Power Management Mode Switching for Unstable Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy harvesting devices, which convert environmental energy into electrical energy, face power instability due to varying environmental conditions, making it uncertain whether sufficient energy will be available for sensor information reading and transmission.
Innovation Solution
A power management method and apparatus that switch between multiple operation modes (standby, normal, minimum, and sleep) based on voltage levels, with communication between power management apparatuses to ensure continuous operation by redistributing power and updating operation statuses, allowing one apparatus to switch to normal mode when another runs low on power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If energy harvesting devices are used to convert environmental energy into electrical energy, then the device can operate autonomously without external power supply, but the power supply becomes unstable due to varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple power management apparatuses are combined into a single system where they share power resources and operational responsibilities. When one apparatus experiences power insufficiency, another apparatus with sufficient power takes over its functions, ensuring continuous system operation despite environmental variations affecting individual energy harvesting capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operational modes based on real-time power availability. Power management apparatuses switch between standby mode, normal mode, and sleep mode depending on their current power status and the needs of the overall system, allowing flexible adaptation to changing environmental conditions and power requirements
2Productivity
If a single power management apparatus operates in normal mode to perform sensor reading and transmission, then the operation is efficient and responsive, but the system fails when the apparatus experiences power insufficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Other power management apparatuses in the system act as intermediaries that can take over operations when the primary apparatus experiences power failure. These standby apparatuses monitor the system and automatically assume operational responsibilities, ensuring continuous sensor monitoring and data transmission without interruption
Solution Approach 2:
Power management apparatuses are pre-configured in standby mode with the capability to immediately assume operational responsibilities. This preliminary preparation ensures that when one apparatus fails due to power insufficiency, another apparatus is already ready to take over without interruption to system operations
3Ease of operation
If power management apparatuses operate independently without communication, then each apparatus manages its own power efficiently, but the system cannot redistribute power when one apparatus experiences insufficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Power management apparatuses continuously exchange information about their power status, operational mode, and environmental conditions through communication. This feedback mechanism allows the system to identify which apparatuses have sufficient power and can take over operations, enabling automatic power redistribution and failover when one apparatus experiences power insufficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The power management method performed by the power management apparatus includes switching an operation mode of the power management apparatus from a standby mode to a normal mode when a voltage of the power management apparatus operating in the standby mode increases from a first upper limit value to a second upper limit value, switching the operation mode of the power management apparatus to a minimum operation mode when the voltage of the power management apparatus decreases to a first lower limit value while operating in the normal mode, switching the operation mode of the power management apparatus to a sleep mode when the voltage of the power management apparatus decreases to a second lower limit value while operating in the minimum operation mode, and switching the operation mode of the power management apparatus to the standby mode while operating in the sleep mode.