Power Management Circuit for Self-Powered Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power management systems for low-power devices with local power generation, such as photovoltaic panels, are inefficient in managing energy distribution between the power source and rechargeable batteries, often requiring complex and power-intensive circuits to regulate voltage and recharge batteries without excessive consumption.
Innovation Solution
A power management circuit with a linear regulator and switch-based configuration that allows for three operating modes: battery-only power, direct photovoltaic panel power without regulation, and regulated power with simultaneous battery recharging, minimizing power consumption by disconnecting the regulator during low power and using a low drop-out regulator to manage voltage and current efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a linear regulator is used to regulate voltage from the photovoltaic panel, then voltage stability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the regulator's operation conditional rather than static. The regulator is activated only when the power supply voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold, allowing the system to adapt between regulated and unregulated modes based on real-time power availability, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining voltage stability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the regulator from always-on to conditionally-on based on voltage threshold comparison. This parameter change allows the regulator to remain inactive during low-power conditions, minimizing energy consumption, while being activated when sufficient power is available to maintain stable voltage output
2Reliability
If the regulator is always active to ensure stable power supply, then power supply stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through an automatic threshold-detection mechanism that monitors the power supply voltage and autonomously controls the regulator's activation. This self-regulating approach eliminates the need for complex external control circuits or manual intervention, simplifying the overall device complexity while ensuring power supply stability through intelligent, condition-based regulation
3Use of energy by moving object
If the regulator is disconnected during low power, then power consumption is reduced, but voltage regulation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively disconnecting the regulator before power consumption becomes problematic. The threshold-based detection mechanism anticipates power availability conditions and preemptively activates or deactivates the regulator, preventing both excessive power consumption and voltage instability by preparing the system in advance for changing power conditions
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 solution enables efficient energy management with minimal power consumption, self-sufficiency, and direct power delivery to loads and battery recharging without additional power conversion, suitable for low-power devices like self-powered sensors, by optimizing voltage regulation and current usage based on power source availability.
Implementation Method 1
local power generation system (for example, of photovoltaic panel type)
Data Source
AI summary
A power management circuit including, between a first terminal intended to be connected to an electric power generation source and a second terminal intended to be connected to a load to be powered, a linear regulator and a circuit capable of activating the linear regulator when the power supplied by said source is greater than a first threshold.