Energy Harvester Array Switching for Stable Wireless Implant Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless power transmission systems for body-implanted devices face inefficiencies in power generation and distribution due to misalignment and varying energy harvesting capabilities, leading to inconsistent current output and reduced operational reliability.
Innovation Solution
A power providing device that includes multiple energy harvester elements connected through switching elements to dynamically form series or parallel arrays, with a rectifier that adjusts its rectification path based on current output, ensuring optimal power delivery to a load by maximizing current and voltage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple energy harvester elements are connected in fixed configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but power delivery stability deteriorates under misalignment conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of energy harvester elements using switching elements that can change connection topology (series/parallel) based on real-time current output conditions. This allows the system to adapt to misalignment scenarios by dynamically adjusting the number and arrangement of active harvester elements, thereby maintaining power delivery stability without requiring a fixed complex configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (connection configuration, number of active elements) based on detected current output levels. When current output falls below thresholds, the controller activates additional harvester elements or reconfigures connections, effectively using parameter changes to maintain reliable power delivery under varying alignment conditions.
2Power
If the number of energy harvester elements is increased, then power generation capability is improved, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the energy harvesting system into multiple independently controllable segments (energy harvester elements with individual switching elements). Each segment can be independently activated or deactivated based on performance requirements, allowing the system to scale power capability by adding segments while maintaining manageable complexity through modular control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple energy harvester elements are designed with identical or similar structures and control mechanisms, allowing them to perform the same function. This universality simplifies the overall control logic despite having multiple elements, as each element follows the same activation criteria and control rules, reducing the complexity burden of having multiple components.
3Reliability
If dynamic reconfiguration of energy harvester arrays is implemented, then power delivery stability is improved, but rectifier control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control where the controller continuously monitors current output from energy harvester elements and adjusts the connection configuration accordingly. Current output serves as the feedback signal that triggers reconfiguration decisions, creating a closed-loop system that automatically maintains optimal power delivery without requiring complex predictive or open-loop control strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own output characteristics (current level) to automatically trigger reconfiguration actions. When current output drops below a threshold, the system self-corrects by activating additional elements or changing connection topology, eliminating the need for external intervention or complex centralized control algorithms.
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 stabilizes power delivery to implanted devices by dynamically adjusting energy harvester arrays and rectification paths, enhancing operational reliability and efficiency even under misalignment conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first energy harvester element configured to generate power in response to an external energy signal being received
Implementation Method 2
a first rectifier comprising one or more path switching elements configured to change a rectification path in response to the switching of the connection switching element
Data Source
AI summary
A power providing device is provided. The power providing device includes a first energy harvester element configured to generate power in response to an external energy signal being received, a connection switching element configured to switch a connection between the first energy harvester element and a second energy harvester element; and a first rectifier comprising one or more path switching elements configured to change a rectification path in response to the switching of the connection switching element, wherein the first rectifier is connected to the first energy harvester element to rectify the power generated by the first energy harvester element along the rectification path.