Capacitor Unit With Cavity For Contactless Power Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

In contactless power supply systems, longer parallel transmission lines increase impedance, reducing power reception efficiency, and adding more capacitors to mitigate this can obstruct automated guided vehicles. Existing solutions do not effectively compactly arrange capacitors and connection units while minimizing impedance and protecting against damage.

Innovation Solution

A capacitor unit with a compact design, featuring a capacitor and connection unit integrated into a capacitor plate with a cavity that can be filled or covered, allowing for flexible connection configurations and protection, reducing impedance and preventing damage from external forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the number of capacitors connected to the parallel transmission line is increased to reduce impedance, then the power reception efficiency is improved, but the automated guided vehicles are obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower reception efficiencyVSAvoidobstruction to vehicle travel
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor and connection unit are integrated into a single compact capacitor unit structure, merging previously separate components into one space-efficient assembly that reduces overall footprint while maintaining electrical functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection unit is nested within the capacitor plate structure, with the capacitor housed inside a cavity formed in the capacitor plate, creating a nested arrangement that minimizes space occupation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Length of moving object

If the capacitor unit is made compact to avoid obstructing vehicles, then the space for vehicle travel is preserved, but the capacitor and connection unit become vulnerable to damage from external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace for vehicle travelVSAvoidprotection against damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity within the capacitor plate is filled with a filler material that acts as a cushioning element, protecting the capacitor and connection unit from damage due to external forces such as stepping on the capacitor unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor plate structure with its cavity and filler creates a flexible protective enclosure that absorbs impact forces while maintaining the compact form factor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the capacitor and connection unit are separately arranged with spacers, then the components are protected, but the number of components increases and space is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitor plate integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, forms a protective cavity, and eliminates the need for separate spacer components by incorporating spacing functionality directly into its structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitor plate serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a protective enclosure through its cavity, and a spacing mechanism, thereby reducing the total number of components needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3656602B1Capacitor unit for contactless power transmission system
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 DAIHEN CORP
  • EP3656602B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3656602B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3656602B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a capacitor unit in which a capacitor is compactly arranged. The capacitor unit is connected to a parallel transmission line that supplies power from a power supply apparatus to a power reception apparatus in a contactless manner. The capacitor includes a capacitor that is connectable to the parallel transmission line and a capacitor plate in which a cavity is formed. The cavity accommodates the capacitor and a connection unit that connects the capacitor and the parallel transmission line.