Wireless Control Device Position Detection via Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless control devices cannot determine the position of the control element when actuated, limiting their functionality as they can only detect actuation without knowing the specific position or direction of movement.
Innovation Solution
A wireless control device that incorporates a pulse detection circuit and an energy recovery system to determine the position of the movable actuating element and send a control signal to a remote device based on the detected position, using energy collected during actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If energy recovery means are used to power the control device, then energy autonomy is achieved, but the position of the movable actuating element cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into functionally independent modules: energy recovery means, pulse detection circuit, memory, and transmitter. This segmentation allows the pulse detection circuit and memory to capture and store position information without requiring continuous power, while the transmitter only needs brief power bursts to send data, thus maintaining energy autonomy while enabling position detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The pulse detection circuit and memory perform preliminary action by detecting and storing the position information of the movable actuating element during actuation. This preliminary capture of data allows the transmitter to send complete position information later without needing continuous power supply, resolving the contradiction between energy autonomy and position information availability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control device detects actuation position, then control functionality is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse detection circuit is merged with the existing energy recovery means, utilizing the mechanical actuation event that already powers the device. The memory is integrated with the control circuitry, and the transmitter uses the same communication interface. This merging approach enables position detection functionality while minimizing additional complexity by reusing existing components and structures.
3Loss of information
If pulse detection circuit and memory are added, then position information can be stored, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter operates periodically or on-demand rather than continuously, sending position information only when the movable actuating element is actuated. The pulse detection circuit and memory are activated only during these periodic events by the energy recovery means, enabling position information storage and transmission while minimizing overall energy consumption through intermittent operation rather than continuous power consumption.
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
Enables the detection of the position of the movable actuating element and incorporation of this information into control signals sent to remote devices, enhancing the device's functionality while maintaining energy autonomy.
Implementation Method 1
the electrical power required to send the radio message is obtained by energy recovery means which are activated by the action of a user on a mobile actuating element of the control device
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless control device comprises a housing, a moving actuating element, an electronic control circuit (18) including a wireless transmitter capable of transmitting a control signal to an electrical device, and an energy harvesting device (12) configured to power the electronic control circuit by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy when the moving actuating element is actuated, delivering an output voltage whose sign depends on the direction of movement of the transmission mechanism. The control circuit further comprises a pulse detection circuit (20) configured to identify the sign of the output voltage and to store information representative of the sign of the output voltage, the transmitter being further configured to include, in the transmitted control signal, information representative of the sign of the output voltage.