Watercraft Power-Line Data Transmission With Reduced Wiring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for data transmission on watercraft require extensive special data connections and wiring, leading to increased complexity and effort in connecting electrical components, especially over long distances.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize the power supply network for both power distribution and data transmission, reducing the need for additional special data connections by modulating data signals onto the power supply network, thereby simplifying the connection of electrical components and minimizing manual effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate special data connections are used for data transmission, then data communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and wiring effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines power supply function and data transmission function into a single power supply network. The power lines serve dual purposes: delivering electrical power and carrying modulated data signals. This eliminates the need for separate special data connections, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining communication reliability through the integrated network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply network is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. Besides its primary function of power distribution, the network also serves as a data transmission medium. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate systems needed, simplifying the overall device architecture and reducing wiring effort.

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

2Loss of information

If dedicated data connections are provided for all components, then data transmission quality is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data transmission capabilities into the existing power supply infrastructure. By modulating data signals onto the power lines, the system eliminates the need for additional dedicated data wiring during manufacturing. This approach maintains data transmission quality while significantly improving ease of manufacture, as no separate data connection installation is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple special data connections are used, then data communication capability is improved, but loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication capabilityVSAvoidwiring material
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply network is designed to handle both power distribution and data transmission, eliminating the need for additional wiring material. The existing power lines carry both electrical energy and modulated data signals, reducing substance loss by avoiding redundant wiring while maintaining full data communication capability across all connected devices.

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

4Device complexity

If power supply network is used for data transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but electromagnetic radiation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidelectromagnetic radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harmful effect of electromagnetic radiation into a beneficial feature by using the same power supply network for both power delivery and data transmission. The modulated signals on the power lines utilize the existing electromagnetic field infrastructure, reducing the need for additional radiating components while maintaining data communication capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This approach reduces the number of special data connections and coupling points, lowers electromagnetic radiation, and ensures efficient data transmission with automatic residual current monitoring, while allowing for bidirectional communication and redundancy in data exchange.

Implementation Method 1

The power supply network is used for supplying power to electrical consumer modules

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

utilize the power supply network for both power distribution and data transmission, reducing the need for additional special data connections by modulating data signals onto the power supply network

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP3847760B1Method and device for data transmission on board a watercraft
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYST GMBH
  • EP3847760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3847760B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3847760B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for data transmission on board a water vehicle using an onboard power supply system (20.1, 20.2). A central control unit (10) generates an instruction for a first consumer module (4.3, 4.5). The instruction is transmitted from the central control unit to a first head station (3.1) via a first control unit - head station data connection (21.1, 21.2). The first head station (3.1) converts the instruction into an instruction signal which can be transmitted via the power supply system (20.1, 20.2). The instruction signal is transmitted from the first head station (3.1) to a first coupling module (4.4) via a first head station - power line data connection (21.4), via the power supply system (20.1, 20.2) and via a first coupling module - power line data connection (21.10). The first coupling module (4.4) produces another instruction from the instruction signal, which can be transmitted via a data connection. The instruction is transmitted from the first coupling module (4.4) to the first electrical consumer module (4.3, 4.5) via a first coupling module - consumer data connection (21.6, 21.7).