Radio Unit Battery Power Adjustment for Service Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing consumption value recording devices and consumption data collectors face challenges in ensuring continuous radio data transmission throughout their service life due to declining battery and capacitor capacities over time, leading to potential energy shortages and data loss, especially at the end of their intended use period.
Innovation Solution
A device with a radio communication unit and a non-rechargeable battery, equipped with a unit to determine and predict the battery charge state and capacitor capacity, adjusts the transmission power based on these states and the remaining usage period, ensuring optimal energy usage and maintaining radio data transmission until the end of its service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery and capacitor are dimensioned for the worst case (maximum energy consumption) to ensure operation until the end of service life, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to oversized components
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission power is dynamically adjusted based on the remaining service life and actual energy consumption patterns. The system transitions from a static worst-case dimensioning to a dynamic adaptation where transmission power decreases over time according to a predefined function, allowing smaller battery and capacitor capacities while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of transmission power over time using a predefined function that considers remaining service life. This parameter change allows the system to operate with lower power at later stages, matching the natural degradation of battery capacity and avoiding the need for oversized energy storage components
2Productivity
If the transmission power is set high to ensure data transmission throughout service life, then the productivity is improved, but the energy consumption increases leading to premature battery depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic transmission with varying power levels based on the transmission function. Transmission power is adjusted periodically according to the remaining service life, allowing high productivity early in the device lifecycle when energy is abundant, and reducing power consumption as the battery ages
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission power is made dynamic rather than static, adapting to the remaining service life through a predefined function. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between productivity and energy consumption throughout the device's operational lifetime
3Loss of energy
If the transmission power is reduced to conserve energy, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the reliability of data transmission deteriorates due to potential data loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring the remaining service life and adjusting transmission power accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that transmission power is never reduced below levels that would compromise data transmission reliability, while still optimizing energy consumption throughout the device lifecycle
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 reliable radio data transmission by dynamically adjusting transmission power according to available energy, preventing data loss and reducing the need for oversized batteries and capacitors, thereby enhancing product quality and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a battery for supplying electrical energy to at least the radio communication unit
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) with a radio communication unit (2) and a battery (3) for supplying electrical power to at least the radio communication unit (2), comprising a unit (5) for determining or predicting a current battery charge level and for adjusting the transmission power of the radio communication unit (2) depending on the determined or predicted battery charge level and depending on a remaining predetermined operating time of the device (1). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for adjusting the transmission power of a radio communication unit (2) of a device (1).