阅读说明：本技术 运输系统、动子、控制设备及控制方法 (Transport system, mover, control device and control method ) 是由 山本武 于 2019-08-05 设计创作，主要内容包括：运输系统、动子、控制设备及控制方法。运输系统包括：动子，其具有平行于第一方向布置的第一磁体组以及平行于与第一方向相交的第二方向布置的第二磁体组；和多个线圈，其以能够面向第一磁体组和第二磁体组的方式平行于第一方向布置，且动子能够通过由第一磁体组从多个线圈接收的电磁力而沿着多个线圈在第一方向上移动，同时动子的姿态通过由第一磁体组或第二磁体组从多个线圈接收的电磁力控制。(Transport system, active cell, control device and control method. The transport system comprises: a mover having a first magnet group arranged in parallel to a first direction and a second magnet group arranged in parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a plurality of coils arranged in parallel to the first direction in a manner capable of facing the first and second magnet groups, and the mover is movable in the first direction along the plurality of coils by an electromagnetic force received from the plurality of coils by the first magnet group, while an attitude of the mover is controlled by the electromagnetic force received from the plurality of coils by the first magnet group or the second magnet group.)

1. A transportation system comprising:

a mover having a first magnet group arranged in parallel to a first direction and a second magnet group arranged in parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction; and

a plurality of coils arranged parallel to the first direction so as to be able to face the first magnet group and the second magnet group,

wherein the mover is movable in the first direction along the plurality of coils by an electromagnetic force received from the plurality of coils by the first magnet group while an attitude of the mover is controlled by the electromagnetic force received from the plurality of coils by the first magnet group or the second magnet group.

2. The transport system of claim 1, wherein the first or second magnet sets receive electromagnetic forces from the plurality of coils in a direction different from the first direction.

3. Transport system according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the mover has a side surface or a top surface parallel to the first direction, and

wherein the first magnet assembly and the second magnet assembly are disposed on the side surface or the top surface.

4. The transportation system as set forth in claim 3,

wherein the mover has one of the side surfaces and the other of the side surfaces parallel to the first direction, and

wherein the first magnet group and the second magnet group are respectively arranged on the one of the side surfaces and the other of the side surfaces.

5. The transport system according to claim 4, wherein the first and second magnet groups arranged on the one of the side faces and the first and second magnet groups arranged on the other of the side faces are symmetrically arranged about an axis parallel to the first direction as a symmetry axis.

6. The transport system of claim 4, wherein the first and second magnet sets disposed on the one of the side surfaces and the first and second magnet sets disposed on the other of the side surfaces are asymmetrically disposed.

7. The transportation system as set forth in claim 4,

wherein the mover has one of the side surfaces and the other of the side surfaces parallel to the first direction, and

wherein the first magnet group and the second magnet group are arranged on the one of the side faces and the other of the side faces.

8. The transport system of claim 7, wherein the first magnet assembly comprises one portion of the first magnet assembly and another portion of the first magnet assembly arranged to be displaced from each other in the second direction.

9. The transportation system as set forth in claim 3,

wherein the first magnet group and the second magnet group are arranged on a top surface, an

Wherein each of the plurality of coils has an iron core configured to generate an attractive force with the first magnet group or the second magnet group, and each of the plurality of coils is arranged to be able to face downward toward the first magnet group and the second magnet group.

10. Transport system according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the plurality of coils form at least one coil box unit in which one or more of the plurality of coils are closed in a box-like shape, and

wherein a plurality of the coil box units are arranged.

11. Transport system according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the mover includes

A first magnetic yoke to which the first magnet group is attached, an

A second yoke to which the second magnet group is attached,

wherein the first and second yokes are separated from each other.

12. A mover, comprising:

a first magnet group arranged in parallel to the first direction; and

a second magnet group arranged in parallel to a direction intersecting the first direction,

wherein the mover is movable in the first direction along a plurality of coils by an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils while an attitude of the mover is controlled by the electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils, the plurality of coils being arranged in parallel to the first direction so as to be capable of facing the first magnet group and the second magnet group.

13. A control apparatus that controls a mover having a first magnet group arranged parallel to a first direction and a second magnet group arranged parallel to a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the mover is movable in the first direction along a plurality of coils by an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils, while an attitude of the mover is controlled by the electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils arranged parallel to the first direction so as to be able to face the first magnet group and the second magnet group,

the control apparatus includes:

a transport control unit controlling transport of the mover in the first direction by controlling the electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils; and

an attitude control unit that controls an attitude of the mover by controlling an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils.

14. A control method of controlling a mover having a first magnet group arranged parallel to a first direction and a second magnet group arranged parallel to a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the mover is movable in the first direction along a plurality of coils by electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils while a posture of the mover is controlled by electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils arranged parallel to the first direction so as to be able to face the first magnet group and the second magnet group,

the control method comprises the following steps:

controlling transport of the mover in the first direction by controlling electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils; and is

Controlling an attitude of the mover by controlling an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a transportation system, a mover, control equipment and a control method.

Background

Generally, a transportation system is used in a production line for assembling industrial products, a semiconductor exposure apparatus, and the like. Specifically, a transport system in a production line transports workpieces such as components between a plurality of stations within the production line or between production lines of factory automation, or can be used as a transport apparatus in a processing apparatus. As a transport system, a transport system having a movable magnet type linear motor has been proposed.

The transport system with a linear motor of the movable magnet type is formed by using a guiding device comprising, for example, a linear guide in mechanical contact. However, in a transport system using a guide device such as a linear guide, there are problems in that: the productivity is deteriorated by the contaminated materials discharged from the sliding portion of the linear guide, such as abrasion debris of the guide rail or the bearing, lubricating oil, volatile components thereof, and the like. Further, there are the following problems: the friction of the sliding portion increases during high-speed transportation, which reduces the life of the linear guide.

Thus, japanese patent application laid-open 2015-230927 and japanese patent application laid-open 2016-532308 disclose non-contact magnetic levitation type moving apparatuses or transporting apparatuses without a sliding portion as a guide. In the moving apparatus disclosed in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2015-230927, seven rows of linear motors are installed for controlling the transportation and posture of the mover. Further, in the transport apparatus disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2016-.

However, in the apparatuses disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open Nos. 2015-230927 and 2016-532308, the many rows of linear motors or electromagnets installed make it difficult to avoid an increase in the system size.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is intended to provide a transport system, a mover, a control apparatus, and a control method that can transport the mover in a non-contact manner while controlling the attitude of the mover, without involving an increase in the size of the system configuration.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transport system comprising: a mover having a first magnet group arranged parallel to a first direction and a second magnet group arranged parallel to a second direction intersecting the first direction; and a plurality of coils arranged in parallel to the first direction in a manner capable of facing the first and second magnet groups, and the mover is movable in the first direction along the plurality of coils by an electromagnetic force received from the plurality of coils by the first magnet group, while an attitude of the mover is controlled by the electromagnetic force received from the plurality of coils by the first magnet group or the second magnet group.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mover, including: a first magnet group arranged in parallel to the first direction; and a second magnet group arranged in parallel to a direction intersecting the first direction, and the mover is movable in the first direction along the plurality of coils by an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils while an attitude of the mover is controlled by the electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils, and the plurality of coils are arranged in parallel to the first direction so as to be capable of facing the first magnet group and the second magnet group.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control apparatus to control a mover having a first magnet group arranged parallel to a first direction and a second magnet group arranged parallel to a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the mover is movable in the first direction along a plurality of coils by an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils while an attitude of the mover is controlled by the electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils, and the plurality of coils are arranged parallel to the first direction in such a manner as to be capable of facing the first magnet group and the second magnet group. The control apparatus includes: a transport control unit controlling transport of the mover in the first direction by controlling the electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils; and an attitude control unit that controls an attitude of the mover by controlling an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of controlling a mover having a first magnet group arranged parallel to a first direction and a second magnet group arranged parallel to a direction intersecting the first direction, wherein the mover is movable in the first direction along a plurality of coils by an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils while an attitude of the mover is controlled by the electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils, and the plurality of coils are arranged parallel to the first direction in such a manner as to be capable of facing the first magnet group and the second magnet group. The control method comprises the following steps: controlling a transport of the mover in a first direction by controlling an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group from the plurality of coils; and controlling an attitude of the mover by controlling an electromagnetic force received by the first magnet group or the second magnet group from the plurality of coils.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1A is a schematic view illustrating an entire configuration of a transport system including a mover and a stator according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating the entire configuration of the transport system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a mover and a stator in a transport system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating coils of a stator in the transport system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a control system controlling a transport system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an attitude control method of a mover in a transport system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of calculating a function by using a mover position in a transport system according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of calculating a function by using a mover posture in a transport system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8A is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of calculating a function by using a mover posture in a transport system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 8B is a diagram illustrating a process of calculating a function by using a mover posture in the transport system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of independently applying forces in the X-direction and the Y-direction to the permanent magnets of the mover in the transport system according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a mover in a transport system according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating a mover and a stator in a transport system according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a mover and a stator in a transport system according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view illustrating a mover in a transport system according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 14A is a schematic diagram illustrating a mover in a transport system according to a first modified example of the third embodiment.

Fig. 14B is a schematic view illustrating a mover in a transport system according to a second modified example of the third embodiment.

Fig. 14C is a schematic view illustrating a mover in a transport system according to a third modified example of the third embodiment.

Fig. 14D is a schematic view illustrating a mover in a transport system according to a fourth modified example of the third embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view illustrating a mover and a stator in a transport system according to a fourth embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a schematic view illustrating a mover and a stator in a transport system according to a fourth embodiment.

Detailed Description

First embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, i.e., by using fig. 1A to 9.

First, the entire configuration of the transport system according to the present embodiment will be described by using fig. 1A and 1B. Fig. 1A and 1B are schematic views illustrating an entire configuration of a transport system including a mover 101 and a stator 201 according to the present embodiment. Note that fig. 1A and 1B illustrate the extracted main portions of the mover 101 and the stator 201. Further, fig. 1A is a diagram of the mover 101 when viewed from a Z direction described later, and fig. 1B is a diagram of the mover 101 when viewed from a Y direction described later.

As illustrated in fig. 1A and 1B, the transport system 1 according to the present embodiment has a mover 101 forming a moving cart, slider, or carriage, and a stator 201 forming a transport path. The transport system 1 is a transport system having a movable magnet type linear motor (a movable permanent magnet type linear motor, a movable field magnet type linear motor). Furthermore, the transport system 1 is configured as a magnetic levitation type transport system which does not have a guiding device such as a linear guide and transports the mover 101 over the stator 201 in a non-contact manner.

The transport system 1 transports the workpiece 102 on the mover 101 to a processing apparatus which performs a processing operation on the workpiece 102 by transporting the mover 101 by, for example, the stator 201. It should be noted that although fig. 1A and 1B illustrate a single mover 101 for the stator 201, the number of movers 101 is not limited thereto. In the transport system 1, a plurality of movers 101 can be transported over the stator 201.

Here, coordinate axes, directions, and the like used in the following description are defined. First, the X-axis is taken along a horizontal direction as a transport direction of the mover 101, and the transport direction of the mover 101 is defined as the X-direction. Further, the Z axis is taken along a vertical direction which is a direction perpendicular to the X direction, and the vertical direction is defined as the Z direction. Further, the Y axis is taken along a direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction, and a direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction is defined as the Y direction. Further, rotation about the X axis is denoted as Wx, rotation about the Y axis is denoted as Wy, and rotation about the Z axis is denoted as Wz. In addition, the symbol "", is used as a multiplication symbol. Further, the center of the mover 101 is represented as an origin O, the plus (+) side of the Y axis is represented as an R side, and the minus (-) side of the Y axis is represented as an L side. It should be noted that although the transport direction of the mover 101 is not necessarily the horizontal direction, also in this case, the transport direction may be defined as the X direction, and the Y direction and the Z direction may be defined in a similar manner.

Next, the mover 101 as a transport object in the transport system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described by using fig. 1A, 1B, and 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic view illustrating the mover 101 and the stator 201 in the transport system 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that fig. 2 is a diagram of the mover 101 and the stator 201 when viewed from the X direction. Further, the left half of fig. 2 illustrates a section (a) taken along the line (a) - (a) of fig. 1B. Further, the right half of fig. 2 illustrates a section (B) taken along the line (B) - (B) of fig. 1B.

As illustrated in fig. 1A, 1B, and 2, the mover 101 has permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, 103dR, 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL as the permanent magnets 103.

The permanent magnets 103 are arranged and attached to both side surfaces of the mover 101 parallel to the X direction. Specifically, permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are attached on the side face on the R side of the mover 101. Further, permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL are attached on the side face on the L side of the mover 101. It should be noted that, hereinafter, the permanent magnet of the mover 101 is simply represented as "permanent magnet 103" as long as it does not need to be particularly distinguished. Further, when each permanent magnet 103 needs to be independently identified while the R side and the L side do not need to be distinguished, each permanent magnet 103 is independently identified by using a reference character that removes the reference mark of R or L from the tail of the reference mark corresponding to each permanent magnet 103 and leaves up to a lower case letter as an identifier. In this case, "permanent magnet 103 a", "permanent magnet 103 b", "permanent magnet 103 c", or "permanent magnet 103 d" is represented to identify each permanent magnet 103 independently.

The permanent magnets 103aR and 103dR are attached to one end and the other end on the side parallel to the X direction of the mover 101 on the R side in the X direction. The permanent magnets 103bR and 103cR are attached between the permanent magnets 103aR and 103dR on the side face on the R side of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are arranged at equal intervals in the X direction, for example. Further, for example, the permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are arranged such that respective centers thereof are aligned on a straight line parallel to the X direction and passing through the center of the side face on the R side of the mover 101.

The permanent magnets 103aL and 103dL are attached to one end and the other end on the side surface parallel to the X direction of the mover 101 on the L side in the X direction. The permanent magnets 103bL and 103cL are attached between the permanent magnets 103aL and 103dL on the side face on the L side of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL are arranged at equal intervals in, for example, the X direction. Further, for example, the permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL are arranged such that respective centers thereof are aligned on a straight line parallel to the X direction and passing through the center of the side face on the L side of the mover 101. Further, the permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL are arranged to the same positions as the permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR, respectively, in the X direction.

Permanent magnets 103a and 103d are attached at positions distant from an origin O, which is the center of the mover 101, by a distance ry on one side and the other side in the X direction, respectively. Permanent magnets 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d are respectively attached at positions distant from the origin O by a distance rx in the Y direction. Permanent magnets 103c and 103b are attached to positions distant from the origin O by a distance rz on one side and the other side in the X direction, respectively.

Each of the permanent magnets 103aR, 103dR, 103aL, and 103dL is a set of two permanent magnets arranged parallel to the Z direction. The permanent magnets 103a and 103d are respectively formed such that two permanent magnets are aligned parallel to the Z direction so that the polarities of the outer magnetic poles facing the stator 201 side are alternately different. Note that the number of permanent magnets forming the permanent magnets 103a and 103d arranged parallel to the Z direction is not limited to two as long as it is a plurality. Further, the arrangement direction of the permanent magnets forming the permanent magnets 103a and 103d is not necessarily a Z direction orthogonal to the X direction (which is the transport direction), but may be a direction intersecting the X direction. That is, the permanent magnets 103a and 103d may be any magnet group formed of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in parallel to a direction crossing the X direction such that the polarities of the respective magnetic poles are alternated.

On the other hand, each of the permanent magnets 103bR, 103cR, 103bL, and 103cL is a set of three permanent magnets arranged respectively along the Y direction. The permanent magnets 103b and 103c are respectively formed such that three permanent magnets are aligned parallel to the X direction such that the polarities of the outer magnetic poles facing the stator 201 side are alternately different. Note that the number of permanent magnets forming the permanent magnets 103b and 103c arranged parallel to the X direction is not limited to three as long as it is a plurality. That is, the permanent magnets 103b and 103c may be any magnet group formed of a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in parallel to the X direction such that the polarities of the respective magnetic poles are alternated.

Each permanent magnet 103 is attached to a yoke 107, and the yokes 107 are provided on the side surfaces on the R side and the L side of the mover 101. The yoke 107 is made of a substance having a large magnetic permeability, such as iron.

In this way, the plurality of permanent magnets 103 are symmetrically arranged to the mover 101 on the side surfaces on the R side and the L side with the central axis along the X axis of the mover 101 as the symmetry axis. The mover 101 on which the permanent magnets 103 are arranged is configured to be movable while the posture is subjected to six-axis control by electromagnetic force received by the permanent magnets 103 from the plurality of coils 202 of the stator 201, as described later.

The mover 101 is movable in the X direction along a plurality of coils 202 arranged in two rows parallel to the X direction. The mover 101 is transported together with the workpiece 102 to be transported placed thereon. The mover 101 may have a holding mechanism that holds the workpiece 102, such as, for example, a workpiece holder on the mover 101.

Next, the stator 201 in the transport system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described by using fig. 1A, fig. 2, and fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the coils 202 of the stator 201. Note that fig. 3 is a diagram of the coil 202 when viewed from the Y direction.

The stator 201 has a plurality of coils 202 arranged in two rows parallel to the X direction as the transport direction of the mover 101. The plurality of coils 202 are attached to the stator 201 so as to face the mover 101 from the R side and the L side, respectively. The stator 201 extends in the X direction (which is a transport direction), and forms a transport path of the mover 101.

The mover 101 transported on the stator 201 has a linear scale 104, a Y target 105 and a Z target 106. A linear scale 104, a Y target 105 and a Z target 106 are respectively attached to, for example, the bottom of the mover 101 in parallel to the X direction. Z targets 106 are attached on either side of the linear scale 104 and the Y target 105, respectively.

As illustrated in fig. 2, the stator 201 has a plurality of coils 202, a plurality of linear encoders 204, a plurality of Y sensors 205, and a plurality of Z sensors 206.

The plurality of coils 202 are arranged in two rows parallel to the X direction and attached to the stator 201 so as to be able to face the permanent magnets 103 on the side surfaces on the R side and the L side of the mover 101. The plurality of coils 202 arranged in one column on the R side are arranged parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR on the R side of the mover 101. Further, the plurality of coils 202 arranged in one column on the L side are arranged parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL on the L side of the mover 101.

In the present embodiment, the coil 202 columns on the R side and the L side of the mover 101 are arranged to be able to face the permanent magnets 103a and 103d and the permanent magnets 103b and 103c, respectively, wherein the arrangement direction of the plurality of permanent magnets differs between the permanent magnets 103a and 103d and the permanent magnets 103b and 103 c. Accordingly, a force in the transport direction and a force in a direction different from the transport direction may be applied to the mover 101 by using fewer columns of coils 202 as described later, and thus transport control of the mover 101 and attitude control of the mover 101 may be achieved.

In this way, a plurality of coils 202 are attached along the direction of the transporting mover 101. The plurality of coils 202 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the X direction. Further, each of the coils 202 is attached such that its central axis is oriented in the Y direction. It should be noted that the coil 202 may be a coil with a core or may be a coreless coil.

The plurality of coils 202 are configured to be current-controlled in a unit of three coils, for example. A unit in which the conduction control is performed on the coil 202 is referred to as a "coil unit 203". When the current is conducted, the coil 202 may generate an electromagnetic force with respect to the permanent magnets 103 of the mover 101 and apply a force to the mover 101.

In fig. 1A and 1B, the permanent magnets 103a and 103d are each formed of a magnet group in which two permanent magnets are arranged in the Z direction. In contrast, each coil 202 is arranged such that the centers in the Z direction of the two permanent magnets of the permanent magnets 103a and 103d match the center in the Z direction of the coil 202. Current conduction in the coil 202 facing the permanent magnets 103a and 103d generates a force in the Z direction to the permanent magnets 103a and 103 d.

Further, the permanent magnets 103b and 103c are formed of a magnet group in which three permanent magnets are arranged in the X direction. In contrast, current conduction in the coil 202 facing the permanent magnets 103b and 103c generates forces in the X and Y directions to the permanent magnets 103b and 103 c.

A plurality of linear encoders 204 are attached to the stator 201 parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the linear scales 104 of the mover 101, respectively. Each of the linear encoders 204 may detect and output a relative position of the linear encoder 204 with respect to the mover 101 by reading the linear scale 104 attached to the mover 101.

A plurality of Y sensors 205 are attached to the stator 201 in parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the Y targets 105 of the mover 101, respectively. Each of the Y sensors 205 may detect and output a relative distance between the Y sensor 205 and a Y target 105 attached to the mover 101 in the Y direction.

A plurality of Z sensors 206 are attached to the stator 201 in two columns parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the Z targets 106 of the mover 101, respectively. Each of the Z sensors 206 may detect and output a relative distance between the Z sensor 206 and a Z target 106 attached to the mover 101 in the Z direction.

Next, a control system that controls the transportation system 1 according to the present embodiment will be further described by using fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the control system 3 that controls the transport system 1 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in fig. 4, the control system 3 has an integrated controller 301, a coil controller 302, and a sensor controller 304, and functions as a control device that controls the transport system 1 including the mover 101 and the stator 201. The coil controller 302 is communicably connected to the integrated controller 301. Further, the sensor controller 304 is communicably connected to the integrated controller 301.

A plurality of current controllers 303 are communicably connected to the coil controller 302. Each coil controller 302 and a plurality of current controllers 303 connected to the coil controller 302 are provided to a corresponding one of the two columns of the coil 202. The coil unit 203 is connected to each of the current controllers 303. The current controller 303 may control a current value of each of the coils 202 of the connected coil unit 203.

The coil controller 302 indicates a target current value to each of the connected current controllers 303. The current controller 303 controls the amount of current of the connected coil 202.

The coils 202 and the current controllers 303 are attached on both sides in the X direction in which the mover 101 is transported.

The plurality of linear encoders 204, the plurality of Y sensors 205, and the plurality of Z sensors 206 are communicatively coupled to a sensor controller 304.

The plurality of linear encoders 204 are attached to the stator 201 at intervals at which one of the linear encoders 204 can actually measure the position of one of the movers 101 during transportation of the movers 101. Further, the plurality of Y sensors 205 are attached to the stator 201 with an interval at which two Y sensors of the Y sensors 205 can surely measure the Y target 105 of one mover 101. Further, the plurality of Z sensors 206 are attached to the stator 201 with three Z sensors of the Z sensors 206 on two columns that can surely measure the intervals of the Z target 106 of one mover 101.

The integrated controller 301 determines current command values to be applied to the plurality of coils 202 based on outputs from the linear encoder 204, the Y sensor 205, and the Z sensor 206, and transmits the determined current command values to the coil controller 302. The coil controller 302 instructs the current controller 303 of the current value as described above based on the current instruction value from the integrated controller 301. Thereby, the integrated controller 301 functions as a control device that causes the mover 101 to be contactlessly transported above the stator 201, and controls the attitude of the transported mover 101 with respect to six axes.

The attitude control method of the mover 101 performed by the integrated controller 301 will be described below by using fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an attitude control method of the mover 101 in the transport system 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 5 illustrates an outline of the attitude control method of the mover 101, focusing mainly on the data flow thereof. The integrated controller 301 performs processing using a mover position calculation function 401, a mover attitude calculation function 402, a mover attitude control function 403, and a coil current calculation function 404, as described below. Thereby, the integrated controller 301 controls the transportation of the mover 101 while controlling the attitude of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes. It should be noted that, instead of the integrated controller 301, the coil controller 302 may be configured to perform the same processing as that performed by the integrated controller 301.

First, the mover position calculating function 401 calculates the position and number of the mover 101 above the stator 201 forming the transport path from the measurement values from the plurality of linear encoders 204 and information on the attachment positions thereof. Thus, the mover position calculation function 401 updates the mover position information (X) and the number information in the mover information 406, which is information on the mover 101. The mover position information (X) indicates a position in the X direction, which is a transport direction of the mover 101 above the stator 201. Mover information 406 is prepared for each mover 101 above the stator 201, as illustrated, for example, by POS-1, POS-2 … in FIG. 5.

Next, the mover posture calculation function 402 identifies the Y sensor 205 and the Z sensor 206 that can measure each of the movers 101 from the mover position information (X) in the mover information 406 updated by the mover position calculation function 401. Next, the mover posture calculation function 402 calculates posture information (Y, Z, Wx, Wy, Wz), which is information on the posture of each mover in the mover 101, based on the values output from the recognized Y sensor 205 and Z sensor 206 and updates the mover information 406. The mover information 406 updated by the mover attitude calculation function 402 includes mover position information (X) and attitude information (Y, Z, Wx, Wy, Wz).

Next, the mover attitude control function 403 calculates the applied force information 408 of each of the movers 101 from the current mover information 406 and the attitude target value, the current mover information 406 including the mover position information (X) and the attitude information (Y, Z, Wx, Wy, Wz). The application force information 408 is information on the magnitude of a force to be applied to each of the movers 101. The application force information 408 includes information on triaxial force components (Tx, Ty, Tz) and triaxial moment components (Twx, Twy, Twz) to be applied, which are described later. Force application information 408 is prepared for each mover 101 above the stator 201, as illustrated, for example, by TRQ-1, TRQ-2 … in fig. 5.

Next, the coil current calculation function 404 determines a current command value 409 to be applied to each coil 202 based on the applied force information 408 and the mover information 406.

In this way, the integrated controller 301 determines the current command value 409 by performing processing using the mover position calculation function 401, the mover attitude calculation function 402, the mover attitude control function 403, and the coil current calculation function 404. The integrated controller 301 transmits the determined current instruction value 409 to the coil controller 302.

The process performed by the mover position calculation function 401 will now be described by using fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process of calculating a function according to a mover position.

In fig. 6, the reference point Oe is a positional reference of the stator 201 to which the linear encoder 204 is attached. Further, the reference point Os is a positional reference of the linear scale 104 attached to the mover 101. Fig. 6 illustrates the following case: two movers 101a and 101b are transported as the mover 101 and three linear encoders 204a, 204b, and 204c are arranged as the linear encoders 204. It should be noted that the linear scale 104 is attached at the same position as each of the movers 101a and 101b in parallel to the X direction.

For example, one linear encoder 204c faces the linear scale 104 of the mover 101b illustrated in fig. 6. The linear encoder 204c reads the linear scale 104 of the mover 101b and outputs the distance Pc. Further, the position of the linear encoder 204c on the X axis with the origin as the reference point Oe is represented as Sc. Therefore, the position Pos (101b) of the mover 101b can be calculated by the following equation (1).

Pos (101b) ═ Sc-Pc … equation (1)

For example, two linear encoders 204a and 204b face the linear scale 104 of the mover 101a illustrated in fig. 6. The linear encoder 204a reads the linear scale 104 of the mover 101a and outputs the distance Pa. Further, the position of the linear encoder 204a on the X axis with the origin as the reference point Oe is denoted by Sa. Therefore, based on the output of the linear encoder 204a, the position Pos (101a) of the mover 101a on the X axis can be calculated by the following equation (2).

Pos (101a) ═ Sa-Pa … equation (2)

Further, the linear encoder 204b reads the linear scale 104 of the mover 101b and outputs the distance Pb. Further, the position of the linear encoder 204b on the X axis with the origin as the reference point Oe is represented as Sb. Therefore, based on the output of the linear encoder 204b, the position Pos (101 a)' of the mover 101a on the X axis can be calculated by the following equation (3).

Pos (101 a)' -Sb-Pb … equation (3)

Here, since each of the positions of the linear encoders 204a and 204b has been accurately measured in advance, the difference between the two values Pos (101a) and Pos (101 a)' is sufficiently small. When the positional difference of the mover 101 on the X axis based on the outputs of the two linear encoders 204 is sufficiently small in this manner, the two linear encoders 204 can determine that the linear scale 104 of the same mover 101 is observed.

It should be noted that when a plurality of linear encoders 204 face the same mover 101, the position of the observed mover 101 can be uniquely determined by calculating an average of the positions based on the outputs of the plurality of linear encoders 204 or the like.

The mover position calculation function 401 calculates and determines the position X of the mover 101 in the X direction as mover position information based on the output of the linear encoder 204 as described above.

Next, processing by the mover posture calculation function 402 will be described by using fig. 7, 8A, and 8B.

Fig. 7 illustrates the following case: the mover 101c is transported as the mover 101 and the Y sensors 205a and 205b are arranged as the Y sensors 205. The two Y sensors 205a and 205b face the Y target 105 of the mover 101c illustrated in fig. 7. When the relative distance values output by the two Y sensors 205a and 205b are expressed as Ya and Yb, respectively, and the interval between the Y sensors 205a and 205b is expressed as Ly, the rotation amount Wz around the Z axis of the mover 101c is calculated by the following equation (4).

Wz ═ Ya-Yb)/Ly … equation (4)

It should be noted that for a particular position of the mover 101, three or more Y sensors 205 may face the Y target 105. In this case, the tilt amount of the Y target 105, i.e., the rotation amount Wz around the Z axis, can be calculated by using the least square method.

Further, the following is illustrated in fig. 8A and 8B: the mover 101d is transported as the mover 101 and the Z sensors 206a, 206b, and 206c are arranged as the Z sensors 206. The three Z sensors 206a, 206B, and 206c face the Z target 106 of the mover 101d illustrated in fig. 8A and 8B. Here, the relative distance values output by the three Z sensors 206a, 206b, and 206c are denoted as Za, Zb, and Zc, respectively. Further, the distance of the sensors in the X direction (i.e., the distance between the Z sensors 206a and 206 b) is represented as Lz 1. Further, the distance of the sensors in the Y direction (i.e., the distance between the Z sensors 206a and 206 c) is represented as Lz 2. Then, the rotation amount Wy around the Y axis and the rotation amount Wx around the X axis may be calculated by equations (5a) and (5b), respectively.

Wy ═ z (Zb-Za)/Lz 1 … equation (5a)

Wx ═ z (Zc-Za)/Lz 2 … equation (5b)

The mover attitude calculation function 402 may calculate the rotation amounts Wx, Wy, and Wz around the respective axes as the attitude information about the mover 101 as described above.

Further, the mover attitude calculation function 402 may calculate a position Y of the mover 101 in the Y direction and a position Z in the Z direction as attitude information about the mover 101 in the following manner.

First, the calculation of the position Y of the mover 101 in the Y direction will be described by using fig. 7. In fig. 7, the two Y sensors 205 covered by the mover 101c are Y sensors 205a and 205b, respectively. Further, the measurement values of the Y sensors 205a and 205b are denoted as Ya and Yb, respectively. Further, a midpoint of the position of the Y sensor 205a and the position of the Y sensor 205b is denoted as Oe'. Further, the position of the mover 101c obtained by equations (1) to (3) is represented as Os ', and the distance from Oe' to Os 'is represented as dX'. At this time, the position Y of the mover 101c in the Y direction can be calculated by approximation by using the following equation.

Y＝(Ya+Yb)/2–Wz*dX′

Next, calculation of the position Z of the mover 101 in the Z direction will be described by using fig. 8A and 8B. The three Z sensors 206 covered by the mover 101d are respectively denoted as Z sensors 206a, 206b, and 206 c. Further, the measurement values of the Z sensors 206a, 206b, and 206c are denoted as Za, Zb, and Zc, respectively. The X coordinate of the Z sensor 206a is the same as the X coordinate of the Z sensor 206 c. Further, the linear encoder 204 is located in the middle of the Z sensor 206a and the Z sensor 206 c. Further, the position X of the Z sensor 206a and the Z sensor 206c is denoted by Oe ". Further, the distance from Oe "to the center Os" of the mover 101 is denoted as dX ". At this time, the position Z of the mover 101 in the Z direction can be calculated by approximation using the following equation.

Z＝(Za+Zb)/2–Wy*dX″

It should be noted that when both the position Y and the position Z have large rotation amounts Wz and Wy, respectively, the accuracy of approximation can be further increased for calculation.

Next, processing by the coil current calculation function 404 will be described by using fig. 1A and 1B. It should be noted that in fig. 1A and 1B, in the signs of the forces used below, the directions (the force in the X direction, the force in the Y direction, and the force in the Z direction) are represented as X, Y, and Z, respectively, the R side as the positive (+) Y side is represented as R, the L side as the negative (-) Y side is represented as L, the positive (+) X side is represented as f, and the negative (-) X direction is represented as B.

The force components acting on the permanent magnets 103 on the R side and the L side in fig. 1A and 1B are expressed as follows, respectively. The force acting on each permanent magnet 103 is an electromagnetic force received by the permanent magnet 103 from the plurality of coils 202 to which current is applied. The permanent magnets 103 receive electromagnetic force in an X direction, which is a transport direction of the mover 101, and also electromagnetic force in Y and Z directions different from the X direction, from a plurality of coils 202 to which current is applied.

Each force acting on the permanent magnet 103 on the R side is as follows.

FzfR: force acting in the Z-direction of the permanent magnet 103aR on the R-side

FxfR: force acting in the X direction of the permanent magnet 103bR on the R side

FyfR: force acting in the Y direction of the permanent magnet 103bR on the R side

FxbR: force acting in the X direction of the permanent magnet 103cR on the R side

FybR: force acting in the Y direction of the permanent magnet 103cR on the R side

FzbR: force acting in the Z-direction of the permanent magnet 103dR on the R-side

Each force acting on the permanent magnet 103 on the L side is as follows.

FzfL: force acting in the Z direction of the permanent magnet 103aL on the L side

FxfL: force acting in the X direction of the permanent magnet 103bL on the L side

FyfL: force acting in the Y direction of the permanent magnet 103bL on the L side

FxbL: force acting in the X direction of the permanent magnet 103cL on the L side

FybL: force acting in the Y direction of the permanent magnet 103cL on the L side

FzbL: force acting in the Z-direction of permanent magnet 103dL on the L-side

Further, the force T applied to the mover 101 is expressed by the following equation (6). It should be noted that the values Tx, Ty, and Tz are triaxial force components, which are the X-direction component, the Y-direction component, and the Z-direction component of the force, respectively. Further, the values Twx, Twy, and Twz are triaxial moment components, which are a component around the X axis, a component around the Y axis, and a component around the Z axis of the moment, respectively. The transport system 1 according to the present embodiment controls the transport of the mover 101 while controlling the attitude of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes by controlling these six-axis components (Tx, Ty, Tz, Twx, Twy, Twz) of the force T.

T ═ (Tx, Ty, Tz, Twx, Twy, Twz) … equation (6)

Therefore, the values Tx, Ty, Tz, Twx, Twy, and Twz are calculated by the following equations (7a), (7b), (7c), (7d), (7e), and (7f), respectively.

Tx-FxfR + FxbR + FxfL + FxbL … equation (7a)

Ty-FyfL + FyfR + FybL + FybR … equation (7b)

Tz ═ FzbR + FzbL + FzfR + FzfL … equation (7c)

Twx { (FzfL + FzbL) - (FzfR + FzbR) } rx … equation (7d)

Twy { (FzfL + FzfR) - (FzbL + FzbR) } ry … equation (7e)

Twz { (FyfL + FyfR) - (FybL + FybR) } rz … equation (7f)

At this time, a limit expressed by the following equations (7g), (7h), (7i), and (7j) may be introduced for the force acting on the permanent magnet 103. By introducing these restrictions, the combination of the force components acting on the respective permanent magnets 103 can be uniquely determined to obtain a force T having a predetermined six-axis component.

FxfR ═ FxbR ═ FxfL ═ FxbL … equation (7g)

FyfL ═ FyfR … equation (7h)

FybL ═ FybR … equation (7i)

FzbR ═ FzbL … equation (7j)

Next, a method by which the coil current calculation function 404 determines the amount of current applied to each coil 202 from the force acting on each permanent magnet 103 will be described.

First, the following case will be described: a force in the Z direction is applied to the permanent magnets 103a and 103d, with the polarities of the N and S poles alternately arranged in the Z direction. Note that the coil 202 is arranged such that the center thereof in the Z direction is located at the center of the permanent magnets 103a and 103d in the Z direction. This causes substantially no force to act on the permanent magnets 103a and 103d in the X direction and the Y direction.

A value X represents the position of the mover 101, a value j represents the number of one of the coils 202 arranged in a row, the magnitude of the force acting in the Z direction of the coil 202(j) per unit current is represented as Fz (j, X), and the current applied to the coil 202(j) is represented as i (j). Note that coil 202(j) is the jth coil 202. In this case, the current i (j) may be determined to satisfy the following equation (8). Note that the following equation (8) is an equation for the permanent magnet 103 dR. Each current to be applied to the coil 202 can be determined in the same manner for the other permanent magnets 103aR, 103aL, and 103 dL.

Σ Fz (j, X) × i (j) ═ FzbR … equation (8)

The coil current calculation function 404 may determine a current command value to be applied to the coil 202(j) as described above. The mover 101 obtains a levitation force to levitate in the Z direction, and its posture is controlled by a force applied to the mover 101 in the Z direction according to the current command value determined in this way.

It should be noted that when a plurality of coils 202 apply force to the permanent magnet 103, current is distributed according to the magnitude of the force applied by each coil 202 with respect to the force per unit current, whereby the force acting on the permanent magnet 103 can be uniquely determined.

Further, as illustrated in fig. 1A, the permanent magnets 103 are symmetrically arranged on the L side and the R side of the mover 101. With such a symmetrical arrangement of the permanent magnets 103, it is possible to cancel out a plurality of force components acting on the permanent magnets 103, for example, Wx forces acting on the permanent magnets 103a and 103d, i.e., moment components around the X axis, using the forces on the L side and the R side. Therefore, this enables more accurate control of the posture of the mover 101.

Next, a method of independently applying force to the permanent magnet 103b in the X direction and the Y direction, the polarities of the N pole, S pole, and N pole of the permanent magnet 103b being alternately arranged in the X direction will be described. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of independently applying force to the permanent magnet 103b in the X direction and the Y direction. The coil current calculation function 404 determines a current command value to be applied to the coil 202 so as to independently apply a force to the permanent magnet 103b in the X direction and the Y direction as follows. Note that the force may also be independently applied to the permanent magnet 103c in the X direction and the Y direction in the same manner as to the permanent magnet 103 b.

A value X indicates the position of the mover 101, a value j indicates the number of one of the coils 202 arranged in a row, and the magnitudes of forces acting in the X direction and the Y direction of the coil 202(j) per unit current are respectively indicated as Fx (j, X) and Fy (j, X). Further, the value of the current conducted in the coil 202(j) is represented as i (j). Note that coil 202(j) is the jth coil 202.

The diagram in the upper part of fig. 9 is a view in which the X axis is defined horizontally, the Y axis is defined vertically, and six coils 202 facing the permanent magnet 103bR are selected for illustration. The drawing in the middle portion of fig. 9 is a view when the drawing in the upper portion of fig. 9 is viewed from the Z direction. The number j between 1 and 6 is provided to the coils 202 in order of being arranged in the X direction, and each of the coils 202 is identified below by, for example, denoting one coil as the coil 202 (1).

As illustrated in the diagrams in the upper and middle portions of fig. 9, the coils 202 are arranged at a pitch of a distance L. On the other hand, the permanent magnets 103 of the mover 101 are arranged at a pitch of a distance 3/2 × L.

The graph in the lower portion of fig. 9 is a graph schematically illustrating the magnitude of the force Fx in the X direction and the force Fy in the Y direction generated when a unit current is applied to each of the coils 202 illustrated in the graphs in the upper portion and the middle portion of fig. 9.

To simplify the illustration, in fig. 9, the origin Oc of the position of the coil 202 in the X direction is defined as the midpoint of the coil 202(3) and the coil 202(4), and the center Om of the permanent magnet 103bR in the X direction is defined as the origin. Therefore, fig. 9 illustrates a case where Oc matches Om, that is, a case where X is 0.

At this time, for example, the force per unit current acting on the coil 202(4) corresponds to the magnitude of Fx (4,0) in the X direction and Fy (4,0) in the Y direction. Further, the force per unit current acting on the coil 202(5) corresponds to the magnitude of Fx (5,0) in the X direction and Fy (5,0) in the Y direction.

Here, the current values applied to the coils 202(1) to 202(6) are assumed to be i (1) to i (6), respectively. Next, the magnitude FxfR of the force acting on the permanent magnet 103bR in the X direction and the magnitude FyfR of the force acting on the permanent magnet 103bR in the Y direction are generally expressed by the following equations (9) and (10), respectively.

FxfR ═ Fx (1, X) × i (1) + Fx (2, X) × i (2) + Fx (3, X) × i (3) + Fx (4, X) × i (4) + Fx (5, X) × i (5) + Fx (6, X) × i (6) … equation (9)

FyfR ═ Fy (1, X) × i (1) + Fy (2, X) × i (2) + Fy (3, X) × i (3) + Fy (4, X) × i (4) + Fy (5, X) × i (5) + Fy (6, X) × i (6) … equation (10)

By determining the current command values such that current values i (1) to i (6) satisfying the above equations (9) and (10) are applied to the coils 202(1) to 202(6), respectively, it is possible to apply forces to the permanent magnet 103bR independently in the X direction and the Y direction. The coil current calculation function 404 may determine the current command value applied to the coil 202(j) as described above so as to independently apply the force to the permanent magnet 103 in the X direction and the Y direction.

To simplify the illustration even more, in the case illustrated in fig. 9, the example considered is the following case: of the coils 202(1) to 202(6), only the coils 202(3), 202(4), and 202(5) are used for the permanent magnet 103bR and further the current values of the three coils are controlled so that the sum thereof becomes zero. In the case of this example, the force FxfR acting on the permanent magnet 103bR in the X direction and the force FyfR acting on the permanent magnet 103bR in the Y direction are expressed by the following equations (11) and (12), respectively.

FxfR ═ Fx (3, X) × i (3) + Fx (4, X) × i (4) + Fx (5, X) × i (5) … equation (11)

FyfR ═ Fy (3, X) × i (3) + Fy (4, X) × i (4) + Fy (5, X) × i (5) … equation (12)

Further, the current values of the coils 202(1) to 202(6) are set so as to satisfy the following equations (13) and (14).

i (3) + i (4) + i (5) ═ 0 … equation (13)

Equation (14) where i (1) ═ i (2) ═ i (6) ═ 0 …

Therefore, when the magnitude of the force (FxfR, FyfR) required for the permanent magnet 103bR is determined, the current values i (1), i (2), i (3), i (4), i (5), and i (6) are uniquely determined. According to the current command value determined in this way, forces are applied to the mover 101 in the X direction and the Y direction. By receiving a force applied to the mover 101 in the X direction, the mover 101 obtains a propulsive force of movement in the X direction and moves in the X direction. Further, according to the current command value determined in this way, the posture of the mover 101 is controlled by the forces applied to the mover 101 in the X direction and the Y direction.

In this manner, the integrated controller 301 controls the respective six-axis components of the force applied to the mover 101 by controlling the currents applied to the plurality of coils 202.

It should be noted that when the center Oc of the coil 202 is moved relative to the center Om of the permanent magnet 103bR due to the transportation of the mover 101, that is, when X ≠ 0, the coil 202 corresponding to the position after the movement can be selected. Further, the same calculation as described above may be performed based on the force per unit current generated in the coil 202.

As described above, the integrated controller 301 controls the noncontact transport of the mover 101 above the stator 201 while controlling the attitude of the mover 101 above the stator 201 with respect to six axes by controlling, determining the current command values of the currents applied to the plurality of coils 202. That is, the integrated controller 301 functions as a transport control unit that controls transport of the mover 101 and controls non-contact transport of the mover 101 above the stator 201 by controlling electromagnetic force received by the permanent magnets 103 from the plurality of coils 202. Further, the integrated controller 301 functions as an attitude control unit that controls the attitude of the mover 101 and controls the attitude of the mover 101 above the stator 201 with respect to six axes. It should be noted that all or part of the functions of the integrated controller 301 as a control device may be replaced with the coil controller 302 or other control device.

As discussed above, according to the present embodiment, the six-axis force of the three-axis force components (Tx, Ty, Tz) and the three-axis moment components (Twx, Twy, Twz) can be applied to the mover 101 by using the plurality of coils 202 arranged in two rows. Thereby, it is possible to control the transport of the mover 101 while controlling the posture of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes. According to the present embodiment, by using the coils 202 arranged in two columns whose number of columns is smaller than the number of six-axis components of force as variables to be controlled, it is possible to control the transportation of the mover 101 while controlling the attitude of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the number of columns of the coils 202 can be smaller, the mover 101 can be transported contactlessly while the posture of the mover 101 is controlled without causing an increase in size or an increase in complexity of the system. Further, according to the present embodiment, since the number of columns of the coils 202 can be smaller, an inexpensive and compact magnetic levitation type transportation system can be constructed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the permanent magnets 103 are arranged on the side surfaces of the mover 101, good access to the workpiece 102 can be achieved. Thereby, it is possible to perform a processing operation on the workpiece 102 on the mover 101 by using a processing apparatus having a large flexibility.

Second embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described by using fig. 10 and 11. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mover 101 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the mover 101 and the stator 201 according to the present embodiment. Note that components similar to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

The basic configuration of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that according to the first embodiment. The mover 101 according to the present embodiment is different from the configuration according to the first embodiment in the attachment form of the permanent magnets 103.

Fig. 10 is a diagram of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the Y direction. Fig. 10 illustrates an arrangement of the permanent magnets 103 on the side surface on the R side of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in fig. 10, unlike the first embodiment illustrated in fig. 1B, permanent magnets 103bR and 103cR are respectively attached to the mover 101 according to the present embodiment at a distance rx2 from the center of the mover 101 in the Z direction. The permanent magnet 103b is attached on the bottom side of the mover 101 at a distance rx2 from the center of the mover 101. On the other hand, the permanent magnet 103c is attached on the top side of the mover 101 at a distance rx2 from the center of the mover 101.

Fig. 11 is a diagram of the mover 101 and the stator 201 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the X direction. The left half of fig. 11 represents a section (a) taken along the line (a) - (a) of fig. 10. The right half of fig. 11 shows a section (B) taken along the line (B) - (B) of fig. 10.

As illustrated in fig. 11, in the mover 101 according to the present embodiment, the permanent magnets 103 are attached to one side surface, to be precise, only to the side surface on the R side of the mover 101, unlike the case of the first embodiment illustrated in fig. 2.

Unlike the case of the first embodiment in which the plurality of coils 202 are arranged in two columns, in association with the arrangement in which the permanent magnets 103 are attached only on one side of the mover 101, the plurality of coils 202 are arranged in one column parallel to the X direction in the stator 201 according to the present embodiment. That is, the plurality of coils 202 in the stator 201 according to the present embodiment are arranged and attached to one column parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR on the side surface on the R side (i.e., the side of the mover 101).

In the case of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment, the respective components indicated in equation (6) of the force T applied to the mover 101 are expressed by the following equations (15a), (15b), (15c), (15d), (15e), and (15 f).

Tx-FxfR + FxbR … equation (15a)

Ty-FyfR + FybR … equation (15b)

Tz ═ FzbR + FzfR … equation (15c)

Twx ═ (FybR-FyfR) × 2 … equation (15d)

Twy (FzfR-FzbR). ry … equation (15e)

Twz (FyfR-FybR)' rz … equation (15f)

Therefore, even when the permanent magnets 103 are arranged on the R side, i.e., only one side, the six-axis force of the three-axis force components (Tx, Ty, Tz) and the three-axis moment components (Twx, Twy, Twz) can be applied to the mover 101 by using the plurality of coils 202 arranged in one column.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the six-axis force of the three-axis force components (Tx, Ty, Tz) and the three-axis moment components (Twx, Twy, Twz) can be applied to the mover 101 by using the plurality of coils 202 arranged on a single column. Thereby, it is possible to control the transport of the mover 101 while controlling the posture of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes. According to the present embodiment, by using a single-row coil 202 whose number of rows is smaller than the number of six-axis components of force as a variable to be controlled, it is possible to control the transportation of the mover 101 while controlling the attitude of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the number of columns of coils 202 may be smaller, the mover 101 may be transported contactlessly while the posture of the mover 101 is controlled without causing an increase in size or an increase in complexity of the system. Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, since the number of rows of coils 202 may be smaller, a cheaper and compact magnetic levitation type transportation system may be constructed.

It should be noted that, although the case where the permanent magnet 103 is arranged on the R side (i.e., on only one of the side faces on the R side and the L side) has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. In contrast to the above, the permanent magnet 103 may be arranged on the L side (i.e., only one of the side faces on the R side and the L side).

Third embodiment

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described by using fig. 12 and 13. Fig. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the mover 101 and the stator 201 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mover 101 according to the present embodiment. It should be noted that components similar to those in the first and second embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

The basic configuration of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that according to the first embodiment. The mover 101 according to the present embodiment is different from the configurations according to the first and second embodiments in the attachment form of the permanent magnets 103.

Fig. 12 is a diagram of the mover 101 and the stator 201 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the X direction. As illustrated in fig. 12, unlike the embodiment illustrated in fig. 2, the permanent magnet 103 is arranged and attached on the top surface in parallel to the X direction of the mover 101 in the present embodiment. The permanent magnet 103 is attached to a yoke 107 provided on the top surface of the mover 101.

Fig. 13 is a diagram of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the Z direction. Fig. 13 illustrates an arrangement of the permanent magnets 103 on a top view of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in fig. 13, permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are arranged in a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are respectively arranged at a plurality of positions apart from the origin O as the center of the mover 101 on the R side in the Y direction by a distance rx 3.

Further, permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL are arranged in a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL are arranged at a plurality of positions apart from the origin O on the L side in the Y direction by a distance rx 3.

The permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are arranged at a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101 in substantially the same manner as the arrangement on the side surface on the R side of the mover 101 according to the first embodiment. Further, the permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL are arranged in a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101 in substantially the same manner as the arrangement on the side surface on the L side of the mover 101 according to the first embodiment.

The permanent magnets 103a and 103d are attached at a plurality of positions separated by a distance rz3 on one side and the other side in the X direction from the origin O, respectively. The permanent magnets 103c and 103b are attached at a plurality of positions separated by a distance ry3 on one side and the other side in the X direction from the origin O, respectively.

On the top surface of the mover 101, the central portion between the R-side portion and the L-side portion where the permanent magnets 103 are arranged as described above serves as a portion on which the workpiece 102 to be transported is placed.

On the other hand, as illustrated in fig. 12, a plurality of coils 202 are attached to the stator 201 so as to be located above the top surface of the mover 101. The plurality of coils 202 are arranged in two columns parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face down the permanent magnets 103 on both the R side and the L side on the top surface of the mover 101 and attached to the stator 201. The plurality of coils 202 on the R side are aligned in a line parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the permanent magnets 103aR, 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR on the R side of the mover 101 downward. The plurality of coils 202 on the L side are arranged in a row parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face down the permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, 103cL, and 103dL on the L side of the mover 101.

When the mover 101 according to the present embodiment, the respective components indicated in equation (6) of the force T applied to the mover 101 are expressed by the following equations (16a), (16b), (16c), (16d), (16e), and (16 f).

Tx-FxfR + FxbR + FxfL + FxbL … equation (16a)

Ty-FyfL + FyfR + FybL + FybR … equation (16b)

Tz ═ FzbR + FzbL + FzfR + FzfL … equation (16c)

Twx { (FzfL + FzbL) - (FzfR + FzbR) } rx3 … equation (16d)

Twy { (FzfL + FzfR) - (FzbL + FzbR) } ry3 … equation (16e)

Twz { (FybL + FybR) - (FyfL + FyfR) } rz3 … equation (16f)

At this time, for the force acting on the permanent magnet 103, the restrictions expressed by the following equations (16g), (16h), (16i), and (16j) may be introduced. By introducing these restrictions, the combination of the force components acting on the respective permanent magnets 103 can be uniquely determined to obtain a force T having a predetermined six-axis component.

FxfR ═ FxbR ═ FxfL ═ FxbL … equation (16g)

FyfL ═ FyfR … equation (16h)

FybL ═ FybR … equation (16i)

FzbR ═ FzbL … equation (16j)

Therefore, even when the permanent magnets 103 are arranged on the top surface, six-axis forces of three-axis force components (Tx, Ty, Tz) and three-axis moment components (Twx, Twy, Twz) can be applied to the mover 101 by using the plurality of coils 202 arranged in two rows.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the six-axis force of the three-axis force components (Tx, Ty, Tz) and the three-axis moment components (Twx, Twy, Twz) can be applied to the mover 101 by using the plurality of coils 202 arranged in two rows. Thereby, it is possible to control the transport of the mover 101 while controlling the posture of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes. According to the present embodiment, it is possible to control the transportation of the mover 101 while controlling the attitude of the mover 101 with respect to six axes by using the two-column coils 202 whose number of columns is smaller than the number of six-axis components of force as a variable to be controlled.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the number of columns of coils 202 may be smaller, the mover 101 may be transported contactlessly while the posture of the mover 101 is controlled without causing an increase in size or an increase in complexity of the system.

Further, in the present embodiment, the coil 202 may be further formed to include an iron core therein. This causes a strong attractive force to act between the core of the coil 202 and the permanent magnet 103 and thus helps levitate the mover 101. Specifically, the coil 202 including the iron core is preferable when the weight of the mover 101 or the workpiece 102 placed on the mover 101 is large. It should be noted that the iron core of the coil 202 may be any iron core as long as it causes an attractive force with respect to at least one of the permanent magnets 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103 d.

It should be noted that various modified examples may be adopted for the mover 101 according to the above-described third embodiment. The mover 101 according to the first to fourth modified examples of the above-described third embodiment will be described below.

First modified example

The mover 101 according to the first modified example will be described by using fig. 14A. Fig. 14A is a schematic diagram illustrating the mover 101 according to the present modified example.

The basic configuration of the mover 101 according to the present modified example is substantially the same as that of the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 12 and 13 described above. The mover 101 according to the present modified example is different from the configuration according to the third embodiment in the attachment form of the permanent magnets 103.

Fig. 14A is a diagram of the mover 101 according to the present modified example when viewed from the Z direction. Fig. 14A illustrates an arrangement of permanent magnets 103 on the top surface of the mover 101 according to the present modified example.

As illustrated in fig. 14A, the permanent magnets 103bR, 103cR, and 103eR are arranged in a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103bR, 103cR, and 103eR are respectively arranged at a plurality of positions separated by a distance rx3 on the R side in the Y direction from a center line extending in the X direction through an origin O, which is the center of the mover 101.

Further, permanent magnets 103bL, 103cL, and 103eL are arranged in a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103bL, 103cL, and 103eL are respectively arranged at a plurality of positions apart from a center line extending through the origin O in the X direction by a distance rx3 on the L side in the Y direction.

The permanent magnets 103bR and 103cR are arranged in a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101 in substantially the same manner as the arrangement on the top surface on the R side of the mover 101 according to the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 13. Further, the permanent magnets 103bL and 103cL are arranged in a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101 in substantially the same manner as the arrangement on the top surface of the mover 101 according to the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 13.

In the present modified example, the permanent magnets 103aR, 103dR, 103aL, and 103dL illustrated in fig. 13 are not arranged, and instead, the permanent magnet 103eR is arranged between the permanent magnets 103bR and 103 cR. Further, in the present modified example, the permanent magnet 103eL is arranged between the permanent magnets 103bL and 103 cL. These features make the present modified example different from the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 13. The arrangement of the magnets of the permanent magnets 103eR and 103eL is similar to that of the magnets of the permanent magnets 103aR and 103aL, respectively.

When the mover 101 according to the present modified example, the respective components indicated in equation (6) of the force T applied to the mover 101 are expressed by the following equations (17a), (17b), (17c), (17d), (17e), and (17 f).

Tx-FxfL + FxbL + FxfR + FxbR … equation (17a)

Tyi FycL + FycR … equation (17b)

Tz ═ FzfL + FzbL + FzfR + FzbR … equation (17c)

Twx { (FzfL + FzbL) - (FzfR + FzbR) } rx3 … equation (17d)

Twy { (FzfL + FzfR) - (FzbL + FzbR) } ry3 … equation (17e)

Twz { (FxfR + FxbR) - (FxfL + FxbL) } rx3 … equation (17f)

According to the present modified example, the number of permanent magnets 103 arranged on the mover 101 can be reduced. It should be noted that although the force in the Z direction cannot be controlled in the permanent magnets 103eR and 103eL illustrated in fig. 14A, controllability toward the Z direction can be improved by increasing the number of permanent magnets arranged and disposed in the X direction.

Second modified example

The mover 101 according to the second modified example will be described by using fig. 14B. Fig. 14B is a schematic diagram illustrating the mover 101 according to the present modified example.

The basic configuration of the mover 101 according to the present modified example is substantially the same as the configuration of the mover 101 according to the first modified example illustrated in fig. 14A described above. The mover 101 according to the present modified example is different from the configuration of the first modified example in that one of the permanent magnets 103eR and 103eL is not arranged.

Fig. 14B is a diagram of the mover 101 according to the present modified example when viewed from the Z direction. Fig. 14B illustrates an arrangement of the permanent magnets 103 on the top surface of the mover 101 according to the present modified example.

As illustrated in fig. 14B, in the present modified example, the permanent magnet 103eL is arranged between the permanent magnets 103bL and 103cL in the same manner as in the first modified example. On the other hand, in the present modified example, unlike the first modified example, the permanent magnet 103eR is not arranged between the permanent magnets 103bR and 103 cR.

As discussed above, in the present modified example, only the permanent magnet 103eL of the permanent magnets 103eR and 103eL according to the first modified example is arranged. It should be noted that, unlike the case illustrated in fig. 14B, only the permanent magnet 103eR of the permanent magnets 103eR and 103eL may be arranged.

When the mover 101 according to the present modified example, the respective components indicated in equation (6) of the force T applied to the mover 101 are expressed by the above-described equations (17a), (17c), (17d), (17e), and (17f) in addition to the Y-direction force component Ty. In the case of the present modified example, the Y-direction force component Ty is expressed by the following equation (18 b).

Tyi FycL … equation (18b)

According to the present modified example, the number of permanent magnets 103 arranged on the mover 101 can be further reduced as compared to the first modified example. Also in the present modified example, by controlling Ty and Twz, the six-axis component of the force including the Y direction can be controlled.

Third modified example

The mover 101 according to the third modified example will be described by using fig. 14C. Fig. 14C is a schematic diagram illustrating the mover 101 according to the present modified example.

The basic configuration of the mover 101 according to the present modified example is substantially the same as that of the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 12 and 13 described above. The mover 101 according to the present modified example is different from the configuration according to the third embodiment in the attachment form of the permanent magnets 103.

Fig. 14C is a diagram of the mover 101 according to the present modified example when viewed from the Z direction. Fig. 14C illustrates an arrangement of the permanent magnets 103 on the top surface of the mover 101 according to the present modified example.

As illustrated in fig. 14C, the permanent magnets 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are arranged in a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are respectively arranged at a plurality of positions separated by a distance rx3 on the R side in the Y direction from a center line extending in the X direction through an origin O, which is the center of the mover 101.

Further, permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, and 103cL are arranged in a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, and 103cL are respectively arranged at a plurality of positions apart from a center line extending through the origin O in the X direction by a distance rx3 on the L side in the Y direction.

The permanent magnets 103bR, 103cR, and 103dR are arranged in a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101 in substantially the same manner as the arrangement on the top surface of the mover 101 according to the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 13. In the present modified example, unlike the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 13, the permanent magnet 103aR is not arranged.

Further, the permanent magnets 103aL, 103bL, and 103cL are arranged in a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101 in substantially the same manner as the arrangement on the top surface of the mover 101 according to the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 13. In the present modified example, unlike the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 13, the permanent magnet 103dL is not arranged.

Note that, in comparison with the present modified example, the permanent magnets 103aR and 103dL may be arranged, and the permanent magnets 103dR and 103aL may not be arranged.

In the above-described second modified example, when the mover 101 passes through a region where the coil 202 facing the permanent magnet 103eL may not be arranged, a situation may occur where the Y-direction force component Ty cannot be applied. In contrast, in the present modified example, in the case where the coil 202 is arranged so as to face at least either one of the permanent magnets 103dR and 103aL, the Y-direction force component Ty may be applied. Thus, in the present modified example, the six-axis component of the force including the Y direction can be controlled more reliably than in the second modified example. That is, the present modified example can resist the case where the force in the Y direction is not applicable in the second modified example.

When the mover 101 according to the present modified example, the respective components indicated in equation (6) of the force T applied to the mover 101, in addition to the Y-direction force component Ty and the moment component Twz around the Z-axis, are expressed by the above-described equations (17a), (17c), (17d), and (17 e). In the case of the present modified example, the Y-direction force component Ty and the moment component Twz around the Z-axis are expressed by the following equations (19b-1) and (19f-1) or equations (19b-2) and (19f-2) depending on which of the permanent magnets 103dR or 103aL faces the coil 202.

First, when the permanent magnet 103dR does not face the coil 202 and the permanent magnet 103aL faces the coil 202, the Y-direction force component Ty and the moment component Twz around the Z-axis are expressed by the following equations (19b-1) and (19 f-1).

Ty-FyfL … equation (19b-1)

Twz { (FxfR + FxbR) - (FxfL + FxbL) } rx 3-FyfL rz3 … equation (19f-1)

On the other hand, when the permanent magnet 103aL does not face the coil 202 and the permanent magnet 103dR faces the coil 202, the Y-direction force component Ty and the moment component Twz around the Z-axis are expressed by the following equations (19b-2) and (19 f-2).

Ty-FybR … equation (19b-2)

Twz { (FxfR + FxbR) - (FxfL + FxbL) } rx3+ FybR rz3 … equation (19f-2)

It should be noted that when the permanent magnets 103aL and 103dR face the coil 202, the Y-direction force component Ty and the moment component Twz around the Z-axis are expressed by the following equations (19b-3) and (19 f-3).

Ty-FyfL + FybR … equation (19b-3)

Twz { (FxfR + FxbR) - (FxfL + FxbL) } rx3+ (FybR-FyfL) × rz3 … equation (19f-3)

Fourth modified example

The mover 101 according to the fourth modified example will be described by using fig. 14D. Fig. 14D is a schematic diagram illustrating the mover 101 according to the present modified example.

The basic configuration of the mover 101 according to the present modified example is substantially the same as that of the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 12 and 13 described above. The mover 101 according to the present modified example is different from the configuration according to the third embodiment in the attachment form of the permanent magnets 103.

Fig. 14D is a diagram of the mover 101 according to the present modified example when viewed from the Z direction. Fig. 14D illustrates the arrangement of the permanent magnets 103 on the top surface of the mover 101 according to the present modified example.

As illustrated in fig. 14D, the permanent magnets 103bR and 103cR are arranged in a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103bR and 103cR are respectively arranged at a plurality of positions separated by a distance rx3 on the R side in the Y direction from a center line extending in the X direction through an origin O, which is the center of the mover 101.

In the present modified embodiment, a plurality of permanent magnets 103giR (where i ═ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) similar to the permanent magnet 103aR are arrayed and arranged at constant intervals in the X direction outside the permanent magnets 103bR and 103cR in a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101. The yoke 107 to which the plurality of permanent magnets 103giR are attached is separated from the yoke 107 to which the permanent magnets 103bR and 103cR are attached. The plurality of permanent magnets 103giR is not limited to the five illustrated in fig. 14D, and the number of permanent magnets 103giR may be any number as long as it is a plurality.

Further, permanent magnets 103bL and 103cL are arranged in a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101. The permanent magnets 103bL and 103cL are respectively arranged at a plurality of positions apart from a center line extending through the origin O in the X direction by a distance rx3 on the L side in the Y direction.

In the present modified embodiment, a plurality of permanent magnets 103giL (where i ═ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) similar to the permanent magnet 103aL are arrayed and arranged at constant intervals in the X direction outside the permanent magnets 103bL and 103cL in a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101. The yoke 107 to which the plurality of permanent magnets 103giL are attached is separated from the yoke 107 to which the permanent magnets 103bL and 103cL are attached. The plurality of permanent magnets 103giL is not limited to the five illustrated in fig. 14D, and the number of permanent magnets 103giL may be any number as long as it is a plurality.

As discussed above, the yoke 107 to which the permanent magnets 103a and 103d formed of the magnet groups in which the permanent magnets are arranged in the Y direction are attached is separated from the yoke 107 to which the permanent magnets 103b and 103c formed of the magnet groups in which the permanent magnets are arranged in the X direction are attached. Thereby, unnecessary interference of magnetic flux can be reduced or prevented, and controllability can be improved. However, the yoke 107 may be integrally formed instead of being separated. In this case, the mover 101 can be constructed at low cost compared to the case where the yoke 107 is separated.

It should be noted that, also in the case of the third embodiment illustrated in fig. 13, the respective yokes 107 to which the permanent magnets 103 formed of the magnet groups in which the permanent magnets are arranged in directions different from each other are attached may be separated from each other in the same manner as in the present modified example. In this case, the yoke 107 to which the permanent magnets 103a and 103d formed of the magnet groups in which the permanent magnets are aligned in the Y direction are attached may be separated from the yoke 107 to which the permanent magnets 103b and 103c formed of the magnet groups in which the permanent magnets are aligned in the X direction are attached.

Further, also in the first embodiment illustrated in fig. 1B, the second embodiment illustrated in fig. 10, and the fourth embodiment illustrated in fig. 15, the respective yokes 107 to which the permanent magnets 103 formed of magnet groups in which permanent magnets are arranged in directions different from each other are attached may be separated from each other in the same manner as in the present modified example. In this case, the yoke 107 to which the permanent magnets 103a and 103d formed of the magnet groups whose permanent magnets are aligned in the Z direction are attached may be separated from the yoke 107 to which the permanent magnets 103b and 103c formed of the magnet groups whose permanent magnets are aligned in the X direction are attached.

In the present modified example, the force acting in the Y direction of the permanent magnet 103giR is denoted as FyiR, the force acting in the Y direction of the permanent magnet 103giL is denoted as FyiL, and the Y-direction force component Ty corresponds to the sum of the force components acting on the respective permanent magnets 103giR and 103 giL. That is, in the case of the mover 101 according to the present modified example, the Y-direction force component Ty is expressed by the following equation (20 b).

Ty ═ Σ FyiR + ∑ FyiL … equation (20b)

According to the present modified example, by adjusting the number of the permanent magnets 103giR and 103giL to be arranged, the Y-direction force component Ty can be increased or decreased.

Other modified examples

With the mover 101 according to the third embodiment described above, further modified examples are possible. For example, in order to further enhance the transportation capability in the X-axis direction, the number of permanent magnets may be larger than the number of magnets of the four groups of permanent magnets 103bR, 103cR, 103bL, and 103 cL. Specifically, many permanent magnets similar to the permanent magnet 103bR may be horizontally arranged in one or more columns at a plurality of portions on the R side on the top surface of the mover 101. Similarly, many permanent magnets similar to the permanent magnet 103bL may be horizontally arranged in one or more columns at a plurality of portions on the L side on the top surface of the mover 101.

Fourth embodiment

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described by using fig. 15 and 16. Fig. 15 and 16 are schematic views illustrating the mover 101 and the stator 201 according to the present embodiment. Note that components similar to those in the first to third embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

The basic configuration of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that according to the first embodiment. The mover 101 according to the present embodiment is different from the configurations according to the first to third embodiments in the attachment form of the permanent magnets 103.

A diagram in an upper portion of fig. 15 is a view of the mover 101 and the stator 201 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the Z + side in the Z direction. It should be noted that the workpiece 102 is not illustrated in fig. 15 for simplicity of illustration. A diagram in the middle portion of fig. 15 is a view of a side face on the R side of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the R side in the Y direction. A diagram in a lower portion of fig. 15 is a view of a side face on the L side of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the L side in the Y direction. It should be noted that the diagram in the lower part of fig. 15 illustrates an upside down view on the side on the L side of the mover 101 for better representation.

Further, fig. 16 is a diagram of the mover 101 and the stator 201 according to the present embodiment when viewed from the X direction. The left part of fig. 16 illustrates a sectional view (a) taken along the line (a) - (a) of the drawing in the middle part of fig. 15. Further, the right portion of fig. 16 illustrates a sectional view (B) taken along the line (B) - (B) of the drawing in the middle portion of fig. 15.

As illustrated in fig. 15, the permanent magnets 103cR and 103dR are attached to the side face on the R side of the mover 101, unlike the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the permanent magnets 103aR and 103bR are not attached to the side surface on the R side of the mover 101.

The permanent magnets 103cR and 103dR are respectively attached to positions distant by ry1 from an origin O, which is the center of the mover 101, in the Y direction. Further, the permanent magnet 103dR is attached to a position distant from the origin O by rx1 on the other side in the X direction. Further, the permanent magnet 103cR is attached to a position distant from the origin O by rx2 on the other side in the X direction.

Further, unlike the first embodiment, the permanent magnets 103aL and 103bL are attached to the side face on the L side of the mover 101. That is, in the present embodiment, the permanent magnets 103cL and 103dL are not attached to the side surface on the L side of the mover 101.

The permanent magnets 103aL and 103bL are respectively attached to positions distant from the origin O by ry1 in the Y direction. Further, the permanent magnet 103aL is attached to a position apart from the origin O by rx1 on one side in the X direction. Further, the permanent magnet 103bL is attached to a position apart from the origin O by rx2 on one side in the X direction.

Further, the permanent magnets 103cR and 103dR and the permanent magnets 103aL and 103bL are attached to the mover 101 so that the position in the Z direction is displaced in the Z direction and arranged so as to be different from each other. That is, the permanent magnets 103cR and 103dR are respectively attached to positions separated by a distance rz1 in the Z direction from the origin O on the upper side of the mover 101. On the other hand, further, permanent magnets 103aL and 103bL are respectively attached to positions separated by a distance rz1 on the bottom side of the mover 101 in the Z direction from the origin O.

In this way, in the present embodiment, the permanent magnets 103 are attached to the mover 101 such that the permanent magnets 103 are asymmetrically displaced and arranged in the Z direction on the side faces on the R side and the L side.

The positions of the respective columns of the coils 202 in the Z direction are different for the R side and the L side in the stator 201 as illustrated in fig. 16, which is associated with the fact that: the positions of the permanent magnets 103 in the Z direction are different from each other in the side faces on the R side and the L side of the mover 101 as described above. That is, the columns of the coils 202R as the coils 202 on the R side are arranged in parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the permanent magnets 103cR and 103dR on the side face on the R side of the mover 101. On the other hand, the columns of the coils 202L as the coils 202 on the L side are arranged parallel to the X direction so as to be able to face the permanent magnets 103aL and 103bL on the side face on the L side of the mover 101.

In the case of the mover 101 according to the present embodiment, the respective components indicated in equation (6) of the force T applied to the mover 101 are expressed by the following equations (21a), (21b), (21c), (21d), (21e), and (21 f).

Tx-FxbR + FxfL … equation (21a)

Ty-FyfL + FybR … equation (21b)

Tz ═ FzbR + FzfL … equation (21c)

Twx ═ (FzfL-FzbR). ry1+ (FybR-FyfL). rz1 … equation (21d)

Twy (FzfL-FzbR) × 1 … equation (21e)

Twz (FybR-FyfL)' rx2 … equation (21f)

Therefore, even when the permanent magnets 103 are asymmetrically arranged, six-axis forces of three-axis force components (Tx, Ty, Tz) and three-axis moment components (Twx, Twy, Twz) can be applied to the mover 101 by using the plurality of coils 202 arranged in two rows.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the six-axis force of the three-axis force components (Tx, Ty, Tz) and the three-axis force components (Twx, Twy, Twz) can be applied to the mover 101 by using the plurality of coils 202 arranged in two rows. Thereby, it is possible to control the transport of the mover 101 while controlling the posture of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes. According to the present embodiment, by using the coils 202 arranged in two columns whose number of columns is smaller than the number of six-axis components of force as a variable to be controlled, it is possible to control the transportation of the mover 101 while controlling the attitude of the mover 101 with respect to the six axes.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the number of columns of coils 202 may be smaller, the mover 101 may be transported contactlessly while controlling the posture of the mover 101 without causing an increase in size or an increase in complexity of the system.

Further, in the case where the permanent magnets 103 are symmetrically arranged on the mover 101 as in the present embodiment, six-axis control of the posture of the mover 101 and transport control of the mover 101 can be achieved by using a smaller number of permanent magnets 103 than in the first embodiment. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since not only the number of rows of coils 202 but also the number of permanent magnets 103 may be reduced, a more inexpensive and compact magnetic levitation type transportation system can be constructed.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

For example, in the case of use in a vacuum environment or an underwater environment, organic matter or the like is likely to scatter or flow out from the member (e.g., around the coil 202 or the plastic used in the core material). Furthermore, the adhesive used for insulation is likely to partially flow out or to be further deteriorated in the same manner.

Therefore, in particular in a vacuum environment or underwater environment or in a less dusty environment (e.g. clean room), it is preferable to cover the coil or the components surrounding the coil with a certain component so as to insulate it from the surrounding environment. There are some insulation methods and it is preferable to cover one or more coils with a metal box and, for example, introduce air therein.

Further, in order to dissipate or emit the heat generated from the coil to the outside, the gas is preferably a gas having a large thermal conductivity, preferably, for example, helium, or may be hydrogen. However, nitrogen, carbon dioxide gas, or air may also provide sufficient component protection.

Further, one or more coils may be collectively arranged and closed into a box-like shape to form a coil box unit, and a coil array may be formed by arranging a plurality of coil box units. It is preferable to provide a height reference or a position reference to the outside of each coil box unit to achieve easier handling, thereby adjusting the height or position to the same height or position in order to arrange the box units.

Further, although the case where only the electromagnetic force received by the permanent magnet 103 from the coil 202 is used as the levitation force to levitate the mover 101 is described as an example in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the weight of the mover 101 or the weight of the workpiece 102 placed on the mover 101 is large and the levitation force to be applied in the vertical direction is large, the static pressure of the fluid such as air alone may be used for levitation to contribute to the levitation force.

Further, although the case where the plurality of coils 202 are arranged in two columns or one column has been described as an example in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. The plurality of coils 202 may also be arranged in any one of, for example, three columns, four columns, and five columns according to the plurality of permanent magnets 103 arranged on the mover 101. According to the present invention, six-axis control of the posture of the mover 101 can be achieved by using the multi-row coils 202 whose number of rows is smaller than six (six being the number of variables in six-axis control of the posture of the mover 101).

Furthermore, the transport system according to the present invention may be used as a transport system that transports the workpiece together with the mover to a processing area of each processing apparatus, such as a machine tool that performs each processing process on the workpiece that is to be an article in a manufacturing system that manufactures articles such as electronic components. The processing equipment performing the machining process may be any equipment, such as equipment for assembling components on a workpiece, equipment for performing coating or spraying, and the like. Further, the article to be manufactured is not particularly limited, and any article may be manufactured.

As described above, the article may be manufactured by: the transport system according to the invention is used to transport workpieces to a processing area and to perform a processing treatment on the workpieces transported in the processing area. As mentioned above, the transport system according to the invention involves neither an increase in the size nor an increase in the complexity of the system. Thus, an article manufacturing system employing a transport system according to the present invention for workpiece transport may also provide a significantly flexible layout of equipment performing the respective processing without causing an increase in size or complexity of the system. According to the present invention, it is possible to transport the mover without contact while controlling the posture of the mover without causing an increase in the size of the system arrangement.

While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.