Wireless Sensor Energy Management for Road Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active road noise control systems face challenges in maintaining reliable operation of self-sustaining wireless sensors due to insufficient energy harvesting, particularly when kinetic energy is low, leading to potential system failure.
Innovation Solution
A noise and vibration sensor arrangement that includes an energy harvester to generate electrical energy, an acceleration sensor to detect vibrations, a signal processor to process signals, and a signal transmitter to wirelessly broadcast data, with both operating in normal and energy-saving modes based on available energy levels, allowing for reduced data rates in energy-saving mode to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor operates in normal mode with full functionality, then data transmission quality and processing capability are improved, but energy consumption increases beyond available harvested energy
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement dynamically switches between normal operating mode and energy-saving mode based on available energy levels from the energy harvester. The energy controller continuously monitors harvested energy and adjusts the operational state of signal processing and transmission components accordingly, ensuring continuous operation while adapting energy consumption to match available energy supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by reducing data transmission rates and signal processing complexity when operating in energy-saving mode. This parameter adjustment allows the sensor to maintain functionality with reduced energy consumption, matching the limited energy available from the harvester during low-energy conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor switches to non-operational mode when power is insufficient, then energy consumption is reduced, but system reliability and data continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely shutting down, the system dynamically adapts by transitioning to a reduced-functionality energy-saving mode that maintains continuous operation. The energy controller adjusts operational parameters to match available energy while preserving system continuity, avoiding complete operational cessation.
3Productivity
If high data transmission rates are maintained, then information quality and processing speed are improved, but energy consumption exceeds available harvested energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes transmission parameter by reducing data rates when operating in energy-saving mode. This parameter adjustment allows the sensor to maintain data transmission functionality with reduced energy consumption, matching the limited energy available from the energy harvester.
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
Ensures continuous operation of the sensor system by adapting energy consumption based on available energy, preventing system failure and maintaining data transmission even when energy is limited, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of road noise control.
Implementation Method 1
an energy harvester configured to obtain electrical energy from an ambient energy source
Data Source
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AI summary
An example noise and vibration measurement system and method, which is configured to operate with an active road noise control system, includes obtaining electrical energy from an ambient energy source; supplying an acceleration sensor with electrical energy from the energy harvester; generating with the acceleration sensor a sense signal representative of at least one of accelerations, motions and vibrations that act on the acceleration sensor; supplying a signal processor with electrical energy from the energy harvester, the signal processor having a normal mode of operation with a first energy consumption and an energy saving mode of operation with a second energy consumption that is lower than the first energy consumption; and processing the sense signal to provide a processed sense signal. The system and method further comprises supplying a signal transmitter with electrical energy from the energy harvester, the signal transmitter having a normal mode of operation with a third energy consumption and an energy saving mode of operation with a fourth energy consumption that is lower than the third energy consumption; wirelessly broadcasting the sense signal via the signal transmitter; evaluating the electrical energy obtained from the ambient energy source; and controlling at least one of the signal processor and/or signal transmitter to operate in the energy saving mode when the electrical energy from the harvester is below a predetermined energy level and to otherwise operate in the normal mode.