IP Library Granted Patent US 12,732,032
Granted Patent B2
US 12,732,032 · App. 17/541,530 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

Assembly of stator modules for a planar drive system

Inventor: Uwe Prüssmeier (Lemgo, DE)
Assignee: Beckhoff Automation GmbH
H02K1/182H02K11/33H02K29/10H02K41/031
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,732,032
App. No.
17/541,530
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An assembly of stator modules for a planar drive system comprises a first stator module and a second stator module, The first stator module and/or the second stator module each comprise stator segments with a segment width, the stator segments being energizable, where the stator segments can provide a magnetic field in order to interact with the magnet arrangements of a rotor for driving and/or holding the rotor of the planar drive system. The first stator module and the second stator module are arranged spaced apart from each other and thereby form a gap, where the gap has a gap width, and where the gap width is smaller than or equal to the segment width.

Claims (33)

1 . An assembly of stator modules for a planar drive system, comprising:

a first stator module and a second stator module, the first stator module and the second stator module each having a stator surface, the stator surfaces each forming a continuous surface for movement of a rotor in a first area and in a second area,

the first stator module and the second stator module each comprising a first stator layer and a second stator layer, which are arranged on top of each other at right angles; and

wherein stator segments are arranged in the first stator layer and the second stator layer, wherein the stator segments of the first stator layer are arranged perpendicular to the stator segments of the second stator layer, the stator segments having a segment width and being configured such that they are energizable, each stator segment comprising six conductor strips which are configured as a three-phase system;

wherein the stator segments are configured to provide a magnetic field for interacting with magnet arrangements of the rotor of the planar drive system in order to drive and/or hold the rotor, the magnetic field being configured to maintain the rotor in a vertical position at a distance from the stator module surfaces and to move it in a horizontal direction; and

wherein the first stator module and the second stator module are arranged at a distance from one another and a gap is formed thereby, wherein the gap has a gap width, wherein the gap width is smaller than or equal to the stator segment width.

2 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 1 , wherein the first stator module is arranged in a moveable manner, wherein the first stator module is movable in such a way that the gap width is variably changed.

3 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 1 , wherein at least one functional element is arranged in the region of the gap.

4 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 3 , wherein the functional element comprises a movable door.

5 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 4 , wherein the movable door has a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the movable door is partially arranged within the gap between the first stator module and the second stator module.

6 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 5 , wherein a housing encloses at least the first stator module with the movable door, wherein the housing is configured to be gas-tight and/or fluid-tight and/or particle-tight.

7 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 6 , wherein the housing comprises a further movable door,

wherein the assembly of stator modules comprises a third stator module, wherein the third stator module and the first stator module are arranged at a distance with regard to each other, thereby forming a further gap, and

wherein the further movable door has a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the further movable door is arranged partially within the further gap between the first stator module and the third stator module.

8 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 3 , wherein the functional element comprises a light source and a light detector, wherein the light source and the light detector are configured to carry out a detection of a moving rotor and/or a detection of a movement of an object between the light source and the light detector.

9 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 3 , wherein said functional element provides an air curtain.

10 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 3 , wherein the functional element comprises a cleaning brush, wherein the cleaning brush is configured to be stationary and/or rotatable.

11 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 3 , wherein the functional element comprises a nozzle for applying a fluid.

12 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 3 , wherein the functional element comprises a disinfection element.

13 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 3 , wherein the functional element comprises a suction device.

14 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 3 , wherein the functional element comprises a retaining element.

15 . A planar drive system having an assembly of stator modules comprising:

a first stator module and a second stator module, the first stator module and the second stator module each having a stator surface, the stator surfaces each forming a continuous surface for movement in a first area and in a second area; and

at least one rotor;

wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of magnet arrangements which are effective in a drive direction of the rotor and are arranged next to one another in the drive direction for driving and/or holding the rotor, each having a magnetization period width (λ),

wherein the first stator module and the second stator module each comprises a first stator layer and a second stator layer, which are arranged on top of each other at right angles; and

wherein stator segments are arranged in the first stator layer and the second stator layer, wherein the stator segments of the first stator layer are arranged perpendicular to the stator segments of the second stator layer, the stator segments having a segment width and being configured to be energizable, the magnetization period width corresponding to the segment width;

wherein the stator segments are configured to provide a magnetic field for interacting with the magnet arrangements of the rotor in order to drive and/or hold the rotor of the planar drive system, the magnetic field being configured to maintain the rotor in a vertical position at a distance from the stator modules and to move it in a horizontal direction; and

the first stator module and the second stator module being arranged at a distance from one another and a gap being formed as a result, the gap having a gap width of at most half a number of the magnet arrangements which are effective in a drive direction of the rotor multiplied by the magnetization period width.

16 . The planar drive system according to claim 15 , wherein the rotor comprises two magnet arrangements effective in the drive direction of the rotor and arranged side by side in the drive direction.

17 . The planar drive system according to claim 15 , wherein at least one functional element is arranged in the region of the gap.

18 . The planar drive system according to claim 15 , wherein a minimum gap width is provided.

19 . The assembly of stator modules according to claim 1 , wherein a minimum gap width corresponds to a width of one of the conductor strips in the stator segments.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2022
From: PRÜSSMEIER, UWE
To: BECKHOFF AUTOMATION GMBH
Reel/Frame 058767/0128 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 10 2019 117 431.7 · Jun 27, 2019 · national
DE 10 2019 118 635.8 · Jul 10, 2019 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2020068000 · Jun 26, 2020
Related Publication 20220131426A1 · Apr 28, 2022
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