Communication Adapter Antenna Placement for Wireless Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric working machine systems face challenges with stable attachment and detachment of communication adapters, as well as compromised wireless communication quality due to obstruction by the machine body and battery pack.

Innovation Solution

The communication adapter is designed with an antenna on a surface not facing the recess, and an interface device on a different surface, allowing for stable attachment, easy detachability, and improved wireless communication performance. Additionally, a contactless power supply system and elastic members enhance reliability and support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the adapter is held between the electric power tool body and the battery pack, then stable attachment is achieved, but good usability cannot be achieved due to troublesome attachment and detachment actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable attachmentVSAvoidusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is separated into a独立 detachable unit that interfaces with both the power tool body and battery pack, allowing it to be attached or detached as a single component rather than requiring complex assembly actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter serves as an intermediary device positioned between the power tool body and battery pack, providing wireless communication functionality while maintaining a simple attachment interface that improves usability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the adapter is held between the electric power tool body and the battery pack, then stable attachment is possible, but good attachability and detachability cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable attachmentVSAvoidattachability and detachability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed as a separate modular component with simplified attachment structures that enable easy attachment and detachment operations while maintaining stable connection when mounted

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the adapter is held between the electric power tool body and the battery pack, then stable attachment is achieved, but radio wave transmission may be obstructed, resulting in adverse influence on wireless communication quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestable attachmentVSAvoidwireless communication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna is positioned at a specific location on the adapter where it can transmit and receive radio waves effectively without being blocked by the power tool body or battery pack, optimizing wireless communication performance at that local position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna is arranged at an outer surface of the adapter that does not face the power tool body, utilizing a different spatial dimension or orientation to avoid radio wave obstruction and improve wireless communication quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration ensures stable attachment, easy attachment and detachment, and superior wireless communication performance by minimizing physical obstruction and using contactless power supply and elastic support for improved reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna (23), and a transmission device (21). The antenna (23) is arranged at an outer surface (7a) of the communication adapter (7) not facing any surface of the recess (41)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an elastic member configured to elastically support the communication adapter to the electric working machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic support: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3189941B1Electric working machine system with a communication adapter
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 MAKITA CORP
  • EP3189941B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3189941B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3189941B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication adapter (7; 54; 65) in one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of outer surfaces (7a-7f) comprising at least two outer surfaces, an interface device (22; 25), an antenna (23), and a transmission device (21). The interface device (22; 25) is provided at at least one outer surface (7b; 7f) of the at least two outer surfaces and electrically coupled to an electric working machine (2) through the at least one outer surface (7b; 7f). The antenna (23) is provided at another at least one outer surface (7a), which is different from the at least one outer surface (7b; 7f), among the plurality of outer surfaces (7a-7f), and configured to be capable of transmitting a radio wave for wireless communication with a communication device (3) other than the electric working machine (2) from the another at least one outer surface (7a).