Dielectric Waveguide Coupler for Contactless Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data transmission systems in imaging devices, such as computer tomographs, face challenges in maintaining reliable and efficient data transfer during the rotational movement of gantries without intermediate storage, often relying on slip rings which may not adequately manage electromagnetic field expansion and mechanical stability.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission unit utilizing a coupler with a first dielectric waveguide, comprising a conductor body and a support structure, designed for contactless data transfer between a transmitter and receiver unit, where the waveguide is configured to minimize electromagnetic field extension into the support structure, and can be monolithically constructed from the same material or use different materials with a porous holding structure, facilitating a plug-in connection for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slip ring is used for data transmission during gantry rotation, then data can be transmitted continuously without intermediate storage, but electromagnetic fields expand into the support structure causing interference and attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric waveguide is segmented into a conductor body and a support structure, where the conductor body confines electromagnetic fields and the support structure provides mechanical stability. This segmentation prevents electromagnetic fields from expanding into the support structure, reducing interference while maintaining transmission reliability during gantry rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductor body is designed with specific local properties (high electromagnetic confinement) while the support structure has different local properties (mechanical support). This local quality differentiation ensures that electromagnetic fields are confined to where needed (conductor body) and do not extend into areas where they would cause interference (support structure).
2Ease of manufacture
If the dielectric waveguide is constructed from different materials, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but structural integrity and stability during rotation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric waveguide uses composite materials where the conductor body and support structure are made from different materials optimized for their specific functions. The conductor body uses material with high electromagnetic confinement properties, while the support structure uses material with high mechanical strength. This composite approach provides both manufacturing flexibility and structural stability during gantry rotation.
3Loss of energy
If the waveguide is designed to minimize electromagnetic field extension, then signal attenuation is reduced, but the complexity of the waveguide structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor body and support structure are merged into a single integrated dielectric waveguide assembly. The conductor body is positioned within or alongside the support structure such that they work together to confine electromagnetic fields while providing mechanical support. This merging reduces the need for separate field-confining structures, simplifying the overall design while maintaining low signal attenuation.
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
This solution ensures efficient, quasi-monolithic, and reliable data transmission with reduced attenuation characteristics, suitable for high-frequency electromagnetic waves, and maintains mechanical stability during gantry rotation, enhancing the performance of imaging devices by minimizing interference and mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
the conductor body is primarily used to conduct electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 2
the first dielectric waveguide is designed in such a way and/or is fixed to an assembly or structural unit provided for this purpose in such a way that the electromagnetic fields essentially only extend across the volume of the conductor body when electromagnetic waves are conducted through the first dielectric waveguide
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a data transmission unit comprising a transmitter unit and a receiver unit movable relative to the transmitter unit and configured for transmitting data from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit via a coupler even during a relative movement between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit, wherein the coupler comprises a first dielectric waveguide and wherein the first dielectric waveguide comprises a conductor body and a holding structure.