Contactless Energy Transmission via Stranded Wire Capacitive Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contactless energy transmission systems are complex and costly, particularly in achieving efficient data transmission without the need for additional infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A contactless energy transmission arrangement using a primary conductor with stranded wires, where data transmission is facilitated through capacitive coupling with coupling elements having perpendicular surfaces, allowing signal voltages to be coupled in and out, leveraging the existing AC power source and conductor design for cost-effective and high-frequency data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If separate coupling means are used for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the primary conductor serve dual functions: energy transmission through its inductive coupling capability and data transmission through its capacitive coupling capability. The primary conductor acts as both the power carrier and the data carrier, eliminating the need for separate data transmission infrastructure and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining full data transmission capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the energy transmission function and data transmission function into a single integrated system using the same primary conductor. By combining both functions into one infrastructure, the system avoids the complexity of maintaining separate conductors or coupling means for each function, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If additional lines are added for data transmission, then data transmission reliability is improved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The primary conductor is designed to perform both energy transmission and data transmission functions simultaneously. This multi-functional approach ensures reliable data transmission without requiring additional dedicated data lines, thereby maintaining reliability while avoiding the increased complexity that would result from adding separate infrastructure.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If non-insulated stranded wires are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but data transmission capability is lost or severely limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddata transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies electrical insulation selectively and locally - each individual stranded wire within the bundle is insulated, but the insulation requirements are tailored to the specific capacitive coupling needs rather than requiring complete insulation of the entire conductor bundle. This local quality approach enables data transmission through capacitive coupling while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the stranded wires by applying insulation, which transforms them from conductive contacts to capacitive coupling elements. This parameter change enables the wires to function as data transmission carriers through capacitive coupling, allowing data transmission capability to emerge from the insulated stranded wire structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If simple coupling elements are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but signal coupling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsignal coupling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric coupling surface orientations with normal directions perpendicular to each other, creating an optimized capacitive coupling geometry that enhances signal coupling efficiency. This asymmetric arrangement maximizes the coupling between the coupling elements and the primary conductor while maintaining simple, manufacturable structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of the coupling surfaces with perpendicular orientations, adding a dimensional aspect to the coupling geometry. This spatial optimization enhances the capacitive coupling efficiency by maximizing the electric field interaction between the coupling elements and the primary conductor, achieving high signal coupling with simple structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables simple, inexpensive, and high-data-rate contactless data transmission with minimal additional components, utilizing the existing energy transmission infrastructure, and achieving a high signal-to-noise ratio with efficient power transfer.

Implementation Method 1

a first coupling element which is capacitively coupled to the stranded wires of the forward conductor in such a way that signal voltages can be coupled in and/or out into the stranded wires of the outgoing conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

the primary conductor, which is present anyway for energy transmission and is supplied with alternating current of at least 10 kHz

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAlternating current: Alternating Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2540004B1Arrangement for transmitting energy without contact
Publication Date: 2018.07.25 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2540004B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2540004B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2540004B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for transmitting energy without contact, wherein a primary conductor can be fed electrically from an alternating current source, wherein the primary conductor comprises a feed conductor and a return conductor, the first end of each conductor being connected to a respective potential of the alternating current source and the other end of each conductor being connected to the respective other end of the other conductor. At least one carriage that can be moved along the primary conductor is provided and a means for transferring data is provided on the carriage. The feed conductor and the return conductor are each composed of individual stranded wires that are electrically insulated from each other. The means for transferring data has a first coupling element, which is capacitively coupled to the stranded wires of the feed conductor in such a way that signal voltages can be coupled into and/or out of the stranded wires of the feed conductor, wherein the means for transferring data has a second coupling element, which is capacitively coupled to the stranded wires of the return conductor in such a way that signal voltages can be coupled into and/or out of the stranded wires of the return conductor.