Modular Electrical Bands for Inductive Heating and Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating solutions in buildings, such as radiators and floor heating systems, suffer from inefficiencies, safety risks, and maintenance challenges, while existing multifunctional systems lack the ability to provide localized heating, energy transfer, and data communication effectively.
Innovation Solution
A modular system of flexible, thin dielectric strips with integrated conductive circuits that generate heat by Joule effect, produce a radiofrequency electromagnetic field for data exchange, and enable capacitive detection, allowing for the simultaneous heating, energy transfer, and presence detection of devices without the need for power cables or drilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional radiators are used for heating, then heating function is provided, but thermal comfort is poor due to strong local temperature disparities and lack of thermal inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical radiators with an electromagnetic field-based heating system. The system uses electromagnetic induction to heat water in a tank, which then circulates through radiators. This substitution provides better thermal comfort through distributed heating while maintaining safety through controlled temperature regulation and elimination of direct electrical heating elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary medium between the electromagnetic heating source and the radiators. The electromagnetic field heats water in a tank, which then circulates through the radiator system. This intermediary approach distributes heat more evenly and reduces local temperature disparities while maintaining safety through the thermal buffer provided by the water circulation system.
2Temperature
If floor heating systems with pipes are installed, then thermal comfort is improved, but maintenance complexity increases due to risk of leakage or clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pipe-based floor heating system with an electromagnetic induction heating system. Instead of using pipes that can leak or clog, the system uses electromagnetic fields to induce currents in a conductive fluid (water or saltwater) that flows through a channel in the floor. This eliminates the risk of pipe leakage and clogging while maintaining the thermal comfort benefits of floor heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from direct thermal conduction through pipes to electromagnetic induction heating. By using electromagnetic fields to heat the conductive fluid, the system eliminates the need for sealed pipes and complex maintenance. The parameter change from mechanical pipe systems to electromagnetic fields fundamentally resolves the maintenance issues while preserving thermal comfort.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multifunctional strips are used for heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases to provide multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multifunctional heating strip that combines heating, data transmission, and sensor detection capabilities. The strip uses electromagnetic induction for heating while also capable of transmitting data and detecting presence through the same electromagnetic field mechanism. This universal approach provides multiple functions through a single device without significantly increasing complexity, as the underlying electromagnetic principles serve multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges heating, data transmission, and sensor detection functions into a single integrated strip. By combining these functions in one device rather than using separate components, the system achieves high heating efficiency while keeping overall device complexity manageable. The electromagnetic field serves as a common mechanism for multiple functions, allowing consolidation rather than addition of complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If conventional electrical outlets are used for power supply, then energy transfer is provided, but safety risk increases due to galvanic connection with supply voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional galvanic electrical connections with electromagnetic induction for energy transfer. Instead of direct electrical contact through outlets and plugs, the system uses electromagnetic fields to induce currents in receiving coils. This substitution eliminates the risk of electrocution while maintaining efficient energy transfer, as there is no direct galvanic connection between the power source and the heated elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary between the power source and the heating elements. The power is transmitted through electromagnetic induction rather than direct electrical connection. This intermediary approach allows energy transfer while eliminating the safety risks associated with galvanic connections, as the electromagnetic field acts as a buffer that prevents direct contact with high voltage.
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 system provides efficient, safe, and cost-effective heating, energy transfer, and data communication, enabling flexible installation and maintenance, while minimizing the risk of electrocution and fire, and allowing for the integration of sensors and home automation devices.
Implementation Method 1
heating by Joule effect
Implementation Method 2
produce a radiofrequency electromagnetic field for data exchange
Implementation Method 3
enable capacitive detection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention concerns a multifunctional system for heating a support and transferring energy or data between, on the one hand, a plurality of primary antennas (13) situated on the support and controlled by a control unit (3) capable of supplying them with electrical energy or digital data and, on the other hand, an assembly of electrical devices (25) able to be supplied with electrical energy or data by inductive coupling between the primary antennas (13) and secondary antennas (26) connected to the electrical devices (25), characterised in that each electrical device (25) is associated with a unique digital identifier representative of its identity and of a device type, and in that the control unit (3) is configured, on the one hand, for supplying the primary antennas (13) with an electrical voltage able to cause their heating by Joule effect and, on the other hand, for detecting and supplying a given electrical apparatus (25) with a specific electrical voltage corresponding to an energy or data transfer to this device depending on its digital identifier.