Wireless Gimbal Transceiver for Radar Antenna Flexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing gimbal systems for radar antennas, when used in vehicles, experience connection failures due to repeated flexing, leading to hazardous operating conditions as the wire connections wear out over time, potentially causing the radar system to fail.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a wireless communication system between a gimbal transceiver affixed to the moveable portion of the gimbal and a stationary transceiver, eliminating the need for physical connections that flex and risk damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wire connections are used to communicate signals between the moving radar antenna and the stationary base, then electrical connectivity is established, but the connections wear and fail due to repeated flexing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidservice life of wire connections

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. The gimbal transceiver and stationary transceiver communicate via electromagnetic signals, eliminating the physical cable that flexes and wears during gimbal movement. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable communication without the mechanical wear problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If physical cable connections are used for signal transmission, then electrical signals can be transmitted, but the cables are subject to mechanical stress and potential failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidmechanical stress on connections

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical cable system by implementing wireless electromagnetic communication between the moving radar antenna and stationary base. This removes the harmful mechanical stress factor while preserving the signal transmission capability through electromagnetic wave propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If wire connections are used to affix the device to the moveable portion, then the device is securely mounted, but the connections may fail due to repeated flexing during movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidconnection durability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection for both power and signal transmission with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. This eliminates the repeated flexing problem that causes wire failure during gimbal movement, while maintaining secure device mounting through the gimbal's mechanical structure alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7928895B2Systems and methods for communication to a gimbal mounted device

Publication Date: 2011.04.19 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A system and method wirelessly communicates signals between a device on a gimbal and a stationary transceiver. An exemplary system has a gimbal with a moveable portion, a device affixed to the moveable portion, a gimbal transceiver coupled to the moveable portion, and a stationary transceiver, wherein the gimbal transceiver and the stationary transceiver are configured to communicate with each other using a wireless signal.