Power Transmission Device with Foreign Matter Storage Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
In non-contact power transmission systems for shopping carts, foreign matter between the power transmission coil and reception coil can cause heating issues, making it difficult for users to confirm the absence of obstructions, which poses a challenge in ensuring safe and efficient power transfer.
Innovation Solution
A power transmission device with a wheel guide and foreign matter storage grooves adjacent to each power transmission coil, combined with a brush mechanism that sweeps foreign matter into these grooves, ensuring alignment and preventing foreign matter from interfering with the power transfer between the coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-contact power transmission is implemented using power transmission coils and reception coils, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but foreign matter may be heated by the magnetic field causing safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a wheel guide structure with foreign matter storage grooves before power transmission occurs. The wheel guide pre-positioned on the floor guides the shopping cart wheels and includes grooves that capture foreign matter (such as coins or metal objects) before they can enter the magnetic field gap between the power transmission coil and reception coil, preventing heating issues before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel guide structure serves as an intermediary element between the power transmission system and foreign matter. It mediates by providing a designated path for wheels and creating storage grooves that intercept foreign matter, preventing direct contact between foreign matter and the magnetic field while maintaining the non-contact power transmission function.
2Reliability
If users are required to confirm the absence of foreign matter between coils, then safety can be improved, but operator convenience deteriorates as it is difficult for users to confirm
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically preventing foreign matter from entering the magnetic field gap through the wheel guide structure with storage grooves. Instead of requiring users to manually check for foreign matter, the wheel guide autonomously captures and stores foreign matter, making the safety function work automatically without user intervention or awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the foreign matter detection and prevention function from the user's responsibility and transfers it to the wheel guide structure. The storage grooves in the wheel guide actively capture foreign matter, removing the need for users to perform the difficult task of visually confirming the absence of foreign matter between the coils.
3Reliability
If foreign matter storage grooves are provided adjacent to power transmission coils, then foreign matter prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wheel guide function with the foreign matter storage function into a single integrated structure. The wheel guide, which is already necessary for guiding shopping cart wheels along the floor, is combined with storage grooves that capture foreign matter. This integration prevents foreign matter entry without adding separate, complex prevention mechanisms, as the same structural element serves dual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel guide structure exhibits multi-functionality by simultaneously serving as a wheel guidance mechanism and a foreign matter storage system. The grooves in the wheel guide that guide wheels also function as storage grooves for capturing foreign matter, allowing a single structure to perform multiple functions and avoiding the need for additional separate components.
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 configuration ensures reliable and safe non-contact power transmission by preventing foreign matter from entering the coil gap, enhancing alignment and efficiency, and reducing the risk of heating issues, thus facilitating consistent power supply to the cart's electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a power transmission device receives power transmitted from a power transmission coil by a reception coil or the like rather than via a wired or other physical connection
Implementation Method 2
when foreign matter such as a metal is present between the power transmission coil and the reception coil, the foreign matter may be heated by a magnetic field generated from the power transmission coil
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, a power transmission device includes a wheel guide for a cart. The wheel guide extends in a first direction. A plurality of power transmission coils is arranged adjacently to one another other along the first direction at a spacing interval in the first direction corresponding to spacing between power reception coils on a plurality of carts when the carts are nested in the wheel guide along the first direction. One or more foreign matter storage groove is provided adjacent to each power transmission coil.