A coupling device for wireless data transmission and wireless energy transmission, and a coupling system for wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission.

Abstract

To provide a coupling device and a coupling system which can replace industrial plug-in connectors and achieve both efficient wireless power transmission and high-speed wireless data transmission by arranging components inside the coupling device in a space-saving manner.SOLUTION: A coupling device 10 includes a housing (base portion and cover 30), a communication device 60 installed inside the housing and designed to perform wireless data transmission and to radiate electromagnetic signals in a main radiation direction, and a wireless power transmission device 50 installed inside the housing, the wireless power transmission device includes a ferrite body 51 with a through opening 53 and including at least one air coil 52 defining the opening and arranged on a surface of the ferrite body, the air coil, the ferrite body, and the communication device are arranged relative to one another such that an electromagnetic signal radiated by the communication device in the main radiation direction propagates through the through opening of the ferrite body and the opening of the at least one air coil.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling device for performing wireless data transmission and wireless energy (i.e., power) transmission, and a coupling system for performing data transmission and power transmission.

Background Art

[0002] There is a well-known plug-in connector system for performing data transmission and power transmission. When removal and reconnection are frequently performed in this plug-in connector, even if the terminals are of very high quality, the wear of the terminals becomes very large. Such a scenario is known, for example, in industrial robotics, where a robot arm needs to frequently grasp and replace an exchange tool. At this time, it is essential to mechanically and electrically connect the exchange tool to the robot arm. The mechanical connection is performed using a coupling, and the electrical connection is usually performed using a plug-in connector equipped with wear-resistant gold terminals.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coupling device and a coupling system that can replace an industrial plug-in connector, and that can achieve both efficient wireless power transmission and high-speed wireless data transmission through a space-saving arrangement of components inside the coupling device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] An important idea of the present invention is to provide a coupling device for performing wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission. This idea is i) Using an air coil, also known as an air-core coil, which functions as a primary coil, and a ferrite body having a through-opening, to inductively transmit supply energy to a secondary coil of a coupling device that functions as a secondary coil, and ii) The method is adapted to transmitting data in the form of electromagnetic signals to a complementary communication device of a secondary coupler by using a communication device to pass the data through the through-aperture of the ferrite body and the air coil in the main radiation direction. This means establishes a compact design and provides efficient wireless power transmission and wireless data transmission between the two coupling devices. In particular, a communication device capable of emitting electromagnetic signals of radio frequencies in a directional wireless transmission manner enables high-speed data transmission.

[0005] The aforementioned technical problems are solved by the features of claim 1, claim 3, and claim 18.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments and improvements are specified in the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0007] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to several exemplary embodiments, along with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 illustrates a coupling device with the housing closed. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram of the coupling device shown in Figure 1 with the housing partially removed. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a bottom view of the cover shown in Figure 1, which is equipped with the ferrite body and air coil. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the air coils from Figures 2 and 3 arranged on the ferrite body. [Figure 5a] Figure 5a is a schematic diagram of the coupling device shown in Figure 2, in which the communication device is positioned at a distance from the ferrite body. [Figure 5b] Figure 5b is a schematic diagram of the coupling device shown in Figure 2, wherein at least a part of the communication device is arranged in a through-opening of the ferrite body. [Figure 5c] Figure 5c is a schematic diagram of the coupling device shown in Figure 2, wherein at least a part of the communication device is arranged in a through-opening of the ferrite body. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a communication device mounted on a printed circuit board, comprising a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna that are spaced apart from each other. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the communication device shown in Figures 2 and 5a, which includes a single antenna device capable of operating as a transmitting and receiving antenna. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows another communication device, which includes an optical transmitter and an optical receiver, mounted on a printed circuit board. [Figure 9] Figure 9 illustrates a coupling system that shows the coupling devices of Figures 2 and 5 coupled with complementary coupling devices, each connected to an electrical and / or electronic device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 shows an exemplary coupling device 10 for wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission. Advantageously, it may comprise a two-part housing comprising a base 20 and a cover 30 adapted to enclose the base 20. Furthermore, the coupling device 10 has a power connection 40 through which an external power supply can be connected. The coupling device 10 also has a communication interface 41 through which data can be transmitted to an external data sink or received from an external data source. This coupling device 10 is particularly suitable for use in industrial fields such as robot-assisted automation systems.

[0010] Figure 2 shows the coupling device 10 of Figure 1 with the housings 20 and 30 partially removed. The communication device 60, which performs wireless data transmission, is housed in the housings 20 and 30. This communication device 60 is particularly suited to the radiation of electromagnetic signals in the main radiation direction. This means that the communication device 60 is designed so that the majority of the radiated energy propagates along the main radiation direction. In particular from Figure 5a, it can be seen that the main radiation direction extends parallel to the axis, in this case parallel to the y-axis of the coordinate system shown in Figure 5a. Furthermore, the wireless power transmission device 50 is housed in the housings 20 and 30 and comprises a ferrite body 51 having a through-opening 53 and at least one air coil 52 positioned on the surface of the ferrite body 51 and defining the opening 54. For example, two air coils arranged vertically are shown in Figure 2. The power transmission device 50 is shown again separately in Figure 4.

[0011] Figure 4 shows that the ferrite body may have a substantially disc-shaped configuration, for example, having a through-opening 53 in its center. The through-opening 53 may have an inner diameter of, for example, 14 mm, and the disc-shaped ferrite body 51 may have a diameter of, for example, 45 mm. Preferably, the air coil 52 is positioned on the surface of the ferrite body 51, which extends parallel to the cover 30, such that the opening 54 defined by the air coil 52 is aligned with the through-opening 53. A groove into which at least one air coil 52 can be inserted may be provided on the surface of the ferrite body 51 on the cover 30 side. In this way, the position of the air coil 52 relative to the ferrite body 51 can be fixed.

[0012] Furthermore, Figure 2 shows that, for example, a latch lug 31, which may be integrally formed with the cover 30, can detachably support the power transmission device 50 together with the cover. Figures 2 and 5a illustrate that at least one air coil 52 is positioned between the ferrite body 51 and the cover 30.

[0013] In particular, the communication device 60, the ferrite body 51, and the air coil 52 are respectively arranged on different planes that are front and rear with respect to the main radiation direction extending in the y direction, and these planes extend in each of the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 5a. In other words, referring to the coupling device 10 shown in FIG. 5a, it can be seen that the communication device 60 is arranged spaced below the power transmission device 50.

[0014] According to FIGS. 2 and 5a, the air coil 52, the ferrite body 51, and the communication device 60 are arranged relative to each other such that the electromagnetic signal radiated by the communication device 60 in the main radiation direction propagates through the through-opening 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the opening 54 of at least one air coil 52. Accordingly, the through-opening 53 and the opening 54 of the air coil 52 form a kind of funnel, and the electromagnetic signal radiated from the communication device 60 can transmit data from the data source through it.

[0015] The communication interface 41 of the coupling device 10 is also shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] The cover 30 has a region through which electromagnetic waves can pass, and as shown in FIG. 5a, the main radiation direction 80 extends perpendicular to the portion through which electromagnetic waves can pass. The region of the cover 30 through which electromagnetic waves pass is particularly aligned with the through-opening 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the opening 54 of the air coil 52. Preferably, the entire cover 30 is made of a plastic material that transmits electromagnetic waves.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the base portion 20 of the housing may have a base bottom wall 22, and the circuit board 70 on which the communication device 60 is mounted can be arranged parallel to the base bottom wall 22. In FIG. 5a, in the assembled state, the printed circuit board 70, at least one air coil 52, and the ferrite body 51 are arranged on different planes that extend in the x-axis direction and the z-axis direction, and it is shown that these planes are perpendicular to the main radiation direction 80.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment, the communication device 60 has an antenna device adapted for radiating a radio signal in a main radiation direction and radiates a radio signal in a first frequency band. Preferably, by using a frequency band providing a sufficiently high bandwidth, for example, radio signals of different frequencies can be transmitted and received simultaneously. In this regard, it is proven that using a frequency band with relatively poor propagation characteristics is advantageous. For example, for this purpose, the ISM band in the gigahertz range is used. Preferably, the first frequency band is in the frequency range from 57 GHz to 66 GHz. Using an ISM band in a higher frequency range is also conceivable.

[0019] The communication device 60 also includes an antenna device adapted for receiving a radio signal in a second frequency band. The received radio signal has a main reception direction, which coincides with the main radiation direction 80 when a single antenna is used for transmission and reception, and extends parallel to the main radiation direction 80 passing through the through-opening 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the opening 54 of at least one air coil 52 when separated transmit and receive antennas are used for transmission and reception. It is preferable that the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different, but they may also be the same. Preferably, the second frequency band is also the ISM band in the gigahertz range within the frequency range from 57 to 66 GHz.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment, the antenna device of the communication device 60 may include a composite antenna 63 for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, Figure 7 shows an exemplary printed circuit board 70 on which a communication device 60 having a composite antenna 63 as an antenna device is mounted. As an example, such a mounted printed circuit board 70 is mounted on a coupling device 10 illustrated in Figures 2 and 5a. Radio frequency electronic devices 200 can be used in a manner known to themselves to control a single antenna 63. For example, by including a duplexer, it is possible for the antenna 63 to alternately transmit radio signals in a first frequency band and to receive radio signals in a second frequency band. In this case, the first frequency band of the transmitted radio signal and the second frequency band of the received radio signal may be the same. Instead of a duplexer, a diplexer, which is known to itself, can also be used.

[0021] As shown in Figure 6, instead of a single transmit / receive antenna 63, a communication device 60.1 comprising a transmit antenna 61 and a receiving antenna 62 spaced apart from it can also be used. The communication device 60.1 can also be mounted on a printed circuit board 70.1. The two antennas 61 and 62 can be controlled by radio frequency electronic equipment 190 in a manner known in itself. Figure 5a shows that each of the transmit / receive antenna 63 shown in Figure 7 and the transmit antenna 61 and receiving antenna 62 shown in Figure 6 can be connected to a communication interface 41, in particular, through radio frequency electronic equipment 200 or electronic equipment 190. Note that the communication interface 41 may be in the form of an optical communication interface or a telecommunications interface. Advantageously, the communication interface 41 may be an Ethernet-based communication interface supporting the Ethernet protocol. Note that the radio frequency electronic equipment 200 may be a component of the communication device 60, and the radio frequency electronic equipment 190 may be a component of the communication device 60.1. It will be apparent that the radio frequency electronic device 190 can be located either on the top surface of the same printed circuit board as antennas 61 and 62, or on the bottom surface of printed circuit board 70. It is also conceivable that additional printed circuit boards containing the electronic and / or electrical circuits necessary for the operation of the coupling device 10 may be installed inside the housings 20 and 30. The radio frequency electronic devices 190 and 200 may each comprise a modulator for modulating electromagnetic waves with data to be transmitted and a demodulator for demodulating the received electromagnetic signal, as is known.

[0022] In particular, as shown in Figure 3, it should be noted that the connection portion 55 of the air coil 52 can be connected directly to the power supply connection portion 40 schematically shown in Figure 5a, or via their respective voltage converters (not shown).

[0023] To provide an efficient and space-saving design, the two antennas 61 and 62 can each be in the form of a patch antenna and can be placed on the surface of the printed circuit board 70.1. Similarly, the transmit / receive antenna 63 in Figure 7 can also be in the form of a patch antenna and can be placed on the surface of the printed circuit board 70.

[0024] Instead of the transmitting and receiving antenna 63 in Figure 7, or the transmitting antenna 61 and receiving antenna 62 in Figure 6, a communication device 60.2 can be provided that includes an optical transmitter 64 and an arbitrary optical receiver 65 spaced apart from it, as shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 8. The optical transmitter 64 and optical receiver 65 can also be mounted on a printed circuit board 70.2, in which case the printed circuit board 70.2 can be mounted on the coupling device 10 shown in Figure 2 instead of the printed circuit board 70 or printed circuit board 70.1. As the optical transmitter 64, an LED or laser diode, which are known in themselves, can be used, and the optical receiver 65 can be mounted, for example, in the form of a phototransistor. Also, a suitable control electronic circuit 210 suited to controlling the optical transmitter 64 and optical receiver 65 that transmit and receive optical signals can also be placed on the surface of the printed circuit board 70.2. For example, the wavelengths of the optical received signal and the optical transmitted signal may be different. The optical transmitter 64 is adapted to radiate an optical signal in a primary radiation direction through the through-aperture 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the aperture 54 defined by the air coil 52, which extends parallel to the y-axis as shown in Figure 5a. The optical signal received by the optical receiver 65 from the complementary coupler has a primary ray direction substantially parallel to the primary radiation direction of the optical transmitter 64 through the through-aperture 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the aperture 54 of the air coil 52.

[0025] Figure 5b shows an alternative coupling device 110 for wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission. Essentially, coupling device 110 differs from coupling device 10 in that at least a portion of a communication device 160 adapted for the radiation of electromagnetic signals in the main radiation direction 180 is located inside a through-opening 153 in the ferrite body 151. The communication device 160 can be located on the surface of a printed circuit board 160, similar to the communication device 60. Thus, the description of coupling device 10 also describes coupling device 110. At least one air coil 152 defining the opening 154 may be located on the surface of the ferrite body 151. The air coil 152 and the ferrite body 151 form a power transmission device 150, which can be configured substantially similarly to the power transmission device 50. For this, see the description of the power supply device 50 and Figures 3 and 4. Similar to coupling device 10, coupling device 110 preferably has a power connection section 140 and a communication interface 141.

[0026] In Figure 5c, the coupling device 110, which includes the communication device 160 shown in Figure 5b, is completely housed within the through-opening 153 of the ferrite body 151 and the opening 154 of the air coil 152.

[0027] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3, the ferrite body 51 is disc-shaped, and the air coil 52 may have a similar cross-section. In this case, the main radiation direction of the communication device 60, communication device 60.1, or communication device 60.2 extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the ferrite body 51 and the air coil 52. Thus, the ferrite body 51 and the air coil 52 can be detachably mounted on the cover 30 using latch lugs 31 to 33. Similarly, the ferrite body 151 and the air coil 152 can also be detachably mounted on the cover 30 in the same manner.

[0028] To enable wireless transmission of data and energy between a first electrical and / or electronic device 220 and a second electrical and / or electronic device 230, an exemplary coupling system 300, shown in Figure 9, is provided. In this example, the coupling system 300 includes a first coupling device, which is the coupling device 10 shown in Figures 2, 5a, and 7, and a complementary second coupling device 310.

[0029] As shown in Figure 9, the coupling device 10 is connected to the electronic and / or electrical device 220 through a power connection unit 40 and a communication interface 41. In this example, the electrical and / or electronic device 220 includes a data source that generates data for wireless transmission to the electrical and / or electronic device 230, and that data can be provided at the communication interface 41 using an electrical or optical transmission medium. Furthermore, as an example, the electrical and / or electronic device 220 includes a power supply that transmits energy, i.e., power, to the power connection unit 40, for example, through an electrical cable, which can be transmitted wirelessly to the electrical and / or electronic device 230 via a power transmission device 50 and a complementary coupling device 310. In this respect, both the coupling device 10 and the complementary coupling device 310 are adapted to handle the power supplied by the electrical and / or electronic device 220, and thus sufficient power can be supplied from the components of the coupling device 10 and the components of the coupling device 310.

[0030] The term “complementary” specifically means that at least the communication device 360 ​​of coupling device 310 is configured to be complementary to the communication device 60 of coupling device 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 9, it means that the communication device 60 includes a single transmit / receive antenna 63 as shown in Figure 6, and the communication device 360 ​​includes a single transmit / receive antenna 363, and that they are arranged to be aligned and coupled to each other. In this example, the main radiation direction and the main reception direction coincide in a direction parallel to the x-axis with respect to the communication device 60.

[0031] However, when the coupling device 10 has a communication device 60.1 as shown in Figure 7 and is mounted on the coupling device 10, it includes a transmitting antenna 61 and a receiving antenna 62, so the communication device 360 ​​will include a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna spaced apart from it. In the coupled state, the transmitting antenna 61 is positioned aligned with the receiving antenna of the communication device 360, and the receiving antenna 62 is positioned aligned with the transmitting antenna of the communication device 360. This enables bidirectional data transmission between device 220 and device 230. Furthermore, it should be noted that the main radiation direction of the transmitting antenna 61 and the main radiation direction of the transmitting antenna of the communication device 360 ​​(if installed) are parallel to each other on the x-axis of the coordinate system shown in Figure 9. When a communication device 60.2, which includes an optical transmitter 64 and an optical receiver 65, is mounted on the coupling device 10, the coupling device 360 ​​will also have a similar complementary design.

[0032] The transmitting and receiving antennas 363 of the communication device 360 ​​may be located on the surface of the printed circuit board 370. Alternatively, the coupling device 310 may have a configuration similar to that of the coupling device 10. In other words, the coupling device 310 has housings 320, 330 which may include a cover 330 and a base 320. The housings 320, 330 house the communication device 360 ​​that performs wireless data transmission, and the communication device 360 ​​is adapted for receiving electromagnetic signals in the main receiving direction. When coupled, the main radiation direction of the transmitting and receiving antennas 63 of the coupling device 10 and the main receiving direction of the transmitting and receiving antennas 363 of the coupling device 310 lie on a common line 380 parallel to the x-axis of the coordinate system shown in Figure 9. Similar to the coupling device 10, the power transmission device 350, including the air coil 352 and the ferrite body 351, is detachably mounted within the housing of the coupling device 310, preferably on the surface of the housing's cover 330. The power transmission device 350 can be configured similarly to the power transmission device 50 of the coupling device 10 shown in Figure 4. Therefore, no further detailed explanation is necessary. The air coil 352, the ferrite body 351, and the communication device 360 ​​are arranged such that the electromagnetic radio signal radiated by the transmitting and receiving antenna 63 of the coupling device 10 propagates to the communication device 360 ​​and the transmitting and receiving antenna 363 in the main receiving direction along the dashed line 380, passing through the opening 354 of the air coil 352 and the through-opening 353 of the ferrite body 351. As shown in Figure 9, in the coupled state, the through-opening 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the opening 54 of the air coil 52 of the first coupling device 10 are aligned with each other, and the through-opening 353 of the ferrite body 351 and the opening 354 of the air coil 352 of the second coupling device 310 are also aligned, so that the electromagnetic signal emitted by the transmitting and receiving antenna 63 of the communication device 60 can be received by the transmitting and receiving antenna 363 of the communication device 360. For example, the primary radiation direction and primary reception direction extend through the centers of through-apertures 53 and 353, and through-apertures 54 and 354. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 9, the air coil 52 of the first coupling device 10 functions as a primary coil, and at least one air coil 352 of the second coupling device 310 functions as a secondary coil for radio power transmission.As shown in Figure 9, the distance between coupling device 10 and coupling device 310 is small when coupled, and may range, for example, from 0 to 10 cm. Obviously, it is also conceivable that the two coupling devices 10 and 310 may be in contact with each other when coupled. In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, covers 330 and 330 are each effective as coupling surfaces of coupling device 300.

[0033] To enable bidirectional data communication, data can be transmitted from device 230 through the transmitting / receiving antenna 363 of coupling device 310 to the transmitting / receiving antenna 63 of coupling device 10, and from there to device 220.

[0034] At least some of the exemplary embodiments described above are summarized below.

[0035] A coupling device 10 for wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission is provided, and examples related to Figures 3 and 4 are shown in Figures 2 and 5a. As an example, it has the following features. Housing 20, 30 and A communication device 60, housed in housings 20 and 30, performs wireless data transmission and is adapted for the radiation of electromagnetic signals in the main radiation direction extending parallel to the y-axis as shown in Figure 5a, The communication device 60 comprises a wireless power transmission device 50 housed in housings 20 and 30, the wireless power transmission device 50 including a ferrite body 51 having a through-opening 53 and at least one air coil 52 defining an opening 54, the at least one air coil 52 being positioned on the surface of the ferrite body 51, and the air coil 52, the ferrite body 51 and the communication device 60 being positioned relative to each other such that electromagnetic signals radiated by the communication device 60 in the main radiation direction propagate through the through-opening 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the opening 54 of the at least one air coil 52.

[0036] For example, the wireless power transmission device 50 and the communication device 60 are arranged in front of and behind the main radiation direction.

[0037] The communication device 60 may be advantageously equipped with an antenna device 61, an antenna device 62, or an antenna device 63, and may be configured to radiate a radio signal in a first frequency band and simultaneously receive a radio signal in a second frequency band, wherein each of the first and second frequency bands may be an ISM band in the gigahertz range, and is advantageous to be within the frequency range of 57 GHz to 66 GHz or a higher frequency range.

[0038] An alternative coupling device 110 for wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission is shown in Figures 5b and 5c. As an example, it has the following features. Housing 120, 130 and A communication device 160, housed in housings 120 and 130, performs wireless data transmission and is adapted for radiating electromagnetic signals in the main radiation direction, The communication device 160 comprises a wireless power transmission device 150 housed in housings 120 and 130, the wireless power transmission device 150 includes a ferrite body 151 having a through-opening 153 and at least one air coil 152 defining an opening 154, the at least one air coil 152 being positioned on the surface of the ferrite body 151, the through-opening 153 of the ferrite body 151 and the opening 154 of the air coil 152 being aligned with each other, and at least a portion of the communication device 160 being housed inside the through-opening 153 of the ferrite body 151.

[0039] Advantageously, the communication device 160 may be equipped with an antenna device similar to antenna device 61, antenna device 62, or antenna device 63. The antenna device may be configured to radiate radio signals in a first frequency band and simultaneously receive radio signals in a second frequency band, and each of the first and second frequency bands may be a gigahertz ISM band, and it is advantageous that they are within the frequency range of 57 GHz to 66 GHz or higher.

[0040] Advantageously, the air coil 152, the ferrite body 151, and the communication device 160 are arranged so that the electromagnetic signal radiated by the communication device 160 in the main radiation direction can be propagated through the through-opening 153 of the ferrite body 151 and the opening 154 of at least one air coil 152.

[0041] The coupling devices 10 and 110 are preferably electrically connected to at least one air coil 52 or 152 and include power connection sections 40 and 140 to which an external power supply can be connected. The system includes communication interfaces 41 and 141 that are electrically or optically connected to the communication devices 60 and 160 and to which an external message source 220 can be connected.

[0042] The housings 20, 30, 120, and 130 preferably have covers 30 and 130 and base portions 20 and 120 covered by the covers 30 and 130, and the wireless power transmission devices 50 and 150 can be mounted on the surfaces of the covers 30 and 130.

[0043] The covers 30 and 130 preferably have regions that can transmit electromagnetic waves, and the main radiation direction is extendable perpendicular to the regions that can transmit electromagnetic waves.

[0044] Preferably, the covers 30 and 130 are made of plastic material.

[0045] The base unit 20 may have a base bottom wall 22 and printed circuit boards 70, 70.1, and 70.2 arranged parallel to the base bottom wall 22 and capable of mounting communication devices 60, 60.1, and 60.2. In the assembled state, the printed circuit boards 70, 70.1, and 70.2, at least one air coil 52, and the ferrite body 51 are each placed on planes parallel to each other, and the main radiation direction extends perpendicular to these planes.

[0046] The communication devices 60, 60.1 preferably have an antenna device configured to radiate a radio signal in the main radiation direction and radiate a radio signal in the first frequency band.

[0047] The first frequency band is the ISM band in the gigahertz range, preferably in the frequency range from 57 GHz to 66 GHz.

[0048] The antenna device is configured to receive radio signals in a second frequency band, and the received radio signals have a main receiving direction that extends parallel to the main radiation direction through the through-aperture 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the opening 54 of the air coil 52, and the first and second frequency bands are different or the same.

[0049] The second frequency band is the ISM band in the gigahertz range, preferably in the frequency range from 57 GHz to 66 GHz.

[0050] According to an advantageous embodiment, the antenna devices of the antenna device 60 and the coupling device 110 may also each comprise a composite antenna 63 for transmitting and receiving radio signals, in which case the received radio signal preferably has a main receiving direction that can coincide with the main radiation direction. Alternatively, the antenna devices of the antenna device 60 and the coupling device 110 may comprise a transmitting antenna 61 and another receiving antenna 62, in which case the received radio signal preferably has a main receiving direction that extends at least partially parallel to the main radiation direction through a through-opening 53 of the ferrite body 51 and an opening 54 of at least one air coil 52.

[0051] The combined transmitting and receiving antenna 63, and the transmitting antenna 61 and the separate receiving antenna 62, are each in the form of patch antennas.

[0052] Alternatively, the communication device 60.2 includes an optical transmitter 64 that emits an optical signal in the main radiation direction and an optical receiver 65 that receives the optical signal, and the received optical signal has a main line direction that extends parallel to the main radiation direction passing through the through-aperture 53 of the ferrite body 51 and the opening 54 of the air coil 52.

[0053] Preferably, the communication devices 60, 60.1, and 60.2 include control devices 200, 190, and 210.

[0054] In a further advantageous embodiment, a coupling system 300 for wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission is provided, as shown in Figure 9, which may have the following exemplary features. The aforementioned first coupling devices 10, 110, which are connectable to the first electrical and / or electronic device 220, A complementary second coupling device 310, which can be connected to a second electrical and / or electronic device 230, may have the following features: Housings 320, 330, A communication device 360, housed in housings 320 and 330, performs wireless data transmission and is adapted for radiating electromagnetic signals in the main radiation direction, The system comprises a wireless power transmission device housed in housings 320 and 330, The wireless power transmission device includes a ferrite body 351 having a through-opening 353 and at least one air coil 352 that defines an opening 354 and is disposed on the surface of the ferrite body 351, and the air coil 352, the ferrite body 351 and the communication device 360 ​​are arranged relative to each other such that the received electromagnetic signal propagates to the communication device 360 ​​in the main receiving direction through the through-opening 353 of the ferrite body 351 and the opening 354 of the at least one air coil 352. In the coupled state, the through-openings 53 of the ferrite bodies 51 of the first coupling devices 10 and 110 are aligned with the through-openings 353 of the ferrite body 351 of the second coupling device 310 so that the communication device 360 ​​of the second coupling device 310 receives the electromagnetic signal radiated by the communication device 60 of the first coupling device 10, and at least one air coil 52 of the first coupling device 10 functions as a primary coil, and at least one air coil 352 of the second coupling device 310 functions as a secondary coil.

Claims

1. A coupling device (10) that performs wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission, Housing (20, 30) and A communication device (60) housed in the aforementioned housing (20, 30), which performs wireless data transmission and is adapted to radiate an electromagnetic signal in the main radiation direction, The system comprises a wireless power transmission device (50) housed in the aforementioned housing (20, 30), The wireless power transmission device (50) includes a ferrite body (51) having a through-opening (53) and at least one air coil (52) defining the opening (54), wherein the at least one air coil (52) is positioned on the surface of the ferrite body (51), and the air coil (52), the ferrite body (51), and the communication device (60) are positioned relative to each other such that an electromagnetic signal radiated by the communication device (60) in the main radiation direction propagates through the through-opening (53) of the ferrite body (51) and the opening (54) of the at least one air coil (52). The communication device (60, 60.1) has an antenna device configured to radiate a radio signal in the main radiation direction, and the radiated radio signal is in the first frequency band. The first frequency band is an ISM band in the GHz band, and is in the frequency range from 57 GHz to 66 GHz or a higher frequency range. The antenna device is configured to receive radio signals in a second frequency band, and the received radio signals have a main receiving direction that extends parallel to the main radiation direction passing through the through-opening (53) of the ferrite body (51) and the opening (54) of the air coil (52), and the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different. The coupling device (10) wherein the second frequency band is in the ISM band of the GHz band, and the second frequency band is in a frequency range from 57 GHz to 66 GHz or a higher frequency range.

2. The coupling device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the wireless power transmission device (50) and the communication device (60) are arranged in front of and behind the main radiation direction.

3. A coupling device (110) that performs wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission, Housing (120, 130) and A communication device (160) housed in the aforementioned housing (120, 130), which performs wireless data transmission and is adapted to radiate electromagnetic signals in the main radiation direction, The system comprises a wireless power transmission device (150) housed in the aforementioned housing (120, 130), The wireless power transmission device (150) includes a ferrite body (151) having a through-opening (153) and at least one air coil (152) defining the opening (154), wherein the at least one air coil (152) is disposed on the surface of the ferrite body (151). The through-opening (153) of the ferrite body (151) and the opening (154) of the air coil (152) are aligned with each other, and at least a part of the communication device (160) is housed inside the through-opening (153) of the ferrite body (151). The communication device (160) has an antenna device configured to radiate a radio signal in the main radiation direction, and the radiated radio signal is in the first frequency band. The first frequency band is an ISM band in the GHz band, and is in the frequency range from 57 GHz to 66 GHz or a higher frequency range. The ferrite body (151) and the air coil (152) are arranged on different planes that are front to back with respect to the main radiation direction. The antenna device is configured to receive radio signals in a second frequency band, and the received radio signals have a main receiving direction that extends parallel to the main radiation direction passing through the through-opening (53) of the ferrite body (51) and the opening (54) of the air coil (52), and the first frequency band and the second frequency band are different. The coupling device (10) wherein the second frequency band is in the ISM band of the GHz band, and the second frequency band is in a frequency range from 57 GHz to 66 GHz or a higher frequency range.

4. A power connection section (40, 140) is electrically connected to at least one of the air coils (52, 152) and to which an external power supply can be connected, A coupling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a communication interface (41, 141) electrically or optically connected to the communication device (60, 160) and capable of connecting an external message source (220).

5. The coupling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing (20, 30, 120, 130) has a cover (30, 130) and a base portion (20, 120) covered by the cover (30, 130), and the wireless power transmission device (50, 150) can be mounted on the surface of the cover (30, 130).

6. The coupling device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the cover (30, 130) has a region that can transmit electromagnetic waves, and the main radiation direction extends perpendicularly to the region that can transmit electromagnetic waves.

7. The coupling device (10) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cover (30, 130) is made of a plastic material.

8. The coupling device (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the base portion (20) has a base bottom wall (22) and printed circuit boards (70, 70.1, 70.2) arranged parallel to the base bottom wall (22) and capable of mounting the communication devices (60, 60.1, 60.2), and in the assembled state, the printed circuit boards (70, 70.1, 70.2), the at least one air coil (52), and the ferrite body (51) are each placed on planes parallel to each other, and the main radiation direction extends perpendicular to these planes.

9. The coupling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the antenna device comprises a composite antenna (63) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals, or comprises a transmitting antenna (61) and a separate receiving antenna (62).

10. The coupling device (10) according to claim 9, wherein each of the transmitting and receiving composite antenna (63), or the transmitting antenna (61) and the separate receiving antenna (62), is in the form of a patch antenna.

11. The coupling device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the communication device (60, 60.1, 60.2) comprises a control device (200, 190, 210).

12. A coupling system (300) that performs wireless data transmission and wireless power transmission, A first coupling device (10, 110) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is connectable to a first electrical and / or electronic device (220), A complementary second coupling device (310) to which a second electrical and / or electronic device (230) can be connected is provided. The complementary second coupling device (310) is Housing (320, 330) and A communication device (360) housed in the aforementioned housing (320, 330), which performs wireless data transmission and is adapted to receive electromagnetic signals from the main receiving direction, The system comprises a wireless power transmission device housed in the aforementioned housing (320, 330), The wireless power transmission device includes a ferrite body (351) having a through-opening (353) and at least one air coil (352) defining the opening (354), wherein the at least one air coil (352) is positioned on the surface of the ferrite body (351), and the air coil (352), the ferrite body (351), and the communication device (360) are positioned relative to each other such that a received electromagnetic signal propagates to the communication device (360) in the main receiving direction through the through-opening (353) of the ferrite body (351) and the opening (354) of the at least one air coil (352). In the coupled state, the through-opening (53) of the ferrite body (51) of the first coupling device (10, 110) is positioned to align with the through-opening (353) of the ferrite body (351) of the second coupling device (310), so that the electromagnetic signal radiated by the communication device (60) of the first coupling device (10) is received by the communication device (360) of the second coupling device (310). A coupling system (300) in which at least one air coil (52) of the first coupling device (10) functions as a primary coil, and at least one air coil (352) of the second coupling device (310) functions as a secondary coil.

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