Recessed Charging Unit with Semipermeable Membrane for Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for contactless transmission of electrical energy to movable parts on a facility floor lack effective protection against moisture ingress and efficient energy transfer, particularly in environments where groundwater levels may rise.
Innovation Solution
A system with a recessed charging unit in the floor featuring a semipermeable membrane and a hood structure around the bore, combined with a ring part for precise alignment and screw-connected components for a tight seal, ensures protection against moisture while maintaining air pressure equalization and efficient inductive energy transfer using a resonantly tuned primary winding and secondary network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging unit is installed in a recess in the floor with electronic circuits, then contactless energy transmission is enabled, but moisture ingress from groundwater becomes a risk
Solution Approach 1:
A semipermeable membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the electronic circuit area and the external environment. This membrane selectively permits air passage while blocking water molecules, thereby mediating the contradiction between maintaining a sealed protected environment and allowing pressure equalization to prevent moisture ingress
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the charging unit is sealed to protect electronics, then protection against moisture is improved, but air pressure equalization becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible semipermeable membrane is used to create a pressure-equalizing pathway that remains sealed against water. The membrane's flexibility allows it to deform with pressure changes while maintaining its selective permeability, enabling passive pressure equalization without complex mechanical components
3Ease of operation
If the charging unit surface is aligned with the travel surface for unhindered movement, then ease of operation is improved, but precise alignment during installation becomes critical
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment features such as centering edges and stepped bores are pre-formed in both the charging unit and floor structure before final assembly. This preliminary preparation of alignment references ensures that when the charging unit is installed, it automatically achieves the required positional accuracy for surface alignment, eliminating the need for complex post-installation adjustments
4Object-affected harmful factors
If screw connections are used to create tight seals, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging unit is divided into separable components (upper cover part, lower cover part, receiving part) that can be independently assembled and sealed. Each segment can be pre-sealed and tested before final assembly, allowing complex sealing requirements to be broken down into manageable segments that simplify the overall assembly process
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 enhanced protection against moisture ingress while ensuring efficient and reliable contactless energy transfer, even in conditions where groundwater levels rise, with improved alignment and sealing mechanisms ensuring the integrity of the electronic circuit.
Implementation Method 1
electrical energy can be transmitted without contact via an inductive coupling
Implementation Method 2
a resonant circuit with a primary winding and a secondary winding
Implementation Method 3
a membrane being arranged on the bore
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for the non-contact transmission of electrical energy to a mobile part that is movably arranged on the bottom of a facility, a charging unit being arranged in a recess in the bottom (15), the charging unit comprising a receiving part (5), on the upper side of which an upper covering part (6) is arranged and on the lower side of which a lower covering part (4) is arranged. According to the invention, a primary winding (13) is received in the upper covering part, particularly on the inner side of the upper covering part; the receiving part at least partially defines a space (12) containing an electronic circuit; the first end of a borehole (3) passing through the lower covering part opens up into said space and the other end of the borehole opens up into another space, said other space being at least partially defined by a cover wall (1) formed on the lower covering part and particularly extending downwards from the lower covering part; and a membrane (2) is arranged on the borehole.