Faraday Cage Remote Crane Controller Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern cranes' remote command devices generate both internal and external electromagnetic emissions, causing interference in their operating environment, which existing shielding solutions fail to adequately address without modifying the device.

Innovation Solution

A Faraday cage-like container made of conductive material, such as galvanized steel, surrounds the remote command device, allowing access to controls while shielding internal electromagnetic waves, and a separate container shields the communication wire to prevent interference, allowing operation in both wired and wireless modes without removal of the shielding device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a shielding container surrounds the remote command device, then electromagnetic emissions are reduced, but access to controls becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic emissionsVSAvoidaccess to controls
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a shielding container made of conductive material that acts as a flexible barrier around the remote command device. This container provides electromagnetic shielding while maintaining openings that allow operator access to controls, effectively separating the shielding function from the accessibility requirement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding container is designed with segmented openings rather than a complete enclosure. These openings are strategically positioned and sized to allow access to specific controls (levers, pushbuttons, knobs) while maintaining overall shielding effectiveness for the majority of the device surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If openings are added to the shielding container for control access, then ease of operation improves, but electromagnetic shielding effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to controlsVSAvoidelectromagnetic shielding effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding container exhibits non-uniform characteristics with strategically positioned openings in specific locations where control access is needed, while maintaining continuous shielding in other areas. This local differentiation allows the system to satisfy both accessibility and shielding requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a by-wire communication system that creates an electrical copy of the control signals, allowing the physical controls to be accessed through openings while the actual command transmission occurs through shielded electrical connections, separating the mechanical interface from the electromagnetic communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the remote command device is modified for shielding, then electromagnetic emissions are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic emissionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding container is designed to enclose multiple components (command panel, transmission unit, battery) within a single integrated structure. This merging approach provides comprehensive shielding without requiring separate shielding modifications for each individual component, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding container serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electromagnetic shielding, structural protection, and a mounting framework for the remote command device components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate shielding modifications, reducing device complexity while maintaining shielding effectiveness.

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

Effectively shields internal electromagnetic waves and prevents external interference, enabling safe operation in electromagnetic-sensitive environments without modifying the remote command device, while allowing wireless communication by sizing openings to pass radio waves.

Implementation Method 1

A Faraday cage-like container made of conductive material, such as galvanized steel, surrounds the remote command device, allowing access to controls while shielding internal electromagnetic waves

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFaraday cage: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP3626674B1Device, kit and method for electromagnetically shielding a remote command device of a crane
Publication Date: 2021.01.13 FASSI GRU
  • EP3626674B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3626674B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3626674B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention refers to a device (1), a kit and a method of electromagnetically shielding a remote command device (101) of a crane comprising a command panel (102) having one or more levers and one or more pushbuttons and one or more knobs for managing the operations of the crane, and a transmission unit configured for a by-wire and/or wireless communication with a control unit (201) of the crane. The shielding device (101) comprises a container (2) made of an electrically conductive material and adapted to internally receive the remote command device (101) of the crane in order to form a Faraday cage. The container (2) comprises one or more openings (21, 22) for gaining access to said one or more levers and/or one or more pushbuttons and/or one or more knobs of the remote command device (101) of the crane from the outside of the container (2). Said one or more openings having dimensions so that the Faraday cage shields the electromagnetic radiations generated inside the remote command device (101) of the crane and enables the electromagnetic waves generated by the transmission unit to pass through the Faraday cage when the transmission unit wirelessly communicates with the control unit (201) of the crane.