Inductive Power and Data Transfer for Rotating Circuit Boards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sensors mounted on rotating structures, such as exercise machine components, face challenges in providing reliable power and communication due to the rotational nature, which can lead to tangled or severed wires and interference with wireless transmissions.

Innovation Solution

An inductive coupling system between a fixed circuit board with a primary coil and a rotating circuit board with a secondary coil, allowing power and data transfer without physical connections, enabling continuous operation even during rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections are used to provide power and communication to sensors on rotating structures, then power and data transfer are reliable, but the wires become tangled, crimped, severed, or impact the freedom of movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and communication reliabilityVSAvoidfreedom of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with an electromagnetic field-based inductive coupling system. The primary coil on the fixed circuit board and secondary coil on the rotating circuit board establish wireless power and data transfer through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the mechanical constraints of physical wires while maintaining reliable power and communication delivery to rotating sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If batteries are used to power sensors on rotating structures, then freedom of movement is maintained, but batteries become depleted over time and need recharging or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom of movementVSAvoidpower supply duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous power transfer through inductive coupling between the fixed primary coil and rotating secondary coil. This allows the sensors on rotating structures to receive uninterrupted power supply as long as they remain within the electromagnetic coupling range, eliminating the periodic interruption caused by battery depletion and recharging cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Use of energy by moving object

If batteries are mounted near sensors on rotating structures, then power is provided to sensors, but the batteries add bulk and potentially negatively impact the movement of the structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor power supplyVSAvoidstructure weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power source function from the rotating sensor assembly and relocates it to the fixed circuit board. The primary coil and power supply components remain stationary while the secondary coil on the rotating board receives power wirelessly through electromagnetic coupling, thereby removing the weight burden of batteries from the moving structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If wireless transmitters are used for data communication from sensors on rotating structures, then freedom of movement is maintained, but the transmitters may be subject to interference and may not consistently transmit data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom of movementVSAvoiddata transmission consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power transfer and data communication functions into a single inductive coupling channel. Both power and data are transmitted through the same electromagnetic field between the primary and secondary coils, eliminating the need for separate wireless data transmitters and reducing susceptibility to electromagnetic interference while maintaining consistent communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides stable power and communication to sensors on rotating circuit boards without the need for batteries or wires, reducing interference and maintaining functionality over time.

Implementation Method 1

The fixed circuit board's primary coil may be inductively coupled to the secondary coil and may provide power and receive data from the sensor when inductively coupled to the secondary coil

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11923916B2System for providing power to and communication capabilities with a rotating circuit board

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 NUSTEP LLC

AI summary

A system for transmitting power and data between two circuit boards may include a fixed circuit board having a primary coil and a rotatable circuit board having a secondary coil. The system may further include a sensor in communication with the secondary coil of the rotatable circuit board. The fixed circuit board's primary coil may be inductively coupled to the secondary coil and may provide power and receive data from the sensor when inductively coupled to the secondary coil.