Wireless Image Capture Assembly for Vehicle Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera systems for vehicles and buildings require inconvenient and difficult maintenance due to the need for battery exchange or recharging, especially when mounted in hard-to-reach locations, and often require physical penetration of panels for power and signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A wireless image capture assembly with two modules, where one module captures images and transmits signals, and the other module provides power wirelessly, eliminating the need for a local power source and physical connections, allowing for easy attachment and maintenance without penetrating panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a local power source (battery) is provided in the image capture module, then the module can operate independently, but maintenance becomes difficult when mounted in hard-to-reach locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical connection system (batteries, cables, physical power sources) with a wireless electromagnetic field-based power transmission system. The power is transmitted through electromagnetic coupling between a transmitter in the building and a receiver in the vehicle-mounted camera module, eliminating the need for physical access to replace or recharge batteries.
2Reliability
If physical connections are made through panels, then power and signals can be transmitted reliably, but the panel must be penetrated which creates water ingress risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes physical cable connections that penetrate panels with wireless electromagnetic signal and power transmission. This allows reliable communication and power delivery without creating openings in the vehicle body or building panels, thereby eliminating water ingress pathways while maintaining system reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the image capture assembly is mounted on the outside of vehicles or buildings, then it can capture external images, but access for maintenance becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for physical access to the mounted device by using wireless power and data transmission. The camera module can be optimally positioned on exterior surfaces for best imaging coverage without compromise on maintainability, since all power and communication functions are transmitted wirelessly through electromagnetic fields from ground-based units.
4Ease of manufacture
If wireless communication is used for data transmission, then installation is simplified, but power transmission over distance becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power transmission and data communication functions into a unified wireless electromagnetic transmission system. Both power and control signals are transmitted through the same electromagnetic channel from the building-mounted unit to the vehicle-mounted camera, simplifying installation while providing sufficient power over the transmission distance through optimized electromagnetic coupling.
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
Enables easy installation and maintenance of camera systems on vehicles and buildings by providing power and signal transmission wirelessly, reducing costs and avoiding water ingress risks, while simplifying the installation process and eliminating the need for physical penetration of panels.
Implementation Method 1
a first receiver for wirelessly receiving power from the second module
Implementation Method 2
a second transmitter for transmitting power wirelessly to the first receiver of the first module
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An image capture assembly (1) is provided that comprises a first module (2) and a second module (3). The first module (2) comprises an image capture device (9), a first transmitter (13) for transmitting signals from the image capture device (9) and a first receiver (11) for receiving power wirelessly from the second module (3) . The second module (3) comprises a second transmitter (15) for transmitting power wirelessly to the first receiver (11) of the first module (2) and a second receiver (16) for receiving signals from the image capture device (9).