Wireless Sensor Display for Vehicle Coupling Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting and indicating the position of vehicle clutch components require significant installation effort and often rely on visual inspections, which can be cumbersome and prone to errors, especially under poor lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A self-sufficient device with remotely located sensor devices connected to a display unit, which can emit optical or acoustic signals, eliminating complex wiring and allowing for easy placement near inspection sites, and utilizing a separate voltage source for universal applicability, including batteries or electrokinematic generators, with sensors like mechanical or magnetic switches and an electronic evaluation unit for energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are connected to the display device in the driver's cab via cable sets, then signal transmission and energy supply are achieved, but the installation effort is great and the system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless communication system. Sensors transmit signals and receive energy wirelessly through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for physical cable sets connecting the sensors to the display device in the driver's cab. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable signal transmission while dramatically reducing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The display device is designed to serve multiple functions: it displays sensor information to the driver, provides visual warnings, and can be positioned at various locations on the vehicle. The wireless sensor system can detect multiple parameters (position, status, etc.) and transmit them universally to any display location, making the system adaptable to different installation scenarios without requiring new cable routing.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical shutter displays are used for visual inspection, then the display can be recognized under various lighting conditions, but the driver must perform manual visual inspection which is cumbersome and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback by having sensors continuously monitor component positions and status, then transmit this information to the display device. The display provides real-time feedback to the driver about the actual state of vehicle components, eliminating the need for manual visual inspection and reducing errors while maintaining reliability across different lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system performs self-service by automatically detecting and displaying component status without requiring the driver's active participation. The sensors and display device work autonomously to provide inspection information, freeing the driver from the cumbersome task of manual visual inspection while improving accuracy through consistent, error-free sensing.
3Ease of operation
If the display device is arranged in the driver's cab, then the driver can see the information, but complex wiring is required connecting the sensors to the display device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with wireless communication. Sensors transmit data and receive power wirelessly through electromagnetic fields, eliminating the need for complex cable routing between the sensors (which may be located near inspection points) and the display device (in the driver's cab). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining information accessibility while eliminating wiring complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a separate voltage source is integrated into the display device housing, then the device becomes universally applicable without vehicle wiring, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is designed as a self-contained unit with an integrated voltage source (battery or rechargeable battery), making it universally applicable to different vehicle types without requiring connection to the vehicle's electrical system. The device can be installed anywhere on the vehicle and operates independently, achieving universal applicability despite the increased internal complexity of housing the power source.
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
Facilitates easier and more reliable visual checks of clutch components without additional tools, reducing power consumption and extending the need for voltage source replacement, thereby enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors can be mechanical switches and/or magnetic switches. Reed switches are preferred. Inductive sensors, magnetic sensors, force sensors or pressure sensors can also be considered as sensors.
Implementation Method 2
The display device preferably has at least one optical display element arranged on the housing. This can e.g. Example, be a lamp, in particular an LED display.
Implementation Method 3
The separate voltage source, which is preferably arranged in the housing of the display device, also contributes to the universal applicability of the device according to the invention. Batteries, rechargeable batteries or e.g. B. electrokinematic generators can be used.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for detecting and for indicating the position of components of vehicle couplings comprising: a display device; a single voltage source, and; sensor devices. The indicating device (2) can be mounted on or adjacent to the vehicle coupling. At least two sensor devices (3a, b, c, d, e, f) are provided of which at least one sensor device is situated at a distance from the indicating device (2).