Compact Wireless Sensor Startup Control for Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless sensor assemblies face challenges with power consumption and harvesting, particularly due to high initial power bursts during start-up, which can drain energy and cause startup failures in energy-harvesting applications.
Innovation Solution
The wireless sensor assembly incorporates a wireless power source with an energy harvesting configuration, including a vibrational or thermal power generator, power conditioner, and storage component. Additionally, the firmware is modified to spread out the initial energy burst over time, and circuitry is added to delay the output logic signal until sufficient stored energy is available.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an integrated battery is used as the power source, then the sensor can operate autonomously, but the sensor size increases and cannot be made small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery from the sensor assembly, separating the power source from the sensing unit. The sensor operates wirelessly without an integrated battery, allowing the sensor itself to be made small while autonomous operation is maintained through external or harvested power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless power transmission as an intermediary between the power source and sensor. This mediator enables power delivery without physical connection or integration, resolving the contradiction between autonomous operation and compact size.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor is connected to an external power source by wires, then power consumption is managed, but it becomes difficult to use in harsh environments or mount on complicated structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire connection system with a wireless power transmission system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical cables, making the sensor suitable for harsh environments and complicated mounting structures while maintaining controlled power delivery.
3Use of energy by moving object
If low-power microprocessors are used, then power consumption is reduced, but they consume excessive power during start-up causing startup failures in energy harvesting applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary energy accumulation before microprocessor startup. Energy harvesting components charge storage elements in advance, ensuring sufficient energy is available to overcome the high startup power demand of the microprocessor, thus preventing startup failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic operation cycles where the microprocessor alternates between active and sleep states. Energy is harvested and stored during idle periods, then used during brief active periods, reducing average power consumption while ensuring reliable startup through accumulated energy reserves.
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 configuration reduces power consumption, conserves battery life, and prevents startup failures by managing energy efficiently, allowing the sensor to operate reliably in energy-harvesting environments.
Implementation Method 1
a vibrational or thermal power generator
Implementation Method 2
a vibrational or thermal power generator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A sensor assembly (10) comprises a housing (12), a power source configured to store and output electrical power, one or more electronics, and a sensor (14). The housing (12) defines an interior space. The sensor (14) is secured to the housing. The power source is disposed within the interior space. The one or more electronics is disposed within the interior space and configured to receive power from the power source. The one or more electronics comprises: a wireless communication component configured to establish a wireless communication link with an external device; and a microprocessor configured to communicate with the external device via the wireless communication link and to execute a firmware, wherein the firmware is configured to manage a rate of data transmittal from the wireless communication component to the external device.