Shielded Truck-Trailer Connector Assembly for High-Speed Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems between vehicles, such as trucks and trailers, face challenges with electromagnetic interference and reliability, particularly in high-speed data transfer, which affects the security and efficiency of communication.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system with a connector assembly housing that includes electromagnetic shielding to reduce electromagnetic radiation interference, using an electromagnetic band gap structure for efficient shielding and a short distance between wireless communication modules to enable high-speed data transfer, and a mechanically sealed enclosure to protect against environmental hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic shielding means is added to reduce electromagnetic radiation transmission, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic shielding means is integrated within the connector assembly housing, nesting the shielding function inside the existing structural housing rather than adding external shielding components. This resolves the contradiction by incorporating the shielding function into the existing device structure, improving communication reliability while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding means comprises electrically conducting material that may be integrated with the housing structure, using composite material properties to achieve both structural support and electromagnetic shielding functions simultaneously, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Speed
If wireless communication modules are placed in close proximity for high-speed data transfer, then communication speed is improved, but electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic shielding means acts as an intermediary between the first and second wireless communication modules, allowing them to be positioned in close proximity for high-speed communication while the shielding material mediates the electromagnetic interference between them, enabling both high speed and low interference simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding means is positioned locally between the wireless communication modules rather than uniformly throughout the entire housing, providing targeted electromagnetic interference reduction in the critical area between modules while maintaining close proximity for high-speed data transfer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If connector assembly is designed for frequent connection and disconnection cycles, then adaptability is improved, but reliability decreases due to wear and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication modules are pre-configured within the connector assembly housing with integrated electromagnetic shielding, so that the shielding and communication setup is established before connection occurs. This preliminary configuration ensures consistent performance across multiple connection/disconnection cycles, improving reliability while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical electrical connectors with wireless communication modules, eliminating the wear and performance degradation associated with repeated mechanical mating and demating of electrical contacts. This substitution maintains connection flexibility while significantly improving reliability over multiple cycles.
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 provides reliable, high-speed, and secure communication between vehicles by minimizing electromagnetic interference and protecting the communication modules from environmental factors, allowing the use of higher frequency bands and increasing the number of connection/disconnection cycles without performance degradation.
Implementation Method 1
The connector assembly housing comprises electromagnetic shielding means arranged to reduce a transmission of electromagnetic radiation between the first and second wireless communication modules and an environment outside the connector assembly housing
Implementation Method 2
use of an electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure. EBG structures are highly efficient at causing attenuation of electromagnetic radiation in a frequency band corresponding to the electromagnetic band gap of the EBG structure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wireless communication system (100) for communication between a truck (102) and a trailer (104), the system comprising: a connector assembly (106) coupled between the truck (102) and the trailer (104), the connector assembly comprising a connector assembly housing (108); a first wireless communication module (112) coupled to electronic circuitry (114) in the truck; and a second wireless communication module (120) coupled to electronic circuitry (122) in the trailer, wherein the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module are disposed within the connector assembly housing, wherein the connector assembly housing comprises electromagnetic shielding means arranged to reduce a transmission of electromagnetic radiation between the first and/or second wireless communication modules and an environment (138) outside the connector assembly housing, and wherein the first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module are configured to establish a wireless communication link (134) therebetween.