Power supply apparatus and electronic equipment

• US 20020190689A1
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Chiaki, Tanaka, Tsutomu, Kato, Kazuo, Saitoh, Yutaka, Matsubara, Kazuo
• Granted Patent: US 6,809,498 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/102
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 10/00 Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces circuits G04G19/00; mounting, assembling of components of electromechanical watches G04C3/008, of electronic watches G04G17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/248 provided with an AC/DC converting device, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/12 of the resonant type
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/27 characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/07 using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode , e.g. charge pumps
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1607 Supply circuits converters H02M; filters therefor H02M1/14; voltage stabilisers G05F1/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body

Abstract

To provide a power supply apparatus that replaces a dry battery by detecting electric field energy in a free space, rectifying the energy, extracting the energy as electric power, and accumulating the electric power. In particular, there is provided a power supply apparatus that is useful for a portable electronic equipment. An electromagnetic energy conversion unit collects a radio wave propagating in the air and converts collected electromagnetic energy into electric power. A rectifying unit generates electric power having a DC waveform by rectifying electric power having an AC waveform and charges the rectified electric power having the DC waveform into a secondary battery. An electric load is supplied with the rectified electric power having the DC waveform or with electric power having a DC waveform discharged from the secondary battery.

Claims

1. A power supply apparatus comprising:

an electromagnetic energy conversion unit for collecting electromagnetic energy of a radio wave, which propagates in the air, and converting the electromagnetic energy into electric power;

a rectifier unit for rectifying the electric power having an AC waveform inputted from the electromagnetic energy conversion unit and outputting electric power having a DC waveform;

a storage battery that is charged with the rectified electric power having the DC waveform and discharges the charged electric power; and

a control unit for controlling the charging and discharging of the storage battery.

2. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first input terminal that contacts a human body and inputs the electromagnetic energy of the radio wave propagating in the air via the human body; and

a second input terminal that connects a ground of an electronic circuit within the apparatus to the human body, wherein the rectifier unit rectifies the electric power having the AC waveform inputted from the electromagnetic energy conversion unit and the input terminal, and outputs the electric power having the DC waveform.

5. A power supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the input terminal includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that contact the human body, and

the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are formed so that one of the terminals has a circular shape, whose center is the other of the terminals, or both of the terminals have a dotted shape.

8. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a matching unit that establishes impedance matching between the rectifier unit side and one of the electromagnetic energy conversion unit and the input terminal.

11. A power supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the matching unit is constructed from a resistance.

14. A power supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the matching unit is a series resonance circuit constructed from a capacitor and an inductor.

17. A power supply apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the matching unit is a parallel resonance circuit constructed from a capacitor and an inductor.

20. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes two backflow prevention rectifier elements that perform rectification toward the storage battery at a subsequent stage;

and a voltage step-up circuit that steps up, to a predetermined value, a voltage of the electric power having the DC waveform connected to an input terminal side of one of the backflow prevention rectifier elements.

23. A power supply apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the control unit includes an input voltage monitoring means for monitoring an input voltage of the electric power having the DC waveform inputted from the rectifier unit;

and a monitoring means for, if the input voltage is higher than the predetermined value, terminating an operation of the voltage step-up circuit so that the inputted electric power having the DC waveform is directly supplied to the storage battery and, if the input voltage is lower than the predetermined value, controlling an operation of the voltage step-up circuit so that the input voltage is stepped up by the voltage step-up circuit and is supplied to the storage battery.

29. A power supply apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the voltage step-up circuit provided for the control unit is of a switched capacitor type constructed by connecting a switch element to a capacitor;

and the voltage step-up circuit is provided with an oscillation circuit that oscillates a clock signal for controlling timing of a step-up operation of a voltage.

35. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic energy conversion unit is a flat antenna obtained by overlaying a back plane, an insulating layer, and an antenna conductor on a cross-sectional lower layer.

51. A power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic energy conversion unit is one of a whip antenna using a spiral electric wire and a dielectric antenna using a dielectric.

53. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 1, wherein the rectifier unit includes a half wave voltage doubler rectifier circuit constructed from a first diode and a second diode that are connected in a forward direction.

56. A power supply apparatus according to claim 53, wherein If/IR of one of the first and second diodes that is connected to the storage battery side is smaller than If/IR of the other of the first and second diodes.

59. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 1, wherein the rectifier u nit includes a single diode and an inductor that gives a bias to the diode.

62. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 1, wherein the rectifier unit includes a diode whose anode is connected to a ground side and cathode is connected to an AC signal side, a λ

/4 line whose one end is connected to a cathode of the diode, a conductor that is arranged so as to oppose the λ

/4 line, and a capacitor that is connected between the other end of the λ

/4 line and a ground.

65. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 53, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

74. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 62, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

77. An electronic equipment comprising the power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply apparatus supplies electric power having a DC waveform to the electronic equipment.

3. A power supply apparatus comprising:

an electromagnetic energy conversion unit for collecting electromagnetic energy of a radio wave, which propagates in the air, and converting the electromagnetic energy into electric power;

an input terminal that contacts a human body and inputs electromagnetic energy of a radio wave propagating in the air via the human body;

a rectifier unit for rectifying the electric power having an AC waveform inputted from the electromagnetic energy conversion unit or the input terminal and outputting electric power having a DC waveform;

a storage battery that is charged with the rectified electric power having the DC waveform and discharges the charged electric power; and

a control unit for controlling the charging and discharging of the storage battery.

6. A power supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the input terminal includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that contact the human body, and

the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are formed so that one of the terminals has a circular shape, whose center is the other of the terminals, or both of the terminals have a dotted shape.

9. A power supply apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

a matching unit that establishes impedance matching between the rectifier unit side and one of the electromagnetic energy conversion unit and the input terminal.

12. A power supply apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the matching unit is constructed from a resistance.

15. A power supply apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the matching unit is a series resonance circuit constructed from a capacitor and an inductor.

18. A power supply apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the matching unit is a parallel resonance circuit constructed from a capacitor and an inductor.

21. A power supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit includes two backflow prevention rectifier elements that perform rectification toward the storage battery at a subsequent stage;

and a voltage step-up circuit that steps up, to a predetermined value, a voltage of the electric power having the DC waveform connected to an input terminal side of one of the backflow prevention rectifier elements.

24. A power supply apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control unit includes an input voltage monitoring means for monitoring an input voltage of the electric power having the DC waveform inputted from the rectifier unit;

and a monitoring means for, if the input voltage is higher than the predetermined value, terminating an operation of the voltage step-up circuit so that the inputted electric power having the DC waveform is directly supplied to the storage battery and, if the input voltage is lower than the predetermined value, controlling an operation of the voltage step-up circuit so that the input voltage is stepped up by the voltage step-up circuit and is supplied to the storage battery.

30. A power supply apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the voltage step-up circuit provided for the control unit is of a switched capacitor type constructed by connecting a switch element to a capacitor;

and the voltage step-up circuit is provided with an oscillation circuit that oscillates a clock signal for controlling timing of a step-up operation of a voltage.

33. A power supply apparatus according to claim 30, wherein a buffer circuit is provided to follow the oscillation circuit, the buffer circuit amplifying a potential at one end of the capacitor in accordance with the clock signal,

a power supply of the buffer circuit is connected to an output side of the rectifier unit, and the buffer circuit is operated by the electric power having the DC waveform that is transmitted from the electromagnetic energy conversion unit via the matching unit and the rectifier unit.

36. A power supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic energy conversion unit is a flat antenna obtained by overlaying a back plane, an insulating layer, and an antenna conductor on a cross-sectional lower layer.

37. A power supply apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the antenna conductor is formed using one of a circular pattern, a rectangular pattern, and another flat pattern.

38. A power supply apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the antenna conductor is formed using one of a circular pattern, a rectangular pattern, and another flat pattern.

39. A power supply apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the antenna conductor has a construction where a wiring pattern is allowed to extend from the flat pattern and is arranged at a position at which the wiring pattern also opposes the back plane.

40. A power supply apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the antenna conductor has a construction where a wiring pattern is allowed to extend from the flat pattern and is arranged at a position at which the wiring pattern also opposes the back plane.

41. A power supply apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the flat pattern and the wiring pattern are formed so as to become a same plane.

42. A power supply apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the flat pattern and the wiring pattern are formed so as to become a same plane.

43. A power supply apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the flat pattern and the wiring pattern are formed so as to have one of a stepped surface and an inclined surface.

44. A power supply apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the flat pattern and the wiring pattern are formed so as to have one of a stepped surface and an inclined surface.

45. A power supply apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the wiring pattern is arranged on the insulating layer.

46. A power supply apparatus according to claim 42, wherein the wiring pattern is arranged on the insulating layer.

47. A power supply apparatus according to claim 43, wherein the wiring pattern is arranged on the insulating layer.

48. A power supply apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the wiring pattern is arranged on the insulating layer.

49. A power supply apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the flat antenna is formed so as to have one of a flat plate shape, a bent shape, and a ring shape.

50. A power supply apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the flat antenna is formed so as to have one of a flat plate shape, a bent shape, and a ring shape.

52. A power supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic energy conversion unit is one of a whip antenna using a spiral electric wire and a dielectric antenna using a dielectric.

54. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 3, wherein the rectifier unit includes a half wave voltage doubler rectifier circuit constructed from a first diode and a second diode that are connected in a forward direction.

57. A power supply apparatus according to claim 54, wherein If/IR of one of the first and second diodes that is connected to the storage battery side is smaller than If/IR of the other of the first and second diodes.

60. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 3, wherein the rectifier unit includes a single diode and an inductor that gives a bias to the diode.

63. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 3, wherein the rectifier unit includes a diode whose anode is connected to a ground side and cathode is connected to an AC signal side, a λ

/4 line whose one end is connected to a cathode of the diode, a conductor that is arranged so as to oppose the λ

/4 line, and a capacitor that is connected between the other end of the λ

/4 line and a ground.

66. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 54, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

72. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 60, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

75. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 63, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

78. An electronic equipment comprising the power supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power supply apparatus supplies electric power having a DC waveform to the electronic equipment.

81. A power supply apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the voltage step-up circuit has a construction where the switch element converts a parallel connection of a plurality of the capacitors into a series connection.

84. A power supply apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the voltage step-up circuit is constructed so as to generate a clock signal for controlling the switch element from an RF signal outputted from the matching unit.

87. A power supply apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the voltage step-up circuit is constructed so as to include a plurality of half wave rectifier circuits, the half wave rectifier circuits output rectifier signals, whose phases are shifted from each other by 180°

, and the clock signal for controlling the switch element is generated from the rectifier signals.

90. A power supply apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the control unit includes a plurality of the voltage step-up circuits electrically connected in parallel,

each of the voltage step-up circuits includes a backflow prevention element, and

the clock signal is applied to each of the voltage step-up circuits with different phases to operate the voltage step-up circuits.

4. A power supply apparatus comprising:

an input terminal that contacts a human body and inputs electromagnetic energy of a radio wave propagating in the air via the human body;

a rectifier unit for rectifying electric power having an AC waveform inputted from the input terminal and outputting electric power having a DC waveform;

a storage battery that is charged with the rectified electric power having the DC waveform and discharges the charged electric power; and

a control unit for controlling the charging and discharging of the storage battery.

7. A power supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input terminal includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal that contact the human body, and

the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are formed so that one of the terminals has a circular shape, whose center is the other of the terminals, or both of the terminals have a dotted shape.

10. A power supply apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a matching unit that establishes impedance matching between the rectifier unit side and one of the electromagnetic energy conversion unit and the input terminal.

13. A power supply apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the matching unit is constructed from a resistance.

16. A power supply apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the matching unit is a series resonance circuit constructed from a capacitor and an inductor.

19. A power supply apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the matching unit is a parallel resonance circuit constructed from a capacitor and an inductor.

22. A power supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit includes two backflow prevention rectifier elements that perform rectification toward the storage battery at a subsequent stage;

and a voltage step-up circuit that steps up, to a predetermined value, a voltage of the electric power having the DC waveform connected to an input terminal side of one of the backflow prevention rectifier elements.

25. A power supply apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the control unit includes an input voltage monitoring means for monitoring an input voltage of the electric power having the DC waveform inputted from the rectifier unit;

and a monitoring means for;

if the input voltage is higher than the predetermined value, terminating an operation of the voltage step-up circuit so that the inputted electric power having the DC waveform is directly supplied to the storage battery and, if the input voltage is lower than the predetermined value, controlling an operation of the voltage step-up circuit so that the input voltage is stepped up by the voltage step-up circuit and is supplied to the storage battery.

26. A power supply apparatus according to claim 23,

wherein the control unit further includes a storage battery voltage monitoring means for monitoring a storage battery voltage on the storage battery side, and if the storage battery voltage is a predetermined value or more, the monitoring means terminates driving of the voltage step-up circuit.

27. A power supply apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the control unit further includes a storage battery voltage monitoring means for monitoring a storage battery voltage on the storage battery side, and if the storage battery voltage is a predetermined value or more, the monitoring means terminates driving of the voltage step-up circuit.

28. A power supply apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the control unit further includes a storage battery voltage monitoring means for monitoring a storage battery voltage on the storage battery side, and if the storage battery voltage is a predetermined value or more, the monitoring means terminates driving of the voltage step-up circuit.

31. A power supply apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the voltage step-up circuit provided for the control unit is of a switched capacitor type constructed by connecting a switch element to a capacitor;

and the voltage step-up circuit is provided with an oscillation circuit that oscillates a clock signal for controlling timing of a step-up operation of a voltage.

32. A power supply apparatus according to claim 29, wherein a buffer circuit is provided to follow the oscillation circuit, the buffer circuit amplifying a potential at one end of the capacitor in accordance with the clock signal,

a power supply of the buffer circuit is connected to an output side of the rectifier unit, and the buffer circuit is operated by the electric power having the DC waveform that is transmitted from the electromagnetic energy conversion unit via the matching unit and the rectifier unit.

34. A power supply apparatus according to claim 31, wherein a buffer circuit is provided to follow the oscillation circuit, the buffer circuit amplifying a potential at one end of the capacitor in accordance with the clock signal,

a power supply of the buffer circuit is connected to an output side of the rectifier unit, and the buffer circuit is operated by the electric power having the DC waveform that is transmitted from the electromagnetic energy conversion unit via the matching unit and the rectifier unit.

55. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 4, wherein the rectifier unit includes a half wave voltage doubler rectifier circuit constructed from a first diode and a second diode that are connected in a forward direction.

58. A power supply apparatus according to claim 55, wherein If/IR of one of the first and second diodes that is connected to the storage battery side is smaller than If/IR of the other of the first and second diodes.

61. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 4, wherein the rectifier unit includes a single diode and an inductor that gives a bias to the diode.

64. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 4, wherein the rectifier unit includes a diode whose anode is connected to a ground side and cathode is connected to an AC signal side, a λ

/4 line whose one end is connected to a cathode of the diode, a conductor that is arranged so as to oppose the λ

/4 line, and a capacitor that is connected between the other end of the λ

/4 line and a ground.

67. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 55, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

68. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 56, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

69. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 57, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

70. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 58, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

71. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 59, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

73. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 61, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

76. A power supply apparatus according to of claim 64, wherein the rectifier unit includes a MOSFET that substitutes for the diode.

79. An electronic equipment comprising the power supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the power supply apparatus supplies electric power having a DC waveform to the electronic equipment.

80. A power supply apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the voltage step-up circuit has a construction where the switch element converts a parallel connection of a plurality of the capacitors into a series connection.

82. A power supply apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the voltage step-up circuit has a construction where the switch element converts a parallel connection of a plurality of the capacitors into a series connection.

83. A power supply apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the voltage step-up circuit is constructed so as to generate a clock signal for controlling the switch element from an RF signal outputted from the matching unit.

85. A power supply apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the voltage step-up circuit is constructed so as to generate a clock signal for controlling the switch element from an RF signal outputted from the matching unit.

86. A power supply apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the voltage step-up circuit is constructed so as to include a plurality of half wave rectifier circuits, the half wave rectifier circuits output rectifier signals, whose phases are shifted from each other by 180°

, and the clock signal for controlling the switch element is generated from the rectifier signals.

88. A power supply apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the voltage step-up circuit is constructed so as to include a plurality of half wave rectifier circuits, the half wave rectifier circuits output rectifier signals, whose phases are shifted from each other by 180°

, and the clock signal for controlling the switch element is generated from the rectifier signals.

89. A power supply apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the control unit includes a plurality of the voltage step-up circuits electrically connected in parallel,

each of the voltage step-up circuits includes a backflow prevention element, and

the clock signal is applied to each of the voltage step-up circuits with different phases to operate the voltage step-up circuits.

91. A power supply apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the control unit includes a plurality of the voltage step-up circuits electrically connected in parallel,

each of the voltage step-up circuits includes a backflow prevention element, and

the clock signal is applied to each of the voltage step-up circuits with different phases to operate the voltage step-up circuits.