JP2011259521A - Power generation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power generation apparatus that is durable and capable of attaining highly efficient power generation using loading of heavy objects such as human body and vehicle.SOLUTION: The power generation apparatus 100 includes tanks 11 and 12, pipes 21 and 22, a turbine 30 and a generator 40. The tanks 11 and 12 store fluid and change an inner volume depending upon loading from the outside. The pipes 21 and 22 flow fluid between the tanks 11 and 12. The turbine 30 generates a rotational force by the motion or pressure of fluid flowing in the pipes 21 and 22. The generator 40 generates electric power using a rotational force generated by the turbine 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generator.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a method has been proposed in which a generator is installed on a floor or a staircase, and power is generated using the weight of a person or vehicle passing over the generator. In this method, for example, a piezoelectric element that converts pressure or vibration into voltage is used as power generation means.

  The piezoelectric element generates a voltage when an external force is applied to cause distortion. Therefore, in the method using a piezoelectric element, the durability of the piezoelectric element becomes a problem. In response to this problem, for example, by forcing the direction of stress generated in the piezoelectric element and the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric element within the design value, the burden on the piezoelectric element is reduced, thereby improving the durability of the piezoelectric element. The method is known.

JP 2006-262575 A

“Demonstration Experiment on“ Power Generation Floor ”at Tokyo Station”, [Search on May 28, 2010], Internet <URL: www.jreast.co.jp/press/2007_2/20080105.pdf>

  However, in the conventional method described above, the piezoelectric element can be distorted only within the range of the allowable bending strength of the piezoelectric element. Therefore, in order to obtain a large amount of power generation, a piezoelectric element having a large area and length is required. Moreover, the electric power generated by the piezoelectric element is generated only for a very short time and is a high voltage and small current. Therefore, in order to use a piezoelectric element in a general electronic device, a circuit for stepping down and a circuit for smoothing are indispensable, resulting in low power generation efficiency.

  For this reason, there has been a demand for a power generation means that is durable and can efficiently generate power using the load of a heavy object such as a human body or a vehicle.

  The disclosed technique has been made in view of the above, and has an object of providing a power generation device that is durable and that can efficiently generate power using the weight of a heavy object such as a human body or a vehicle. And

  In one aspect, a power generation apparatus disclosed in the present application includes first and second accommodation means, flow means, rotation means, and power generation means. The first and second storage means store fluid, and the internal volume changes due to external load. The flow means causes the fluid to flow between the first accommodation means and the second accommodation means. The rotating means generates a rotational force by the movement or pressure of the fluid flowing by the flow means. The power generation means generates power using the rotational force generated by the rotation means.

  According to the power generation device disclosed in the present application, there is an effect that it is durable and can efficiently generate power using the weight of a heavy object such as a human body or a vehicle.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the power generation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram (1) illustrating the example of the tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a diagram (2) illustrating an example of the tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the turbine and the generator according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the power generation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram (1) illustrating another example of the tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5B is a diagram (2) illustrating another example of the tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6A is a diagram (1) illustrating another example of the tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a diagram (2) illustrating another example of the tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7A is a diagram (1) illustrating an example of a tank according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7B is a diagram (2) illustrating an example of the tank according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8A is a diagram (1) illustrating another example of the tank according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8B is a diagram (2) illustrating another example of the tank according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a power generator disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The technology disclosed in the present application is not limited by the following embodiments.

  First, the configuration of the power generation device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the power generation device according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the power generation apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes tanks 11 and 12, pipes 21 and 22, a turbine 30, and a generator 40.

  The tanks 11 and 12 contain a fluid, and the internal volume changes due to an external load. The pipes 21 and 22 cause fluid to flow between the tank 11 and the tank 12. The pipe 21 is provided between the tank 11 and the turbine 30, and the pipe 22 is provided between the tank 12 and the turbine 30. The turbine 30 is provided between the pipe 21 and the pipe 22, and generates a rotational force by the movement or pressure of the fluid flowing through the pipes 21 and 22. The generator 40 generates power using the rotational force generated by the turbine 30.

  Here, when a weight is applied to either the tank 11 or the tank 12 from the outside, a pressure difference is generated between the tank 11 and the tank 12. As a result, the fluid flows into the turbine 30 from the tank to which the weight is applied via the pipe 21 or the pipe 22. Thereby, the turbine 30 generates a rotational force, and the generator 40 generates power using the rotational force. As described above, the power generation apparatus according to the first embodiment can generate power by applying an external load without using a piezoelectric element having a problem in durability. Therefore, the power generation apparatus according to the first embodiment is durable and can efficiently generate power using the weight of a heavy object such as a human body or a vehicle.

  Next, the tanks 11 and 12 according to the first embodiment will be specifically described. For example, the tanks 11 and 12 are formed of a flexible material, and the internal volume changes by being deformed by an external load. Since the tanks 11 and 12 have the same structure, the tank 11 will be described as an example here.

  2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an example of the tanks 11 and 12 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2A, for example, the tank 11 is formed of a flexible material and contains the fluid 1 therein. Here, the material having flexibility is, for example, rubber or vinyl. The fluid 1 is a liquid such as water or oil, for example.

  And the tank 11 changes an internal volume by changing with the external load. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the tank 11 is deformed when the weight W is applied, and the internal volume is reduced. As a result, the fluid 1 flows from the tank 11 to the turbine 30 via the pipe 21.

  Next, the turbine 30 and the generator 40 according to the first embodiment will be specifically described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the turbine 30 and the generator 40 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the turbine 30 is installed between the tank 11 and the tank 12. The turbine 30 is connected to the tank 11 via the pipe 21 and is connected to the tank 12 via the pipe 22. For example, the generator 40 is installed on the turbine 30. The generator 40 has a power generation mechanism that generates power using rotational force.

  Here, the turbine 30 and the generator 40 are connected via a common rotating shaft 31. A blade 32 is fixed to the end of the rotating shaft 31 on the turbine 30 side. When fluid flows from the tank 11 or the tank 12 into the turbine 30, the motion or pressure of the fluid that has flowed in acts on the blades 32, and the rotating shaft 31 rotates. On the other hand, the end of the rotating shaft 31 on the generator 40 side is connected to a power generation mechanism included in the power generator 40. When the rotary shaft 31 rotates, the power generation mechanism of the generator 40 generates power using the rotational force of the rotary shaft 31. The shape of the turbine 30 and the shape of the blades 32 are not limited to those shown in the drawings, and various shapes can be used.

  Next, an application example of the power generation device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the power generation device 100 according to the first embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of power generation devices 100 are tightened on the floor. As a result, it is possible to generate power with the weight of a human passing over the floor. In this case, since the tanks 11 and 12 are stepped on at random, the fluid 1 flows into the turbine 30 from either the pipe 21 or the pipe 22. Therefore, it is desirable that the turbine 30 and the generator 40 are respectively rotatable in both directions.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the tanks 11 and 12 contain the fluid 1, and the internal volume changes due to external load. Pipes 21 and 22 cause fluid 1 to flow between tank 11 and tank 12. Further, the turbine 30 generates a rotational force by the movement or pressure of the fluid 1 flowing through the pipes 21 and 22. The generator 40 generates power using the rotational force generated by the turbine 30. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, there is durability, and it is possible to efficiently generate power using the weight of a heavy object such as a human body or a vehicle.

  Further, in the power generation apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, the tanks 11 and 12 are formed of a flexible material, and the internal volume changes by being deformed by an external load. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, since the internal volume of the tank can be changed with a simple structure, the power generation device can be easily manufactured.

  In the first embodiment, the case where the tanks 11 and 12 are formed of a flexible material such as rubber or vinyl has been described. However, the tank according to the first embodiment is not limited to this.

  For example, the tank may have a cylinder structure. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating another example of the tank according to the first embodiment. The tank 51 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B corresponds to the tank 11 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the tank 51 includes a cylinder 51a, a piston 51b, and a pedal 51c. The cylinder 51 a contains the fluid 1. The piston 51b is fitted to the cylinder 51a and is provided so as to be able to reciprocate within the cylinder 51a. The pedal 51c is fixed to the end of the piston 51b outside the cylinder 51a.

  And the internal volume of the tank 51 changes when the piston 51b is pushed in by external weighting. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when a weight W is applied to the pedal 51c, the internal volume of the tank 51 decreases due to the piston 51b being pushed by the weight W. As a result, the fluid 1 flows from the tank 51 to the turbine 30 via the pipe 21.

  As described above, when the tank has a cylinder structure, the cylinder 51a, the piston 51b, and the pedal 51c can be made of a material having excellent durability. Therefore, the durability of the tank can be increased compared to the case where the tank is formed of a flexible material. In addition, if the cylinder 51a is formed of a material having high rigidity, the tank will not be deformed as in the case where the tank is formed of a flexible material. Therefore, the fluid supplied to the turbine can be efficiently used by the energy given by the load. Can be poured. As a result, power generation can be performed more efficiently.

  Further, the tank may have, for example, a bellows structure. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating another example of the tank according to the first embodiment. The tank 61 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B corresponds to the tank 11 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, for example, the tank 61 is formed in a bellows shape in which at least a part of the peripheral wall portion 61a can expand and contract in the vertical direction, and accommodates the fluid 1 therein. Here, the bellows shape is a state in which peaks and valleys are alternately and continuously formed.

  And as for the tank 61, the internal volume changes because the surrounding wall part 61a is expanded-contracted to an up-down direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, when a weight W is applied from above, the inner volume of the tank 61 decreases due to the peripheral wall 61a contracting in the vertical direction. As a result, the fluid 1 flows from the tank 61 to the turbine 30 via the pipe 21.

  Thus, when a tank has a bellows structure, parts other than a bellows structure can be formed with the material excellent in durability. Therefore, the durability of the tank can be enhanced compared to the case where the entire tank is formed of a flexible material. In addition, since the tank structure is simpler than that having a cylinder structure, the power generation device can be easily manufactured.

  By the way, in the first embodiment, when a further weight is applied to the tank deformed by the load, there is a possibility that the fluid does not sufficiently flow to the turbine because the fluid in the tank is small. Therefore, for example, when there is no external weighting, the internal volume of the tank may return to the size before weighting. Hereinafter, such an example will be described as a second embodiment. In addition, the structure of the electric power generating apparatus which concerns on the present Example 2 is fundamentally the same as what was shown in FIG. 1, and only the structures of a tank differ. Therefore, here, the tank according to the second embodiment will be described.

  The tank according to the second embodiment includes an elastic member, and the internal volume is reduced when there is a load from the outside, and the internal volume is reduced by the elastic force of the elastic member when there is no external load. Return to size. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating an example of the tank 71 according to the second embodiment. 7A and 7B corresponds to the tank 11 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, for example, the tank 71 is formed of a flexible material and contains the fluid 1 therein. Here, the tank 71 includes a spring 71a as an elastic member.

  7B, the internal volume of the tank 71 decreases when there is a weight W from the outside. As a result, the fluid 1 flows from the tank 71 to the turbine 30 via the pipe 21. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7A, when there is no external weighting, the tank 71 returns to the size before the weighting by the restoring force of the spring 71a.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the tank 71 includes an elastic member. When the external load is applied, the internal volume is reduced. When the external load is not applied, the elastic force of the elastic member is used. The internal volume returns to the size before weighting. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the fluid is not biased in any of the tanks, and even when a plurality of tanks are randomly weighted, there is a probability that the tank with less fluid is weighted. Decrease. Thereby, the electric power generation amount can be increased.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the spring 71a is used as the elastic member has been described. However, other elastic members such as rubber may be used. In the second embodiment, the case where the spring 71 a is provided inside the tank 71 has been described. However, the spring 71 a may be provided outside the tank 71. In the second embodiment, the case where one spring 71a is provided has been described. However, a plurality of springs may be arranged inside the tank 71 in accordance with the direction of external weighting.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the tank includes an elastic member has been described. However, the technology disclosed in the present application is not limited to this. For example, the tank itself may be formed of a material having elasticity.

  8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating another example of the tank according to the second embodiment. The tank 81 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B corresponds to the tank 11 shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the tank 81 is formed of a material 81a having elasticity and accommodates the fluid 1 therein.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the tank 81 has a reduced internal volume when there is a weight from the outside. As a result, the fluid 1 flows from the tank 81 to the turbine 30 via the pipe 21. On the other hand, when there is no external weighting, as shown in FIG. 8A, the tank 81 returns its internal volume to the size before weighting by the elastic force of the material 81a.

  Thus, when the tank itself is formed of a material having elasticity, the number of members constituting the tank is reduced compared to the case where an elastic member such as a spring or rubber is used. Such costs can be reduced.

  The embodiment of the power generation device disclosed in the present application has been described above. According to the power generation device disclosed in the present application, it is possible to generate power using a weight generated when a heavy object such as a person or an automobile moves. In addition, for example, if the power generation device disclosed in the present application is installed in a place with a lot of traffic such as an urban area or a road, and the power generated by the power generation device is stored in the power storage element, the power stored in the power storage element is illuminated. And can be used as a power source for other electrical equipment.

  As described above, the power generation device disclosed in the present application is useful when installed on a floor, a staircase, or the like, and is particularly suitable for a case where improvement in durability or power generation efficiency is required.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Power generation device 11,12 Tank 21,22 Pipe 30 Turbine 40 Generator

Claims (7)

First and second containing means for containing a fluid, the inner volume of which changes by an external load;
Flow means for causing the fluid to flow between the first accommodation means and the second accommodation means;
Rotating means for generating a rotational force by the movement or pressure of the fluid flowing by the flow means;
A power generation device comprising: power generation means for generating electric power using a rotational force generated by the rotation means.   2. The power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second accommodation units are formed of a flexible material, and the internal volume changes by being deformed by an external load. The first and second accommodating means are:
A cylinder containing the fluid;
A piston fitted into the cylinder and reciprocally movable in the cylinder;
The power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the internal volume changes when the piston is pushed in by an external load.   The first and second accommodating means are characterized in that at least a part of the peripheral wall portion is formed in a bellows shape that can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction, and the internal volume changes as the peripheral wall portion expands and contracts in the vertical direction. The power generator according to claim 1.   The first and second accommodation means include an elastic member, and when the external load is applied, the internal volume decreases, and when there is no external load, the contents are generated by the elastic force of the elastic member. The power generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the product returns to a size before weighting.   The first and second accommodating means are formed of a material having elasticity, and the internal volume decreases when there is an external load, and the elastic force of the material when there is no external load. The power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the internal volume returns to a size before weighting.   The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the rotating unit is a turbine.

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