Dipole Energy Harvester Rectifier for Wide-Band RF Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy collection devices struggle to efficiently convert a wide range of radio waves and quasi-electrostatic fields into usable power, particularly at varying frequencies, and require complex connection switching circuits to optimize efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An energy collection device with a dipole antenna structure, incorporating a first antenna element in contact with industrial product metal or a human body, and a second antenna element, coupled with a rectifier circuit and a power storage capacitor, which includes a matching circuit with a low-pass filter to efficiently rectify energy across a wide frequency band without a connection switching circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a conventional rectifier circuit is used to convert radio wave energy into power, then the output voltage is limited to about 0.7 to 1.5 V, but it is difficult to obtain a high voltage for charging a battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a switching element that dynamically switches between different circuit configurations to achieve voltage multiplication. The switching element alternates between connecting the diode in different orientations and connecting/c disconnecting the capacitor, creating a dynamic circuit that multiplies the input voltage from 0.7-1.5V to a higher level suitable for battery charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the rectifier circuit by introducing a switching element that modifies the circuit topology. This allows the circuit to operate in different modes (rectification only vs. rectification with voltage multiplication), effectively changing the output voltage parameter from the conventional 0.7-1.5V range to a higher range suitable for battery charging.
2Productivity
If a connection switching circuit is added to optimize RF-to-DC conversion efficiency, then the conversion efficiency is maximized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage multiplication function with the rectification function into a single integrated circuit structure. The switching element and capacitor are combined with the diode-based rectifier to create a unified circuit that performs both voltage multiplication and rectification, eliminating the need for separate connection switching circuits and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rectifier circuit in the patent is designed to be multi-functional, serving both as a rectifier and a voltage multiplier. The switching element enables the circuit to adapt its configuration based on operating conditions, providing universal functionality that maximizes RF-to-DC conversion efficiency across different scenarios without requiring additional dedicated switching circuits.
3Power
If the antenna receives both radio waves and quasi-electrostatic fields across a wide frequency band, then the power reception is increased, but the rectifier circuit must handle a wide frequency range from low frequency leakage fields to high frequency radio waves
Solution Approach 1:
The switching element dynamically adjusts the circuit configuration to match the frequency characteristics of the input signal. For low-frequency quasi-electrostatic fields, the circuit operates in a configuration optimized for low-frequency rectification, while for high-frequency radio waves, it switches to a configuration optimized for high-frequency operation, enabling effective handling of the wide frequency range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the rectifier circuit through the switching element, which modifies the circuit's frequency response characteristics. By switching between different configurations, the circuit adapts its parameters to handle both low-frequency leakage fields and high-frequency radio waves effectively, maintaining high rectification efficiency across the entire frequency spectrum.
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 enhances power output by effectively converting both radio waves and quasi-electrostatic fields into usable power, overcoming frequency limitations and simplifying the rectification process.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna unit having a dipole structure, the antenna unit including a first antenna element that is in contact with an industrial product metal portion or a human body and functions as an antenna, and a second antenna element including a conductor, the antenna unit receiving electric field energy of a radio wave and a quasi-electrostatic field existing in space
Implementation Method 2
a rectifier circuit provided with a switching element that rectifies alternating current (AC) energy output from the antenna unit
Implementation Method 3
a power storage capacitor configured to store charge output from the rectifier circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An energy collection device that increases output power to be collected is provided. Provided is an energy collection device that includes: an antenna unit having a dipole structure, the antenna unit including a first antenna element that is in contact with an industrial product metal portion or a human body and functions as an antenna, and a second antenna element including a conductor, the antenna unit receiving electric field energy of a radio wave and a quasi-electrostatic field existing in space; a rectifier circuit provided with a switching element that rectifies alternating current (AC) energy output from the antenna unit; and a power storage capacitor configured to store charge output from the rectifier circuit, in which the power storage capacitor has a capacitance value of at least 1 μF or more in order to receive power in a low frequency band.