Inductive Coupling Device for Contactless Energy and Data Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inductively coupled transmission devices for electrical energy and data often require high component costs and complex circuit designs, making them unsuitable for compact connector applications, and lack efficient solutions for precise implementation.

Innovation Solution

A simplified inductive transmission device using a transformer arrangement with primary and secondary parallel resonant circuits, electronic switches for energy and data modulation, and a secondary-side rectifier circuit for energy extraction, along with a demodulator for data recovery, minimizing component count and internal energy requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art inductive transmission devices are used, then energy and data transmission is achieved, but component cost and circuit complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines energy transmission and data transmission functions into a single inductive coupling interface. The primary coil and secondary coil form a transformer arrangement that simultaneously transmits both energy and modulated data signals, eliminating the need for separate galvanic contact structures and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable transmission of both energy and information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inductive coupling device serves multiple functions: it provides contactless energy transmission, contactless data transmission through amplitude modulation, and inherent electrical isolation. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single transformer arrangement with modulation circuitry, replacing what would traditionally require separate galvanic contact mechanisms for energy and data, thereby reducing component count and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If prior art inductive transmission devices are used, then energy and data transmission is achieved, but component cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines energy transmission and data transmission functions into a single inductive coupling interface. The primary coil and secondary coil form a transformer arrangement that simultaneously transmits both energy and modulated data signals, eliminating the need for separate galvanic contact structures and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable transmission of both energy and information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simplified circuit design with practical component choices (resistors, capacitors, diodes, transistors) that can be manufactured at low cost. The use of standard inductive coupling components rather than specialized high-cost elements, combined with the elimination of complex galvanic contact mechanisms, reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining sufficient reliability for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If galvanic contacts are used, then mechanical wear and corrosion protection issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact reliabilityVSAvoidmechanical wear and corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical galvanic contact system with an electromagnetic inductive coupling system. Energy and data are transmitted through magnetic field coupling between primary and secondary coils, eliminating physical contact between electrical contacts. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear, contact resistance variations, and corrosion issues inherent in galvanic contacts while maintaining reliable energy and data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary medium for energy and data transmission. The primary coil generates a time-varying magnetic field that couples to the secondary coil, enabling contactless power transfer. Data is superimposed on this magnetic field through amplitude modulation, allowing information transmission without direct electrical contact, thus avoiding all contact-related harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides reliable and efficient transmission of both energy and data with a low probability of failure, suitable for compact connector housings and non-detachable inductive coupling devices, while reducing power requirements and maintaining high modulation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a transformer arrangement with at least one primary coil in a primary-side parallel resonant circuit and with at least one secondary coil in a secondary-side parallel resonant circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least one primary coil in a primary-side parallel resonant circuit and with at least one secondary coil in a secondary-side parallel resonant circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP2151067B1Inductive transmission device for electrical energy and data
Publication Date: 2011.08.17 KNICK ELEKTRONISCHE MESSGERATE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2151067B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2151067B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2151067B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an inductive transmission device for electrical energy and data, particularly for a plug connector operating without contact, comprising – a transformer arrangement (T) having a primary coil (L1) in a primary side oscillation circuit (L1/C1) and a secondary coil (L2) in a secondary side oscillation circuit (L2/C2), a first electronic switch (S1) actuated corresponding to the transmission base frequency of the control signal (ft) for periodically connecting a DC voltage source (4) to the primary side parallel oscillation circuit (L1/C1) for coupling in energy, a damping impedance (R1, Z1) for data transmission from the primary to the secondary side (PRJM, SEK), associated with the primary side oscillation circuit (L1/C1) as an amplitude modulator (AM1, AM3) by damping, and that can be switched by means of a second electronic circuit (S2) depending on a primary side data signal (Data1) to the oscillation circuit (L1/C1), - a secondary side DC rectifier circuit (5; D2,C4) for coupling out energy and supplying a load (6, R4), and – a secondary side demodulator (AMD1) working in counter-phase to the secondary side rectifier circuit (D2, C4), preferably an envelope demodulator (D4,C5,R5) for demodulating the primary-side data signal (Data1) on the secondary side.