Wireless RF Control for DC Power Supply in Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control installations for vehicles and mobile homes with DC electrical units are cumbersome, require numerous cables, and lack energy efficiency, with known wireless solutions either not addressing energy consumption or being incompatible with DC power supplies.
Innovation Solution
A wireless control installation using radiofrequency signals and transducers to manage DC power supply for electrical units, eliminating the need for cables and utilizing renewable energy sources to power the control system, with a management system interposed between electrical units and the DC power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cableways are rigged up to link actuators to electrical units, then control functionality is achieved, but the structure is weakened and water infiltration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based control system with a wireless radiofrequency communication system. The emitter control device transmits control signals wirelessly to the receiver control device, eliminating the need for physical cableways that would compromise structural integrity while maintaining reliable control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radiofrequency signals as an intermediary medium to transmit control information between the emitter and receiver control devices. This intermediary enables control functionality without requiring direct physical connections through cableways, thus preserving structural strength.
2Ease of operation
If numerous cableways are installed in partitions or walls, then actuators can be connected to electrical units, but the partitions or walls are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical cable installation approach with wireless radiofrequency communication. The emitter control device and receiver control device communicate through radio signals, eliminating the need to drill holes or install cableways in partitions and walls, thereby maintaining their full structural strength while preserving control capability.
3Device complexity
If wireless control installation is used, then cableways are eliminated, but energy consumption increases due to power cell requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver control device is designed to harvest energy from the incoming radiofrequency signals to power its operation. This self-service approach allows the receiver to function without an external power cell, eliminating the continuous energy consumption issue while maintaining the simplified wireless installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiofrequency signals serve a dual function: they carry control information from the emitter to the receiver and simultaneously provide the energy needed to power the receiver's operation. This intermediary enables both control functionality and energy supply without requiring separate power sources.
4Power
If AC mains powering is used, then electrical units can be powered, but fuse type protection system is cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power supply parameter from AC mains to DC battery power, which is appropriate for vehicle applications. This parameter change eliminates the need for complex AC-compatible fuse protection systems, as simpler DC protection mechanisms can be used instead, reducing both complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC power supply system serves multiple functions: it powers the electrical units and integrates with the vehicle's existing electrical architecture. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate AC power infrastructure and associated protection systems, simplifying the overall design.
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 solution reduces energy consumption, simplifies installation, and allows for flexible rearrangement of electrical units without damaging the structure, while providing reliable and efficient control of DC power supplies.
Implementation Method 1
actuators each comprising a transducer in order to transform in real time a first form of external energy that it receives into another second form of energy that it generates on the basis of the first form of energy
Implementation Method 2
emitter control device comprising radiofrequency emission means and actuators each comprising a transducer in order to energize said radiofrequency emission means so as to control the emission of a radiofrequency signal
Data Source
AI summary
A control installation includes a DC power supply (4) able to power a plurality of electrical units (3), and a system (5) for managing the power supply to the electrical units (3). The installation also includes a transmitter control device (1) including radiofrequency transmission elements (10) and actuators (11) each including a transducer making it possible to control the transmission of a radiofrequency signal, and a receiver control device (2) making it possible to send to the management system (5), control signals, dependent on the radiofrequency signal or signals received, so as to activate or deactivate the power supply to at least one part of the electrical units (3). The invention also relates to a structure and a corresponding method of mounting.