Battery-Free NFC Sensor Module With Capacitor Power Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor devices with built-in batteries face issues of increased size and production costs when using high-capacity batteries for extended use, and they become single-use devices when the battery is completely discharged, as they cannot operate without a power source.
Innovation Solution
A power source-less sensor device utilizing a capacitor for driving power, combined with an NFC antenna module for energy harvesting during NFC tagging, allowing the sensor module to periodically operate and transmit data without a battery, using a Bluetooth module for communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a high-capacity battery is embedded in the sensor device to increase use time, then the duration of action is improved, but the volume and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component entirely from the sensor device, extracting the power storage function and replacing it with an energy harvesting system that obtains power from the environment (RFID/NFC electromagnetic fields) rather than relying on a built-in battery. This eliminates the volume and cost issues associated with high-capacity batteries while maintaining operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device harvests its own operating energy from ambient RFID/NFC signals, making it self-powered without requiring external battery replacement or recharging. The energy harvesting circuit converts electromagnetic energy from nearby RFID readers or NFC devices into electrical energy to power the sensor, creating a self-sustaining system that eliminates the need for traditional power sources.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a high-capacity battery is embedded in the sensor device to increase use time, then the duration of action is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component entirely from the sensor device, extracting the power storage function and replacing it with an energy harvesting system that obtains power from the environment (RFID/NFC electromagnetic fields) rather than relying on a built-in battery. This eliminates the volume and cost issues associated with high-capacity batteries while maintaining operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs low-cost passive components (rectifier diode, capacitor, voltage regulator) in the energy harvesting circuit that can be easily manufactured and integrated. These simple electronic components are significantly cheaper than high-capacity batteries, enabling cost-effective production while providing indefinite operational life through continuous energy harvesting from RFID/NFC signals.
3Reliability
If the built-in battery is completely discharged, then the device stops operating, but the device cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The energy harvesting circuit continuously converts electromagnetic energy from RFID/NFC signals into electrical energy, maintaining a continuous supply of power to the sensor device. This continuous energy conversion ensures the device never experiences a complete power depletion state, allowing indefinite operation and repeated use as long as RFID/NFC signals are available in the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device harvests its own operating energy from ambient RFID/NFC signals, making it self-powered without requiring external battery replacement or recharging. The energy harvesting circuit converts electromagnetic energy from nearby RFID readers or NFC devices into electrical energy to power the sensor, creating a self-sustaining system that eliminates the need for traditional power sources.
4Ease of operation
If a battery is built into the sensor device, then the device can operate independently, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component entirely from the sensor device, extracting the power storage function and replacing it with an energy harvesting system that obtains power from the environment (RFID/NFC electromagnetic fields) rather than relying on a built-in battery. This eliminates the volume and cost issues associated with high-capacity batteries while maintaining operational duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC antenna module serves dual functions: it acts as both the communication antenna for NFC data transmission and the energy harvesting antenna for powering the sensor device. By making the antenna multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate battery and communication antenna components, reducing overall device volume while maintaining independent operation 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
Enables continuous and stable data acquisition and transmission, reducing device size and production costs, allowing for semi-permanent use and reuse by harnessing energy from NFC tagging to recharge the capacitor.
Implementation Method 1
an NFC antenna module for generating an induced current to store electricity in the capacitor during NFC tagging
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a power source-less sensor device. A power source-less sensor device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises: a sensor module which includes a sensing unit including at least one sensor and includes a communication unit for transmitting, to the outside, information sensed from the sensing unit; a capacitor for providing driving power to the sensor module; and an NFC antenna module for generating an induced current so as to charge the capacitor during NFC tagging. The sensor module is periodically driven by using power charged in the capacitor.