PMIC Power Point Tracker with Intermediary Impedance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power management integrated circuits (PMICs) for energy harvesting are inadequate for efficiently managing power from energy harvesters like electromagnetic and vibration devices, as they either unload the harvester during power point evaluation, leading to instability or destruction.

Innovation Solution

A PMIC architecture with a power point tracker terminal connected to the input, allowing impedance loading during evaluation, and a main controller that samples and memorizes voltages to regulate the voltage converter, ensuring the harvester remains loaded and optimizing power extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If open-circuit voltage tracking method is used to determine optimum operational voltage, then power point evaluation can be performed, but the energy harvester is unloaded during evaluation which can lead to instability or destruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower point evaluation accuracyVSAvoidharvester stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary impedance element connected in parallel with the energy harvester during power point evaluation. This impedance acts as a mediator that allows the harvester to remain loaded while enabling accurate voltage sampling for power point determination, thus preventing harvester damage while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary power point evaluation by sampling the harvester voltage when an impedance is connected, before proceeding to normal power extraction. This preliminary action with the impedance in place ensures that the harvester remains properly loaded throughout the evaluation process, preventing the instability that would occur with unloading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If constant voltage tracking is used, then simple power point evaluation can be performed, but it does not suit harvesters with varying maximum power point voltage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower point evaluation complexityVSAvoidharvester type compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic power point evaluation method that adaptively determines the optimum operational voltage by sampling the harvester voltage under loaded conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to adjust to varying maximum power point voltages of different harvester types, maintaining both simplicity and versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter from fixed constant voltage tracking to adaptive voltage sampling based on actual harvester conditions. By sampling the voltage when impedance is connected and using this sampled value as the operational voltage, the system achieves adaptability across different harvester types while keeping the evaluation method simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If voltage converter operates continuously to extract power, then energy can be transferred to storage device, but accurate power point evaluation cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transfer rateVSAvoidvoltage sampling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic power point evaluation where the impedance is periodically connected to the harvester for voltage sampling, and periodically disconnected for normal power extraction. This periodic action allows accurate power point determination without continuously interrupting the energy transfer process, maintaining both measurement precision and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous useful action by ensuring the impedance remains connected during voltage sampling, allowing the harvester to remain loaded throughout the evaluation process. This continuity prevents power loss and ensures accurate measurement simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution enables efficient power extraction from various energy harvesters, including electromagnetic and vibration devices, by maintaining load during evaluation, preventing damage and ensuring optimal power delivery.

Implementation Method 1

A voltage converter is configured for converting an input voltage Vin into an output voltage Vout_VC

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage conversion:

Implementation Method 2

A power point tracker is configured for sampling an input voltage Vin_PPT at an input of the power point tracker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS11157032B2Power management integrated circuit with optimum power point evaluation

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 E PEAS SA

AI summary

A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) is provided for extracting power from an energy harvester. The PMIC includes a power point tracker configured for defining an optimum operational voltage for efficiently extracting power from any type of energy harvesters such as electromagnetic energy sources, photovoltaic cells or thermal electric generators. The power management integrated circuit (PMIC) also relates to an energy harvesting system that includes an electromagnetic energy source and an impedance connected to the PMIC.