Retrofit Assembly Modulates Output Voltage for Wireless Lock Power Status
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic locks and edge devices require a third wire for communicating battery charging status, which is not always feasible, and existing methods for determining battery life rely on analog voltage readings or coulomb counting with two wires, lacking remote user feedback on power levels and charging status.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit assembly with a wireless power receiver, boost regulator, and microcontroller that uses two electrical contacts to indicate battery power level and charging status through adjustable output voltage ranges, allowing remote user feedback without additional wires, using electromagnetic radiation for power generation and feedback resistance variation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a two-wire system is used for battery monitoring, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to communicate charging status is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and status communication functions into a single electrical connection. The boost regulator converts battery voltage to a standardized output voltage that simultaneously powers the control circuit and encodes battery status information, merging two functions (power supply and communication) into one integrated system that operates with only two wires.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter modulation of the output voltage to encode different battery status information. By varying the output voltage level according to battery charge state and charging status, the system transmits information through changes in electrical parameters rather than requiring separate communication wires.
2Loss of information
If a third wire is added to communicate charging status, then information transmission is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts serve multiple functions: they provide power connection and simultaneously transmit battery status information through modulated voltage levels. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated communication wires while maintaining full information transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own power delivery infrastructure to carry communication information. The existing two-wire power connection automatically serves dual purposes by encoding status information in the voltage characteristics, making the system self-sufficient without requiring additional communication infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If analog voltage reading is used to estimate battery life, then measurement is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements active feedback monitoring where the microcontroller continuously measures the output voltage of the boost regulator and uses this information to determine battery charge state and charging status. This closed-loop feedback mechanism provides precise battery monitoring through standardized voltage measurements rather than simple analog readings.
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
Enables remote user feedback on battery power levels and charging status using a two-wired system, eliminating the need for a third wire, while maintaining accurate power level and charging status indication, enhancing user experience and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless power receiver configured to convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical power stored in the energy storage device
Implementation Method 2
a boost regulator configured to vary feedback resistance based on one or more input signals to adjust an output voltage across the two electrical contacts
Data Source
AI summary
A method according to one embodiment includes removing a battery cover from an outer assembly of a lock device, removing a battery pack from the lock device in response to removing the battery cover, wherein removing the battery pack comprises disconnecting two electrical contacts of the battery pack from two corresponding electrical contacts of the lock device, and electrically coupling two electrical contacts of a retrofit assembly to the two corresponding electrical contacts of the lock device, wherein the retrofit assembly includes an energy storage device, a wireless power receiver configured to store generated power in the energy storage device, a boost regulator, and a microcontroller configured to adjust an output voltage of the boost regulator to indicate a power level of the energy storage device and a charging status of the energy storage device.