US20130106155A1

US20130106155A1 - Power generating chair

Info

Publication number: US20130106155A1
Application number: US13/335,957
Authority: US
Inventors: Kuo-Cheng Chang
Original assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology Inc
Current assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology Inc
Priority date: 2011-10-31
Filing date: 2011-12-23
Publication date: 2013-05-02
Also published as: TW201316926A

Abstract

A power generating chair includes a base, a seat, a back, and a power-collecting module. The seat includes a seat housing and a first cushion received in the seat housing. The seat is positioned above the base. The seat housing is supported by the base. The first cushion is made of piezoelectric material and configured for converting mechanical energy to electrical power. The back is connected to a side of the seat. The power-collecting module is electrically connected to the first cushion and configured for storing the electrical power generated by the first cushion.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a chair and, particularly, to a power generating chair.
2. Description of Related Art
Chairs are used at work and for relaxing. When a user sits down, leans back in the chair, or moves with the chair, the chair is pressed. Hence, utilizing the pressure is very important and ought to be considered in the design of chairs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a power generating chair, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the power generating chair of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the power generating chair of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a power generating chair 100, according to an exemplary embodiment, includes a seat 10, a back 20, a connection member 30, a pair of armrests 40, a base 50, and a power-collecting module 60 (shown in FIG. 3).
Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the seat 10 includes an upper surface 10 a and a lower surface 10 b. The upper surface 10 a and the lower surface 10 b are positioned at opposite sides of the seat 10. The upper surface 10 a is configured for supporting users. The seat 10 includes a seat housing 12, a first cushion 14, and a second cushion 16. The first cushion 14 is received in the seat housing 12. The first cushion 14 is made of piezoelectric material and configured for converting mechanical energy to electrical power. The second cushion 16 is received in the seat housing 12 and positioned on the first cushion 14. The second cushion 16 is a solar panel and is configured for converting light energy to electrical power.
The back 20 includes a connection portion 20 a and a support portion 20 b. The connection portion 20 a and the support portion 20 b are positioned at opposite sides of the back 20. The back 20 includes a back housing 22, a first back plate 24, and a second back plate 26. The first back plate 24 is received in the back housing 22. The first back plate 24 is made of piezoelectric material and configured for converting mechanical energy to electrical power. The second back plate 26 engages with the back housing 22 and seals the back housing 22. The second back plate 26 is a solar panel and is configured for converting light energy to electrical power.
The connection member 30 defines a cutout 32. The connection member 30 protrudes from a side of the seat 10. The connection portion 20 a is fixed in the cutout 32 by means of a pivot 28. A preload force can be set between the connection portion 20 a and the pivot 28, such that the back 20 can rotate about the pivot 28 when a pressure applied to the back 20 is larger than the preload force.
The two armrests 40 extend from the two opposite sides of the seat 10. The back 20 is positioned between the two armrests 40.
Referring to FIGS. 2-3, the base 50 includes a support member 52 and a shaft 54. The support member 52 includes a pole 522, five radial-type legs 524, and five wheels 526. One end of the pole 522 is rotatably connected to one end of the shaft 54. The legs 524 extend from the other end of the pole 522. The wheels 526 are fixed on the respective legs 524 and rest on the ground. The wheels 526 are made of piezoelectric material and configured for converting mechanical energy to electrical power. The other end of the shaft 54 is fixed to the lower surface 10 b of the seat 10 to support the seat 10. The shaft 54 is made of piezoelectric material and configured for converting mechanical energy to electrical power.
The power-collecting module 60 is a storage battery. The power-collecting module 60 is fixed on the lower surface 10 b and is mechanically connected to the shaft 54. The power-collecting module 60 is electrically connected to the first cushion 14, the second cushion 16, the first back plate 24, the second back plate 26, the wheels 526, and the shaft 54 by wires (not shown), thereby any electrical power generated by the first cushion 14, the second cushion 16, the first back plate 24, the second back plate 26, the wheels 526, and the shaft 54, flows into and is stored in the power-collecting module 60.
In this embodiment, the piezoelectric material includes organic piezoelectric material, inorganic piezoelectric material, or compound piezoelectric material. The organic piezoelectric material may be polyvinylidene fluoride. The inorganic piezoelectric material may be piezotransistors or piezoceramics. A piezotransistor may include quartz crystal, lithium gallium oxide, lithium germinate, lithium niobate and lithium tantalite. The piezoceramics may include barium titanate, barium zirconate titanate, modified barium zirconate titanate, and modified lead titanate. The compound piezoelectric material may include a polymer base, in which organic piezoelectric material and inorganic piezoelectric material are embedded.
If a user sits on the power generating chair 100, a pressure will be applied to the first cushion 14 and the wheels 526. Then, the first cushion 14 and the wheels 526 transform the mechanical energy to electrical power. If the user leans back in the power generating chair 100, a pressure will also be applied to the first back plate 24. Then, the first back plate 24 transforms the mechanical energy to electrical power. If the user rotates the power generating chair 100, a pressure and torque will be applied to the shaft 54. Then, the shaft 54 transforms the mechanical energy to electrical power. If the power generating chair 100 is moved, a rolling pressure is applied peripherally to the wheels 526. Then, the first cushion 14 and the wheels 526 transform the mechanical energy to electrical power. In addition, when the second cushion 16 and the second back plate 26 face towards a bright light such as the sun, the second cushion 16 and the second back plate 26 can transform light energy to electrical power. The power-collecting module 60 stores all the electrical power generated. In another embodiment, the electrical power may be provided directly to other electronic devices. Thus, the simple act of sitting in the power generating chair 100 can provide additional electrical power for charging the battery and/or powering electronic devices, achieving good energy conservation.
In another embodiment, the support member 52 includes a pole. One end of the pole is rotatably connected to one end of the shaft 54, and the other end of the pole is supported by the ground.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set fourth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in details, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A power generating chair comprising:

a base;

a seat comprising a seat housing and a first cushion received in the seat housing, the seat positioned above the base, the seat housing supported by the base, the first cushion made of piezoelectric material and configured for converting mechanical energy to electrical power;

a back connected to a side of the seat; and

a power-collecting module electrically connected to the first cushion and configured for storing the electrical power generated by the first cushion.

2. The power generating chair of claim 1, wherein the power-collecting module is fixed on a lower surface of the seat and is mechanically connected to the base.

3. The power generating chair of claim 1, wherein the seat further comprises a second cushion positioned on the first cushion, and the second cushion is a solar panel and is electrically connected to the power-collecting module.

4. The power generating chair of claim 1, wherein the back comprises a back housing, a first back plate, and a second back plate, the back housing is connected to the side of the seat, the first back plate is received in the back housing, the first back plate is made of piezoelectric material and electrically connected to the power-collecting module, the second back plate engages with the back housing to seal the back housing, and the second back plate is a solar panel and is electrically connected to the power-collecting module.

5. The power generating chair of claim 1, further comprising a connection member, wherein the connection member protrudes from the side of the seat and defines a cutout, and the back is pivotedly fixed in the cutout.

6. The power generating chair of claim 1, further comprising a pair of armrests, wherein the armrests extend from two opposite sides of the seat, and the back is positioned between the two armrests.

7. The power generating chair of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a support member and a shaft, one end of the shaft is fixed to the lower surface of the seat, and the other end of the shaft is rotatably connected to the support member.

8. The power generating chair of claim 7, wherein the shaft is made of piezoelectric material and electrically connected to the power-collecting module.

9. The power generating chair of claim 8, wherein the support member comprises a pole, one end of the pole is rotatably connected to the shaft, and the other end of the pole is supported by the ground.

10. The power generating chair of claim 8, wherein the support member comprises a pole, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of wheels, one end of the pole is rotatably connected to the shaft, the legs extend from the other end of the pole, the wheels are fixed on the respective legs and are supported by the ground.