Battery-Free Smart Lock Using NFC Power Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic locks require batteries, which are limited by temperature, self-discharge, and disposal issues, and lack remote monitoring and authorization capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A battery-free electronic locking system using wireless power transfer from user mobile devices via NFC, with a duplexer to separate power and communication components, and a controller to determine operation based on sensed power levels and processed algorithms, enabling remote operation and authorization management through a network environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If batteries are used to power electronic locks, then the locks can operate independently, but the system suffers from temperature limitations, self-discharge issues, and disposal problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component entirely from the electronic lock system. Instead of using a battery to store and provide power, the system extracts power from the wireless communication signals themselves through energy harvesting circuitry. This eliminates all battery-related problems including temperature limitations, self-discharge, and disposal issues while maintaining continuous operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic lock system harvests its own operating power from the wireless signals it receives for communication. The energy harvesting circuit converts the RF energy from wireless communications into electrical power, allowing the lock to be self-sufficient without external battery replacement or charging infrastructure. This self-powering mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the system both independently operational and free from battery reliability issues.
2Device complexity
If wireless power transfer is implemented without separating power and communication components, then the system becomes simpler, but the power and communication signals interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the received wireless signal into separate power and communication components using a duplexer. The duplexer separates the RF signal into an energy component (for power harvesting) and a communication component (for data transmission). This segmentation allows independent processing of each signal type, preventing interference between power transfer and communication while maintaining system functionality. The separated components are then routed to appropriate circuitry for optimal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The duplexer acts as an intermediary device between the antenna and the subsequent processing circuits. It mediates the separation of the combined wireless signal into distinct power and communication pathways, ensuring that the energy harvesting circuit receives only the power component while the communication circuit receives only the data component. This intermediary function resolves the interference issue while adding minimal complexity to the overall system.
3Ease of operation
If conventional electronic locks are used, then basic locking functionality is provided, but remote monitoring and authorization capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional electronic lock system that combines basic locking operations with remote monitoring and authorization capabilities. The controller manages multiple functions including local locking/unlocking, wireless communication for remote access, energy harvesting for power supply, and signal separation for reliable operation. This universal design allows the same system to perform diverse functions from simple mechanical locking to complex remote authorization, resolving the contradiction between ease of basic operation and adaptability for advanced features.
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 system eliminates battery-related limitations, allows remote monitoring and authorization, and ensures only authorized users can interact with the locks, enhancing security and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a duplexer functionally connected to the antenna to separate the received wireless signal into a power component and a communication component
Implementation Method 2
a power sensor to sense the amount of the power component
Implementation Method 3
a wireless transceiver including an antenna configured to receive wireless signals
Data Source
AI summary
Smart locking devices, systems and methods are provided. A user mobile device can transmit a wireless signal to an electronic locking device. The electronic locking device includes a power sensor to sense the harvested power, and a controller to process the communication component to determine an algorithm to operate the electronic locking device. The mobile device is connected to a network environment where user authentication and encryption data can be generated, stored, and relayed to multiple user mobile devices for wireless key management for authentication.