Electric Field Communication via Metal Medium

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems for monitoring components attached to operation apparatuses, such as power shovels, face challenges in distinguishing signals from multiple sensors due to signal intensity and require physical cables that are prone to damage, making it difficult to detect attachment and removal securely.

Innovation Solution

An electric field communication system using a communication medium capable of transmitting electric fields, with a transmitter generating a field between electrodes connected via coupling capacitance and a receiver in contact with the medium, allowing secure detection of component attachment and removal without physical cables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless network communication is used to collect sensor signals, then the signal can be received even when the component is apart from the monitoring device, but the attachment and removal of the component cannot be detected securely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal reception rangeVSAvoidattachment detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication medium made of metal material that acts as an intermediary for electric field communication. This medium is attached to the component and enables secure detection of attachment and removal through electric field coupling, while maintaining wireless communication capabilities. The metal communication medium serves as a mediator between the sensor and the monitoring device, providing both wide signal reception and precise attachment detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If wired network communication is used to collect sensor signals, then the attachment and removal of a component can be securely detected, but a cable and connector are required which are prone to be broken during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment detection accuracyVSAvoidcommunication system reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable and connector system with an electric field-based communication system. Instead of using physical cables that are prone to breaking, the system uses electric field coupling through a metal communication medium to transmit signals. This substitution eliminates the mechanical connection points that are vulnerable to damage during operation, thereby improving reliability while maintaining secure attachment detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operation apparatuses operate in the same wireless network range, then the monitoring device can collect signals from all sensors, but signals from different components cannot be securely discriminated based on signal intensity alone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-apparatus monitoring capabilityVSAvoidsignal source discrimination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system by assigning individual metal communication media to each component and operation apparatus. Each communication medium creates a distinct electric field coupling path, allowing the monitoring device to discriminate between signals from different components. This segmentation approach enables multi-apparatus monitoring while maintaining the ability to identify and distinguish signals from specific components through their unique electric field characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 secure and cable-free communication by distinguishing signal intensities and detecting attachment/removal states, improving operation efficiency and reducing equipment wear.

Implementation Method 1

a first transmitter that generates an electric field dependent on a potential difference between a first electrode, which is disposed on a side of the communication medium and is connected to the communication medium via a coupling capacitance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

connected to the communication medium via a coupling capacitance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11876575B2Electric field communication system

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 NEXTY ELECTRONICS CORP

AI summary

Electric field communication that adopts a metal as a communication medium is performed. An electric field communication system communicating through an electric field, includes: a communication medium made of a material capable of transmitting the electric field; a first transmitter that generates an electric field dependent on a potential difference between a first electrode, which is disposed on a side of the communication medium and is connected to the communication medium via a coupling capacitance, and a second electrode connected to an earth ground via a coupling capacitance, with the first electrode being connected on a signal side of the transmitter, and the second electrode being connected on a ground side of the transmitter; and a first receiver disposed in contact with the communication medium, wherein the first transmitter and the first receiver communicate with each other through the electric field via the communication medium.