Sealed Outdoor Operating Device Wireless Power and Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outdoor electronic devices, such as those used in street lights, face issues with moisture and dust penetration due to wired connections, leading to increased susceptibility to errors and reduced lifespan, and are unable to achieve high IP protection classes.

Innovation Solution

A housed operating device with a sealed housing that uses wireless communication and power supply via near-field communication technologies or short-range radio, such as NFC, Bluetooth, or ZigBee, to connect with communication adapters, eliminating the need for physical contact points and ensuring a watertight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections are used for communication and power supply, then electrical contact between components is achieved, but moisture can penetrate the housing leading to increased susceptibility to faults and reduced service life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice lifeVSAvoidmoisture penetration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication and power transfer technologies. The control gear and components communicate via wireless protocols (Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee) and receive power through inductive coupling, eliminating physical contact points that would require seals and create potential moisture penetration paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium for both communication and power transfer. Instead of direct electrical contact through sealed connectors, energy and data are transmitted through the housing wall using electromagnetic induction and wireless communication protocols, with the housing wall itself serving as the boundary that blocks moisture while allowing electromagnetic penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wired connections with contact points and terminals are used, then electrical contact is established, but high IP protection ratings cannot be achieved due to required plugs and connections

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP protection ratingVSAvoidcontact points and connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (plugs, sockets, terminals, wires penetrating the housing) with a wireless electromagnetic field-based system. This substitution allows the housing to remain completely sealed while achieving full IP protection ratings, as no physical openings or penetrations are required for communication or power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If wired connections are used inside or on the housing, then electrical contact is achieved, but increased wear such as corrosion occurs at external contacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesusceptibility to faultsVSAvoidwear at contacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical electrical contacts entirely by using wireless power transfer through inductive coupling and wireless communication protocols. Since no physical contacts exist between the control gear and external components, there is no wear, corrosion, or degradation of contact points, thereby eliminating a major source of faults and extending system durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution reduces the risk of moisture-related failures, enhances the lifespan of outdoor electronic devices, and allows for high IP protection classes, including IP68, by providing a reliable and error-resistant wireless communication and power transfer system.

Implementation Method 1

the operating device is designed to wirelessly supply electrical power to at least one communication adapter, in particular via the interface, especially contactlessly and/or inductively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field communication (NFC): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

near-field communication (NFC) or short-range radio technologies (e.g., Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE (low energy), ZigBee, etc.) are used

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShort-range radio technologies: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3092873B1Operating device and communications adapter for outdoor use

Publication Date: 2020.06.17 TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG

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Figure 3

AI summary

One aspect of the invention provides a housed operating device for operating lighting means, preferably LEDs, said housing which is preferably sealed against humidity having means for the mechanical positioning and/or mounting of at least one communications adapter, the means being arranged on the housing such that a positioned and/or mounted communications adapter is wirelessly supplied with energy through the housing wall and communicates with an interface inside the housing.