Boost Converter Impedance Matching for Energy Harvesting Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boosting switching electric power source apparatuses face inefficiencies in power transmission due to mismatched impedances between energy harvesting sources and switching electric power source apparatuses, particularly in low-power and unstable environments, leading to decreased efficiency and ineffective boosting operations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a voltage conversion unit that adjusts the input impedance of the switching electric power source apparatus to match the output impedance of the energy harvesting source by converting the input voltage, using passive or active circuits to ensure closer impedance values, thereby enhancing power transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional boosting switching electric power source apparatus is used, then the structure is simple, but the power transmission efficiency decreases due to impedance mismatch between energy harvesting sources and the switching electric power source apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage conversion unit as an intermediary component between the energy harvesting source and the switching electric power source apparatus. This unit converts the input voltage to adjust the input impedance, enabling impedance matching without requiring complex control circuits. The voltage conversion unit acts as a mediator that resolves the impedance mismatch problem while maintaining relative system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the voltage parameter through the voltage conversion unit to achieve impedance matching. By converting the input voltage to a different level, the input impedance of the switching electric power source apparatus is adjusted to match the output impedance of the energy harvesting source, thereby improving power transmission efficiency without complex control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the input impedance is not matched to the output impedance, then the system structure remains simple, but the boosting operation becomes ineffective in low-power and unstable environments
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage conversion unit serves as a straightforward intermediary that provides impedance matching functionality. Rather than implementing complex adaptive impedance matching circuits, the patent uses this dedicated voltage conversion stage to reliably match impedances, ensuring effective boosting operations in low-power and unstable environments while keeping the overall system structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage conversion unit performs impedance matching as a preliminary action before the main boosting operation. By pre-adjusting the input voltage to achieve impedance matching, the system ensures optimal conditions for subsequent boosting operations, particularly in low-power environments where effective power transfer is critical.
3Loss of energy
If impedance matching is implemented through complex control circuits, then power transmission efficiency improves, but the power consumption increases due to self-consumption of output power
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage conversion unit provides a passive impedance matching mechanism that does not require active control circuits. By using this intermediary voltage conversion stage, the system achieves improved power transmission efficiency without the need for power-consuming control circuits that would otherwise be required for active impedance matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage conversion unit implements impedance matching through simple voltage transformation rather than expensive and power-consuming active control circuits. This approach uses a straightforward, low-cost voltage conversion mechanism that achieves the desired impedance matching without significant power consumption, avoiding the need for complex feedback and control systems.
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 approach allows for highly efficient power supply systems that maintain high efficiency even in low-power and unstable environments by minimizing impedance mismatch, reducing power consumption, and ensuring effective boosting operations without self-consumption of output power.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage conversion unit (42) that outputs a converted voltage Vin2 based on an input voltage Vin supplied from the energy harvesting electric power source (12), wherein an input impedance of the switching electric power source apparatus (20) and an output impedance of the energy harvesting electric power source (12) have close values
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electric power supply system comprising: an energy harvesting electric power source; and a switching electric power source apparatus which boosts an input voltage supplied from the energy harvesting electric power source for an output, where the switching electric power source apparatus has: an input terminal; an output terminal; a coil; a first switch; a diode; a capacitor; a voltage conversion unit which outputs a converted voltage that is based on the input voltage; and a switch control circuit which outputs a signal having a frequency corresponding to the converted voltage and driving the first switch, where the voltage conversion unit converts the input voltage such that an output impedance of the energy harvesting electric power source and an input impedance of the switching electric power source apparatus have closer values than in a case where the input voltage is inputted to the switch control circuit.