Contactless Connector Using Circular Polarization for Rotary Motion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contactless connectors face challenges with signal degradation and transmission failure due to complex translations, especially with rotary motion, and inter-channel interference, particularly when multiple communication channels are involved, requiring a solution that facilitates rotary motion and inter-channel isolation.

Innovation Solution

A contactless connector design utilizing axisymmetric modes, such as circular polarization, with separate propagation paths for each channel, allowing for duplex communication and enabling relative rotary motion between transmitter and receiver modules, using distinct polarization modes to maintain signal strength and separation between channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If linearly-polarized wave front is used with rotary motion, then signal strength deteriorates when antennas become orthogonal, but circular polarization can maintain signal strength during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidrotary motion capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the polarization parameter from linear to circular polarization to enable rotary motion capability while maintaining signal strength. The circularly-polarized wave front remains consistent during rotation, allowing the connector to maintain reliable data transmission even when components rotate relative to each other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple communication channels are provided, then data transmission capacity increases, but inter-channel crosstalk and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidinter-channel crosstalk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces polarization as an additional dimension to separate multiple communication channels. By assigning different polarization states (e.g., horizontal and vertical linear polarization, or left and right circular polarization) to different channels, the system can transmit multiple data streams simultaneously without interference, effectively utilizing the polarization dimension to achieve channel isolation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If connector components allow complex translation and rotary motion, then adaptability improves, but signal degradation and transmission failure occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelative motion capabilityVSAvoiddata transmission stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electromagnetic wave parameter from linear polarization to circular polarization, which maintains its characteristics during rotation. This allows the connector components to perform complex translations and rotary motions while maintaining reliable data transmission, as the circularly-polarized signal does not become orthogonal during rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-generated harmful factors

If chips are isolated by distance or shielding to avoid crosstalk, then inter-channel isolation improves, but device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-channel isolationVSAvoidshielding structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses polarization diversity to separate communication channels in the polarization dimension rather than relying on spatial separation or shielding. By assigning orthogonal polarization states to different channels, the system achieves effective inter-channel isolation without requiring complex shielding structures or increased spacing between chips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The solution ensures stable and isolated data transmission across multiple channels during rotary motion, maintaining signal strength and reducing interference, thereby addressing the limitations of existing contactless connectors.

Implementation Method 1

A contactless connector design utilizing axisymmetric modes, such as circular polarization, with separate propagation paths for each channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCircular polarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 2

a propagation path to receive the first signal from the propagation antenna and convey the signal from a first end to a second end of the propagation path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2795716B1Contactless connector
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 TE CONNECTIVITY CORP
  • EP2795716B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2795716B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2795716B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A contactless connector (100) includes a transmitter (102) having a first transmit integrated circuit (200) generating a first signal and a second transmit integrated circuit (202) generating a second signal. A first pick-up antenna (208) is adjacent the first transmit integrated circuit and conveys the first signal along a first transmission line (204) to a first propagation antenna (220). A second pick-up antenna (212) is adjacent the second transmit integrated circuit and conveys the second signal along a second transmission line (206) to a second propagation antenna (222). The first and second propagation antennas transmit the first and second signals to a propagation path (106) at different and separable polarizations to allow duplex communication with the propagation path.