Communication Card Wireless Commissioning Without Supply Voltage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication cards lack an efficient and easy method for configuration, often requiring manual intervention through human machine interfaces like DIP switches, which complicates the setup process.

Innovation Solution

A communication card equipped with an antenna, memory, signal evaluation circuit, energy supply circuit, and signal processing circuit, where the energy supply circuit generates power from an electromagnetic signal received by the antenna, allowing configuration data to be wirelessly transferred and stored in the memory without the need for a supply voltage during the commissioning phase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual configuration through human machine interface (DIP switches) is used, then configuration capability is provided, but device complexity and setup time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration easeVSAvoidsetup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical DIP switch configuration system with a wireless electromagnetic signal-based configuration system. The communication card receives configuration data wirelessly through its antenna during commissioning, eliminating the need for manual mechanical switching and significantly simplifying the setup process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables configuration data to be transmitted and stored in the memory before the communication card is fully installed or connected to power. The commissioning phase allows preliminary configuration through wireless communication, so that when the card enters normal operation, the configuration is already in place, reducing setup time and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If wireless configuration is enabled during commissioning, then configuration speed increases, but energy supply requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs configuration operations during a dedicated commissioning phase before normal operation begins. Configuration data is received and stored in memory during this preliminary phase, so that when the communication card enters normal operation, no additional configuration energy consumption is needed, and the configuration is already complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The communication card autonomously receives configuration data through its antenna and stores it in its own memory without requiring external configuration equipment or manual intervention. The card self-configures during the commissioning phase, eliminating the need for external configuration tools and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If configuration is performed before power connection, then setup time decreases, but reliability of power supply decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup timeVSAvoidpower supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent explicitly enables configuration data to be received and stored in the memory during a commissioning phase that occurs before the communication card is connected to the normal power supply. The card uses alternative power sources (such as battery or energy harvesting from the electromagnetic signal itself) during this preliminary configuration phase, ensuring that configuration can be completed before reliable power is available for normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 wireless, unpowered commissioning and configuration of the communication card, reducing setup complexity and time, and allowing early configuration even when the card is not connected to a regular power supply.

Implementation Method 1

The energy supply circuit is coupled to the antenna for receiving electrical power from the antenna and is coupled to the signal evaluation circuit and the memory for providing electrical power to the signal evaluation circuit and the memory

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4139842B1Communication card; arrangement with communication card and box
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD
  • EP4139842B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4139842B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP4139842B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A communication card comprises an antenna (11), a memory (12), a signal evaluation circuit (13), an energy supply circuit (14), a data interface (26), a signal processing circuit (25) and a supply voltage terminal (27). The supply voltage terminal (27) is coupled to the signal processing circuit (25) and the memory (12). In a commissioning phase, the energy supply circuit (14) is configured to receive electrical power via the antenna (11) and provide electrical power to the signal evaluation circuit (13) and the memory (12), and the signal evaluation circuit (13) is configured to receive configuration data via the antenna (11) and to store the configuration data in the memory (12). In an operating phase, the communication card (10) is configured to receive electrical power by the supply voltage terminal (27), and the signal processing circuit (25) is configured to read the configuration data stored in the memory (12).