Capacitive Electrode Carriers for Angular Position and Data Transmission

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser scanners require additional components for angular position determination, increasing complexity and production costs, especially when dealing with rotating objects like a steering wheel and on-board electronics in vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A compact laser scanner design that uses electrode carriers with varying electrical coupling strengths along their circumferential extension, allowing for contactless data transmission and angular position determination without additional components by evaluating signal strength changes between electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If encoders are added to determine angular position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular position determinationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode carriers serve dual functions: they enable contactless data transmission between rotating and stationary parts while simultaneously providing angular position determination through signal strength evaluation. This eliminates the need for separate encoders by making the existing data transmission components multi-functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the data transmission function and angular position measurement function into a single integrated system using electrode carriers. The same electrodes used for capacitive coupling in data transmission are also used to determine angular position by evaluating signal strength variations, merging two previously separate functions into one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If encoders are added to determine angular position, then measurement precision is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular position determinationVSAvoidproduction costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode carriers serve dual functions: they enable contactless data transmission between rotating and stationary parts while simultaneously providing angular position determination through signal strength evaluation. This eliminates the need for separate encoders by making the existing data transmission components multi-functional.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If additional components are added for angular measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular position determinationVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the data transmission function and angular position measurement function into a single integrated system using electrode carriers. The same electrodes used for capacitive coupling in data transmission are also used to determine angular position by evaluating signal strength variations, merging two previously separate functions into one.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 precise and cost-effective angular position determination and data transmission between rotating objects, eliminating the need for additional encoders and simplifying the production process.

Implementation Method 1

data can be transmitted by electrical coupling between the first and second electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the strength of the electrical coupling changes along the circumferential extension of the first and the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical coupling strength variation: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3179638B1Device for the contactless transmission of data and for determining one change in an angle between two objects moving relative to each other

Publication Date: 2020.02.12 SICK AG

Figure 1
Figure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for the contactless transmission of data and for determining an angular change between two objects moving relative to each other about a common axis of rotation, wherein a preferably disc- or ring-shaped first electrode carrier is provided on the first object, comprising a first electrode, and a preferably disc- or ring-shaped second electrode carrier is provided on the second object, comprising a second electrode, wherein the first and the second electrode carriers are axially spaced apart from each other with respect to the axis of rotation, and the first and the second electrodes are arranged such that data transmission by electrical coupling between the first and the second electrode is possible, wherein the strength of the electrical coupling changes along the circumferential extent of the first and the second electrode.Furthermore, a control unit is provided which is configured to transmit a signal from the first electrode to the second electrode, and an evaluation unit is provided which is configured to determine and evaluate the signal strength of the received signal separately at at least two sections of the second electrode in order to determine an angular change between the first and the second object.