Capacitor-Based Standby Power Management for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices in stand-by mode continue to consume significant power, and existing solutions like battery-powered signal receivers and capacitors face inefficiencies, particularly during activation from stand-by to ON mode and back, with potential failures when stored energy is depleted.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a microprocessor-controlled switching device and capacitor to manage energy supply, where the microprocessor decides between mains supply and stored capacitor energy for stand-by mode components, ensuring low power consumption and reliable activation from stand-by mode, with a capacitor storing energy during operation and providing it during stand-by for signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a battery or capacitor is used to supply power during stand-by mode, then energy consumption during stand-by is reduced, but the system fails to operate reliably when stored energy is depleted or during first-time activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary charging of the capacitor during normal operation mode, storing energy in advance for stand-by mode. The microprocessor monitors capacitor charge levels and preemptively activates charging circuits before energy depletion occurs, ensuring the system can reliably wake up from stand-by without failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The microprocessor continuously monitors the capacitor's charge level through feedback circuits and dynamically adjusts system operation. When charge drops below threshold levels, the system automatically initiates charging sequences or adjusts stand-by behavior, preventing energy depletion and ensuring reliable activation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If signal receiver components remain active during stand-by mode to detect remote commands, then user command detection capability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the signal reception function into two modes: a low-power listening mode during stand-by that detects only wake-up triggers, and a full reception mode activated when wake-up occurs. This segmentation allows the system to maintain basic command detection capability while dramatically reducing power consumption during stand-by.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal receiver operates in periodic cycles during stand-by mode, alternating between active listening intervals and deep sleep intervals. The microprocessor manages these periodic cycles, enabling the system to detect user commands while minimizing overall power consumption through duty-cycled operation.
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 system significantly reduces energy consumption during stand-by mode while ensuring reliable detection and activation of user commands, maintaining low power usage even when the device is first connected to the mains supply, and efficiently managing energy storage and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A capacitor (5) disposed in the electronic device provides the energy of those circuit components (2) receiving the signals (4) during stand-by mode
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for saving energy consumed by an electronic device during stand-by mode; the energy consumed by the electronic device under normal operating conditions is supplied by the mains supply according to the present invention. During stand-by mode, only those electronic components (1,2,4,7) are kept operative, which are to detect any user-transmitted activating signals, whereas the energy consumed by these components during stand-by mode is supplied by an energy storage unit (5), charged by the electronic device under normal operating conditions.