Wireless Transducer for Rotary Shaft Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for measuring and monitoring mechanical speed variators face complications due to cable connections, which complicate installation, reduce reliability, and limit flexibility for expansion or additional sensor installations, especially in environments where cables can be damaged or in need of monitoring multiple speed variators.

Innovation Solution

A transducer device with an electromagnetic position sensor and a wireless communication module that includes a magnetic ring, pick-up coil, and microcontroller to measure angular position and transmit data wirelessly, eliminating the need for cables and enabling flexible expansion and monitoring of physical quantities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cable connections are used to connect sensors to the control unit, then the system can transmit data and power, but the installation becomes complicated and reliability reduces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the cable connection component from the system by implementing a wireless communication module that transmits data and power through electromagnetic fields, thereby removing the source of installation complexity and reliability issues associated with physical cables

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an electromagnetic wireless communication system, substituting physical contact-based data and power transmission with field-based transmission, thereby eliminating installation complications and improving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If cable connections are used to connect sensors to the control unit, then the system can function, but flexibility for expansion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the cable infrastructure from the system architecture, eliminating the physical constraints that limit expansion and making it easier to add new sensors or monitoring points without dealing with cable routing and connection complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication module provides a universal interface for data transmission that can accommodate multiple sensor types and expansion scenarios without requiring additional cable infrastructure, thereby enhancing system flexibility and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If cable connections are used, then power and data can be transmitted, but the cables can be damaged by moving organs in the surroundings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidcable damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the vulnerable cable component from the system, replacing it with a wireless communication module that transmits signals and power through electromagnetic fields, thereby eliminating the physical vulnerability to cable damage from moving organs or external factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical cable-based power and data transmission system with an electromagnetic wireless transmission system, replacing the physical medium that can be damaged with a field-based medium that is immune to mechanical damage from surrounding moving organs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a reliable, flexible, and cost-effective system for monitoring mechanical speed variators by eliminating cable connections and enabling real-time data transmission, improving installation ease and adaptability for multiple variators.

Implementation Method 1

a pick-up coil (10), which generates an electrical signal depending on the angular position of the shaft (3, 4) when the magnetic ring (9) rotates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3658876B1Transducer device for a rotary shaft of a machine
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 BONFIGLIOLI SPA
  • EP3658876B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3658876B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Transducer device for a rotary shaft of a machine, the transducer device (5, 6) having different sensors (8, 22, 23a, 23b) to detect physical quantities, among which there are an electromagnetic position sensor to detect the instantaneous angular position of the shaft (3, 4), a wireless communication module (24), a microcontroller (21) configured to measure the physical quantities through the sensors (8, 22, 23a, 23b) and control the wireless communication module (24) in order to transmit data concerning the measured physical quantities, and energy harvesting means (25), which is electrically connected to the position sensor (8) so as to self-power the transducer device (5, 6).