JP2022070097A - Vibration power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vibration power generator which can generate electric power even in wind with small wind-force.SOLUTION: A vibration power generator 20 includes: an attachment fixture 30 which is attached to a branch 12 of a tree 10; and a vibration power unit 40 which is provided in the attachment fixture 30 and converts vibration in the branch 12 of the tree 10 to electric energy. Moreover, a wind-receiving part 50 which vibrates the vibration power unit 40 is included, and the wind-receiving part 50 has at least one of a leaf of a plant and an artificial leaf. Therefore, the generation efficiency of the vibration power generator 20 can be increased without affecting the appearance of the tree.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a vibration power generator.

Vibration power generation devices using wind power are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 5).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-123821 International Publication No. 2006/043600 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-21399 JP-A-2017-163818 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-146315

For example, when utilizing ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in forestry, it is necessary to secure a power source for electrical equipment and the like in the forest. As a method of securing a power source, for example, it is conceivable to install a photovoltaic power generation device in a forest.

However, the photovoltaic power generation device may not be able to secure a sufficient amount of power generation due to sunshine conditions and the like.

Further, for example, it is conceivable to install a wind power generation using a wind turbine in a forest.

However, trees may block the wind in the forest and may not provide enough wind to turn the windmill.

In consideration of the above facts, it is an object of the present invention to enable power generation even when the wind power is weak.

The vibration power generation device according to claim 1 includes a mounting portion attached to a branch or trunk of a tree, and a vibration power generation unit provided in the mounting portion that converts vibration of the branch or trunk of the tree into electrical energy. Be prepared.

According to the vibration power generation device according to claim 1, the vibration power generation device has a mounting portion and a vibration power generation unit. The attachment is attached to a tree branch or trunk. A vibration power generation unit is provided in this mounting unit. The vibration power generation unit converts the vibration of a tree branch or trunk into electrical energy.

Here, for example, a tree branch vibrates even if the wind force is weak, such as a breeze. In particular, the branches with leaves tend to vibrate more because the leaves receive the wind. In addition, the trunk of the tree vibrates with the vibration of the branches.

By attaching the attachment portion to the branch or trunk of a tree that vibrates even when the wind power is weak, the vibration power generation unit can generate electricity even when the wind power is weak.

The vibration power generation device according to claim 2 includes, in the vibration power generation device according to claim 1, a wind receiving unit that receives wind to vibrate the vibration power generation unit.

According to the vibration power generation device according to claim 2, it is provided with a wind receiving unit. The wind receiving part receives the wind and vibrates the vibration power generation part. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the vibration power generation unit can be increased.

The vibration power generation device according to claim 3 is the vibration power generation device according to claim 2, wherein the wind receiving portion has at least one of a plant leaf and an artificial leaf.

According to the vibration power generation device according to claim 3, the wind receiving portion has at least one of a plant leaf and an artificial leaf. By using plant leaves or artificial leaves, it is possible to increase the power generation efficiency of the vibration power generation unit without affecting the appearance of the tree.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate electricity even if the wind force is weak.

It is an elevation view which shows the branch of the tree which attached the vibration power generation device which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the vibration power generation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification of the vibration power generation apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the vibration power generation device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Vibration power generator)
FIG. 1 shows a vibration power generation device 20 according to the present embodiment. The vibration power generation device 20 is attached to a branch 12 of a tree 10, and is a power generation device that generates power in accordance with the vibration of the branch 12. The branch 12 has a plurality of leaves 14.

The vibration power generation device 20 is used as a power source for an electric device such as a temperature / humidity sensor (not shown) attached to the tree 10, for example. The vibration power generation device 20 has a mounting jig 30, a vibration power generator 40, and a wind receiving body 50.

(Mounting jig)
The mounting jig 30 is formed in a rod shape, for example, from metal, resin, or the like. Further, the mounting jig 30 is arranged along the branch 12, and is fixed to the branch 12 by, for example, a binding band 32. A vibration power generator 40 is attached to one end of the attachment jig 30.

The method of fixing the mounting jig 30 to the branch 12 is not limited to the binding band 32, and may be, for example, a tape, a rope, a clip, or the like. Further, the mounting jig 30 is an example of a mounting portion.

(Vibration power generator)
As shown in FIG. 2, the vibration power generator 40 has a base plate 42 and a plurality of piezoelectric elements 44. The base plate 42 is formed of a metal plate such as a leaf spring. Further, the one end portion 42E1 in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 42 is fixed to the one end portion 30E1 of the mounting jig 30 by bolts and nuts (not shown). The base plate 42 extends from one end of the mounting jig 30.

The method of fixing the base plate 42 to the mounting jig 30 is not limited to bolts and nuts, and can be appropriately changed.

The base plate 42 is supported in a cantilevered state by a mounting jig 30, and the other end 42E2 in the longitudinal direction thereof is a free end. As shown by the arrow R, the base plate 42 is swingable (curvable) in the thickness direction with one end portion 42E1 in the longitudinal direction as a fulcrum as the branch 12 vibrates. Further, a piezoelectric element 44 is attached to each of the surfaces 42S on both sides of the base plate 42.

The piezoelectric element 44 is, for example, a flexible sheet-shaped film-type piezoelectric element. Each piezoelectric element 44 is fixed (adhered) in a state of being superposed on the surfaces 42S on both sides of the base plate 42. Further, each piezoelectric element 44 is covered with a waterproof film (not shown). A storage battery (secondary battery) and an electronic device (not shown) are connected to these piezoelectric elements 44 via wiring 46.

Here, each piezoelectric element 44 expands and contracts integrally with the base plate 42 while swinging (curving and deforming) in the thickness direction. At this time, each piezoelectric element 44 generates a voltage due to the piezoelectric effect. That is, when the piezoelectric element 44 expands and contracts with the vibration of the branch 12, the vibration of the branch 12 is converted into electrical energy. The generated voltage (electrical energy) is supplied to a storage battery or an electronic device (not shown) via the wiring 46.

The vibration power generator 40 is arranged, for example, with the thickness direction (vibration direction) of the base plate 42 and the piezoelectric element 44 as the direction in which the branch 12 is likely to sway. As a result, the piezoelectric element 44 is likely to swing, so that the power generation efficiency of the vibration power generator 40 is improved. The vibration power generator 40 is an example of a vibration power generation unit.

(Receiver)
A wind receiving body 50 is attached to the vibration power generator 40. The receiver 50 has an artificial branch 52 and a plurality of artificial leaves 54 (see FIG. 1). The artificial branch 52 and the plurality of artificial leaves 54 are formed of, for example, a resin or the like. The wind receiving body 50 is an example of a wind receiving unit.

One end 52E1 of the artificial branch 52 is fixed to the other end (free end) 42E2 of the base plate 42 in the longitudinal direction by a tape 56. Further, the artificial branch 52 extends from the other end 42E2 of the base plate 42.

The artificial branch 52 is supported in a cantilevered state by a mounting jig 30, and the other end 52E2 (see FIG. 1) in the longitudinal direction thereof is a free end. A plurality of artificial leaves 54 are attached to the artificial branch 52. The plurality of artificial leaves 54 are arranged at intervals from each other. As a result, the wind can pass between the adjacent artificial leaves 54. Further, the plurality of artificial leaves 54 are arranged with their surfaces (wind receiving surfaces) facing different directions in consideration of various wind directions.

(Action)
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

When the leaves 14 attached to the branches 12 of the tree 10 receive the wind, the branches 12 vibrate. Along with the vibration of the branch 12, the vibration power generation device 20 attached to the branch 12 generates electricity. More specifically, the base plate 42 of the vibration power generator 40 and the plurality of piezoelectric elements 44 swing (curve deformation) with the vibration of the branch 12. At this time, the plurality of piezoelectric elements 44 expand and contract, and a voltage is generated by the piezoelectric effect. The generated voltage is supplied to a storage battery or an electric device (not shown) via the wiring 46.

Here, for example, the branch 12 of the tree 10 vibrates even if the wind force is weak such as a breeze. In particular, the branch 12 to which the leaf 14 is attached tends to vibrate greatly because the leaf 14 receives the wind.

By attaching the vibration power generator 20 to the branch 12 of the tree 10 that vibrates even with a weak wind, the vibration power generator 40 can generate electricity even with a weak wind.

Further, the vibration power generation device 20 vibrates when the artificial leaf 54 of the wind receiving body 50 receives the wind. As a result, as described above, a voltage is generated by the piezoelectric effect of the plurality of piezoelectric elements 44, and the generated voltage is supplied to a storage battery or an electric device (not shown) via the wiring 46.

By attaching the wind receiver 50 to the vibration power generator 40 in this way, the power generation efficiency can be improved.

Further, the receiving body 50 is formed by an artificial branch 52 and an artificial leaf 54. This makes it possible to increase the power generation efficiency of the vibration power generator 40 without affecting the appearance of the tree 10.

Further, the plurality of artificial leaves 54 are arranged at intervals from each other. As a result, for example, in a strong wind, the wind passes between the adjacent artificial leaves 54. That is, by arranging the plurality of artificial leaves 54 at intervals from each other, it is possible to pass the wind, for example, in a strong wind. Therefore, damage to the wind receiver 50 and the vibration power generator 40 is suppressed.

Further, by passing the wind, the wind receiving body 50 and the vibration power generator 40 can swing (reciprocate) as shown by the arrow R in FIG. Therefore, for example, even in a strong wind, power can be continuously generated.

Moreover, the vibration power generation device 20 can be easily attached to the tree 10 by a manager (lumberjack) who manages the forest.

The natural frequency of the branch 12 may be measured in advance, and the natural frequency of the branch 12 and the natural frequency of the vibration power generation device 20 may be matched or substantially matched. In this case, since the vibration of the vibration power generation device 20 and the branch 12 is amplified by the resonance, the power generation efficiency of the vibration power generation device 20 can be improved. The natural frequency of the vibration power generation device 20 can be efficiently adjusted by utilizing modal analysis or the like.

Further, the vibration power generation device 20 can be used, for example, as a motion sensor for preventing theft of trees and fruits, and as a power source for a beast damage countermeasure device that generates a predetermined repulsion sound as a beast damage countermeasure. Further, for example, when a drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) is flown in a forest, it can be used as a power source for a transmitter that transmits position information (beacon) of trees.

(Modification example)
Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

In the above embodiment, the wind receiving body 50 is formed by the artificial branch 52 and the artificial leaf 54. However, the wind receiving body 50 is not limited to the artificial branch 52 and the artificial leaf 54, and may be formed by, for example, a plant branch and a leaf.

Further, the wind receiving body 50 may be any as long as it can vibrate the vibration power generator 40 by receiving the wind, and its shape and size can be appropriately changed. For example, in the modified example shown in FIG. 3, the wind receiving body 60 is formed in a fan shape. Specifically, the wind receiving body 60 is formed in a fan shape and a plate shape by a resin, metal, or the like. The wind receiving body 60 is an example of a wind receiving unit.

The wind receiving body 60 is arranged with the wind receiving surface 60A facing the vibration direction of the vibration power generator 40. As a result, when the wind receiving surface 60A of the wind receiving body 60 receives wind, the piezoelectric element 44 of the vibration power generator 40 swings (curves and deforms), so that the power generation efficiency of the vibration power generator 40 can be improved as in the above embodiment. Can be enhanced.

Further, in the above embodiment, the wind receiving body 50 is provided in the vibration power generator 40, but the wind receiving body 50 may be provided as needed and may be omitted as appropriate.

When the wind receiver 50 or the like receives the wind and shakes greatly and comes into contact with (collisions) with other branches or trunks, the wind receiver 50 or the like vibrates due to the impact at the time of contact. The vibration power generation device 20 is also vibrated by the vibration of the wind receiver 50 and the like. In this case, the power generation efficiency of the vibration power generation device 20 is enhanced.

Further, in the vibration power generator 40 of the above embodiment, the piezoelectric elements 44 are provided on the surfaces 42S on both sides of the base plate 42, respectively. However, the arrangement and number of the piezoelectric elements 44 can be changed as appropriate. Therefore, for example, it is possible to increase the amount of power generation by laminating a plurality of piezoelectric elements 44 on the surface 42S of the base plate 42.

Further, the vibration power generator 40 of the above embodiment utilizes the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element 44. However, the vibration power generation unit is not limited to the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric element 44, and may be, for example, a vibration power generator of an electromagnetic induction type, an electrostatic induction type, a magnetic strain type, or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, the vibration power generation device 20 is attached to the branch 12 of the tree 10. However, the vibration power generation device 20 may be attached to, for example, a trunk of a tree 10 or a trunk of bamboo. Bamboo is an example of a tree.

Further, the vibration power generation device 20 according to the above embodiment can be attached to various trees. Further, the vibration power generation device 20 according to the above embodiment is not limited to trees in the forest, and may be attached to, for example, roadside trees.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and one embodiment and various modifications may be used in combination as appropriate. Of course, it can be carried out in various embodiments as long as it does not deviate.

10 Trees 12 Branches 20 Vibration power generator 30 Mounting jig (mounting part)
40 Vibration generator (vibration power generator)
50 Wind receiving body (wind receiving part)
54 Artificial leaf 60 Vendor (receptor)

Claims (3)

A mounting part that can be attached to a tree branch or trunk,
A vibration power generation unit provided in the mounting portion and converting the vibration of the branch or trunk of the tree into electrical energy.
Vibration power generator equipped with. A wind receiving unit that receives wind and vibrates the vibration power generation unit is provided.
The vibration power generation device according to claim 1. The wind receiving portion has at least one of a plant leaf and an artificial leaf.
The vibration power generation device according to claim 2.

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