Emergency Power Supply Property Deterioration Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emergency power supply devices cannot reliably determine the property deterioration of their electric storage units while in use, which affects their reliability and efficiency in providing backup power during instantaneous failures.

Innovation Solution

A power supply device with an electric storage unit, charging circuit, voltage detection circuit, current detection circuit, and control circuit that calculates internal resistance and capacitance by monitoring voltage and current variations during charging and discharging processes, allowing for continuous assessment of property deterioration even when the device is in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power supply device is used as an emergency power supply for instantaneous power failure, then the device must always maintain electricity readiness for immediate use, but the property deterioration of the electric storage unit cannot be fully determined because the device cannot be fully discharged or tested while in service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness for emergency power supplyVSAvoidproperty deterioration determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing property deterioration determination at predetermined intervals during the power supply device's operation. The control circuit calculates internal resistance and capacitance values periodically, before the device is actually needed for emergency power supply, ensuring both readiness and accurate property assessment without requiring full discharge or testing that would compromise immediate availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the electric storage unit is charged to high voltage to ensure sufficient power for emergency use, then the energy capacity is maximized, but the property deterioration accelerates and the lifespan of the electric storage unit decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy capacity for emergency powerVSAvoidlifespan of electric storage unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the charging voltage and property determination timing adjustable based on operational conditions. The control circuit dynamically decides when to perform property deterioration determination and adjusts charging parameters accordingly, allowing optimization between energy capacity and lifespan based on actual usage patterns and device age, rather than using fixed high voltage charging throughout the device's operational life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the power supply device performs frequent property deterioration checks by charging and discharging the electric storage unit, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the energy consumption increases and the device availability for emergency power supply decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproperty deterioration detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption during property determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing property deterioration determination only at predetermined intervals rather than continuously or before every potential emergency. The control circuit calculates internal resistance and capacitance periodically, performing just enough measurement activity to detect significant property changes without excessive charging/discharging cycles that would waste energy and reduce availability for actual emergency power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 the power supply device can accurately determine property deterioration of the electric storage unit during operation, enhancing its reliability and extending the life of the storage unit by optimizing charging and discharging processes.

Implementation Method 1

an electric storage unit 29 that stores electricity with a main power supply 11 to be supplied to a load 17

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a voltage detection circuit 31 that detects a voltage Vc of the electric storage unit 29

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage detection: Ohm's Law

Implementation Method 3

a current detection circuit 33 that detects a current Ic of the electric storage unit 29

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurrent detection: Ohm's Law

Implementation Method 4

a charging circuit 25 that charges the electric storage unit 29 with electricity supplied by a main power supply 11

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy transfer: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 5

a discharge circuit 35 that supplies electricity stored in the electric storage unit 29 to the load 17

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical energy transfer: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8427003B2Electric power supply device

Publication Date: 2013.04.23 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A power supply device includes an electric storage unit connected to a main power supply and a load via a charging circuit; and a control circuit connected to the main power supply, the charging circuit, a voltage detection circuit, and a current detection circuit. When the electric storage unit is charged up to a steady-state voltage Vcs of the electric storage unit, the control circuit controls the electric storage unit to be charged until the voltage Vc of the electric storage unit reaches a voltage for determining the property deterioration of the electric storage unit. During the charge process, the control circuit calculates at least one of the internal resistances and the capacitance of the electric storage unit to determine the property deterioration of the electric storage unit.