Multi-Meter Energy Reporting Using Harvested Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for energy consumption measurement and reporting require multiple devices for different energy types (electricity, water, gas, heat) and are either battery-powered with limited real-time performance or mains-powered but dependent on external power sources, lacking a single device for comprehensive real-time reporting across all energy types.
Innovation Solution
A single device with a wired electricity meter interface for energy harvesting, wireless interfaces for automated meter reading, and mobile network connectivity for data synchronization, enabling real-time energy consumption reporting across multiple energy types without external power, using energy harvesting and data preprocessing to minimize traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If battery powered devices are used for energy consumption measurement, then device portability is improved, but real-time performance deteriorates due to limited available energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple devices (electricity meter interface device, water/gas/heat meter interface devices) into a single integrated device that can measure and report consumption for multiple energy types simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate battery-powered devices for each energy type and achieving comprehensive real-time monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with universal functionality to interface with different types of meters (electricity, water, gas, heat) through standardized wireless interfaces, allowing a single device to perform multiple measurement and reporting functions that previously required separate specialized devices
2Productivity
If mains powered devices are used for energy consumption measurement, then real-time performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to requirement of multiple separate devices for different energy types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate mains-powered devices (electricity meter interface device, water meter interface device, gas meter interface device, heat meter interface device) into a single integrated device that can simultaneously interface with all types of meters and provide comprehensive real-time monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates universal wireless interfaces that can communicate with different types of meters (electricity, water, gas, heat), allowing a single multi-functional device to replace multiple specialized devices and simplify the overall system architecture
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single device interfaces with multiple meter types, then device versatility is improved, but energy harvesting capability deteriorates due to limited power availability from single electricity meter
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary action by storing harvested energy in an energy storage unit before it is needed for operation. The electricity meter interface device continuously harvests energy and stores it, ensuring that sufficient energy is available when the device needs to perform measurement and reporting functions for other energy types
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains continuous energy harvesting from the electricity meter interface and uses the stored energy to continuously support its measurement and reporting functions for multiple energy types, ensuring uninterrupted operation and comprehensive monitoring capability
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
Achieves real-time, uninterrupted energy consumption reporting across electricity, water, gas, and heat, reducing data traffic and operational costs by leveraging energy harvesting and cloud-based predictive analysis for efficient energy management.
Implementation Method 1
The energy needed for the functioning of the device is completely harvested from the wired electricity meter interface
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for real-time measurement and reporting of energy consumption is disclosed which comprises a wired interface configured to communicate with an electricity meter 10, retrieve electricity consumption data, and harvest energy for device operation, a wireless interface configured to communicate with automated meter 20, 30, 40 reading infrastructure for receiving data from and not limited to water, gas, and heat meters 20, 30, 40, a wireless mobile network interface configured to synchronize collected energy consumption data with a cloud service, a central processing unit configured to process, store, and synchronize energy consumption data and manage device operations based on energy availability, and an energy management system comprising an intermediate supply capacitor 105 for energy storage and regulation to enable uninterrupted operation of the device.