Supercapacitor Door Power Backup for Compact Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door electrical supply systems require large energy units to ensure operation in case of voltage failure, leading to significant physical expansion and spatial constraints, especially in emergency escape routes.
Innovation Solution
A space-saving device utilizing a supercapacitor with high energy density for electrostatic energy storage, combined with a step-down converter and a switching unit, allowing the electrical component to operate independently without additional installation space, and enabling efficient energy transfer during voltage failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional electrolytic capacitor is used for energy storage, then the device can provide backup power, but the device volume increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental energy storage mechanism from electrochemical (electrolytic capacitor) to electrostatic (supercapacitor with electric double layer), achieving a dramatic increase in energy density from 0.125 J/cm³ to 1-8 J/cm³ or higher. This parameter change in the physical principle of energy storage allows the same energy capacity to be achieved with much smaller volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrode structures combining conductive materials with high surface area-to-volume ratio (such as activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, or graphene) with electrolyte materials to create an electric double layer capacitor. This composite approach maximizes the electrostatic energy storage capacity per unit volume, achieving energy densities 60 times higher than conventional electrolytic capacitors.
2Volume of moving object
If the energy storage device volume is reduced to fit in the door, then spatial constraints are satisfied, but the energy capacity may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By transitioning to electrostatic energy storage with supercapacitors, the patent achieves energy densities of 1-8 J/cm³ or higher, compared to 0.125 J/cm³ for electrolytic capacitors. This 60-fold increase in energy density allows sufficient energy capacity to be packed into a compact volume that fits within door constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the electric double layer effect at the electrode-electrolyte interface, creating energy storage at the nanoscale surface dimension rather than relying on bulk volume. This dimensional shift from volumetric to surface-based energy storage enables extremely high energy density in a compact form factor.
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 compact, efficient, and reliable electrical supply system that ensures the door can be unlocked effectively without increasing the device's physical size, maintaining operational integrity during power failures while minimizing spatial requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The energy storage device has the capability to store energy in an electric double layer
Implementation Method 2
the energy in the energy storage device is essentially stored electrostatically
Implementation Method 3
a step-down converter transforms the electrical voltage into a lower voltage, whereby the energy storage device can be charged by the lower voltage
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for a door for supplying electrical power to an electrical component (10), wherein the electrical component (10) can be electrically operated by a voltage source (12) for unlocking and locking the door, and an energy storage device (14) can be charged by an electrical voltage (16) that can be tapped from the voltage source (12), wherein in the event of a failure of the electrical voltage (16), the electrical component (10) can be electrically operated by the energy storage device (14). According to the invention, the energy in the energy storage device (14) is provided essentially by electrostatic energy storage, wherein the energy storage device (14) has an energy density of at least 1 J/cm³.