Scanner Power Track Wire Reduction via Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Scanning systems for sheet materials face reliability, efficiency, and sensitivity issues due to the large number of wire interconnections, which are prone to fatigue, abrasion, electromagnetic interference, and power losses, leading to reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

The system uses a minimal number of transmission channels, specifically two wires or channels, for real-time communication between mobile sensor devices and remote control devices, employing a control multiplexer and sensor de-multiplexer to facilitate efficient signal transmission and reduce wire weight and electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large number of wires are used to connect sensor devices to control devices, then complete signal transmission is achieved, but system reliability deteriorates due to wire fatigue, abrasion, and electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of wire interconnections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple signal transmission functions are merged into a single wireless communication channel. The patent replaces numerous individual wire connections with a unified wireless transmission system that carries all sensor data and control signals, thereby reducing wire-related failures while maintaining complete signal transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical wire connection system is replaced with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. This substitution eliminates physical wire fatigue, abrasion, and connection failures while maintaining reliable signal transmission between mobile sensor devices and stationary control devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of energy

If multiple wires are used for sensor connections, then all sensor signals can be transmitted, but power losses increase due to resistance and electromagnetic interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower lossesVSAvoidnumber of wires

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Wire-based electrical signal transmission is replaced with wireless electromagnetic communication. This substitution eliminates resistive power losses and electromagnetic interference associated with multiple wire connections, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining complete signal transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If a heavy power chain with many wires is used, then adequate power and signal transmission is achieved, but the carriage becomes harder to drive and control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of carriage movementVSAvoidpower chain structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy mechanical power chain is replaced with a lightweight wireless communication system. This substitution dramatically reduces the weight and complexity of the connection system, making the carriage easier to accelerate, decelerate, and control while maintaining adequate power and signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The heavy power chain and its associated wires are extracted and removed from the system. The essential function of power and signal transmission is maintained through wireless communication, eliminating the cumbersome mechanical connection infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If numerous wires are used in the power track, then all control and measurement signals can be transmitted, but electromagnetic interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidnumber of wire interconnections

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple wire-based electrical signal transmissions are replaced with a unified wireless electromagnetic communication system. This substitution reduces electromagnetic interference by eliminating the multiple parallel conductors that act as antennas and sources of interference, while maintaining complete signal transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7819034B2Reduction of wire numbers in a paper scanner power track

Publication Date: 2010.10.26 HONEYWELL ASCA INC

AI summary

The performance of scanning systems can be significantly enhanced by replacing the traditional power track with preferably just two wires or transmission channels for effecting communication between (i) the sensors on the mobile carriage of the scanning system and (ii) the controls, power sources, and related devices that are typically located in a compartment or module which is a significant distance away. This can be implemented by employing selected multiplexer and complementary de-multiplexer combinations in the scanner head and in the module. This technique reduces EMI noise, power loss, drag on the moving scanner heads carrying the sensors, and cost of construction.