Hybrid Power Circuit for Electronic Locks in Cold Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic lock systems face challenges with battery longevity, performance at low temperatures, and voltage delay issues due to the limitations of lithium-ion batteries and traditional double-layer 'super' capacitors, which affect the reliability and efficiency of power supply in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit that combines a primary Li-SOCl2 battery with a hybrid capacitor, where the battery provides energy during its useful life and the hybrid capacitor takes over after discharge, with a system controller managing the transition and restricting access based on charge state and temperature conditions to ensure continued operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a primary Li-SOCl2 battery is used as the power source, then battery longevity is improved, but performance at low temperatures deteriorates and voltage delay issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a Li-SOCl2 battery with a hybrid capacitor into a hybrid power system. The battery provides long-term energy storage while the capacitor delivers high instantaneous current during cold temperatures, resolving the contradiction between longevity and low-temperature performance. The system merges the advantages of both power sources to achieve reliable operation across varying conditions.
2Reliability
If a traditional double-layer 'super' capacitor (EDLC) is used, then performance at low temperatures is improved, but leakage currents are 20 times greater than hybrid capacitors and they cannot operate above 2.5 volts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional EDLC technology to hybrid capacitor technology, changing the fundamental parameters of the capacitor. Hybrid capacitors maintain low leakage currents (comparable to battery levels) while preserving good low-temperature performance and extending operational voltage range to 3.8V, thus resolving the contradiction between low-temperature performance and energy loss.
3Reliability
If the hybrid capacitor is used as backup power source, then voltage delay issues are overcome and battery level sensing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) as an intermediary component to manage the hybrid power system. The PMIC handles battery charging, capacitor charging/discharging control, voltage regulation, and battery level sensing, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture despite the added complexity of the hybrid configuration. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing intelligent control that maximizes the benefits of the hybrid system.
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 combination extends primary battery longevity, improves performance at low temperatures, and addresses voltage delay issues, enabling reliable operation of electronic locks even when the primary battery is depleted, while ensuring secure access through controlled hybrid capacitor usage.
Implementation Method 1
a hybrid capacitor (112) that is chargeable by the primary battery (110)
Implementation Method 2
a primary battery (110) made of a lithium-ion chemistry, and more specifically, this typically is a lithium chemistry battery... The Li-SOCl2 battery is used as the primary power source
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic lock that includes a hybrid capacitor in the power supply circuit that also includes a battery as the primary source of electrical power. A Li-SOCl2 battery is used as the primary power source, and the hybrid capacitor is used as a secondary (or backup) power source, and the power supply circuit disclosed herein overcomes many of the shortcomings of those two individual power sources. A proper combination of these two solutions is very complimentary in terms of delivering the power needs of electronic lock systems over a wide temperature range, operational conditions, and battery discharge states. The results obtained by use of this type of power supply circuit are increased primary battery longevity, increased performance at low temperatures, easier battery level sensing of the primary Li-SOCl2 cell, as well as overcoming the voltage delay that is present in primary batteries of this chemistry.