Wireless Sensor Energy Scavenger Primary Cell Buffer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy scavenging systems for powering small autonomous electronic devices, such as sensors and actuators, are limited by the availability of electric power and rely on expensive rechargeable batteries or supercapacitors, which have limited service life and are costly.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines a primary cell (disposable battery) with an energy scavenger capable of converting ambient energy into electric energy, allowing the primary cell to power the device when inactive and rechargeable when active, using the primary cell's capacitance as a buffer to convert high output impedance into a low impedance voltage source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If rechargeable batteries are used to power wireless sensors, then the service life can be extended through energy replenishment, but the system cost increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a primary cell (disposable battery) instead of a rechargeable battery, combining it with an energy scavenger. The primary cell is inexpensive and simple, while the energy scavenger periodically replenishes its energy, achieving extended service life without the cost and complexity of rechargeable batteries.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy scavenger automatically replenishes the primary cell's energy without external intervention. The system self-regulates by scavenging ambient energy and transferring it to the primary cell when the scavenger is active, eliminating the need for manual recharging or complex power management.
2Duration of action of moving object
If rechargeable batteries are used to power wireless sensors, then the service life can be extended through energy replenishment, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The primary cell is a simple, disposable component with no moving parts or complex chemistry. Combined with the energy scavenger, it achieves extended service life while maintaining simplicity, avoiding the complex rechargeable battery chemistry and management systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically manages its own power needs through the energy scavenger, which periodically charges the primary cell. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex power management circuits, user intervention, or monitoring systems required by rechargeable batteries.
3Power
If energy scavenger is used to power electronic circuitry directly, then the output impedance is high, but using the primary cell as a buffer converts it to a low impedance voltage source
Solution Approach 1:
The primary cell acts as an intermediary buffer between the energy scavenger and the electronic circuitry. It converts the high-impedance, intermittent output from the scavenger into a low-impedance, stable voltage source that can reliably power the circuitry, while the added complexity is minimal.
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 configuration prolongs the service life of the primary cell by conserving its energy and allowing it to be replenished, reducing overall system cost and extending operational time by selectively switching between low and high power modes based on energy availability.
Implementation Method 1
The expressions 'energy scavenging' and 'energy harvesting' refer to technologies, known in the art, for converting ambient, stray energy, available from external sources, into electricity
Implementation Method 2
using a capacitance of the primary cell as a buffer for the electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (100) comprises a wireless sensor system (102) with electronic circuitry (104) and a power supply (106) for powering the electronic circuitry. The power supply comprises a primary cell (108) and an energy scavenger (110). The energy scavenger scavenges ambient energy and converts the scavenged ambient energy into electric energy. The sensor system is configured for having the primary cell power the electronic circuitry when the energy scavenger is inactive. The system is configured for performing at least one of having the energy scavenger power the electronic circuitry via the primary cell when the energy scavenger is active, using a capacitance of the primary cell as a buffer for the electric energy; and having the energy scavenger recharge the primary cell.