Battery-Free Wireless Transmitter With Cam-Driven Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless transmitters for industrial control are limited by their inflexibility, large form factor, and one-to-one coupling with actuation devices, leading to increased costs and complexity in logistics and limited remote control functionality.
Innovation Solution
A wireless transmitter design featuring a translational member and cam member mechanism that generates power through mechanical actuation, allowing modular coupling with various actuation devices and enabling communication with multiple receivers, with a compact form factor and integrated power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless transmitter is provided with a power source (battery) to enable wireless signal transmission, then wireless communication functionality is achieved, but the form factor becomes large and only one transmitter can be connected to one actuation device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery/power source from the wireless transmitter, extracting the power generation function to an external actuation device. This extraction reduces the transmitter's volume and allows multiple transmitters to share a single actuation device, resolving the contradiction between versatility and form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables a single actuation device to control multiple wireless transmitters simultaneously. The actuation device serves multiple functions by providing mechanical actuation to several transmitters, increasing system versatility without increasing the transmitter's form factor.
2Reliability
If actuation devices are manufactured with a one-to-one relationship with transmitters, then each device can be optimized for specific coupling, but costs and logistics complexity increase due to high number of customized devices required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the wireless transmitter with a universal coupling mechanism that can interface with multiple types of actuation devices. This universal design maintains reliable coupling while reducing the need for customized devices, thereby lowering logistics complexity and device variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the actuation function from the transmission function. The actuation device remains independent and can be standardized, while the transmitter adapts to work with multiple actuation types through its mechanical coupling mechanism, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If a wired transmitter is used to control devices, then reliable wired connection is achieved, but the transmitter cannot control devices that are not wired/coupled to it and remains fixed in position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the wired mechanical connection system with a wireless transmission system. The wireless transmitter receives mechanical actuation from the actuation device and transmits signals wirelessly to multiple target devices, maintaining connection reliability through mechanical actuation while enabling versatile wireless control of multiple devices.
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
Enables flexible, cost-effective, and efficient wireless communication with multiple actuation devices, expanding functionality and reducing logistical complexity while maintaining a small form factor.
Implementation Method 1
a cam member located within the transmitter housing, the cam member arranged for rotation about a fixed point of the cam member
Implementation Method 2
a power generator located within the transmitter housing for generating power to operate the transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless transmitter for coupling to an actuation device and a method of producing a wireless transmitter are provided. The transmitter comprises a transmitter housing having a first top surface; a translational member located at the first top surface of the transmitter housing; a cam member located within the transmitter housing, the cam member arranged for rotation about a fixed point of the cam member, the cam member comprising a contact component for contacting the translational member, the cam member further comprising a member body extending between the contact component and the fixed point of the cam member; a power generator located within the transmitter housing for generating power to operate the transmitter; wherein the translational member is arranged to translate towards the cam member and to contact the contact component of the cam member on application of a mechanical force; and wherein the cam member is arranged to rotate about the fixed point such that the contact component is capable of rotating towards the power generator to activate the power generator, the rotating being upon contact of the translational member with the contact component of the cam member.