Magnetic Coupling for Reliable Data Readout in Measuring Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices with transmission and data readout parts face challenges in achieving a simple, robust, and cost-effective coupling mechanism that ensures reliable electrical contact for data readout without complex and time-consuming coupling processes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a magnetic attraction mechanism between the transmission and data readout parts, utilizing contact surfaces and electrical contacts that align and connect securely, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling, while maintaining a mechanically stable and electrically conductive connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex coupling mechanisms are used to ensure reliable electrical contact and mechanical stability, then data readout reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata readout reliabilityVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical coupling mechanisms with a magnetic field-based coupling system. Magnets embedded in both the transmission part and data readout part create magnetic attraction forces that ensure reliable electrical contact between contact surfaces without requiring complex mechanical fastening structures. This substitution of mechanical systems with magnetic fields directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining data readout reliability while significantly reducing coupling mechanism complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter to achieve reliable coupling. By adjusting the strength and positioning of magnets, the system ensures sufficient magnetic attraction force to maintain stable electrical contact between the transmission part and data readout part. This parameter-based approach allows for reliable data readout without complex mechanical structures, effectively resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If complex coupling mechanisms are used to ensure secure electrical contact, then data transmission accuracy is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive and complex mechanical coupling mechanisms with a magnetic field-based system that is simpler and cheaper to manufacture. The magnetic coupling ensures secure electrical contact for accurate data transmission without requiring precision-machined mechanical fasteners or complex alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining data transmission accuracy.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic coupling system is self-aligning and self-adjusting, automatically ensuring proper contact between electrical contacts without requiring complex external alignment mechanisms or precision manufacturing. The magnetic attraction force naturally pulls the components into proper alignment, eliminating the need for expensive precision machining and assembly processes while ensuring accurate data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If complex coupling mechanisms are used to ensure mechanical stability, then coupling reliability is improved, but coupling time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidcoupling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical fastening operations with instantaneous magnetic attraction. When the data readout part is brought near the transmission part, the magnets automatically create strong attractive forces that secure the coupling immediately without requiring manual fastening, alignment adjustments, or complex mechanical engagement procedures. This magnetic substitution dramatically reduces coupling time while maintaining coupling reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The magnets are pre-positioned and pre-configured within the components during manufacturing, so that when the components are brought together during use, the magnetic coupling activates immediately without requiring any additional setup or adjustment steps. This preliminary configuration eliminates time-consuming assembly operations while ensuring reliable mechanical stability during data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 a straightforward, inexpensive, and reliable coupling mechanism that enables error-free data readout from the data memory, facilitating quick attachment and detachment of the data readout part to the transmission part, while ensuring mechanical stability and electrical insulation.

Implementation Method 1

In the coupled state, the data readout part (3) and the transmission part (2) are coupled to one another due to the force of attraction caused by the magnet (9)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force of attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3100009B1Measuring device with magnetically coupled data reading and data transmission units
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 PRUEFTECHNIK DIETER BUSCH GMBH
  • EP3100009B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3100009B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3100009B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A measuring device (22) comprises at least one transmitting part (25) which can be attached to measurement objects (30) and which has at least one data memory (31) and at least two first electrical contacts (27) having respective surfaces that form respective sub-areas of a bearing face of the transmitting part (25), at least one data reading part (26) which has at least two second electrical contacts (28) having respective surfaces that form respective sub-areas of a bearing face of the data reading part (26), and at least one magnet (29). The measuring device (22) here is designed to assume an uncoupled state in which the first electrical contacts (27) are at a distance from the second electrical contacts (28), and to assume a coupled state in which the data reading part (26) and the transmitting part (25) are coupled to one another due to an attraction force brought about by the magnet (29), wherein the bearing face of the transmitting part (25) and the bearing face of the data reading part (26) bear against one another and one of the first electrical contacts (27) in each case bears with its surface against the surface of a respective one of the second electrical contacts (28), as a result of which electrically conductive connections exist between respective first contacts (27) and second contacts (28) bearing against one another, which connections make it possible for the data reading part (26) to read data stored in the data memory (31).