Inspection Coil Cover Structure for Safe Feeder Line Current Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contactless power feeding facilities face challenges in inspecting the alternating current flow through induction lines without disrupting normal operation, requiring mobile object travel and additional measurement devices, which complicates safe and efficient inspection.

Innovation Solution

An inspection device with an inspection coil between the first and second feeder lines, generating an induced electromotive force by their magnetic fields, and a cover with a projection portion to ensure safe positioning and avoid short circuits, allowing for the detection of voltage and inspection of current flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If a mobile object is used for inspection with additional measurement devices, then inspection capability is achieved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection device uses a simplified inspection coil that replicates the essential function of the power receiver's receiving coil, but without the complex power conversion and control systems. This copy performs only the measurement function, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining inspection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the necessary measurement function from the complete power reception system. By separating the inspection function from the power supply function, the device eliminates unnecessary components (power conversion circuits, control systems, etc.), reducing complexity to only what is needed for measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If inspection requires mobile object travel with additional devices, then measurement can be performed, but ease of operation and safety decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidinspection operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection coil generates its own induced electromotive force directly from the magnetic fields produced by the feeder lines during normal operation. This self-powered design eliminates the need for external power sources, complex wiring, and additional operational procedures, making the inspection process simple and safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a electromagnetic field-based measurement approach. The inspection coil passively detects electrical parameters through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for mechanical connections, switches, and complex measurement circuits, thereby improving ease of operation and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If the inspection device lacks proper positioning structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but reliability and safety of inspection decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinspection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cover structure with its projection portion creates a standardized positioning interface that ensures the inspection coil is always placed at the correct position and orientation relative to the feeder lines. This equipotential positioning approach guarantees consistent measurement conditions, improving reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary element between the inspection coil and the feeder lines. It provides both electrical insulation (safety) and mechanical positioning (reliability), while being simple in structure. The projection portion specifically mediates the positioning function, ensuring proper alignment without complex mechanisms.

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

Enables safe and efficient inspection of contactless power feeding facilities by determining the magnitude of magnetic fields and alternating current flow without disrupting normal operation, ensuring reliable power transmission.

Implementation Method 1

configured to cause a receiving coil of the power receiver to generate an induced electromotive force by magnetic fields generated by the first feeder line and the second feeder line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12188990B2Inspection device and inspection method using inspection device

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 DAIFUKU CO LTD

AI summary

An inspection device includes: an inspection coil disposed between a first feeder line and a second feeder line; and a cover formed to cover a core. The cover includes: a coil cover portion covering the inspection coil; and a projection portion formed to project to both sides at least in a specific radial direction with respect to the coil cover portion. The dimension in the specific radial direction of the coil cover portion is smaller than the design interval between the first feeder line and the second feeder line, and the dimension in the specific radial direction of the projection portion is larger than the design interval.