Motorised Drive Device Electromagnetic Filtering for RF Antenna Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motorized drive devices for screening devices face issues with reduced radiofrequency performance due to electromagnetic compatibility defects, specifically caused by unshielded electrical supply wires interfering with radiofrequency antennas, leading to decreased signal intensity and increased electromagnetic radiation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an electromagnetic filter module with common mode inductors and a decoupling module with differential mode inductors to reduce electromagnetic coupling between radiofrequency antennas and electrical supply wires, maintaining radiofrequency performance while minimizing physical bulk and interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If unshielded power supply wires are used, then device complexity is reduced, but radiofrequency signal intensity decreases due to electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of electrical connectionVSAvoidradiofrequency performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electromagnetic filter as an intermediary component between the unshielded power supply wires and the radiofrequency antenna. This filter acts as a mediator that allows the simplicity of unshielded wires to be maintained while blocking the harmful electromagnetic interference from reaching the antenna, thus preserving radiofrequency performance without adding shielding complexity to the wire assembly itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the electromagnetic filtering function from the wire shielding structure and places it in a separate dedicated filter component. This separation allows the power supply wires to remain unshielded and simple, while the filter handles the electromagnetic compatibility issue independently, resolving the contradiction between wire simplicity and signal integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Area of stationary object

If wired radiofrequency antenna is placed close to power supply wires, then space utilization is improved, but electromagnetic radiation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace occupied by electrical componentsVSAvoidelectromagnetic radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful electromagnetic radiation into a manageable filtering task. By placing the antenna close to the power wires (maintaining compact space) and introducing an electromagnetic filter, the harmful interference is captured and filtered rather than allowing it to radiate outward. The filter transforms the potential harm of close proximity into a localized filtering problem that can be solved without increasing overall electromagnetic radiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If common mode inductances are added to electronic control unit, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but radiofrequency signal intensity decreases due to coupling effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic compatibilityVSAvoidradiofrequency signal intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a differential mode inductor as an intermediary component that specifically targets the coupling between common mode inductances and the radiofrequency antenna. This differential mode inductor acts as a mediator that blocks the harmful coupled signals while allowing the beneficial common mode filtering to function, thus resolving the contradiction between electromagnetic compatibility and signal intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If shielded radiofrequency antenna is used, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but physical bulk of torque support increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidvolume of torque support
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electromagnetic shielding function from the antenna structure itself and places it in a separate electromagnetic filter component. This allows the use of simple unshielded wire antennas without increasing the volume of the torque support, while the dedicated filter handles the electromagnetic interference protection independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 effectively preserves radiofrequency performance by presenting high impedance to interfering currents, allowing unshielded radiofrequency antennas to operate effectively near electrical supply wires without degrading performance, and reduces electromagnetic radiation, thus enhancing the motorized drive device's efficiency and compatibility.

Implementation Method 1

an electromagnetic filtering module comprising common mode inductors, coupled together, each common mode inductor being electrically connected to one of the second electrical supply traces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic decoupling module comprising differential mode inductors, each differential mode inductor being electrically connected to one of the second electrical supply traces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4195469A1Motorised drive device for a concealment device and associated concealment device
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP4195469A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4195469A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4195469A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motorized drive device includes an electromechanical actuator (11), an electrical power supply device, a power supply cable (18), and an unshielded wire radio frequency antenna (58). The electronic control unit (15) includes a printed circuit board (46), a communication module (27), an electromagnetic filtering module, and an electromagnetic decoupling module. The antenna (58) extends through a torque support (21) of the actuator (11) and is electrically connected to a first electrical trace of the printed circuit board (46). Each of the power supply wires (Bat+, Bat-, SP1, SP2) of the cable (18) extends through the torque support (21) and is electrically connected to a second power supply trace of the printed circuit board (46).The filtering module comprises common-mode inductors coupled together, each electrically connected to one of the second electrical tracks. In addition, the decoupling module comprises differential-mode inductors, each electrically connected to one of the second electrical tracks.