Thermoelectric Watch LED Pulse Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The energy budget of thermoelectric watches is significantly depleted by continuously operating LCD displays used to indicate thermoelectric energy generation, which consumes more power than the generated thermoelectric power can sustain.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting diode (LED) system is employed to emit pulses of light when the energy management output changes states, indicating thermoelectric generation enablement or disablement, minimizing power consumption by only using energy during transitions and not in steady states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an LCD display is used to continuously indicate thermoelectric generation status, then user feedback on thermoelectric activity is provided, but power consumption exceeds the available thermoelectric power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous LCD display operation with periodic LED pulse signals that occur only during state transitions. The LED emits light pulses only when the energy management output changes state, providing user feedback at critical moments while consuming minimal energy during steady states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential feedback function from the continuous LCD display and implements it through discrete LED pulses. By removing the continuous operation requirement and keeping only the state-change notification function, the solution dramatically reduces power consumption while maintaining user awareness of thermoelectric generation status.
2Reliability
If an LCD display operates continuously to show thermoelectric generation, then real-time status monitoring is achieved, but the energy budget is significantly depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous monitoring display to periodic pulse indication. The LED provides status information only at state transition moments, which are the critical reliability events, rather than continuously displaying all states. This periodic approach maintains reliability for detecting generation status changes while preserving energy budget.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing feedback only when necessary (during state transitions) rather than continuously. The LED pulses are sufficient to communicate thermoelectric generation status changes to the user, making the excessive continuous display operation unnecessary and energy-wasting.
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 reduces power consumption by limiting LED usage to brief current bursts during state changes, thereby conserving energy and extending the watch's operational life without compromising user feedback on thermoelectric activity.
Implementation Method 1
a thermoelectric generator (10) configured to produce electrical energy, namely a low voltage
Implementation Method 2
a light emitting diode (LED) configured to emit pulses of light
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoelectric watch includes a thermoelectric generator; a voltage booster connected to the thermoelectric generator, and an energy management circuit connected to the voltage booster and configured to control the charging of at least one energy storage element. The energy management circuit includes an output configured to change from a first logic state to a second logic state when the thermoelectric generator starts generating electrical energy, and to change from the second logic state to the first logic state when the thermoelectric generator finishes generating electrical energy.