Contactless LIDAR Coupling for Rotating Power and Data Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rotatable LIDAR devices in autonomous vehicles face challenges in providing power and transmitting communications due to the potential damage of cables during rotation, and existing solutions like slip rings are expensive and wear out quickly.

Innovation Solution

Contactless electrical couplings using transformers and capacitors formed between conductive rings at the vehicle and LIDAR electrical couplings to provide power and transmit communications to and from a rotatable LIDAR device without physical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cables are used to provide power and transmit communications to a rotatable LIDAR device, then electrical connection is established, but the cables may be damaged during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidcable durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an electromagnetic field-based contactless power and communication system. Power is transmitted through a transformer formed by coils on both the vehicle and LIDAR sides, while communications are transmitted through capacitors formed by conductive rings, eliminating the need for physical cable connections that would be damaged during rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If slip rings are used to provide contactless electrical coupling, then power and communications can be transmitted during rotation, but the device becomes expensive and wears out quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical coupling reliabilityVSAvoidslip ring lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical slip ring system with an electromagnetic field-based contactless system. Instead of using sliding contacts that wear out, the invention uses transformer coils for power transmission and capacitor-formed conductive rings for communication, eliminating mechanical wear and significantly extending system lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If contactless electrical coupling is implemented using transformers and capacitors, then power and communications are transmitted without physical contact, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical coupling reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical coupling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dual-function electrical coupling system where the same physical interface structure serves both power transmission (through transformer coils) and communication (through capacitor-formed conductive rings). This multi-functionality approach manages complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified interface rather than requiring separate mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 contactless electrical couplings effectively power and communicate with the rotatable LIDAR device, reducing wear and tear and eliminating the need for expensive, fragile cables, thus enhancing the reliability and longevity of the system.

Implementation Method 1

The contactless electrical couplings may provide power to the rotatable LIDAR via a transformer formed between coils at the vehicle electrical coupling and the LIDAR electrical coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the contactless electrical couplings may transmit communications to and/or receive communications from the rotatable LIDAR via capacitors formed between conductive rings at the vehicle electrical coupling and the LIDAR electrical coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS12187141B2Contactless electrical coupling for a rotatable LIDAR device

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 WAYMO LLC

AI summary

A rotatable LIDAR device including contactless electrical couplings is disclosed. An example rotatable LIDAR device includes a vehicle electrical coupling including (i) a first conductive ring, (ii) a second conductive ring, and (iii) a first coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device further includes a LIDAR electrical coupling including (i) a third conductive ring, (ii) a fourth conductive ring, and (iii) a second coil. The example rotatable LIDAR device still further includes a rotatable LIDAR electrically coupled to the LIDAR electrical coupling. The first conductive ring and the third conductive ring form a first capacitor configured to transmit communications to the rotatable LIDAR, the second conductive ring and the fourth conductive ring form a second capacitor configured to transmit communications from the rotatable LIDAR, and the first coil and the second coil form a transformer configured to provide power to the rotatable LIDAR.