US 12,752,824 B1Granted

Electromagnet switch for shuttles on a track

AssigneeAmazon Technologies, Inc.

InventorsMichael D Assadi, Zechariah Ives, Sudhakar Teegavarapu, Jeffrey Nelson

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Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for a track system for transporting a shuttle with a payload from one location to another location in a fulfillment center. A track system may include linear synchronous motors (LSMs) to propel the shuttle along a desired path of the track system. The track system may include multiple track paths, magnet assemblies, and electromagnets for diverting shuttles to alternative paths. To cause a shuttle to move from one track path to another track path, an electromagnet and a magnet assembly may be positioned at an intersection between the paths. When the electromagnet is energized the magnetic field of the electromagnet may attract the shuttle to a desired path (e.g., curved path) and the magnet assembly may cause to shuttle travel along the desired path.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a set of rails that form a track having a central axis, the set of rails comprising a first rail segment on a first side and a second rail segment on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the track comprises a linear path and a curved path that intersects the linear path;
a shuttle configured to transport items from a first location to a second location using the set of rails, the shuttle comprising:
a first ferrous block;
and
a set of wheels;
a set of linear synchronous motors (LSMs) disposed along the central axis of the track;
a wall structure extending along the curved path, the set of wheels of the shuttle configured to interface with an exterior surface of the wall structure;
a magnet assembly forming a side of the curved path, the magnet assembly comprising a set of focused magnets arranged in series along the interior surface of the wall structure and coupled to the wall structure, each focused magnet of the set of focused magnets having a housing, a set of magnets arranged in series alternating in polarity, and a backing structure positioned behind the set of magnets such that the set of magnets is between the backing structure and the wall structure, the set of magnets and the backing structure disposed in the housing and configured to generate a first magnetic field, wherein the backing structure comprises a set of stacked plates and each backing structure is secured to a respective housing via a respective set of magnets;
a first electromagnet disposed along a side of the curved path adjacent to the set of focused magnets, the first electromagnet configured to be energized to generate a second magnetic field to offset the first magnetic field;
and
a second electromagnet disposed along a side of the linear path opposite the set of focused magnets and the first electromagnet and configured to be selectively energized;
wherein the first ferrous block of the shuttle is attracted to the set of focused magnets when the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet are inactivated, causing the shuttle to follow the curved path.

9 more elements

A system comprising:

a set of rails that form a track, the set of rails comprising a first rail segment on a first side and a second rail segment on a second side, the track comprising a linear path and a curved path that intersects the linear path, the set of rails configured to guide a shuttle with a payload along the set of rails;
a wall structure that is curved;
a set of linear synchronous motors (LSMs) disposed along a central axis of the track;
a magnet assembly comprising a set of focused magnets arranged in series along an interior surface of the wall structure and coupled to the wall structure, each focused magnet of the set of focused magnets having a housing, a set of magnets arranged in series alternating in polarity, and a backing structure positioned such that the set of magnets is between the backing structure and the wall structure, the set of magnets and the backing structure disposed in the housing and configured to generate a first magnetic field, wherein the backing structure comprises a set of plates and each backing structure is secured to a respective housing via a respective set of magnets;
a first electromagnet disposed along a side of the curved path adjacent to the set of focused magnets and configured to be energized to generate a second magnetic field to offset the first magnetic field;
and
a second electromagnet disposed along a side of the linear path opposite the set of focused magnets and configured to be selectively energized to attract the shuttle.

4 more elements

A method comprising

causing a shuttle having a payload and comprising a ferrous portion to advance along a set of rails that form a track, the set of rails comprising a first rail segment on a first side and a second rail segment on a second side, the track comprising a linear path and a curved path that intersects the linear path at an intersection;
and
determining to divert the shuttle from the linear path to the curved path at a switching area of the track positioned at the intersection, the curved path comprising a wall structure that is curved forming a side of the curved path, a magnet assembly comprising a set of focused magnets arranged in series along an interior surface of the wall structure and configured to generate a first magnetic field, a first electromagnet adjacent to the magnet assembly and configured to energize to generate a second magnetic field to offset the first magnetic field, and the linear path comprising a second electromagnet configured to energize to generate a third magnetic field;
causing the first and second electromagnet to energize to divert the shuttle from the linear path to the curved path by attracting the ferrous portion in the shuttle via the second magnetic field,
wherein each focused magnet of the set of focused magnets has a housing, a set of magnets arranged in series alternating in polarity, and a backing structure positioned such that the set of magnets is between the backing structure and the wall structure, wherein the backing structure is made from a set of metallic plates and the backing structure is secured to a respective housing via a respective set of magnets.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.