121 in the direction 129, the movable element 121 is brought to a first position 131, wherein the first brake pad 141 then contacts the running surface 55 of the guide rail 50.

[0051] FIG. 10 shows a further enlarged view of the fixing device 120 of FIGS. 7 to 9. However, in FIG. 10, the magnets 111 of the rotor 110 of the linear motor 20 are visible. The magnets 111 are also arranged on the rotor 110. Furthermore, it is made clear by this depiction that the fixing device 120 comprises two first brake pads 141.

[0052] FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of a movable unit 100 comprising a fixing device 120. In this embodiment, the movement converter 140 is configured in such a way that a movement of the movable element 121 generates a movement of a second brake pad 142 in the direction of one of the guide rollers 190. When a force is applied in the direction 129 by the electromagnet 122, the movement converter 140 is moved in such a way by the movable element 121 such that the second brake pad 142 is pressed against the guide roller 190. This also allows for braking the movement of the movable unit 100 within the framework of a brake. The movable element 121 is moved to the first position 131 for this purpose. In an alternative embodiment, it may also be provided that the electromagnet 122 removes the second brake pad 142 from the roller 190 and, in the event of a power failure, presses it back against the roller 190 with the aid of the reset element 124.

[0053] FIG. 12 shows an enlarged view of the fixing device 120 of FIG. 11. A movement of the movable element 121 moves the movement converter and presses the second brake pad 142 against the roller 190. In this case, the movement converter 140 is rotatably mounted about an axis 143, wherein a movement of the movable unit 121 may be correspondingly converted into a movement of the second brake pad 142.

[0054] FIG. 13 shows a further view of the fixing device 120 of FIGS. 11 and 12, in which the effect of the second brake pad 142 on the roller 190 may be seen in more detail. In this case, the movable element 121 is arranged in the first position. When the movable element 121 is moved to the left, the movement converter 140 is able to rotate about the axis 143, thereby removing the second brake pad 142 from the roller 190, so that free movement of the movable unit 100 along the guide rail 50 is now possible.

[0055] The embodiments shown may be combined with one another. For example, a fixing device 120 as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 may be combined with a fixing device 120 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. In this case, the fixing device 120 shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 may be used as a brake, while the fixing device 120 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 may be used to fix the movable unit 100 during product processing and in the event of a power failure. If only one fixing device 120 is used as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, or only one fixing device 120 is used as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the first brake pad 141 and the second brake pad 142, respectively, may also be referred to as a brake pad.

[0056] The system shown may be used to provide a fixing device 120 for a linear transport system 1, with the aid of which, on the one hand, fixations of the movable unit 100 controlled via the switch-on unit 102 and the controller 104 are possible and, on the other hand, an appropriate fixing may also be provided in the event of a power failure.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 List of reference numerals 1 linear transport system 10 stationary unit 11 straight stationary unit 12 curved stationary unit 20 drive 21 linear motor 22 stator 30 energy transmitting coil 31 stationary antenna 50 guide rail 51 straight guide trail 52 curved guide rail 55 running surface 57 bore hole 100 movable unit 101 frame 102 switch-on unit 103 energy receiving coil 104 controller 105 movable antenna 110 rotor 111 magnet 120 fixing device 121 movable element 122 electromagnet 124 reset element 125 frame element 129 direction 131 first position 132 second position 140 movement converter 141 first brake pad 142 second brake pad 143 axis 190 roller