Doorbell Power Manager Shunt for AC Threshold Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio/video (A/V) recording and communication doorbell systems face challenges in connecting to existing household AC power supplies due to excessive power consumption, leading to frequent inadvertent sounding of signaling devices, which is bothersome and undermines the system's effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a low-power-consumption A/V recording and communication doorbell system that uses a power manager to draw power from an AC source up to a threshold, supplementing with a battery when necessary, and includes a shunt to divert power only when the button is pressed, preventing inadvertent signaling device activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the A/V recording and communication doorbell draws sufficient power to operate continuously, then the camera and recording functions can operate without interruption, but the power consumption exceeds the threshold that causes the signaling device to sound inadvertently
Solution Approach 1:
A shunt is introduced as an intermediary component connected in parallel with the signaling device. The shunt has low impedance during normal operation to divert current away from the signaling device, preventing inadvertent activation. When the button is pressed, the shunt's impedance increases to allow current to flow through the signaling device for proper operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The impedance of the shunt is dynamically changed based on operational state. During normal operation, the shunt maintains low impedance to shunt current away from the signaling device. Upon button press detection, the shunt transitions to high impedance to allow sufficient current flow through the signaling device while still limiting total power consumption from the AC source.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the doorbell is connected to existing household AC power supply, then continuous operation is enabled, but the existing signaling device sounds frequently due to excessive power draw
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt acts as a current diversion intermediary that allows the system to draw continuous power from the AC supply while preventing harmful current flow through the signaling device during normal operation. The shunt redirects excess current away from the signaling device, eliminating inadvertent sounding while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of excessive current flow through the signaling device is extracted and removed from the system by introducing the parallel shunt path. The shunt captures and diverts the excess current that would otherwise trigger the signaling device, separating the power drawing function from the signaling function.
3Reliability
If a shunt is added to divert power, then inadvertent signaling is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shunt serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a current diversion path during normal operation, provides impedance control to prevent signaling device activation, and transitions to a high-impedance state to enable proper signaling when needed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
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
Enables connection to existing household AC power supplies without causing inadvertent sounding of signaling devices, allowing continuous camera operation and enhanced recording and motion detection capabilities, simplifying the design and increasing the system's compactness.
Implementation Method 1
an AC/DC rectifier
Implementation Method 2
a DC/DC converter
Implementation Method 3
a battery
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for an audio/video (A/V) recording and communication doorbell system comprising an A/V recording and communication doorbell comprising a camera, a speaker, a microphone, a power manager, a battery, an AC/DC rectifier, and a DC/DC converter. The A/V recording and communication doorbell is connected to an external AC power source through the AC/DC rectifier and the DC/DC converter. The power manager draws power, up to a threshold power as measured at an output of the DC/DC converter, from the external AC power source. It is determined that the power drawn from the external AC power source has reached the threshold power. The power manager draws supplemental power from the battery such that the power drawn from the external AC power source does not exceed the threshold power as measured at the output of the DC/DC converter. The application further relates to an A/V recording and communication doorbell system.