Truck-Trailer Connector Assembly for Shielded 5 Gb/s Wireless Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle communication systems face challenges in providing reliable and secure high-speed data communication between mechanically connected vehicles, such as trucks and trailers, with existing solutions often suffering from performance degradation during connection/disconnection cycles and vulnerability to electromagnetic interference.

Innovation Solution

A wireless communication system with enclosed wireless communication modules within a connector assembly housing, utilizing electromagnetic shielding and maintaining a proximity of less than 5 cm between modules to establish a high-speed wireless link with bandwidth of at least 5 Gb/s, while allowing for easy connection and disconnection without direct wired connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired connections are used for data communication between vehicles, then connection reliability is improved, but performance degradation occurs during connection/disconnection cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidperformance during connection/disconnection cycles
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system using electromagnetic fields. The wireless communication modules transmit data without physical contact, eliminating wear and performance degradation associated with repeated connection and disconnection cycles of wired systems.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If wired connections are used for data communication between vehicles, then data transfer stability is improved, but vulnerability to electromagnetic interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer stabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes electromagnetic wireless communication for wired electrical connections. By using radio frequency electromagnetic waves instead of electrical signals through cables, the system achieves immunity to electromagnetic interference that plagues wired systems, while maintaining stable data transfer through protocol-level error correction and retransmission mechanisms.

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

3Speed

If wireless communication modules are placed in close proximity, then communication speed is improved, but electromagnetic interference between modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference between modules
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the transmit and receive functions into distinct wireless communication modules positioned at opposite ends of the connector assembly. This spatial separation, combined with directional antenna design and frequency division multiplexing, allows close proximity placement for high-speed communication while minimizing electromagnetic interference between transmitting and receiving modules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If wireless communication is implemented between vehicles, then ease of connection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of connectionVSAvoidwireless communication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the wireless communication modules directly into the existing connector assembly housing, combining multiple functions (mechanical connection, electrical connection, and wireless communication) into a single integrated unit. This integration simplifies the overall system by eliminating separate wireless communication components and reducing the number of discrete parts that need to be managed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reliable, high-speed wireless communication with reduced power consumption and enhanced security by minimizing electromagnetic interference, supporting multiple connection/disconnection cycles and adhering to regulatory standards.

Implementation Method 1

The first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module are configured to establish a wireless communication link therebetween

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

enables reliable, high-speed wireless communication with reduced power consumption and enhanced security by minimizing electromagnetic interference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentEP4176599B1Connector assembly for high-speed wireless communication between vehicles
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4176599B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4176599B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4176599B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A wireless communication system for communication between a truck and a trailer includes a connector assembly coupled between the truck and the trailer. The connector assembly includes a connector assembly housing. The wireless communication system further includes a first wireless communication module coupled to electronic circuitry in the truck. The wireless communication system further includes a second wireless communication module coupled to electronic circuitry in the trailer. The first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module are disposed within the connector assembly housing. The first wireless communication module and the second wireless communication module are configured to establish a wireless communication link therebetween.