Vehicle Dock Connector With Wireless Data and Sealed Power Pins

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing docking stations for ruggedized tablets face challenges in maintaining robust power and data transfer in environments with vibrations, shocks, foreign debris, moisture, and other harsh conditions, which can lead to diminished electrical connections and data transfer quality.

Innovation Solution

A docking station design featuring a cradle assembly with a docking connector that includes power pins and guide pins for physical engagement, along with wireless radio technology for data communication, and a watertight seal to ensure reliable power and data transfer, even in rugged environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional docking connectors are used in vehicular environments, then power and data transfer can be established, but the connections become unreliable due to vibrations, shocks, and environmental exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidenvironmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a cushioning member positioned between the docking connector and the vehicle mounting structure. This cushioning member absorbs vibrations and shocks before they reach the electrical contacts, preventing connection instability and maintaining reliable power and data transfer in harsh vehicular environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible shells and thin films through the use of a seal member that creates an environmental barrier around the docking connector components. This seal protects the electrical contacts from moisture, dust, and other environmental contaminants, ensuring consistent connection reliability despite exposure to harsh conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pins are mounted on the connector surface to transfer power and data, then comprehensive functionality is achieved, but the connector becomes more susceptible to environmental damage and connection issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and data transfer capabilityVSAvoidelectrical connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member forms an environmental barrier that encloses the multiple power and data pins on the connector surface. This protective sealing allows the connector to maintain comprehensive power and data transfer functionality while shielding the numerous electrical contacts from moisture, dust, and contamination that would otherwise cause connection failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cushioning member protects the array of power and data pins by absorbing mechanical shocks and vibrations before they can displace or damage the electrical contacts. This enables the connector to maintain stable electrical connections for all pins simultaneously despite vehicular vibrations and handling shocks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the docking connector is exposed to environmental elements for easy access, then usability is improved, but foreign debris and moisture can damage the electrical contacts

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidforeign debris contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal member creates a protective barrier that prevents foreign debris and moisture from reaching the electrical contacts while allowing the docking connector to remain accessible for docking operations. The seal maintains this protective function without obstructing the docking interface, enabling easy operation while preventing contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 robust and reliable power and data transfer between the tablet and docking station, minimizing the impact of environmental factors like vibrations and moisture, ensuring consistent performance in harsh conditions.

Implementation Method 1

or may instead have a primary coil housed in the connector and no power pins on its surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8873233B2Vehicle dock for ruggedized tablet

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

A system and apparatus for robustly transferring power and data between a portable computing device, such as a ruggedized tablet, and a docking station is provided. The tablet and the docking station may each have a docking connector and a wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the docking station may transfer power to the tablet through electrical contacts of the docking connectors and may communicate data through the wireless communication devices. The docking station's docking connector may mount electrical contacts for transferring power and may mount few or no electrical contacts for transferring data. The tablet's docking connector may retain electrical contacts for transferring power and electrical contacts for transferring data. In some embodiments, all the electrical contacts for transferring data may be unused.