Dynamic Energy Harvesting Controller for Variable Force Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy harvesting and variable force systems require multiple controllers, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies, with energy storage devices behaving greedily, impacting motor force and user experience in applications like door closers and exercise equipment.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic energy harvesting and variable force system that integrates a motor, boost converter, buck converter, power storage device, and controller to dynamically adjust harvesting force and energy storage, ensuring consistent user experience and self-sufficiency without relying on external power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple controllers are used to control each individual aspect (motor power, energy harvesting, energy storage, energy retrieval), then each aspect can be controlled precisely, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions (motor power control, energy harvesting control, energy storage control, and energy retrieval control) into a single integrated controller. This single controller manages all aspects of the system, reducing component count and system cost while maintaining the precision needed for each function through software or firmware control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated controller is designed to perform multiple functions: controlling motor input/output power, managing energy harvesting from user force, regulating energy storage in the battery, and controlling energy retrieval. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated controllers for each function.
2Productivity
If the energy storage device takes all available harvested energy as quickly as possible, then energy storage efficiency is maximized, but the motor force is impacted and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the energy harvesting rate based on real-time conditions. The controller monitors the motor's power needs and the user's applied force, modulating the energy harvesting to match system requirements. This dynamic control ensures that energy is harvested at an optimal rate that maintains motor force and user experience while still achieving efficient energy storage over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the motor's operational state and the energy storage device's charge level. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the energy harvesting rate to prevent excessive force application that would degrade user experience, while still maximizing overall energy storage efficiency through intelligent rate management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If energy harvesting is manually adjusted by the user based on RPM, then the system can be customized for individual users, but it creates a customized solution for each individual rather than a global solution
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the optimal energy harvesting rate based on the motor's RPM and power requirements without requiring manual user adjustment. The controller autonomously manages the energy harvesting process, adapting to different usage scenarios and user needs through its control algorithms, thereby providing a global solution that serves all users effectively without manual customization.
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 system provides a cost-effective and efficient solution by maintaining consistent harvesting force, optimizing energy storage, and enhancing user experience in door closer and exercise equipment applications, reducing reliance on external power and preventing component damage.
Implementation Method 1
a motor that applies a harvesting force
Implementation Method 2
a boost converter that increases a motor voltage to a boost voltage
Implementation Method 3
a power storage device that stores harvested energy
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.