Shipboard Communication Through Metal Bulkheads Using Magnetic Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional onboard communication systems face challenges in ships due to metal bulkheads causing signal loss for wireless communication and require extensive wired connections for wired communication, leading to complex configurations and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A communication system combining magnetic material-based magnetic field communication with wireless and wired communication methods, utilizing metal surfaces as a medium for communication, reduces the need for wired connections and enables connectivity in metal environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used in ship interior, then communication simplicity is improved, but signal transmission reliability deteriorates due to metal bulkheads causing signal loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication simplicityVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces magnetic field communication as an intermediary transmission medium that can penetrate metal bulkheads. Instead of using traditional electromagnetic waves that are blocked by metal, the system uses magnetic fields generated by magnetic materials to transmit communication signals through the metal structures of the ship, thereby maintaining both simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the communication signal from traditional electromagnetic waves to magnetic fields. By utilizing magnetic field communication with magnetic materials, the system can transmit signals through metal bulkheads that would normally block electromagnetic waves, thus improving signal transmission reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If wired communication is used in ship interior, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to extensive communication lines required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication system with a magnetic field-based wireless communication system. Instead of physically connecting devices through communication lines that must be routed through the entire ship interior, the system uses magnetic fields to transmit signals, eliminating the need for extensive wiring while maintaining reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Area of stationary object

If wired communication is used throughout the entire internal space, then communication coverage is improved, but installation cost increases due to extensive communication lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverage areaVSAvoidinstallation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the extensive wired communication infrastructure with magnetic field communication devices that can be strategically placed. These devices generate magnetic fields that penetrate metal bulkheads and provide communication coverage throughout the ship interior, eliminating the need to install communication lines throughout the entire internal space while reducing installation costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field communication devices serve multiple functions: they generate magnetic fields for signal transmission, penetrate metal bulkheads, and provide wide-area coverage. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would otherwise require extensive wiring infrastructure, thereby reducing installation costs while maintaining comprehensive communication coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates easier establishment of a communication environment within ships with a simpler configuration and lower costs by integrating magnetic field communication with existing wireless and wired methods.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic material-based magnetic field communication, which enables communication through metal surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field communication: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4607809A1System and method for communicating in ship using magnetic field communication
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 SUNNY WAVE TECH CO LTD
  • EP4607809A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4607809A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4607809A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an onboard communication device and method. According to the present invention, by combining magnetic material-based magnetic field communication, which utilizes metal surfaces as a medium for communication, with existing wireless and wired communication methods, it enables wireless connections even in environments where wireless communication is not possible, such as the interior of a ship. This minimizes the need for wired connections and allows for the easy establishment of an onboard communication environment with a simpler configuration and lower costs. The invention provides an onboard communication system and method using magnetic material-based magnetic field communication that enables this.