Magnetic GNSS Receiver Battery Coupling for Precise Survey Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing survey systems face challenges in easily swapping out battery packs while maintaining proper alignment, which affects the accuracy of the survey system.
Innovation Solution
A receiver assembly with a detachable power source assembly that uses a pair of encoded magnets for a quick release mechanism, ensuring proper alignment and easy battery pack replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional mechanical quick disconnect or threaded connection is used to attach the battery pack to the receiver housing, then the battery pack can be detached and reattached, but alignment between the receiver housing and battery pack is difficult to maintain and excessive play exists between components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical connection systems (threaded connections, mechanical quick disconnects with moving parts) with a magnetic field-based attachment system. Magnets embedded in the receiver housing and battery pack create magnetic attraction forces that automatically align and secure the battery pack without requiring mechanical threading or complex disconnect mechanisms, thereby achieving both ease of operation and manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnets as an intermediary element between the receiver housing and battery pack. These magnets serve as a mediating force that enables both the attachment function and the alignment function, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact and complex alignment mechanisms while maintaining precise positioning
2Reliability
If a threaded connection is used to attach the battery pack, then the connection can be secure, but mis-threading or failure to fully rotate to final position significantly reduces survey system accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates threaded mechanical connections and replaces them with a magnetic field-based attachment system. The magnetic attraction forces provide secure connection reliability while automatically maintaining precise alignment, eliminating the risk of mis-threading or incomplete rotation that would compromise survey accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic attachment system is self-aligning and self-securing. When the battery pack is brought near the receiver housing, the magnetic fields automatically guide the components into proper alignment and secure the connection without requiring user intervention to ensure correct positioning, thereby maintaining both reliability and measurement precision
3Productivity
If a quick release mechanism with numerous parts and moving parts is used, then the battery pack can be easily swapped, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical quick release mechanisms with multiple moving parts and springs with a simple magnetic field-based attachment system. The magnets provide both the attachment force and the alignment function, eliminating the need for complex mechanical structures while enabling rapid battery pack swapping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions (attachment, alignment, and positioning) into a single magnetic field-based system. Instead of having separate mechanical components for each function, the magnetic fields perform all three functions simultaneously, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining high productivity
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 a stable and accurate connection for survey systems, allowing for easy battery replacement without tools and ensuring proper alignment for enhanced survey accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a quick release mechanism that includes a pair of magnets each encoded with a polarity pattern so that they generate an attraction force when the pair of magnets are positioned with mating faces parallel and substantially proximate to each other and with the polarity patterns aligned
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.