Power Consumption Control for Solar-Powered Timepieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timepiece devices face inconvenience due to over-discharged secondary batteries, where the time motor struggles to start moving hands quickly even when the photovoltaic cell generates electricity, requiring users to wait for the battery to recharge, and time-division multiplexing of charging and hand movement operations reduces charging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A power consumption control device that transitions the timepiece to a power saving state when the secondary power supply's output potential difference is not greater than a predetermined threshold, stopping clock operations and preventing oscillation, allowing immediate operation when the photovoltaic cell starts generating electricity without time-division multiplexing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the time motor continues to operate when the secondary battery is over-discharged, then the clock operation can be maintained, but the secondary battery enters into an over-discharged state causing the time motor to be unable to start moving the hands quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The power consumption control unit stops the clock operation in advance when detecting that the secondary battery voltage is at or below the threshold voltage, preventing the battery from entering an over-discharged state. This preliminary action ensures that the battery remains in a state capable of supporting immediate hand movement operation when needed.
2Ease of operation
If time-division multiplexing is used to control charging and hand movement operation, then the motor can perform hand movement immediately when battery enters over-discharged state, but charging efficiency decreases and charging time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The power consumption control unit continuously monitors the secondary battery voltage and uses this feedback to control the clock operation. When the voltage is at or below the threshold, the unit stops the clock operation to prevent over-discharge. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for time-division multiplexing while maintaining both immediate hand movement capability and high charging efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the timepiece transitions to power saving state when battery voltage is low, then power consumption is reduced and over-discharge is prevented, but clock operation is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational state (parameter) of the clock operation based on the battery voltage parameter. When the voltage is above the threshold, normal operation continues. When the voltage reaches the threshold, the system transitions to power saving state, stopping the clock operation to conserve energy and prevent over-discharge.
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 reduces power consumption, prevents over-discharge of the secondary battery, and allows immediate clock operation when the photovoltaic cell generates electricity, enhancing user convenience by eliminating the need for time-division multiplexing control.
Implementation Method 1
a photovoltaic cell (primary power supply unit) that generates an electromotive force
Data Source
AI summary
A power consumption control device includes a power consumption control unit that receives the output potential of a photovoltaic cell generating an electromotive force, receives the output potential of a secondary battery charged by the electromotive force of the photovoltaic cell, causes a timepiece device to transition to a power saving state where a clock operation of measuring time is stopped when the output potential difference of the secondary battery is not greater than a predetermined threshold value, and the secondary battery is in a non-charging state indicating a state where the output potential difference of the photovoltaic cell is not greater than the output potential difference of the secondary battery.