Light Activated Power Indicator for Battery State of Charge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-cell indicators for electrical storage devices require cumbersome user interaction and have short operational life due to continuous power usage, making them inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A light-activated power indicator with a receptor circuit and light-sensitive device that only powers the indicator when exposed to specific wavelengths, minimizing power consumption and extending operational life by activating only when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the indicator is continuously powered to display state of charge information, then the user can easily observe the battery status, but the operational life of the indicator is shortened due to continuous power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator is designed to operate periodically rather than continuously. It activates only when light is detected (indicating user presence) and remains inactive otherwise, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining usability when needed
2Duration of action of moving object
If the indicator is activated only when light is detected, then power consumption is reduced and operational life is extended, but the indicator may not be visible in dark conditions when users need to check battery status
Solution Approach 1:
A light-sensitive device acts as an intermediary between the user's presence (detected via light) and the indicator activation. This intermediary triggers the indicator only when appropriate conditions are met, optimizing both power usage and user convenience
3Device complexity
If traditional on-cell indicators are used requiring button presses and battery removal, then the indicator can be simple in design, but the user interaction becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system serves itself by automatically detecting user presence through light sensing and activating without requiring manual button presses or battery removal. This self-service mechanism eliminates cumbersome user interactions while maintaining simple overall design
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 solution provides a convenient and energy-efficient way to indicate the state of charge of electrical storage devices, extending the indicator's operational life and reducing unnecessary power drain, thus enhancing user experience and device longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a light sensitive device having electrical characteristics that change when the light sensitive device is exposed to one or more wavelengths lying within a response spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A light activated power indicator includes an indicator and a receptor circuit with a light sensitive device electrically connected to the indicator. The light activated power indicator further includes a first terminal electrically coupled to a first end of the receptor circuit and a second terminal electrically coupled to a second end of the receptor circuit wherein the indicator indicates a state of charge of an electrical storage device when the light sensitive device is exposed to one or more wavelengths lying within a response spectrum.