JP2008030640A - Vehicular power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular power generator which effectively generates electricity by vibrations of a member supported on a vehicle body. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicular power generator 10 comprises: a spoiler 14 supported to displace relatively to a vehicle body in a position having possibility of receiving traveling wind generated while a vehicle travels; a power generator 22 converting the energy of vertical vibrations of the spoiler 14 generated by receiving the traveling wind into electric energy; and an electricity accumulating device 24 accumulating the electric energy obtained by the power generator 22 generation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle power generator.

There is known a technique in which a vibration generator that generates electric power by idling of an automobile main body or vibration of the rearview mirror generated during traveling is provided in a mirror housing of an automobile external rearview mirror (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-105979 A

  However, since the conventional technology as described above does not use the vibration of the rearview mirror with respect to the vehicle body, the vibration energy transmitted to the eccentric rotating body and the pendulum weight built in the vibration generator is only converted into electric energy. Therefore, there was a limit to the increase in power generation.

  In view of the above fact, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular power generation apparatus that can effectively generate power by vibration of a member supported on a vehicle body.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicular power generation apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a movable member supported so as to be relatively displaceable with respect to the vehicle body at a position where it can receive traveling wind, and power generation by vibration of the movable member. Power generation means to perform.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the movable member receives the traveling wind as the vehicle travels. For example, when the vibration of the movable member with respect to the vehicle body is caused by the vibration force based on the fluctuation of the traveling wind (receiving state) or the like, the power generation means generates power by this vibration. Here, in this vehicle power generation device, the vibration energy of the movable member that vibrates with respect to the vehicle body in response to the traveling wind is converted into electric energy. In other words, the vibration energy of the member that is the excitation source is converted into electric energy. In order to convert, it can generate electric power using a big vibration energy.

  Thus, in the vehicle power generation device according to the first aspect, the power generation can be effectively performed by the vibration of the member supported by the vehicle body.

  In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle power generator according to the invention described in claim 2 includes an aerodynamic member supported by a vehicle body at a position where it can receive traveling wind, and power generation means for generating power by vibration of the aerodynamic member; It has.

  In the vehicular power generation apparatus according to the second aspect, the aerodynamic member receives the traveling wind as the vehicle travels, and performs aerodynamic functions such as rectification and downforce generation. For example, when the aerodynamic member is vibrated with respect to the vehicle body (for example, in the direction of coming into contact with or separated from the vehicle body) due to the vibration force based on fluctuations or the like in the traveling wind (received state), the power generation means generates power. Here, in this vehicle power generation device, the vibration energy of the aerodynamic member that vibrates with respect to the vehicle body in response to the traveling wind is converted into electric energy, in other words, it is a vibration source and performs an aerodynamic function. Since the vibration energy of a large aerodynamic member that receives a large aerodynamic force is converted into electrical energy, power generation is performed using the large vibration energy, and a large amount of power generation can be obtained.

  Thus, in the vehicle power generation device according to the second aspect, the power generation can be effectively performed by the vibration of the member supported by the vehicle body.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicular power generation device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the movable member or the aerodynamic member is formed in a plate shape that is long in the vehicle width direction. And is supported away from the vehicle body by a support member erected from the vehicle body.

  In the vehicle power generation device according to claim 3, the movable member or the aerodynamic member supported in a state of being separated from the vehicle body by one or a plurality of supporting members is easily subjected to traveling wind, and as a whole due to fluctuations in traveling wind or the like. Or a part may produce the vibration with respect to a vehicle body, deform | transforming.

  A vehicle power generation device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle power generation device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the movable member or the aerodynamic member is attached to the vehicle body via an elastic member. It is supported.

  In the vehicle power generation device according to claim 4, since the movable member or the aerodynamic member is elastically supported with respect to the vehicle body and can be displaced as a whole with respect to the vehicle body, large vibration energy is transmitted to the power generation means. obtain. In particular, if an elastic member having a small attenuation is used, vibration (preserving force of the elastic body) for a certain period is maintained even when an impulse-like excitation force (energy) due to, for example, fluctuation of traveling wind is input. Therefore, vibration energy can be effectively used for power generation.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the vehicular power generation device further includes a displacement applying unit that applies a forced displacement to the movable member or the aerodynamic member by operating.

  In the vehicular power generation device according to claim 5, when the displacement imparting unit applies a forced displacement to the movable member or the aerodynamic member, the movable member or the aerodynamic member supported by the vehicle body via the elastic member applies an external force such as traveling wind. Since vibration is generated even if it is not received, the amplitude is secured even by relatively weak aerodynamic forces (such as fluctuations) such as traveling wind at low speed and natural wind received at the time of stopping, and power generation means can generate power .

  As described above, the vehicular power generation apparatus according to the present invention has an excellent effect that power can be generated effectively by the vibration of the member supported by the vehicle body.

  A vehicle power generation device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In the figure, an arrow FR indicates a forward direction (traveling direction) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, an arrow UP indicates an upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, and an arrow W indicates a vehicle width direction.

  FIG. 3A is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the automobile 12 to which the vehicle power generation device 10 is applied. As shown in this figure, the automobile 12 includes a spoiler (horizontal wing) 14 as a movable member or an aerodynamic member provided at the rear end 12A. As shown in FIG. 3B, the spoiler 14 is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is long in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, and a lower end 18A is fixed to a trunk lid 16 that constitutes the rear end portion 12A of the automobile 12. A pair of support plates (vertical blades) 18 are bridged. In this embodiment, the length of the spoiler 14 along the vehicle width direction substantially matches the entire width of the trunk lid 16 (the automobile 12).

  14 described above is a down force that presses the vehicle body (rear wheel 20) against the road surface R side in response to the traveling wind A generated as the automobile 12 travels as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B). The force F is generated. As shown in FIG. 4, the spoiler 14 may be disposed at the rear end of the roof panel 21 in the automobile 12 that does not include a trunk that is opened and closed by the trunk lid 16. The vehicle power generation device 10 is a device that generates power using the vibration of the spoiler 14. This will be specifically described below.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicular power generation device 10 includes a spoiler 14 (a support structure described later), a power generation device 22 that converts vibration energy of the spoiler 14 into electrical energy, and power generation (energy conversion) of the power generation device 22. The power storage device 24 that stores the electric energy generated by the above as chemical energy is a main component.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 2, the spoiler 14 is supported at both ends 14 </ b> A in the longitudinal direction by corresponding support plates 18 (that is, the vehicle body) via springs 26 as elastic members so as to be relatively displaceable in the vehicle body vertical direction. ing. In this embodiment, both ends 14 </ b> A of the spoiler 14 in the longitudinal direction are supported by the support plate 18 via a pair of upper and lower springs 26. The spring 26 may be configured by a coil spring, but a compact configuration such as a disc spring or a leaf spring may be used. As the spring 26, it is preferable to use a metal spring with small damping.

  As described above, for example, the spoiler 14 changes in the strength and direction of the traveling wind received by the wind receiving surface 14B facing both the front side and the upper side, or changes the posture of the wind receiving surface 14B by turning (rolling) of the automobile 12 or the like. In such a case, vibrations are generated in the vertical direction of the vehicle body while maintaining the posture of the wind receiving surface 14B with respect to the vehicle body, with these fluctuations (acceleration) as a vibration force.

  The power generation device 22 includes a piezo element 28 as a piezoelectric element disposed between the spoiler 14 and the support plate 18. The piezo element 28 is configured (including arrangement) so as to generate an electromotive force upon receiving a compressive force along the vertical direction of the vehicle body. In FIG. 2, the piezo element 28 is shown as a model following the displacement (compression, extension) of the spring 26. A plurality of the piezoelectric elements 28 may be stacked in the compression direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the piezo element 28 is electrically connected to the power storage device 24. The power storage device 24 is configured to store the electric energy generated by the piezo element 28 in a battery (not shown) and not to release the stored electric energy to the piezo element 28. Furthermore, the power storage device 24 is electrically connected to a load device (not shown) that consumes the stored electrical energy.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the automobile 12 to which the vehicle power generation device 10 having the above configuration is applied, the spoiler 14 generates the downforce F while receiving the traveling wind A on the wind receiving surface 14B as it travels. When the spoiler 14 vibrates in the vertical direction of the vehicle body due to fluctuations and disturbances in the traveling wind (strength and direction), and the posture change accompanying the turning of the vehicle body, the piezoelectric element 28 repeatedly compresses (compressive force) by this vibration. Generate electricity while receiving it. That is, the vibration energy of the spoiler 14 is converted into electric energy by the piezo element 28. This electrical energy is stored as chemical energy that can be directly converted into electrical energy by the power storage device 24, and is consumed according to the demand of the load device.

  Here, in the vehicular power generation device 10, vibration energy of the spoiler 14 that generates vibration with respect to the vehicle body by receiving traveling wind is converted into electric energy. In other words, vibration energy of a member that is a vibration source is directly generated. Since the electric energy is converted into electric energy, the entire vibration energy of the spoiler 14 can be efficiently used to generate electric power. In addition, since the spoiler 14 is a member that receives a large aerodynamic force in order to perform an aerodynamic function (generation of the down force F), the spoiler 14 often vibrates with a large vibration energy, and a large amount of power generation can be obtained.

  In particular, since the spoiler 14 is supported so as to be relatively displaceable with respect to the vehicle body, the spoiler 14 vibrates with respect to the vehicle body as a whole and vibrates based on its own elasticity (the support point by the pair of support plates 18 is a node of amplitude). The vibration energy can be efficiently converted into electric energy as compared with a configuration that is likely to occur. Moreover, since the spoiler 14 is supported by the support plate 18 via the spring 26, for example, when an impulse-like excitation force (energy) due to fluctuations in traveling wind, sudden turning, step-up, etc. is input. However, the vibration of the spoiler 14 (preserving force of the spring 26) is maintained for a certain period, and vibration energy for power generation can be effectively acquired from the spoiler 14.

  In the vehicular power generation device 10, if the spoiler 14 is displaced relative to the support plate 18, the piezo element 28 is compressed and an electromotive force is generated. Therefore, for example, it is possible to generate power by receiving natural wind while the automobile 12 is stopped.

  (Other Embodiments) Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the components / parts basically the same as the first embodiment or the configuration described above, the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment or the configuration described above are attached, and the description thereof is omitted. Further, the illustration may be omitted.

  Second Embodiment FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a main part of a vehicle power generation device 32 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the vehicle power generation device 32 includes the power generation device 32 based on the dynamo principle instead of the power generation device 22 based on the piezo principle, and the vehicle power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment. Is different.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the power generation device 32 is replaced with the piezoelectric element 28, and both ends 14A in the longitudinal direction of the spoiler 14 are integrally displaced with the spoiler 14 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. The main part is composed of a magnet 34 fixedly attached to each other and a coil 36 supported by the support plate 18 and through which the magnet 34 is inserted. In the power generation device 32, an induced electromotive force is generated in the coil 36 due to the relative displacement between the magnet 34 and the coil 36 that is generated in association with the relative displacement of the spoiler 14 with respect to the support plate 18.

  That is, the power generation device 32 according to the modification is configured to generate power based on the dynamo principle as described above. Other configurations of the vehicle power generation device 32 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the vehicle power generation device 10. Therefore, the vehicle power generation device 32 according to the second embodiment can obtain the same effect by the same operation as that of the vehicle power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment, except that the power generation principle is different.

  (Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a vehicular power generator 40 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the vehicular power generation device 40 differs from the vehicular power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment in that it includes an activator 42 as a displacement imparting unit.

  The activator 42 is a linear actuator such as a solenoid, for example, and is arranged between the spoiler 14 and the support plate 18 so as to operate and apply a forced displacement to the spoiler 14. In this embodiment, the activator 42 is configured to operate using a parking brake operation signal as a trigger. For example, the activation of the activator 42 triggered by a parking brake operation signal can be realized by control by a relay circuit or EUC.

  As described above, the vehicle power generation device 40 is configured to forcibly apply the initial displacement to the spoiler 14 when the automobile 12 stops. Other configurations of the vehicle power generation device 40 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the vehicle power generation device 10.

  Therefore, the power generation by the power generation device 22 (power generation device 32) during vehicle travel is the same as that of the vehicle power generation device 10 according to the first embodiment, even by the vehicle power generation device 40 according to the third embodiment. A similar effect can be obtained.

  Further, in the vehicular power generation apparatus 40, since the initial displacement is applied to the spoiler 14 when the automobile 12 is stopped, for example, the spoiler 14 is relatively free even when receiving natural wind with relatively small energy (vibration force). It vibrates with a large amplitude, and this vibration energy can be effectively converted into electric energy. That is, for example, relatively weak vibration energy can be recovered by adding a bias due to initial displacement to vibration energy with weak natural wind that is difficult to recover (convert to electric energy) as it is. Further, even when the traveling wind is weak, such as during low-speed traveling, the activator 42 can be operated to improve the power generation efficiency.

  In the third embodiment, the example in which the activator 42 gives the initial displacement to the spoiler 14 has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the function of giving the initial displacement to the spoiler 14, Or you may comprise so that the activator 42 may fulfill | perform the function to reduce the support rigidity (spring constant) of the spoiler 14 with respect to the support plate 18 with this function. For example, one of the pair of upper and lower springs 26 grasped as a parallel spring that supports the spoiler 14 with respect to the support plate 18 is configured to be separated from the spoiler 14 or the support plate 18 by the operation of the activator 42. The support rigidity (spring constant) of the spoiler 14 with respect to the plate 18 can be reduced. Thereby, the amplitude of the spoiler 14 can be ensured with relatively weak vibration energy (vibration force). The function of lowering the support rigidity (spring constant) of the spoiler 14 with respect to the support plate 18 and the function of giving the initial displacement to the spoiler 14 may be performed by separate actuators.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which power generation is performed by vibration of the spoiler 14 disposed at the rear end portion 12A of the automobile 12 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the front portion of the automobile 12 Alternatively, power generation may be performed by vibration of a spoiler disposed under the front bumper or the like, or power generation may be performed by vibration of an aerodynamic member such as spats disposed in front of the front wheels.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle power generation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view showing typically the power generation part of the power generator for vehicles concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a side view of the motor vehicle to which the vehicle power generator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and (B) is a perspective view of a spoiler provided in the motor vehicle. It is a side view which shows another example of the motor vehicle to which the vehicle electric power generating apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a figure which shows typically the electric power generation part of the electric power generating apparatus for vehicles which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view of the whole structure, (B) is a perspective view which expands partially. . It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the vehicle electric power generating apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Vehicle power generator 16 Trunk lid (body)
18 Support plate (support member)
21 Roof panel (car body)
22 Power generation equipment (power generation means)
30.40 Power generation equipment for vehicles 32 Power generation equipment (power generation means)
42 Activator (displacement giving means)

Claims (5)

  A vehicle power generation device comprising: a movable member supported so as to be capable of relative displacement with respect to a vehicle body at a position where it can receive traveling wind; and a power generation means for generating power by vibration of the movable member.   A vehicle power generation apparatus comprising: an aerodynamic member supported by a vehicle body at a position where it can receive traveling wind; and power generation means for generating power by vibration of the aerodynamic member.   The movable member or the aerodynamic member is formed in a plate shape that is long in the vehicle width direction, and is supported separately from the vehicle body by a support member that stands upright from the vehicle body. The vehicle power generation device according to 2.   The vehicular power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the movable member or the aerodynamic member is supported by a vehicle body via an elastic member. The vehicular power generation apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a displacement applying unit that operates to apply a forced displacement to the movable member or the aerodynamic member.

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