Smart Meter Backup Battery for Stable Last Gasp Alarms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart meters face challenges in implementing a Last Gasp function due to the size and power fluctuations of supercapacitors, which require significant space and are not suitable for stable power supply during power outages.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus equipped with a lithium-ion battery and a transmitter-receiver circuit that uses the battery's power to transmit an alarm via an antenna, ensuring stable power supply and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a supercapacitor is used to supply power during power outage, then the Last Gasp function can be implemented, but the smart meter size increases and loading space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the type of energy storage device from supercapacitor to lithium-ion secondary battery, fundamentally altering the discharge characteristics and time constant parameters to achieve both compact size and sufficient operation time for the Last Gasp function
2Duration of action of moving object
If a supercapacitor is enlarged to maintain continuous power supply, then the operation time can be extended, but the smart meter size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent parameter characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, which have different discharge curves and time constants compared to supercapacitors, allowing for extended operation time without proportional increase in size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a compact lithium-ion battery designed for short-term emergency power supply (Last Gasp function), accepting limited capacity in exchange for sufficient operation time and small form factor
3Reliability
If a supercapacitor is used for power backup, then the Last Gasp function is enabled, but the output power fluctuates significantly over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits the different electrochemical characteristics of lithium-ion batteries versus supercapacitors, where the battery's discharge curve provides more stable voltage and power output over the required time period, reducing fluctuations during the Last Gasp 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
The solution provides a space-saving communication apparatus that stably supplies power for the Last Gasp function, enabling reliable power outage reporting without enlarging the smart meter's size and maintaining wireless communication performance.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary battery to be mounted in the communication apparatus... the secondary battery is a lithium-ion battery
Implementation Method 2
an antenna that emits a wireless signal based on a transmission signal, which is output from the transmitter-receiver circuit, to a space
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus, which is mounted in a smart meter, includes: a secondary battery; a transmitter-receiver circuit that is operable by using electric power supplied from the secondary battery; and an antenna that emits a wireless signal based on a transmission signal, which is output from the transmitter-receiver circuit, to a space, wherein the secondary battery is a lithium-ion battery; and wherein when electric power supplied from outside to the smart meter is cut off, the transmitter-receiver circuit outputs the transmission signal indicating a specified alarm to the antenna by using the electric power supplied from the secondary battery and thereby wirelessly transmits the alarm via the antenna.