Solar Storage Device Voltage Control for Low-Light Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy harvesting devices face limitations in storing and transferring energy efficiently due to high light intensity requirements and the contradiction between storage and driving capabilities, particularly with commercial battery types like USB or adaptor charge controlled batteries, which restrict direct energy transfer from solar energy harvesting under low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
An electricity storage device comprising a first and second electricity storage unit, a battery monitoring unit, and a power converter, where the battery monitoring unit senses the output voltage of the first unit and generates control signals to enable or disable the power converter for converting energy to the second unit, ensuring efficient energy transfer and storage within predetermined voltage ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solar energy harvesting devices use commercial battery types with charge controllers, then the battery life is prolonged and storage cost is reduced, but the direct energy transfer from solar energy harvesting is impossible due to restriction of charge voltage range values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a first electricity storage unit as an intermediary between the solar energy harvesting device and the second electricity storage unit (commercial battery). This intermediary unit receives energy directly from the solar device without voltage range restrictions, then transfers energy to the commercial battery when voltage conditions are met, thus resolving the contradiction between battery protection and energy transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the electricity storage system into two separate storage units with different functions: the first unit handles direct solar energy reception and voltage conversion, while the second unit handles stable energy storage and discharge to external devices. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently within its optimal parameters, solving the voltage range restriction problem
2Productivity
If the harvesting charge speed is increased to improve driving capability, then the energy transfer efficiency improves, but the battery life is shortened and storage cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the power converter based on real-time voltage monitoring. The system adjusts the charge speed between the two storage units according to current voltage levels, enabling fast charging when voltage conditions permit and slow charging when approaching voltage limits, thus optimizing both charging speed and battery life
Solution Approach 2:
The battery monitoring unit continuously monitors the output voltage of the first electricity storage unit and provides feedback control signals to the power converter. This feedback mechanism ensures the system automatically adjusts charging parameters to prevent overcharging while maximizing energy transfer efficiency, resolving the contradiction between charge speed and battery life
3Device complexity
If a simple harvesting and transfer boost and charge controller is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot meet the requirements of low-light solar energy harvesting and electric energy transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The battery monitoring unit automatically monitors voltage levels and generates appropriate control signals without external intervention. The system self-regulates the power converter operation based on voltage conditions, enabling low-light energy harvesting and transfer without requiring complex external control circuits, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability
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 allows for effective energy storage and transfer from solar energy harvesting devices, even under low-light conditions, by controlling the power converter based on output voltage, thereby extending battery life and reducing storage costs while maintaining driving capability.
Implementation Method 1
solar energy harvesting device
Data Source
AI summary
An electricity storage device for a solar energy harvesting device comprising at least a first electricity storage unit, at least a second electricity storage unit, a battery monitoring unit and a power converter. The second electricity storage unit is for coupled to an exterior power supply system which charges/discharges the second electricity storage unit in a predetermined voltage. The battery monitoring unit controls the power converter according to the output voltage of the first electricity storage unit for converting the electricity of the first electricity storage unit to the second electricity unit. When the output voltage of the first electricity storage unit is larger than a start voltage, the electricity of the first electricity storage unit is converted to the second electricity storage unit. When the output voltage of the first electricity storage unit is less than a stop voltage, the battery monitoring unit disables the power converter.