Rotary Joint Wireless Alignment for Signal-Stable Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary joints face misalignment issues between static and dynamic components due to lateral movement during operation, leading to signal interference or loss during wireless communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of alignment modules with aligned wireless modules on a rotor and stator, ensuring that dynamic and static wireless modules remain aligned along the rotation axis, allowing for contactless power delivery and improved signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rotary joints are used with static and dynamic components, then power and signals can be transmitted during rotation, but lateral movement of the rotor causes misalignment between static and dynamic components leading to signal interference or loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system with a magnetic alignment system. Magnets are embedded in both the stator and rotor components, creating magnetic fields that automatically align the dynamic and static components during rotation, eliminating the need for precise mechanical manufacturing tolerances and preventing misalignment due to lateral movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of alignment from mechanical contact to magnetic field interaction. By using magnetic fields instead of mechanical constraints, the system can maintain alignment precision despite variations in mechanical tolerances, temperature changes, and lateral movements during operation.
2Ease of operation
If wireless communication modules are installed in rotary joints, then contactless power and data transmission can be achieved, but misalignment between modules causes signal loss during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment mechanisms with magnetic field-based alignment for wireless communication modules. The magnets embedded in the stator and rotor create magnetic attraction forces that automatically center and align the wireless modules during rotation, ensuring consistent signal transmission without mechanical wear or misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses asymmetric magnetic field distribution to achieve symmetric alignment. By strategically positioning magnets with different strengths or configurations in the stator and rotor, the system creates a stable equilibrium point that automatically centers the wireless modules, compensating for manufacturing variations and lateral movements.
3Power
If traditional electrical connections are used between brushes and slip ring contacts, then power can be delivered to rotating components, but the electrical connections are damage-prone and require maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical electrical connection system (brushes and slip rings) with a wireless power transmission system using electromagnetic induction. Power is transferred through magnetic coupling between stationary and rotating coils, eliminating physical contact points that wear out and require maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the brushes and slip ring contacts from the system by implementing wireless power and communication transmission. This elimination of mechanical contact components reduces maintenance requirements and increases system reliability by removing the primary sources of wear and failure.
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
Reduces the risk of signal loss and interference by maintaining alignment between rotating and non-rotating wireless modules, enabling reliable wireless communication and power transfer in rotary joints.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second antennas are aligned along the rotation axis and adapted to wirelessly communicate with each other
Implementation Method 2
alignment modules with aligned wireless modules on a rotor and stator, ensuring that dynamic and static wireless modules remain aligned along the rotation axis
Data Source
AI summary
A rotary joint, alignment module and wireless power transfer circuit for a rotary joint. The slip ring includes a stator; a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator about a rotation axis; and an alignment module mounted to the rotor. The alignment module includes a housing having a first wireless module with a first antenna. The slip ring also includes a rotational element coupled to the first rotor and configured to rotate about the rotation axis relative to the housing, the rotational element having a second wireless module with a second antenna. The first and second antennae are aligned along the rotation axis and adapted to wirelessly communicate with each other.