Temperature-Dependent Supercapacitor Charging for Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Asset tracking devices face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and extending the lifespan of energy storage units, particularly when tracking non-vehicular assets without external power sources, and in synchronizing the tracking of assets that travel together.
Innovation Solution
Implementing motion sensors to determine travel states and optimize location reporting, using temperature-dependent charging for energy storage units, and linking asset tracking devices that travel together to conserve power and extend device lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the asset tracking device continuously monitors location and transmits data, then the tracking accuracy and responsiveness are improved, but the power consumption increases and the energy storage unit lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous monitoring to periodic monitoring based on travel state detection. Motion sensors trigger location updates only when the asset enters or exits travel states, creating periodic action intervals that reduce power consumption while maintaining tracking accuracy for moving assets.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring frequency dynamically adjusts based on the asset's travel state. When motion is detected indicating travel, the system increases monitoring frequency; when stationary, it reduces frequency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between continuous tracking accuracy and power conservation.
2Quantity of substance
If the supercapacitor is charged to high voltage to maximize energy capacity, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the temperature-dependent deterioration accelerates and lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The charging voltage parameter is dynamically adjusted based on temperature readings. The controller monitors temperature and modifies the charging voltage accordingly, reducing voltage at higher temperatures to prevent deterioration while maximizing capacity at lower temperatures where heat generation is less problematic.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback loop continuously monitors temperature and adjusts charging parameters in real-time. The controller receives temperature data, processes it through deterioration models, and modifies charging voltage to balance capacity utilization with lifespan preservation, resolving the contradiction between energy quantity and reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the asset tracking device operates in low-power mode to conserve energy, then the power consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect motion and report location timely deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Motion sensors continuously monitor for travel state changes even when the device is in low-power mode. This preliminary detection of motion triggers immediate wake-up and location reporting, ensuring rapid response to travel events while maintaining low-power operation during stationary periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for temperature-dependent charging of supercapacitor energy storage units of asset tracking devices are provided. An example method for temperature-dependent charging involves obtaining a temperature reading measured at an asset tracking device, the asset tracking device located at an asset to monitor travel of the asset, determining a target voltage for a supercapacitor energy storage unit of the asset tracking device based on the temperature reading to balance utilization of a capacity of the supercapacitor energy storage unit against temperature-dependent deterioration of the supercapacitor energy storage unit, and controlling a charging interface of the asset tracking device to charge the supercapacitor energy storage unit to the target voltage.