Charging Station Unlocking Circuit Using Residual Power-Off Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing unlocking logic for charging stations becomes complicated when the auxiliary power supply is cut off, requiring a standby power supply and power failure detection circuit to unlock the electronic lock, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An unlocking circuit for a charging station that includes a first signal processing circuit, a second signal processing circuit, and an action execution circuit, which receive and convert signals from the microcontroller unit to automatically unlock the electronic lock without the need for a standby power supply or power failure detection circuit, simplifying the unlocking control logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standby power supply and power failure detection circuit are used to unlock the electronic lock when auxiliary power supply is cut off, then the electronic lock can be unlocked reliably, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the standby power supply and power failure detection circuit from the system. Instead of adding these components, the invention uses the existing main power supply's residual energy in the capacitor to directly drive the unlocking circuit, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining unlocking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own residual energy in the capacitor to perform the unlocking function when power is cut off, without requiring external standby power supply. The capacitor that is already part of the power supply circuit serves the dual purpose of normal operation and emergency unlocking.
2Reliability
If a standby power supply and power failure detection circuit are added to enable unlocking when auxiliary power supply is cut off, then the unlocking function is ensured, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for expensive standby power supply components and power failure detection circuits by utilizing the existing capacitor in the power supply circuit to provide sufficient energy for unlocking without additional hardware costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing capacitor in the power supply circuit is made multi-functional, serving both normal operation and emergency unlocking functions, thereby eliminating the need for separate standby power supply components and reducing manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If the MCU responds to power failure detection circuit signals to perform unlocking control, then the electronic lock can be unlocked when auxiliary power supply is cut off, but the control logic becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking circuit operates autonomously using residual capacitor energy without requiring MCU intervention or complex control logic. The circuit automatically detects power failure and executes unlocking through simple voltage threshold detection and relay activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex software-based MCU control logic with a simple hardware-based automatic control circuit that uses voltage detection and relay switching to achieve unlocking, eliminating the need for complicated control programming.
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 solution simplifies the unlocking control logic, reduces costs, and eliminates the need for a power failure detection circuit and standby power supply, while automatically unlocking the electronic lock when the auxiliary power supply is cut off.
Implementation Method 1
The first signal processing circuit is configured to: receive a first level signal outputted by a first output control terminal of a microcontroller unit when an auxiliary power supply of the charging station is cut off; and generate, based on to the first level signal, a first control signal for unlocking an electronic lock
Implementation Method 2
The second signal processing circuit is configured to: receive a second level signal outputted by a second output control terminal of the microcontroller unit when the auxiliary power supply is cut off; and generate, based on the second level signal, a second control signal, wherein the second control signal comprises information about action effectiveness of the electronic lock
Implementation Method 3
The action execution circuit is configured to receive the first control signal and the second control signal, and respond to the first control signal and the second control signal to unlock the electronic lock
Data Source
AI summary
An unlocking circuit for a charging station when powered off is provided. A microcontroller unit outputs a first level signal and a second level signal when an auxiliary power supply is cut off. A first signal processing circuit receives the first level signal and converts the first level signal into a first control signal for unlocking an electronic lock. A second signal processing circuit receives the second level signal and converts the second level signal into a second control signal including information about action effectiveness of the electronic lock. An action execution circuit receives the first control signal and the second control signal, and responds to the first control signal and the second control signal to unlock the electronic lock.