Super Capacitor Secondary Power System with Current Restriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current secondary power sources, such as capacitors, experience fluctuating output voltages leading to repeated shutdowns and erroneous restarts, which reduces their longevity and can result in data loss and malfunctioning of electrical devices during power interruptions.

Innovation Solution

A secondary power source system utilizing super capacitors with a current restriction section and a shutdown circuit to regulate charging and prevent misinterpretation of voltage fluctuations, ensuring stable operation and prolonged lifespan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If capacitors are used as secondary power sources, then backup power is provided during primary power failure, but the highly fluctuating output voltages cause repeated shutdowns and erroneous restarts that reduce the longevity of the secondary power source

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackup power provisionVSAvoidlongevity of secondary power source
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A processing device is introduced as an intermediary between the capacitor and the secondary power source circuitry. This processing device monitors voltage levels and determines whether voltage fluctuations represent true power depletion or temporary drops, preventing erroneous shutdown commands and eliminating the cycle of repeated shutdowns and restarts that would otherwise reduce capacitor longevity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback control through the processing device that continuously monitors capacitor voltage output and adjusts the shutdown decision accordingly. The processing device uses the monitored voltage information to make intelligent decisions about when to activate the secondary power source, preventing premature or erroneous shutdowns while ensuring reliable backup power provision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a backup power system is added to a device, then power continuity is improved during interruptions, but the cost increases and the size of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower continuityVSAvoidsize of device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing device autonomously monitors capacitor voltage levels and automatically controls the shutdown and restart of the secondary power source without external intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external control circuitry or manual intervention, providing reliable power continuity while keeping the device size manageable through intelligent automation rather than hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If the secondary power source shuts down due to voltage drop, then power management is attempted, but the voltage increase from unloaded capacitors causes erroneous restart determination that repeats the shutdown cycle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower managementVSAvoidoperational stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The processing device performs preliminary monitoring and analysis of voltage fluctuations before making shutdown decisions. By examining the pattern and context of voltage changes in advance, the processing device can distinguish between temporary voltage drops during operation and genuine power depletion, preventing premature shutdowns and the subsequent erroneous restart cycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 system provides an uninterrupted power supply, preventing repeated shutdowns and extending the longevity of the secondary power source, while maintaining stable voltage and current levels to protect sensitive logic circuits.

Implementation Method 1

A secondary power source system utilizing super capacitors with a current restriction section and a shutdown circuit to regulate charging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2973940B1Super capacitor and charger for secondary power having longevity features
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP2973940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2973940B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2973940B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A secondary power source system for a communication device includes a charging unit configured to receive a primary power input and restrict a current used for charging to a predetermined amount. The current is part of a first output of the charging unit. The system further includes a storage unit including a device that stores electrical energy, the storage unit configured to receive the first output from the charging unit with restricted current and generate a second output, a regulating unit configured to receive the second output from the storage unit and generate a third output, a selector unit configured to perform a logical OR operation with the primary power input, the first output from the charging unit and third output from the regulating unit, and to generate a fourth output, and a shutdown unit configured to shutdown operation of the secondary power system when the storage unit has been expended.