Ambient Energy Harvesting Sensor With Dynamic Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices in commercial buildings face challenges with battery replacement and environmental damage due to harsh conditions, making them inefficient and costly, especially when deployed in difficult-to-access locations.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device powered by ambient energy sources, utilizing transducers to harvest solar, vibrational, thermal, and electromagnetic energy, with a dynamic power management system to prioritize energy distribution among components based on need and availability, eliminating the need for batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are placed in difficult-to-access locations to monitor building systems, then monitoring coverage is improved, but battery replacement becomes difficult and device reliability deteriorates due to harsh environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component from the sensor device, extracting the source of reliability problems. By eliminating the battery and its associated replacement needs, the device becomes more reliable in difficult-to-access locations while maintaining monitoring coverage through alternative power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device harvests its own power from the environment using transducers that convert ambient energy (thermal, vibrational, electromagnetic) into electrical energy. This self-powering capability eliminates the need for external battery replacement and ensures continuous operation in harsh conditions.
2Reliability
If sensors are powered by building electrical system in accessible locations, then power supply is reliable, but deployment flexibility is reduced and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device independently harvests power from ambient environmental sources using integrated transducers, eliminating dependence on building electrical infrastructure. This self-sufficiency enables flexible deployment in any location regardless of electrical accessibility while maintaining reliable power supply through continuous energy harvesting.
3Device complexity
If sensors use battery power, then device complexity is reduced, but environmental impact increases and operational cost rises due to battery replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the battery component from the sensor device, eliminating the source of environmental harm and operational costs associated with battery production, disposal, and replacement. The simplified design uses passive energy harvesting components with minimal environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, environmentally harmful batteries with inexpensive, sustainable energy harvesting components. The transducers and energy storage elements have extended lifespans and can be easily replaced or regenerated, reducing both cost and environmental impact.
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 device operates efficiently and sustainably, extending its lifespan and reducing environmental impact, while enabling deployment in hazardous areas without battery replacement needs.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer can be any type of transducer known in the art capable of converting energy from an ambient energy source into electrical energy, including, but not limited to, a thermal transducer
Implementation Method 2
The transducer can be any type of transducer known in the art capable of converting energy from an ambient energy source into electrical energy, including, but not limited to, a vibrational transducer
Implementation Method 3
The transducer can be any type of transducer known in the art capable of converting energy from an ambient energy source into electrical energy, including, but not limited to, an electromagnetic transducer
Data Source
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AI summary
A battery-less sensor device includes a sensor to sense an environmental condition, a power supply system, a memory, a communication device, and a processor. The power supply system includes energy harvesting devices to harvest energy from ambient energy sources for powering one or more components of the sensor device, and an energy storage device to store harvested energy. The memory stores sensor data associated with the environmental condition sensed by the sensor. The communication device transmits the sensor data to a BMS or remote device. The processor is configured to dynamically select one or more energy sources from the ambient energy sources to power one or more components of the sensor device according to an availability of energy from the ambient energy sources and/or an energy consumption requirement of the one or more components of the sensor device, and to control supply of power to the one or more components.