Wireless Drive Connector Structure for EMI Isolation and Mating Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current data transfer and storage solutions for agricultural equipment lack efficient wireless communication and durable connectivity, particularly in harsh environments, and existing connectors do not adequately protect circuitry from mechanical forces during mating.
Innovation Solution
A wireless drive unit with a thermally and electrically conductive housing, a multi-band antenna, and a rotatable connector structure that includes a non-conductive housing, a ground clip, and a coiled cable, providing electromagnetic isolation and mechanical protection while enabling 360-degree rotation and secure data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector is designed to be mechanically free-moving to protect circuitry from mating forces, then reliability is improved, but electrical connection stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two independent parts: a mechanically free-moving protective connector that absorbs mating forces, and a fixed core assembly structure that maintains stable electrical connections. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective connector acts as an intermediary between the external mating forces and the core assembly containing the circuitry. It absorbs and isolates mechanical stresses, preventing them from reaching the electrical components while maintaining electrical continuity through its free-moving design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication components are integrated into agricultural equipment, then adaptability is improved, but susceptibility to electromagnetic interference worsens
Solution Approach 1:
A non-conductive housing serves as an intermediary barrier between the wireless communication components (antenna and circuit board) and the conductive ground plane. This housing isolates the RF signals from electromagnetic interference generated by the ground plane and other conductive structures in the agricultural equipment.
3Reliability
If thermal management is implemented for wireless communication components, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure combines multiple functions: it provides mechanical support, electromagnetic isolation through non-conductive material, and thermal management through integrated heat sinks. By merging these functions into a single structural element, the design avoids adding separate complex thermal management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat sinks are designed to passively dissipate heat from the wireless communication components through their inherent thermal conductivity and surface area, without requiring active cooling systems, fans, or external power. The structure serves its own thermal management needs.
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 reliable wireless communication and data transfer between agricultural equipment and computing devices, enhancing durability and longevity by minimizing force applied to circuitry during connector mating and providing effective thermal management and antenna performance in compact form factors.
Implementation Method 1
The thermally and electrically conductive housing is disposed between the first integrated circuit and the at least one second integrated circuit to electromagnetically isolate the first integrated circuit from the second integrated circuit.
Implementation Method 2
The coiled cable is arranged to receive forces applied to mate the connector with the connector of the vehicle or the agricultural implement, and the forces are not applied to the circuit board.
Implementation Method 3
at least one ground clip coupled to the thermally and electrically conductive housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
In an embodiment, the disclosed technologies include an apparatus for storing data and communicating data between a vehicle or an agricultural implement and a computing device. Embodiments include a non-conductive housing, an antenna coupled to the non-conductive housing, an integrated circuit coupled to the antenna, a thermally and electrically conductive housing coupled to the integrated circuit, at least one ground clip coupled to the thermally and electrically conductive housing, at least one other integrated circuit coupled to the at least one ground clip, a memory coupled to the other integrated circuit and arranged to at least temporarily store digital communications between a vehicle or an agricultural implement and the computing device, and a connector communicatively coupled to the memory and arranged to mate with a connector of the vehicle or the agricultural implement.