Transmitter device

Abstract

A transmitter device (100) includes a housing (102). The transmitter device (100) has a cable (110). The cable (110) is at least partially contained in the housing (102) and is electrically connected to a socket (130). In addition, the transmitter device (100) has a sensor (106). The sensor (106) is electrically connected to the cable (110). The transmitter device (100) also includes a cover (104). The cover (104) at least partially covers the sensor (106). The transmitter device (100) is characterized in that the socket (130) is arranged outside the housing (102), and the socket (130) is flexibly connected to the housing (102) through the cable (110). The housing (102) includes a channel (111) so that the cable (110) is slidably received in the channel (111).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transmitter device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a transmitter device that provides safe and trouble-free operation with respect to a cable and associated outlet of the transmitter device. Background Art

[0002] The transmitter device can be used indoors or outdoors. For example, a soil sensor can be used in a lawn due to its flat design. In addition, the soil sensor may have a cable and an associated socket. In the case where the transmitter device is electronically arranged to also act as a transceiver device, it includes both a transmitter and a receiver. In this case, the transmitter and receiver may be combined and share a common circuit or a single housing.

[0003] However, there may be situations where the operation of the sensor with the cable connected becomes prone to failure and risks. Typically, during gardening work, the cable connected to the housing of the soil sensor may be damaged. For example, a mowing robot, a lawn mower, etc. may drive over the soil sensor with the cable connected. Such movement on the soil sensor may cause a large mechanical load to be placed / applied to the plug connection connected to the cable at the housing, which may cause the plug connection to break or loosen. This may even damage the plug connection and render the entire transmitter unusable and prone to accidents.

[0004] Efforts have been made in the past to examine the mechanical loads and stresses on the cable and plug connection (or socket) from external sources such as lawn mowers. However, the cable and plug connection are typically connected directly to the housing, resulting in mechanical loads and stresses being propagated from the housing to the cable and plug connection. Such an arrangement is inherently damage-prone and accident-prone, and is undesirable to the average user.

[0005] An example of a transmitter device is provided by Chinese reference CN 207,355,132 (hereinafter referred to as the '132 reference). The '132 reference discloses a wireless communication device including a communication module and a wireless communication antenna. The communication module is screwed into the top of a metal box. In addition, the main controller of the central controller is provided with an external plug, which is guided from the electrical box to the outside of the metal box. However, the '132 reference does not seem to provide any arrangement for protecting, covering the external plug or any wires connected thereto. This may cause damage to the external plug and wires of sensors (such as sensors for ground-based facilities).

[0006] In addition, the US2016061762 reference discloses a sensor device having a housing. The housing has a body that is suitable for accommodating a soil moisture sensor device, wherein a plurality of sensors are arranged within the housing and along the length of the housing. The sensors are connected to a data collection device via a multi-strand cable. In addition, another reference CN203148876 discloses a detector for soil moisture that includes a charging socket, and CN102506941 discloses a transmitter device with a sensor. However, none of these references appear to disclose any device for the protection and safety of any cable for one or more sensors. In addition, these references do not appear to involve protecting the cable from mechanical loads and other applied loads, such as any housing or mounting features within the housing of the sensor.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an improved transmitter device that protects various parts of the transmitter device (such as cables, plug connections) from mechanical stress and loads from external sources. Summary of the invention

[0008] In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to solve or at least reduce the disadvantages discussed above. This object is at least partially achieved by a transmitter device as a soil sensor. The transmitter device includes a housing. The transmitter device has a cable. The cable is at least partially contained in the housing and electrically connected to the socket. In addition, the transmitter device has a sensor. The sensor is electrically connected to the cable. The transmitter device also includes a cover. The cover at least partially covers the sensor. The transmitter device is characterized in that the socket is arranged on the outside of the housing, and the socket is flexibly connected to the housing through the cable. In addition, the housing includes a channel so that the cable is slidably received in the channel. This can provide space for the cable to move freely, especially during accidental movement of the housing due to external mechanical loads and pressures. Therefore, the present disclosure provides simple, safe and trouble-free operation related to the cable and socket associated with the transmitter device.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the socket is coupled to the sensor via a cable. The socket may provide power and / or allow data communication with the sensor and other components of the transmitter device.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the socket is electrically connected to a watering computer remote from the transmitter device. The socket can be connected to any external power source or processor, etc., as required by the application.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the socket is a waterproof connector. This can provide the desired waterproof capability and prevent liquid ingress. In addition, this can provide a shock free application of the transmitter device.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the cover and the housing include one or more seals therebetween. This can provide the desired waterproof capability and prevent liquid from entering the interior of the housing of the transmitter device.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises one or more integrated ribs. The one or more integrated ribs may provide increased strength to the housing of the transmitter device, particularly to vertical loads acting on the housing (such as a lawn mower).

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitter device can measure at least one parameter related to the surrounding environment of the sensor. The transmitter device can then send the measured parameter to any connected device, such as a robot lawn mower, a user device (laptop, smartphone, etc.), etc.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, the transmitter device is electronically arranged to act as a transceiver device. This allows additional use cases, so that, with this embodiment, the implemented transceiver device is also able to receive data from a remote location and can therefore be remotely controlled.

[0016] Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 A perspective view of a transmitter device and some important parts thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A perspective view showing a transmitter device with a cable located within a channel according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A partial side cross-sectional view of a transmitter device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 4 shows a partial side cross-sectional view of a transmitter device having a socket connected to a connection port according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0022] Figure 5 A partial side cross-sectional view of a transmitter device is shown indicating the changed positions of a socket and a connection port in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. However, the present invention may be implemented in a variety of different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be used in other embodiments, and even in other types of structures and / or methods. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals represent the same elements.

[0024] Certain terms are used herein for convenience purposes only and should not be considered as limiting the present invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upward", "downward", "forward", "backward", "sideways", "left", "right", "horizontal", "vertical", "upward", "inside", "outside", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "center", "middle", "middle", "between", "end", "adjacent", "close", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", etc. only describe the configurations shown in the drawings. In fact, components can be positioned in any direction, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, the terms should be understood to cover such variations.

[0025] Figure 1 The transmitter device 100 and some important parts of the transmitter device 100 are shown. The transmitter device 100 is applied to outdoor environments such as gardens, lawns, etc., where ground / soil / environmental factors (such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation) need to be monitored. The transmitter device 100 of the present disclosure can be easily implemented with any sensor, especially sensors used in external (garden) applications (such as soil sensors). The transmitter device 100 can measure at least one parameter related to the surrounding environment of the sensor 106. The transmitter device 100 can then send the measured parameter to any connected device, such as a robotic lawn mower, a user device (laptop, smart phone, etc.), etc.

[0026] The transmitter device 100, which is typically a soil sensor, includes a housing 102. Electronic components (not shown) are housed within the housing 102. The transmitter device 100 of the present disclosure can be implemented with or without one or more batteries. The present disclosure shows a cable-based transmitter device 100, which, from an implementation perspective, may not require the use of batteries. The transmitter device 100 also includes a cover 104. The cover 104 at least partially covers the sensor 106 or other components within the housing 102. The cover 104 has a tab 108. The tab 108 can help remove the cover 104 from the housing 102 of the transmitter device 100. The transmitter device 100 also has a cable 110. The cable 110 is at least partially housed within the housing 102 and is electrically connected to the socket 130. In addition, the sensor 106 is electrically coupled to the cable 110.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cable 110 can be made of a material selected from rubber, aluminum, or plastic. The properties of the material are selected according to the requirements of ordinary users. According to the requirements of the present disclosure, the desired properties of the material can provide certain characteristic features for the cable 110, such as flexibility, elasticity, rigidity, heat resistance, or vibration resistance.

[0028] In some embodiments, the socket 130 can be manufactured by three-dimensional printing. The use of three-dimensional printing (alternatively, 3D printing) can provide the versatility of using different materials and lower lead time in the manufacture and design of the socket 130.

[0029] Figure 2 An exemplary transmitter device 100 is shown with a cable 110 located within a channel 111. The cable 110 extends partially below the housing 102. The housing 102 includes the channel 111 so that the cable 110 can be slidably received within the channel 111. The channel 111 can provide protection and contain the cable 110 so that the cable 110 is not disturbed by any load on the transmitter device 100. The channel 111 can protect the cable 110 from mechanical loads, such as the cable 110 extending beyond the housing 102 to connect with the socket 130. The portion of the cable 110 extending from the housing 102 can protect the socket 130 and / or the cable 110 from different types of damage that may occur during gardening work, or from mechanical shocks from the movement of a lawn mower or the like. For example, the extended portion of the socket 130 and / or the cable 110 will not be greatly affected by a lawn mower or tractor moving over the transmitter device 100.

[0030] The channel 111 can allow the cable 110 to move freely therein and check for undesired propagation of force from the housing 102 to the cable 110. The socket 130 is coupled to the sensor 106 via the cable 110. The socket 130 can provide power or be used to allow data communication to / with the transmitter device 100. The socket 130 is disposed outside the housing 102, and the socket 130 is flexibly coupled to the housing 102 via the cable 110.

[0031] Figure 3 A substantially stable position of the cable 110 relative to the housing 102 of the transmitter device 100 is shown. The housing 102 may include one or more integral ribs 116. This may provide enhanced structural strength for the transmitter device 100, particularly to support mechanical loads from a moving lawn mower or the like. The one or more integral ribs 116 may also allow for ease and strength of direct transfer of force flow from the cover 104 to the housing 102. The housing 102 has an extension 112. In addition, the cover 104 has a complementary extension 114. The extension 112 and the complementary extension 114 allow for the desired assembly of the cover 104 with the housing 102. The cover 104 and the housing 102 may include one or more seals 118 located therebetween. In some embodiments, the cover 104 and the housing 102 may be provided with a radial 2K lip seal or an O-ring. This may provide the desired waterproof capability and prevent liquid from entering the interior of the housing 102 of the transmitter device 100.

[0032] The transmitter device 100 as described includes a battery compartment 115. The battery compartment 115 includes a battery. The housing 102 includes an antenna (not shown). This can help communicate the monitored information (of the soil, etc.) to an external device, such as a robotic lawn mower, a user device (e.g., a laptop, a tab, a smartphone). The antenna can be at least partially covered by a cover 104. The presence of the cover 104 can protect the transmitter device 100 from external substances (e.g., dust, moisture), while extending the operating life of the transmitter device 100.

[0033] In some embodiments, the housing 102 is divided into a battery housing and an antenna housing. The battery housing and the antenna housing may be separated for ergonomic considerations, ease of maintenance, and low interference between operations (such as signals) from antennas, radios, and electronic devices of the transmitter device 100, and other reasons. In some embodiments, the battery may be a rechargeable battery, and in particular, during outdoor applications, the battery may be charged in time by using solar radiation, etc. The present disclosure may be easily implemented with batteries, and the transmitter device 100 may be a wire-based device for power supply and data transmission purposes.

[0034] Figure 4The transmitter device 100 is shown with the cable 110 in different positions relative to the housing 102. This figure shows the socket 130 connected to the connection port 132. The socket 130 of the transmitter device 100 is not integrated into the housing 102 to allow uninterrupted and desired movement of the cable 110 and / or the socket 130 within the channel 111 as needed. The socket 130 is shown offset from the wall or boundary of the housing 102 of the transmitter device 100 to allow uninterrupted and desired movement therein. The socket 130 is electrically connected to a water computer (not shown) or any power source remote from the transmitter device 100. The cable 110 extends out of the housing 102, and the socket 130 is flexible to easily allow adjustment or movement of the cable 110 and the socket 130 within the channel 111.

[0035] During implementation, when the transmitter device 100 is installed (such as installed in the ground), the chance of damage is extremely low even if there are mechanical loads, pressures on the cover 104, housing 102 or even the inserted cable 110 of the transmitter device 100 (such as mechanical loads, pressures from a lawn mower, tractor, user, etc.).

[0036] Figure 5 The transmitter device 100 is shown returning to a substantially stable position. As will be apparent to those having knowledge of the art, there may be many possible such stable positions, such as Figures 3 to 5 . The channel 111 can allow the desired movement, stillness, adjustment of the cable 110 and protect the cable 110 from mechanical loads or stresses. Therefore, the channel 111 of the transmitter device 100 can increase the service life of the cable 110 by checking the undesired loads from the transmitter device 100.

[0037] Preferred embodiments and examples of the present invention have been disclosed in the drawings and specification, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0038] Components List

[0039] 100 Transmitter Device

[0040] 102 Housing

[0041] 104 Cover

[0042] 106 Sensors

[0043] 108 Tabs

[0044] 110 Cable

[0045] 111 channels

[0046] 112 Extension

[0047] 114 Extension

[0048] 115 Battery compartment

[0049] 116 Ribs

[0050] 118 Seals

[0051] 130 Socket

[0052] 132 Port

Claims

1. A transmitter device (100), the transmitter device being a soil sensor, the transmitter device comprising: Housing (102); a cable (110) at least partially received within the housing (102) and electrically connected to the socket (130); a sensor (106) electrically connected to the cable (110); and a cover (104) at least partially covering the sensor (106); Features: The socket (130) is disposed outside the housing (102), and the socket (130) is flexibly connected to the housing (102) through the cable (110). The housing (102) comprises a channel (111), so that the cable (110) is slidably received in the channel (111). and wherein the socket (130) allows data communication with the sensors and other components of the transmitter device, wherein the transmitter device is connected to an external processor via the socket (130), and The channel (111) is configured to allow the cable (110) to move therein in a desired manner and is further configured to suppress undesirable force propagation from the housing (102) to the cable (110).

2. The transmitter device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The socket (130) is a waterproof connector.

3. The transmitter device (100) according to claim 1, wherein The cover (104) and the housing (102) include one or more seals (118) located between the cover and the housing.

4. The transmitter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The housing (102) includes one or more integral ribs (116).

5. The transmitter device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The transmitter device (100) is electronically arranged to function as a transceiver device.

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