Self-Powered Engine for Electronic Circuits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic circuits rely on batteries that are limited by size and contain toxic chemicals, requiring complex recycling and posing environmental hazards, while existing energy harvesting methods are inefficient for long-term power generation.
Innovation Solution
A self-power engine system that integrates a generator and electrodes to receive alternating electric energy, converting it into usable power through a bridge rectifier, buffer storage, and a state machine for on-demand power generation, eliminating the need for batteries and switches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If batteries are used to power electronic circuits, then the circuits can operate for extended periods, but the device size increases and toxic chemicals are introduced requiring complex recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the battery component from the electronic device, replacing it with an energy harvesting system that draws power from ambient electromagnetic fields. This removes the need for toxic chemical storage and complex recycling processes while maintaining continuous operation capability through environmental energy capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The device becomes self-powered by harvesting energy from its operational environment through electromagnetic field interaction. The system automatically captures ambient RF energy and converts it to electrical power without external intervention, eliminating the need for battery replacement or recycling infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If batteries are used to power electronic circuits, then the circuits can operate independently, but the device dimensions are restricted due to battery size
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the battery from the system architecture, the patent eliminates the volume constraint imposed by chemical power sources. The device maintains independent operation through wireless energy harvesting from ambient electromagnetic fields, enabling miniaturization and flexible form factors without sacrificing operational autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy harvesting antenna serves multiple functions: it acts as both the receiving element for electromagnetic energy and a key component of the communication interface. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity and volume while maintaining independent operation capability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical switches are used to control circuits, then power consumption can be reduced, but the switch size is larger than the circuits being switched
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches with solid-state electronic switching components integrated directly into the circuit board. This substitution eliminates the need for large mechanical relay structures while maintaining power control functionality, allowing switch elements to be smaller than or comparable in size to the circuits they control.
4Device complexity
If energy harvesting from electromagnetic fields is implemented, then batteries can be eliminated, but the harvesting efficiency from ambient fields is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates energy storage capacitors that accumulate harvested electromagnetic energy over time before releasing it to power the circuit. This preliminary energy accumulation allows the device to operate during periods when ambient field strength is insufficient, effectively compensating for low instantaneous harvesting efficiency while maintaining battery-free operation.
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 efficient, long-term power generation for electronic circuits without batteries, reducing environmental impact and enabling compact, sustainable operation of devices within 'Micro-Clouds' for communication and data transfer.
Implementation Method 1
A self-power engine system for on-demand power generation to energize the attached circuits, receiving alternating electric energy from a generator
Implementation Method 2
The self-power engine system includes a bridge rectifier to convert the received alternating electric energy to the direct electric field energy
Implementation Method 3
one or more buffer to store the converted direct electric energy for energizing the attached electronic circuitry
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a self-powering system for electronic circuits by detecting and converting the energy of electric field lines provided from the generator of device in the proximity of the electronic circuit. The harvesting of electric field energy by using means of capacitive coupling (contactless or (in-) direct contact) to field inducing power sources replaces or reduces the need of batteries e.g. for mobile devices, medical sensors, energy efficient circuits (e.g. stand-by) or (near field-) communication devices. A wide range of applications and technical solutions from smart labels, e-ink devices, shutter glasses, or electronic sensors up to electronic devices of any kind, can use the invention's means to power (integrated) circuits microcontrollers, light emitting items (LED) or any circuit where batteries or other power sources can be replaced by the innovation.