Power Distribution for Inertial and Voltage Sensitive Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices face challenges in simultaneously powering components with different voltage and current requirements from a single power source, as existing solutions often fail to provide reliable and efficient power distribution, especially for infusion devices that need precise voltage control for both motors and CPUs.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution system that dynamically adjusts power distribution by providing high current pulses to motors and high voltage surges to CPUs, using energy storage devices like capacitors to stabilize voltage, and optimizing distribution parameters to ensure reliable operation despite limited battery capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single current limited power source is used to power both motor and CPU, then device simplicity and cost are reduced, but the power source cannot simultaneously provide high current for motor and high voltage for CPU
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between motor and CPU power supply. The control circuit alternates between providing high current to the motor and high voltage to the CPU based on operational priorities. During motor operation phases, power is directed to the motor; during CPU operation phases, power is directed to the CPU. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by temporal separation of power demands rather than spatial separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses energy storage capacitors to pre-charge and store energy before power is needed. The capacitors are charged during low-power phases and then discharge to provide high current or high voltage when required. This preliminary energy storage action allows the single power source to meet peak demands without requiring simultaneous high current and high voltage output capability.
2Power
If high current is provided to motor continuously, then motor performance is maintained, but voltage drops below CPU operating threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit implements periodic switching that alternates between motor-driven phases and CPU-powered phases. During motor phases, high current is provided to the motor while the CPU operates from capacitor storage. During CPU phases, power is redirected to maintain CPU voltage above threshold. This periodic action ensures motor performance during its active phases while guaranteeing CPU operational reliability during its active phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy storage capacitors as intermediary elements between the power source and the CPU. These capacitors buffer voltage fluctuations caused by motor current draws. When the motor draws high current causing voltage drops, the capacitors discharge to maintain stable voltage for the CPU, ensuring continuous reliable operation without direct conflict for power source capacity.
3Reliability
If voltage regulator and energy reservoir are added to maintain CPU voltage, then CPU voltage stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage regulator and energy reservoir functions into a single integrated power distribution circuit. Rather than adding separate independent components, the design combines capacitive energy storage with voltage regulation logic in the control circuit. This merged approach provides CPU voltage stability while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional integration rather than component proliferation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power switching controller and as a voltage regulation system. The same control logic that manages periodic power switching between motor and CPU also manages capacitor charging/discharging cycles to maintain voltage stability. This universal control approach provides CPU voltage stability without requiring dedicated separate regulation hardware, thereby limiting complexity increase.
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 achieves high efficiency (>98%) in powering both motor and CPU components, maintaining CPU voltage above threshold levels even when battery output falls, and reducing power consumption during motor inactivity, thus ensuring reliable and efficient operation of infusion devices.
Implementation Method 1
A power distribution system that dynamically adjusts power distribution by providing high current pulses to motors and high voltage surges to CPUs, using energy storage devices like capacitors to stabilize voltage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A system may regulate voltage supplied from a power source to an integrated circuit and/or an inertial device. A minimal voltage may be maintained in the integrated circuit by temporarily cutting off current to the inertial device to supply surges of voltage to the controller. Optionally voltage may be smoothed between said surges for example by adding capacitance and/or a current restrictor.