Dual Charging Circuit for Low-Temperature Battery Power Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular-based communication devices for hazardous locations fail to operate effectively below −20 degrees Centigrade, leading to communication failures and reduced battery life, which is inadequate for devices expected to operate for up to 20 years without battery replacement.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a communication device with a battery, a communication module, and a dual charging circuit system that includes a capacitor system and resistors, allowing power to be routed through different paths based on temperature thresholds, enabling efficient power supply and communication even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional cellular module is used for communication, then communication capability is achieved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power management by adjusting the communication module's power consumption based on operational conditions. The system transitions between different power states and optimizes transmission parameters to reduce average power consumption while maintaining communication reliability, thereby extending battery life from 8-10 years to 20 years.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key operational parameters including transmission power levels, sampling rates, and duty cycles to optimize the balance between communication performance and power consumption. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on environmental conditions and communication requirements, the system achieves reliable communication with minimal energy expenditure.
2Reliability
If a cellular module with high peak power consumption is used, then communication range and reliability improve, but battery capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic communication cycles with variable duty cycles, where the communication module activates intermittently rather than continuously. During active periods, it uses higher power for reliable transmission, then enters low-power sleep modes. This periodic operation pattern reduces the average power consumption and allows the use of smaller battery capacity while maintaining communication reliability.
3Temperature
If the communication device operates below −20 degrees Centigrade, then extended temperature range is achieved, but communication fails and battery life degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature-compensated parameter adjustments, where communication and power management parameters are dynamically modified based on detected temperature conditions. Below −20°C, the system adjusts transmission power, sampling rates, and timing parameters to compensate for increased signal attenuation and battery performance degradation, maintaining communication reliability across the extended temperature range.
4Reliability
If visual inspection by service personnel is used, then safety monitoring is achieved, but labor cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-monitoring system where the communication device autonomously tracks and reports its own operational status, including temperature, battery charge levels, and communication functionality. This eliminates the need for periodic manual visual inspections by service personnel, reducing labor costs and time consumption while maintaining continuous safety monitoring capability.
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 ensures reliable communication and extended battery life in extreme temperatures, meeting the operational requirements of devices like gas meters that need to function for decades without battery replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitor system between the battery and the communication module
Implementation Method 2
with at least one second resistor between the battery and the communication module
Data Source
AI summary
A communication device includes a battery, a communication module, a first charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, a fast charge signal, a second charging circuit between the battery and the communication module, and a control module configured to route power from the battery to the communication module via the second charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being enabled and to route the power via the first charging circuit in response to the fast charge signal being disabled.