Electricity Metering Device Energy Storage Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical energy metering devices are limited in their ability to transmit data over long-range, low-power wireless networks, such as LPWAN, while maintaining simplicity and autonomy, as they require significant energy for message transmission which conventional storage units cannot supply without external power sources.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a secondary energy storage unit, like a supercapacitor, to accumulate energy from a main storage unit during charging cycles, enabling the transmission of data over long-range networks by switching power to a wireless transmitter when sufficient voltage is reached, and includes a processing unit to manage energy transfer and message transmission efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional energy storage unit is used in the metering device, then the device structure remains simple, but the device cannot transmit data over long-range networks due to insufficient energy
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is divided into two independent units: a main energy storage unit for continuous operation and a secondary energy storage unit specifically for boosting transmission energy. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a temporal dimension to energy storage by introducing a secondary storage unit that accumulates energy over multiple charging cycles. Instead of requiring a single large-capacity storage unit, the system uses repeated small-capacity charging cycles to build up sufficient energy for transmission events.
2Reliability
If energy is continuously supplied to the transmitter for long-range transmission, then data communication reliability improves, but the main energy storage unit cannot sustain the required power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary energy storage unit performs preliminary energy accumulation during periods when transmission is not required. By charging the secondary unit in advance during multiple main storage charging cycles, the system prepares sufficient energy reserves before a transmission event occurs, ensuring reliable transmission without continuous high power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic charging cycles of the main energy storage unit to progressively charge the secondary storage unit. This periodic energy transfer creates accumulated energy reserves that can be discharged in a single sustained transmission burst, converting continuous low-power charging into periodic high-power transmission capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device uses long-range LPWAN communication, then remote monitoring capability is achieved, but the energy required for transmission exceeds what a simple autonomous device can provide
Solution Approach 1:
The metering device serves itself by using its own operational energy to charge the secondary storage unit. The system draws energy from the main storage unit during normal operation to progressively charge the secondary unit, which then provides the additional energy needed for long-range transmission. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external power sources or batteries.
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 solution allows for reliable and autonomous transmission of electrical energy consumption data over long-range networks while maintaining a simple and cost-effective metering solution, ensuring the device remains self-powered without batteries, enabling efficient data communication.
Implementation Method 1
a current sensor arranged to supply a secondary current from a primary electric current flowing in an electric conductor
Implementation Method 2
a main electric energy storage unit connected to said current sensor and arranged to store a quantity of electric energy from the secondary electric current
Implementation Method 3
a voltage threshold detection unit connected to said main electric energy storage unit and arranged to detect an overrun of a voltage threshold at the terminals of the main electric energy storage unit
Implementation Method 4
Switching means controlled by the voltage threshold detection unit to trigger a power supply to the processing unit and data transmitter when said voltage threshold at the terminals of the main electrical energy storage unit is exceeded
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
Electricity metering device The present invention relates to an electricity metering device intended to be associated with an electrical conductor (20) for the purpose of generating measurement data linked to the electric current flowing through said electrical conductor (20). The device includes in particular: • - a primary electricity storage unit (30) that is arranged so as to store an amount of electrical energy; • - a secondary electricity storage unit (31) that is connected to said primary storage unit (30); • - switching means (S2) that are controlled by the processing unit in order to trigger a transfer of energy from said primary storage unit (30) to said secondary storage unit (31) and in order to trigger a supply of power to a wireless data transmitter (40) when a threshold of the voltage across the terminals of the secondary storage unit (31) is crossed with a view to transmitting a message containing data representative of the electric current flowing through said electrical conductor (20).