Quick Coupler with Inductive Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors face challenges in difficult environmental conditions such as moisture, dirt, and oil, as they are susceptible to interference and mechanical wear, and automatic coupling is difficult due to cleaning and dehydration issues, while inductive transmission systems face challenges in dimensioning and power transmission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A quick coupler with a connection arrangement that combines mechanical contact and contactless inductive transmission principles, featuring a self-centering design with tapering cross-sections and orthogonally arranged surfaces for reliable mechanical coupling, and separate contactless inductive devices for data transmission, allowing for efficient power and signal transfer even in adverse conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical connectors are used for data transmission, then data transmission is achieved, but the connectors are susceptible to interference and mechanical wear in difficult environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of data transmissionVSAvoidsusceptibility to interference and wear
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electrical contact transmission and inductive contactless transmission into a single connection arrangement. The electrical contacts provide power transmission while the inductive transmission device handles data transmission contactlessly, merging both principles to resolve the contradiction between reliable data transmission and resistance to environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based data transmission with contactless inductive transmission. The inductive transmission device uses electromagnetic fields to transmit data without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear and improving resistance to environmental factors while maintaining data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If inductive transmission systems are used for power transmission, then contactless transmission is achieved, but the system dimensioning becomes problematic and power transmission efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontactless transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission functions by assigning power transmission to electrical contacts and data transmission to the inductive transmission device. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining high power transmission efficiency through electrical contact while achieving contactless data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If mechanical connectors are used in difficult environmental conditions, then connection is achieved, but automatic coupling becomes difficult due to dirt and moisture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of couplingVSAvoidimpact of dirt and moisture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a tolerance compensation device as an intermediary mechanism that absorbs misalignments caused by dirt and moisture. This device includes compensation elements that can move relative to each other, allowing the connection to be established even when the connection parts are not perfectly aligned due to environmental contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Power

If electrical contacts are used for power transmission, then high power transmission is achieved, but mechanical wear increases exponentially when dirty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidservice life of electrical contacts
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data transmission function from the electrical contacts and assigns it to the inductive transmission device. This extraction reduces the functional load on the electrical contacts, allowing them to focus on power transmission while minimizing their exposure to contaminants that cause wear, thereby extending their service life.

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

The solution enables reliable and efficient transmission of both power and data in harsh environments with low losses, allowing multiple connections in series and facilitating easy alignment and robust mechanical coupling, while minimizing the disadvantages of both contact and inductive transmission methods.

Implementation Method 1

the first connection part has a first contactless transmission device, in particular a first contactless inductive transmission device, and the second connection part has a second transmission device, in particular a second contactless inductive transmission device, which interact with one another in the mechanically coupled state without making electrical contact with one another in such a way that data or information or signals can be transmitted between the two transmission devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3133213B1Quick change device for use between a construction machine and an accessory equipment
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 MTS MASCHTECHN SCHRODE
  • EP3133213B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3133213B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3133213B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a connection arrangement (32) comprising a first connection part (34) and a second connection part (36), wherein the first and the second connection part (34, 36) can be mechanically coupled to one another and can be detached from one another non-destructively and repeatably, wherein the first connection part (34) has at least one first electrical contact (38) which, when the connection parts (34, 36) are mechanically coupled, makes electrically conductive contact with a second electrical contact (40) of the second connection part (36), wherein at least one electrical contact comprises an electrical pin contact (40) and/or an electrical surface contact (38), and wherein the pin contact (40) and/or the electrical surface contact (38) is resiliently mounted, wherein the first connection part (34) further comprises a first contactless, inductive transmission device (42) which, when the connection parts (34, 36) are mechanically coupled, is connected to a second contactless,inductive transmission device (44) of the second connecting part (36) interacts inductively.