Chassis with handle and antenna for wireless communication

Abstract

The wireless communication system includes a transceiver, a housing, and a handle. The transceiver includes an antenna. The housing has an interior volume. The handle is coupled to the housing from outside the interior volume, and the antenna is located within the handle.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This invention claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 362,724, filed April 8, 2022. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to near field communication (NFC) technology and, more particularly, to antenna designs for enabling NFC communications with components within a conductive housing. [Background technology]

[0003] NFC is a short-range wireless communication protocol used for contactless exchange of data over short distances. Point-to-point communication between devices using NFC can be within a range of up to 20 cm, for example, depending on the antenna design.

[0004] In one example shown in FIG. 1, a transmitting device 100 communicates with a tag 101. The tag 101 may be an active or passive device, read-only, or have rewrite capabilities. An antenna 102 on the transmitting device 100 and an antenna 103 on the tag 101 generate a carrier field 104 that carries the communication between the devices 100, 101. For a passive receiving device, such as a passive tag 101 that does not have its own power source, the carrier field 104 generated by the transmitting device 100 can be used to draw enough operating power to receive the communication, power on-board components to collect the desired data, and transmit the information back to the transmitting device 100. An active tag 101 has its own power source that does not become energized by the carrier field 104.

[0005] Communications between the transmitting device 100 and the tag 101 are reliable without interference from other signals in the same communication frequency when in range and line-of-sight configuration. However, when the antennas 102, 103 are isolated from the outside air by a housing or other supporting structure, communications between the devices 100, 101 may begin to deteriorate and become unreliable. Although a metal or other conductive housing in which the tag 101 may be placed may help shield EMI radiation from the housing due to internal components or into the housing due to external factors, such a shielded housing may make communications with the tag 101 insufficient or impossible if the metal housing surrounds the receiving antenna 103. Additionally, interference from components inside the housing, such as a switching converter, may result in ground field interference due to various switching components and magnets inside the housing.

[0006] Because wireless communication with a component or system within a conductive housing can be unreliable, communication with a component / system such as a power supply unit 200 is often handled by a hardwired connection 201 between a communication device 202 within the housing of the component 200 and a communication port 203 mounted on the exterior wall of the housing, as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the communication port may be located in an inconvenient location on the housing, such as a back wall 204, which may require the system to be shut down and removed from the rack or maneuvered in a tight space to achieve such communication.

[0007] The power supply unit 200 may use digital control with built-in parameter setting capabilities that allow for setting of output voltage, current, power, fault diagnosis, and input / output power monitoring, etc. Setting and reading of these parameters may be accomplished via a communication bus 205 with an external communication system 206 having a laptop computer or tablet, special customer system interfaces / adapters, etc. Some of the configurable parameters are available for setting when the hardware connection 201 is in an active / operational mode and may be facilitated by trained service personnel via the wired communication bus 205. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a wireless communication system includes a transceiver, a housing, and a handle. The transceiver includes an antenna. The housing has an interior volume. The handle is coupled to the housing from outside the interior volume, and the antenna is located within the handle.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of forming a wireless communication system includes positioning a communication antenna of a transceiver assembly within a handle and coupling the handle to an exterior surface of a housing, the housing having an interior volume. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] The drawings illustrate embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

[0011] The following drawing shows:

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a known NFC system.

[0013] [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a known power supply communication scheme.

[0014] [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an NFC communication device according to an embodiment.

[0015] [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of an antenna assembly according to an example.

[0016] [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates an embodiment of an antenna assembly according to an example.

[0017] [Figure 6] 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

[0018] [Figure 7] 1 illustrates an embodiment of an antenna assembly according to another example.

[0019] [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an embodiment of an antenna assembly according to another example.

[0020] [Figure 9] 1 illustrates an embodiment of an antenna assembly according to another example.

[0021] [Figure 10] 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a target system showing an antenna assembly secured to a housing.

[0022] [Figure 11] 4 shows an NFC communication device according to another embodiment.

[0023] [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the chassis handle with integrated NFC tag of FIG. 11 according to one embodiment.

[0024] [Figure 13] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded isometric view of the front of the system of FIG. 11 according to one embodiment.

[0025] [Figure 14] 1 illustrates an isometric view of a portion of a front wall and handle through which a tag connector extends according to one embodiment.

[0026] [Figure 15] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a power supply system according to an embodiment.

[0027] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description of specific embodiments herein is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Examples of the disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, application, or uses.

[0029] The example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are described, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be used, that the example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that none of these should be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some examples of the embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0030] Although the disclosure herein is detailed and accurate to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative of the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. Although preferred embodiments have been described, details may be changed without departing from the invention as defined by the claims.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an NFC communication apparatus according to one embodiment. A target system 300, such as a power supply, is provided with an NFC transceiver or tag device 301 for communicating operating parameters and other information of a power converter 302 of the power supply with an external NFC communication device 303. The target system 300 includes a metal enclosure or housing 304 having an interior volume within which the tag 301 and the power converter 302 are located. The housing 304, being conductive, can help shield EMI radiation entering and leaving the housing 304. The tag 301 is shown mounted to a side wall 306 through a cutout in a top wall 305 of the housing 304, and has one or more communication wires 307 that couple the tag 301 to a power converter communication component, such as a communication IC 308. Communication via the communication wires 307 provides the tag 301 with access to information of the power converter 302, such as operating status parameters, configuration parameters, reporting parameters, and other information provided for communication outside the system. The communication between the tag 301 and the communication IC 308 may be based, for example, on the I2C protocol or other low-power communication protocols.

[0032] The tag 301 also has one or more wires 309 that couple the tag 301 to an antenna 310 located on the exterior of the housing 304. In one embodiment, the antenna 310 is located within a handle 311 that is mechanically attached to the housing 304, as shown. The handle 311 provides support for transporting the power supply, installing the power supply in a rack system, removing the power supply from a rack system, and other physical manipulation of the power supply. In one embodiment, the antenna 310 includes one or more wire loops that are wound around the interior volume of the handle 311. In another embodiment, the antenna 310 includes one or more copper loops that are spiraled along a printed circuit board located within the handle 311. To reduce interference with the carrier field 312 transmitted between the antenna 310 and the communication device 303, the handle 311 may be constructed from a carrier field transparent material and / or may be located near the exterior surface of the handle 311 while still remaining protected within the interior volume of the handle 311. Locating the antenna 310 external to the interior volume of the housing 304 allows the tag 301 located within the interior volume of the housing 304 to communicate with the communications device 303 with fewer interference and attenuation effects.

[0033] In one embodiment, the tag 301 is a passive device that receives energized power from the carrier field 312. The energized power is sufficient to activate the tag 301 and establish communication with the communication device 303. The energized power may also be sufficient to power the communication IC 308, which stores parameters of interest therein. By also powering the communication IC 308, the communication device 303 may be able to receive the status, settings, and other parameters of the power converter 302 without the power converter 302 having to be active, operating, or additionally powered. In other embodiments, during operation, the power converter 302 may cause the communication IC 308 to update parameters reportable to the tag 301 for storage until requested by the communication device 303. In this case, the energized power to activate the tag 301 may be sufficient to power the tag 301 without also powering the communication IC 308.

[0034] The passive device mode allows the target system 300 to be equipped with a built-in NFC interface that can be used to retrieve and write small sized data. For example, the target system 300 can be configured during manufacturing or after receipt by a customer without applying input supply power to the unit. Examples of such configuration include enabling / disabling features, changing device addresses, setting limits and timings, etc. Additionally, black box data or fault history logs can be retrieved from a system that has a hard fault and can no longer be powered on.

[0035] In other embodiments, the tag 301 is an active device and receives operating power from the power converter 302. Thus, the tag 301 is available for communication while the power converter 302 is powering the tag 301, but is unavailable when the power converter 302 is not providing power to the tag 301. The active or powered mode allows for greater data transfer than the passive mode. If in-system programming was not performed, for example, during manufacturing, such programming may be facilitated by the embodiments of the NFC system described herein. For example, the power system may be field configurable or user configurable. The embodiments of the present disclosure help reduce the complexity in field programming. Also, firmware updates may be performed while the unit is physically installed in the end system. The latest firmware may be retrieved from a server using, for example, the communication device 303 and programmed into the target system 300. Furthermore, data may be intercepted from the target system 300 while in the operational mode without interfering with the normal operation or internal wiring of the system.

[0036] Regardless of whether a passive or active device is used, communications between the communication device 303 and the tag 301 may be subject to authentication and / or other security protocols to ensure authorized use.

[0037] 4 illustrates an embodiment of a portion of an antenna assembly 400 according to an example. A wire 309 connectable to a tag 301 runs around a bobbin 401 to form a multi-loop coil antenna. The size of the bobbin and the number of turns of the wire 309 may be designed to facilitate communication with a communication device 303 via an NFC communication protocol.

[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an antenna assembly 400 according to an example. The wound bobbin assembly shown in FIG. 4 is embedded within an outer handle shell 500. An opening in the outer handle assembly 500 allows the wires 309 to extend from the bobbin to the tag 301. One or more fasteners 501 may be coupled to the outer handle assembly 500 through the front wall of the housing 304 to mechanically secure the outer handle assembly 500 to the exterior surface of the housing 304. Alternatively or additionally, one or more snap tabs 502 may extend from the outer handle assembly 500 and be insertable into a mating snap receptacle formed in the front wall of the housing 304.

[0039] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5. As shown, the bobbin 401 has wires 309 wound around it and is embedded within an outer handle assembly 500. In one example, the outer handle shell 500 may be overmolded around the wound bobbin 401.

[0040] 7 illustrates one embodiment of another example antenna assembly 400. An outer handle shell 500 includes a first half 503 and a second half 504. A fastener receptacle 505 is formed within the second half 504 to receive a fastener 501 therein for securing the first and second halves 503, 504 together.

[0041] 8 illustrates one embodiment of an antenna assembly 400 according to another example. A first half 503 includes a fastener tab 506 having a male connector 507 extending from a base 508. A female receptacle 509 of a second fastener tab 510 is configured to mate with the male connector 507 and is attached to the second half 504. In this manner, the first and second halves 503, 504 may be pressed together to engage the male connector 507 with the female receptacle 509 to secure the antenna assembly 400.

[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of an antenna assembly 400 according to another example. In contrast to a bobbin assembly located in the antenna assembly 400 as shown in FIGS. 6-8, the interior volume of the first and second halves 503, 504 of the handle 311 accommodates a printed circuit board (PCB) antenna assembly 900. A copper trace antenna 902 is formed on the PCB 901 and is connected between start and end connection pads 903, 904. A wiring 309 is coupled to the start and end connection pads 903, 904 to communicate an antenna signal to the tag 301. The size of the PCB 901 and the length and number of spiral turns of the copper trace antenna 902 may be designed to facilitate communication with the communication device 303 via an NFC communication protocol. The first and second halves 503, 504 of the handle 311 may be fastened together as described in one or more of the embodiments herein.

[0043] 10 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the target system 300 showing the antenna assembly 400 fastened to the front of the housing 304. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure communicate with the tag 301 from the front of the target system 300.

[0044] FIG. 11 illustrates an NFC communication apparatus according to an embodiment. A target system 1100, such as a power supply, is provided with an NFC transceiver or tag device 1101 for communicating operating parameters and other information of a power converter 1102 of the power supply with an external NFC communication device 1103. The target system 1100 includes a metal housing 1104 having an internal volume within which the power converter 1102 is located. One or more communication wires 1105 couple the tag 1101 with a power converter communication component, such as a communication IC 1106. Communication via the communication wires 1105 gives the tag 1101 access to information of the power converter 1102, such as operating status parameters, configuration parameters, reporting parameters, and other information provided for communication outside the system. Communication between the tag 1101 and the communication IC 1106 may be based, for example, on an I2C protocol or other low-power communication protocol.

[0045] The tag 1101 is located within a handle 1107 that is mechanically attached to the housing 1104. The handle 1107 provides support for transporting the power supply, installing the power supply in a rack system, removing the power supply from a rack system, and other physical manipulation of the power supply. In one embodiment, the tag 1101 is removably positionable within a cavity in the handle 1107 (see FIG. 12). In other embodiments, the tag 1101 is permanently embedded within the handle 1107.

[0046] In one embodiment, the tag 1101 is a passive device that receives energized power from the carrier field 1110. The energized power is sufficient to operate the tag 1101 and establish communication with the communication device 1103. The energized power may also be sufficient to power the communication IC 1106, which stores parameters of interest therein. By also powering the communication IC 1106, the communication device 1103 may be able to receive the status, settings, and other parameters of the power converter 1102 without the power converter 1102 having to be active, operating, or supplied with additional power. In other embodiments, during operation, the power converter 1102 may cause the communication IC 1106 to update parameters reportable to the tag 1101 for storage until requested by the communication device 1103. In this case, the energized power to operate the tag 1101 may be sufficient to power the tag 1101 without also powering the communication IC 1106.

[0047] The passive device mode allows the target system 1100 to be equipped with a built-in NFC interface that can be used to retrieve and write small sized data. For example, the target system 1100 can be configured during manufacturing or after receipt by a customer without applying input supply power to the unit. Examples of such configuration include enabling / disabling features, changing device addresses, setting limits and timings, etc. Additionally, black box data or fault history logs can be retrieved from a system that has a hard fault and can no longer be powered on.

[0048] In other embodiments, the tag 1101 is an active device and receives operating power from the power converter 1102. Thus, the tag 1101 is available for communication while the power converter 1102 is powering the tag 1101, but is unavailable when the power converter 1102 is not providing power to the tag 1101. The active or powered mode allows for greater data transfer than the passive mode. If in-system programming was not performed, for example, during manufacturing, such programming may be facilitated by the embodiments of the NFC system described herein. For example, the power system may be field configurable or user configurable. The embodiments of the present disclosure help reduce the complexity in field programming. Also, firmware updates may be performed while the unit is physically installed in the end system. The latest firmware may be retrieved from a server using, for example, the communication device 1103 and programmed into the target system 1100. Furthermore, data may be intercepted from the target system 1100 while in the operational mode without interfering with the normal operation or internal wiring of the system.

[0049] Regardless of whether a passive or active device is used, communications between the communications device 1103 and the tag 1101 may be subject to authentication and / or other security protocols to ensure authorized use.

[0050] FIG. 12 illustrates an exploded isometric view of a chassis handle 1107 with the NFC tag 1101 of FIG. 11 according to one embodiment. The tag 1101 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 1108 on which one or more loops of copper are formed that are spiraled along a path to form an NFC antenna 1109. To reduce interference with a carrier field 1110 (shown in FIG. 11) transmitted between the antenna 1109 and the communication device 1103, the handle 1107 may be constructed from a carrier field transparent material and / or may be located near an exterior surface of the handle 1107 while still remaining protected within the interior volume of the handle 1107. Locating the antenna 1109 external to the interior volume of the housing 1104 allows the tag 1101 to communicate with the communication device 1103 with fewer interference and attenuation effects.

[0051] A controller 1111 of the tag 1101 communicates with the communication device 1103 and the communication IC 1106. The tag 1101 may also include an indicator device such as an LED 1112 which, together with a light pipe 1113, provides a visual indication of the operation of the tag 1101. An ambient temperature sensor 1114 configured to align with an ambient sensor peephole 1115 in the handle 1107 allows for sensing of the ambient temperature adjacent the handle 1107. A connector 1116 attached to the end of the PCB 1108 provides connection with a mating connector (see FIG. 13) coupled to the communication wiring 1105 to facilitate removal and installation of the handle 1107.

[0052] FIG 13 shows an exploded isometric view of the front of the system of FIG 11 according to one embodiment. The front wall of the target system 1100 formed as a panel-fan assembly 1117 includes a tag port 1118 through which a portion of the tag 1101 may extend to mate with a mating connector 1121, as shown in FIG 14, which shows an isometric view of a portion of the front wall and handle through which the tag connector extends, according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG 13, the housing 1104 may be formed as a multi-piece housing including, for example, a base 1119 and a cover 1120.

[0053] 15 illustrates an isometric view of a power system 1500 according to one embodiment. The system 1500 includes three power units 1501, 1502, 1503 that incorporate an NFC-enabled handle 1504 according to one or more of the embodiments described herein.

[0054] The embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a power supply unit with an innovative handle that includes an NFC communication circuit for interfacing internally with the power supply digital control circuit. Various parameters of the power supply unit can be set, read, and written via an external handheld FNC device. Such setting may be accomplished with a running operating system or with a non-powered power supply unit. The ability to set various power supply unit parameters from outside the system in an unpowered system (e.g., with an appropriate communication platform / application) provides great flexibility and ease to the end user, reducing or eliminating special training to acquire system know-how, communication protocols, etc. Some examples of power supply unit parameters that can be set with the embodiments described herein include setting output voltage, current, and power values, setting output on / off including fault diagnosis, monitoring input and / or output power, etc. Furthermore, the embodiments allow for setting or retrieving PSU RU parameters, PSU black box data, E-trace data storage during the PSU manufacturing process, providing the flexibility to upload / download PSU parameters, status logs, etc. on the fly in a running system without interrupting system function.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Thus, the present invention should not be deemed limited by the foregoing description, but only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. a transceiver having an antenna; a housing having an internal volume; a handle coupled to the housing from outside the interior volume; Equipped with A wireless communication system, wherein the antenna is located within the handle.

2. The wireless communication system of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is located within the interior volume.

3. The wireless communication system of claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is located in the handle.

4. The wireless communication system of claim 1 , wherein the antenna comprises one or more wound wiring loops positioned within an interior volume of the handle.

5. Further comprising a bobbin; the one or more wound wiring loops are wound around the bobbin; The wireless communication system of claim 4 , wherein the bobbin is positioned within the interior volume of the handle.

6. The wireless communication system of claim 5 , wherein the handle comprises an outer shell overmolded around the bobbin.

7. The handle comprises an outer shell having a pair of handle halves; The wireless communication system of claim 6 , wherein a first of the pair of handle halves has a fastener receptacle formed therein that is configured to receive a fastener therein.

8. the antenna comprises a copper trace antenna formed on a printed circuit board; The wireless communication system of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board is located within an interior volume of the handle.

9. The wireless communication system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is made of metal.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1 , wherein the housing shields wireless electrical signals.

11. The wireless communication system of claim 1 , wherein the housing is conductive.

12. positioning a communications antenna of a transceiver assembly within the handle; coupling the handle to an exterior surface of a housing, the housing having an interior volume; 23. A method of forming a wireless communication system, comprising:

13. further comprising winding one or more loops of wire around the bobbin; The method of claim 12 , wherein the one or more wire loops form the antenna.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising coupling the one or more wire loops to a radio transceiver of the transceiver assembly.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the wireless transceiver comprises a short-range wireless communication transceiver.

16. the handle comprises a first handle half and a second handle half; The method comprises: positioning a bobbin between the first handle half and the second handle half; The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of: securing the first handle half to the second handle half.

17. the transceiver assembly comprising a near field communication (NFC) tag device, the NFC tag device comprising: A printed circuit board (PCB); a communication controller mounted on the PCB and configured to wirelessly communicate with an external wireless communication device; Equipped with the communication antenna is formed on the PCB; The method of claim 12 , wherein positioning the communication antenna within the handle comprises inserting at least a portion of the NFC tag device within the handle.

18. the NFC tag device further comprising a connector attached to the PCB; The method of claim 17 , wherein the connector is configured to connect to a mating connector coupled to a housing to facilitate wired communication between the communication controller and a communication integrated circuit located within the housing.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the PCB extends the connector within the interior volume in response to the handle being coupled to the exterior surface of the housing.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the housing is conductive.

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