Magnetic GNSS Receiver Battery Attachment for Precise Survey Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing survey systems face challenges with power source management, as battery packs are often large and heavy, requiring complex quick-release mechanisms that are costly and difficult to operate, leading to alignment issues that affect positioning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A detachable power source assembly with a pair of encoded magnets provides a stable and easy-to-use quick-release mechanism, ensuring proper alignment and easy battery replacement without tools, using magnetic attraction and repulsion forces to facilitate accurate assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex quick-release mechanism is used to enable easy battery replacement, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical quick-release mechanisms with a simple magnetic attachment system. The magnet embedded in the battery pack automatically attaches to the receiver housing when brought close, eliminating the need for threads, clips, or other mechanical fastening components. This substitution dramatically simplifies the mechanism while maintaining easy operation and quick replacement capability.
2Measurement precision
If a threaded connection is used to ensure stable alignment, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to mis-threading risks and rotation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic attachment system eliminates threaded connections entirely. The magnet provides automatic alignment through its fixed position in the battery pack housing, and the magnetic force maintains precise alignment without requiring the battery pack to be rotated or threaded into place. This removes all risks of mis-threading while preserving alignment accuracy.
3Device complexity
If a magnetic attachment system is used to simplify the quick-release mechanism, then device complexity reduces, but holding force may be insufficient for heavy battery packs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite attachment system combining magnetic force with friction. The magnet provides the primary attachment force, while the interference fit between the battery pack housing and receiver housing (achieved through slightly different diameters) provides additional frictional holding force. This composite approach ensures sufficient holding capability even for heavier battery packs while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
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 enhances survey system accuracy by ensuring proper alignment of components, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, and allows for efficient battery replacement in the field, improving overall positioning precision and integration with virtual and augmented reality systems.
Implementation Method 1
using magnetic attraction and repulsion forces to facilitate accurate assembly and disassembly
Data Source
AI summary
A receiver assembly or top unit for use in a survey system. A quick release assembly or interface, which is designed for simple construction and no moving parts, is provided in the receiver housing and battery pack that includes a pair of magnets such that the receiver housing is attached to the battery pack via magnetic attraction or forces rather than with threaded connections or a more complex disconnect with multiple moving parts. Each magnet is a permanent magnet that is programmed or encoded with multi-poles or patterns. The magnets are affixed to or within the receiver housing and battery pack such that an attractive magnetic force is generated between the two magnets only when the two housings are properly aligned. A small amount of rotation from this aligned configuration causes the two magnets to generate repelling or repulsion forces that facilitate ready disassembly or removal of the battery pack.