Dual Source Elevator Lighting with Supercapacitor Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Battery-powered lighting systems in remote and harsh environments face limitations in lifespan, durability, and power consistency, leading to safety concerns and increased maintenance challenges, especially in areas like wind turbines and elevator shafts where access is infrequent and maintenance is costly and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A dual source lighting system that incorporates a supercapacitor and electronic circuit to provide backup power, where the electronic circuit distributes energy from a primary power source to both the light source and the supercapacitor, allowing the supercapacitor to take over in case of power failure, ensuring continuous lighting according to safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery-powered lighting systems are used in remote environments, then lighting can be provided in locations without access to main power sources, but the systems suffer from limited lifespan, reduced durability in harsh conditions, and increased maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power source into two separate components: a primary power source (battery) and a secondary power source (supercapacitor). This segmentation allows each component to specialize - the battery provides long-term energy storage while the supercapacitor handles short-term power demands and backup, thereby improving overall system reliability without extending battery lifespan
Solution Approach 2:
The supercapacitor acts as an intermediary between the battery and the lighting system. It absorbs power surges and provides immediate backup power when needed, protecting the battery from stress and extending its effective operational life while ensuring continuous lighting
2Adaptability or versatility
If batteries are used in cold environments, then lighting can be provided in outdoor and remote locations, but the battery capacity decreases and the system requires warm-up time before proper discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The supercapacitor is pre-charged during normal operation when the battery is providing power. In cold environments, this pre-charged supercapacitor can immediately provide power without requiring warm-up time, while the battery continues to charge the supercapacitor as conditions allow
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing a supercapacitor that operates effectively across a wider temperature range. The supercapacitor's electrical properties remain more stable in cold conditions compared to battery chemistry, allowing the system to maintain power delivery capability where traditional batteries fail
3Duration of action of moving object
If rechargeable batteries are used to extend operational duration, then lighting can be provided for longer periods, but charging times increase and the number of recharge cycles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic charging of the supercapacitor from the battery during normal operation. This periodic energy transfer allows the supercapacitor to be rapidly recharged multiple times without the long charging cycles required by batteries, extending the effective operational duration while minimizing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on the battery to provide all power continuously, the system uses partial battery discharge to charge the supercapacitor, which then provides excessive or surge power when needed. This partial use of battery capacity extends its life while the supercapacitor handles peak demands
4Reliability
If multiple battery-powered lighting systems are installed in inaccessible locations, then comprehensive lighting coverage is achieved, but maintenance becomes more difficult, less practical, and more costly
Solution Approach 1:
The supercapacitor provides self-service backup functionality, automatically taking over when the battery fails without requiring human intervention. This extends the time between maintenance visits to inaccessible locations, making the system more self-sufficient and reducing maintenance burden
Solution Approach 2:
The supercapacitor serves as a cushion or buffer against battery failure. By having this backup power source already in place beforehand, the system can withstand battery failures until the next maintenance visit, effectively cushioning against the inconvenience of inaccessible locations
5Ease of manufacture
If traditional batteries are transported to remote locations, then power supply is established, but transportation and shipment costs increase due to airline and carrier restrictions on battery types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the supercapacitor from the traditional single-battery system, creating a hybrid power system. The supercapacitor's different transportation regulations and physical properties allow for more flexible and potentially cheaper shipping arrangements compared to large-capacity lithium batteries, reducing transportation costs while maintaining deployment 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
The dual source lighting system significantly enhances reliability and safety by providing a durable and long-lasting backup power solution, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring consistent lighting even in harsh conditions, with supercapacitors offering longer lifespan and faster charging compared to traditional batteries.
Implementation Method 1
a housing unit installed in the elevator cabin, the housing unit containing a supercapacitor
Implementation Method 2
At least one light source may be an LED
Data Source
AI summary
Elevator systems, methods, and devices comprising dual source light systems are described herein. Such elevator systems may be associated with or located within wind turbines and wind turbine towers. In embodiments, an elevator cabin may comprise a dual source light system further comprising at least one light source, a supercapacitor unit, an electronic circuit electrically connected to the at least one light source and the supercapacitor, and a housing unit. The dual source light system can receive energy from an external power source, convert one or more characteristics of the energy, e.g., voltage or current, and distribute the energy to the at least one light source. Any excess energy can be used to charge the supercapacitor such that when energy from the external power source is insufficient to power the at least one light source, such as during an outage, the electronic circuit draws energy from the charged supercapacitor.