Inductive Sensor Energy Recovery for Ultra-Low Power Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inductive sensors face inefficiencies in energy usage, leading to shorter battery life and increased operational costs, particularly in ultra-low power applications where energy conservation is crucial.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a resonant circuit with an energy storage device that captures and stores oscillation energy during a relaxation phase, allowing for the use of stored electrical energy to operate the sensor, thereby conserving battery power and extending the sensor's operational time without an external energy supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inductive sensors are operated continuously to ensure accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor operates in periodic measurement cycles with distinct phases: a measuring phase where the resonant circuit is excited and evaluated for sensor signals, and a relaxation phase where oscillation energy is stored in an energy storage device. This periodic operation allows the sensor to achieve accurate measurements during the measuring phase while conserving energy during the relaxation phase, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing oscillation energy to dissipate during the relaxation phase, the invention recovers this energy by storing it in an energy storage device (such as a capacitor). The transfer device captures the oscillation energy from the resonant circuit during the relaxation phase and stores it for later use, effectively recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted and reducing overall energy consumption.
2Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend operational time, then duration of action is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers oscillation energy during the relaxation phase and stores it in an energy storage device, effectively creating a regenerative energy system. This approach extends battery life by recycling energy that would otherwise be wasted, rather than simply increasing battery capacity, thereby extending operational duration without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system serves itself by automatically recovering and storing its own oscillation energy during the relaxation phase. The transfer device and energy storage device work autonomously to capture and store energy, reducing the burden on the battery and extending operational time without requiring a more complex external energy supply system.
3Ease of operation
If external energy supply is removed to enable wireless operation, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers oscillation energy during the relaxation phase and stores it in an energy storage device, creating an energy recycling mechanism that reduces internal energy consumption. This allows the sensor to operate wirelessly without external power supply while maintaining energy efficiency through energy recovery, resolving the contradiction between ease of wireless operation and internal energy consumption.
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 approach enables energy-efficient operation of inductive sensors, particularly in ultra-low power devices, by storing oscillation energy during relaxation phases, which can be used to power the sensor, thus extending battery life and reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Implementation Method 1
an at least one resonant circuit (18), wherein in a measuring phase oscillations of the at least one resonant circuit (18) are evaluated for generating sensor signals
Implementation Method 2
in a relaxation phase of the at least one resonant circuit (18) oscillation energy of the at least one resonant circuit is stored in an energy storage device (44)
Data Source
AI summary
An inductive sensor is proposed which comprises at least one resonant circuit, an evaluation device which in a measuring phase evaluates oscillations of the at least one resonant circuit for generating sensor signals, an energy storage device, and a transfer device which in a relaxation phase of the at least one resonant circuit stores oscillation energy of the at least one resonant circuit in the energy storage device.