Power Supply Control Device for Sensor Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to provide a stable power supply for sensor nodes powered by energy generation units like solar cells, whose output fluctuates with environmental conditions such as illuminance and temperature, leading to potential inoperability due to insufficient power and difficulties in planned data collection.
Innovation Solution
A power supply control device that includes a power generation unit, a capacitor, an environmental sensor, and a controller, which adjusts the operation timing of a functional circuit based on environmental conditions detected by the sensor to match the available power generation, ensuring efficient use and storage of energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the functional circuit operates continuously to collect data, then data collection reliability improves, but power consumption increases causing insufficient power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The functional circuit operates periodically rather than continuously. The operation timing is controlled by a timing generation unit that generates operation timing signals based on power supply state, causing the functional circuit to operate at specific intervals when power is available and remain inactive when power is insufficient, thus balancing data collection reliability with power consumption management
2Device complexity
If the operation timing is fixed regardless of environmental conditions, then device complexity is reduced, but power supply stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback from environmental sensors (illuminance sensor, temperature sensor) to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the operation timing of the functional circuit based on detected environmental conditions and power supply state, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing conditions while maintaining power supply stability without requiring complex manual intervention
3Productivity
If the functional circuit operates at high frequency to improve productivity, then data collection efficiency improves, but power consumption increases causing insufficient power supply
Solution Approach 1:
The operation timing of the functional circuit is made dynamic rather than fixed. The timing generation unit adjusts operation intervals based on real-time power supply state and environmental conditions, allowing the system to operate at higher frequencies when power is abundant and reduce frequency when power is limited, thus optimizing data collection efficiency relative to available power
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 ensures stable power usage by adapting the operational timing of the sensor node to the available power generation, preventing long-term inoperability and improving data collection reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a power generation unit 10
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply control device includes: a power generator that converts energy into power; an environmental sensor that detects a state of an ambient environment; and a controller that controls an operation timing of a functional circuit that operates upon receipt of power supplied from the power generator based on the state of the ambient environment detected by the environmental sensor.