Microcontroller Power Management for Prostheses
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Solution Overview
Problem
The energy-life (run-time) of existing prostheses controlled by microcontrollers is limited by battery capacity and energy consumption, as they continue to draw power even when not in use, leading to inefficient energy management.
Innovation Solution
A method where the microcontroller enters an idle state by reducing power to electronic organs except the accelerometer when the gyroscope detects stable, low movement, and reactivates only when the accelerometer detects significant acceleration changes, optimizing energy use based on actual needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the microcontroller continuously powers all electronic organs to ensure immediate responsiveness, then the prosthesis maintains high reliability and quick reaction to movement, but the energy consumption increases significantly, reducing operating run-time
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of electronic organs based on real-time movement detection. The microcontroller transitions between active and idle states, and electronic organs are selectively powered on or off depending on whether movement is detected, making the energy consumption adaptive to actual operational needs rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic monitoring of movement parameters through the gyroscope and accelerometer, with electronic organs being activated only during detected movement periods. This periodic activation pattern replaces continuous operation, significantly reducing average energy consumption while maintaining responsiveness during actual use
2Use of energy by moving object
If the microcontroller enters idle state to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves and operating run-time extends, but the risk of delayed detection of movement increases, potentially affecting user safety
Solution Approach 1:
The gyroscope serves as an intermediary monitoring system that operates in low-power mode during idle states but continuously tracks movement parameters. When movement exceeding a threshold is detected, it acts as a trigger to activate the full electronic organ system, thus maintaining detection reliability without requiring continuous full-power operation of all components
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of movement parameters through the gyroscope even in idle state. This preliminary detection capability ensures that when movement occurs, the system can transition from idle to active state promptly, preventing delayed response while still maintaining energy-saving idle operation during stationary periods
3Speed
If all electronic organs remain powered to ensure immediate functionality, then the prosthesis responds instantly to user needs, but the battery capacity is depleted faster, limiting operational duration
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic power management where the response speed is optimized for each operational context. During idle periods, the system operates in low-power mode with slower response characteristics, while during detected movement, it immediately transitions to full-power mode providing instant response, thus achieving high average response performance with reduced overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
Different electronic organs are selectively activated based on local operational needs. Rather than powering all organs continuously, the system activates only the specific organs required for the current movement task, optimizing the balance between response speed and energy consumption by applying different power states to different parts of the system
Data Source
AI summary
Method for regulating a prosthesis (1), such as a knee prosthesis, ankle prosthesis or knee/ankle prosthesis, comprising at least one joint (2) controlled by an actuator (3) governed by a microcontroller (4) on the basis of data issuing from at least one gyroscope (5) and an accelerometer (6) that are able to measure the angular speed and the acceleration, respectively, of at least part of the prosthesis (1). According to the invention, the method is such that, during a defined period of time, the microcontroller (4) monitors the measurement given by the gyroscope (5), in such a way that said microcontroller (4) enters an idle state by reducing or by cutting the electrical power of at least one electronic organ of the prosthesis (1), except that of the accelerometer (6), when said microcontroller (4) detects that the absolute value of the measurement given by the gyroscope (5) is below a given threshold during the defined period of time.