Wireless Vehicle Coupling Impedance Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless coupling technologies for vehicle interior electronic devices face challenges in efficiently transmitting both power and data due to impedance mismatches caused by environmental and design factors, leading to increased complexity and costs, and lack of standardization across different vehicle models and configurations.

Innovation Solution

A wireless coupling system using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology with a matching circuit that compensates for impedance deviations, allowing simultaneous data exchange and power transmission, and featuring a self-adjusting impedance matching circuit to maintain optimal signal quality and efficiency across varying conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired circuits are used to connect electronic devices to the vehicle, then reliable power supply and data transmission are achieved, but device complexity and weight increase due to complex wire layout and connectors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidwire layout complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based coupling system. The vehicle antenna and interior part antenna establish an electromagnetic coupling relationship that transmits both power and data signals without physical wire connections, thereby eliminating the complexity of wire layout and connectors while maintaining connection reliability.

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

2Device complexity

If wireless coupling is used for power transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but impedance mismatch occurs due to environmental factors and relative position variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection complexityVSAvoidsignal transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic impedance matching by making the matching circuit adjustable based on detected impedance conditions. The system continuously monitors the impedance of the wireless coupling channel and adjusts the matching circuit parameters accordingly to maintain optimal signal transmission quality despite environmental changes and position variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system detects the impedance characteristics of the wireless coupling channel and uses this information to adjust the matching circuit. This closed-loop control ensures that impedance mismatches are compensated in real-time, maintaining reliable signal transmission quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If dedicated wireless coupling designs are used for each vehicle model, then signal quality is maintained, but manufacturing costs and design efforts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal wireless coupling system that can be applied across different vehicle models and interior part configurations. The system uses adjustable impedance matching and adaptive tuning capabilities to accommodate variations in antenna positions and environmental conditions, eliminating the need for dedicated designs for each vehicle model while maintaining signal quality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter adjustment mechanisms that allow the wireless coupling system to adapt to different vehicle models and configurations by changing operational parameters such as frequency, power level, and impedance matching values. This flexibility enables a single design to serve multiple applications without requiring custom designs for each vehicle model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If NFC technology is used for wireless coupling, then EMC requirements are easily met, but power transmission capability is insufficient for feeding electronic devices

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEMC complianceVSAvoidpower transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the advantages of NFC technology (EMC compliance through short-range operation) with enhanced power transmission capability. By optimizing the electromagnetic coupling parameters and using adjustable impedance matching, the system achieves both EMC compliance and sufficient power transmission to feed electronic devices in interior parts.

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

The solution enables standardized wireless coupling for different vehicle models and configurations, ensuring high-quality signal transmission and power delivery while minimizing design and manufacturing complexities, allowing for adaptable use in various environments.

Implementation Method 1

a first-end antenna (102) with a theoretical first-end antenna impedance Z1ta at the transmission frequency... configured to operate at a radio frequency range emitted by the first-end antenna (102)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a matching circuit (15) with an impedance Zc... arranged to compensate any deviation from the theoretical first-end antenna impedance Z1ta, or from the theoretical second-end antenna impedance Z2ta

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpedance matching: Electrical Impedance Tomography

Data Source

PatentEP3447994B1Wireless coupling for coupling a vehicle with an electronic device disposed in an interior part of the vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 GRUPO ANTOLIN ING SAU
  • EP3447994B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3447994B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3447994B1 patent drawingFigure 6a~6b

AI summary

A wireless coupling for simultaneously communicating with a vehicle and feeding from said vehicle an electronic device (30) disposed in a vehicle interior part disposed inside the vehicle, by means of an NFC technology. It comprises a first-end powering transceiver (10) located in a fixed position within the vehicle, comprising: connection means (12) electrically connectable to a wiring system of the vehicle, a first end ECU (11), first-end RF transceiving means (14), a first-end EMC filter (16), and a first-end antenna (102) showing certain first-end impedance Zx. It also comprises a second-end powered transceiver (20, 20') configured to be disposed in a vehicle part in which said electronic device (30) is disposed. The second-end powered transceiver (20, 20') comprises second-end RF transceiving means (24) and a second-end antenna (202) showing certain second-end impedance Zy. The wireless coupling comprises a matching circuit (15) with an impedance Zc. The matching circuit (15) is connected to the first-end antenna (102) or to the second-end antenna (202), this first-end antenna (102) or second-end antenna (202), having a first-end antenna design impedance Z1da or a second-end antenna design impedance Z2da, respectively more inductive than the corresponding theoretical first-end antenna impedance Z1ta or than the theoretical second-end antenna impedance Z2ta, such that the combination of the design first-end antenna impedance Z1da or of the design second-end antenna impedance Z2da and the impedance ZC of the matching circuit (15) matches the theoretical first-end antenna impedance Z1ta or the theoretical second-end antenna impedance Z2ta·