Aluminum-Copper Composite Wire for Low EMI

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical wires and cables generate significant electromagnetic fields, necessitating the use of shielding to reduce interference, which increases weight and complexity, and there is a need to improve power transmission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A wire configuration where a central Aluminum wire is surrounded by Copper wires in direct contact, either twisted in multiple layers or with varying cross-sectional areas, to minimize electromagnetic field emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional single-material wires (copper or aluminum) are used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but electromagnetic field generation is significant and shielding is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic field generationVSAvoidwire structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining copper and aluminum wires in a single conductor. The wire consists of multiple copper wires and multiple aluminum wires twisted together, creating a composite structure that leverages the low electromagnetic field generation properties of aluminum while maintaining good electrical conductivity through copper. This resolves the contradiction by reducing electromagnetic field generation without requiring external shielding, and the complexity is managed through a relatively simple twisted-pair construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the conductor into multiple individual copper wires and multiple individual aluminum wires rather than using a single solid wire. These segmented wires are twisted together in pairs, with each pair consisting of one copper wire and one aluminum wire. This segmentation allows the composite material principle to work effectively while maintaining flexibility and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If shielding layers are added to reduce electromagnetic fields, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but weight and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidcable weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of electromagnetic field generation into a benefit by using aluminum, which naturally generates lower electromagnetic fields compared to copper. By making aluminum a core component of the conductor rather than treating electromagnetic field generation as a problem to be shielded against, the invention eliminates the need for heavy shielding layers while achieving the desired reduction in electromagnetic interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Loss of energy

If copper content is increased to improve conductivity, then power transmission efficiency improves, but electromagnetic field generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission lossVSAvoidelectromagnetic field generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameter of the conductor by using a composite of copper and aluminum wires rather than pure copper. This parameter change allows the system to achieve a balance between electrical conductivity (maintained by copper) and electromagnetic field generation (reduced by aluminum), resolving the contradiction between power transmission efficiency and electromagnetic field generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3178094B1Electrical wire
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 MEE INVESTMENT SCANDINAVIA
  • EP3178094B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3178094B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In an electrical wire/cable a central wire (11) made of Aluminum is used. The central wire is surrounded by at least one wire of Copper (12) in direct contact with the central wire.