EP4215999A1 - Energy harvester for a wearable and/or portable device - Google Patents
Energy harvester for a wearable and/or portable device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4215999A1 EP4215999A1 EP22153065.2A EP22153065A EP4215999A1 EP 4215999 A1 EP4215999 A1 EP 4215999A1 EP 22153065 A EP22153065 A EP 22153065A EP 4215999 A1 EP4215999 A1 EP 4215999A1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- mass
- energy
- energy harvester
- harvester
- extreme positions
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 210000000707 wrist Anatomy 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N platinum Chemical compound [Pt] BASFCYQUMIYNBI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 240000005860 Portulaca grandiflora Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- DMFGNRRURHSENX-UHFFFAOYSA-N beryllium copper Chemical compound [Be].[Cu] DMFGNRRURHSENX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003534 oscillatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052697 platinum Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052710 silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010703 silicon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B5/00—Automatic winding up
- G04B5/02—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch
- G04B5/18—Supports, suspensions or guide arrangements, for oscillating weights
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B5/00—Automatic winding up
- G04B5/02—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch
- G04B5/04—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch by oscillating weights the movement of which is limited
- G04B5/08—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch by oscillating weights the movement of which is limited acting in both directions
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B5/00—Automatic winding up
- G04B5/02—Automatic winding up by self-winding caused by the movement of the watch
- G04B5/18—Supports, suspensions or guide arrangements, for oscillating weights
- G04B5/185—Suspension of the moving weight by elastic means
Definitions
- the invention relates to an energy harvester for a wearable and/or portable device, such as a wrist watch or a remote control for e.g. a (television) screen, the harvester comprising a mass that is arranged, e.g. suspended, to move, e.g. swing, back and forth between extreme positions and that is coupled, via a transmission, to an energy converter, such as a generator that converts kinetic energy into electrical power, and/or an energy storage, such as the main spring of a watch or a battery.
- an energy converter such as a generator that converts kinetic energy into electrical power
- an energy storage such as the main spring of a watch or a battery.
- the oscillatory weight of a watch self winding mechanism is carried by at least one flexible element attached to the watch movement.
- the weight 1, Fig. 1 is carried by a leaf spring 2 connected at 3 to the movement 4.
- Push and pull pawls 8, 7 are carried by an extension 6 of the weight 1 and are urged by a spring 9 into engagement with a ratchet 5 in the mainspring winding train.
- the pawl 8 drives the ratchet 5 as the weight 1 swings clockwise and the pawl 7 as the weight swings counter-clockwise.
- a detent 11 prevents reverse rotation of the ratchet 5 by urging it to a neutral central position.”
- US 2019/332061 relates to a monolithic component for a timepiece, in particular for a mechanical timepiece, comprising at least one rigid portion and an elastically flexible portion and designed to transmit the movement of an actuator of the timepiece to a driven part of the timepiece.
- the monolithic component comprises a rigid frame, a first rigid driving member, and a first elastically flexible structure connecting said frame to said first driving member.
- the first elastically flexible structure is configured in a manner such as to provide a displacement of said first driving member with at least two degrees of freedom, said displacement being caused as a result of the actuator coming into contact with said first driving member.
- WO 2019/160404 relates to an energy harvester comprising a mass that is subject to environmental forces for bringing it into the status of a moving mass, and means linked to the mass for converting and storing of energy embodied in the moving mass, which means are arranged for subsequent release of said energy, wherein the mass is comprised in a frame, and wherein at least one elastic beam connects the mass to the frame to arrange that the mass is statically balanced, wherein the at least one elastic beam is a buckling beam which buckles when the moving mass departs a neutral position with reference to the frame in which the elastic beam is not buckled, and wherein the elastic beam in its buckled condition counteracts forces of gravity acting on the moving mass so as to substantially statically balance said moving mass in the frame.
- WO 2021/002745 relates to a watch or timepiece comprising a wheel and a mass that drives the wheel, the mass being subjectable to environmental forces for bringing it into the status of a moving mass, wherein the mass is part of a system comprising a frame and at least a first elastic beam suspending the mass from the frame.
- the transmission ratio between the mass and the converter and/or storage is variable and, for at least one of the extreme positions, preferably for at least two, e.g. both, extreme positions, increases as the mass moves towards that position.
- the transmission ratio increases disproportionally when the mass moves towards one of the extreme position. I.e., both the first derivative and the second derivate of the transmission ratio are positive. Examples include exponential, hyperbolical, and sinusoidal increases.
- input accelerations are converted to output power more efficiently.
- more of the kinetic energy provided by the person wearing or holding the device is harvested, e.g. to increase the amount of energy harvested and thus the autonomy of the device and/or to enable smaller dimensions of the harvester and potentially the wearable and/or portable device.
- the transmission ratio is the ratio between (the amount of) translation and/or rotation in the converter or storage and (the amount of) translation and/or rotation of the mass.
- a higher transmission ratio implies that the mainspring is rotated more (over more degrees) for the same rotational displacement of the mass.
- the extreme positions of the mass are defined as the positions where the mass changes direction, swings back. The location of the extreme positions depends on the acceleration of the mass and thus will vary.
- At least one of the backward movement and the forward movement of the mass is limited, e.g. by means of stiffness increasing with the stroke of the mass.
- the transmission ratio increases asymptotically, i.e. theoretically infinitely, practically e.g. up to 20, or up to 30, or even higher, when the mass moves towards one of the extreme positions.
- the mass and transmission are configured such that, at least during normal or anticipated use, the mass will not hit an end stop, which enables highly efficient withdrawal of energy and/or avoids the waste of energy that inevitably results from hitting an end stop.
- the transmission in at least one position of the mass, between the extreme positions, e.g. in the middle between the extreme positions, the transmission has a mechanical advantage of zero or substantially zero, i.e. smaller than 0,5, preferably smaller than 0,2.
- the transmission has a mechanical advantage of zero or substantially zero over a range between the extreme positions.
- the harvester will be more susceptible to lower accelerations and also harvest energy at smaller and/or more gradual movements of the person wearing or carrying the device.
- the energy harvester comprises a base, e.g. a frame or base plate, a ground, which e.g. is part of or attached to the frame or base, and at least one link, e.g. two or three links, suspending the mass from the ground.
- a base e.g. a frame or base plate
- a ground which e.g. is part of or attached to the frame or base
- at least one link e.g. two or three links, suspending the mass from the ground.
- Two or more links provide more options to fine tune stiffness of the suspension and may facilitate micro-manufacture.
- the at least one link is compliant, i.e. elastically flexible.
- the mass and the at least one link, and optionally also the ground are planar, i.e. extend in the same plane, and preferably monolithic, i.e. made from a single piece of material. Examples of suitable materials included silicon, beryllium copper, and steel.
- an element e.g. an insert, of a high density metal, such as gold, platinum of wolfram, can be attached to the part(s) defining the mass.
- the mass and in particular the combination of the mass and its resilient suspension, may have a natural frequency in a range from above 0 to 5 Hertz, preferably in a range from 0,1 to 4,5 Hertz.
- the natural frequency or 'eigenfrequency' corresponds to input frequencies of common human activity, in particular running, with dominant frequencies typically between 3 and 4,5 Hertz, and walking, with dominant frequencies typically between 0,5 and 1,5 Hertz.
- the invention also relates to a watch movement comprising an automatic winding system comprising the energy harvester described above.
- the mass is coupled to a ratchet wheel, which in turn is coupled to the energy converter and/or the energy storage.
- the energy storage comprises a spiral spring, known in horology as main spring.
- the invention also relates to a wristwatch comprising a movement as described above.
- the mass is suspended to swing between limits defined by one and five o'clock positions on the dial of the watch or between limits defined by seven and eleven o'clock on the watch.
- Figures 1A to 1C are top plan views of a first embodiment of an energy harvester according to the present invention, with its inertial mass in the neutral position ( Fig. 1A ) and in the two extreme positions ( Figs. 1B and 1C ) .
- FIG. 2 is an exploded rear view of a wrist watch comprising a movement equipped with an automatic winding system in accordance with the invention.
- Figure 3 is a top plan view of the automatic winding system shown in Figure 2 .
- Figures 4A to 4C are enlarged views of the transmission in the automatic winding system shown in Figures 2 and 3 .
- FIGS 1A to 1C show a first embodiment of an energy harvester 1 according to the present invention, comprising a base, such as a base plate 2.
- a ratchet wheel 3 is rotatably mounted on the base plate by means of a shaft 4 that extends through the base plate and is connected to an energy converter and/or storage on the other side of the base plate.
- An inertial mass 5 is mounted to the base plate by means of a first pivot 6, which enables the inertial mass to swing back and forth between extreme positions, shown in Figures 1B and 1C .
- an arm 7 is mounted to the base plate by means of a second pivot 8.
- the arm extends around the ratchet wheel and is provided with one or more teeth 9 to enable the arm to pull and rotate the spring-loaded ratchet wheel, e.g. in clockwise direction (CW).
- a pawl (not shown) is provided to prevent the ratchet wheel from rotating in the opposite direction, e.g. counter-clockwise (CCW).
- the inertial mass is coupled to the arm by means of a link 10.
- the link is a rigid bar connected to the inertial mass by a third pivot 11 and coupled to the arm by a fourth pivot 12.
- the link is compliant and optionally monolithic with the mass and/or the arm.
- Figure 1A shows the neutral position of the inertial mass.
- the pivot 6 of the inertial mass and both pivots 11, 12 of the link are on a straight line that extends between the pivot 8 of the arm and the rotational shaft 4 of the ratchet wheel 3.
- the transmission ratio between the mass and the ratchet wheel is substantially zero, i.e. has practically no mechanical advantage and will start to move at the slightest acceleration of the device containing the energy harvester.
- the arm will rotate in the same direction, CW in the example shown, irrespective of the direction, CW or CCW, of the inertial mass and pulls the ratchet wheel to rotate in that same direction, CW.
- the transmission ratio between the inertial mass and the ratchet wheel increases disproportionally, i.e.
- the number of degrees of rotation of the ratchet wheel increases with each degree of rotation of the inertial mass, in this example to such an extent that the inertial mass is decelerated to come to a full stop after a stroke or swing of less than 25 degrees, e.g. 20 degrees, and no end stops are required.
- FIG. 2 shows, in an exploded rear view, a wrist watch 20 comprising a movement 21 including a conventional main spring 22 and an automatic winding system 1 in accordance with the invention.
- the movement 1 comprises a base plate 2, a ratchet wheel 3 rotatably mounted on the base plate by means of a shaft 4 that extends through the base plate and that is connected to the main spring 22 housed in a barrel on the other side of the base plate or accommodated in an opening of the base plate.
- An inertial mass 5 is mounted to the base plate by means of flexures 23 and a ground 24, which ground is fastened, e.g. screwed, to the base plate. Examples of a suitable mass and suspension are described in WO 2019/160404 .
- an arm 7 is mounted to the base plate by means of a pivot 8, which, in this example, is formed by the shaft 4, i.e. the arm 7 is co-axial with the ratchet wheel 3.
- the arm is provided with one or more teeth 9 to enable the arm to pull the spring-loaded ratchet wheel in one rotational direction, e.g. clockwise (CW).
- a pawl mechanism 25 is provided to prevent the ratchet from rotating in the opposite direction, e.g. counter-clockwise (CCW).
- the inertial mass is coupled to the arm by means of a link 10.
- the link is rigid and substantially S-shaped. It is connected to the inertial mass by a first hinge 11 and coupled to the arm by a second hinge 12.
- the link or at least the hinges are compliant and optionally monolithic with the mass and/or the arm.
- FIG 4A shows the neutral position of the inertial mass. In this position, the hinges are straight. As the inertial mass swings towards one of the extreme positions, shown in Figures 4B and 4C , at least one of the hinges 11, 12 bends the transmission ratio between the inertial mass and the ratchet wheel increases disproportionally.
- input accelerations are converted to output power more efficiently, i.c. more of the kinetic energy provided by the person wearing the watch is harvested. This can be employed to increase the autonomy of the watch and/or to design a smaller or thinner watch.
Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to an energy harvester for a wearable and/or portable device, such as a wrist watch or a remote control for e.g. a (television) screen, the harvester comprising a mass that is arranged, e.g. suspended, to move, e.g. swing, back and forth between extreme positions and that is coupled, via a transmission, to an energy converter, such as a generator that converts kinetic energy into electrical power, and/or an energy storage, such as the main spring of a watch or a battery.
- In
GB 766,295 weight 1,Fig. 1 , is carried by aleaf spring 2 connected at 3 to themovement 4. Push andpull pawls extension 6 of theweight 1 and are urged by aspring 9 into engagement with aratchet 5 in the mainspring winding train. Thepawl 8 drives theratchet 5 as theweight 1 swings clockwise and thepawl 7 as the weight swings counter-clockwise. A detent 11 prevents reverse rotation of theratchet 5 by urging it to a neutral central position." -
US 2019/332061 relates to a monolithic component for a timepiece, in particular for a mechanical timepiece, comprising at least one rigid portion and an elastically flexible portion and designed to transmit the movement of an actuator of the timepiece to a driven part of the timepiece. The monolithic component comprises a rigid frame, a first rigid driving member, and a first elastically flexible structure connecting said frame to said first driving member. The first elastically flexible structure is configured in a manner such as to provide a displacement of said first driving member with at least two degrees of freedom, said displacement being caused as a result of the actuator coming into contact with said first driving member. -
WO 2019/160404 relates to an energy harvester comprising a mass that is subject to environmental forces for bringing it into the status of a moving mass, and means linked to the mass for converting and storing of energy embodied in the moving mass, which means are arranged for subsequent release of said energy, wherein the mass is comprised in a frame, and wherein at least one elastic beam connects the mass to the frame to arrange that the mass is statically balanced, wherein the at least one elastic beam is a buckling beam which buckles when the moving mass departs a neutral position with reference to the frame in which the elastic beam is not buckled, and wherein the elastic beam in its buckled condition counteracts forces of gravity acting on the moving mass so as to substantially statically balance said moving mass in the frame. -
WO 2021/002745 relates to a watch or timepiece comprising a wheel and a mass that drives the wheel, the mass being subjectable to environmental forces for bringing it into the status of a moving mass, wherein the mass is part of a system comprising a frame and at least a first elastic beam suspending the mass from the frame. - It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved energy harvester, in particular to increase its efficiency and/or reduce or avoid wasting energy.
- To this end, the transmission ratio between the mass and the converter and/or storage is variable and, for at least one of the extreme positions, preferably for at least two, e.g. both, extreme positions, increases as the mass moves towards that position.
- In an embodiment, the transmission ratio increases disproportionally when the mass moves towards one of the extreme position. I.e., both the first derivative and the second derivate of the transmission ratio are positive. Examples include exponential, hyperbolical, and sinusoidal increases.
- Thus, input accelerations are converted to output power more efficiently. E.g., in a wearable or portable device, more of the kinetic energy provided by the person wearing or holding the device is harvested, e.g. to increase the amount of energy harvested and thus the autonomy of the device and/or to enable smaller dimensions of the harvester and potentially the wearable and/or portable device.
- In the context of the present invention, the transmission ratio is the ratio between (the amount of) translation and/or rotation in the converter or storage and (the amount of) translation and/or rotation of the mass. E.g., in an automatic winding system of a wrist watch having a rotationally suspended inertial mass and a spiral main spring as an energy storage, a higher transmission ratio implies that the mainspring is rotated more (over more degrees) for the same rotational displacement of the mass. Further, the extreme positions of the mass are defined as the positions where the mass changes direction, swings back. The location of the extreme positions depends on the acceleration of the mass and thus will vary.
- In an embodiment, at least one of the backward movement and the forward movement of the mass is limited, e.g. by means of stiffness increasing with the stroke of the mass. In another embodiment, the transmission ratio increases asymptotically, i.e. theoretically infinitely, practically e.g. up to 20, or up to 30, or even higher, when the mass moves towards one of the extreme positions.
- Thus, in principle, the mass and transmission are configured such that, at least during normal or anticipated use, the mass will not hit an end stop, which enables highly efficient withdrawal of energy and/or avoids the waste of energy that inevitably results from hitting an end stop.
- In another embodiment, in at least one position of the mass, between the extreme positions, e.g. in the middle between the extreme positions, the transmission has a mechanical advantage of zero or substantially zero, i.e. smaller than 0,5, preferably smaller than 0,2.
- In another embodiment, the transmission has a mechanical advantage of zero or substantially zero over a range between the extreme positions.
- Thus, the harvester will be more susceptible to lower accelerations and also harvest energy at smaller and/or more gradual movements of the person wearing or carrying the device.
- In another embodiment, the energy harvester comprises a base, e.g. a frame or base plate, a ground, which e.g. is part of or attached to the frame or base, and at least one link, e.g. two or three links, suspending the mass from the ground. Two or more links provide more options to fine tune stiffness of the suspension and may facilitate micro-manufacture.
- In a refinement, the at least one link is compliant, i.e. elastically flexible. In an embodiment, the mass and the at least one link, and optionally also the ground, are planar, i.e. extend in the same plane, and preferably monolithic, i.e. made from a single piece of material. Examples of suitable materials included silicon, beryllium copper, and steel. To increase the weight of the mass, an element, e.g. an insert, of a high density metal, such as gold, platinum of wolfram, can be attached to the part(s) defining the mass.
- The mass, and in particular the combination of the mass and its resilient suspension, may have a natural frequency in a range from above 0 to 5 Hertz, preferably in a range from 0,1 to 4,5 Hertz. Thus, the natural frequency or 'eigenfrequency' corresponds to input frequencies of common human activity, in particular running, with dominant frequencies typically between 3 and 4,5 Hertz, and walking, with dominant frequencies typically between 0,5 and 1,5 Hertz.
- The invention also relates to a watch movement comprising an automatic winding system comprising the energy harvester described above. In an embodiment, the mass is coupled to a ratchet wheel, which in turn is coupled to the energy converter and/or the energy storage. In another embodiment, the energy storage comprises a spiral spring, known in horology as main spring.
- The invention also relates to a wristwatch comprising a movement as described above.
- In an embodiment, the mass is suspended to swing between limits defined by one and five o'clock positions on the dial of the watch or between limits defined by seven and eleven o'clock on the watch.
- Below, the invention will be explained further, which reference to the appended figures in which an embodiment of the invention is shown.
-
Figures 1A to 1C are top plan views of a first embodiment of an energy harvester according to the present invention, with its inertial mass in the neutral position (Fig. 1A ) and in the two extreme positions (Figs. 1B and 1C ) . -
Figure 2 is an exploded rear view of a wrist watch comprising a movement equipped with an automatic winding system in accordance with the invention. -
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the automatic winding system shown inFigure 2 . -
Figures 4A to 4C are enlarged views of the transmission in the automatic winding system shown inFigures 2 and 3 . - Elements in different embodiments that are similar or identical or that perform a similar or identical function are referred to by the same reference number.
-
Figures 1A to 1C show a first embodiment of anenergy harvester 1 according to the present invention, comprising a base, such as abase plate 2. Aratchet wheel 3 is rotatably mounted on the base plate by means of ashaft 4 that extends through the base plate and is connected to an energy converter and/or storage on the other side of the base plate. Aninertial mass 5 is mounted to the base plate by means of afirst pivot 6, which enables the inertial mass to swing back and forth between extreme positions, shown inFigures 1B and 1C . Further, anarm 7 is mounted to the base plate by means of asecond pivot 8. The arm extends around the ratchet wheel and is provided with one ormore teeth 9 to enable the arm to pull and rotate the spring-loaded ratchet wheel, e.g. in clockwise direction (CW). A pawl (not shown) is provided to prevent the ratchet wheel from rotating in the opposite direction, e.g. counter-clockwise (CCW). - The inertial mass is coupled to the arm by means of a
link 10. In the example shown, the link is a rigid bar connected to the inertial mass by athird pivot 11 and coupled to the arm by afourth pivot 12. In another example, the link is compliant and optionally monolithic with the mass and/or the arm. -
Figure 1A shows the neutral position of the inertial mass. In this position, thepivot 6 of the inertial mass and bothpivots pivot 8 of the arm and therotational shaft 4 of theratchet wheel 3. As a result, in the neutral position, the transmission ratio between the mass and the ratchet wheel is substantially zero, i.e. has practically no mechanical advantage and will start to move at the slightest acceleration of the device containing the energy harvester. Due to the configuration of the link, in particular its dimensions and the location of the pivots, the arm will rotate in the same direction, CW in the example shown, irrespective of the direction, CW or CCW, of the inertial mass and pulls the ratchet wheel to rotate in that same direction, CW. Also, as the inertial mass swings towards one of the extreme positions, shown inFigures 1B and 1C , the transmission ratio between the inertial mass and the ratchet wheel increases disproportionally, i.e. the number of degrees of rotation of the ratchet wheel increases with each degree of rotation of the inertial mass, in this example to such an extent that the inertial mass is decelerated to come to a full stop after a stroke or swing of less than 25 degrees, e.g. 20 degrees, and no end stops are required. -
Figure 2 shows, in an exploded rear view, awrist watch 20 comprising amovement 21 including a conventionalmain spring 22 and anautomatic winding system 1 in accordance with the invention. - As also shown in
Figure 3 , themovement 1 comprises abase plate 2, aratchet wheel 3 rotatably mounted on the base plate by means of ashaft 4 that extends through the base plate and that is connected to themain spring 22 housed in a barrel on the other side of the base plate or accommodated in an opening of the base plate. Aninertial mass 5 is mounted to the base plate by means offlexures 23 and aground 24, which ground is fastened, e.g. screwed, to the base plate. Examples of a suitable mass and suspension are described inWO 2019/160404 . - Further, as shown in more detail in
Figures 4A to 4C , anarm 7 is mounted to the base plate by means of apivot 8, which, in this example, is formed by theshaft 4, i.e. thearm 7 is co-axial with theratchet wheel 3. The arm is provided with one ormore teeth 9 to enable the arm to pull the spring-loaded ratchet wheel in one rotational direction, e.g. clockwise (CW). Apawl mechanism 25 is provided to prevent the ratchet from rotating in the opposite direction, e.g. counter-clockwise (CCW). - The inertial mass is coupled to the arm by means of a
link 10. In the example shown, the link is rigid and substantially S-shaped. It is connected to the inertial mass by afirst hinge 11 and coupled to the arm by asecond hinge 12. In another example, the link or at least the hinges are compliant and optionally monolithic with the mass and/or the arm. -
Figure 4A shows the neutral position of the inertial mass. In this position, the hinges are straight. As the inertial mass swings towards one of the extreme positions, shown inFigures 4B and 4C , at least one of thehinges - Thus, input accelerations are converted to output power more efficiently, i.c. more of the kinetic energy provided by the person wearing the watch is harvested. This can be employed to increase the autonomy of the watch and/or to design a smaller or thinner watch.
- The invention is not limited to the described embodiments and can be varied within the scope of the claims.
Claims (15)
- Energy harvester (1) for a wearable and/or portable device, the harvester comprising a mass (5) that is arranged to move back and forth between extreme positions and that is coupled to an energy converter and/or an energy storage (3, 22) via a transmission (7-12), characterised in that the transmission ratio between the mass (5) and the converter and/or storage (22) is variable and, for at least one of the extreme positions, increases as the mass (5) moves towards that position.
- Energy harvester (1) according to claim 1,
wherein for at least two extreme positions, the transmission ratio increases as the mass (5) moves towards these positions. - Energy harvester (1) according claim 1 or 2,
wherein the transmission ratio increases disproportionally when the mass (5) moves towards one of the extreme positions. - Energy harvester (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the backward and the forward movement of the mass (5) is limited.
- Energy harvester (1) according to claim 4,
wherein the transmission ratio increases asymptotically when the mass (5) moves towards one of the extreme position. - Energy harvester (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in at least one position of the mass (5) between the extreme positions the transmission has a mechanical advantage of zero or substantially zero.
- Energy harvester (1) according to claim 6,
wherein the transmission has a mechanical advantage of zero or substantially zero over a range between the extreme positions. - Energy harvester (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a base (2), a ground (2; 24), and at least one link (23) suspending the mass (5) from the ground (2; 24).
- Energy harvester (1) according to claim 8,
wherein the at least one link (23) is compliant. - Energy harvester (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mass (5) has a natural frequency in a range from above 0 to 5 Hertz, preferably in a range from 0,2 to 4,5 Hertz.
- Energy harvester (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mass and the at least one flexure are monolithic and/or planar, preferably also planar with a ratchet wheel coupled to the energy converter and/or the energy storage (22).
- Watch movement (21) comprising an automatic winding system comprising the energy harvester (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.
- Watch movement (21) according to claim 12,
wherein the mass (5) is coupled to a ratchet wheel (3), which in turn is coupled to the energy converter and/or the energy storage (22). - Watch movement (21) according to claim 13,
wherein the energy storage (1) comprises a spiral spring (22) . - Wristwatch (20) comprising a movement (21) according to any one of the claims 12-14.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP22153065.2A EP4215999A1 (en) | 2022-01-24 | 2022-01-24 | Energy harvester for a wearable and/or portable device |
JP2023009061A JP2023107762A (en) | 2022-01-24 | 2023-01-24 | Energy harvester for wearable and/or portable device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP22153065.2A EP4215999A1 (en) | 2022-01-24 | 2022-01-24 | Energy harvester for a wearable and/or portable device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP4215999A1 true EP4215999A1 (en) | 2023-07-26 |
Family
ID=80035149
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP22153065.2A Pending EP4215999A1 (en) | 2022-01-24 | 2022-01-24 | Energy harvester for a wearable and/or portable device |
Country Status (2)
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EP (1) | EP4215999A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2023107762A (en) |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB766295A (en) | 1954-01-08 | 1957-01-16 | Paul Baier | Improvements in or relating to self-winding watches |
EP1085383A1 (en) * | 1999-09-17 | 2001-03-21 | Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches | Anti-shock device for a power generator driven by an oscillating weight |
US20150124572A1 (en) * | 2013-11-06 | 2015-05-07 | Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse | Watch with improved power reserve |
WO2019160404A1 (en) | 2018-02-13 | 2019-08-22 | Kinergizer Ip B.V | Energy harvester |
US20190332061A1 (en) | 2016-12-23 | 2019-10-31 | Sa De La Manufacture D ' Horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie | Flexible monolithic component for a timepiece |
WO2021002745A1 (en) | 2019-07-02 | 2021-01-07 | Flexous Mechanisms Ip B.V. | Watch or timepiece |
-
2022
- 2022-01-24 EP EP22153065.2A patent/EP4215999A1/en active Pending
-
2023
- 2023-01-24 JP JP2023009061A patent/JP2023107762A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB766295A (en) | 1954-01-08 | 1957-01-16 | Paul Baier | Improvements in or relating to self-winding watches |
EP1085383A1 (en) * | 1999-09-17 | 2001-03-21 | Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches | Anti-shock device for a power generator driven by an oscillating weight |
US20150124572A1 (en) * | 2013-11-06 | 2015-05-07 | Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse | Watch with improved power reserve |
US20190332061A1 (en) | 2016-12-23 | 2019-10-31 | Sa De La Manufacture D ' Horlogerie Audemars Piguet & Cie | Flexible monolithic component for a timepiece |
WO2019160404A1 (en) | 2018-02-13 | 2019-08-22 | Kinergizer Ip B.V | Energy harvester |
WO2021002745A1 (en) | 2019-07-02 | 2021-01-07 | Flexous Mechanisms Ip B.V. | Watch or timepiece |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2023107762A (en) | 2023-08-03 |
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