Wireless Communication Module Energy Management in Hand Tools

Solution Overview

Problem

The frequent replacement or recharging of energy stores in communication modules used in hand-held power tools and data management systems is time-consuming and expensive, especially when a large number of modules are involved, as they require continuous electrical energy for operation.

Innovation Solution

The communication module is temporarily supplied with energy only when necessary, allowing for independent operation from the mobile device's energy store, with user-configurable settings for energy usage based on specific requirements, such as time intervals and data volume, to minimize energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the communication module is permanently supplied with energy, then it can continuously send and receive data, but the energy store requires frequent replacement or recharging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous data transmission capabilityVSAvoidenergy store runtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module is activated periodically rather than continuously. The control device determines specific time intervals during which the communication module should be active for data transmission, and keeps it inactive during other periods to conserve energy. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining necessary communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The energy supply to the communication module is made dynamic rather than static. The control device adjusts the activation state of the communication module based on operational requirements, transitioning between active and inactive states. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize between communication reliability and energy conservation based on actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Use of energy by moving object

If the communication module is temporarily supplied with energy only for sending data, then energy consumption is reduced, but the module cannot receive data at any time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddata reception availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module is activated periodically rather than continuously. The control device determines specific time intervals during which the communication module should be active for data transmission, and keeps it inactive during other periods to conserve energy. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining necessary communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device monitors operational data and energy levels to dynamically determine when the communication module should be activated. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize communication timing based on actual data transmission needs and energy availability, ensuring the module is active when necessary for both sending and receiving data while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of communication modules are used in a data management system, then system functionality is enhanced, but maintenance and replacement of energy stores becomes time-consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module is activated periodically rather than continuously. The control device determines specific time intervals during which the communication module should be active for data transmission, and keeps it inactive during other periods to conserve energy. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining necessary communication functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the operational life of energy stores by reducing their discharge rate through periodic activation. This allows energy stores to be reused for longer periods before replacement is necessary, effectively 'recovering' time and resources that would otherwise be spent on frequent replacements across multiple devices in the data management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP3314954B1Method for operating a hand tool machine

Publication Date: 2020.09.23 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

Figure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a mobile device (2, 3), in particular a hand-held power tool, comprising a communication module (5, 12) for wireless communication, said communication module (5, 12) being powered by electricity from an energy accumulator (8, 13) of the mobile device (2, 3). According to the invention, the communication module (5, 12) is powered only temporarily at least for transmitting data.