Optical Fiber Power Feeding With Load-Adaptive Feed Light Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical power supply systems face inefficiencies due to constant energy transmission of feed light, leading to excess energy loss when the load decreases and energy shortage when the load increases, causing heat generation and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

An optical power supply system that includes a power sourcing equipment and a powered device connected via an optical fiber cable, where a semiconductor laser converts electric power into feed light, and a photoelectric conversion element converts the feed light into electric power, with a detection mechanism to adjust the intensity of the feed light based on the load's power consumption, using semiconductors with high photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the energy of feed light is kept constant, then the power supply stability is improved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to excess energy loss when load decreases and energy shortage when load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the feed light energy variable rather than constant. The control unit dynamically adjusts the energy of feed light transmitted through the optical fiber based on real-time load conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing power requirements while maintaining stability and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control where the control unit monitors the load conditions and adjusts the feed light energy accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that the power supplied matches the actual power consumption needs, preventing both energy waste and power shortages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Power

If the energy of feed light is increased to meet peak load demands, then the power supply capacity is improved, but the energy loss increases during low load periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidenergy loss
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts feed light energy levels to match actual load requirements. During peak load periods, energy is increased to meet demand; during low load periods, energy is reduced to minimize losses, thereby optimizing both power supply capacity and energy efficiency across varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy parameter of feed light based on load conditions. The control unit modifies this parameter in real-time, increasing it when load demand is high and decreasing it when load demand is low, thus optimizing the balance between power supply capacity and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional constant energy feed light is used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to load changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidadaptability to load changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces feedback control to enable the system to sense load changes and automatically adjust feed light energy. This feedback mechanism provides the necessary adaptability to varying load conditions while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of feed light energy based on monitored load conditions. The control unit automatically regulates the light source output without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to serve itself and adapt to changing conditions while keeping operational complexity low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This system dynamically adjusts the energy transmission to match the load's power requirements, reducing energy loss and heat generation, and improving power conversion efficiency while reducing the need for costly smoothing circuits.

Implementation Method 1

a semiconductor laser converts electric power into feed light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission from semiconductor laser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

a photoelectric conversion element converts the feed light into electric power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3886291B1Power receiving device, power feeding device, and optical fiber power feeding system
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP3886291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3886291B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3886291B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A powered device includes a photoelectric conversion element, a detector and a signal outputter. The photoelectric conversion element converts feed light into electric power. The detector detects a magnitude of the electric power being transmitted from the photoelectric conversion element to a load. The signal outputter outputs a detection signal of the detector to outside of the powered device. The detection signal is a signal indicating an envelope of a modulated wave that is output by the load.