Multimode Energy Harvesting Tape for Reliable Passive IoT Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems for IoT devices face challenges in providing consistent power to passive identifiers, limiting their detectability and effectiveness due to reliance on a single energy source, which can be unreliable in various environments.
Innovation Solution
A multimode energy harvesting tape that captures solar, thermal, mechanical, and radiofrequency energy and converts it into a radiofrequency signal to power passive tags, enriching the RF environment and improving tracking consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single energy source is used to power passive identifiers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of power supply deteriorates due to environmental limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple energy harvesting modules (solar, thermal, mechanical, radiofrequency) into a single integrated tape structure. These modules are assembled directly atop one another in a layered configuration, allowing the system to capture energy from multiple sources simultaneously and provide consistent power to passive identifiers regardless of environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy harvesting tape is designed with multi-functional capabilities to capture different types of energy (solar, thermal, mechanical, radiofrequency) using a single device. This universal approach allows the tape to adapt to various environmental conditions and continuously power passive identifiers without relying on a single energy source.
2Reliability
If multiple energy harvesting modules are integrated into the tape, then the power supply reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy harvesting tape is divided into distinct functional layers, with each layer dedicated to harvesting a specific type of energy (solar cells, thermoelectric modules, piezoelectric layers, electrode layers). This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing and assembly while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible tape as the substrate to assemble multiple energy harvesting modules. This flexible film approach allows the complex multimode system to be manufactured using roll-to-roll processing techniques, reducing manufacturing complexity despite the multiple functional layers involved.
3Ease of manufacture
If roll-to-roll processing techniques are used for manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision may deteriorate due to the flexible nature of the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise dimensional parameters for the energy harvesting tape (length greater than width, width greater than thickness) and maintains consistent geometric relationships among the layered components. These parameter controls ensure manufacturing precision is maintained even when using flexible roll-to-roll processing techniques.
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 energy harvesting tape enhances the utility of passive tracking devices by providing flexible power sources, increasing detectability and improving tracking accuracy across different environments by enriching the radiofrequency environment with multi-band energy harvesting capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a solar cell layer configured to capture solar energy
Implementation Method 2
a thermoelectric layer configured to capture thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
one or more piezoelectric layers configured to capture mechanical energy
Implementation Method 4
an electrode layer configured to capture radiofrequency energy
Data Source
AI summary
An energy harvesting tape comprising a plurality of flexible layers. The plurality of flexible layers includes a solar cell layer configured to capture solar energy, a thermoelectric layer configured to capture thermal energy, one or more piezoelectric layers configured to capture mechanical energy; and an electrode layer configured to capture radiofrequency energy and to transmit a radiofrequency signal. The energy harvesting tape also includes one or more processing units on at least one of the plurality of flexible layers. The one or more processing units are configured to use the captured energy from the plurality of flexible layers to transmit the radiofrequency signal. The energy harvesting tape has a length, a width, and a thickness, where the length is greater than the width, and the width is greater than the thickness.